Category Archives: Desiring God

WHY IS BABY JESUS LAYING ON THE . . . ON THE DRYER?

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 Personal note:

This is a fictional story based on some facts. Several years ago while I was still teaching, I did leave our Baby Jesus on the dryer due to all my Christmas activities. Hubby worked excessive overtime that year. I rarely saw him.  Now we’re both retired, but he still complains about getting out the Christmas decorations. Continue reading

My Birthday 

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img_7258Happy Birthday to me!

Thank you Lord for a wonderful productive last year. Now I praise You in advance for my upcoming successful year. I expect 2016 to be the best year of my life with Your direction. Direct my path so that my life brings You glory, honor, and praise. Show me how I can help others find the same freedom You gave to me.

I am now 63 years old. Wow! Who’d believe God would deliver an old woman of 90+ pounds. I’m amazed that God would do this for me. After all, I do think His hands are full with all else going on in this world. But yet, my God takes the time to heal me, an old woman with a failure complex and no hope of achieving her dreams. Now I’ve learned, “With God all things are possible”, even healing an old woman from a lifetime (41 years) of food addiction.

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God allowed me to fulfill my dream of writing a book.

Hubby and I choose to  celebrate my birthday early. So last night he carried me out for a candlelight dinner at an elegant restaurant. I love that man.
The food was awesome. Ya’ll know I’ll always be a foodie, even though God has delivered me from gluttony.

Below is a picture of what I carried home for another meal, more pleasure. When you only eat half a meal, you get to enjoy the other half again later. Twice the enjoyment. Two meals for the price of one. Yea!

 

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Hubby had a big dessert and shared a bite with me. I ordered a teeny dessert.

We had a wonderful time. Hubby also ordered dessert and coffee for later. He said, “It’s your birthday, order whatever you want.” So I ordered a teeny dessert and had one bite of his. This man has been sharing his food with me since high school, 1968. A way to win a foodie’s heart is offer her food. LOL! It was wonderful to sit, enjoy a meal and conversation with the love of my life. He is a gift from God to me.

Below is two birthday cards I received from friends, but God spoke to my heart His words of love through both of them.

  A promise from my Lord:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8

My life verse, Thank you Lord for leading me and helping me. Thank you for delivering me from myself.                            I love you, Deborah

 

Versatile Blogger Award

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img_7239 Thank you so much “susieshy45” for sending me this award. I am deeply honored that you thought of me. I’ve so enjoyed our friendship in Blogsville.

I enjoy reading susieshy45’s blog and recommend it to you as well. She writes from the viewpoint of a strong educated successful woman constantly learning and pursuing self-improvement through her life events. Check it out.

http://susieshy45.wordpress.com

The rules were to select 15 nominees for this award and then tell 7 things about yourself. So here goes.

My 15 nominees for this award:

  1. http://itsgoodtobecrazysometimes.wordpress.com
  2. http://acookingpotandtwistedtales.wordpress.com
  3. http://behealthyhappyyou.wordpress.com
  4. http://smilestrengthstretch.wordpress.com
  5.  http://empowerwellnesscenter.wordpress.com
  6. http://fogwalkerbirdie.wordpress.com
  7. http://lashestolunges.wordpress.com
  8. http://patchworkandpotpourri.wordpress.com
  9. http://robynnedevine.wordpress.com
  10. http://alittlemoreeachday.wordpress.com
  11. http://styledomination.wordpress.com
  12. http://lynzrealcooking.wordpress.com
  13. http://younfolded.wordpress.com
  14. http://newcreationsministries.wordpress.com
  15. http://sonyaliraphotography.wordpress.com

Seven facts about yourself:

  1. I believe we should all maintain a personal relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. I talk to Him throughout my day. After all, He’s my best friend.
  2. I’m forever indebted to Him, first for my salvation and for delivering me from 90+ pounds in my 60’s. That’s amazing to me.
  3. I am expecting the 60’s decade of my life to be the best ever. I’m looking forward to an exciting future, even if He decides I get promoted to Heaven.
  4. Speaking of which, all my friends know that I want three things in my casket: a Bible from the Dollar Store (I like to think my children or grandchildren would want one of the Bibles I’ve read from.), my cell phone (A friend asked, “Who are you going to call?” You never know. I confess I’m addicted), and a birthday cake. I’ll have a new birthday in Heaven, so why not celebrate.
  5.  I absolutely love real birthday cake with real sugar icing. I laugh at the thought of all my family and friends sitting around eating birthday cake at my funeral saying, “Debbie would really like this.” It’s my party and I’ll plan how I want it. Ha, ha!
  6. I really want to help others find the freedom that God has graciously given to me.  I don’t know how to help you understand this is for you too, except to just put it out there. I’ll be glad to come to your church and share my testimony (within a reasonable traffic distance).
  7. IMG_6985My first book, The God Plan, will be released on January 1, 2016 available through Amazon and Kindle.  I’m also going to have my first book signing event at The Venue on January 16, 2016 –  11am-2pm. I’ll have some light finger food, at least a sandwich. You know about my food issues. I’ve dreamed of writing a book since the 80’s. Some of you weren’t born then. Back in the 80’s, it came to me to write a book about the women of the Bible. I never did. Then every time I went to the Bible book store there was a book on the shelf about the women of the Bible written by someone else.

