Since Last Time

Today I took a look at how long it had been since I blogged and interestingly enough it has been almost 10 months. I had been thinking about how I wanted to write some things about the people I see everyday in my patient chair, but then I
would remember that I don't have internet at home and that idea would come crashing down. However today I have found myself in the middle of Apple Valley parking lot with a whole different theme. Since I haven't written since September of 2008 I decided to tell of the great things God did for me in that time.

Going through crushing times of the heart is not easy and that's when I found myself diving head first into God's word. By head first I mean, memorization. I needed a new mind. I was tired of the old me, the old thoughts, the old ideas, the old judgments. It was very apparent to me that God was handing me a bucket load of inspiration that I desperately needed to shake my life for the better. At that point God inspired me to go on a 30 day challenge.

The 30 day challenge was to memorize a passage of scripture everyday ( remembering the ones from the days before), walk everyday, get up and go to bed at the same time, and eat the best of foods.

I knew this would reshape my life and my thoughts. It was so exciting to me and I'm thrilled to remember it.

The quote that fueled my decision was from Messages to Young People, pg. 428

" You must fight the good fight of faith. You must be wrestlers for the crown of Life. STRIVE, for the grasp of Satan is upon you; and if you do not wrench yourselves from Him, You will be palsied and ruined. The foe is on the right hand and on the left, before you and behind you; and you must trample him under your feet. STRIVE, for there is a crown to be won. STRIVE, for if you win not the crown, you lose everything in this life and in the future life. STRIVE, but let it be in the strength of your risen Saviour."

STRIVE....in the strength of your risen Saviour.

The fight involves striving, it doesn't just happen! I want to say from my heart that I was so humbled and thrilled that God was going to change my mind. I knew His word was powerful and if I was putting it to memory that it was going to overtake my mind. Praise God! So each day I so looked forward to seeing what text He would put on my heart and then all day would carry it in my pocket. The neat thing was the blessing it was to others as well. My co-workers noticed me with my cards and would ask what text I was memorizing for that day. Then when I would be asked if I had something to share in other occasions I was ready because it was fresh on my heart each day. After work I couldn't wait to go walking so I could practice my other texts and pray and praise God for working out my life according to His word. This was truly feasting and having a blast with God. So many times I would cry or just praise God aloud for His blessings to me in this way. Each text had it's special meaning for my life that day and I can still recall them and the reasons for having chosen to memorize them.

I want to share a couple of the texts with you to give you an idea of how God inspired me and blessed me so deeply.

My first text was Daniel 6:26, 27 That morning of Sept. 15 I was led to read about Daniel in the Lions den and what Darius said after Daniel was removed from the den.

"For He is the living God and steadfast forever. His kingdom is the one which shall never be destroyed and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions."

I knew for sure that I had some lions in my life that only God could deliver me from and this was so much encouragement and truth that I pumped into my head. Praise God for deliverance from thoughts and ways that hinder. This text will ever remind me of God's power to deliver!

Then there was Deut. 33:26,27 "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, And will say, 'Destroy!'"

I love that! My God rides the heavens to help me while I'm perched in His everlasting arms and then He and I together team up to destroy the enemy! Praise God! I can't go wrong on God's side. This was so encouraging. I was and still am not alone. Whatever the enemy is, God thrusts Him out and says "Destroy!" WOW! That's my God!

Here's another one. Prov. 3:25,26 "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes, For the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught."

There have been so many times in my life when I have had literal terror. Anxiety would flood in and take over so my mind felt paralyzed. This text addresses that directly. No need to fear because when my confidence is with God, my foot can never be caught. Praise the Lord again! So I memorized it and used it in those times.

These are just a very few of the promises that God gave me from His word. I have felt the urge to memorize again. So I removed all my cards from Sept. from my wall and I am writing July cards now. It's so fun to carry cards again and to recall the ones from Sept. too. God is rich and He is also the ultimate Giver. So I'm so happy to be the one receiving the blessings, the promises and the gifts He is giving.

One last thing that God has inspired me to do. In January I made a decision to run the Chicago Marathon for the purpose of training my mind for perseverance and learning to stick with goals and decisions. Believe me, training for something this big has been a fight at times but having a goal in mind has been great. I am so excited when each little goal has been made and I can move to the next step in training. It's strengthening my mind and helping me to depend on God more. Plus, all that time on my feet gives me time to think, pray, laugh, cry and learn to love life through joy and pain. So my heart is happy tonight as I recall the goodness of God to me.

I hope you are thoroughly inspired to serve and love our God more from this testimony of God's love. I share it only because it meant so much to me and still does.