Majoring in "Me" with a minor in "False Humility"

Selfishness vs. Servanthood... When the war is waged in our lives, we side with selfishness. We major in "me." We have this me, my, mine attitude in our lives and forget about others. We want someone else to serve us, to give us the massage, the pedicure, or the shoulder rub. We don't want to serve anyone else because we think of servants as weaker than, less than, or below us.

Ed Young http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/edyoung/

This Sunday I will be teaching about the Lord's Supper in Sunday school. The main focus of the lesson for the preschoolers is about how Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. I'll admit, as I prepared to write the lesson, I thought, 'Jesus is clearly preforming a job that is below Him to prove a point'. And then it hit me. The point I thought He was proving, was not the point at all; at least not for me.

Why did the thought even cross my mind that there was a job 'below' Him? Am I saying that Jesus was too good to wash dirty feet, but that scrubbing caked on dust and mud was a job fitting for someone else? Who? Who was I thinking was worthy or unworthy, as the case may be, of having that job?

How I have fallen short! I thought I was doing good at not assuming that there was any job that was 'below' anyone, but obviously that is not the case. My words express one thing, but my heart expresses quite another.

Are there jobs that I believe that I am above doing? Do I have a servant's heart? A heart that is willing to scrub dirt and dust from another's feet?

It's time I take a serious look into the type of servant I have become. I have spent enough time seeking a major in "me" and a minor in "false humility". It is time that I sincerely seek out what type of servant that God is calling me to be.

50 years young is far better then 30 years old!

May you enjoy today more then yesterday, but not nearly as much as you will enjoy tomorrow.

May the days you experience gut wrenching laughter far out number the days you experience heart breaking sorrow.

May you always be reminded of the beautiful person that you are.

May your family and your friends never be far

May you have more then an abundance of blessings come your way.

May you have a wonderful, absolutely fabulous 50th birthday!

Happy Birthday Mom!

I Love You!!

Good Circumstances, Not So Good Choices

Monday's Weigh In
Weight: 190 pounds
This Week: -1.0 pounds
Total Difference: -2.5 pounds
Goal: 60 more pounds!

I gave up last Friday on keeping track of my Weight Watcher points. I know, I am supposed to keep track of everything, but I knew if I saw my points last week I would have been so depressed that it wouldn't have been any good for anyone. I don't need to beat myself up because I chose to hang out and have dinner with my cousins and I don't need to see that celebrating my mom's birthday yesterday sent my points over the edge. I know that it did, but I don't need to see it.

I don't want to be in a place where I can not celebrate birthdays or where I can not hang out with family and friends for fear that I'll gain a pound or two. I want to be free to make not-so-good choices in good circumstances.

That's not to say that I'm giving up on WW. No, I am back on track this morning...logging in my Fig Newtons and raisins and the salad I am having for lunch. I will do my best to make healthy choices this week and exercise more consistently. I am moving forward, facing forward...not moving forward while walking backwards.

But somehow, despite my food splurging, I did lose a pound! I think that that is absolutely fantastic...especially considering that 'my friend' is visiting. I am most definitely retaining water, I can see it in my hands. I need to get better at drinking my 100oz of water during the weekend. I do really good during the week and then somehow I 'forget' to drink anything on the weekends.

Someone explain to me how drinking more water helps you to not retain water. That to me is one of life's great mysteries.

No Body, No Problem

I had a revelation this week and I thought I'd share.

Every time I go to get my hair cut I tell the stylist the same thing...'I want my hair to have body!' And every time I go they cut it in some way that gives it a little bit of oomph and if I'm really lucky and the cut is good, I can recreate the oomph for at least a week or so after the cut. Then, no matter what I do or how much time I spend on it, I can't recreate the hairstyle. My hair just out and out refuses to 'oomph'! My hair is thin and my hair is baby fine. That is what God gave me.

My revalation this week; by constantly trying to add body to my hair, to make it something that it is not, I am trying to gain some sense of control where I have none.

