Light in the darkness

During my quiet time with God today, I prayed earnestly for healing for our world.  I prayed that God would halt the spread of this virus and care for those already affected.  I prayed that He would rain down His love and mercy on us.

I was reminded of a story in the Bible in Luke Chapter 7.  It's the story about a centurion who had a sick servant, who was about to die. The centurion sent some elders to Jesus and asked Jesus to come to his house to heal his servant.  Jesus went to the house, but as He was approaching, the centurion sent friends to Jesus to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof.  That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you (verse 7)."  Then he said something very powerful in the rest of verse 7.  He said, "But say the word, and my servant will be healed."  Jesus was amazed at the centurion's faith and said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel (verse 9)."

God only needs to say the word.  He is all powerful and above any cancer, depression, loneliness, or viral disease.  He is the way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness.  He alone can save us.  If you are like the rest of us who are social distancing and waiting to see what happens, you are anxious and scared.  Although God tells us many times in the Bible not to fear, I have to admit, I've felt fear lately.  Take a moment to be quiet, to bow your head, and to ask God to please speak words of healing over us. He is listening, and he only needs to whisper words of healing for healing to happen.

Sustained weight loss

Hi there! As many of you are aware, I was on a ketogenic diet for quite some time. Although I started out losing weight on that diet, I was unable to get down to my target weight or sustain the weight I’d lost. I’ve tried various diets and exercise regimens without much success. Although I did not not start out considerably overweight, I could see with age that my weight was trending upward. I started avoiding looks in the mirror, I would only wear certain outfits because certain clothes showed my muffin top, and I just didn’t feel good.

Two months ago I signed up at Noom.com. I started out at a weight of 126 lbs. Today, I weighed in at 116.8 lbs. I want to sing the praises of this app, because for the first time, I’ve been able to lose my weight and keep it off.  My target weight over two months was 115 lbs, but as you can see, I got really close and I’ll continue to use this app.  This app is unique for many reasons:

-        You get a customized weight loss plan when you sign up. You set goals and your reasons for your goals, and then Noom customizes a plan for you. 

-        You are assigned a coach who chats with you once a week, so you can be held accountable. Your coach also gives you helpful tips and encouragement.

-        You are assigned to a group, which is a feature I don’t use. However, it’s a good place to share your struggles and victories.

-        You weigh in daily, and Noom plots your weight loss on a graph so you can see it. 

-        Noom offers daily education about the different food groups, different eating habits, the psychology behind why we eat what we eat, helpful tips, and much more.

-        Noom sets your daily calories and daily step goals for you. You can log in every meal and see how many calories every food item is worth. That way you can stay within the calorie goal that Noom set up for you. You can also use your phone to track your daily steps…and Noom tracks these for you and lets you know when you’ve reached your goal. 

-        If you do additional exercise, you can log the exercise in and get credit for calories burned.

For my experience, all I’ve done is stay within my calories goal, which is 1200 per day. The other thing I’ve done is reach my daily step goal. Just those two things have caused me to lose my weight and keep it off.  It really works.

Example of what I see on the app

To sign up, go to Noom.com and answer the questions they ask. They will set you up with your own customized plan. Noom has you sign up for two months at a time. The cost is $49/month. Whenever you want to cancel, you just have to tell your coach. I’m so thrilled with my weight loss, that I’ve signed up for two more months. This app helps you change your habits so that this process doesn’t feel like a diet. My energy is better and my skin is clearer.  I highly recommend it and I wanted to share it with you. 

Not just another COVID19 post

Written by a child on Animal Jam app

“God has created this world and everything in it. He created each of our hearts and sustains the breath of all living things. If there is anything or anyone worth trusting, it would be the God who was there before everything we’ve ever known or seen.” (Roar, live from Passion 2020, from the You Version Bible app devotional).

During these times of uncertainty, we feel fear, anxiety, and we’re not sure what the future holds. As a physician who works in an ER, I have taken my fears to the Lord. I know that He is in control and I know for certain that He hears our prayers. 