Now God has given me another chance. I had to write this book and get it published. I didn’t I want go to the book store and see my book on the shelf written by someone else.

My life scripture- – – I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8

Y’all have a wonderful Merry Christmas and a victorious Happy New Year!

God’s Blessings on you all, Deborah

Why? What About You?

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Why?
   IMG_6788-0 Why would God deliver an old woman in her 60’s of 92 pounds? I have to ask why? Why do you think?

Could it be to show you that He is able to heal someone from obesity that has failed every diet she tried for 41 years?

Could it be to give you hope? Could He possibly do the same for you? Do you think it’s possible for you? How many years have you been trying to lose that extra weight that seems to hold on no matter what diet/ exercise program you try? Continue reading

How I Ate This Weekend. Dieters Beware. Triple XXX Rating.

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I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8 NKJV

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Last week a friend asked how I ate. I tried to answer her questions. She wanted more information. I thought a picture is worth 1,000 words, so I’ll just take pictures of my food.

Disclaimer: I apologize to all who eat clean, carb free, or follow diet rules. These food pictures don’t fit any of those plans. This is how God instructed me to eat. I’ve lost 87 pounds,  gone from a size 18/20 pants to size 10 pants and from size X-L /14-18 tops to size S/6-10 tops. Wow!

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Taken May 2013, weighing 241.

I’ve failed every diet I tried with 41 years of failure. My first paid weight loss group was in 1974. We ate tuna fish 5x a week. Yuck. It’s amazing what we do to lose weight. I never tried surgery, only because I was afraid.

In May 2013, I weighed 241 pounds. In desperation, embarrassment, and total defeat I cried out to God. I’d tried everything only to end up in failure. I was broken in defeat with no hope, no other options and turned to God begging for help. Considering all the people in the world with severe needs, it was pathetic.

IMG_6156God didn’t care how pathetic I was, He reached out to help me. I was a food drunk eating almost 24/7.

God whispered to my heart, “Eat three meals a day with no snacks. Eat anything you want including desserts, but no snacks. Do this for 40 days.”

Seemed simple enough. I thought maybe I can do this. It took  60 days to achieve 40 days of three meals with no snacks. Then I asked Him, “What now?”

Again He spoke to my heart, “Continue eating your three meals with no snacks. Now cut your food in half.”

You won’t believe how I eat now, yet continue losing weight. I feel like a walking, talking miracle. So here goes, food pictures:

Friday: Breakfast- I/2 apple with  peanut butter & a caramel flavored rice cake. (I like the flavor and crunchiness.)

Lunch- Forgot what I ate, don’t keep a food journal. Mostly I just eat half of whatever, so I don’t need to write it down.  It may have been soup & 1/2 sandwich.

Supper- We went out with friends to a new Italian restaurant. I ordered house salad with Thousand Island dressing, Penne Basilica with extra mushrooms, and Tiramisu for dessert. (Shared dessert with husband.)

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New Italian restaurant. ***** five stars- great food. Highly recommended. Large portions, enough to take home for later.

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Our friends ordered an appetizer of fried onion rings. I ate one with the mariner sauce.

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The side salad. I ate the large vegetables and left half the lettuce.

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Penne Basilica- chicken, broccoli, pesto cream sauce with pasta. I ordered extra mushrooms. My plate was the largest serving on the table. Wow!

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Tiramisu- Hubby and I both ate half. Not my favorite.

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I took home half the entrée with a piece of bread. I ate a half piece of bread at my meal.

Now for Saturday’s food :

Breakfast: One large serving cheese grits from a gas station that served breakfast. I left about three large bites and threw it away. Hubby and I were out and about.

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Lunch served on a saucer, half the leftover pasta. The other half was still in the go box. I added three pieces of fried squash. (Southern favorite. The only way Hubby will eat squash.)

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A favorite dessert, ice cream with pear pieces and juice. I usually eat half a coffee cup of ice cream (about 3 large spoonful’s.)

Lunch: Leftover pasta, fried squash, and dessert, ice cream with canned pear pieces.

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Saturday supper: I ate one whole can of soup 200 calories. Don’t count calories, but thought it was okay to eat all the soup due to low calories.

