Discussion Board

Well howdy everyone!

Here we are in November already - time flies! What are your goals for this month, and what plans will you be making for Thanksgiving? How did October go for you over-all? Did you lose or gain pounds, exercise more or try a new exercise, try a new recipe or stick with your favorites?

I have had my struggles both with eating well, and in my spiritual life. I'm one that can talk the talk, but not always walk the walk. The Lord has really been showing me my hypocrisy, my pride, and my self righteousness in many areas of my life. It hasn't been fun, but I'm thankful that He loves me and reproves me through His word (and my husband sometimes ).

"O God, thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid from thee." Psalm 69:5

"All scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man (or lady ) of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Tim. 3:16

Blessings to you all -

Thanks for the new thread, Luv! The months go by so fast!

In regard to goals, I have some related to the work here and learning Chinese. However, my favorite jeans are still too tight and I want to shed a little more fat before it is so cold that I will need to add a third pair of pants. You may think this is strange but in China, this is common! The Chinese do not "waste" a lot of money heating buildings!

You used the word "hypocrisy," Luv. I have given a lot of thought to that word for many years. I finally just decided to confess: "Yes, I am a hypocrite!" I have often failed to be the holy person (on the inside) that some may think I am when they look at the outside. I have often failed to live up to His standards. So I confess that I am certainly no better than the "foremost sinner" (Paul) and that I always need His mercy.

This means I am struggling and, for Christians, I think if we are not struggling it may mean we have quit trying to walk live by the Spirit.

" 16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5, NIV)

Notice that Paul wrote, "...you do not do what you want." This tells me that if I feel not tension, no sense of struggle (failure, hypocrisy etc.) that (for me) I am failing to grow, failing to choose the difficult path He followed.

If you do not see the sermon on the mount as an impossible dream, you have not really taken it seriously! We will never achieve those standards but if we are reaching for them, pressing forward, He will transform us!

So let us struggle until we die and continue to rely on His marvelous mercy to deliver us.

"14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. 1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 7, 8, NIV)

Amen!

I am back online. I really missed being able to check in each day.
I am really working on walking more. Did well for a day or two, because it was cooler. But it will be in the high 90's this week. I will do it any way. In fact , I am heading out right now to get in a walk.
Oh, I found a book that had been wet on the sidewalk the other day. It was a book of hymns. So I brought it home to read. There was no church around that I could see. But some times people meet in non church looking buildings. In fact it was a sort of industrial block. I had walked around the block.

morning all -

pink - thanks so much for your post - I needed it. I went to bed with a heavy heart just thinking about all the ugliness IN my heart. But your words (and Paul's) really help. It's comforting to know that others struggle too, and when you said that if we aren't struggling maybe that means we have quit. I haven't quit - I think I'm just weary from the striving and wanting to be a better Christian, wife, and mother. But Paul says for us to not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap.

Hi merri - I'm glad your'e back on line!! That is really neat finding a hymnal! It's hot here too - we're both So. Cal gals. I was enjoying the cool weather and rain - but it looks like this weekend will be much better. I do my walks really early in the morning or they don't get done.


well - DH needs to get on the computer - bye!

Hi I am back also,doing the Nov.challenge...Didn't want to post here for awhile,as I felt like a hypocrit,(sp) in doing and not doing McDougall,plan 100% Here now watch me fly!!!!!!

Ha ha! I suppose we could call this the "hypocrites' thread"! I am grateful for His mercy!

Welcome back RAS!!! Please keep us posted on your progress and let us rejoice with you!

Let us hold one another up with our prayers!

When ever two or more are gathered in his name. Isn't it amazing we are gathered in spirit, though spread around the world.
I really think we do sustain each other. That is why I have been able to stay on this plan for over a year. Always in the past I would start strong, then fade.
Here, I never feel I am walking alone. And in this particular forum, it is even nicer. We can help each other so much. Remind each other of the blessings we have.

hello friends!

well, pink beat me to it. I was going to say HI RAS and welcome to the hypocrite's club. Hehe. Seriously though, it is good to have you back here. Don't worry about having to be perfect to post - we are all a bunch of imperfect people here That's why we are all here - to encourage one another when we slip and goof up (for me that's a regular event!) and to rejoice in the sucesses together.

merri - it's great that you have been McDougalling for over a year now! Congrats! What is your favorite starch and what do you typically eat each day?

Hope that everyone else here is doing well - please say hi and keep us updated - that means you Jubilee - I'm being obnoxious I know.

We can give thanks to the Lord for He is GOOD and His mercy endureth forever!!

Merri and Luv, thanks for your good posts! Is anyone else here??? Please post something friendly just to let us know you are OK!!!

Have you read the little book, Living with Unfulfilled Desires? The concept has many applications. Think about how when you were young you thought that all of your desires would one day be fulfilled. Then, as you got older you recognized that you wanted more or something different....

The idea of living with unfulfilled desires, to me, means living a full life--aware of God's many blessings--but also aware that...something is missing. I think this is one way He leads us and is calling us to come to Him or to come home (if we have already come to Him).

What do you think???

How does this relate to McDougalling and weight management?

"Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the next. God is forever luring us up and away from this one, wooing us to Himself and His still invisible Kingdom, where we will
certainly find what we so keenly long for."
-- Elisabeth Elliot

Hi pink-
I have never read that book, but the title made me think that living with unfulfilled desires is learning contentment. But also the verse that says "delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart" popped in my head. I think that if our desires are in line with God's Word and His will for our lives, we can ask and expect them to be fulfilled. For example, it's my desire to be a better, and bolder, witness for Him. I know that it is a desire that is in line with His word, because God does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.
I would have to read the book to really be able to answer your question to the best of my ability!

