I Corinthians 10:31

I'm back...

2011-09-08T10:33:00.001-04:00

I haven't really been doing much related to weight loss in a long while. Well, actually, yes I have: in the past year I had gained 11 lbs., and last year's summer clothes were snug. I "knew" all the reasons I needed to lose weight, but I think I was waiting for some kind of catalyst. This proved to be it. I thought, "This just can NOT continue."

So I started exercising near the beginning of this summer. I outlined my routine more fully in this post from my main blog: barbarah.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/my-experience-with-video-and-gaming-workouts/ But mostly I've been using the Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout for the Kinect (thanks to having gaming sons, we have one of those: if not I don't think I'd buy the Kinect and X-Box just to use this game). Now I use it 30-50 minutes 4 days a week and supplement two other days with other workout videos I have. Sunday is a complete day of rest.

I've lost 11.5 lbs. in 12 weeks. Not spectacular, no one else has really noticed yet, but I can feel a difference both in how my clothes fit and how I feel. The first two weeks, I walked around feeling like I'd been beat up or had the flu -- or both. One reason I don't want to miss an exercise session now is that I don't want to lose that momentum, that level of ability that has been so hard won. There are days I exercise through gritted teeth, but I'm usually glad for it when I am done.

I probably should track my food -- it's just so tedious and time consuming I hate to. But I have made small changes in the amount of snacks I allow and in making food choices. I was very surprised the last couple of days when at one meal I didn't want seconds (very unusual for me) and at another I couldn't finish what I had.

So, there's progress, slow but sure. I hope the momentum only increases. Maybe now that I can do more in he way of exercise, that will help burn more calories.

Here's to progress!

"How convenient is heart disease?"

2010-01-13T22:20:00.001-05:00

On the Biggest Loser last night, one woman, confronted by a whole counter full of fast food that she usually ate was asked by Jillian why she ate that stuff.

She replied, "Convenience."

Jillian asked, "How convenient is heart disease?"

Puts a whole new light on it.

I'm back...sort of

2009-10-22T08:35:00.000-04:00

I haven't really done much with with diet or exercise lately beyond the occasional Wii Fit exercises...and consequently I gaine back almost all I had lost. I just couldn't get beyond having to give up or limit what I liked to eat.

But a few nights ago I was listening to a message by Chuck Swindoll on the radio concerning Nathan's confrontation of David's sin with Bathsheba (II Samuel 12), and in the context of evidence of true repentance, he mentioned a willingness to make a break with sin rather than just feeling sorry about it. Proverbs 28:13 says, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

That convicted me because, though I had felt plenty bad about my overeating, I couldn't say I had turned from it. I became convicted that at the very least, the out-of-control indulgence had to stop. Temperance or self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galoatians 5:22-24), and I would need His filling, help, and grace, but I knew I had to take that step.

Ironically, I was making cookies that night. But by God's grace I was able to set a limit of how many I would have a day rather than just grabbing one every time I passed through the kitchen. Jillian of The Biggest Loser would probably laugh at that, but for me it was a definite start and step in the right direction.

I still need to get areas of my eating and exercising under control. But every journey begins with a step.

Too true!

2009-01-02T16:36:00.001-05:00

People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and the New Year, but they really should be worried about what they eat between the New Year and Christmas. ~Author Unknown

Long time no blog

2008-11-15T10:25:00.000-05:00

I haven't done much with this blog, because, sad to say, I haven't been doing much of anything in regard to watching what I eat.

The past few days I have been sick with some kind of bug that kept me within a few steps of the bathroom. I had about 8 crackers and a few bites of applesauce for about a day and a half. Even water would set off a bathroom session.

Pretty miserable.

I had to learn that even though I craved something to eat or drink, it would have dire consequences and I'd better hold off.

If I could just get this lesson in everyday life: when I eat or drink the wrong things or too much of the good things, there may not be immediate consequences, but there are longer-term consequences.