I hate those revalations; that I am trying to be god in my life and not let God be in my life.

So, my hair has no body...no problem! God knew what He was doing. I don't know why I had to have thin AND fine, but I thank God that all of the hairs on my head are numbered (Matthew 10:30). How awesome that He cares about me that much.

Now that's a pretty cool revelation!

The Big 3-0!

Today is Chuckie's 30th birthday!

HaPpY bIrThDaY tO yOu!

HaPpY bIrThDaY tO yOu!

HaPpY bIrThDaY, i LoVe YoU!!!

HaPpY bIrThDaY tO yOu!

Tonight we are going to go out to dinner. I wanted to go to Chili's, but Chuckie is much more simple then that, so we will be going to Village Inn. That's okay with me, it's his birthday and if it makes him happy, then okay!

Taking Time

This is my motivation for getting off of my duff and doing something! I had all the grand plans and good intentions of getting up early this morning and working out, but did I? Nope...slept in! Maybe I should plan to exercise at a different time. But when? I don't think that exercising at 10pm and then crawling into bed is such a good idea...and there is no way I can exercise when I get home (at least not at home). I have got to find a way to make this work.
21 days...21 days to create a habit! So I've got to find some consistency for the next 21 days.
I am setting a goal to work out (at least) Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hopefully I can at least make 3 days a priority and work up from there. Eventually I'd like to do something six days per week, but I'm taking it slow. Otherwise I'll give myself a great excuse for not continuing.

Monday's Weigh In

Weight: 191 pounds

This Week: -1.5 pounds

Total Difference: -1.5 pounds

Goal: 60 more pounds!

I lost weight and I know that that is what is important, but I am so disappointed. Of course, last week was crazy with eating out and I only execised twice, so I can't expect much more then what I got.
I do need to stop stepping on the scale except Mondays. Watching my weight flux all week is enough to drive me crazy. One day I was at 189...then back up to 191. Then I beat myself up wondering what I did for it to go back up, what did I eat, etc...
So, the scale is going under the bathroom sink and I'll bring it out Monday mornings to weigh myself. Hopefully that'll eliminate some of my own self critique. (hopefully).

Random Ramblings and Other Oddities

It's Friday. I'd say finally, but I don't think it has been a particularly long week, just a busy week. And busy weeks always go by so quickly. Of course it's the first truly busy week I have had this year. I planned it that way. I needed sometime to do absolutely positively nothing more then what I wanted to do so that I could recharge and have the energy to do the things that I absolutely positively must do. I think I am sufficiently recharged...for now.

Still have things I need to tackle. Especially the mountain of papers in my room. (I've decided to just claim the 2nd bedroom as mine since it is all my things in there anyway. And it is much easier to say my room then to say the craft/storage/office) Anyway, I still need to tackle them. I need to find a system that works. I need my favorite non-cluttered, non-attachment people to come over and spend an afternoon with me to help me do some serious decluttering. Somebody tell me that it is okay to let things go. My gosh, I have hoarder disorder! I am getting better though, not that you could tell it by seeing my room, but I have boxes of things to get rid of. Next step, putting them in my car and getting rid of them.

I think we are going to have one more yard sale here soon and then whatever doesn't sell, I'm sending to the Goodwill. I am actually thinking of skipping the yard sale and taking things straight to the Goodwill, but some stuff is stored at Mom's in her storage shed waiting on another yard sale. Need to make plans to do that. Maybe in March. Is March a good yard sale month? I 'spose as long as it doesn't rain, it'll be fine. Rain kind of puts a damper on things (pun intended).

I am teetering between tackling the mountain of paper to clear off the table, writing up next week's lesson or gathering supplies for the next unit to send out to be copied/prepped. Not sure how I want to spend my Saturday. Maybe I'll just surprise myself. Of course what that means is I'll decided to do something that totally isn't on that list and then none of it will get done. I need more structure; dare I say it...more scheduling, more discipline! I am discovering that my lack of discipline is actually stifling my creativity. AUGH!

