Well I really did it this time!  I was cleaning last Thurs. and had the mattress off the bed to get the dust bunnies. Caught my foot on the frame and came crashing to the floor! I now have a broken knee cap and get to spend  at least 6 weeks in bed!I managed to break it horizontally as well as vertically so am in a brace for the duration. Any and all prayers appreciated! Guess I'll  have lots of time to knit and crochet! I sure missed this site when I was in the hospital those 5 days can't wait to get caught up.

Hi, Everyone.
Have a great day, and please remember those who are having or are recovering from surgery today.

Life Plan Devotion #144 [How will you be remembered?]

II Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written, 'He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!'" (Amplified).

     Our key verse defines God's giver as one who "scatters abroad" his gifts. That means that God's giver is a liberal giver. Visualize with me two seed sowers. One sower reaches into his bag of seed, grabs the biggest handful he can, and flings the seed, repeating the process over and over, until the ground is covered with seed. The other sower carefully counts out three seeds, to place in each hole, and repeats the process every 6 inches. Which one is the generous sower? The first one, of course. Which one will reap the abundant harvest? The first one.
     According to Psalm 112:9, God equates giving with "righteousness." An easy way to remember the meaning of "righteousness" is to think of it as "right standing with God." It also means "equity (or character or act)." God's giver gives because it's a natural outpouring of thanks to God, and, frankly, it's "the right thing to do."
     Based on the fact that the early Christian church had "all things in common" and "gave to those who had need" (Acts 2:44-45) and the fact that, over all, traditionally, Jewish people are well off because they take care of one another, I believe that if every churchgoer gave as he/she should give (10% tithe and over and above that, in offerings), there would be no need for government-funded social programs. It's rather difficult to feed someone spiritually, if that person is physically hungry. I know it's overwhelming; the need is so great all over the world, but what could happen if God's people gave and gave generously. 
     The "righteousness" of God's giver "endures forever." How long will you be remembered, after you're gone? One of the ways you can be remembered is by being a giver. No, you don't have to give a huge amount and have a plaque put up with your name on it (that would seem to go against the scripture that says, "When you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" Matthew 6:3). Others will recognize a giver, because a giver will give of not only their treasure, but their time and talents, as well.
     When you give, you bless others, but you also reap blessings on yourself  and your family, blessings that will continue from generation to generation. God will see your secret giving and "will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:4), not only in "the here and now," but for all eternity.

What this has to do with weight loss: On the weight-loss journey, we can become too focused on our journey, too focused on the number on the scale, too focused on our weight issues, that we forget that there are more important things (and people). We must strike a balance between being focused on self and focused on others. There's room for both. In the end, though, it really won't matter how much weight we lost. What will matter is how we influenced others. May that influence be for good, not ill, so that when others reflect on our life, they'll remember how we helped and didn't hurt, and may the memories attached to our name and life live on long after we're gone.

Confession:
I am a generous giver, and my "righteousness endures forever."

Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Vickie.
Thank you so much for all your kind, wise words. The Lord touched me through them.
Blessings,
Mary

First let me say this brought tears to my eyes, because you are alwasy the first person to respond to me when I am struggling. Mary please do not stop. I know I have tried to relay how much I am blessed that God put you in my life. I know that statement is a little selfish, but it is the truth. Mary you are such an inspiration to so many others. It is not because of the numbers on the scale, it is because of who you are in Christ. God loves the inside not the outside. We love you for who you are and who you are in God. I know I could go on forever, but I do not feel God would want me to. All I know is this. You love God with all your heart, mind, body and soul, You are a good and faithful servant and God will bless you. I also know that we all here at OH that know you thank God for you and are praying for you, this is not an easy journey, no one said it would be. With God on our side who can be against us. I thank God that you have been able to give this to God and let go. I will stop now. Thank you and God bless you.

Your sister in Christ
Karyn

Hi, Everyone.
I have a confession to make--I've been struggling on my WL journey for months. I've stalled, I've also gained and lost the same pound over and over again; and, for some reason, I became discouraged enough to allow carbs to creep back in--so much so that when I weighed in at my 9-mth. post-op appointment, I had gained 4 lbs. from what I weighed 3 months ago!
If that wasn't bad enough, my daughter (33) said to me, "Mom, how can you be a support group leader and write all those devotions that tie in to weight loss, yet not follow through in your own life?" It felt like someone had kicked me in the stomach and *****ed my heart.
My first reaction was to think that she was right (she was)--I was being a hypocrite. If I can't follow the plan, how can I encourage others to do the same? I had almost decided to give up, but then two very dear friends helped me to see that everyone struggles, and one does not need to be perfect to encourage others. In fact, one said that she'd rather be part of a support group with a leader who understands the struggles, having been through them herself.
I had almost talked myself into canceling my appointment, because I didn't want to disappoint Dr. Walton. Guess what? He wasn't disappointed. He was concerned but not disappointed. We talked and came up with a new, multi-faceted plan.
I realized that my fear of disappointing Dr. Walton, my family, my friends (at home, at my support group, and here on OH) had me frozen. I was believing the lie of the enemy, who said that I was bound to stop losing halfway to goal and would, eventually, regain the weight I had lost.
Between Dr. Walton and my good friend's advice, as well as praying about it, I decided to be honest with you all, in hopes that you will agree that I should continue writing these devotions, as imperfect as I am.
Along with the 4-lb. weight gain (which is coming off, a bit, already), I have an underactive thyroid and a lower-than-what-Dr.-Walton-wants-to-see Vitamin D level, so I'm on medicine and another supplement for 10 weeks, and will then be retested. As I take each pill, I thank God for using the medicine to do that which it is intended to do, thank Him for no negative side effects, and declare that HE is my Healer!"
Well, here I am...warts and all. I hope you still love me and will prayerfully support me. Speaking of prayer, please pray for those having surgery today. Have a great day, everyone, and thanks for reading this long introduction to today's devotion.

Life Plan Devotion #143 [Blessed]

II Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever'" (NIV).

     We have learned the following, in connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping:
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
     Today, we will look at another way the giver benefits. In verse 9 of II Corinthians chapter 9, Paul quotes the psalmist, from Psalm 112:9. What a great example, using the Word to back up what you say!
     If one reads II Corinthians 9:9, as quoted from Psalm 112:9, without reading either passage in context, one might assume that the "he" of the verse refers to God, for surely He "has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor" and "his righteousness" indeed "endures forever." However, when one reads the previous verses of II Corinthians chapter 9 and the entire 112th chapter of Psalms, one understands that the "he" refers to the benevolent person, the giver.
     I encourage you to read Psalm 112 (below), for it expounds on why "the man who fears [reverences] the LORD" is "blessed" (112:1). Reverence of God is the foundation of a life lived for Him. It speaks of awe, and when you are in awe of Him, you worship Him, and when you worship Him, you delight in serving Him. Giving is an integral part of serving Him.

Psalm 112
"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears [reverences] the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; each generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn [which symbolizes dignity and strength] will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing."

What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes we believers who are on the weight-loss journey become afraid that it just won't happen for us, that, in the end, we'll end up the same as when we started. However, Psalm 112 promises that if we fear/reverence the LORD, delight in/follow His commands, good things are bound to happen, even when difficult moments come along the way. Give the Word to yourself, first, and then give to others, because you are blessed.

Confession:
I fear and reverence the Lord. I follow His commands. I am a giver. I am blessed.

Blessings,
Mary