Author Archives: MzEllen

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1 Corinthians 15:3
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

When I listen to a message I ask, "could this message have been given if the grave is not empty?"

There are a couple of terms I've been hearing

  • restorative justice
  • reconciliation
  • transformed lives

We speak of these things in terms of what we do for/with others on this earth; if we leave out the "why", we all lose.

  • The Son of God died to restore us - THEREFORE, we seek restoration in a social context for others.
  • Jesus shed His blood to justify us - THEREFORE, we seek justice for others.
  • Christ died for our sins to reconcile us to the Father - THEREFORE, we seek reconciliation with others.

To leave this out - we are left with nothing more than a devotional that could be preached in a Mormon church, in a Buddhist temple, in an atheistic social center.

I've heard "Jesus transforms lives" - which is no Gospel at all.

I have a friend whose great-aunt married an abusive man.  They joined the Mormon church and he stopped beating her.  The Mormon church transforms lives.

September 11, 2001 showed us the power of 19 men in airplanes to transform lives (and not in a good way).

I want to hear a man of God proclaim the death, burial and resurrection of the Son of God for the remission of sin.

I don't want to have to listen to a podcast in order to hear the Gospel.

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At some point I'll get "official" on Thursday 13 again...but for now...

13 "baby steps" - goals that I won't meet, but that are good enough to try for

  1. drink all my water
  2. take my supplements half the time
  3. exercise a little every day (almost)
  4. remember moisturizer during the day
  5. take a "beauty rest" (nap) twice a week
  6. blog 30 posts each month
  7. read my Bible every day
  8. knit a little every day
  9. read a little every day
  10. eat 7 fruits and veggies every day
  11. drink green tea every day
  12. listen to music every day
  13. enjoy life every day

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I'm currently knitting my first ever sock.  I've knitted a lot, but never socks or mittens (double pointed needles).  My newest most favorite yarn shop showed me a new method that really works...but...

I started the thing many times (Tom doesn't know how many times.)  I ripped it apart, wound the yarn back up and started again.

Each time I used the same pattern, the same needles, the same yarn.   I kept doing it and doing it and doing it and each time I discovered a little something that was giving me trouble.

Eventually, it clicked.  And I think I'm going to find socks quite rewarding.

It struck me that my walk with God is something like that.  I have the right tools.  He has given me what I need and He will continue to do so.

Each time I get a little further.  Each time I discover something I didn't "get" before. But each time I end up unraveling and beginning anew.

Each and every day, I end up with a greater understanding of my own sin, my failure, my need for a Saviour.

Each and every day, He provides what I need.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him." (Lam 3:22-24)

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Oh...my...goodness...

Time with my sisters-in-law is not good for the diet.  And winter is not good for the exercise plan.

So...baby steps.

This week I will:

follow Weight Watchers Flex Plan (that leaves me lots of room for treats)

Emphasis is on:

Supplements

I split my supplements into 4 groups, AM, Lunch, PM, and bedtime.  That gives me 28 groups of pills.  The habit of the week is to remember my supplements 25/28 times.