Since I have used this Bible passage as an example of how the Lord God has positively influenced my overeating, this doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the verse. Debbie

COE Support Note:

If you REALLY want to read how Christ helped me throughout this weight loss and even when I was tempted, you should read some of the 100's of previous posts on https://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/

What a Self-Serving Christian I Am!

Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19

What a Self-Serving Christian I am! I read this passage and think of how selfless that Jesus was. He knew in advance that he would be tried, spit upon, hit, mocked, crucified on a cross, die, and be buried. He went through all of that so that He could rise again on the third day to save us all from our sins.

When I think about all of that, I am hard pressed to determine that I would go through with it all for others, especially for those who would spit on me, hit me and taunt me the way they did to our Lord and Savior. He didn't let that stop Him, though.

I pray that I am a better example of how Christ works in my life, that I am more open to sharing my faith with others regardless of what they might think of me or how they might treat me. Jesus didn't let things like that hold Him back, why do I? I feel so ashamed that I let these concerns interfere with being the person that Christ wants me to be.  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again. Matthew 20:18-19

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver

 

I Was Still Lost

For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray. And if so be that he find it, verily, I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:11-14

I am so thankful for God's forgiving grace! I loved Christ since my friend first took me to church with with her when I was in primary school. Even though I loved Christ, I was still lost. Maybe I wasn't totally lost, but I was lost, none the less!

When Christ started showing me how lost I was, I found that I had been turning to food to comfort me in times of stress, joy, fear, boredom, etc. Christ showed me that I had made food a false god in my life, because I was turning to food in these and other situations instead of turning to Him.

That was a real eye-opener and I didn't want to believe it, but God always sees the BIG Picture and knew what I was doing even when I was oblivious to it and thought I was a Christian Focused on Christ. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray. And if so be that he find it, verily, I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:11-14

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


Do We Love Our Brother?

We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John:19-21

Well, for years I used to take this passage very literally. I have to admit there are times when I was not always the best example of being a loving sibling, especially when they made life style choices that I thought were counterproductive. I had to be prayerful about my attitude and being judgmental of my siblings and their choices. I had to be prayerful about having a forgiving and open heart to them regardless of their actions. I can't tell you that I'm where I need to be, but Christ has made a miraculous change in my attitude and in my interactions.

I was a Can't See Beyond the Nose on Your Face Christian. I was only looking at my interactions related to my siblings. Once Christ drew my attention to my narrow focus, I realized that I needed to look beyond my siblings. Do I love those who snubbed me when I was heavy? Do I love those in the world who make poor life style choices? Do I love those in the world who sell drugs to others? Do I love those who don't love Christ and persecute those who do? Do I love those who traffic people? Do I love those who are against my country? Do I love those who have a different skin color? Do I love those who oppress others? Do I love those who........?

I won't lie to you, but am prayerful that Christ leads me in this goal to being a better example of the Christian He wants me to be. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John:19-21

Does It Matter What We Call Jesus?

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are One. 1 John 5:7

The Word is another name for Jesus. So is: Savior, Lord, Jehovah, Christ, the Light of the World, Prince of Peace and the list goes on and on. Does it matter what we call Jesus? You may think that this is a strange topic for me to address in a Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog post. The thing is, I wrote this post because I felt led to show you the positive impact that Christ has had on my life, my food, and my eating and this is a part of that:

Well, the answer to: Does it matter what we call Jesus? is both yes and no. In some ways it doesn't, because any of these respectful names for our Savior is acceptable. It does matter when we use Jesus' name in vain saying things like: My Lord, did you forget again? or Jesus Christ, my team lost! Many of us who profess to be Christians, get caught up in the secular world and use God's name in vain as a slang thing to say without even thinking. Does it matter to God? You bet it does as evidenced by these many Bible Passages!

Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain. 

Leviticus 19:12 And ye shall not swear by My Name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the Name of thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 24:15-16.And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.  And he that blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the Name of the LORD, shall be put to death. 

Deuteronomy 5:11 Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.

Psalm 139:19-20 Surely Thou wilt slay the wicked, O God; depart from me therefore, ye bloody men, For they speak against Thee wickedly, and Thine enemies take Thy Name in vain. 

Colossians 3: 8-10.But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him. 

Matthew 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

Mark 3: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Who Am I Trying to Fool?