How to Say No, Chapter 13

2008-06-05T09:59:00.003-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 13, Writing the Last Chapter

This chapter is titled thus because the last step is what we do with what we have learned. Lutzer suggests getting a notebook which will become a spiritual diary and including in it such things as letters to God about our failures, weaknesses, bad habits, desires, etc.; prayer requests and answers; strategies for our growth in grace (spending time in the Word, verses to memorize, etc.); anticipating ways Satan might try to trip us up and preparing for them; observations from Scripture; lessons learned.

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 12

2008-06-04T06:49:00.002-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 12, Trapped Again

Sometimes people are delivered from certain sins almost instantaneously at salvation (by delivered here I mean they never struggle with wanting to do it again: we're all delivered from the penalty of sin and receive forgiveness at salvation, and, in Christ, as discussed earlier, we have the freedom and the power to be delivered from sin having a rule over us. But working that out into our lives can take longer with some things than others.) I heard the testimony of one man once who said immediately when he was saved he was delivered from alcohol, but setting aside cigarettes took a lot longer.

And, anyone who has struggled with overcoming a certain sin or resisting a certain temptation knows what it is to have some success but then to fall prey to it again, along with feelings of discouragement and defeat. Some after a while figure deliverance isn't possible and give up.

Deliverance is possible: we just have to confess our sin to the Lord again and pick back up. "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief" (Proverbs 24:16).

Lutzer discusses in this chapter some of the issues involved in this cycle: sometimes there is a feeling of pride in having gained victory or resisted temptation; sometimes, after a numbers of victories a person feels they can "handle" getting close to the sin again or being in an environment of temptation.

Of course, we know that "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). "Past victory [is] no guarantee for future conquests." It can be an encouragement; but it is not a guarantee. "We must learn that our most dangerous moment is when we think we have finally mastered our situation...Not one of us should ever say, 'This is one sin I have under control. I'll never commit it again.'"

"Even good works done in God's name are never the basis for God's acceptance of us...the basis of His acceptance is God's mercy alone."

God loathes self-righteousness and He "uses our sin to remind us of our weakness. " We need to let our weaknesses "crowd us to the cross," reminding us of just how much we need God's grace. I Peter 5:5-6: "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."

"Generally it's a slow leak and not a blowout that stops us." Some signs of impending trouble are a feeling of satisfaction or relief that that sin is under control (I Cor. 10:12: "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."; making hidden provision for the sin (Romans 13:14: "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."); spiritual "coasting...crowding God and His Word to the circumference of our lives" rather than central place," letting other things get in the way; finally compromise -- tolerating a little of a sin or for a little while.

We need to keep "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).

When we do fall we need not let guilt keep us from coming to God right away. "To think we must straighten up before we come back to Him betrays a misunderstanding of the cross. We are to come solely on the merit of the blood, not on the merit of an acceptable track record." We need to come back and to confess our sin to Him the very moment we're aware of it.

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down (Psalm 145:14).

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me (Micah 7:8).

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand (Psalm 37:23-24).

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 11

2008-06-03T08:02:00.004-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 11, Resisting Satanic Activity

Though "the flesh" gives us plenty of trouble, Satan is also at work "undercover" in our everyday lives and struggles with sin (i.e., he tempted Ananias and Sapphira to lie (Acts 5:3), can tempt people sexually (I Cor. 7:5) or in their standing up for Christ (Luke 22:31), can hinder people from doing God's will (I Thes. 2:18), blinds people's minds (II Cor. 4:4), "snatches" the Word from people's minds lest they be saved (Luke 8:12). He is not at work just when something bizarre or eerie is happening.

Satan's sphere of influence is the heart or mind, the inner, spiritual being (he put it in Judas' heart to deny Christ [John 13:2], tempted Ananias to lie, mentioned earlier). He is our " adversary ... a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Peter 5:8).

Yet, though he may tempt us, we're still responsible for our choices: Ananias and Sapphira died. "He may suggest any sin imaginable, but ultimately you make the choice. He cannot work independently of your cooperation."

