tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87515839505155173692024-03-14T00:13:56.755-06:00I Deserve a Donut(And Other Lies that Make You Eat)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-57536217124394680492013-12-09T16:04:00.002-07:002013-12-09T16:05:00.650-07:00Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study - Book Release and Giveaway!<a href="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/TasteOfTruth-LARGE.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TasteOfTruth-LARGE" class="alignleft wp-image-6386" height="360" src="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/TasteOfTruth-LARGE-687x1024.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taste-Truth-Weight-Bible-Study/dp/0980224314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386630132&sr=8-1&keywords=taste+for+truth+bible+study" target="_blank">Taste for Truth, A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study</a> is now available on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taste-Truth-Weight-Bible-Study/dp/0980224314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1386630132&sr=8-1&keywords=taste+for+truth+bible+study" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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If you'd like to enter a drawing to win one of 5 free books, go to <a href="http://barbraveling.com/2013/12/08/30-day-weight-loss-bible-study-5-books-to-give-away/" target="_blank">barbraveling.com</a> for details! The drawing will be held on Saturday, December 14th at 5:00 mountain time.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-45746910726226549612013-10-15T13:48:00.000-06:002013-10-15T13:48:10.986-06:00New Christian Weight Loss Companion: I Deserve a Donut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHk70AggAw/Ul2bJ0B7s-I/AAAAAAAAANA/6TiYZon6cI0/s1600/iStock_000012693128XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FiHk70AggAw/Ul2bJ0B7s-I/AAAAAAAAANA/6TiYZon6cI0/s320/iStock_000012693128XSmall.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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Do you ever feel like you<i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;"> deserve</i> a donut with the way life has been going lately? I know I do.</div>
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The truth is, we want life to be fun and easy. And what could be easier than eating <i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">what </i>we want <i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">when</i> we want?</div>
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Especially when everything we watch on television and everything we read in magazines is telling us we deserve the good life. And of course the good life by definition would include good food in good (i.e. all you can eat) quantities.</div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">The Problem: A Cultural Perspective</strong></div>
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But here’s the thing, God never said, “You deserve the good life, and if you can’t get the good life, you at least deserve a good treat!”</div>
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When we believe all those things the culture tells us—life should be fair, you shouldn’t have to suffer, indulge yourself, the more the better, etc, etc—we always get messed up in one way or another.</div>
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Either we do what the culture tells us to do and bear the consequences. Or we muster up all our self-control to walk the straight and narrow, but feel like we’re somehow missing out on the good life by doing so.</div>
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<strong style="color: black; line-height: 1.5;">The Solution: A Biblical Perspective</strong></div>
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If we want to lose weight <i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">and </i>keep it off <i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">and </i>be happy about the lifestyle we’ll have to live to maintain it, we’ll need to start seeing life from a biblical perspective.</div>
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And if we want to do <em style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">that</em>, we’ll have to renew our minds over and over and over again—until we see life and food through eyes of truth.</div>
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That's where<i style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;"> </i><em style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">I Deserve a Donut</em> comes in. It’s a book, but it’s also an easy-to-use renewing-of-the-mind tool.</div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kindle_facebook_1.jpg" href="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kindle_facebook_1.jpg" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Kindle_facebook_1" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5730" data-mce-src="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kindle_facebook_1-187x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://barbraveling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Kindle_facebook_1-187x300.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #444444; cursor: default; display: inline; float: left; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin: 4px 24px 12px 0px; max-width: 100%;" width="187" /></a></div>
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Here’s how it works: When you get that old urge to eat like crazy, turn to the table of contents. It lists 20 different lies that make you overeat and 13 different emotions.</div>
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Choose the one that fits your current situation and flip to that chapter where you’ll find some questions and Bible verses.</div>
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Answer the questions (preferably in your journal). Pray through the verses. Read the tips.</div>
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As you do, you’ll notice your desires changing.</div>
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Here’s why: The lies we believe about food make us want to throw caution to the wind and eat <em style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">what</em> we want <em style="border: none; line-height: 1.5;">when</em> we want.</div>
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When we take those lies off and replace them with truth, our desires change. It’s easier to say no because we’re seeing the situation through eyes of truth.</div>
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In Romans 12:2 Paul says we’re transformed by the renewing of the mind. <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380757038&sr=8-1&keywords=i+deserve+a+donut" href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380757038&sr=8-1&keywords=i+deserve+a+donut" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank"><em style="border: none; color: #444444; line-height: 1.5;">I Deserve a Donut</em> </a>will help you renew your mind so you can experience transformation in the area of weight loss.</div>
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If you're interested in this book, it's available today <a data-mce-href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380757038&sr=8-1&keywords=i+deserve+a+donut" href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380757038&sr=8-1&keywords=i+deserve+a+donut" style="color: #743399; line-height: 1.5;" target="_blank">at Amazon.</a></div>
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<i><b>Note:</b> I am currently blogging at<b><a href="http://www.barbraveling.com/" target="_blank"> barbraveling.com</a>.</b> Would love to have you pop over and say hello! </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-68062704743664715252013-05-10T11:06:00.001-06:002013-11-01T10:08:12.516-06:00New 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study Coming Soon!<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">After five years, I am finally finishing a new book! It is a 30 day weight loss Bible study scheduled to come out in mid-August or early September. If you'd like to find out more about the Bible study or sign up to receive an e-mail when it's out, please<a href="http://eepurl.com/zlexz" target="_blank"> click here.</a></span><br />
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Update: The book won't be out until late December or early January as I had to take a break and publish another book that goes along with the Bible study. The other book is called<i> I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat)</i> and is available on Amazon. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383321800&sr=8-1&keywords=i+deserve+a+donut" target="_blank">Click here</a> to check it out.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-64772116863013763812013-02-21T07:24:00.002-07:002013-02-21T07:32:43.481-07:00I Deserve a Donut App: Questions and Answers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNrLd5XCnBA/T9dBRA867sI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/zwfW2Sw4g24/s1600/icon2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNrLd5XCnBA/T9dBRA867sI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/zwfW2Sw4g24/s1600/icon2.png" /></a></div>
Hi Everyone, Since launching my emotional eating iPhone app last summer, I've had lots of questions about how to use the app. I thought I'd use this post to field questions. If you have a question, leave a comment, and I'll reply with a suggestion.<br />
