Day 12 - Emotional Emptiness

I am on Day 12 in the Made to Crave Devotional on the 1st day of 2013.

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him." Psalm 34:8

Thought for the Day: Somewhere behind all of the numbers, a less measurable force is at work within me.  It takes the form of emptiness or lack.

Today Lysa brought up the that we aren't our mistakes.  I needed to read that this morning.  As we start a new year, I look back at 2012 and it is hard not to dwell on the bad choices, missed opportunities, hurts, etc.  I can't change the past, but I can choice to repent, learn from it and continue to grow in Christ.  That is exactly what I want for 2013.  I know there will be bad choices made, missed opportunities, hurts, etc; but I can't let them govern my every hour!

Siesta Scripture Memory Verse Team

I'm starting the new year off as a Siesta!  Beth Moore is encouraging women to memorize 24 Bible verses this year (2 a month).  We are to post on the Living Proof Blog post the 1st & 15th of every month.  My first verse of 2013:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things."  Philippians 4:8 NET

Day 11 - A Grace Place

"Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  Hebrews 4"16

Thought for the Day:  God is asking me to go to a new place - a place of grace!

I remember the time in my life when my heart learned what brain knew...God's grace!  I wanted to plaster it on Facebook, "Why had no ever taught me this about God's grace?"  Sure I had heard the word used & I sung about it in the church choir.  To realize how merciful & gracious He is, well as much as my feeble mind is about to understand His mercy & grace.  It makes me sad when people talk about not being good enough yet for God, or they have made too many mistakes or even legalistic views telling other believers that they have ruined their testimony & God can't use them now.  SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?  No one is good enough that's what makes His grace so amazing!  He loves us even though, He knows our every word BEFORE we speak it, He knows our every action, our every motive, our every thought.  AND He loves us ANYWAYS!  How amazing is that!  Also, He is gracious to forgive us when we sin, His grace does not stop at salvation!

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, 

that saved a wretch like me.  

I once was lost, but now I see; 

was blind, but now I see.

T'was grace that taught my heart to fear.

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear,

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils & snares,

we have already come.

T'was grace that brought us safe thus far,

and grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me,

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be,

as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years, 

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise,

then when we've first begun.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

that saved a wretch like me.

I once was blind, but now I see'

was blind but now I see."

Day 10 - Why Do We Crave

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you...for the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.  These are not from the Father, but are from this world." 1 John 2:15-16 (NLT)

Thought for the Day: While Eve focused on the object of her temptations, Jesus kept His focus on God's truth.  What matters most to me? - Made to Crave Devotional

As we grow in our relationship with God, we long to know more about Him, to be in communication with Him & to be closer to Him.  This is why we crave.  However Satan wants to take a good thing God has given us & taint it.  So instead of craving God, we crave food & sex & material items & recognition.  Lysa asked  a tough, but smart question, "When we face our own cravings, will we be like Eve, focusing on our object of desire?  Or will we be like Jesus, pausing, reciting truth, and remembering what matters most?"  I hurt just reading that, because instances where I didn't pause & think it through.  Instead I did what I thought I wanted only to have to pay the consequences later...YUCK!  Yes, "yuck!" is my very mature response.  I so want to be the woman of God, He wants me to be!  I will be honest I know some Scripture, but I have not put in the work of memorizing verses.  This is something I am going to implement ASAP, so that when I'm warring with my flesh I can speak His Truth!

Day 9 - Compromise vs. Promise

Today's posting regarding the Made to Crave Devotional is a little delayed because I overslept & raced over to my brother's house to let his dog out & feed her....thankfully there were no messes to clean up!!!!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full."  John 10:10

Thought for the Day:  What happens when you take the "com" off of compromise?  You are left with a promise.  A promise you are meant to live.

compromise:

1. to expose or make vulnerable
2. to make an unfavorable concession or indulgence
3. to weaken

How many times have I compromised for a moment of pleasure & later had to deal with the regret???  It isn't fun to think about, but if I am going to be successful I need to examine my failures.

High to the Five Friday is HERE!!!!

Hello Everyone...I just realized that this is my last High Five Friday of 2012!

1.  On Monday my birthday boots arrived!!!!!  A friend had given me birthday money with specific instructions, that I had to spend it on a want.  Well I got on to DSW's website & I had $20 in coupons that I hadn't used so I ordered these boots :)  Now I know you are thinking, Mary your birthday was in October...they sent the wrong color so I had to mail them back...

2.  My dresser has finally been completed!

3.  I know this is silly, but I'm super excited to say that I have lost 14% of my goal.  I've been working on being a healthier me & of course it isn't just about the number on the scale.  But I'm excited nonetheless ;)

****I wanted to get the fun silly ones out of the way to make way for #4 & #5****

4.  I am grateful for my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ!  The celebration of His birth has been so very precious to me this year.  Focusing on that has lessened the pain of missing my parents during a time of year when everyone is talking about celebrating with their family & continuing family traditions.  On Christmas Eve night, my younger brother, aunt, cousin & her husband had dinner while "A Christmas Story" played in the background.  It was just tough.  The Lord has graciously provided encouragement, love & laughter through some amazing people he has placed in my life:

• A sweet sister surprised me on Christmas eve with a sparkly "M"
• I was able to enjoy dinner with a dear family that entered my life this year.  
• I was able to spend sometime on Christmas & Thursday with the Smiths, I love this family more than words can say. 
• A new friendship has sprouted this week.
• I had the pleasure of experiencing ALBC's "Christmas for Everyone" service with one of my fave Christian brothers & his dad.  This same friend has provided a ton of laughs this week...I had no idea how much I needed them.
• I have had the pleasure of hosting a couple that I adore this week.
• I enjoyed coffee today with a sweet sister in Christ.
• I came home to a note taped on my door, a friend had been in the neighborhood & wanted to say hi. (Being a guy it was taped with blue duct tape...gotta love it!)

"What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?" Psalm 8:4 NASB

and last but certainly not least #5....

Today I have been smiling in remembrance of my mom, she would've been 53 today.  I had posted a status on Facebook about some of the things she liked.  My brother is his special way reminded of something about her I had forgotten.  Which that led to one dormant memory after another.  God blessed me with parents who were fighters.  They weren't perfect & I may have some stories that other people don't have about their parents.  However I can say that they taught me to fight, to claw if I have to, no matter what  don't let anything defeat you.  God has given me examples of strength, tenacity & perseverance through my parents.  These are qualities that I possess & am excited to see how God uses them through me not only this next year, but the rest of the race.

See y'all next year ;)

Day 8 - Isn't This Just a Small Thing

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And to be thankful."  Colossians 3:15

Thought for the Day:  My weight loss goal isn't a number on the scale.  My real weight loss goal is peace.

Today Lysa brought up gluttony as an "acceptable" sin.  How true is that?  Friends and I have talked about this subject before.  Why do we not talk about it?  Would we become super legalistic about food?  Why does the struggle with food have to be such a private battle?  Do we really take food addiction seriously?

To be honest I'm not sure how I would do at a church potluck if someone walked up to me & said, "Sweetie don't you think you should eat some fruit instead of that brownie?"  I think maybe that would hurt me more than any of the comments I have received over the years about my clothes, being single, or my strong personality!

So is our (as a society) struggle with food a small thing?  I'm going to have to say no, it isn't small.

- Made to Crave Devotional