We may be tempted to think that if we leave Satan alone, he'll leave us alone, but Lutzer tells such people, "You've just made peace with the enemy by refusing to do battle with him."

One of his most effective weapons is fear of what will happen if we do one thing or don't do another, but we have to remember he is a liar and that father of lies (John 8:44).

But we have the authority to resist and renounce his activity. The first thing to do is to check our spiritual armor (Eph 6:10-18) and see if anything is missing or not up to par. Lutzer then comments just on the "breastplate of righteousness." Any sin gives him a foothold, but that disappears once the sin is confessed and forsaken. Personal righteousness is a shield from demonic attack. "Satan's arrows are deflected when up against a conscience void of offense." If we're being troubled in any area, we need to check whether we've given Satan any ground or have some sin we've not taken care of by confessing or forsaking it. And so, too, with the other pieces of armor.

"Satan has no rights, but he won't admit it." "Christ's death and ascension to heaven won a legal victory over all satanic forces" (Col. 2:15, Eph. 1:20-23)) and therefore we can resist him (James 4:7, Eph. 4:26-27). Lutzer then reasons that "(1) Christ's ascension to heaven placed him above all rule, authority, power, and every name that is named, and (2), all things are under His feet -- no power exists in the universe without Christ's permission. [(3) we're] seated with Christ in heavenly places" according to Ephesians 2, so we have authority over Satan though we may feel weak and helpless.

We can confront wicked powers then by following the example of Christ in Matthew 4: tell them to be gone based on the promises of Scripture. "The power of the Word of God is unleashed when you bring yourself under its authority." The disciples could not cast out a demon due to unbelief (Luke 9:47-48).

I John 4:4: "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 10

2008-06-02T10:33:00.002-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 10, The Intercession of Christ and Believers

Christ told Peter, "And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32). Peter did deny Him, as predicted, but without Christ's intercession it could have been even worse or Peter might not have repented or recovered. Plus Christ has been human, felt human needs, been tempted and resisted, so He can empathize with us and in Him we can have victory. "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18). Plus, He is our advocate with the Father (I John 2:1).

Lutzer points out that we're not designed to live the Christian life independently. Various Scriptures (I Cor. 12, for one) illustrate the need for believers to interact with and support each other -- the passages about the church being a body, the promise of prayer where two or three are gathered together in His Name (Matt. 18:20). Though I see and agree with that, I am not so sure I agree with the idea of an "accountability partner." It seems to me that if I am only resisting or undertaking something because I am going to have to report to someone, I am not really doing it as unto the Lord, and it kind of feeds into the performing for the eyes and approval of man. I'd be interested in other thoughts on this.

Lutzer then discusses restoring a believer. When we see a fellow believer sin (not just do something not in line with our preferences, but a clear and actual sin), usually our first impulse is to talk with someone else about it (gossip) or just hope the person comes around, but it is our duty to confront them. According to Matt. 18:15-17 it is to be done privately first, and according to Galatians 6:1 it is to be done in meekness, not self-righteousness.

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 9

2008-05-31T07:11:00.002-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 9, The Taming of Your Will

Lutzer defines our will as our decision-making faculty, often caught between our thoughts and desires. "Your emotions express how you feel; your mind says what you know, but your will tells you what you want."

"God does not save you by circumventing your will. He works through it, giving you the ability to choose...Your will does not become passive when you yield to God. A surrendered will experiences struggle, as Christ's conflict in Gethsemane demonstrates."

Our will is influenced by our goals and priorities; i.e., we may not want to get up when the alarm clock goes off, but if we value our jobs, we will get up anyway. Short term goals can help give direction but they are not enough for "a meaningful and satisfying life...Only eternal values can give meaning to temporal ones."

Moses is one example of being motivated by eternal purposes: "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." (Hebrews 11:24-27). Christ is another: "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38).

We also need to "not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (I Cor. 4:18).