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Here are a few of the questions I've had so far:<br />
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<b>How do I use the questions?</b><br />
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My friend Heidi Bylsma who helped write Thin Within wrote a great blog post on how to use the app. In fact, she explains it better than I can! <a href="http://heidibylsma.com/techie-tuesday-01/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see that post.<br />
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<b>My iPod keeps going dim before I can think of the answers to all the questions. Is there any way to stop that? </b><br />
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Yes. You just need to change the settings on your iPod. Click on the Settings button. Then click on the General button. Then click on Auto Lock. I set my auto lock to 5 minutes which is enough time for me to answer the questions without the screen going dim.<br />
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<b>Do you have a book that goes along with the app?</b><br />
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Not specifically. But I do have a free online Bible study that goes along with my app at my other blog. Here's the link to that: <a href="http://barbraveling.com/2012/06/25/weight-loss-bible-study-day-one/" target="_blank">Weight Loss Bible study</a>. My Bible study, <a href="http://truthwaypress.com/" target="_blank">Freedom from Emotional Eating</a>, is also helpful is you struggle with emotional eating.<br />
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<b>How do I know which set of questions to use?</b><br />
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This is where I hope this post will help you. Describe your situation in the comments below, and I'll help steer you to a set of questions. For a general idea of which set of questions to use, click on the About the App button on the app and read the material there.<br />
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Here's a question I received the other day:<br />
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<b>Do you have questions on the app on forgiveness?</b><br />
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I would use the annoyance questions - at least, those would be the questions that would make me feel sorry enough for the person that I would want to forgive them. The judgment and pride questions would also make me see my own sin and want to ask God for forgiveness, which would in turn help me to forgive the other person.<br />
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<b>How about you? Do you have any questions about the app? Or about how to use it? Or weight loss in general? Ask your question below and I'll get back to you!</b><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-63193020146667792132012-08-07T15:09:00.001-06:002014-06-02T17:07:04.937-06:00How to Stop Emotional Eating: 9 Questions That Will Help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFsi_fWx5CY/UCF75cWx38I/AAAAAAAAAKw/MP-Jgqm64RE/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aFsi_fWx5CY/UCF75cWx38I/AAAAAAAAAKw/MP-Jgqm64RE/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you ever get so frustrated with life you just want to eat everything in sight? The next time that happens, try not to eat right away. Instead, do an experiment.</div>
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Ask yourself the following questions (write out the answers if you can) and pray through the following Bible verses. </div>
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9 times out of 10, when I do this, I no longer feel like eating. Why? Because God uses the truth to set me free from unholy desires (Ephesians 4:22-24). The truth actually changes my desires, setting me free from the tyranny of the lies that control me.</div>
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<i>Note: These questions and Bible verses are from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1401750391&sr=8-1" target="_blank">I Deserve a Donut (And Other Lies That Make You Eat).</a> For a short online Bible study on emotional eating <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/07/06/weight-loss-bible-study-day-9-emotional-eating/" target="_blank">click here.</a> For a full-length Bible study on emotional eating <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Emotional-Eating-Weight-Edition/dp/0980224349/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1401750088&sr=8-1" target="_blank">click here</a>. Also available:<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taste-Truth-Weight-Bible-Study-ebook/dp/B00HDGE0PA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401750267&sr=8-1&keywords=taste+for+truth" target="_blank"> Taste for Truth: A 30 Day Weight Loss Bible Study</a>.</i></div>
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<b>Emotional Eating Questions and Bible Verses</b></div>
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1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>What’s going on in your life right now that’s making
you want to eat?<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>What emotion are you experiencing?</div>
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3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Will eating make you feel better? If so, for how long?<o:p></o:p></div>
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4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Will eating solve your problems?<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Will eating create any new problems? Explain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>What do your boundaries protect you from?<o:p></o:p></div>
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7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Do you need protection today?<o:p></o:p></div>
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8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span>What do you think God wants to teach you through this
trial?<o:p></o:p></div>
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9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Is
there anything you need to accept?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><b>Note:</b> If these questions and Bible verses don't change your desires, spend some time <a href="http://www.ideserveadonut.com/search/label/truth%20journaling" target="_blank">truth journaling </a>through the situation that's creating your negative emotion. Often the best way to overcome emotional eating is to deal with the situation itself rather than just the eating behavior.</o:p></div>
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<b>Bible Verses<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Psalm 3:3</b> <i>But You, O Lord, are a shield
about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.</i><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<b>Psalm 61:1-2 </b><i>Hear my cry, O God; give heed to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; lead me to the
rock that is higher than I.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Jeremiah 29:11-13 </b><i>“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future
and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will
listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all
your heart.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Jeremiah 32:27 </b><i>Behold, I am
the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Romans 5:3-4</b><i> And not only this, but we also exult in our
tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and
perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Philippians 4:11-13</b>
<i>Not that I speak from want, for I have
learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along
with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every
circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both
of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<b>Hebrews 12:11</b> <i>All discipline for the moment seems not to
be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards
it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Note:</b> If you don't have an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad (newer version), check my other blog as I'll be posting more questions over there. Here are the ones I currently have posted: <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/category/questions-2/" target="_blank">click here.</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-37239470604504420692012-06-20T21:27:00.002-06:002012-06-20T21:27:58.528-06:00I Deserve a Donut: Vacation Girl<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dpAHKC6SdEA" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-11899016477522339002012-06-19T21:34:00.002-06:002012-06-21T11:40:16.983-06:00I Deserve a Donut: Stay-at-Home-Mom<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kgy3IBrF9Xs" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-6966233645980460612012-06-12T07:18:00.000-06:002012-07-25T10:18:40.288-06:00Coming Soon: Christian Weight Loss App<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNrLd5XCnBA/T9dBRA867sI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/zwfW2Sw4g24/s1600/icon2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNrLd5XCnBA/T9dBRA867sI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/zwfW2Sw4g24/s1600/icon2.png" /></a></div>
<i><b>Note:</b> This app is now available.<a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ua/app/i-deserve-a-donut/id529567174?mt=8" target="_blank"> Click here</a> to see the app in the iTunes store.</i><br />
