Recent Posts
Topic: RE: New York Newbie...
welcome Ronnie,
I am excited for you to be joining God's Loosing Winners! He has truely blessed me with WLS and I feel I have been born for a 3rd time. Once from my mother's womb, twice from Jesus' Sacrifice and thirdly from WLS. I hope that no one finds that sacreligious. God paved the way for my WLS and has been with me the whole way. I have more to go before reaching goal, I feel this too is God's doing. It keeps me mindful of not falling back into old ways. I pray that all goes well with your appointment and the surgery date will be set.
SIS (Sister in Service)
Nita
I am excited for you to be joining God's Loosing Winners! He has truely blessed me with WLS and I feel I have been born for a 3rd time. Once from my mother's womb, twice from Jesus' Sacrifice and thirdly from WLS. I hope that no one finds that sacreligious. God paved the way for my WLS and has been with me the whole way. I have more to go before reaching goal, I feel this too is God's doing. It keeps me mindful of not falling back into old ways. I pray that all goes well with your appointment and the surgery date will be set.
SIS (Sister in Service)
Nita
Topic: RE: New York Newbie...
You all are such a blessing. Thanks for your words of encouragement. My pre-op appointment with Dr. Yatco (my surgeon) is Wednesday, July 1st...we'll hopefully set the surgery date and all of my pre-op 'stuff' then. I'll certainly keep you all updated. God bless :D
Topic: RE: New York Newbie...
Ms. Ronnie-
Praying that the Lord will remove all fear from your mind and assure you that He is with you all the way. I too will be watching to see your surgery date so extra prayers will be sent in your behalf :)
love in Christ
Grannymae
Praying that the Lord will remove all fear from your mind and assure you that He is with you all the way. I too will be watching to see your surgery date so extra prayers will be sent in your behalf :)
love in Christ
Grannymae
Topic: WOO HOO Friday Coffee Talk!
Ya know it's gotta be the happy 
dance for this Friday morning! It's gonna be a wonderful day! Do you have BIG plans for the weekend? Our plans are to just lay around and DO NOTHING! Maybe go for a ride to the state park or to the water, but other than that, just RELAX!
Our challenge for today is to aim high. Don't settle for the less in life. There is more out there for you. What do I mean? Go back to school. Get a better job. Get a promotion. You may say I can't do that. YES YOU CAN!! You can do anything you want to do. No one can limit you except you, yourself. If I, at 42, can go back to school, anyone can. At least give it your best shot. You never know what could have been until you make it what has happened!
So, what cha sippin' on? Lucy and I are enjoying some awesome Trader Joe's Organic Coffee freshly ground that came from Dayner D. WE LOVE IT! It is soooo good! Only thing missing is you!
You all have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!
dance for this Friday morning! It's gonna be a wonderful day! Do you have BIG plans for the weekend? Our plans are to just lay around and DO NOTHING! Maybe go for a ride to the state park or to the water, but other than that, just RELAX! Our challenge for today is to aim high. Don't settle for the less in life. There is more out there for you. What do I mean? Go back to school. Get a better job. Get a promotion. You may say I can't do that. YES YOU CAN!! You can do anything you want to do. No one can limit you except you, yourself. If I, at 42, can go back to school, anyone can. At least give it your best shot. You never know what could have been until you make it what has happened!
So, what cha sippin' on? Lucy and I are enjoying some awesome Trader Joe's Organic Coffee freshly ground that came from Dayner D. WE LOVE IT! It is soooo good! Only thing missing is you!
You all have a wonderful Friday and a great weekend!
For every Goliath, there is a Stone! His name is Jesus!"
Topic: Flashback Friday Devotion #24 [Hollywood deaths & Vigilance]
Hi, Everyone.
Three Hollywood icons have died: Ed McMahon, 86, June 23rd; Farrah Fawcett, 62, June 25th; Michael Jackson, 50, June 25th.
Whether famous or infamous, death comes to each of us. Are you ready? It is reported that Mr. McMahon attended a protestant church faithfully and that Ms. Fawcett was a Catholic. I do not know about Mr. Jackson, although I seem to recall that he became a Muslim.