"Your goals are the foundation of your larger beliefs about life and about yourself. Within the framework of your ultimate you forumate your short-term goals.""Your momentary feelings are not a good guide toward fulfilling desirable goals. Paul had his body in control: 'But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.' (I Cor. 9:27)."

We have God's help to do His will, but often the very point of conflict is wanting our will instead of His. We think we need our wills to be stronger, but they are plenty strong enough! What we need is a surrendered will (Psalm 51:17). When we yield to Him, then we find the resources to do what He requires. "You can't say no to temptation unless you say yes to God."

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 8

2008-05-30T07:40:00.004-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 8, Living With Your Feelings

This is the toughest area for me, because somehow I expect that when I surrender an area to God, my feelings will be different and I won't want to do that thing any more. But that's not the case.

Lutzer points out that Eve's first sin involved a choice to follow feelings and desire rather than God's command, and that feelings in themselves are God-created and not wrong, but they are not fully reliable, and must be kept in check.

He mentions specifically by way of illustration:

The feeling of hunger is given by God to keep you alive: without it you would starve. But your craving for food must be kept in check, or else you will probably become gluttonous. Feelings of hunger must be restrained for the total good of the body.

The same can be said for sexual feeling and even feelings of anger and love. Your will must provide a check on the stream of emotions that ebb and flow through your being. If you follow your feelings wherever they may lead, you will be fulfilling virtually every wanton desire.

What he specifically means by "feelings" here are "inclinations, passing preferences, momentray urges," not "the deep currents of emotion which are part of the unity of your person."

We need thought, will, feeling, spiritual perception, and physical activity all to work together under the authority of the Word of God (Matt. 4:4).

"Most sinful habits are developed by simply following the path of least resistance, by doing whatever you feel like doing." "Many people who think they cannot obey God's commands really don't feel like obeying...Our fallen human nature seldom feels like obedience; usually it wants to do its own thing...Satan suggests to us -- as he did to Eve -- that God has asked us to obey commands which we cannot or need not keep. If we think we must feel like it, before we obey God's Word, we will never get off the ground in our spiritual lives."

Another danger of living by feeling is substituting or mistaking it for doctrine. "If you believe God is with you just because "He feels so close, " you will also believe there are days when He forsakes you, because He feels so far away. The assurance of God's presence does not come by feelings, but by faith (Heb. 13:5). "You need not experience a steady stream of placid emotional feelings to walk with God." Even Christ struggled with the emotions of facing the cross (John 12:27-28, Matt. 26:38).

Another danger of living by feelings is procrastination -- putting things off until we feel ready and able to do them, then adding guilt feelings to the mix.

"The moment you declare war on your besetting sin, you will bump into your feelings, mostly negative ones," like helplessness (the sin of unbelief in a different form), discouragement, laziness.

The example of Christ in coping with feelings:

1. He admitted them (Matt. 26:38, John 12:27-28)
2. He requested the support of friends.
3. He knew His emotional suffering would not separate Him from the Father's love and approval.
4. He knew that blessing would follow obedience (Heb. 12:2).

"Faith often runs counter to feeling. Even the attempt to find victory in feelings is a sin in the life of a believer. In short, it is simply 'walking in the flesh.' We must repent of th sin of assessing the reality of the Christ0life on the basis of feeling." Henry Teichrob

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 7

2008-05-29T19:56:00.004-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 7, The Renewing of Your Mind

The theme sentence of this chapter is, "Sinful habits cannot be broken without replacing them with righteous ones." Renouncing them is a good first step, but unless we fill the gap, they'll come right back.

In fact, when we try not to think of something, that's when we can't get our minds off of it. "Freedom comes from filling your mind with God's thoughts."

Romans 12:2: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." "The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind."

II Corinthians 10:3-5: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." This is a spiritual battle.

1. Identify the specific thoughts you want to replace.
2. Be prepared for the discipline of spiritual warfare.
3. Be prepared to memorize the Word of God, especially those dealing with your problem. (Psalm 119:11: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.")

