January 2008

January 23, 2008         Doughnuts and Discipline

For the past week I have been craving doughnuts.  I am usually not that big of a doughnut fan.  I grew up in Winston Salem, NC, the home of Krispy Kreme, and the “hot now” sign doesn’t usually tempt me.  I am more of a Dunkin Doughnut girl.  I love the blueberry crunch and the lemon filled.   

Under normal conditions, I can pass the store and pass the box as they are handed out but not this week.  This week I could have eaten a dozen all by myself.  Just give me a jug of milk and leave me alone!  As I have tried to psychoanalyze my doughnut craving I have reached one basic conclusion, when you aren’t suppose to have it you want it more. 

Discipline is a hard thing for most of us.  Even the apostle Paul said the things I should do I don’t do and the things I shouldn’t do I find myself doing.  It all starts with the way we think and progresses from there.  I have noticed this with the doughnuts. The more I think about doughnuts, the more I want one.  Then I start to talk about doughnuts.  The more I talk about that rich lemon filling dripping out around the edges of a perfectly fried doughnut, the harder it becomes to pass the doughnut shop. 

Now the real phase of temptation comes into play and this is where most of our discipline goes right out the window.  I begin to justify the eating of these doughnuts.  I tell myself I can do two workouts.  I reason that I can only eat vegetables the next day.  I argue that the lemons and blueberries are a fruit so this should count as one of my fruits for the day. 

If I continue in this direction, my discipline will fail and I will eat the doughnuts.  But my discipline failed because I never used it.  I have to be disciplined at the beginning and control the way I think.  At the first thought of a doughnut I need to make a decision – Can I have a doughnut or not?  If the answer is “no” then I must start the discipline process right then.  Disciplining myself to think about something else or to think about the results of not eating that doughnut is a key to moving on and being disciplined. 

This has such a spiritual application for us.  Whether we are talking about sinful actions or just personal decisions, it is important that we learn to tell ourselves no and then stand fast.  I am so glad that I don’t have to do it alone. I know that Christ wants me to be a disciplined person so I can pray and ask for His help.  Praying in His will always brings a “yes” from the Father; so ask for His help early and often.   

As we succeed in this area of our lives we will become stronger in this area of discipline.  Of course, as with most of life, balance is important.  When it comes to sinful choices, “no” is always the answer but when it comes to doughnuts sometimes a “yes” is permissible. 

Well I think I am out of milk at home so I have to run………………

January 10, 2008

 This week I have been reminded of the pros and cons of any endeavor.  I am not one of those people who make a lot of New Year’s resolutions.  I do like to look back over the year and reevaluate to see where I need to improve.  I enjoy setting goals and objectives and moving toward getting things accomplished.  So I have made several changes for 2008.  One of them is my exercise program. 

I had slid into an “I don’t have time for all this” mode, so my dedication and determination for daily exercise had decreased (that is a nice way to say completely stopped).  Something had to change so I have started a new regime.  I love it!!  It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it’s intense!!  But as I enter the second week of my new routine, I find myself aching in new places everyday.  There are places I didn’t know existed that are hurting.  I realize that this is part of the process of getting back into shape.  In a few months I will be stronger, fitter, and hopefully able to walk upright but for now I struggle to lift my arm to brush my teeth. 

My trainer encourages me to do my best and forget the rest.  I wish I could forget the rest but how can you ignore the knife searing burn that runs through your muscles as you do the last three reverse grip close hand pull ups?  The sign on the back of his shirt says, “Bring it!”  I would just like someone to bring the couch over to where I am about to pass out and let me lay down. 

Isn’t that just like most things we set out to do?  The benefits of our labor do not always show up right away.  There is sometimes pain or difficulty involved.  We hit walls we don’t think we can push through or climb over.  But if I am going to get in shape I have to stick with it.  I have to show up every day and do exactly what the guy says.  “Do your best, forget the rest!” 

If you are like me, whether you made resolutions or not, you are probably already facing challenges as you enter the new year.  What are you going to do?  I encourage you as my trainer encourages me – “Bring it!”  Show up every day with a fresh determination to do your best.  Let God fill you with His power so you can do extraordinary things for Him.  Don’t quit when it gets tough. Make sure you are spending the time with Him that is necessary to see results.  You will grow stronger spiritually, mentally, and physically as you allow His Word to penetrate to the deepest core of who you are.  If it hurts, hang on and do what you can – God will do the rest.

 January 1, 2008

What a wonderful time of year.  It was great to be with my family and friends over the Christmas holidays.  I love the excitement and sheer joy that children bring to Christmas.  I also love my mother’s cooking.  I tried my best to limit the intake but some things are just too good to pass up!

It is hard to believe that it’s 2008.  I am looking forward to a new year.  In fact, I spent all day today, the first day of the year, working diligently on what lies ahead.  One of the things I loved about living in Wisconsin was getting up in the morning after it had snowed all night.  Everywhere you looked the  ground was covered with a fresh blanket of snow with no foot prints.  I liked getting out there and making that first print.  That is how I view this new year. 

God has given me a new year to start.  Everything is fresh and waiting for me to put my first imprint in it.  I pray that God will give me the wisdom to go the right directions this year.  I pray that He will guide every step I take so that my life will fulfill the purpose He designed it for.  I also pray that He will bring the abundance of His blessings on my life and the ministry He has called me to this year.

I hope you can see this new year as a chance for you to start fresh.  Forget about those things that are behind you.  Join me in pressing forward to what lies ahead of us.  To walk with Jesus and serve Him is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s an adventure; it’s exciting.  Grasp this new year with a thrill in your soul.  Dare for more!!