by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Somewhere along the line grumbling became all too easy for me.
Complaining a little here. A little there. It begins subtly but swiftly takes hold of the heart, choking thankfulness while liberating a murmur that may or may not be audible to others, but with all certainty, is discernible to our God.
Last year, God revealed how my grumbling – my lack of gratitude – not only displeased Him but also negatively affected my relationship with Him as well as my testimony to others.
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be
blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a
crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I
may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16 ESV
Grumbling dims God’s brilliance in our lives. Gratefulness amplifies it.
This is one reason why I’ve added Ann Voskamp’s devotional One Thousand Gifts to my spiritual arsenal. Nothing battles the ease of complaining than the power of gratitude. Each day contains scripture, a brief devotional, and “grateful spaces”, numbered lines for listing those things for which I am thankful — both great and small.
Replacing the habit of grumbling with gratefulness is a journey. I have not arrived. But as I pen each praise, each morsel of gratitude, I sense God gaining much ground in my heart, and for this I am very thankful.
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one
who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 50:23
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
“I see my body as an instrument, rather than an ornament.”
– Alanis Morisette
Our body, God’s instrument. His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Countless weight-loss resolutions have fallen by the proverbial wayside of my life. Intentions that began strong on January 1st grew weary by February 1st and toppled over from exhaustion by March. My goal always focused on a number on a scale, fitting into a particular pair of pants, or avoiding the forbidden food list.
Not this year.
God placed two specific women in my life in 2012. Amy and Patti Jo — two women crazy in love with their God who desire to glorify Him in every way, including how they care for their bodies. Both have a profound understanding of how God desires to use the physical body as His instruments of love, grace, peace and mercy. He is certainly using them to be all these things in my life. (Thank You, Lord)
Both Amy and Patti Jo are my accountability partners as we kick off 2013. One, I meet with once a week and the other I will touch base with, or personally meet with, every other week. (Thank you, friends!) Oh, the beauty discovered in true community.
SEEKing God’s ultimate glory by the way I care for my body is a new mindset. Will I fail at times? Yes.
My goal, however, no longer revolves around my weight loss, but rather, God’s gain.
I have a feeling I’m not alone on this journey so I’ve listed a few links you may also enjoy.
- Only A Breath. Melanie designed the One-Word button above for free (and she’s as sweet as they come!). A recent post includes an announcement that she’s beginning a new blog, Real Food Experiment.
- 8 Weeks To A Better Body. Check out the healthy banana bread and spinach smoothies!
- Raw Energy, by Stephanie Tourles. It’s a Kindle January special – $2.99.
Do you have any tips or links you’d like to share? I’d love to hear about them!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government
shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Jesus is the best gift of all. Jesus is THE gift. Today and every day.
Merry Christmas!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
(I’m teaching Piper colors via vintage Shiny Brites!)
Merry Christmas from our home to yours.
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It may be Piper’s second Christmas (She’s 13 months today!) but in many ways it’s her very first, for this year she marvels at the Christmas lights, Grammy’s Shiny Brites and her daddy’s handmade ornaments, crafted during his childhood.
The wonder of a child. It’s a beautiful thing.
Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you
planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of
them, they would be too many to declare. -Psalm 40:5
Father, help us to rediscover our child-like wonder as we consider You and the many unspeakable things You are doing in and around us today.
