Hey there! As I was reading Chapter 6 today I got a little overwhelmed - in a good way. This chapter (just like chapter 5) has really hit me hard. Honestly, I have put the book down for a few days because it has been dealing with a lot of things that I just haven't wanted to think about. God keeps using this book to confirm things that He has been speaking to me for some time now.
I need a little more time with this chapter before I can really share everything it has brought up with me. If you are reading along, you know the weight of this chapter. In the meantime I thought I would share a short video clip that sums up this book. Lysa has several videos on youtube on all sorts of topics that have really been a blessing to me. I love seeing people speak passionately about what God is doing in their lives.
Love,
Celeste (and mostly Lysa TerKeurst)
Showing posts with label Made To Crave. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Made To Crave. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Made for More
Hey friends! I want to use Chapter 5 of Made to Crave as a catalyst for today's blog post In it, Lysa talks about how we were made for more than being ruled by food. We were made for victory in Christ. It's a great chapter and I want to broaden the scope a bit. I'm going to also hit on a few points from Chapter 8 where she talks about making peace with our bodies. I'm also about to get really real and really transparent.
When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I have lived in near constant shame and frustration because of this disease for many years.
PCOSDiva.com gives a good definition for those that don't know what it is:
I seriously cannot believe I'm telling you all this right now. So anyway, the progression of this disease is directly linked to blood sugar and insulin which can be controlled through diet. I have never been able to keep it under control on my own. I have tried so hard and have been on every drug there is for PCOS. Nothing has worked. I have defined myself by this disease. It has taken so much joy from me. I have lived a cycle of victory followed by failure for nearly 10 years; until I invited God into my situation.
Last week, I was praying about it and asking God why I have to live with this chronic disease that steals my confidence daily. He said, "It isn't for you. I did not give it to you and you do not have to live with it. Listen and obey me because you were made for more." Whaaaat?! Is this real life? I freaked out. So I have been doing the things that God is showing me and am standing on his promise that I was made for more than this. I was not made to live in fear and shame. Worrying that someone might find out that I have PCOS. God did not create me to focus my mind on the question of if I will someday get diabetes or lose all my hair. Now that I think about it, I've been living pretty selfishly. All of those worries and fear are inwardly focused. No wonder I have struggled for so long; I can't take my eyes off myself and what others will think of me. God, forgive me.
I want you to know that your Father did not create you to live bound up. You were not made to be a slave to addiction, worry, anxiety, depression, or sin. You were made to be free. To freely love your Father. Take some time today and ask him to show you what you need to be free of if you don't already know. And if you need to repent, do it fully and he will shower you with mercy.
I'm heading toward freedom in many more areas than I ever thought possible. It feels pretty dang good.
Monica
When I was 17, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I have lived in near constant shame and frustration because of this disease for many years.
PCOSDiva.com gives a good definition for those that don't know what it is:
"Often called the “Thief of Womanhood”, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects as many as 10% of women. It can rob you of your fertility, cause irregular periods, lead to insulin resistance and obesity, as well as, depression. High levels of androgen hormones in women with PCOS can cause acne, excess facial and body hair growth and male-pattern hair loss. The long term risk factors for diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers are higher if PCOS is left untreated."
I seriously cannot believe I'm telling you all this right now. So anyway, the progression of this disease is directly linked to blood sugar and insulin which can be controlled through diet. I have never been able to keep it under control on my own. I have tried so hard and have been on every drug there is for PCOS. Nothing has worked. I have defined myself by this disease. It has taken so much joy from me. I have lived a cycle of victory followed by failure for nearly 10 years; until I invited God into my situation.
Last week, I was praying about it and asking God why I have to live with this chronic disease that steals my confidence daily. He said, "It isn't for you. I did not give it to you and you do not have to live with it. Listen and obey me because you were made for more." Whaaaat?! Is this real life? I freaked out. So I have been doing the things that God is showing me and am standing on his promise that I was made for more than this. I was not made to live in fear and shame. Worrying that someone might find out that I have PCOS. God did not create me to focus my mind on the question of if I will someday get diabetes or lose all my hair. Now that I think about it, I've been living pretty selfishly. All of those worries and fear are inwardly focused. No wonder I have struggled for so long; I can't take my eyes off myself and what others will think of me. God, forgive me.