<br />
Last year I was teaching a Bible study on habits and emotions to a group of teenagers when one of the boys in the class said, "Hey, you should put these questions on an iPhone app - call it iBarb!"<br />
<br />
I laughed. iBarb. That would be fun - but of course I would never be capable of making an iPhone app.<br />
<br />
Still, I thought, it was an interesting idea: an app that wouldn't just track behavior, but would help you renew your mind so you wouldn't even want to <em>do</em> your behavior.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The next Bible study I taught was an eating class for women. In that class I had questions and Bible verses similar to the ones I've<a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/category/questions-2/" target="_blank"> posted</a> on my other blog.<br />
<br />
We all found the questions and Bible verses helpful for following our boundaries, but they were in a three-ring binder - they weren't always available in the moment of temptation.<br />
<br />
So I thought of the app again. <em>Wouldn't it be nice to have the questions readily available on an app?</em><br />
<br />
The idea would have stayed in the back of my mind except for one little coincidence: I have a son who actually programs iPhone apps for a living.<br />
<br />
So I called him and nervously started working on the project. Half a year later (after writing and rewriting the questions a million times), it's ready go. It was approved by Apple a few days ago and should be out in two or three weeks.<br />
<br />
The app has 32 different sets of questions (including insecurity and worry which I've been making use of lately) and over 150 Bible verses you can use in the moment of temptation to help you actually <em>want</em> to say no to temptation.<br />
<br />
And although this app is specifically targeted to eating boundaries, I've used it with some of my other bad habits and it works if I mentally adapt the questions a bit. It's also helpful for anyone who wants to break free from their negative emotions. (The <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/how-to-stop-being-annoyed-12-questions/" target="_blank">anger questions and Bible verses</a> I posted a few weeks ago on my other blog are on the app.)<br />
<br />
I'll be sharing a bit more about the app in the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, I'll be busy <em>using</em> the app because this whole process is making me want to eat!<br />
<br />
P.S. I posted this entry at my <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">other blog</a> and then realized I should post it here too in case some of you aren't following my other blog. I'm also thinking of doing a three week long weight loss class (with five posts per week) starting sometime in the next two or three weeks - so check back if you'd like to join us! Also - the app will be called ideserve or I Deserve a Donut - not iBarb!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-49007864382793603202012-04-09T08:34:00.001-06:002012-04-09T10:51:15.363-06:00Spiritual Warfare Bible Study<br />
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Note: I'm currently writing about how to break free from strongholds at a new blog. The following Bible study goes along with a post on that blog. Here's the link: <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/spiritual-warfare-and-your-project/" target="_blank">Spiritual Warfare and Your Project.</a></div>
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<b>How does he operate?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>How will this affect your project?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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John 8:44<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Peter 5:8, Luke 4:13<o:p></o:p></div>
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Revelations 12:9-10<o:p></o:p></div>
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Genesis 3:1-6<o:p></o:p></div>
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Luke 4:1-13<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-80834963023881509962012-03-23T22:10:00.001-06:002012-07-02T07:06:39.893-06:00Failure: A Bible Study<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VGHiJmk0dk/T21I_auQpQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/k0dxQe0I08U/s1600/11312949_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VGHiJmk0dk/T21I_auQpQI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/k0dxQe0I08U/s320/11312949_s.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<i><b>Note:</b> This Bible study is the continuation of a post at my other blog. Click on this link to get the post that goes with the study: <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/is-failure-inevitable/" target="_blank">Is Failure Inevitable?</a></i></div>
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How many years have you been struggling with this sin or bad
habit?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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How many years (or weeks) have you been diligent about
applying truth to the lies that are fueling your habit?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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On a scale of 1 to 10, how diligent have you been?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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When you think of how long you’ve been renewing your mind
compared to how long you’ve had this problem, is it realistic to expect 100%
victory at this point? Why or why not?</div>
<a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><br />
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How does God feel about you in the midst of your failure?
(Jeremiah 31:3, 20, Romans 8:1)</div>
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What would He like to do for you? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 3:3<o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 37:23-24<o:p></o:p></div>
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Psalm 91:2-4<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philippians 1:6<o:p></o:p></div>
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What would He like <i>you</i>
to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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John 8:10-11<o:p></o:p></div>
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Romans 12:1-2<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Corinthians 10:3-5<o:p></o:p></div>
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Galatians 6:9<o:p></o:p></div>
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James 1:16-17<o:p></o:p></div>
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What sacrifices will you have to make to do what He wants
you to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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What will you gain if you do what He wants you to do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-48128109819678505662012-03-10T07:38:00.000-07:002012-03-23T10:11:28.085-06:00Gathering Your Tools<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrflc9nzCIQ/T2fFUGj-idI/AAAAAAAAAJg/dWuWjJ7Ol5I/s1600/IMG_9684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrflc9nzCIQ/T2fFUGj-idI/AAAAAAAAAJg/dWuWjJ7Ol5I/s320/IMG_9684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The first step in any home improvement project
is to make a plan and gather your tools. It’s no different with a mind
improvement project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Here are the tools you’ll need: a Bible and a
journal. This is the journal you’ll use to renew your mind in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">We’ll be going over several different ways to
renew your mind on this blog, but one of the best ways is to find Scriptures
that apply to your project and pray through those Scriptures on a daily basis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If you want to get started on your project right
away, make a commitment to find one new Scripture each day that will help you
with your project and write out a Scripture prayer using that Scripture in your
journal. Or just meditate on that Scripture once a day and think of how it
would apply to your project.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">After you’ve chosen your project and purchased
your journal, answer the following questions to help you have an idea of what
to expect in the months to come (you could put the answers to these questions
in your new journal):<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Getting Started</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What is your project? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What is your goal? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Why do you want to reach your goal? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you think God wants you to reach your goal? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">If so, what would His reasons be? Are God’s reason’s different