Begin the day dwelling on God's promises. Decide beforehand how you will respond when temptation strikes. "Obey the first promptings of the Holy Spirit." Then learn to switch topics of thought -- use the temptation as an alarm system to praise God," pray, sing a hymn, meditate on Scripture.

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 6

2008-05-28T09:43:00.002-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 6, The Power of the Holy Spirit

John 7: 37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

I used to be confused by the statement that the Holy Spirit could not be given til Jesus was glorified: at first I though, if they are both omniscient, why can't they both be in the same place at the same time? But the issue was the order of things: Christ's glorification had to come first. Lutzer points out that "the basis of the gift of the Spirit was the glorification of Christ," just as the basis of our forgiveness is Christ's death on the cross. Both must be received by faith, not by agonizing or fasting.

Since the time of the book of Acts, very believer receives the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" but full control is not automatic.

Some people feel they are not "good enough" for the Holy Spirit to dwell in them and they should do more first, but that's like thinking you need to get better before taking medicine. Galatians 5:16 says, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh," not "quit walking in the flesh and then receive the Spirit."

Eph 5:18 says, ” And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” If someone is drunk, they are being controlled by the alcohol. If we’re filled with the Spirit, we’re yielding to His control.

How is one filled with the Spirit? First confess any known sin. Ask God to search you and show you any that you might be missing. Then just ask in faith to be filled with His Spirit, just like you asked in faith to be saved. Erwin Lutzer says on p.75:

How were you saved? By depending on the death of Christ. How do you receive Christ? By depending on the ascension of Christ. Both come by faith. That’s why Paul wrote, “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6).

You receive the Spirit’s filling by faith, not by having a particular feeling. Some Christians wrongly believe that the filling of the Spirit is a sensation. They expect waves of love, or an overwhelming sense of peace, or speaking in strange languages. Theirs is a fleshly desire to walk by sight, not by faith. We find it difficult to take God at His Word…and we ask for a sign that we might believe.

God, however, delights when you believe in Him without demanding emotional crutches. Just as a new believer needs to receive God’s promises — apart from feelings — so you daily need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit — apart from feelings

"You will be greatly helped in accepting the Spirit's control if you learn the power of praise." Psalm 50:23: "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God." I Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." "Thankfulness, like forgiveness, is not an emotion. Thankfulness is an intelligent response of gratitude to God, based on Hos Word. It is your determination to be obedient."

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 5

2008-05-27T08:17:00.004-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 5: The Freedom of Living at the Cross

Often it is not until we try to break sinful habits that we realize just how strong they are.

"All sins originate from the corruption of our rebellious sinful nature" which NT writers refer to as "the flesh." Lutzer defines the flesh as "a compulsive inner force inhereited from man's fall which expresses itself in general and specific rebellion against God...often called self; the incurable desire to put our interests above God's."

He then goes through several "Traits of the Self-Life" which are quite convicting -- I have found several variations online: one is here.

He then discusses what in means to be "in Adam" -- a descendant of the human race which cannot help but sin -- and "in Christ" -- bought with the price of Christ's death, given "a new nature and the personal presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that we can say no to our old self-nature."

He compares it to being adopted into a new family with all its new rights and responsibilities, or moving into a new home with a new landlord: though the old landlord may still come around and demand payment, we don't owe him anything any more. Our "authority to say no [to sin] is God-given:" "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11.)

How can we apply this knowledge to our sinful habit?

1. Realize "in Christ you are already dead to your sinful passions." We don't have to become dead to it become crucified to our flesh. This is hard because it doesn't feel that way, but we must take it by faith. "Just because you get talked into obeying your old landlord doesn't change that fact of new management. It does mean that you forgot you could confidently say no to his extortion schemes."

2. Admit the need for faith in daily life. "When we shift our attention to the completed work of the cross and insist on our privileges, our old self surrenders to God's authority." Though we're positionally complete in Christ, freedom from sin and spiritual maturity aren't automatic: it's contested and requires time with God and Hos Word, faith, and obedience.