I want you to know that your Father did not create you to live bound up. You were not made to be a slave to addiction, worry, anxiety, depression, or sin. You were made to be free. To freely love your Father. Take some time today and ask him to show you what you need to be free of if you don't already know. And if you need to repent, do it fully and he will shower you with mercy.
I'm heading toward freedom in many more areas than I ever thought possible. It feels pretty dang good.
Monica
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A Sisterly Kick In The Pants
I got called out today. There are two people that I cannot hide from: God and my sister. I have been slipping up for almost a week now and I didn't even have to tell Monica, she just knew it. After a very long and stressful day I found myself being wooed by the siren's call that is the Taco Bell drive-thru. Ever since then, it's like I can't jump back on board. I have been kinda coasting along this week, still reading this great book, but only allowing it to get in my head instead of my heart.
Well, Miss Monica called me out today on the whole thing and, boy am I glad she did. She confronted me and told me exactly what I needed to hear. It seems like that conversation is exactly what I needed to snap out of this fog I have been in.
Let me just tell you how unbelievably thankful I am to have her holding me accountable on this journey. I am a firm believer that having an accountability partner is crucial to this process. If you do not have someone that you can be completely honest with and who will push you toward your goal, I think you need to find that person today. I know, I know - it isn't easy being open and honest about the ugly parts of our lives but it is an integral part of dying to ourselves and being set free from the things that tangle us up.
So, thank you, sister. I needed that.
Celeste
Well, Miss Monica called me out today on the whole thing and, boy am I glad she did. She confronted me and told me exactly what I needed to hear. It seems like that conversation is exactly what I needed to snap out of this fog I have been in.
Let me just tell you how unbelievably thankful I am to have her holding me accountable on this journey. I am a firm believer that having an accountability partner is crucial to this process. If you do not have someone that you can be completely honest with and who will push you toward your goal, I think you need to find that person today. I know, I know - it isn't easy being open and honest about the ugly parts of our lives but it is an integral part of dying to ourselves and being set free from the things that tangle us up.
So, thank you, sister. I needed that.
Celeste
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Accountability
Tonight, we had a worship team appreciation dinner at Johnny Carino's and it was so much fun. I love my church. Somebody in the congregation anonymously paid for the whole team to go out to eat and we thoroughly enjoyed it. So you know the bread they give you there? It glistens with deliciousness. It practically sings a siren song. I had decided not to eat any of it but had been staring at it for a while. My defenses were getting pretty weak and I was saying, "Come on, one hunk of bread won't kill you." Just as I was about to give in, my friend Connie leaned over and said, "Hey so I've been reading your blog and I got that book Made to Crave and am loving it." That was all I needed to hear to keep my hand away from that bread. I didn't even know she was reading this thing! It makes me wonder who all reads it that I don't know about.
Anyway, the whole thing made me think of this verse:
"...God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Cor. 10:13
He offered me a way out and I took it. But only because of accountability to all of you. You people that I don't even know. I am not too fond of accountability because I don't really like to be told what to do. But putting my stuff out there on this blog has forced me to be held accountable and I'm ok with that. That's what chapter 5 of Made to Crave is all about and I do think it is vital to my success. So thanks for reading, Connie and all you others.
Monica
Anyway, the whole thing made me think of this verse:
"...God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Cor. 10:13
He offered me a way out and I took it. But only because of accountability to all of you. You people that I don't even know. I am not too fond of accountability because I don't really like to be told what to do. But putting my stuff out there on this blog has forced me to be held accountable and I'm ok with that. That's what chapter 5 of Made to Crave is all about and I do think it is vital to my success. So thanks for reading, Connie and all you others.