than your reasons? If so, why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Do you think Satan wants you to reach your goal? If not, why? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">What should you expect if you decide to take on this project? </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Read the following verses and list as much as you can from them:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Romans 12:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Philippians 1:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Hebrews 12:10-11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Galatians 6:9 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">e.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">1 Peter 5:8-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Is this a project you’ll be able to accomplish in your own
strength? If not, what will you need to do? (Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">How will the accomplishment of this goal help you love God and
others better?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">More to Come<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My
college kids are on break now so I won't be posting next week, but when their
break is over we'll start talking about some other practical tools you can use
to renew your mind. If you'd like some ideas before then, you could browse
through a short-lived blog I wrote at <a href="http://www.transformedbytrials.com./"><span style="color: blue;">www.transformedbytrials.com.</span></a> I
may repeat some of those ideas over here as I'm using this blog (and <a href="http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com</span></a>) to try to write a
curriculum that could be used in a Bible study. (Yes, I know, too many blogs!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-36250354012691081262012-03-09T09:16:00.003-07:002012-03-09T09:26:42.147-07:001 Corinthians 10:23<span style="font-size: 100%;">I was looking through my old "renewing of the mind project journal for eating" last night and this entry made me laugh:</span><br />
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<b>6/11/08</b></div>
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<b>Belief:</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> I forgot to put whip cream on my first bowl of ice cream so it's okay to have a second bowl with whipped cream.</span></div>
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<b>Truth:</b> It may be<b> permissible,</b> but it does not edify!!!</div>
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<i>All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 1 Corinthians 10:23</i></div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-76135542890436066452012-03-08T05:38:00.001-07:002012-12-27T11:00:58.026-07:00A Renewing of the Mind Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opOo0oPiaqA/T1e6AkBhVHI/AAAAAAAAAIo/A32u-yWOi-o/s1600/iStock_000016298424XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-opOo0oPiaqA/T1e6AkBhVHI/AAAAAAAAAIo/A32u-yWOi-o/s320/iStock_000016298424XSmall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Remember that rickety old house we talked about <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/the-renovation-of-the-mind/" target="_blank">last time</a>? If you were going to fix it up, how would you start? Would you tackle the wholehouse in a day, or would you start with just one room?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m hoping you said <i>just one room </i>because that’s what I’d like to do on this blog: work together with each other and with God to tackle the “rooms” in our lives that could use a little makeover.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you’d like to be involved, the first step is to choose a “renewing of the mind” project. We’ll talk more about what that will look like in weeks to come but for now let’sjust explore some project possibilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here are a few examples of projects you could take on:</div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A critical spirit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A habit of worry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Too much time on the internet</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Your attitude toward work or school</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A sin that controls you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">A difficult relationship</span></li>
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If you’re having a hard time deciding what to work on, here's a worksheet that might help:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Choosing a Project<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>What areas of your life cause you the most stress?<o:p></o:p></div>
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2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Why do they stress you out?<o:p></o:p></div>
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3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Can you think of any good habits you’d like to develop?<o:p></o:p></div>
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4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Can you think of any bad habits you’d like to break free from?<o:p></o:p></div>
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5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Of the following negative emotions andattitudes, which one (s) have you been struggling with the most lately?</div>
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<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Worry, stress, anger, self-condemnation, people pleasing, insecurity in general, discontentment, envy, pride, judgment, and/ora critical spirit.</span></li>
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6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>What are your most difficult relationships at this time? (You may want to just answer this one in your head rather than onpaper.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Why are those relationships difficult?<o:p></o:p></div>
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8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Look over your answers to the preceding questions and list two or three possible projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
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9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>For each project, answer the following questions:<o:p></o:p></div>
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a.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>On a scale of 1 to 10, how hard do you think itwould be to tackle this project?<o:p></o:p></div>
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b.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>How would your life change if you were to gain victory over this habit or emotion?<o:p></o:p></div>
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c.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Would gaining victory over this habit or emotion help you love God and others better? Explain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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d.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Can you do this project in your own strength? If not, what will you need to do if you want to be successful with this project?(Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:22-24)<o:p></o:p></div>
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10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span>Do you feel like God is leading you toward a particular project?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Note: </b>This post is part of a class I'm teaching on my other<a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank"> blog</a>. Since I can't figure out how to format worksheets and Bible studies at Wordpress, I'm posting them over here until I can figure it out! (if it can be figured out)</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-55276816215038964112012-02-29T20:16:00.005-07:002012-03-03T07:50:54.097-07:00A Love Grown Cold: Bible Study<div style="text-align: left;">
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Sometimes God transforms us in an instant, either by giving us the gift of self-control or by taking away our taste for a particular sin. An example would be the alcoholic who commits his life to Christ and never has another drink. <o:p></o:p></div>
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More often than not, though, transformation is a step-by-step process, and God expects us to be involved in the project. Look up the following Bible verses and for each verse, try to find the role we play and the role God plays in the transformation process. I’ve done the first one for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our Role<o:p></o:p></div>
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God’s Role<o:p></o:p></div>
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Romans 12:2<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>We renew our minds.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>God transforms us.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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John 8:31-32</div>
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2 Corinthians <span style="font-size: 100%; text-align: left;">10:3-5</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In summary, what is our part in the transformation process?</span></div>
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What is God’s par<span style="font-size: 100%;">t?</span><br />
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Why do you think God asks us to be involved in our own transformation when He has the power to speak a word and change us in an instant?<o:p></o:p><br />
