Years ago I had no idea how strongly God felt about giving to others. Before that, I lived a selfish, me-first life. I struggled and strived constantly to find happiness for myself, but I always found myself worn-down, stressed-out, and definitely unhappy.
However, God taught me a thing or two about true happiness. Once I figured out that happiness is a by-product of doing something good for other people, I began to adopt a lifestyle where I intentionally look for ways to help people, every day.
The Bible says in Acts 20:35, In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (NIV).
That's amazing. Giving brings more happiness than receiving? On the surface, that doesn't make much sense. We live in a world and a culture that's obsessed with receiving. So many times, we look at people who have a lot of stuff and think, 'They must be truly happy.'
But true happiness comes from a lifestyle of giving to others. Now, that doesn't mean you have to give away millions. All God asks is that you give what you have.
I don't ever want to be the kind of person who just says, "Well, I'm doing enough. I'm satisfied." In reality, that will never bring satisfaction. No, I want to help as many people as I possibly can.
Today, find someone you can give to. No matter how big or small your gift, whether it's money, time, or encouragement, just give what you have. Experience the true happiness that comes from giving.
Prayer Starter: God, I know that true happiness comes from giving, not receiving. I want to live the life of true happiness that comes from forgetting about my selfish desires and seeking to give to those around me.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Guarding Your Heart
Proverbs 4:23 says to guard your heart "for it determines the course of your life" (NLT). Think about that. Whatever's in your heart is eventually going to show up in your everyday life. Whatever's inside will eventually find its way out, where anyone and everyone can see it.
That alone makes it extremely important to monitor the things we allow to shape our hearts. I don't want something nasty, sinful, and selfish finding its way out and damaging my relationships with others, and I doubt you do either.
A large part of guarding your heart means learning how to control your thoughts, your words, your disposition and your general outlook. What you think usually comes out in what you say. What you say affects how you feel, and that shows up in your overall attitude.
In the course of everyday life, this is what determines how you handle your circumstances, whether you'll have peace or fall apart in a stressful situation. It governs how you respond to others, either with compassion and understanding or with judgment and arrogance, especially when you disagree with them!
You can try and keep your inner thoughts from altering your words and attitudes, but I find it's much easier to have godly thoughts to begin with. Spend time in God's presence, and let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with His goodness.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I only want my heart to be filled with thoughts and desires that are from You. As I spend more time in Your presence and focus solely on You, I know that my heart will change for the better, affecting the rest of my life in godly ways.
That alone makes it extremely important to monitor the things we allow to shape our hearts. I don't want something nasty, sinful, and selfish finding its way out and damaging my relationships with others, and I doubt you do either.
A large part of guarding your heart means learning how to control your thoughts, your words, your disposition and your general outlook. What you think usually comes out in what you say. What you say affects how you feel, and that shows up in your overall attitude.
In the course of everyday life, this is what determines how you handle your circumstances, whether you'll have peace or fall apart in a stressful situation. It governs how you respond to others, either with compassion and understanding or with judgment and arrogance, especially when you disagree with them!
You can try and keep your inner thoughts from altering your words and attitudes, but I find it's much easier to have godly thoughts to begin with. Spend time in God's presence, and let the Holy Spirit fill your heart with His goodness.
Prayer Starter: Lord, I only want my heart to be filled with thoughts and desires that are from You. As I spend more time in Your presence and focus solely on You, I know that my heart will change for the better, affecting the rest of my life in godly ways.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
No more miss piggie
Hello everyone I know it's been a long time but I'm back. Been going through some things and I figured... Why not write?!?! It always seems to help me out when I have a lot on my mind.
Well for starters as the post says "no more miss piggie" for a reason! Im a woman who can cook and loves to eat!! Thats my downfall, i love food!! Since i learned how to cook I've been cooking, started out working in my school cafeteria, then papa johns, then an anerican grill, so food has always been apart of my life. However over the past year ive been noticing my weight gain. I was up to 191 lbs, ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE POUNDS!!! Thats a lot for someone who is only 5'3! So when i seen that i knew i had to start making changes!! It just wasn't right! So i started detoxing, fasting with my church and organization, exercising and curin portions of my food! But there would be times where id lose that motivation and start eating unhealthy again. It was just a terrible cycle until i had a breakdown. I knew i could do it so i put my mind to it and finished off a 2 week detox, while exercising, losing about 16-20 lbs. that right there had me. But then i would look at my body and couldn't see any changes. The cycle continued.
Overall I have been losing and gaining weight over the past 3 months. I've lost a total of 24 lbs but I believe I've gained at least 5 back. The past couple of weeks stress and worry have been my roommates and we would pig out all the time, not worry about if I gain any weight back. Well it's time for some motivation!! I go in or surgery tomorrow (huge stressor but I know God will be with me!) so after giving myself time to heal, I am hitting the gym *again*! But this time I want to focus on toning my body and then losing the remaining weight!
I've recently joined my fitness pal and I currently use an app called lose it! It helps count my calories and keep my on track for losing weight! Now if you have any other ideas on how to tone and stay on track I would truly appreciate it!
Welp that all for now!! I'll keep you all updated with my goals and accomplishments!! I'm sure there will be many!! :-)
Well for starters as the post says "no more miss piggie" for a reason! Im a woman who can cook and loves to eat!! Thats my downfall, i love food!! Since i learned how to cook I've been cooking, started out working in my school cafeteria, then papa johns, then an anerican grill, so food has always been apart of my life. However over the past year ive been noticing my weight gain. I was up to 191 lbs, ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY ONE POUNDS!!! Thats a lot for someone who is only 5'3! So when i seen that i knew i had to start making changes!! It just wasn't right! So i started detoxing, fasting with my church and organization, exercising and curin portions of my food! But there would be times where id lose that motivation and start eating unhealthy again. It was just a terrible cycle until i had a breakdown. I knew i could do it so i put my mind to it and finished off a 2 week detox, while exercising, losing about 16-20 lbs. that right there had me. But then i would look at my body and couldn't see any changes. The cycle continued.
Overall I have been losing and gaining weight over the past 3 months. I've lost a total of 24 lbs but I believe I've gained at least 5 back. The past couple of weeks stress and worry have been my roommates and we would pig out all the time, not worry about if I gain any weight back. Well it's time for some motivation!! I go in or surgery tomorrow (huge stressor but I know God will be with me!) so after giving myself time to heal, I am hitting the gym *again*! But this time I want to focus on toning my body and then losing the remaining weight!
I've recently joined my fitness pal and I currently use an app called lose it! It helps count my calories and keep my on track for losing weight! Now if you have any other ideas on how to tone and stay on track I would truly appreciate it!
Welp that all for now!! I'll keep you all updated with my goals and accomplishments!! I'm sure there will be many!! :-)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Naturally ME!! :-)
In the photo August 2011, October 2011and January 2012!
<3 Marie <3
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