Monica
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Plans. Big Plans.
Hey there! Hope ya'll are doing great. I must say that Monica has been doing a fabulous job talking about chapters 1 & 2 of the book we are reading. Man, oh man, I am loving this book. If you haven't checked out Made To Crave yet, I highly recommend that you do so. Monica has the paper copy and I bought the digital edition for my Kindle. (only $3.99 in the Amazon Kindle store) And no, we aren't being paid or anything like that - it's just the perfect addition to this blog.
So, I am going to talk about Chapter 3, entitled "Getting A Plan." If you have been following this blog at all you know that I love a plan. I get so excited about making plans, especially diet plans. I have latched onto the Weight Watchers plan, Atkins plan, Master Cleanse plan (for approximately 3 hours), Low Calorie Plans, Low Fat Plans, doctor supervised plans, Body For Life, and on and on. I know that most of these are great plans. The plan is not the problem - me putting all of my trust in the plan and my subsequent lack of "follow-through" has always been the problem.
In the beginning of this journey I thought that God wanted me to give up all of my plans and just trust in Him to lose this weight and heal my heart. I now know that this is 100% right but He has also revealed that I need to have some boundaries (notice how I avoided the word "plan" - I am sneaky like that) I have been afraid to latch onto any plans because of my natural inclination to put all of my hope in them. God's timing is so perfect. He knew that I needed these few months to just focus on Him and to prepare my heart to follow a plan while I keep my eyes fixed on Him.
In Chapter 3 Lysa shares how God revealed to her that true change takes intentionality and time. Real and lasting results will come but they won't be immediate. Patience - something I am extremely lacking in - is what I need God to work on inside of me. I am going to be walking out James 1:2-4, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
Lysa shares the plan that works for her in this chapter. She encourages readers to find out what plan is best for them. I love that this book is not about a diet at all - just total surrender in every area of our lives.
So there you go. This is what chapter 3 has spoken to me. I pray that we will continually turn our hearts away from the things of this world and fix our eyes on our Heavenly father this week.
Love,
Celeste
So, I am going to talk about Chapter 3, entitled "Getting A Plan." If you have been following this blog at all you know that I love a plan. I get so excited about making plans, especially diet plans. I have latched onto the Weight Watchers plan, Atkins plan, Master Cleanse plan (for approximately 3 hours), Low Calorie Plans, Low Fat Plans, doctor supervised plans, Body For Life, and on and on. I know that most of these are great plans. The plan is not the problem - me putting all of my trust in the plan and my subsequent lack of "follow-through" has always been the problem.
In the beginning of this journey I thought that God wanted me to give up all of my plans and just trust in Him to lose this weight and heal my heart. I now know that this is 100% right but He has also revealed that I need to have some boundaries (notice how I avoided the word "plan" - I am sneaky like that) I have been afraid to latch onto any plans because of my natural inclination to put all of my hope in them. God's timing is so perfect. He knew that I needed these few months to just focus on Him and to prepare my heart to follow a plan while I keep my eyes fixed on Him.
In Chapter 3 Lysa shares how God revealed to her that true change takes intentionality and time. Real and lasting results will come but they won't be immediate. Patience - something I am extremely lacking in - is what I need God to work on inside of me. I am going to be walking out James 1:2-4, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
Lysa shares the plan that works for her in this chapter. She encourages readers to find out what plan is best for them. I love that this book is not about a diet at all - just total surrender in every area of our lives.
So there you go. This is what chapter 3 has spoken to me. I pray that we will continually turn our hearts away from the things of this world and fix our eyes on our Heavenly father this week.
Love,
Celeste
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
What Do You Crave More?
Hey guys, we were originally going to take turns reviewing each chapter of Made to Crave, but Celeste has a lot of stuff going on right now. Like a pipe bursting and flooding her kitchen and bathroom. Add to that 5 boys and there's a good reason for me to go ahead and write this one in her stead.