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If God were to change us in an instant at the moment of salvation, so that we never even felt like sinning again, would we still be living within the context of free will or would He be controlling our minds?</div>
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In Romans 12:2, the Greek word for transformed is <i>metamorphoo. </i>It describes a transformation that starts on the inside and works its way out. Here’s an example. Let’s say I have a problem with saying mean things to people. If I were focusing on outward transformation, I would try to control my tongue and only say nice things. If I were focusing on inward transformation, I would work on loving them rather than being critical and condemning of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you think God would rather have me learn to love that person or learn to control what I say to that person? Explain.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Would it be easier to control my words if I were also controlling my thoughts? Why or why not?</div>
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What does Paul tell me I need to do if I want to be transformed on the inside?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If I wanted to change the way I thought about a person, do you think it would help if I prayed 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 for that person on a regular basis? Why or why not?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Can you think of anything else you could do to change the way you think about that person?<o:p></o:p></div>
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How would it change your walk with God if you went to Him on a regular basis for help with your relationship difficulties?</div>
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<b>Assignment:</b> Try praying 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 a few times this week before you get together with a person who annoys you and see if it makes a difference.</div>
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Note: See <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/a-love-grown-cold-2/">Beyond the Sinners Prayer</a> for the blog post that goes with this Bible study. I couldn't get my little chart to work on Wordpress so I posted the Bible study here. Also, you are welcome to print this Bible study if you want to use it with a group. I only ask that you include the website address and author information. Thanks!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-89834200955837195522012-02-26T07:21:00.002-07:002012-02-26T07:34:59.747-07:00New Blog AddressHi Everyone, I finally have the new blog set up - at least for the most part. Here's the link: <a href="http://beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/">Beyond the Sinner's Prayer.</a> <div><br /></div><div>I transferred one of my last posts over there just to experiment with posting, although I changed the picture on it. (The new picture is of my son taken on one of our backpacking trips.)</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm planning to post twice a week, sometimes more, with a combination of regular posts, Bible study posts, practical application examples, and hopefully some contributions from all of you.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll start out with some foundational material on the renewing of the mind and then do short units (two or three weeks?) on different subjects: anger, insecurity, compulsive habits, etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>I may come back here every once in awhile if I have time and post specifically on eating issues, so if you're interested in that, you can sign up to be on the e-mail list so you don't have to keep checking back.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll try to include examples on the new blog for both young people (older teens and early twenties) and older people - we'll see how that works! (They tell you not to do that at writer's conferences but since I have kids in college and teach high school kids as well, I kind of wanted to write for them too.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I hope to see you over there. I'm looking forward to it!</div><div><br /></div><div>Barb</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-64860126701927589322012-02-20T12:15:00.002-07:002012-02-20T12:28:08.597-07:00Any Ideas for the New Blog?Hi Everyone, I've been thinking and praying about the format for the new blog, and thought it would be helpful to get your input. Is there anything special you'd like to see on the new blog? Anything in particular you found helpful on this blog that you'd like to see more of on the new blog? Any topics you'd like us to discuss?<br />
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Any ideas you can give me would be appreciated! You can either leave them as comments on the blog or e-mail me at barb.raveling@gmail.com. Thanks for your help! BarbAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-47261044521882896732012-02-15T12:33:00.001-07:002012-02-15T14:00:25.340-07:00More On the New Blog<div class="MsoNormal">
For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking and praying about the possibility of teaching a class on my blog. In the beginning I was excited. I love to teach, and I was looking forward to getting to know some of you through your comments on the blog. So what’s not to like about teaching a class on my blog?<o:p></o:p><br />
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Well, it turns out there are a couple of things: writing and keeping a schedule—neither of which I’m very good at.<o:p></o:p><br />
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The closer it got to when I said I would start my class, the more I began to dread it. I can stand up and teach a one-hour class with a 3 X 5 index card of notes, but put me in front of a computer screen, and my mind goes blank. <o:p></o:p><br />
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What shall I write? I have no idea.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Here’s the interesting thing though: the whole purpose of this class is to learn how to work <i>with</i> God in getting rid of the sins, idols, weaknesses, and bad habits in our lives that keep us from loving God and others well.<o:p></o:p><br />
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We can’t do that in our own strength—just like I can’t write this blog in my own strength. In fact, just to write this post today, I had to spend an hour with God working through my fears. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I know—that sounds pathetic—but it’s the only way I can do it if I want to do it with God, and I’m not the type of person who can do it without Him. <o:p></o:p><br />
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If I were a person who loved to write, who checked off things right and left on her to-do list, and who didn’t mind having the world laugh at her if she said something dumb—then I could write this blog in my own strength. <o:p></o:p><br />
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But I’m not that type of person.</div>
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So as I teach and write, I’ll be doing the same thing I’ll be asking you to do: renewing my mind so I can break free of the things that bind me and keep me from loving God and others well.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I’ll be starting the new class, God willing, on February 27<sup>th</sup>. Here’s my idea: I’m thinking of starting with a few weeks of foundational material on transformation and the renewing of the mind, and then I’d like to use that material to work through various emotions and habits, a few weeks at a time.</div>
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Another thing I’d like to try, if I get enough volunteers, is to have Fridays be sharing day. This would be an opportunity for you guys to share something: it could be a truth journal entry, a Scripture prayer, or even a testimony of what God has done in your life through the renewing of your mind.<o:p></o:p><br />
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If you have anything you want to share, e-mail me at <a href="mailto:barb.raveling@gmail.com">barb.raveling@gmail.com</a>. I’ll probably start a new blog for this since it will have a broader range of topics than emotional eating, so I’ll share that address with you when I have it. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Looking forward to visiting with you in a week and a half!<o:p></o:p><br />
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Barb<o:p></o:p><br />
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P.S. If anyone know an easy-to-use free blogging site, let me know. I'm not a techie!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-65816865786901328422012-01-31T07:51:00.007-07:002012-03-08T05:46:04.302-07:00Are Quiet Times the Answer To Getting Close to God?<br />
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If you ask any group, "How do you get close to God?" you usually get the same answer: spend time with Him.</div>
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It’s a good answer, but I don’t think it works.</div>
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At least not by itself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Think of it this way: what if you were in a relationship, either married or dating, and you got bored with your partner?<o:p></o:p></div>