None of that matters. It doesn't matter whether one attends church, is a follower of a certain denomination or religion, is a "good" person, or even a "bad" person. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).
Mr. McMahon lived a long life. His death was not a shock. Farrah Fawcett battled cancer for the past 2 years. Her death was not a shock. Mr. Jackson's death was a surprise, although he had not looked healthy for a number of years.
My first thought, at hearing that Mr. Jackson had died, was Mark 8:36, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" I do not know if Mr. Jackson forfeited his soul, just as I cannot be certain of the eternal state of Mr. McMahon or Ms. Fawcett. Each person must examine his/her own heart.
When each of us stand before Almighty God, where we spend eternity will be based on one thing, and one thing only: what did each of us do with Jesus?
We are not promised tomorrow, so I ask you, dear reader, if you died in the next moment, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven? Why, or why not? If you are not 100% sure, you can be, and I would be delighted to help you know how you can be sure. You may email me at [email protected], and I will be happy to talk with you.
Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated May 2, 2007. I learned a very important lesson in my weight-loss journey that day. As always, I love to hear from you.
Flashback Friday Devotion #24 [Vigilance]
I'll be honest. I'm a little confused today. After coming home from early prayer, I went over yesterday's [last Friday's] journal entry. I then began thanking God that "the Egyptians" (the army of gluttony) are gone. I was surprised to "hear" God say, "Be vigilant."
Some verses came to mind, and I looked them up. I Corinthians 10:12 advises, "...let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall." I also thought of the words of Jesus, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26: 41). Then, of course, there's I Peter 5:8, "Be sober. Be vigilant. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
So, my question is, "Is the army gone or is it not?" As I write this, I'm asking the Lord to help me understand, to give me wisdom. I slept three hours last night, so I'm really tired. I think that is making this more difficult than it should be. I'll just write what comes to me and then sort it out later.
I can foresee that when I have days of victory behind me and I feel like an "overcomer" (which I am), perhaps there is danger of pride creeping in. Perhaps, instead of continuing as the student in this "God Gain" lifestyle, I think I should be the teacher (which is my gift, after all), long before I'm ready to teach anyone. I see that as a danger, and I can see that I must be vigilant against that pride.
Just now, I could envision a chain, with large oval links. The Lord is helping me to see a chain of events that often happens, resulting in overeating. Actually, "chain of events" is not as accurate as "chain of emotions." I am definitely an emotional eater. It doesn't make sense to remove a link in the chain, because my emotions are my emotions. However, I see I can add a link in the chain, and that is prayer. I can add another link, and that is the Word. I can add a third link, reaching out to others to encourage and to be encouraged.
Vigilance is both a defensive and an offensive weapon in the battle of losing weight. As a defensive weapon, vigilance allows me to be aware and wary, lest Satan should get into "roaring" distance of me. As an offensive weapon, vigilance allows me to guard the victory in my walk. The key to demolishing the stronghold of gluttony is to focus on the fact that Jesus already tore it down (at the cross), and only I have the power to rebuild it--brick by brick. Vigilance will help me avoid the enemy's infiltration or my rebuilding of the stronghold of gluttony and the resulting weight.
Perhaps my flesh will always tend toward weakness, in the area of overeating. I don't really want to believe that, though. I want to know that "the Egyptians [I] have seen today [I] will never see again." Which is it? Victory or Vigilance? Maybe it's vigilance in my walk of victory. That's it! Vigilance in my walk of victory! Thank You, Father, for helping me to understand.
Today, consider what part, if any, vigilance plays in your ability to lose weight and keep it off. Are you an emotional eater? What "links of chain" can you add, to help you break the chain of emotional eating?
Blessings,
Mary
P.S. If you have time, enjoy this 3 minute 37 second video of Russ Taff singing Praise the Lord. Russ has battled his own addictions and is walking in victory. He is ever vigilant, though. May this song inspire you and encourage you today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYw_lWwwA8
Three Hollywood icons have died: Ed McMahon, 86, June 23rd; Farrah Fawcett, 62, June 25th; Michael Jackson, 50, June 25th.
