Weekly Word from the Wisdom Walk

Did my 5.5 miles😲😎!
That's not the best part however. The absolute best part is having my antennae up and my eyes open to all the LORD would quicken to my  spirit. Today I learned two things about the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
Neither of my rabbit friends wanted to sit long enough for a picture.  One just froze as it saw me forgetting to chew the piece of greenery hanging from its mouth ...
Looking down from my great height all l saw was tangled undergrowth and a terrified little rabbit failing miserably at the game of chameleon. When it realized I wasn't going to move, it turned around, ducked under the brush, and bolted in a straight line .
The second lesson was, I took an umbrella in spite of the clear skies when I started my walk. Not only did it not rain, I ended up carrying something I did not need because I did not know enough about weather to simply trust my eyes.
God gives us his Holy Spirit to get us home in spite of obstacles. That rabbit's instincts guided it as surely and exactly to its warren as if the way was paved. The Spirit within us knows the way and where the casual observer sees tangles and chaos, He is still able to take us directly where we need to be. 
Faith is also not taking the umbrella of plans a,b, and c because of past experieces. Rather, it's trusting the Spirit within and walking out in faith. God knows the way.
The lesson then is let us  trust the Holy Spirit in us to see what we can't, and know what we  don't,. After all, this walk is not by might or power but by the Spirit of the LORD.

Praying the Scriptures – prayer changes everything

This is the first of three lessons dealing with prayer. Hope you will read, practice, and be blessed!

John chapters 15 and 16 had much to say about how Jesus view our relationship with him and especially the authority we are permitted to exercise through prayer. Then John 17 details Jesus’ own prayer for us, his church. All through the gospels we see Jesus getting up early and slipping off to pray — one such example is Mark 1:35.

What is prayer? There are many definitions but I decided to ask myself what am I doing when I pray? Take a moment and think about that …

What are some of my challenges?

a.      Mind wanders

b.      Having to be careful I’m not just presenting a shopping list

c.       Entering in to the place of his presence

d.      Time – time no presence, no time and glory falls — why is that?

e.       Internal issues - emotional

Back to top: dealing with the issues by bringing every thought into prayer as they pop-up

Prayer changes things because God answers and intervenes by changing us or the situation. 

How then do we pray?

1.      Praying in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18

1 Corinthians 14:15

Romans 8:26

2.      Perseverance in prayer

Luke 18:1

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Psalms 55:17

3.      Supplication for the saints

James 5:16

1 Timothy 2:8

The Persecuted church — Psalm 3

4.      Prayer for utterance and boldness for those who minister the Word

Ephesians 6:19

Colossians 4:3-4

Keep the Change

Did you know your body works against you as soon as you begin to lose significant weight? So if you lost say ten pounds and you get the feeling of being always hungry, you are not imagining it.
How do you keep the change when you are challenged with having to  look at those food commercials and think about what has been removed from your new lifestyle eating plan?
I'm not a dietician but this works for me.
1. No one can live on a diet. Life gets pretty tedious counting every drop of everything to be ingested.
2. Moderation is sustainable and can be just as healthy. Have the smallest serving possible of what you crave, and move on. It's dangerous to say, "I messed up so it doesn't matter." Doing the right thing,  eating healthy always matters.
3. Variety is your friend. Pretty soon even more fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables will be available. Try some new ones or old standbys in new combinations.
 4. Remember this is for the long haul.
Keep the change you have made by doing all the same things that got you to this point.
Your health will thank you.

Weight Watching:Spiritually and Physically (Used with Permission)

Overweight Physically and Underweight Spiritually

My journey to healthy eating didn’t gain traction by counting calories or obeying rules of the food pyramid. The process began in earnest when I admitted that, yes, I was overweight physically. But, more importantly, I was underweight spiritually. I was spiritually malnourished. Tying these two issues together is what opened my eyes to see God in a whole new way.

I’m reminded of the story in the Bible where a rich young man comes to see Jesus. The young man explains that he is following all the religious rules, but still feels something is missing from his pursuit of God. He asks, “What do I still lack?” Jesus answers, “If you want to be perfect [whole], go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:20 – 21 NIV).

The rich young man then goes away sad because he won’t give up the one thing that consumes him. He is so full with his riches he can’t see how undernourished his soul is. It’s at this point in the biblical story that most of us start to look at all the rich people we know and think, “Well, I sure hope they get this message. Good thing I’m not rich. Good thing Jesus doesn’t ask me to sacrifice in this way.” Or does He?

Jesus meant His comment for any of us who wallow in whatever abundance we have. I imagine Jesus looked straight into this young man’s soul and said, “I want you to give up the one thing that you crave more than Me.”