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You didn’t want to give him up—because you liked having a steady relationship—but you didn’t want a boring life either. What would you do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s say you decide to spice up your life a bit—nothing serious, just a little harmless fun. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So you go out dancing. You flirt with your co-workers. You have some good conversations. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Life is looking up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But then one day the inevitable happens: you meet a guy you really like. He’s fun. He’s exciting, and he’s interested in you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So you start a relationship with him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you become more and more enthralled with this new guy, you become less and less enamored of your husband or boyfriend. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But you’re still not ready to give him up.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So you ease your conscience. You schedule fifteen minutes a day with him to visit, usually right after breakfast. Yes, it’s a little boring. Yes, it’s a duty. But at least it keeps the relationship going.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So here’s the question: is fifteen minutes a day the answer to your lack of intimacy with your husband or boyfriend? Or is the problem deeper than that?<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can ask the same question of our relationship with God: is fifteen minutes a day the answer to our lack of intimacy with Him, or does the problem go deeper than that?<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s easy to see in a real-life example that the girl is being unfair to her partner. It’s not so easy to see in our relationship with God because we’ve grown accustomed to the sins and idols in our lives that separate us from Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One of the beauties of our relationship with God, though, is that He’s willing to work <i>with</i> us in getting rid of those idols and sins. </div>
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And here’s the interesting thing: one of the best ways to get close to God is to work with<i> </i>Him in removing the sins and idols of our lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For those of you who have followed my blogs, you know my track record for posts is not great. I go full steam for a few weeks and then peter out when I start teaching local Bible studies and run out of time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve been thinking of an idea lately, though, that I’m hoping will work. I’d like to try teaching a class online when my current Bible studies are over which should be in a few weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So if you’ve been reading these sporadic blogs and you’re interested in a class on how to work together with God to remove the sins and the idols in your life, keep checking back. I’d love to have you join the class.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Note:</b> If you have this site saved as truthjournaling.com, I’m going to go back to emotionaleatingfreedom.blogspot.com for awhile so you may need to change that to be able to find the blog again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-68239851881038460522012-01-16T07:21:00.005-07:002012-03-08T05:51:08.140-07:00Are You Comfortable?Do you ever say you’ll do something for God and then have second thoughts when you find out how hard it is?<br />
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I’m guessing that’s how Peter felt when he found himself walking on the water in the midst of a raging storm. <i>What have I gotten myself into?</i><br />
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His enthusiasm for Jesus was enough to get him out of the boat, but it wasn’t enough to sustain him once he got an eyeful of the waves.<br />
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What strikes me about this passage* is that Peter wouldn’t have been in such a pickle if he hadn’t loved Jesus so much. If he had just stayed in his nice, safe, comfortable boat, he wouldn’t have been in a position to panic.<br />
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It was when he loved Jesus enough to get out of the boat that all his troubles started.<br />
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I see this at work in my own life. I want life to be easy. I want it to be comfortable. But I also love God, and He keeps asking me to do things that are uncomfortable and difficult.<br />
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The worst thing I can do—and it’s often the thing I find myself doing—is to say yes to God, leap out of the boat, and then forget about Him while I look in dismay at all the waves lapping at my feet.<br />
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Especially when Jesus is standing there with His hand reaching out to take hold of me.<br />
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It’s the worst of both worlds. Not only do I miss out on the comfort of the boat, I also miss out on the comfort of His arms wrapped around me in the midst of the storm.<br />
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Not to mention the fact that I can’t walk on water without His help.<br />
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Like Peter, I need to be reminded to grab hold of His hand.<br />
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Today—thanks to His help in the middle of the night—I’m remembering.<br />
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And even though I’m uncomfortable . . . I’m comfortable.<br />
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* Matthew 14:23-33<br />
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-4994413616354205672011-12-31T16:59:00.002-07:002011-12-31T17:00:47.955-07:00New Year's Resolutions<i style="background-color: #ffffe5; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5;">Note: This is a re-post from December 31, 2008. I'm actually planning to make some goals this year, some of which will involve this blog and a helpful new weight loss tool. I'll be writing more about that in the next few weeks.</i><br />
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I used to make long lists of New Year’s resolutions. I even had resolution categories—spiritual, physical, recreational, personal, etc. Each year I completed many of those goals . . . most of them were in the recreation category:<br />
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1. Camp three times. <em>Check.</em><br />
2. Take one backpack trip. <em>Check.</em><br />
3. Ski in to ski hut one night. <em>Check.</em><br />
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I was a raging success in the recreation department.<br />
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Unfortunately, the physical category was another story:<br />
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1. Lose weight. <em>Afraid not.</em><br />
2. Start exercising regularly. <em>No go.</em><br />
3. Eat healthy. <em>Not really.</em><br />
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I racked up year after year of defeat in the physical realm.<br />
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Then three years ago I changed my goals. I didn’t write down “lose weight.” I also skipped “start exercising” and “eat healthy.” In fact, if I remember right, that was the year I stopped making long lists of new year’s resolutions.<br />
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Instead, I made one goal that year. I bought a journal and determined to go to God on a regular basis for help with my poor eating habits. I planned to eat three meals a day and journal any time I ate outside my boundaries.<br />
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I’ll tell you right now I didn’t follow through on my resolution. At least not perfectly. But I did keep at it. I journaled on a regular basis, and God began to shed His light on my compulsive eating habits.<br />
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I saved that journal, and I have it in front of me right now. Let me share some of the entries from that year with you.<br />
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<strong>2/28/06</strong> Weekly reasons for breaking my boundaries:<br />
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<em>It was there to eat: 3<br />I deserve it: 9<br />Overwhelmed with procrastination: 1 (Obviously, I hadn’t started writing yet.)<br />Cook’s “right”: 2 (I believe that was cookie dough.)<br />Mindless eating: 1<br />Stressed out: 1<br />Fear/Worry: 1</em><br />
<strong><br />3/10/06</strong> I’ve missed the last three days of truth journaling, not because I’m perfect, but because I’ve been a total failure!<br />
<strong><br />5/11/06</strong> I am so mistreated and overworked that I deserve a treat. Since I always have to be the bad guy and always have to get people (that would be my kids) to do what they don’t want to do, the least I can do is have a treat.<br />
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<em>Truth: Barb, Barb, Barb—you know that treats don’t really fulfill you. How about, “Since I always have to be the bad guy, I’ll go and spend some time with Jesus who loves me enough to die for me!? Which would be better? Sweets or Jesus? There is no contest—turn to Him next time.”</em><br />
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(Note: Do you think I might have been exaggerating my circumstances a bit here?)<br />