(Disclaimer: My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.)

How to say no, chapter 4

2008-05-26T07:59:00.004-04:00

My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 4: Getting God's Perspective

"One reason why...people reverted back to their old behavior patterns is they misunderstood the full extent of their problem. True, they wanted victory, but they didn't understand how or why God would bring it about. They, like most of us, wanted to overcome a specific habit -- for their own benefit. They wanted to be free of the symptoms of their problem, but did not want a thorough examination that would reveal deeper problems in their lives which they were unwilling to face. The habits themselves were like the tip of the iceberg."

"Sinful habits are usually indicative of unresolved conflicts. we must always seek underlying causes rather than treating the symptoms. God uses our struggle with sin to diagnose our true condition. Temptation is His X-ray machine, discovering the hidden conflicts that need attention."

"The deeper issue we often avoid is our rebellion against God."

"To confess your sins means that you agree with God that you have sinned: it also means that you agree that the sin must be forsaken. Those who confess their sins, intending to repeat the same actions, are only partially repentant. Such incomplete repentance leads to a downward spiral of repeated failure. Confession means that you admit your sin and give God permission to remove it from your life. Of course, I am not saying that you will never commit the same sin again -- if so. none of us could claim forgiveness. But their needs to be a willingness to part with the sin, and a submission to God's verdict on the matter. Apart from such acknowledgment, your intentions are self-centered. You are inquiring how forgiveness will benefit you instead of considering how you have offended God."

"Temptation...gives you a clear-cut opportunity to declare your allegiance to Jesus Christ."

Lutzer suggests taking time to do an inventory of our lives, jotting down areas that need work, defining our attitudes, identifying what's really going on in our hearts. Then give ourselves and our problems over to Him, letting go of our perceived "rights." We have to realize that our ultimate goal is not just victory over sin, but coming to know and love God will all our hearts, soul, mind and strength..

It's a stunning thought to me that every time I choose my way instead of God, I am not loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

How to say no, chapter 3

2008-05-26T07:30:00.004-04:00

Continuing on with my notes from How To Say No to a Stubborn Habit by Erwin Lutzer:

Chapter 3: Putting You Past Behind You

"The sin that troubles you today sank its roots into your life yesterday. You can't break your sinful habits until you have a new beginning."

Satan likes to use illegitimate guilt to make us feel that a new beginning is impossible. Or he wants us to think that "we've gone too far...since the past can't be reclaimed we might as well give up." Plus sinful habits have a "domino effect," making them easier to commit the next time. Once guard has been let down it is easy to let it down again.

True, actions have consequences that sometimes cannot be changed. But God offers genuine forgiveness and a break in the cycle, a new beginning.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.

Guilt can cause physical illness, depression, lack of faith (I John 3:21). It can cause people to punish themselves or to do good works to compensate. Good works can't erase guilt.

To deal with guilt:

1. Identify the cause. Sometimes we can be plagued by false guilt.
2. Realize that God's remedy for sin is complete (I John 1:9). To help stop the cycle of confessing the same sin over and over, begin to thank God for His forgiveness each time you fell guilty.
3. "As far as possible, experience the healing of all personal relationships."

My purpose in jotting down these notes is not to post "the answer" so that people don't have to buy the book: on the contrary, I hope anyone struggling with persistent sin will buy the book. There is so much more there that is so rich. Rather, this is just an exercise for me to review what I have read and studied.

Excess

2008-05-22T10:05:00.000-04:00

I came across this verse while studying something else:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Matthew 23:25

One of the sins of the Pharisees was that they were "full of excess." How convicting to one with a lot of excess weight!

Yet it is helpful, too. One of my struggles is that, unlike a smoker or alcoholic, we can't just put away what we indulge in. We do have to eat. And it depresses me to think of never eating a cookie or burger again. But if I keep in mind that excessiveness, either of the amounts or the wrong types of foods, is the problem, I think that helps me get my mind around handling it.