Whether famous or infamous, death comes to each of us. Are you ready? It is reported that Mr. McMahon attended a protestant church faithfully and that Ms. Fawcett was a Catholic. I do not know about Mr. Jackson, although I seem to recall that he became a Muslim.
None of that matters. It doesn't matter whether one attends church, is a follower of a certain denomination or religion, is a "good" person, or even a "bad" person. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).
Mr. McMahon lived a long life. His death was not a shock. Farrah Fawcett battled cancer for the past 2 years. Her death was not a shock. Mr. Jackson's death was a surprise, although he had not looked healthy for a number of years.
My first thought, at hearing that Mr. Jackson had died, was Mark 8:36, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" I do not know if Mr. Jackson forfeited his soul, just as I cannot be certain of the eternal state of Mr. McMahon or Ms. Fawcett. Each person must examine his/her own heart.
When each of us stand before Almighty God, where we spend eternity will be based on one thing, and one thing only: what did each of us do with Jesus?
We are not promised tomorrow, so I ask you, dear reader, if you died in the next moment, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven? Why, or why not? If you are not 100% sure, you can be, and I would be delighted to help you know how you can be sure. You may email me at [email protected], and I will be happy to talk with you.
Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated May 2, 2007. I learned a very important lesson in my weight-loss journey that day. As always, I love to hear from you.
Flashback Friday Devotion #24 [Vigilance]
I'll be honest. I'm a little confused today. After coming home from early prayer, I went over yesterday's [last Friday's] journal entry. I then began thanking God that "the Egyptians" (the army of gluttony) are gone. I was surprised to "hear" God say, "Be vigilant."
Some verses came to mind, and I looked them up. I Corinthians 10:12 advises, "...let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall." I also thought of the words of Jesus, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26: 41). Then, of course, there's I Peter 5:8, "Be sober. Be vigilant. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
So, my question is, "Is the army gone or is it not?" As I write this, I'm asking the Lord to help me understand, to give me wisdom. I slept three hours last night, so I'm really tired. I think that is making this more difficult than it should be. I'll just write what comes to me and then sort it out later.
I can foresee that when I have days of victory behind me and I feel like an "overcomer" (which I am), perhaps there is danger of pride creeping in. Perhaps, instead of continuing as the student in this "God Gain" lifestyle, I think I should be the teacher (which is my gift, after all), long before I'm ready to teach anyone. I see that as a danger, and I can see that I must be vigilant against that pride.
Just now, I could envision a chain, with large oval links. The Lord is helping me to see a chain of events that often happens, resulting in overeating. Actually, "chain of events" is not as accurate as "chain of emotions." I am definitely an emotional eater. It doesn't make sense to remove a link in the chain, because my emotions are my emotions. However, I see I can add a link in the chain, and that is prayer. I can add another link, and that is the Word. I can add a third link, reaching out to others to encourage and to be encouraged.
Vigilance is both a defensive and an offensive weapon in the battle of losing weight. As a defensive weapon, vigilance allows me to be aware and wary, lest Satan should get into "roaring" distance of me. As an offensive weapon, vigilance allows me to guard the victory in my walk. The key to demolishing the stronghold of gluttony is to focus on the fact that Jesus already tore it down (at the cross), and only I have the power to rebuild it--brick by brick. Vigilance will help me avoid the enemy's infiltration or my rebuilding of the stronghold of gluttony and the resulting weight.
Perhaps my flesh will always tend toward weakness, in the area of overeating. I don't really want to believe that, though. I want to know that "the Egyptians [I] have seen today [I] will never see again." Which is it? Victory or Vigilance? Maybe it's vigilance in my walk of victory. That's it! Vigilance in my walk of victory! Thank You, Father, for helping me to understand.
Today, consider what part, if any, vigilance plays in your ability to lose weight and keep it off. Are you an emotional eater? What "links of chain" can you add, to help you break the chain of emotional eating?
