God's work in me - and my "Israel in the desert" response

I was talking with a friend recently, bemoaning the fact that I don't feel like God is changing me "enough" (I know, pride of all prides!). I have finally realized that, not only do I not "save" myself, I don't sanctify myself either. Having realized that, my constant prayer is now "Lord, please don't leave me as I am." I am seeking God more fervently than I have in a very long time, if ever. But, there are days when I look at my own sinfulness, and I say: "God, why is this still an issue? Why do I still struggle with this? Why aren't I perfect yet . . . ?" (Ok, I don't ask that last question, but that's essentially what I'm wondering!). I suppose I'm in good company when I ask these questions - Paul asked the same things in Corinthians. Sin is, indeed, still at work in me, and God is still at work even stronger, changing me. God's timetable and processes are much longer and more complex than I will ever realize. often His greatest works are done when I don't even realize something is happening - it's only after the fact, when I notice a new response coming out of me, that I realize God has refined another jagged edge. And that's probably the best way - if I was more actively involved in this whole sanctification process, I'd probably try to "take it from here on my own, thank you very much." I caught the headline of an article on a Christian study sight and stopped to read a little further - it was called "How to Whine Effectively." While the article didn't actually teach me how to whine, it did point out a major conviction point for me. God got angry at the Israelites in the desert when they whined and complained about Him - "why did He take us out of Israel to die in the desert?" Think about it - here was Israel, having been set free from slavery, oppression, beatings, and death, having been led through the Red Sea, being given a place to sleep every night, and having food and water delivered to them (supernaturally, I might add) every day . . . and they were complaining about God! God got angry with them because their whining was an indication of their pride. That's the part that got me. Ouch. Here I am living in America; I always have food on my table, a place to sleep at night, clothes to wear; I have a wonderful husband and two precious, healthy children; I have never been abused, mistreated, maligned, etc, in any real meaning of the words . . . and yet, here I sit complaining about what God is doing in me. Please excuse me while I step out of the way of that lightening bolt from heaven . . . Father, forgive me for my pride. Can we add that to the list of things that still need to be changed in me . . . ?

Encouragement

This is something that has been on my mind a lot recently, and it keeps popping up every where I look so I had to share it here. Been working through the book of Hebrews with some dear friends, and came across the following verse: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." - Hebrews 3:13. When reading this and discussing it later with Dave, it hit me that one of the key ways the enemy tries to attack us is by making us feel like we're "alone." Have you ever noticed that? And have you ever noticed that the "alone" feeling seems magnified when we're in the throes of a trial? Perhaps it's because we DO need to encourage each other daily! When left to our own devices (and left alone with our own thoughts), we tend to stray, to wander, to lose our focus. But, when we encourage each other (and allow others to encourage us), we walk closer to the truth. And notice the key thing we're supposed to do - we're to ENCOURAGE each other, daily. Not just talk with each other, not just vent - encourage. The Amplified version of the Bible goes on and says we should warn, admonish, urge, and encourage one another to guard against " . . . the fraudulence, the strategem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him." (his sin, meaning our own sin). Part of God's plan for our sanctification is that we live our lives with other people, encouraging each other lest our hearts (which are, as Jeremiah says, above all, deceitful) become hard and we are deceived by sin. One commentator I read (David Guzik) points out - we do an awesome job of judging and criticizing each other, but how good are we at seriously encouraging each other - and receiving it from others? That's my "life lesson" right now -- I need to encourage others, and I need to be encouraged daily . . .

South Beach Conclusion

Today ends my 2 week introduction to the South Beach diet, so I thought I'd post a little something. No, this doesn't mean the diet ends today - just means I'll be going back to a more normal way of eating (can't say that I'll be having eggs for breakfast any time soon). Here's what I've learned:
- My belly is still there. I did loose some weight, but the belly (which Michael, my youngest, enjoys playing with -- always sweet!) is still there. On to phase two of my plan - returning to sit-ups and working out in earnest.
- While I figured out how to improve my energy level and get rid of the nausea (drink lots of water, eat more snacks), I'm still very drained. Hoping that goes away once I return some carbs to my diet!
- Didn't find too many outstanding veggie recipes, but did find a fun recipe blog(Kaitlyn's Kitchen)and am more willing to cook with fresh veggies now. I also learned that I just need to eat more veggies at meals, rather than skimping on that so I can fit more noodles!
- I think my cravings have improved. I don't find myself "needing" a cookie in the afternoon - I'm ok with grabbing another kind of snack. That is probably my biggest victory!
- I'm drinking more caffeine (not good), but I'm liking cheese again. Why is this amazing? Because both used to upset my stomach, and now they don't. Weird, but I'll take it!