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is a sin. James 4:17

Oh boy! I am very guilty of this one! There are many times when God tugs on my heart and I give some lame reason why I couldn't or shouldn't do this or that. Who am I trying to fool? Do I think that I can fool God who knows what I am doing and sees through those lame excuses?

The only one I'm fooling is myself! I'm fooling myself into thinking that I'm this devout Christian who is only too willing to do good on Christ's behalf, but is that true? Or am I a 50/50 Christian, doing some of the things God wants and ignoring others?

I hate to say this, but I am probably more of a 50/50 Christian than I'd like to admit. Sure, God took care of my weight loss and has taken my urge for large amounts of food away. He didn't just take half of my weight away and say something like, "Debbie is a 50/50 Christian, doing only half of what I want. I think I will only answer half of her requests." I am definitely glad that Christ doesn't respond to me this way and I need to be more mindful about being willing to do all the things that He requests of me. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is a sin. James 4:17

Trading One Vice for Another

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Am I Satisfied and content with such things that I have? I find myself looking at others at church, comparing my clothing and seeing how it stacks up with what other female parishioners wear. I don't really think that God would be very pleased that these things go through my mind while I'm at church to focus on my faith walk with Him.

What's more than that, when I'm spending this time comparing styles, I am putting up a roadblock in my heart. In reality I'm making worldly things a priority rather than focusing on Christ and the message that's shared. This makes me sad to admit this!

I didn't want to trade one vice for another. Food had become a false god in my life, because I turned to it instead of turning to Christ when I felt stressed, etc. It seems that I've ended up trading worldly things or maybe I should say added worldly things as an additional vice. The funny thing is, I pride myself in not getting caught up in a worldly focus, but it appears that I have just been deceiving myself. Fortunately, God has led me to become aware of this. If He's gone to such great lengths to do this, He will cure me of this worldly focus if I ask Him. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

The Positive Impact of Prayer on Many

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

When I first read this verse, I immediately thought about the positive personal impact on me. I want to be healed from vices like overeating, failure to turn to Christ in all things, and for physical healing or relationships that need to be healed, etc. That's my very worldly I-Me Focus on the benefits for me.

This time, when I read it, I realized there are the benefits for others who are praying for our needs, as well. It may help them better relate to the needs in their own lives, some similar and some distinctly different. I was reminded that one of the reasons that I think that people have related to the Christian Overeaters Past and Present and other blogs is that Jesus uses my many shortcomings to impact the lives of others. I think, although I can't totally know, that some are able to relate to the many things, although some seem insignificant, that may work a wedge in our relationship with Christ.

I like the idea of being a Two-fer Christian, by my prayers for others and being prayed for by others. In that way, we all benefit. So, for what ever the reason, we are to: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


O Debbie of Little Faith...

And He said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Matthew 15: 29-31

 There have been these times when God's led me in a particular direction and I've been reluctant to go. I was reluctant to put the book: Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life on line when someone from my church suggested it. I had a lot of prayerful arguments with God about that, but fortunately He won out!

You would think that I would learn, wouldn't you? So when God gave me the instinct to create the Christian Overeaters Past and Present blog, I again argued that I was too busy. I also thought people may not want to read about the miracles that God did in my life by allowing an 80+ pound weight loss and that He allowed the vast majority of it to stay off for over 30 years. Again and again, I doubted Christ each time He led me to create another blog and only reluctantly did so.

So, why is this significant? It may not be significant to you, but it sure is to me. When I read this Bible passage, it's like I'm reading O Debbie of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  You would think that after all the many miracles that God has done in my life, I would be more willing to do His will to share what He's done. No, not me. I'm there digging my heels in and saying, "No, no! I'm afraid of this, that, and the next thing!" Fortunately for me, I have a very forgiving heavenly Father who loves and reassures me despite my many fears whether I'm a Digging My Heels in Christian or not. And He said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, "O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" Matthew 15: 29-31

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.


These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver

The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

You don't know how many times that Christ has gotten me through difficult times through this Bible Passage. Additionally, He gets others through their difficult situations, as well. What do I mean by that?

Well, there was a time when my son was born and he had a serious condition and had to be rushed to a hospital 2 1/2 hours away to a big city to have emergency surgery the same day he was born. Everyone else had their babies in their arms, but I didn't. I thought about it and realized that normally I would have been a Devastated Christian with having my newborn son rushed hours away for surgery, but I wasn't. That's when I first realized that Christ had given me The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding. I knew that if Christ went to great lengths to give me this calm that only He can give in the midst of traumatic situations, that He would take care of everything. Knowing that got me through until I could go see my son.