I have been doing quite a bit of meditating and thinking about the sin of pride. It's something God hates. An evangelist we know sent a list of things to his readers to ponder about pride, and how it is hindering revival. Here some and I'll post a few each day - it's a long list.

1.Proud people focus on the failures of others.
Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of thier own spiritual need.

2. Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else's faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope.
Broken people are compassionate; they forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.

3.Proud people are self-righteous; they look down on others.
Broken people esteem all other better than themselves.

4. Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit.
Broken people have a dependent sprit; they recognize their need for others.

Lots to think about... and there are many more!

Hey Everyone!

I've been out of state taking care of my grandmother for about a week, and busy with a church retreat before that. Grandma's 92 and actually living at home after having had a whole year of hospitals and nursing homes following cancer surgery. Long story, and I've been going there nearly every month since, this time because one of her helpers who stops by 5 mins. each day, had surgery and needed me to take another turn. It's definitely not a McDougall-friendly environment, so I'm glad to be home and back to my resolve to eat healthily. Also, of course, there isn't any internet in her life or home.

Lots of great posts and encouragements on the Nov. thread already! Thanks everyone for those. Pink, I especially enjoyed your thoughts on hypocrisy and walking in the Spirit. Luvoatmeal, your pride list is certainly stepping on my toes because it's so true It's always been a besetting sin in my life! Thanks for the reminders. Welcome back RAS! Merriweather, bravo for you for sticking to this for a whole year! What an inspiration!

We're all members of the Hypocrits Club, but don't forget that God IS going to complete what He's begun in us! 1 Thess. 5:24 promises that. He WILL conform us to the image of Christ Rom. 8:29, He WILL make us perfect and complete, 1 Pet. 5:10. It doesn't usually happen overnight, in fact it takes some of us a lifetime, and many times we don't cooperate with His plans. But He WILL clothe us with His righteousness. It's kind of like dressing a wiggly toddler in a way. We, the parents, will get the job done, but it's a lot more fun if the little blessing cooperates. Whether I cooperate with God or not, He WILL accomplish His plans in my life if I have been saved, and that is so re-assuring.

I've been focusing on God's abilities. I have a booklet entitled "What Do I Know about my God" that gives lists of verses, and the first page is "My God is ABLE". And this month, I'm focusing on His ability so I'll share some of those verses...

Dan. 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve IS ABLE to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

Rom. 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was ABLE also to perform.

2 Cor. 9:8 And God IS ABLE to make all grace about toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Eph. 3:20 Now unto Him that IS ABLE to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

2 Tim. 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He IS ABLE to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

Jude 24 Now unto Him that IS ABLE to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy..

Let us walk in His strength today.
Blessings to each of you!
Jubilee

Oh, and Luv, thanks for missing me.

Hi, everyone. I am so glad to have this place to come to. I had a stressful day, but did not turn to food.
I sang snatches of hymns.
My son lives in Tenn. He is going through some rough times. Trying to work out custody with his wife, and help his 11 yr old son cope.
Well, he was exceedingly stressed today, all I could do was pray, and talk calmly. He seemed to respond well. It is not over by any means, but with the help of the Lord it will be resolved.
He has not gone to church for years, but now is asking me to pray. Is looking into a church based home school program for his son, as he feels it will be the safest for Ryan.
The Lord works in mysterious ways, but as has been said today, HE is ABLE to do all
Again thanks for being here.
I am on my way to dinner with some women from church who get together once a month for dinner.
TOnight is sort of a ThanksGiving. Some of the ladies do not have a Thanksgiving other wise.
Well, I am taking several side dishes, so will not be tempted to eat off plan. WHo knows maybe some will actually try them and be led to McDougall.
Love

Hi people!

How are you all? I've been busy - had a piano lesson today that lasted 2 hours, phew! I teach a mom and her 2 daughters. It's fun but I'm tired

Thank you for checking in Jubilee and Merrieweather! Merri - I'm sorry that your son is going through such a difficult time right now, but I'm glad that he is talking to you and seeking the Lord. Let us know how your get together with ladies went, and tell us what you brought with you!
Thanks Jubilee for all the wonderful scriptures that encourage us in our Christian walk.

My older son has been going through a bit of a trial at work involving his christian convictions - if you all could pray for him I'd appreciate it. I'm very proud of him for standing on the Word of God, but he is taking some heat for it. But that is life and I'm expecting as Christians we are going to be facing more and more persecution in the days to come.

Here are some more thoughts on pride to continue what I started

Proud people have to prove they're right.
Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.

Proud people desire to be served.
Broken people are motivated to serve others.

Proud people desire to be a success.
Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others a success.

Have a blessed day everyone and thanks so much for all the "strength in Christ" that you share here to help me!

Jubilee, Merriweather & Luv--thanks for your great posts! I am grateful for all of you who share you faith, pray and encourage others here.

In regard to several of the comments on this thread, have you ever felt like you would spend all of your life becoming real? I have and sometimes I still do feel that way.

Here is a question that helps me: Am I thinking about God or am I thinking in His presence--actually opening up my mind and heart to Him fully all of the time. Maybe this is part of the idea of continuous praying.

Let us serve with a good conscience today.

"18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." (1 Timothy 1, NIV)