Blessings,
Mary
P.S. If you have time, enjoy this 3 minute 37 second video of Russ Taff singing Praise the Lord. Russ has battled his own addictions and is walking in victory. He is ever vigilant, though. May this song inspire you and encourage you today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYw_lWwwA8
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Topic: RE: Thursday Coffee Talk
Randall,
Your timis is perfect, I needed this reminder.
Y'all pray for me, I am in a difficult work situation & need to keep in mind that God is in charge & still on the Throne. When you are in the forest, however, it is sometimes hard to see the trees.
Have a blessed day.
Linda
Your timis is perfect, I needed this reminder.
Y'all pray for me, I am in a difficult work situation & need to keep in mind that God is in charge & still on the Throne. When you are in the forest, however, it is sometimes hard to see the trees.
Have a blessed day.
Linda
Topic: Thursday Coffee Talk
Good Thursday morning everyone. Time to rise and shine. Today is going to be the BEST day of your life! I can just feel a good day in the making. Can't you? Gotta have that attitude!
Our challenge for today is to do unto others as you would have done unto you. Remember this simple golden rule you learned as a child? Wonder what ever happened to it? If it was practiced more, what a wonderful world we would live in. No one wants to be shot. No one wants to be talked about. No one wants to be beaten. No one wants to go hungry. So many things we don't want as humans. If we would remember how WE want to be treated and treat OTHERS this way, life would be so much better. Our world seems to be going down hill so fast because of how we treat each other. And we condone this. Why? Why can't we just treat others like we want to be treated? Sure would be nice, huh?
So, who's up this morning? What cha sippin' on? Me? I've made my baby, Lucy, some more awesome Folgers Chocolate coffee. She LOVES chocolate and she loves coffee, so you know she likes this coffee. Anything to make her day better. She has to go to an ortho Dr. today because of her shoulder due to the accident. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Y'all have a wonderful Thursday as you treat others like you want to be treated!
Our challenge for today is to do unto others as you would have done unto you. Remember this simple golden rule you learned as a child? Wonder what ever happened to it? If it was practiced more, what a wonderful world we would live in. No one wants to be shot. No one wants to be talked about. No one wants to be beaten. No one wants to go hungry. So many things we don't want as humans. If we would remember how WE want to be treated and treat OTHERS this way, life would be so much better. Our world seems to be going down hill so fast because of how we treat each other. And we condone this. Why? Why can't we just treat others like we want to be treated? Sure would be nice, huh?
So, who's up this morning? What cha sippin' on? Me? I've made my baby, Lucy, some more awesome Folgers Chocolate coffee. She LOVES chocolate and she loves coffee, so you know she likes this coffee. Anything to make her day better. She has to go to an ortho Dr. today because of her shoulder due to the accident. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
Y'all have a wonderful Thursday as you treat others like you want to be treated!
For every Goliath, there is a Stone! His name is Jesus!"
Topic: Life Plan Devotion #110 [Getting prayers answered, Part III]
Hi, Everyone.
Today, we will finish looking at the 2nd basic condition to answered prayer. I remember when I first got the revelation of how important it is to begin prayer with praising God. I felt so inadequate, doing that. I mean, how do you pray words that truly do justice to God.
For a long time, I used words from the Psalms, to express my praise. I still do that, from time to time. Other times, even now, I sing to the Lord. He loves it when we do that, even if we can only "make a joyful noise unto the LORD." :) When I was much younger, I would dance before Him. I figured if David could do it, so could I. :) I have other ways of praising the Lord, but those are a few I'm willing to share today.
How do you express your praise to Him? I'd love to hear from you.
Life Plan Devotion #110 [Getting your prayers answered, Part III]
Psalm 63:4 "I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands" (NIV).
Last time, we began looking at the second of 7 basic conditions to answered prayer, to pray with praise and thanksgiving. The first basic condition to getting your prayers answered is to pray in the Name of Jesus. Today, let's continue to look at praise praying.
II Chronicles 20 is a wonderful chapter and an excellent example of praise praying. In verses 13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, Jehoshaphat has just been told that the armies of three nations are coming to do battle with him and all Judah. "And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their children and their wives. [Zechariah's son] said, Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him. And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe and remain steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper. When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever! And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the [armies] who had come against Judah..." [Amplified].