Since this Sunday we will be learning about the Good Samaritan, I'd thought I'd leave you all with this:

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the road side, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, saying "I think I'd throw up."

Enjoy an awesome weekend!

Thursday's Thought

We've probably all read this at one time or another. Good ole Erma, she definitely knew what she was talking about. Let's listen to the voice of wisdom and live life while we have it. Because God only knows when we will be here no longer.
Have an absolutely, positively terrific day!

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
By: Erma Bombeck

• I would have talked less and listened more.
• I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
• I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
• I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
• I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
• I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
• I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
• I would have cried and laughed less while watching TV - and more while watching life.
• I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
• I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
• I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
• Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
• When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
• There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys"...

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it...live it...and never give it back.

Countdown to a Healthier Me

10 foods I have to learn to eat in moderation

• Reese's peanut butter cups
• French fries
• Vanilla soft serve ice cream
• Sirloin steak
• White or yellow cake with vanilla frosting
• Cookies
• Spaghetti
• Bread
• Pizza
• Chocolate Frosty's

9 foods I want to add to my diet

• 1% milk
• Melons
• Fish, other then just tuna
• Spices!
• Spinach
• Berries, other then just strawberries
• Whole wheat bread
• Whole wheat pasta
• Brown Rice

8 reasons I have for wanting to lose weight

• I want to weigh less then my husband
• I want to be able to walk long distances without my thighs chafing
• I want to be able to stand for a long period of time without my ankles bruising
• I want to be able to wear 'cute' clothes
• I want to be able to get up and down off the floor without my knees hurting
• I want to be able to share clothes with my sister
• I want to try to avoid having diabetes, high cholesterol and other weight related illnesses
• I want to have more energy

7 excuses I have used in the past for not losing weight

• I have PCOS
• No one in my family is small
• It's too expensive to eat healthy
• I don't have the time to exercise
• Why bother? No one cares what I look like anyway
• I'm not that heavy
• It's impossible, I just can't do it!

6 motivational quotes to keep me going

• 'A man's doubts and fears are his worst enemies.' -William Wrigley Jr
• 'Other people and things can stop you temporarily. You're the only one who can do it permanently.' -Zig Ziglar
• 'Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.' -Walter Elliot
• 'Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.' -H.L. Hungt
• 'We never repent of having eaten too little.' -Thomas Jefferson
• 'Never, never, never quit!' -Winston Churchill

5 exercise goals I have for 2007

• I want to be able to complete the Susan Komen breast cancer walk in October
• I want to be able to walk at least 4 miles a day, 5 days a week
• I want to strengthen my core muscles
• I want to start weight training for tone and definition
• I want to learn to belly dance

4 things I want to be able to wear

• mini skirts
• calf high boots
• fitted tops
• lacy bras

3 lifestyle changes I need to make to be successful

• eat out less
• plan my meals
• make exercise a priority

2 reasons I overeat

• boredom
• being tired

1 person I am doing this for

• ME!!!

And in this corner...

wearing the plus size clothes and weighing in at 192.5 pounds....Melissa the Determined!

Determined to lose weight!

Determined to be healthier!

Determined to eat better!

Determined to be more active!

Determined to be happier with me!

Determined to stop making excuses!

Determined to start taking action!

Determined to hold myself accountable!

Determined to make better choices!

Determined to set goals!

Determined to meet goals!

Determined to stop being lazy!

Determined to be...

Melissa the Determined!

I joined Weight Watchers on-line today. I am determined to do something about my weight. I have lost 30 pounds since last March. (Honestly, I had lost even more, but I backslid and gained some of it back) I know I can I do it. I just have to stop being lazy. I have to stop being complacent. I have to start caring about me; about the way I look, the way I feel, about what I've become and about what I want to become!

So of course, each week you'll all get to read about my progress...or lack thereof, if the case may be. I am expecting, yes EXPECTING, you all to lbe in my corner. Leave me comments of encouragement, pick me up, don't let me throw in the towel, don't let me give up on this fight!

If you're going to be a Loser, you can't be a Quitter!