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<strong>7/23/06</strong> I’m feeling defeated today. I’ve been trying to change myself by will power, not with the truth. Plus I’ve been putting perfectionist standards on myself. Condemning myself when I fail. This is a stronghold—it requires spiritual weapons of prayer and carrying my thoughts captive. Getting up and using will power and positive attitude is not going to cut it! I need to go back to journaling when I eat for a non-hunger or non-meal reason.<br />
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<strong>8/3/06</strong> I deserve a treat for doing so well at the potluck.<br />
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<em>Truth: Do I deserve a reward for not eating much? No—people are starving to death in this world. I don’t deserve food just because I wasn’t gluttonous! This should be standard behavior—the norm.</em><br />
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<strong>9/2/06</strong> Boundaries are a good thing, not a bad thing. They bring freedom to my life—freedom from discouragement, despair, lethargy, weight gain, unhealthiness, self-incrimination, etc. Does unrestricted eating bring any freedom to my life? I guess it brings the freedom to eat whatever I want—but I know what that freedom leads to: slavery.<br />
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<strong>9/23/06</strong> For the first time in thirty years, I don’t feel like food has control over me, and I don’t fear it. Yet I walk each day in His grace, knowing that it could control me again and praying that God would give me the strength as I need it.<br />
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<strong>12/31/08</strong> The victory has been lasting. That doesn’t mean I’m perfect. I still feel like eating for the wrong reasons sometimes, and I still follow through on those feelings and eat too much now and then. The difference is that I now know the solution. It’s not setting a goal to lose weight. It’s not determining that “this year I’ll finally get it together.” No, the solution is filling my mind with the truth—bringing my thoughts captive to God’s Word. Learning to see life as He sees it.<br />
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My hope is that a year from now, you and I will be different people—that we’ll be following God a little more closely, living His Word a little more consistently, and loving each other a little more like He loves us.<br />
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In order to make that happen, we need to see our lives from God’s perspective. This will happen as we read His Word and apply the truth directly to the areas of our lives that need it. For me right now, it’s procrastination. What is it for you? I encourage you to let His truth change you this year.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-75361070868023585192011-12-20T08:36:00.001-07:002011-12-20T08:50:13.708-07:00Best New Anti-Procrastination Technique of 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I want to introduce you to my best new anti-procastination technique of the whole year. It’s called the little green box (although yours may be a different color), and it was conceived by my daughter Jenny.<br />
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Here’s how it works:<br />
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<li>Get a little box or a jar. </li>
<li>Write all your jobs on little squares of paper. </li>
<li>Fold up the little squares and put them in the box. </li>
<li>Shake up the box, and draw your first job. Complete it. </li>
<li>Go back to the box and draw another job. Complete it. </li>
<li>Keep going until there are no more squares in the box.</li>
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Here are a few advantages to the system:<br />
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<li><b>It’s fun.</b> Even if the jobs are crummy, at least you get the thrill of drawing them from the box. </li>
<li><b>It’s not as overwhelming as a job list. </b>Because you can only see one job at a time, you lose that tendency to look at the whole list and get discouraged. </li>
<li><b>It’s relatively easy. </b>When I have a big list, I look at a few jobs on that list and automatically dismiss them because they’re too hard. When I see that same job on a little piece of paper, I think <i>Well, it’s just one job. I guess I can do it. </i></li>
<li><b>It’s motivating.</b> Because you want to see what the next job is, you’re more inclined to finish your first job. </li>
<li><b>It’s satisfying.</b> As I see the little slips of paper disappear from my box, I think <i>Wow, maybe I can finish my list after all today.</i> I’ve had much more success in emptying my job box than I've ever had in finishing a physical list. </li>
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In my next post, I’ll share a few more ideas about this box system. But for now, it's time to draw another job from the job box!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-68565536393977437802011-12-16T10:39:00.003-07:002011-12-16T10:48:49.328-07:00Do Boundaries Make Your Life Better or Worse?<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1x5xrbKX2C8/TuuDQLAY5SI/AAAAAAAAAFg/jevZkmrKOdE/s1600/n1363240963_30480259_5920677.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1x5xrbKX2C8/TuuDQLAY5SI/AAAAAAAAAFg/jevZkmrKOdE/s320/n1363240963_30480259_5920677.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686783268340950306" /></a><br />Many of us have grown up with the idea that we should be able to do what we want when we want. This philosophy usually works when we’re young because we have parents who pick up the slack.<br /><br />If we don’t feel like doing our chores, they still feed us. If we don’t feel like studying, they still let us sleep in our beds at night.<br /><br />Because life is easy, we tend to grow up with the idea that we should be able to do what we want when we want . . . without consequences.<br /><br />This philosophy might be workable if we were able to live with our parents all our lives, but it doesn’t work real well otherwise. Because what happens is that we grow up and enter a world where actions have consequences.<br /><br />If we buy whatever we want, we end up in financial trouble. If we flirt with whomever we want, we end with a marriage crisis. And if we eat whatever we want, we end up with a weight problem.<br /><br />The question we need to ask ourselves is this: do we really want to do whatever we want? Is that really a good life when you think of all the consequences? Or have we been fed a lie?<br /><br />Question for the day: Do boundaries make your life better or worse?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-7296826040003796172011-12-07T20:15:00.004-07:002011-12-08T06:18:04.905-07:00Growing Pains<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> 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10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">When our son Tim was little, he used to get growing pains. He’d often crawl into bed with us in the middle of the night, and we would massage the kinks out of his legs so he could get back to sleep. <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We were his best hope for getting rid of the pain.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Growth is often painful. But while we can’t run from the pain of growing bones, we <i>can </i>run from the pain of a growing relationship with God. All we have to do is say no. I don’t want to grow.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">It’s easier than saying yes, but we pay a price. 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Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="21" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Emphasis"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="31" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Subtle Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="32" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Intense Reference"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="33" semihidden="false" unhidewhenused="false" qformat="true" name="Book Title"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="37" name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>Intimate times with a Father who loves us.</li><li>The security and safety of His arms.</li><li>The healing of His Word.</li><li>The brilliance of His truth.</li><li>The beauty of His grace.</li><li>And the exhilaration of His growth.</li></ul><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--><p></p><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We say no to growth because it’s too hard.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Israelites said the same thing. Listen to God’s words in Jeremiah 2:30: <i>In vain I have struck your sons; they accepted no chastening.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">God loved us enough to give us free will. He doesn’t force us to shape up. Instead, He waits until we’re willing to have Him work the kinks out of our character.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes He waits forever.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And if you look at Jeremiah 1 and 2, it’s not easy for Him either.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>Note: </b> Check out <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3QCkBL2DfVg">God's Chisel Remastered</a> by the Skit Guys for a great video on growth.</p> <!--EndFragment-->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-47651780881098454642011-12-01T05:55:00.001-07:002011-12-01T08:28:32.991-07:00Three Steps to the Disciplined Life . . . Not!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsbZtVBw1eY/Ttd-JZnD-kI/AAAAAAAAAFU/QOz_6cF3Uf4/s1600/imgres.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681148154909817410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CsbZtVBw1eY/Ttd-JZnD-kI/AAAAAAAAAFU/QOz_6cF3Uf4/s320/imgres.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 225px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 225px;" /></a><br />