Do you see that praise was the weapon? This is an account of a physical confrontation but with a spiritual weapon. When the spiritual meets the physical, the spiritual rules, always wins. Jehoshaphat knew the importance of being led forth in praise and thanksgiving. We would do well to follow his example.
Psalm 100:4 instructs us to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name" [NIV]. If you pray with praise and thanksgiving, your prayer will lift like incense to the very Throne of God!
Whatever is going on in your life today, consider Philippians 4:6, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns" (Message).
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can be full of battles, just like all of life. Ultimately, "the battle is not yours, but God's." Stand firm, praise Him, and watch Him do battle for you against an enemy who does not want you to win, even in matters of weight. You may lose some skirmishes, but, with God's help, you will win the war.
Confession:
When I pray, I will enter Heaven's gate with thanksgiving and God's court with praise. I will offer to God my sacrifice of praise, not only for what God is doing in my life but for who He is. Because God inhabits praise, my prayers lift as incense to my Father.
Blessings,
Mary
Today, we will finish looking at the 2nd basic condition to answered prayer. I remember when I first got the revelation of how important it is to begin prayer with praising God. I felt so inadequate, doing that. I mean, how do you pray words that truly do justice to God.
For a long time, I used words from the Psalms, to express my praise. I still do that, from time to time. Other times, even now, I sing to the Lord. He loves it when we do that, even if we can only "make a joyful noise unto the LORD." :) When I was much younger, I would dance before Him. I figured if David could do it, so could I. :) I have other ways of praising the Lord, but those are a few I'm willing to share today.
How do you express your praise to Him? I'd love to hear from you.
Life Plan Devotion #110 [Getting your prayers answered, Part III]
Psalm 63:4 "I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands" (NIV).
Last time, we began looking at the second of 7 basic conditions to answered prayer, to pray with praise and thanksgiving. The first basic condition to getting your prayers answered is to pray in the Name of Jesus. Today, let's continue to look at praise praying.
II Chronicles 20 is a wonderful chapter and an excellent example of praise praying. In verses 13, 15, 17-18, 20-22, Jehoshaphat has just been told that the armies of three nations are coming to do battle with him and all Judah. "And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their children and their wives. [Zechariah's son] said, Hearken, all Judah, you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you King Jehoshaphat. The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance of the Lord [Who is] with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Fear not nor be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshiping Him. And they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe and remain steadfast to His prophets and you shall prosper. When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy [priestly] garments as they went out before the army, saying, Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever! And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the [armies] who had come against Judah..." [Amplified].
Do you see that praise was the weapon? This is an account of a physical confrontation but with a spiritual weapon. When the spiritual meets the physical, the spiritual rules, always wins. Jehoshaphat knew the importance of being led forth in praise and thanksgiving. We would do well to follow his example.
Psalm 100:4 instructs us to "Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name" [NIV]. If you pray with praise and thanksgiving, your prayer will lift like incense to the very Throne of God!
Whatever is going on in your life today, consider Philippians 4:6, "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns" (Message).
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can be full of battles, just like all of life. Ultimately, "the battle is not yours, but God's." Stand firm, praise Him, and watch Him do battle for you against an enemy who does not want you to win, even in matters of weight. You may lose some skirmishes, but, with God's help, you will win the war.
Confession:
When I pray, I will enter Heaven's gate with thanksgiving and God's court with praise. I will offer to God my sacrifice of praise, not only for what God is doing in my life but for who He is. Because God inhabits praise, my prayers lift as incense to my Father.
Blessings,
Mary
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Topic: RE: Life Plan Devotion #109 [Getting your prayers answered, Part II]
"Don't tell God how big your storm is; tell your storm how BIG your God is!"
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
ObesityHelp Support Group Leader and Support Group Coach
Topic: RE: Life Plan Devotion #109 [Getting your prayers answered, Part II]
Thank you for the wise counsel again, Mary. I have to agree that my prayers bring me much closer to God when they are filled with gratitude rather than gimmes.
Have a beautiful day,
Vickie
Have a beautiful day,
Vickie
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