It's happened various times in my life and I am so thankful for this special blessing that Christ has bestowed on me to know He is right there beside me through thick and thin. Now, when others are going through traumatic situations, I pray for God to give them The Peace Which Passeth All Understanding, as well. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And The Peace of God Which Passeth All Understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


Do I Wear Rose Colored Glasses?

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

There are times I feel that others think I'm a Rose Colored Glasses Christian, thinking everything is going to be wonderful and am not focused on reality. I guess they are entitled to think that. I found out a long time ago, that I can't control what other people think. As I have been turning more and more of my life over to Christ's very capable hands, I realize what really matters is what He thinks of me.

Do I fret over what will happen if I gain my weight back? Do I worry if I were to get sick and die? Do I worry about things out of my control. I wouldn't be truthful if I said that I never worry, but I find that I worry a lot less when I am trusting Christ to be in control of my life and the lives of the people that I care about.

When there are problems, I do trust that my Savior will get us through them. I don't know that there is always going to be a fairy tale ending to each situation, but I know that Jesus will get us through the good and the bad and the in-between. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that He might be Lord both of the dead and living. Romans 14:8-9

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

What Do I Love?

Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

What do I love? Well, I love my family. I love my friends. I love things that make me happy and I love the Lord. This is a terrible list! I notice that my love of Christ is listed last. When I started writing this, I thought this post was going to be about how I have loved food all too much in my life and it became a false god in my life where I turned to food instead of to God in times of stress, boredom, etc.

This list has me baffled! I feel like Christ is first and foremost in my life, but that's not what I put. I'm so ashamed! I have turned my back on my Lord, but He never turns His back on me. Christ loved me when I was heavy, lonely, afraid, and distraught. He never turns His back on me.

Is it that when things are going well, I put God on the back burner just in case I need something, while I enjoy all the worldly blessings I have. I would hate that Satan would use my family to work a wedge in my relationship with Christ.  I would hate that Satan could use my friends to work a wedge in my relationship with Christ. I would hate that I would allow things that give me immediate pleasure to work a wedge in my relationship with my Lord and Savior, but I have.  

I feel so torn right now, frustrated and somewhat joyful at the same time. I feel really frustrated with my list and with my Christian priorities. The joyful part has to do with God's showing me what I'm doing. He's showing me how worldly priorities are sneaking in there and are affecting my relationship with Him.  Additionally, the joyful part comes from knowing that Christ cares enough about me and my relationship with Him that He has shows me what I'm doing, so I can immediately pray and put my priorities back into my Savior's hands.  Set your affection on the things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Giving Thanks for All God's Given Me

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20

Do I really give thanks for the sags an bags and floppy skin the way I say I do, now that I've lost the weight? I really didn't appreciate them as much as I should have in the beginning. They were just one more tell-tale indicator that I used to be fat and had out-of-control eating.

Now, I feel I am a more Thankful Christian, appreciating these bodily imperfections as a sign of the miracles that Christ has done in my life. They are a lasting reminder that I can go back to that crazy life style where food became a false god in my life, because I turned to it in times of stress instead of to my Lord and Savior.

Now, my life runs so much more smoothly, because I'm putting my life, food, and concerns into God's very capable hands. I realize that I may have never developed the close relationship with my Savior that I do now, if I hadn't gone through all the compulsive eating, bazillion diets, etc. before realizing that Jesus can heal my aching soul, if I only let him. I am so truly blessed! Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Eating in Panic Mode!

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:36

I sat down to eat my healthy dinner, but decided to eat in front of the television while I watched the news. While I watched, I saw the horrific event of late when multiple attacks happened in Paris. I was glued to the screen as I anxiously woofed down my food.

Then, I went to look for something else. I needed something more! I found the last quarter of a bag of low fat popcorn and decided that would work. As I watched with my eyes glued to the screen as you hear of the devastation that these terror attacks caused, I downed the rest of the popcorn in minutes. I looked at the crumbles in the bottom of the bag and realized I would have to get another bag or stop. I was torn, because I really wanted to get another bag, but remembered a recent post about when I ate the other three quarters of the popcorn bag and had to turn my eating over to God.