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The other day my husband looked at me and said, “I can’t believe you’ve been so diligent with your writing. I’m amazed at how you’ve persevered with it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The reason he’s amazed is because he knows me so well. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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We’ve been married for 28 years, and for most of those 28 years, he’s lived with the lazy, inept version of me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The new, (somewhat) disciplined version is unusual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I always wanted to be a disciplined person. Each year, I’d read the articles about how to become disciplined in three easy steps, and I’d try to do what they told me to do. But it never worked.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I was just too inept. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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And I had the sneaky suspicion that those articles were written by people who were disciplined to begin with.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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So what I’d like to do today is write a “Three Steps to the Disciplined Life for the Inept Person” post. Here goes:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<b>Three Steps to the Disciplined Life for the Inept Person<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<ol>
<li> Decide what you want to do.</li>
<li> Renew your mind whenever you don’t feel like doing it.</li>
<li> Repeat as often as necessary until you feel like doing it.</li>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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It’s simple, but it works. Here’s why: It’s hard to drum up discipline when you don’t have it to drum up. Our only hope is to go to God for help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 that we’re transformed by the renewing of the mind, not by making a plan and sticking to it. That’s a comforting verse for all of us inept people. Change is possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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But we need to do it God’s way. Paul says we’re transformed by the renewing of our minds. Not by making a plan. Not by drumming up our non-existent will power. And not by following three easy steps.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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We’re changed by the renewing of our minds. God does the changing. We do the renewing of our minds. His truth is what changes us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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As an inept-by-nature person, my only hope for being disciplined is to keep renewing my mind in all the areas of my life where I’m undisciplined (which is about a hundred).<o:p></o:p></div>
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God will transform me, but not in an instant. At least not usually. Usually it takes about one journal’s worth of renewing my mind to see some real victory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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If you’re tired of being undisciplined in some area of your life, I want to encourage you. Go to your local bookstore. Buy a journal, and start renewing your mind. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Ask God to help you see that area of life from His point of view. Then search the Bible for some good Scripture. Write those verses in your journal. Carry your thoughts captive to the truth every day you don’t feel like doing whatever it is you want to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Write out your prayers. Truth journal. Do whatever you need to do to see that area of your life from God’s perspective. And then sit back (as you continue to renew your mind) and watch Him transform you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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And when it happens, write and tell me about it.<o:p></o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8751583950515517369.post-15010239026855681052011-11-28T17:38:00.003-07:002011-11-28T18:12:38.955-07:00Avoid Christmas Weight Gain Tip #4: Be Careful with the Christmas Cookies<div class="MsoNormal">
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It was December 22, 1982, and we were driving down I-90, flinging Christmas cookies out the window at 75 miles an hour. <o:p></o:p><br />
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We had just gotten married and were headed back to Montana with a car full of presents and a box full of Christmas cookies.<o:p></o:p><br />
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600 miles from the wedding, my self-control (and my stomach) had reached its limits. There was only one answer: <o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<i>Get rid of the cookies.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
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Now, 29 Christmases later, I no longer have to resort to throwing cookies away, but I still have to be careful. Here are a few things I do to keep myself from gaining five pounds worth of Christmas cookies each Christmas.<o:p></o:p><br />
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1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b>Wait as long as possible to make the Christmas cookies. </b><o:p></o:p><br />
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The longer we wait to make cookies, the less likely we are to look at Christmas cookies as just another December food group. If you’re a procrastination eater, wait until you’ve finished all those hard Christmas jobs before you make cookies.<o:p></o:p><br />
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If you have kids and they’re clamoring to make cookies, make one or two early batches, but give them away. Bring them to the older people in the neighborhood who don’t do much baking anymore. They’ll appreciate a little visit and some homemade cookies.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b>Make only the "necessary" cookies.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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Another thing we’ve done the last few years is to cut down on the variety of cookies we make. We have about three favorites and we try to stick with those.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b>3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b>Don’t eat any cookie dough until all the cookies are in the oven.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b><o:p> </o:p></b></div>
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I could easily pop five or six cookies’ worth of dough into my mouth while making cookies, but I’d feel too piggy to actually plan to eat that much. So instead of eating as I go, I decide how much dough I want and save it until all the cookies are in the oven. Then I sit down and enjoy my snack.<b><o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<b>4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></b><b>Make special Christmas boundaries for the cookies.<o:p></o:p></b><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I vary these boundaries depending on the year. It all depends on what else is going on my life and how desperate I am for cookies. The more desperate I am, the tighter I make my boundaries. If I’m really desperate, I don’t have any.<o:p></o:p><br />
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5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span><b>Truth journal after<i> </i>every cookie that breaks a boundary. </b><o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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I hate to say this, but I’ve had four brownies today and every single one of those brownies was outside my boundaries. Remember my last post when I had to renew my mind four times before lunch? I never even felt like breaking my boundaries again after I wrote that post.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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Today I haven’t renewed my mind once. Instead, I just kept eating brownies. If I don’t want to wake up tomorrow morning and have a brownie for breakfast, I’ll need to renew my mind before I go to bed tonight.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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The sooner, the better.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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In fact, I think I better go do that right now because I’m feeling like another brownie.<o:p></o:p><br />
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And if that doesn't work . . . I'll head for the highway with the windows open.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07181996471092199585noreply@blogger.com3