Leap of Faith Continued...

The other day, I could not spend my day like I usually do....Doubting, looking at things from the outside ~ not engaging in life, being frustrated, stingy or sad. That day I set myself up to live!

So while driving to work, with my blog post wording (from the other day - Leap of Faith) still ringing in my ears, I decided that I was going to extend grace and politeness to my fellow drivers on the road. You see...usually...I'm running on the edge of late and have my drive time, timed to the minute, and I cannot have ANYONE get in my way. If they do....well I become this woman that I do not want to be. I'm mean, think awful thoughts about the person, swear (under my breath of course!), and then I arrive at work frazzled, angry and a smidgen late. Not good for a manager to do!! Not setting the example I want and need to set. Then this makes me even madder and then the day goes on......Sometimes good, but a lot of times, if I start my day off like that, the rest of the day does not go well.

So that day, determined to be different, I set out for my mornings drive. Well can I tell you first of all, that it was a gorgeous drive? It was sunny and kind of foggy. The fog, was laying low to the grown and looked all dreamy. Then the sky was blue and super clear and the temperature was crisp and cool. It was the perfect fall morning. Had I not decided to relax, I most likely would have missed this beautiful gift from God! Anyway, I'm driving along....I'm kind of on my almost running late mode...But I'm determined to not let that ruin my day. So I see this person who needs to turn in my lane, so I let them in with a wave and a happy smile on my face. This persons presence in my lane, causes me to not get through the light, they did though, and I wished them a happy day. Because of the lateness of my morning, I hit two school zones and had to go 20 miles per hour. This day, I did it happily and did not edge toward 25 miles like I usually do...I know....that's bad!!!! Merging onto the highway, again, I was happy to let people get into my lane and I moved over to accomodate others. I also did the speed limit to work ~ ~ all the way. When I got there, I was actually 7 minutes early! Now when I usually leave at the time I left that day, I would be about 2 minutes late. HOW IN THE WORLD DID THAT HAPPEN? I parked in my usual spot, in the north forty, and semi walked and skipped to my office. It was a joyous time for sure!!

Now here's the fun part, when I got into the building, it seemed they put in new lights or more lights ~ or something....because it was so bright and cheerful!! I literally checked it out, because it was so different than the day before. Even in our suite, every thing looked cleaner and brighter.

Could it really be that my attitude could make that much of a difference!?!?!?!

It must because things were different. I was different!!

That was a great day!

Here's the daily devotional I had that day.


Risky Obedience Comes With A God-Guarantee
by Jon Walker

“Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.” (Luke 19:26 MSG)

Risks of faith require us to take Step 1 before we see Step 2. God uses risks, large and small, to stretch us into a life of faith. The irony is that if we concentrate on the risks instead of God’s faithfulness, we fail to understand that the greater risk is remaining independent of God.

If we believe what we say we believe, then regardless of what we are able to see on the other side of a faith-related risk, the reality is that God is there. What may appear to be a no-guarantee situation actually comes with the greatest guarantee of all — a God-guarantee — that he is working everything out (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11).

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of attempting things that are impossible unless God gives you his strength to do them.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving other believers so deeply and richly that you prove to the world that you are filled with God’s inexhaustible love.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of loving your seemingly unlovable neighbors, just as God loved you even when you appeared unlovable.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of changing your priorities to match God’s priorities, in faith sacrificing what you cannot keep for the things that can never be taken away.

With a God-guarantee, you can enter into the risky obedience of telling others about Jesus and teaching them how to faithfully follow him (Matthew 28:19–20).

God guarantees you will succeed when you take the risks of faith he asks you to take. What step of faith have you delayed because you’ve been uncertain about God’s guarantee?

Give God permission to clear any obstacles in your life that keep you from trusting his promise (that, in itself, is a risk that requires faith, isn’t it?).

Have a fantastic day - Stretch yourself!!!

Stay focused!!!!

Leap of Faith

A few months ago, my 3 1/2 year old Grand Daughter got a new trike. It's pink, very sturdy and cute! She was so excited to get on it....when it was in the house!! When we got outside, donned with her helmet, getting on that thing was another matter!

After some coaxing and persuading, we finally got her on the trike. I can so picture her sitting on it with her happy and triumphant face. So adorable!!