This made me pause. In that ever so brief pause, I prayed over and over again asking for God to heal the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach and He did. I sat there in bewilderment prayerfully trying to figure out what had just happened. God gave me the feelings that when I saw all the terrorist attacks on television, it brought me back to the 911 attacks on the Twin Towers and how devastated and helpless we all felt. I hadn't realized that was what was going on, but God did. He always sees the BIG PICTURE. Fortunately for me, He calmed my craving more and more, because eating wouldn't calm the gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach, only Christ could. I pray for God's healing touch for all those who have been affected by these or other terrorist attacks throughout the world. Debbie Seiling
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


Are We Turning a Blind Eye?

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:6-7

Pain is caused by those who take advantage of children of any age. Have they no feelings? Are they inhuman that they can sit behind computers playing games with children implying they are a similar age and arrange a meeting? How can those who approach kids to help them look for a lost pet sleep at night? What about those who volunteer in groups that appeal to youth who see them as a role model? How can they look themselves in the mirror?

Maybe this doesn't seem like it ties in with Christian Overeaters Past and Present blog posts, but I have read so many times that there are many in our world who are overweight because of abuse that has occurred at one time or another in their lives. Remember that doesn't mean that all overweight people have experienced abuse, but there are lots who have. Lots of people of any age who have no way to console themselves, but find food as the only means to deal with the pain in their hearts from this devastating event.

 How do we help those who have experienced such devastating events? Well, one way is not to turn a blind eye when things are exposed in the media, because it's become an all too common occurrence. Another is to change the laws on so many different levels. The burden of proof lies on the child who has been taken advantage of and the perpetrator is free, other wise. Additionally, the laws only protect children of a certain age. I think that there should be no age limit on protecting children or for that matter, anyone who is abused. Why should anyone get any less protection, because they are in their teens or older? Consider contacting an advocacy group to find out more about what you can do, because God doesn't want us to turn a blind eye to this any more! But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:6-7
These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


I Heard This Little Scrawny Child Say He Was Too Fat

And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:13

What is the media doing to children when you can hear a little scrawny child say he was too fat? How do we counter the effects of the media on children? It seems that they are bombarded by it on all sides and they seem to pick up on subtle messages in advertising that I am oblivious to.

What do we do to bolster the self-esteem of youth, so that they don't determine their self-worth by their clothing size? What do we do make sure that kids don't internalize adult conversations they over hear? I wish I had all the answers.

I found this video on You Tube that shows some of the impact that the media has on the self-perception of youth. If only we could have the youth of today and tomorrow focus on the the truths at the end of this enlightening video. This is definitely something worth continuing to be prayerful about. And Jesus said unto the Centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:13

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Am I Being a Role Model of Healthy Eating?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32

That's a really good question. I wish I could say that I always am, but I recently wrote a post about how I talked myself into craving a five inch meringue pie while talking to a relative. That wasn't being the best example.

During the summer when I wanted special outings with the grandkids, I would take them for an ice cream or a shaved ice. I don't really want them to learn that special occasions revolve around food the way I did while I was growing up.

Although I started with best intentions to only feed my grandkids healthy snacks, it has morphed into something like, "You can have your slice of pie after you eat your apples and peanut butter."

I want to be a good role model to the younger generations in the family. I want them to have balanced blood sugar and to teach them that life doesn't revolve around things that are sweet and tempting. I really have to be more prayerful about this, because God knows our needs and it really isn't sugar. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:31-32

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Low Blood Sugar in Hawaii

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

What a place to have low blood sugar. My body clock was all off with the change in time. I was eating at strange times and my food choices were inconsistent, at best. I thought I was doing fine, but found that I was irritable with my family over little issues. That's usually a sign that my blood sugar level is really off. I'm fortunate that I don't have to stick myself in order to know that. Usually, I can tell from my behavior, tears, or lack of patience.

Having Hawaiian Shaved Ice didn't help things one bit, although I really enjoyed it. The sugar spikes give me an almost euphoric feeling, but it affects my moods. Once I was aware of my being irritable with my family, I prayed, turning it and the temptations to eat sweet foods over to God who heals me, even when I'm oblivious to needing healing.