How to say no, chapter 2

It's weigh-in day at Tales From the Scales.

I lost 2 lbs! I'm so excited!

The only real change I have made is just not popping something into my mouth every time I thought about it. It is amazing how much I just do that by habit, or just because it is there and it sounds good to eat.

And really, with the Lord's help, if I don't think too much about what it is I wanted to eat and just go on and do something else, it's not too bad.

I still haven't quite formulated a "plan" yet -- I just finished the section of Dr. Phil's book about ridding your house of the wrong kinds of foods, and the next one deals with actual diets. Plus I am taking advantage of the one-week-free offer at Weight Watchers Online to see if I want to continue on with that. But just becoming more aware of what I eat is a good start. I'm really going to have to work on portion control. Sometimes just after I've had something I realize I could have had less. Sometimes it's just habit to have another spoonful of dinner.

I have found that going to the grocery store takes on a whole new dimension now!! Talk about temptation city!! I'm avoiding the temptation of Little Debbie snack cakes by only buying the kind for my son's lunch that I don't like much.

I didn't do even one day of exercise though, besides hiking through Wal-Mart. I need to incorporate exercise into my week.

Though I still have a long way to go, both in my weight-loss journey and figuring out how to get there, I'm very glad for a good first week.

Goals

2007-05-09T11:19:00.000-04:00

One of the first things Dr. Phil advocates is specific, measurable goals. Just saying "I want to lose weight" or "I need to cut down" or "I should exercise more" are too general and vague.

Looking at his height/weight charts, I figure I need to lose 114 lbs. I may decide I need to lose more when I get there – in my teens the weight I am targeting is one I would have considered too high, but it's 30 years and 3 kids later. I'll have to see what that weight is like when I get there. I am a little shy just now about saying specifically what I weigh and what weight I want to get to: that may change.

So, goal #1: Lose 114 lbs.

Goal #2: Use exercise video 3 times a week. I am sure at first I won't be able to do the whole thing, but I'll work up to it. At some point I would like to add walking in the mall to the in-between days (the mall because it is climate-controlled and I know where the bathrooms are. :) )

Exercise is tricky because of the TM: I can't run and don’t have the coordination to do many aerobics videos and my knees could not keep up with a low-impact stepping video. But I can walk and I have done this particular video called "Wimp Aerobics" in the past. For those who are familiar with Linda Haught, she has done a lot of exercise videos to classical music. This one isn't professionally done as her others are, but it is does provide a good workout.

Dr. Phil also says to establish a timeline. I understand the reasoning: if you don't have a time set to accomplish something, it may float around on the fringes forever. But to me that seems to be a set-up for discouragement if you don't reach those goals. We have all heard about "plateaus" where nothing seems to be happening.

Nevertheless, if I multiply 114 lbs. by the two-pound-a-week recommendation for weight loss, it comes out to 57 weeks. So I could possibly be there in about a year. That's encouraging.

I had a friend who used to lament that it would take about a year to accomplish the weight loss and health goals she had. I wish I knew then what I read once in Dear Abby in response to someone 's concern over the year it would take to meet their goals: Where will you be in a year if you don't do this? You'll be at the same place or maybe worse.

Why am I not losing weight?

2007-05-08T16:29:00.000-04:00

Plain and simple: I just like food too much. I once saw a magazine quiz to help readers determine what the main "trigger" for their overeating was: social situations, emotions, etc. I don't remember all the categories, but I scored in every one. [Blush!]

Plus I don't really want to change anything – which of course means nothing is going to change until I do. (Duh!) I just don’t want weight loss to take over my life, to constantly be thinking about, counting, and measuring what I am eating, to be constantly thinking about it and talking about it. I want to be able to eat what I want when I want.

I guess what it comes down to is that I want my own will and my own way all too much. And one's own way usually has negative consequences.