Movies for Monday

Monday's are for good for movies and music...as I'm not sure that most of them are good for much else.

From http://jen-homeawayfromhome.blogspot.com/

My 13 Favorite Movies of all time: (in no particular order)

1. 10 Things I Hate About You
2. The Notebook
3. Breakfast Club
4. Armeggedon
5. The Story of Us
6. Miracle on 34th Street (the original black & white version)
7. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
8. Must Love Dogs
9. Shall We Dance?
10. Down to You
11. Top Gun
12. Family Stone
13. For Love of the Game

Of course there is more...I am a sucker for Guy Gets The Girl-Girl Gets The Guy type of movies. Sappy, romantic, make you cry movies, underdog movies, especially sports movies like Remember The Titans and Varsity Blues, general feel good movies and movies that make you laugh so hard that you almost pee your pants becasue they are so real that you can relate!

What are your favorite movies?

Music for Monday

Do you want to know what the top 50 songs were from the year that I graduated? C'mon, you know you do...I'm sure the question has just been keeping you up at nights. Alright, maybe not, but still, here are the top 50 songs from 1993. Enjoy!

1. What Is Love - Haddaway
2. Come Baby Come - K7
3. Hero - Mariah Carey
4. In The Still Of The Night (I'll Remember) - Boyz II Men
5. Have I Told You Lately - Rod Stewart
6. Can't Help Falling In Love - UB40
7. Dreamlover - Mariah Carey
8. Supermodel (You Better Work) - RuPaul
9. Nuthin' But A "G" Thang - Dr. Dre
10. Cryin' - Aerosmith
11. Murder She Wrote - Chaka Demus and Pliers
12. Shoop - Salt N Pepa
13. A Whole New World - Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle
14. Show Me Love - Robin S
15. I'm So Into You - SWV
16. Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty By Nature
17. Rhythm Is A Dancer - Snap!
18. All that She Wants - Ace Of Base
19. When I Fall In Love - Celine Dion & Clive Griffin
20. Hey Mr. D.J. - Zhane
21. Just Kickin' It - Xscape
22. That's The Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson
23. T-R-O-U-B-L-E - Travis Tritt
24. Please Forgive Me - Bryan Adams
25. No Ordinary Love - Sade
26. I Get Around - 2 Pac
27. Weak - SWV
28. Bad Boys - Inner Circle
29. Whoot, There It Is - 95 South
30. More and More - Captain Hollywood Project
31. I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) - the Proclaimers
32. I'm Every Woman - Whitney Houston
33. Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms
34. I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do that) - Meatloaf
35. Love U More - Sunscreem
36. Knockin Da Boots - H-Town
37. Will You Be There - Michael Jackson
38. Connected - Stereo MCs
39. Passionate Kisses - Mary Chapin-Carpenter
40. Boom! Shake The Room - Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince
41. Baby I'm Yours - Shai
42. Freak Me - Silk
43. Reason To Believe - Rod Stewart & Ronnie Wood
44. Sweat (A La La La La Song) - Inner Circle
45. Deeper and Deeper - Madonna
46. Another Sad Love Song - Toni Braxton
47. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love - Taylor Dayne
48. Ooh Child - Dino
49. Whoomp! There It Is - Tag Team
50. Two Princes - Spin Doctors

Apparently 1993 was a 'love song' kind of year

Thursday's Thought

A man walking through the forest saw a fox that had lost its legs and wondered how it survived. Then he saw a tiger come in with game in its mouth. The tiger had his fill and left the rest of the meat for the fox. The next day God fed the fox by means of the same tiger.
The man began to wonder at God's great goodness and said to himself, "I too shall just rest in a corner with full trust in the Lord and he will provide me with all I need." He did this for many days, but nothing happened and the poor fellow was almost at death's door when he heard a Voice say, "O you who are in the path of error, open your eyes to the Truth! Follow the example of the tiger and stop imitating the disabled fox.

Are you following the example of the tiger or

are you imitating the disabled fox?