Then, I went from one extreme to another. Trying to stay away from sugar, which throws my Hypoglycemic system for a loop, I tried to make sure I was eating healthy food. I remember being in a restaurant and it had been too long since my last meal. It seemed to be a painstaking effort to try to find something healthy to eat that I could select. It's not that there wasn't anything healthy on the menu, but more that none of the things on the menu appealed to me. I didn't feel at all hungry and it took forever for me to finally order, but a half an hour or so after I ate, my body and mood stabilized. Fortunately, God took care of this issue in spite of my resistance. I am very blessed. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.

These Are Other Blogs I Felt Led to Write:

Bible Passages That Can Influence Your Life

Bible Study: Relating the Bible to YOUR Life!

Types of Christians

A Christian Caregiver


Maybe I'm Taking Christ's Grace Too Much for Granted

For there is no difference between Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:12-13

I've found that there have been quite a few times lately where I find myself hungry when I really shouldn't be or normally wouldn't be. Why is this? Am I under stress I'm not aware of? I'm not really sure, but realized that God knows why and will show me if I let Him.

In the meantime, while being prayerful, it popped into my mind, which is often how God works in my life, that sometimes we feel hungry when we just are dehydrated and need some more water or milk. I started doing this and it seemed to cure that unusually hungry feeling I've been having lately. Fortunately, God took care of this before I started reverting back to old eating problems.

How easy it is to slip back into old patterns when we are too complacent with things the way they are. It made me much more mindful, but maybe not mindful enough, that I need to stay focused on Christ and all He's done for me and continues to do for me. Maybe I take Him and His grace too much for granted, but I don't want to. I wanted to let Him know how much I appreciate all He's done for me. I want to share this with others, so that they can have the same blessings in their lives. I need to be more mindful, more prayerful and less complacent. For there is no difference between Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:12-13

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Still Wolfing It Down!

Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

I was eating with some family members a couple of weeks ago. We all had subs and I noticed that mine was gone when they had barely begun to eat theirs. I made a comment about having been really hungry. One of the family members replied that they thought that might have been the case.

The thing is, I really didn't feel especially hungry. I just said that to hide that I ate my food so quickly, but all it really did was to draw attention to it. I used to think that I ate quickly because I was a Mom. I found that when my kids were little that the only time I seemed to stop and take a break was when I ate lunch. I would still feel hungry and would eat something else, but now think it is because I was still tired and just thought that I was hungry, so I could have extra time to rest. Who knows?

It's true. I do wolf down my food. I don't know why I eat it so fast, as if I wasn't going to get more for weeks on end, as if I was afraid that someone would snatch it out of my hand, as if there were going to be a drought, but there isn't. I'm not sure why I do this.

What I do know is that God healed my compulsion to eat large amounts of food. He healed my need to turn to food in times of stress, etc. Christ surely could heal me of wolfing my food down, if I let Him. Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

Are We Killing Ourselves In Order to Be Thin?

For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 2 Corinthians 13:9

The other day, this lady popped into my mind. I had met her a few times at Parent's Without Partners activities. She was attractive, had a son and she was deaf. Unfortunately, I didn't know her very well. That's probably more what this post should be about. I feel so guilty now, because I wish I had gone out of my way to befriend this lady more... maybe it would have made a difference!

A few years later, I heard that this same lady lay on her death bed in our community hospital because she had starved herself to death. I went to see her in the hospital, but she didn't remember me. Anorexia is a terribly debilitating disease/sickness, compulsion-whatever you want to call it. What's more than that, her son lost his mother. Why?

Was she so grief stricken over a relationship/s that didn't work out that she starved herself thinking she would be more attractive to others? Was she so afraid that she might become overweight that this was the only way she thought she could control it? At what cost? Someone's daughter is no longer with them. Someone's mother is no longer with them. Are we killing ourselves in order to be thin? Is it really worth it????

Please get help. God healed me from my compulsive overeating, I feel sure that He could heal you from your eating disorders if you turn your life over to Him, your stress, your fears, and your control. It's worth it to live! For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. 2 Corinthians 13:9

 Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my overeating, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse.
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Does Our Technology Tell Us Who We Are?

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

I wonder: Does our technology tell us who we are? It seems that whenever I go out, almost everyone I see is looking at some type of hand-held technology, even when they are supposed to be working. I heard a special on NPR or read somewhere that people are so in-tune to their texts, social media, emails, etc. that when they aren't getting pinged with something in their inbox, they are depressed and feel like they are missing out on things.

 I used to feel like I was missing out on things when I thought that my dress size told me who I am. I felt that all the thin people in the world were worthwhile and I would be if I ever lost the weight. Now, I know that God loves me regardless of my dress size.