Then you could see her countenance change when she realized that she now had to do something...Something she's never done before...Something that might be fun, but she's not sure because she's never done it before. You could see that she really wanted to, I mean she wanted to please her parents and grand parents who were so happy for her and encouraging her to do this really big thing. She was excited....But!!!

After some time, she made several attempts at trying to ride the trike. Could not quite coordinate the peddles and handle bars and all of the various instructions and encouragement that was directed towards her.  And after a short time, in a moment of frustration, she started to cry and wanted off of that trike. She quit!

Today...she's a wild woman on her trike!! She peddles super fast, lets her Papa (my Hubby) ride on the back, and she even rode down a fairly large hill while we were camping!! Scared me to death!

So amazing what time, confidence  and a little faith will do!!!

I am really  curious as to what happened that made her decide that she wanted to ride that trike. What pivotal thing happened? What decisions did she have to make to even try? What fears did she have to put aside to be able to do this amazing thing?

I want to know these things.....

Because I'm at that moment!

In my weight loss and fitness journey and in my life....I've stuck my foot out and tried to do some things. I got my toe wet....I kind of liked it, but when the waters got rough, I pulled my foot back, turned my back on life and kept myself protected...Fear and trepidation have set in and made themselves at home.

Right now....I'm tired of this....I'm ready to move on....

Maybe that's what happened for my Grand Daughter....Maybe she just got tired of not being able to do what she really wanted to do. I can't really find out how it all happened for her, but I'm guessing....She faced her FEARS!!! Took a LEAP OF FAITH...and got on that trike. I'm sure she struggled a little, but I'm guessing after a short time, she found success and simply started to ride!!

So that's it....I'm ready!

For today...I'm going to push aside my fears and I'm going to do plunge into this life. I'm going to start living like I want to fly down a hill on my trike....by the seat of my pants....on the edge of my seat!!! No more sitting back, protecting myself and staying safe. It's time to live!!

How about you...Are you with me?

Keep focused!

This is one of my daily devotions today...


Risk Your Life, Get More Than You Dream

by Jon Walker

“He replied, 'I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away.'” (Luke 19:26 NIV)

Jesus once told the story of a master who gave three servants each a sum of money to handle while he was away. When he returned, the first servant told the master he’d doubled the money through investments, and the second said he’d made fifty percent profit for the master.

But the third servant, in essence, said he’d been afraid the master would punish him for making mistakes, so he hid the money in the cellar until the master returned.

The master rewarded the first two servants, saying those who handle small matters well will be given greater responsibility. But he rebuked the third servant, saying, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag” (Luke 19:26 MSG).

In order to live a life of faith, we must take risks. Not just any kind of risks, but ones that are specifically directed by God. These God-nudges push us beyond the border of our “State of Independence,” where we live by sight, into the “State of Grace,” where we live by faith.

As Pastor Rick often says, when we do not live by faith, we live faithlessly. Any decision independent of God is a faithless decision. Jesus calls you to risk your life for God, but he also guarantees that God will always be waiting for you on the other side of each and every step of faith you take.

God is for you. He says, “Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of.”

What step of faith is God asking you to take today?

Day 73 to 77 - 7 Month Focus

Well it's been a while!! I am still having trouble with my computer. I had my IT guy check it out last week and it looks like it still is having problems. I can't do most of the things I want and I'm still having trouble leaving comments on blogs.  Don't be surprised if I'm gone again this week, I may have to send the computer back to the shop. It's been frustrating, first of all because it's brand new ~ it should be working. And then it's frustrating because it has knocked me off of my plans for my 7 Month Focus Challenge. I need my computer to blog and track my calories & steps on the Bodybugg system. I can write on my blog ~ sometimes, but can't comment on other blogs and I can enter my calories into the Bodybugg ~ sometimes, but can't get my steps information. So weird!

In spite of it all, I have not let it throw me off of what I CAN do. So even though I've had a blip of problems and frustration, I still pressed on with my health and fitness plan!

Recap of the week.....

Monday, as I was praying to the Lord about my 7 Month Focus Challenge, I got the notion that...OK really, He whooped me up one side of my head.....I almost heard from him audibly say to me..."Are you ready to give your plan to me?"

Huh!?!

I thought I had....But in reality, I've been doing this whole thing on my own power and you know what? I'm just not strong enough to do this on my own.

So I prayed and let the Lord know that I'm ready to give it to Him and see what He can do....Funny huh? Me challenging the Lord. Don't strike me down Lord!