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My dessert with Saturday supper. One, yes I said one Hersey’s kiss. Let it melt in your mouth, lot of chocolate pleasure for only 22 calories

 Now for Sunday’s meals:

Skipped breakfast. Hubby insists on being at church at 8 a.m. for his music practice before church. Hoping someone brings a treat to our Sunday School class.

No treats in Sunday school. After church we ate lunch at a favorite neighborhood restaurant, “Neighbors”. Large servings, plenty to bring home for later.  Great food, whatever you order. Five stars. ****

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Almost forgot to take a picture. Ordered three-piece chicken dinner with sides of turnip greens, mac n cheese, and corn bread. The plate came with four pieces and a roll. I asked for cornbread. You can’t eat turnips without cornbread.

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I ate half the turnips, half the mac n cheese, two small pieces chicken, and one half of the corn muffins. There were four pieces of chicken, so I thought I could eat two of the smaller pieces. That’s half, right?

Sunday night after church there was a reception to honor our pastors. Since I didn’t eat breakfast, I could now eat cake. Yea, my favorite. This would be my second meal today.

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I love, love cake icing. I know, pure sugar and lard.

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Since I eat half the cake, I eat my favorite part, the icing. Throw away the cake part.

When we got home from church it was soup and sandwich again. I overstocked canned soup so we’re trying to eat it.

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For late supper I ate a whole can of soup. In hindsight, I think I should have eaten only half because I felt too full afterwards. Lesson learned, don’t eat past full. Hubby has two slices of bread and two slices cheese, grilled in butter. Mine is one slice bread, one slice cheese, grilled in butter. That’s a half serving, right.

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Another half coffee cup of ice cream with a half cookie for dessert. I like ice cream. Can ice cream count as a milk serving?

Then for dessert, more ice cream. I always eat my ice cream in a coffee cup for portion control.

I haven’t weighed since mid-Sept. I’m seeking God’s will for my goal weight.           Now I can wear size 10 dress pants. Wow! I don’t ever remember wearing that size in my life. I plan to weigh on November 1. I’ll let ya’ll know how it turned out. Then I guess I’ll discover what maintenance is.

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87 pounds forever gone!

So far, 87 pounds of excess weight gone forever. Since I’m not on a diet, I have nothing to go off of. I am eating normal just less. I can live with that. I feel like a walking, talking miracle. God has set me free from a lifetime of obesity, obsessive dieting, (another form of bondage, and a failure complex. I’m walking in the gift of His victory for me. It’s not through my works, but through His grace. He has healed me and set me free.

Who Did It?

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20130411-094416.jpgLord, I want to say I lost 91 pounds.

Why?

So I can say I did it.

You did it?

Uh- No Lord, You did it. You delivered me from this 87 pounds. But what about this last 4 pounds, so I can say I lost 91 pounds? Continue reading

New Hope, New Life

Lord, can I start over with You?

(Sensed God smiling.)

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Weighed myself. Ugh. Looked for my phone charger, plugged it in, fixed a cup of coffee,  and updated the Apps on my cell. . . Uh. . .

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Oil of Gilead (Fat-free, Calorie-free and Sweet)

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IMG_0441Lord, where are You?

I’m here, waiting for you.

I’m so confused. I don’t know what to do, think, or what to say. What’s wrong with me? Continue reading

Almost 200 pounds gone! (From My House)

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  IMG_5654 Lord, I want to scream! Hubby’s fussing, “Get this house clean. Get this clutter out. I want my house free of clutter. Look at this mess. Your friend’s house isn’t cluttered like this.” Grrrrrrrr! Fighting words. Lord, help me not yell at him.

IMG_6197Give me patience. I don’t want lessons, I just want to get through this. Help me keep my mouth shut. (Uh-oh.) Lead me as to what is best and Your will.

Before when I was anxious or stressed at others, I ran to ice cream for comfort. I ran to anything sweet to sooth my feelings and kept my mouth shut. Now that I’m following Your plan for my eating, I have these emotions I don’t know how to handle. It seems I’m gritting my teeth daily just to get through the day. People that didn’t used to bother me now irritate me to no end. Lord, I need help. HELP! Today, it’s him, the one I love.

Listen to him, My child, for I have given him a spirit of wisdom that I didn’t give you. I gave you a heart-cry for others that I didn’t give him. I created both of you and put you two together to serve My purposes. Do not criticize what I created.IMG_6188

For God is not  of confusion but of peace, . . . I Corinthians 14:33 NKJV  

My child, you tend to get full of religious, spiritual pride. I also see selfishness and greed. That’s all clutter in your life. Let it all go. Come to Me. Let Me fill you with Myself.

Let go of these material things you can touch and see for I intend to fill you full of things you cannot touch and see. These are of greater value than these objects you see and touch. Let go My child of what you hold in your hand so that I can fill your hand with what I have for you. You can’t receive when your hand is closed. Let go,  for I have much to give you.

