worry…

Worry is not a trivial sin, because it strikes a blow both at God’s love and at God’s integrity. Worry declares our heavenly Father to be untrustworthy in His Word and His promises. To avow belief in the inerrancy of Scripture and in the next moment to express worry is to speak out of both sides of our mouths. Worry shows that we are mastered by our circumstances and by our own finite perspectives and understanding rather than by God’s Word. Worry is therefore not only debilitating and destructive but maligns and impugns God.  John MacArthur

let the past sleep

Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it is true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ. Leave the Irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him.  Oswald Chambers

the Lord our Righteousness

“It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace, to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God downcast and sad! I do not think they ought to be. I do not think they would if they could always see their perfection in Christ.

There are some who are always talking about corruption, and the depravity of the heart, and the innate evil of the soul. This is quite true, but why not go a little further, and remember that we are perfect in Christ Jesus. It is no wonder that those who are dwelling upon their own corruption should wear such downcast looks; but surely if we call to mind that Christ is made unto us righteousness, we shall be of good cheer. What though distresses afflict me, though Satan assault me, though there may be many things to be experienced before I get to heaven, those are done for me in the covenant of divine grace; there is nothing wanting in my Lord, Christ hath done it all.”

- Charles Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, January 31

the cross was not enough

The implications of legalism are staggering in their arrogance. Legalism claims that the death of Jesus on the cross was either unnecessary or insufficient. It essentially says to God, “Your plan didn’t work. The cross wasn’t enough and I need to add my good works to it to be saved.”   C.J. Mahaney

God leads us all the same?

(We insist that God) must surely lead everyone as we believe He has led us. We refuse to allow God the freedom to deal with each of us as individuals. When we think like that, we are legalistic.  Jerry Bridges

past sins

What do you do with the person who says, “I’ve asked God to forgive me about this, but I still feel guilty”?  I hear that statement over and over again.  I usually say to these people, “If you still feel guilty, then pray to God again.  But this time don’t ask Him to forgive you for the sin that is haunting you.  Rather, ask Him to forgive you for insulting His integrity by refusing to accept His forgiveness.  Who are you to refuse to forgive yourself when God has forgiven you?  When God promises to forgive His people when they repent, He is not playing games.  If He says He will forgive you, then He will forgive you.  And if God forgives you, you are forgiven.”   R.C. Sproul

from whence this fear and unbelief?

From whence this fear and unbelief?
Hath not the Father put to grief
His spotless Son for me?
And will the righteous Judge of men
Condemn me for that debt of sin
Which, Lord, was charged on thee?

Complete atonement thou hast made,
And to the utmost farthing paid
Whate’er thy people owed;
How then can wrath on me take place
If sheltered in thy righteousness,
And sprinkled with thy blood?

If thou hast my discharge procured,
And freely in my room endured
The whole of wrath divine,
Payment God cannot twice demand—
First at my bleeding Surety’s hand,
And then again at mine.

Turn then, my soul, unto thy rest!
The merits of thy great High Priest
Have bought thy liberty;
Trust in his efficacious blood,
Nor fear thy banishment from God,
Since Jesus died for thee.

Augustus Toplady

learning new ways

for the past 4 months, i’ve been working out with a trainer at the gym.  I send him a food log of everything i’ve eaten that day, we track body fat, weight loss and overall food intake.  The diet is not much more restrictive than what I was eating before as a result of my Celiac’s disease and other food allergies and because we monitor the times and quantities eaten, I actually find that I eat more now than I did before and am rarely (if ever) hungry.  In the past 14 months, I’ve lost 45 lbs.  My goal would be to lose another 20 -25 and maybe another 2 clothing sizes (am already down 4!)

At the first of the year, Ted and I started working out together with the trainer.  This has been a change from what I was used to, but has been a lot of fun to share this area of my life with him.  I’ve been cooking now for both of us, to help him get used to the diet, and he’s been very helpful in planning meals, cleaning up, organizing and encouraging me through the learning process.

I love to cook.  But its been a challenge to cook not only gluten and dairy free (which has now become the norm), but now also sugar and sodium free… and to prepare everything in measured and weighed quantities, pack it in individual containers for our respective 4 meals a day and do it so that neither of us get bored with eating the same foods over and over again.  The first week I did it, I can’t tell you how many times I just broke down and cried from feeling completely overwhelmed.  :(   this week has been much better.  Ted’s been helping me plan the week in advance and then we go shopping together to buy what we need.  Then its just a matter of figuring out when to cook.  cooking is beginning to be fun again… :)

For Christmas, Ted bought me a Breadman bread machine.  I’m enjoying playing around with different recipes and mixes.  The first loaf I made was Pamela’s wheat free bread mix.  It was absolutely delicious… the best gluten free bread I’ve ever tried.  Nice and fluffy… held together well… tasted great as bread or toast… and had just a bit of sweetness to it, kind of like a sourdough bread.  The only problem is that at 280 mg of sodium per slice, its way too high for our diet.  So, off I went on the adventure to find another gluten free bread mix that could compare.  The next attempt was Gluten-Free Pantry’s French bread mix.  It has a recipe for a loaf of bread in a breadmaker, so I gave it a try.  Due to the fact that its primarily rice flour (aka no flavor or taste), it is not nearly as good as the other mix.  But it has much less sodium and by not adding extra salt as directed to the recipe, it is even lower than the 120 mg listed.  So, a better option, but sadly you compromise taste.  :(

This weekend, I’m going to try several other recipes…  once i see how they turn out, i’ll post an update. :)  happy weekend everyone!

one day…

One foot in heaven, the other on earth
this body is groaning, longing for new birth.
I know through this suff’ring your greatness is shown
but Lord, please come quickly, I long to be Home.
O God of compassion, have mercy on me
my body is weary; my eyes long to see
just a glimpse of your glory, one bit of your might.
In your strength, Lord, you grant me the power to fight.
so I trust through my weakness that you’re working in me
until one day from this mortal flesh I’ll be set free.

written for all my “sickies” … my dear sweet friends who suffer daily with pain, weakness, fatigue and an ever-increasing longing for Home.

for the good