Are we perpetuating future generations who feel that they are only worthwhile if they have lots of friends pinging, tweeting, and messaging them? Have we just developed new ways for people to feel insecure about themselves? I wish I had all the answers, but feel like it is certainly worth prayerful thought. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

I Think the Waitress Was Frustrated With Me

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24

I had to fast before I had some lab work done for my endocrinologist. I told my husband that I was going to heading out to get it done. He asked me if I would wait until he was able to join me, so I agreed.

After my lab work was done, he wanted to go to his restaurant that serves breakfast during lunch time. Unfortunately, that's what time it was, too. By waiting for my husband to join me, everything ran much later than I anticipated and I was very low-blood sugar by the time the waitress came to get my order.

Something strange happens to me when I get that low-blood sugar. It's like nothing on the menu appeals to me, at that point. It's somewhat ironic when what my body needs is for me to eat, but my mind doesn't want to. I had to have the waitress come back, because I couldn't make up my mind.

I think the waitress was frustrated with me. She came over and looked me squarely in the eyes. I think she thought I was on drugs or something, because I wasn't calmly making up my mind like most of her customers do. I wished I could have explained that I had been fasting over night for lab work and it was now noon and I was shaky and low-blood sugar, is all, but I didn't. I have a habit of trying to explain things to people and usually make the situation worse by doing that. About 30-40 minutes after I ate, I was fine. This why fast diets would never work for me. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luke 12:24
Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie

I Talked Myself Into Craving a Five Inch Meringue Pie

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16

We were taking my daughter-in-law to a favorite restaurant. I told her about the impressive five inch meringue pies made in individual bowls. Then, I disclosed about the time I had decided I wanted to splurge on one of the pies when I went there. There had been only one pie left in the display case and I ordered it immediately and ate it instead of my dinner.

She asked me if it was good. I replied that it was alright, but the thought of the pie had been better than the actual taste of the pie. I rarely eat sweets other than fruit and it was just too sweet for me to eat any more. The strange thing with this, I talked about the pies so much to her, that by the time we got to the restaurant, I was craving another five inch meringue pie. I mentioned it and she said in support, that by the time I eat the rest of my dinner, I probably won't be craving the pie any more. Actually, she was right.

The thing is, I wasn't being a very good example and was letting whims lead me in a counterproductive direction. If I had eaten that pie, it would have affected my blood sugar level and I would have been cranky the next day. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:15-16

For Those Who Crave Chocolate

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with the increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

 I could take this one step further, For Those Who Crave Chocolate shall not be satisfied with chocolate, nor he that loveth abundance of foods, sweets, etc. with the increase, this is also vanity.

I don't know about you, but often when I was craving something, something else was out-of-whack in my life! I had some major situation that was causing me stress even if I was trying hard not to think of it by downing large amounts of sweets or even foods that held no interest to me. They never satisfied me. They never took that aching feeling in the pit of my soul away, that often felt like a starving feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I was turning to food, my false god, instead of turning to Christ to get me through the issues that caused me stress, that worried me, that frightened me, etc. Once I started turning my food, my compulsive overeating, and my stress into God's capable hands, He freed me from being an Out-of-Whack Christian who turns to food, possessions, technology, etc. instead of turning to Christ to heal me and get me through these issues. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with the increase: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

Have You Ever Had Too Much of a Good Thing?

Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Proverbs 25:16

 Have you ever had too much of a good thing? I know I have and my mind goes directly to food. For being a compulsive overeater for too many years to count, I connected more with food than I did with the people in my life, that I worked with, and my Lord and Savior. Food had become a false god for me, thinking it would heal my aching soul and take my pain away.

I remember the times that I encountered a preferred food that was available at a given time in abundance, especially around holiday meals. I would fill myself up on that food, because I might not get it again for a long time. Then, I would wait until it went "down to my toes," so that I could get another plate of that desired food. Sometimes, I would even follow that later with another plate, but would go home feeling nauseated. That's too much of a good thing!

Once I started turning my compulsive overeating and stressful situations over to Christ's capable hands to heal me, my life turned completely around. I not longer had to be a Too Much of a Good Thing Christian, where I let things of the world, whether food or possessions possess me instead of turning to the Lord. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Proverbs 25:16

Since I am applying these Bible Verses to my life, it may not convey the whole meaning of the verses. Debbie
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