While I’m doing my best to comply with all of the CDC’s recommendations (hand washing, being socially distant, etc), I know with all of my heart that God is with us. Pray. Talk to God. Ask Him to rid the world of COVID19. Ask Him to protect you and your loved ones. Ask Him to protect those at risk. Ask Him to heal those who have been infected. Prayer makes a difference. God hears you and He can act. 

Take your fears to the One who can change things. 

“For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4 

The "Blahs"

Thankful for family and friends

This morning I awoke in a "blah" mood.  Can you relate? I just finished a week of stay-cation, and I had to return to work today.  It seems like it's always hard to go back to the grind.  All week, I cleaned, ran my daughter to and from school, did laundry, caught up on bills, worked on taxes, and took my car in for routine service.  It was one chore after another. I did manage to rest between activities, so I did take some time for myself....to sleep.  I'm also in my fifth week of using Noom.com.  It's a weight loss program that has an app you can download.  You set goals for yourself, and the app teaches you a few things about eating, food, calories, exercise, and changing habits.  It's working well so far, and I've lost 5 of the 10 pounds I want to lose.  Let's face it, though, actively trying to lose weight is just not fun.

During my week off, I also dealt with some of my daughter's fourth grade drama, and I learned of several friends who are struggling with various life issues right now. This cold arctic weather is not helping my mood.  Life just gets heavy sometimes, doesn't it?  Have you hit a blah phase or can you relate?

Today I have actively had to try to change my mood.  The first thing I started with was reading my Bible.  My reading reminded me that I really just need to be grateful.  I have so many things to be thankful for and I could easily generate a long list of those things.  Although, my funk still continues a bit, I feel a bit more hopeful.  It seems clear to me that gratitude is the start to the cure for the blahs.  I have a lot of good things and people in my life.

Next time you have the blahs, try making a mental list of the things you are grateful for.  I can't guarantee that you will instantly snap out of your mood, but I can attest to the fact that it will lift your spirit.  Some days are just harder than others.  We all experience them.  Reach for your blessings. Here is a hug and a smile for you. Have a great day!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:18.

Ever-present help

I toss and turn as I snuggle under the blanket. It’s dark still and I peek over at the time on my phone. It’s 5:27 a.m.  I check the outside temperature, and it’s a blustery 22 degrees. Brrrr! I push further under the blanket. I should go back to sleep since I don’t have to work today.  The house is still except for the sound of the wind gusting outside and the whir of the furnace working hard to keep up with the cold. I close my eyes, but my lids pop open. I have too much on my mind. My thoughts jump from one topic of concern to another…my job, my home life, what I need to accomplish today, a friend who is suffering, my daughter’s difficulty with math, my need to exercise today, bills, etc. There is no uniformity to my thoughts, I just have a lot on my mind. 

I sit up in bed and turn on the light. My husband is working the night shift, so I am alone. I reach for my phone and open my Bible app.  I need some quiet time with God. I realize that time with Him is the only place I can go to soothe my tumbling mind. I find Philippians 4:6 and it tells me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Then in 1 Peter 5:7, I read, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

I needed these reminders this morning.  Perhaps you have found yourself in the same place. You have a lot on your mind. You’re worried. Your heart is sad or burdened. Maybe you’re just lonely. Remember that God cares about what you care about and He cares for you. He is right there with you, and He wants to help. Take a few minutes to talk with Him. Present your prayer and petition to Him. He will hear you, and not only will He hear you, but He will help you. 

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1

New Year

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year again when we all think about needed changes in our lives and we make our New Year resolutions. I’m jumping on the “be healthier bandwagon,” and I’ve committed to exercising at least three times a week and healthier eating. My husband is a fitness fanatic and came up with a workout for me that will help me accomplish my exercise goals. In addition to exercise, I want to cherish my family time more. I’ve started focusing on my gratitude for family time and relationship moments with my husband and kiddos. I might also start writing another novel this year.