So anyway, Monday, June 20th was my turning point day. I surrendered my plan to the Lord and I really put my faith in Him (Never have I been able to really release things to Him. I can totally believe and have faith that the Lord will do something for you, but for me......I have my doubts. Never really understood that I was doing this until now) Anyway...So I prayed and told the Lord that whatever happens, whatever the scale says, whatever He decides for me, I was going to give Him praise for it. No matter what! I also told Him that I was ready to hear, ready to change and ready to do what I needed to do to get this done.

EVEN IF I HAVE FRUSTRATIONS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS AND SETBACKS!!! 

No matter what....I will do what I need to do!!!

Anyway, He's been sending little messengers to me to speak truth into my heart about this journey. First my daughter paid me a visit last week and she gently and with love, kicked my behind and told me that I needed to up my exercise, that 30 minutes of cardio a day is just not enough. Humph!

Then last Monday, I got a butt spanking, with love, from my trainer who told me my calories were too high. Humph...humph!!!! She then proceeded to kill me in the gym :-)

Tuesday, I spent a lot of time mulling over what I had heard and had a pretty OK day. I had decided to "REALLY" track "EVERYTHING" that I put into my mouth. Including coffee creamer. Do you know that I've not been tracking these calories? Like the 60 calories of creamer I put into my coffee did not really count. Huh!?! They count! Not only do they count, but I would have sometimes up to 4 cups per day. That's 240 extra calories not added to my calorie count. So when I said, I logged in 1800 calories in a day, which is way too high for me anyway, it really meant 2040 calories for the day. (If I did my math right)

Ouch, just the realization of that kills me. No wonder I'm not making progress. I even reread some of my food labels. I thought my peanut butter was 71 calories for 2 tablespoons. Not!!! Try 290 calories...Where is my head?....Sometimes I wonder!!!

So with that said, I charted every calories that went into my mouth. No I did not get down to the 1400 - 1500 calories my trainer wanted. But I did have ~ 1 day at 1500 calories, 2 days at 1600 calories, 1 day at 1700 calories and 2 days at 1900 calories. Still not the greatest, but at least I got ALL of the calories accounted for.

Not only did I get back to my calories counting, but on Tuesday, I also upped my exercise by doing a 5k (run/walk) and water aerobics that day.

Wednesday, well Wednesday was a tough day. Lets just say, I had a full blown tizzy, an almost throw myself onto the ground fit, laced with a few choice words and a whole bunch of crying. You see, I was sooooo MAD that I had to make a change in my food. That I have to have less. That I can't have what I want. It REALLY MADE ME MAD! The other things is, Wednesday, per my trainers request, was another weight and cardio day. I have to tell you that I did not want to do it. I did not want to keep on the journey, I did not want to limit myself. I just wanted to throw myself onto the floor for a good old fashioned temper tantrum!!

But instead, I went to work in my home gym. I did my workout, crying through most of the hour and a half workout. Finally at the end I was laughing because I could no longer tell what was tears or sweat. I was a mess. I really did not want to do my weights & cardio. I did not want to do it. I hated it the whole time ~ But...I DID IT!!! 

As a reward we got to go out on our boat that day. First day out this summer and I have to say, that it's the first time in our whole boating experience (over 10 years) that I did not feel like a big ole fat whale. I felt really cute in my new bathing suit and cover up. I was able to get up on the surf board and surf on my first try. I felt really confident and strong ~ I had a blast!!

So doing what I have to do, for this journey, is paying off!!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday were great days. I did a lot! I exercised every day ~ getting in another weight day and a 5k. My trainer will really be pleased. Can't wait to see her tomorrow!! You know the best thing about seeing her tomorrow is ~ I'm not coming in with excuses. Nope, I get to go in there proud of what me and the Lord (cuz I have to give Him the credit) did this past week. It was an awesome week! I did everything she asked me to do with exercise and I'm doing a lot better with the calories. I know she will be pleased!!

So anyway, even with the frustrations with my computer and life stuff, and the new realizations that I have been neglectful in letting the Lord have my plan, and the busyness of life ~ I got done, what I needed to get done. I had a great week. I had a  lot of success!!

Last Monday I logged in at 214.8 pounds and today I'm at 210.4. So even with my calories as high as they were, I still lost. Next week. I'm shooting for 1500-1600's calories per day. I CAN DO IT!!

So Friends, how are you? Are you working your plan ~ Are you making stuff happen?

Keep focused!