I need to develop a love for God and for pleasing Him greater than my love of eating anything I want. I need to develop a desire to be here for my family greater than a desire for donuts and French fries. In my heart I do want that. But there is a disconnect somewhere. Part of the problem is that donuts and French fries and cookies aren’t inherently sinful. A lot of people eat them with no problem. Perhaps I need to eliminate them all together: at least I need to scale back.

I know that when I think of people who, for instance, smoke, with devastating results to their health, I wonder how they can do that to themselves and their families. Yet I fail to recognize that being overweight can be just as devastating.

Scriptural focus

2007-05-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

First off, if I am going to keep the right focus, I need to base this on Scriptural principles. That will keep me focused and on track and keep the larger issues (no pun intended :) ) before me. It's interesting that nowhere in the Bible is being fat called a sin. But being gluttonous and intemperate are. So here are a few passages that pertain to these issues:

1. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31.

2. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Galatians 5:22-24, NKJV.

3. Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses that he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." There is pleasure is sin for a season – but how very short a season of pleasure it is to eat something. Sure, there is anticipation before and remembrance after, but even that is short-lived in comparison to the consequences.

4. Philippians 3:18-20 speaks of enemies of the cross of Christ "Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." Whose God is their belly – that is a sobering thought, that I am making my belly (or mouth, which is what enjoys the taste of food) a god.

5. "Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags." Proverbs 23:20-21.

6. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Cor. 9:27.

7. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:1-2.

Have you found any other passages that are helpful in this area?

The May Day Challenge

2007-05-08T15:28:00.000-04:00

I have been needing to lose weight for a long time. I wanted to start a separate blog to talk about weight loss issues because I didn't want it to overtake my main blog, Stray Thoughts.

I had actually started a folder in Word to write about weight loss issues, waiting until I could come up with a catchy name for this new blog. :) But the May Day Weight Loss challenge at Tales From the Scales (isn't that a clever title?) starts today. Though in one sense it scares me to death to actually post publicly about this, in another sense this may be just what I need to jump-start my progress.

For the May Day challenge post we are supposed to talk about our struggles, goals, motivations and frustrations with weight loss.

Struggles:

I have never been skinny. I always probably carried a bit of excess weight. But it didn't really get noticeable until after I got married, and then just grew from there. I have always been fairly sedentary. I was the most active in college, but also picked up (more) bad eating habits in the dorms. With those habits and the sudden decrease in physical activity, then 3 babies, then an illness that affects movement, the weight has steadily increased. This has to stop.

Goals:

I need to lose about 114 lbs. (blush). I know, of course, I won't reach that by the end date of the challenge in September, but any progress I can make will be a step in the right direction.

Motivations:

1. As a Christian I should be temperate and do all, even eating and drinking, to the glory of God (hence the title of this blog). My body shows I have been out of control in this area.

2. Health. Being overweight has a multitude of negative effects on health.

3. To feel better

4. To look better

5. To not cause shame to my family. None of them has ever expressed shame, but the only near-fight in school involving any of them happened with a boy in one's class making a remark about me.

6. To be able to find clothes I like (including undergarments!) that fit well and look nice.

7. To not get out of breath and tired at the merest exertion.

There are other private reasons which I won't include here. :)

Frustrations:

I just like food. Too much, obviously. It is going to be hard to not give in to those desires. Plus finding time for an exercise that works for me will be a challenge.

Plan:

I am going through Dr. Phil's weight loss book. I have looked at various diet plans and not been thrilled. In looking through Dr. Phil's web site about weight loss, he seemed to have a lot of common sense. I am not a fan of his and haven’t watched much of his show, but I bought his book and have started reading it. I will chronicle some of the exercises here. It will help me keep on track and hopefully garner some encouragement, plus writing things out helps me gain perspective and think things through.

In a sense I wasn't sure if I was ready to go public yet since I am still in the getting-in-gear mentally part of the book -- it's another chapter or two before we get into the actual plans for dealing with food. But I wanted to get in on the May day challenge.

Since my other blog is hosted by WordPress and I don't know much about Blogger, it may take me a while for this to look like a homey place. :)