I think it’s important to set goals for ourselves at the New Year and throughout the year. One area of our lives that we don’t want to forget focusing on is our spiritual life. Things can be going well with our physical and relational lives, but we also need spiritual renewal.  What a great time of year to start focusing on quiet time with God. Take a few moments in the still of the mornings with a cup of steaming coffee to spend time in your Bible and prayer. It’s a great way to start each day. You’ll find that with that time spent with God comes the renewal you’ve been in search of.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

Blanket of snow

Just watching the snow floating peacefully gives me a sense of peace this morning. The flakes are fluffy and remind me of the story of Moses and the Israelites, when God sent manna to feed the Israelites as they were wandering in the desert. I wonder if it looked like snow falling to the ground. How would I have responded to seeing God send bread from heaven for me? What an incredible way for Him to show His love, His provision, and His desire to connect with the Israelites. 

I think that God finds many ways to communicate His love and care for us, whether it be in the falling snow, a gentle rain, or in the brightness of a sunny day. We are always in His charge, and I am amazed at His quiet reminders. The next time you see a gentle snowfall, remember that the God who created this universe cares for you.

“Lord, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?” Psalms 144:3

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Christmas season

Happy December, Friends! The cold weather is upon us, and some of us have already seen snow. I don’t know about you, but I’m enjoying every part of this Christmas season.  The Christmas lights are shining bright in my neighborhood; and all through town, I see the sparkling and glimmering Christmas trees and decorations. The gifts are piling up under my tree, and I love to sit by the twinkling lights of the tree and the fireplace at night. The other day, my husband and I spent an afternoon shopping and then we ducked out of the cold for some hot chocolate. 

During this time of year, there also seems to be more opportunity for giving. There are so many people in need. It’s a good time to stop and take inventory of all our blessings. Giving from the heart is good medicine for the soul, and there are plenty of grateful people at the other end of our giving.

This time of year can also be one of sadness for many. There are some of us who have lost cherished loved ones, and the pain of missing them is too much to bear. If you are one of these people this year, remember that God is with you. You are not alone. He knows your sadness, your loneliness, and your pain. He will be with you through each day of the holiday season just like He is throughout the year.  If you know someone who is hurting, take a moment to make a phone call, send a note, or even send a text. Let that person know you are thinking and praying for him or her. God put us here for each other, for relationship, and to build each other up. While celebrating the birth of our Lord, we can also share His love with those who really need it. Have a very Merry Christmas!

“Because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Holiday Season

Good November morning! It’s a crisp 34 degrees in Kentucky and the sun is shining. Although the sun looks warm, I’m happy to be inside nestled by the fireplace with a cozy blanket over my legs and a steamy cup of coffee by my side. I hope that you are enjoying the change in seasons and this rush of cold air. Despite the cold, this time of year brings me great joy as I spend a little more time indoors where it’s warm and cozy, and I reflect on my blessings over the past year.

Thanksgiving Day is nearby, and I’ve already placed an order for an oven-ready turkey from Whole Foods, and I’m planning the rest of the meal. It’s a wonderful time for family to come together and just spend time sharing. I love having my loved ones gathered around the table, enjoying a hearty meal, as we just share and laugh about old times, present happenings, and future events to come.

This is a special time of year to reflect on the many blessings God has given me. I’m thankful for my health and the health of my family, for provision, for friends, and for the many comforts God has provided. I’m looking forward to the celebration of the birth of our Lord, and my calendar is already full of special Christmas events.

I have to remind myself to take one day at a time, and to not allow the commercialism of the holiday season to overwhelm me. Instead, I remember with a full heart why we celebrate these special holidays. Friends, I pray that you, too, will be able to focus on the special meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas and allow the joy of the season to fill your hearts. It is a time of giving and generosity, so reach out to those in need. Remember those who aren’t with us and cherish their memory, and embrace your loved ones now with a grateful heart. Enjoy the fellowship, make merry, and share the spirit of joy in this season. 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18.