Shepherds of Love

Day 9 – No weight loss, but I am doing great.  It is a battle.  Listen to this inspiring word….

It was six days before the passover, and Jesus explains to the people why he must die.  He says the Father’s name will be glorified.  Then we hear some awesome scripture….Then a voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.  The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.  Jesus said, ‘This voice was for your benefit, not mine.  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.  But I, when I am llifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.  John 12:28-32

The prince of this world is satan, an angel who rebelled against God. Satan is real not symbolic, and is constantly working against God and those who obey him.  Satan tempted Eve in the gardein and persuaded her to sin; he tempted Jesus in the desert and did not persuade him to fall.  Satan has great power, but people can be delivered from his reign of spiritual darkness because fo Christ’s victory on the cross.  Satan is powerful, but Jesus is much more powerful.  Jesus’ resurrection shattered Satan’s deathly power.  To overcome Satan we need faithful allegiance to God’s Word, determination to stay away from sin, and the support of other believers.

I just read a book called “Sun Stand Still.”  The author inspires us to have faith beyond the ordinary as Joshua did when he prayed for the sun to stand still.  He encourages us to live in our vision with God.  I have had a vision for quite some time of speaking in front of huge groups of people.  I love to speak in front of people.  I seem to be very comfortable and am pretty natural.  I know, though, that for me to be effective and to feel confident in myself in front of these people, I must get this extra weight off.  So….here goes….it is Tuesday, August 16, 2011, I’m going for it.

I also know the devil will do everything in his power to defeat me.  I am going to stand strong with the power of the Holy Spirit working in me.  I will add comments each day until I reach my goals.

This is day 6.  It is Sunday and Barry and I like to eat Sunday dinner out.  We have some favorite places with some pretty great foods.  But today we are going to get take out salads to eat at home.  I got two salads – a southwest and an Asain at McDonald’s.  For weeks I was hooked on oreo flurries at McDonald’s.  I treated myself to one each day.  Now I have switched to salads.  I am determined to eat as many varieties of salads as possible in this town.  I eat my favorite dressings which are immensely satisfying.  My weight stayed the same.  That’s okay.

Day 5 – It is Saturday and the grandchildren are here for breakfast.  I also need to plan for the progressive dinner tonight.  I made eggs, sausage, and toast for breakfast.  I ate one piece of sausage, eggs, and 1 piece of toast.  That is pretty good portion control for me.  I lost 1 1/2 pounds so I am doing great.  Yogurt and a nectarine sound good for lunch.  I will save as many calories for supper as possible.  So here is how it goes – we get to the first house for appetizers.  I found grapes and iced tea to get me through.  Then we move to the second house for salads, homemade bread and lazagne.  I ate a big salad, 1/2 piece of lazagne and no bread.  That is pretty good control for me.  I went back for more salad while everyone continued to eat lazagne.  Then on to our house for homemade ice cream and chips.  Unbelievable!  I make the best blueberry ice cream ever.  I ended up eating one bowl of ice cream and one bowl of chips.  I did make my ice cream with skimmed milk.  Not bad getting through the evening!  Thank you Lord….can’t do it without you.

Day 4 – I lost another pound! Don’t even bother reminding me it is water weight at this point.  I know that, but I desperately need to get rid of water weight so every pound counts.  I ate a Subway salad with my daughter.  And I took a big grilled chicken salad with me to the dreaded picnic.  I helped the grandchildren load up their plates with my very favorite corn on the cob, etc., and I ate none of it.  Don’t tell me I can eat a little bit.  No I can’t.  I have to be disciplined this time because I want to get ready for this new part of my calling as a pastor.  I need God’s help at all times.  I pray that he sends his angels to fight the spiritual battle that rages in the heavenlies over my life.

Day 3 – It is Thursday and I lost 2 pounds.   Don’t even start telling me that you don’t want to lose it too fast.  I won’t need to have that concern believe me. I am a little concerned about this upcoming weekend.  I have a church picnic with corn, hot dogs, and covered dishes from awesome cooks on Friday, and a progressive church dinner on Saturday, complete with lazagne and homemade ice cream.  I’ll figure it out tomorrow…one day at a time.  I ate a grilled chicken salad for lunch and 1/2 stuffed pepper for supper.  I ate a nectarine, a plum, and a yogurt for snacks.

Day 2 – I lost 1 1/2 pounds. I ate a grilled chicken salad for lunch and then I made us a good dinner.  We had stuffed peppers, fresh sliced tomatoes, and a plain baked potato.

Day 1 - I am going to eat as many salads as possible.  I am staying away from bread and as much sugar as possible.  I am not following any of the ordinary programs since I am a person who needs to be satisfied when I eat…it’s not about volume….it’s about satisfaction for me to be in this for the long haul.  It makes a big difference whether you are needing to lose 15 pounds or 115 pounds.  I ate a grilled chicken salad for lunch and a crispy chicken salad for supper.  I ate fruit and yogurt for snacks.  I did great….thank you Lord…living in the vision.

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