For me, I was like the rich young man when it came to eating. I refused healthier breakfast options, such as egg whites and fruit, while filling myself with candy-sprinkled doughnuts. I choose soda instead of water, chips instead of carrot sticks. Even when my sugar high crashed and I complained of splitting headaches, sluggishness, and unwanted extra weight, I steadfastly refused to even consider giving up my daily brownie.

God made us capable of craving so that we’d have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. Nothing changes until we make the choice to redirect our misguided cravings to the only One capable of satisfying them.

Paul wrote to Christians, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17 NIV).

I don’t know about you, but to me this one benefit of knowing God better is worth all the effort and sacrifice that a healthy eating journey requires. It’s easy to feel that our struggle with food is such an unfair deal. But I encourage you to see the process today as a path that offers both physical and spiritual benefits.

Taking Dominion

Most times when Christians especially talk about taking dominion it usually means over sin, or demons , or things in the spiritual world. Every now and then the term is used in reference to animals. Rarely  and I mean almost never,  do we ever use those words as something we can do in our own lives.
So as the Daniel Plan comes to an end terms of my introducing it to you,here is a parting thought. Take dominion. Take dominion over your eating habits, your perception of food, and your health behaviors , starting right now.
We have always said it's not about perfection or never being able to satisfy a craving. It's about doing the everyday right, for the long haul .
Let's plan not to go back to the high sugar high calorie choices we know are diseases looking for a place to happen . Let's be intentional about incrementally exercising as a path to fitness as well as weight loss.
And last, teach those things to our children and those around us.
Remember, it's never too late to start to do the right thing.
Bless you on your journey.

Lets see. Hmm, What shall I Drink?

Here is some information taken from www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-food/herbal-teas-health-benefits.php

A little something about teas. Enjoy!

Top 10 healing Herbal teas and their health benefits

1. Green Rooibos Tea (with lemon grass)—high in antioxidants and can fight cancer and improve vascular health
2. Valerian Tea—helps to improve sleeplessness and stress
3. Echinacea Tea—helps to treat colds, flues and common infections
4. Peppermint Tea—helps to improve digestion and relieve irritable bowl syndrome
5. Dandelion Tea – Great for detox and improves digestion and liver function

6. Peppermint Tea—helps to improve digestion and relieve irritable bowl syndrome

Peppermint is a nutritious herb that can help indigestion and calm stomach disorders. Peppermint tea can also sooth stomach muscles and intestine and improve the inflammatory bowel disease. The powerful phytonutrient in peppermint can also reduce the growth of cancer cells in liver and pancreas.

7. Dandelion Tea – Great for detox and improves digestion and liver function

The health benefit of dandelion has been known for centuries and Persians were the first to discover the great medicinal properties of dandelion. For centuries, dandelion has been used to improve liver function, digestion and expel kidney stones. The active phytonutrient in dandelion can also help to promote weight loss and detox the body from accumulation of toxins and free radicals. 

8. Passion flower Tea—helps insomnia and anxiety

The leaves of the medicinal passionflower plant have active compounds known as flavonoids and alkaloids. Like chamomile, valerian root and lavender, this great medicinal herb can help sleeping problems and combat stress and anxiety.

9. Thyme Tea—helps coughs, bronchitis and brain cells

Thyme is a great herbal remedy rich in minerals, flavonoids and antioxidants. One of the oils in thyme known as “thymol” can help to increase the omega 3 fatty acids essential for growth of brain cells. Also, according to a study by the Biochemical and Biophysical Research, thyme oil can help to protect brain cells against aging and can prevent Alzheimer’s disease.  Thyme tea can also relax coughs and bronchitis and fight against infections.

10. Hawthorn tea—promoting vascular health and reducing high blood pressure

Hawthorn tea is well known for its great antioxidant and medicinal properties and can prevent cardiovascular diseases. The antioxidants in hawthorn tea can increase the circulation and prevent plaque built up in the arteries. Hawthorn tea can also improve hypertension, anxiety and stress.  

One more week before the Daniel Plan ends. Hope you have established some great habits by now.

Sources:

http://positivemed.com/2013/05/02/7-healing-herbal-teas/

http://www.naturalnews.com/041509_herbal_tea_natural_remedies_health_protection.html

Let's Review...

Hello All:
This week I'm asking you to do the work. If you have been following the Daniel Plan for the past several weeks , then you know we are getting close to the end of our launching period .
With that in mind, let's review. Think about your eating plan so far.
What new things have you added?
Has you food outlook changed at all?
Have you lost, gained or maintained your weight ?
What have you done well?
What can you do better?
Last, have you developed or are you on your way to crafting a healthy and sustainable eating plan?
These questions are important because this is not a diet . It's a way of life that goes a long way toward  maintaining excellent health.
Keep at it!
Email me at laurenmyers339@gmail.com