NEW Challenge - Christ for Conquerors

For weeks we have heard of the Cash for Clunkers program to motivate and stimulate the economy and the auto industry.  You know, take in your piece of junk for a car, and you get a cash allowance for a trade in on a NEW car. 

Well, ----

For the past few weeks, I have been reading your posts.  I am finding that we are under attack.  It is as if the enemy has pulled out his whole arsenal. 

• We have been under the attack in our weight loss plan.  
• We have been under the attack in our fitness plan.  
• We have been under the attack in our finances.
• We have been under the attack in our family.
• We have been under the attack in our health (or our family's health).
• We have been under the attack in our jobs.
• We have been under the attack in our mental stability
• We have been under the attack in our thoughts.
• We have been under the attack in our .....  The list can go on.

The thought that came to my mind is to run a challenge to find something positive in our day to Praise God.

The thought is to run a challenge called "Christ for Conquerors" with the key verses as....

Romans 8:36-39 (KJV)

36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Challenge:

Find something with in your day to give God the Praise.  Find one area in your life where you can see the Goodness of God.

• We can report that we had clean eating. 
• We can report that we lost a pound. 
• We can report that we found a job. 
• We can report that "I had Jesus on my mind All Day." 
• We can report anything that is good. 

For Satan can't dwell where ever the Praises are being lifted up to God because God dwells in the Praises of HIS people.

Philippians 4:8(KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

So, Come On In. 

Trade your Sorrows, Heartache, and Pain - Lay them down for the JOY of the Lord.  [ Song ]

Oh how appropriate!!!

The daily Verse of the Day from the BibleGateway.com website is......

Isaiah 48:17 (KJV)

Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.

Teach and lead me, O Lord, the path in which I am to take.  I put my faith in you.

When my husband came home from work last night, he brought home the weekly issue of the community news paper.  There were a job postings for teachers and teachers assistants for both full time and part time at a Christain School. 

I called this morning for an application.  She asked me to come in as soon as I could get there.

Still looking for the clear path in which the Lord would have me to take.......

Denna, I will be praying for you to be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit and quick to act when He says "now!"

**Hugs**

~Maggie

btw, I love that song "Breath"

Psalm 56:3-4 (KJV)

3)  What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4)  In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Today, I am Thanking God for my two little miracles.  It is such a refreshing view of the world when you look through the eyes of a child.  Glynn and Breanna, both, are full of questions on how the world works. 

They ask me about Jesus.  The other night, Breanna went to her dad and asked him if Jesus lived in his heart.  Then she came to me and made the comment, "Mommy, I know Jesus lives in your heart, because you are always talking to him."  She was so confident in her statement with such a Matter of Fact resolve.

Those of us who have children really need to watch what we do or say.  Little Eyes are watching us to see how we react to life's little situations.

Thank you for my two special blessings. Thank you for my loving husband. Thank you for parents, grandparents, and in-laws. Thank you for your love and grace.

I'm thankful for the blog today about Ruby.  I have never seen the show (only because I choose to not have television), but several people have told me about her, so I know her show has already had an impact on a lot of people.   So, I was excited to read more about her story today.  I was greatly encouraged to read how this young lady, who started over 700 lbs has lost almost 400 lbs - AND has done it without surgery!! 

I've had two doctors now tell me I need to consider surgery because I'm over 100 lbs overweight, but I've declined.  I have known more people that have had serious complications than I've known people who were successful long term.  As I told my doctor last month, if I can do what needs to be done (ie modify my eating) to be successful with the surgery, I figure I can be successful doing those same things without having the surgery.  He agreed, and then told me of those who thought surgery was the magic answer and they either didn't lose the weight they expected or have gained it back (some even have repeated the surgery because the stomach has stretched and needed to be reduced again)

So, I did go and watch some of the show's excerpts and read a part of her diary book and was super impressed that she is allowing others to benefit from her "failure of gaining" by putting her life on display as she learns to be successful.  I say that's the ultimate Win/Win situation - or I guess in our case that would the ultimate "Lose/Lose" ! 

My daughter and I both have over 100 lbs to lose, but I'm thankful for this site and all of those that have fought the fight and won!  All of you are proof that it can be done!!

I am also thankful for the CC article on Ruby.  Ruby is such an inspiration to those of us who have struggled for years to get to a healthy weight.  Her story just proves that it CAN be done without the surgeries.  This woman tossed 400lb just by modifying her lifestyle.  

Then I am reminded of an online friend that I met on this site, Jayne (sun123).  Here are her stats with the Sept 1st weigh in....

SW: 465.0   SEPT 1st: 169.2   LOST: 295.8   sun123 .............................. Jayne

She has tossed 295.8 as of September 1st.  The only surgery that she had was to have an excess skin removal.  My current weight this morning is 287.2.  So basically, this woman has tossed a little more than a whole Denna.  That amazes me, but yet inspires me at the same time.

I am thankful of my friends that I have met here online to help me on my journey.

I am thankful to be able to help others on this journey.

I am thankful to be able to encourage others to keep going to find their healthy temples for the Glory of the Lord.  To encourage those who are trying to do this without the surgeries, even though their doctors and family are putting pressure on them to do so.

With God's help, we CAN do this.  ALL Things are Possible........

Original Post by dlbrown1020:

Today, I am Thanking God for my two little miracles.  It is such a refreshing view of the world when you look through the eyes of a child.  Glynn and Breanna, both, are full of questions on how the world works. 

They ask me about Jesus.  The other night, Breanna went to her dad and asked him if Jesus lived in his heart.  Then she came to me and made the comment, "Mommy, I know Jesus lives in your heart, because you are always talking to him."  She was so confident in her statement with such a Matter of Fact resolve.

Those of us who have children really need to watch what we do or say.  Little Eyes are watching us to see how we react to life's little situations.

 So true ... what a testament you are Denna to your children!  ~Norma Jean

I am thankful, even when I fall short, He still loves me.

I am thankful for Denna and Lorraine extension of encouraging me through their recent posts.  To get back on track.   - tears of joy for their love and care ... great people to get to know!

~Norma Jean 

Once again, I am thankful for Breanna.  Sometimes, I have to sit there and scratch my head at her views.  Here is today's example.....

This morning she woke up with a temp of 102.6.  I tried to give her some children's Motrin.  But she threw it up.  Anyway, after getting a shower and redressed, she was sitting at the table eating some dry cereal to settle her stomach.  Here is the conversation....

Breanna:  Mommy, did Jesus leave because I am sick?
Me:  No, sweetheart.  His word said that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Breanna:  [pondering]  Well, If I am sick, is Jesus sick, too?
Me:  No, baby.  Jesus is not sick.
Breanna:  Do you think He can take the sickies away?
Me:  Yes, All we have to do is ask.
Breanna:  [looking down and  knocking at her chest]  Jesus, if you are awake, Will you please take the sickies away?

Matthew 19:14 (KJV)

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

All I know is that she had a temperature of 102.6 at 5:30am.  Took it again at 6:30am, and it was 99.7.  We only had two instances where her temp reached 100 or above.  And it was then that she simply said, Jesus, please take the sickies away.

I'm getting closer to 330 ! my next goal is 299, (which will be -61)  

Wore my "someday" pants today!!   last time I reported that they buttoned, but still to tight to wear in public -   so  thank you Lord,  it feels great!