On the Way Here

 You, yourselves know how we lived in Egypt and how we passed through the countries on the way here. Deuteronomy 29:16

Although I've never been to Egypt, this sure triggered something within me. Really, the Israelites are talking about how they had to journey through the countries that were hateful to them and wouldn't even let them walk on their roads, despite the fact that they offered to buy water from them. They had to walk the long way around to get to the Promised Land. 

This give me a lot to think of. If I had been thin all my life, and kids picked me to be on their teams, and I had lots of friends growing up, instead of feeling left out, overlooked, and ridiculed because of my weight, I may not be here now. I wouldn't be writing this Christian blog, telling you how the Lord God did a miracle in my life, by allowing an 80+ pound weight loss, with the vast majority of it staying off for over 30 years, if I hadn't experienced all that on the way here. 

Maybe, instead of bemoaning the insensitive treatment that I had all those years, I should instead thank those people to leading me to the very best, extremely intimate personal relationship with my Lord and Savior, that goes far beyond any weight loss. He gives me a sense of calm, and a sense of purpose in my life. He makes me feel whole inside, where I always felt lacking. The thing is, He can do this for you, as well, if you ask Him into your life. You don't have to say any particular thing, or in any particular way. You don't have to say it out loud, because He hears you when you pray, even when it's simple words like: "Lord, I want to know You." He'll take it from there!

A Twist on Just as I Am

 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 1 Corinthians 16:10 NIV Bible

In reality, did a search on BibleGateway.com for Just as I Am. The passage above is what came up that appealed to me, but has little to do with the reason I did the search. I had thought I'd write about how the Lord loves me just as I am, and He does, but that's not what this post is going to be about, after all. In this passage, the Apostle Paul is talking to them about assisting Timothy, so he can also continue sharing faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, just as Paul is doing. 

Well, am I doing the same? Am I helping to share faith in Jesus Christ like Paul did? My sinful, human nature would like me to think I am, but I'm not. I make some halfway attempts at it, but I find so many other reasons to not fully do all the Lord God has on my heart. They would relate to someone else better than to me, why don't you have them share their faith, instead of me, Lord? Sometimes, people shy away from me when I share all the many blessings you've done in my life and for my family, I'm not the one you need to help others learn about You, Lord.

But maybe I am, and I'm not taking the risks to share my faith. Sure, it's easy for me to sit behind a computer screen and tell people how the Lord God allowed me to loose over 80 pounds and has kept the vast majority of it off for over 30 years, but is that truly the same as saying it face to face? I have so much to be prayerful about!

I'm Mistaken More Times Than I'd Like to Admit!

 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken! Mark 12:27 NIV Bible

A couple of weeks ago, I got on the Christian Overeaters Past and Present Blog, and found out that I had gotten behind on posts. Today, I got on the same blog, thinking I would add some more posts, so I don't get behind, but in fact, I am behind. I was  mistaken again. To tell the truth, I'm mistaken more times than I'd like to admit!

But one thing I'm not mistaken about, is the sincere love that the Lord God has shown me over the years, whether I was heavy or I was thin! His love for me isn't determined on my size, my looks, my income, my faults or lack of faults. The Lord God loves me just the way I am.

I used to think that I would be happy once I was thin, but you don't have to wait until you're thin to have an active positive relationship with the Lord God. You don't have to read the Bible from cover to cover to have an active positive relationship with the Lord God. All you have to do is say in your heart that you want to know Him better, and He'll be there with you. Sure you can't visually see Him, but if you start paying close attention, you can feel Him in your heart and mind, and He will guide you to develop the relationship that defies all explanation. 

Not Too Difficult

Now, what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. Deuteronomy 30:11 NIV Bible

I just realized this post relates to the previous post about grumbling and arguing when the Lord God asks me to do something. That post focused on how I make a counter-offer, trying to get permission for doing that, instead of what Christ wanted me to do. 

When, I read this verse, it's like the Lord God is saying, "Debbie, those things that I've asked of you aren't too difficult for you to do, nor are they beyond your capabilities, or available time." You should know that the underlined portion are excuses I've used repeatedly over the years for not wanting to do what the Lord wants of me. But He tells me through this verse, "That's not a very good excuse, Debbie!" 

Christ asks me to share my faith in Him, and share the wonderful things He does for me on a regular basis. So, there's really no acceptable excuse for not doing that. But I'm the one who got so busy on one thing and then another, that's I've gotten behind on posts for this blog for several weeks. I need to apologize to the Lord, but also to you, my viewers. I am truly sorry, that I've put other things ahead of sharing how the Lord allowed an 80 pound weight loss and He has kept off the vast majority of that weight for over 30 years by reminding me when I start to slip into old patterns. I'm sorry that I haven't been there for you, like I should have by sharing this miracle on a more regular basis! Please forgive me! I need to ask for the Lord God's forgiveness, first and foremost, as well! 

Grumbling and Arguing and Connecting the Dots

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing. Philippines 2:14 NIV Bible

I just got off the phone with my doctor's assistant and found myself not willing to do exactly as they said. Of course, I had a counter offer for them. That doesn't seem so much like arguing, but isn't it still just a way to appease those you are arguing with?

They wanted me to take a medication that has certain side effects that I don't want to chance. I told the very kind assistant, that I would be willing to do any healthy things instead of taking the recommended medication. That conversation happened about 15 minutes ago, so it was fresh on my mind. Then, I realized that I also grumble and argue with the Lord God in pretty much the same way, although I don't actually realize that's what it is. 

I tell the Lord God things like this when I think He wants me to do something, "Lord, I'm not so sure that I want to do what You asked me, because I'm far too busy, etc. How about I do this other thing instead?" I hadn't really connected the dots before, which really makes me think. When I ask the Lord to take care of my food, body, stress, and eating, He doesn't say to me, "Debbie, I'm not so sure I want to do what you asked Me, because I'm far too busy, etc. How about I do this other thing instead?" I feel really horrible, because I've been doing this periodically over many years now! I need to ask for forgiveness for grumbling and arguing when He asks anything of me, and be more open to be receptive to what He requests!