So, that ends my South Beach saga for now . . . I'll let you know if I learn anything else new in the future!

South Beach Update

I'm on Day 5, and here's my status on my goals:
To Eliminate the post-baby belly: I've lost several pounds already, and I can tell it's from my waist because my pants fit differently. But, oddly enough, the baby belly is still intact. Hmm. If that doesn't go away, I'm DEFINITELY not going to eat like this for the rest of my life!
To Learn New Recipes: We made a really good Orange Roughy (it's a fish- I didn't know either!) last night with ginger and green onions. I also like the cilantro mayo used for turkey and ham roll-ups (you roll up ham/turkey in lettuce - also very good). I found a recipe on another blog for Pinto Bean Salad with Avocado, Tomatoes, Red Onion, and Cilantro (although we used Garbanzo beans). I loved it, but Dave didn't care for it, so my taste buds may be a little off! I also found I like sauteed cabbage, and I'm remembering omelets are also quite tasty. Oh, and poached eggs are nowhere near as bad as the name sounds! So, there are a few . . .

Here are some of my thoughts on the experience, in no particular order:
- Felt really nauseous the first few days. Not as bad today. Honestly thought I may be pregnant . . . Not sure if this is the way other people feel, but definitely not a "perk" as far as I'm concernd!
- I'm grumpy when I don't get enough food, and I don't ever really feel full eating this way. But that, too, has gotten better as the days have gone by.
- I really, really, really don't like ricotta cheese. There's a "dessert" with ricotta, vanilla extract, and splenda . . . even typing it makes me feel slightly nauseous again!
- I don't realize all the places I tend to "sneak" in a snack here and there, so this is definitely opening my eyes to that (like when I stop by the foodstore for milk - apparently I always get something when I do that because I almost did it without thinking!).

That's all for now . . . my brain is a bit mushy, too, so that's all I can remember! I'll let you know how the next week goes!

Hair cut

I decided to "take the plunge" and let a stylist do whatever she wanted with my hair! It took me 5 minutes to do this morning - easiest cut I've ever had, and way more fun. I'm getting brave in my "old age," I guess! So, here's the end product:

South Beach Diet

Yes, I have decided to go on a diet. I swore I would never go on a "diet," per say - that I would just eat healthy and exercise, and be happy with myself as I am. But, two babies does a number on your body - both in terms of it's shape, and in what you ingest! So, I have decided to tackle a diet for two reason: (1) to see if I can get rid of my "baby belly"; and (2) to re-train myself on how to eat healthy (and not need a cookie every afternoon!). I picked the South Beach diet because it seemed the least "diet-ish" (I love food and abhore the idea of drinking a shake in place of food for a meal; and I know how obsessed I become with things so counting calories would become a new religion for me!). Also, since one of my goals is to retrain my eating habits, I picked a diet that would introduce me to some new recipes involving something I'm awful at cooking - vegetables! And, I picked it because my mom and dad already did it, they had the book, and they seemed to like it (so, built in support system)! So, enter "THE DIET."
Yesterday, the boys and I spent 2 hours at Wal-Mart (woohoo!) collecting veggies I had never bought in my life, and fish (also something I've never learned how to cook, so I'm excited!). Then, last night, I stayed up until 11:30 cutting up veggies and getting salads and side dishes as prepared as I could (since one of the complaints I've read about this diet is it is time consuming). I'm using the menu recommended in the book because I'm lazy, and because I'm a rule follower and I couldn't figure out how to follow the rules without cooking explicitly what the author said. You should see our fridge - we've never had this many veggies in there in my life!!! But, I'm excited to give this a real shot, so I'm in full-force "rule-following mode"!
It is now afternoon on day #1 and I haven't had any trouble sticking to it (!). I'm a bit hungry right now, but I think it's just because I'm craving my afternoon sweets. One weird thing I've noticed is that things taste better, or at least stronger. Weird, I know. I don't think I'll have much trouble committing to the first 2 weeks - it doesn't sound like much fun, but I know I can do it (I tend to be stubborn that way). The challenging part, I think, will come in figuring out how to change my lifestyle to fit in with what I'm learning. But, we'll "worry" about that day when it comes. For now, day 1 is well underway and I'm excited to cook salmon for the first time tonight!