 There is too much clutter in all of your life. I want to empty you out so that I can fill you with Myself.

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Does this look like 200 pounds? The Home of Grace called for donations. They’ll pick it up. I cleaned out three closets and de-cluttered the house per Hubby’s request.

Yes Sir, I want all that You have for me. Help me to let go of what is not important to You. (And help Hubby too.)

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”  Isaiah 25:9

Let all things be done in decently and in order.                  I Corinthians 14:40

Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the Lord to the court of the house of the Lord. . . .  2 Chronicles 29:16

Lord, I guess if Your priests had to clean house and bring out all the debris, then I shouldn’t complain. By the way Lord, did You know that we had out-of-town company  coming? Hubby was proud of my work and our house. Thank you Lord for helping me.

The now uncluttered kitchen table.

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The Guest bedroom, all clean and fresh. Totally uncluttered.

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The now uncluttered dining room.

 

Hubby cleaned off the patio where we have our morning coffee.

The now uncluttered family room. God gave me the rug. The name under the corner is “Victory”. How about that.

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The most peaceful spot in the house. This is where I meet with God for my counseling sessions. My grandchildren call this, “The Prayer Room”. Hubby calls it, “The Parlor.” But I have my exercise bike in there too.

 

ARE WE THERE YET?

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Being confident of this very thing. that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 NKJV

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Lord, are we there yet? I need to know. Where do I stop or do I keep going?

Now that I’ve arrived back home after a two month absence all my friends are expressing shock and amazement over how much weight I’ve lost. What’s odd is that I have only lost weight since returning home. (3-5 pounds depending on amount of water and dessert.)

IMG_5807 I’m still hurting from those store scales that lied to me while I was in Texas.  I thought I had lost a total of 91 pounds because of those scales, but it was only 84. Now I feel disappointed because it’s wasn’t 91 pounds. Do I stop at 84 and focus on maintaining, or do I try for a total loss of 91 pounds?

My child, your mistake was trusting in those scales instead of looking to Me as your source.  You’re still learning. It was a hard lesson, but you’re improving already. I’m not finished with you yet. I’m still working on My masterpiece.

IMG_5475 Lord, everyone is telling me how great I look and how proud they are of me. One person even accused me of being anorexic. We all know that’s not true. I love my desserts too much. I do confess and ask forgiveness for my past prayers asking  to become anorexic. At that time I thought it was an easy answer.

Since then I’ve befriended an anorexic and she is suffering so. Lord, would You help her. You said You were no respecter of persons and that You show no partiality. You’ve helped me lose weight, now I’m asking You to help her gain weight. Answer her prayers and heal her body and soul. Place within her a desire to eat wholesome and remove from me the desire to eat unwholesome.

I know who she is and her friendship with you is one of My answers.

Thank you.  Lord, the doctor told me not to lose anymore. Then she said, “Well, maybe 5 pounds. But no more.” Lord, do You realize if I lost 7 more pounds that would make it 91 total? What do You think?

My child, it would take more sacrifice on your part to achieve this goal. You’ll have to let go of some of those desserts you love. I saw what you ate tonight at supper. That wasn’t what someone who wants to lose weight would eat. Are you willing to let go of your desserts?

Lord. I don’t know. I do want my cake and to eat it too.

Then only you can decide. What do you want, desserts or seven-pound weight loss? I gave you free will to teach you how to make good strong decisions. I want you to choose wisdom.  So you decide, it doesn’t matter to Me the number on your scales. What I treasure is a yielded heart.

Lord, I want an easy quick weight loss with desserts. Why is it so hard? Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?

My child, one of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. This you have need of. It will make you stronger.

Lord, what if I don’t want more self-control? What if I want more cake?

Then you will have what you desire, more cake. My child, you decide. I never force anyone to choose. I let you choose.

Lord, why isn’t it easy? I want easy.

My child, the cross was not easy. But I gave so that others could live. What will you do?

Lord, I can’t do this. You know how much I love desserts. Would You help me? Change my heart so that I lose my desire for desserts. Lord, I’m so messed up with these misplaced desires. Please change my desires so that I can become what You created me for.  Would You save me from myself?

IMG_2030My child, I have come to give you a new life full of joy and peace. Of course I’ll save you from your selfish self. Of course, I’ll set you free from your self-imposed traps of bondage. My child, I love you.

Lord, I love You too. Please help me.

My child, I have already provided all that you have need of. Come to Me so that I may fill you with Myself, a sweetness you have yet to taste, the fullness of My Holy Spirit. Come. let Me fill your heart.

Lord, here I am. I give myself to You. do with me as You wish for I am Yours.

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 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NKJV 

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 NKJV

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

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Won 3rd place in Fifties Costume Contest. They said I looked like Mrs. Betty Crocker. The prize was a bag full of candy. Like I needed more sweets. Oh my.