Chapter 2 of Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst is titled Replacing My Cravings. It made me laugh and kinda hurt my feelings all at the same time. I like that. There are a few things I want to touch on that impacted me.
She said something that I have probably said to myself 200 times. For real. "Tomorrow will be a much better day to keep my promises to eat healthier. And since this is my last day to eat what I want, I better live it up." I cannot tell you how many days have been my "last day to eat bad." They never really are.
Lysa tells about her realization that things had to change in her life. Not just because she was overweight (she wasn't huge by any means, just not healthy) but it was more about her heart. It was all about surrendering to what God wanted for her. It was more for her spiritual health than her physical health. She asked herself a real tough question. Then she asked me, her reader, the same question. I did not enjoy my answer.
So here's the question:
"Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?"
Aww man.
When I first read that, I got real honest and had to answer, yes. Today, my answer is different because God has done a work in my heart. I have repented and accepted his forgiveness and allowed his grace to change me. I must ask if your answer is no, could you replace the word food with something else? Money, facebook, your spouse, beauty, security, tv, iPhone? The list could go on. What is the thing you go to for comfort, reward, or joy? How about when you're stressed or sad? Allow God to search your heart and illuminate anything you might rely on and love more than him. I know it's hard. It's even harder to blog about it.
God gave Lysa a very valuable key to unlocking the door to freedom. She said, "Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray. I craved a lot. So, I found myself praying a lot." That was such a revelation for me! That is the difference in doing this thing my way and allowing God to draw me closer to him through my struggle. Do you get how huge that is?
If you haven't gotten this book yet, you should! I just realized it kinda sounds like I'm getting paid to plug the book but I'm not. It's just so good.
If you're feeling brave, go ahead and leave your answer to the question in the comment section.
Monica
Chapter 2 of Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst is titled Replacing My Cravings. It made me laugh and kinda hurt my feelings all at the same time. I like that. There are a few things I want to touch on that impacted me.
She said something that I have probably said to myself 200 times. For real. "Tomorrow will be a much better day to keep my promises to eat healthier. And since this is my last day to eat what I want, I better live it up." I cannot tell you how many days have been my "last day to eat bad." They never really are.
Lysa tells about her realization that things had to change in her life. Not just because she was overweight (she wasn't huge by any means, just not healthy) but it was more about her heart. It was all about surrendering to what God wanted for her. It was more for her spiritual health than her physical health. She asked herself a real tough question. Then she asked me, her reader, the same question. I did not enjoy my answer.
So here's the question:
"Is it possible we love and rely on food more than we love and rely on God?"
Aww man.
When I first read that, I got real honest and had to answer, yes. Today, my answer is different because God has done a work in my heart. I have repented and accepted his forgiveness and allowed his grace to change me. I must ask if your answer is no, could you replace the word food with something else? Money, facebook, your spouse, beauty, security, tv, iPhone? The list could go on. What is the thing you go to for comfort, reward, or joy? How about when you're stressed or sad? Allow God to search your heart and illuminate anything you might rely on and love more than him. I know it's hard. It's even harder to blog about it.
God gave Lysa a very valuable key to unlocking the door to freedom. She said, "Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray. I craved a lot. So, I found myself praying a lot." That was such a revelation for me! That is the difference in doing this thing my way and allowing God to draw me closer to him through my struggle. Do you get how huge that is?
If you haven't gotten this book yet, you should! I just realized it kinda sounds like I'm getting paid to plug the book but I'm not. It's just so good.
If you're feeling brave, go ahead and leave your answer to the question in the comment section.
Monica
Monday, January 2, 2012
What's Really Going On Here?
Celeste talked briefly in her last post about the book we are reading, Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. Can I just say how dadgum awesome it is? I am almost finished with it and it is very underlined and starred. If you have ever had an issue with food, go and get this book as fast as your little feet can run or your little fingers can type. Seriously, go get it. Like right now. It has changed my life. Plus she's funny.
We want to do short chapter overviews here on the blog 'cause it's that good. (Even the intro is good!) By no means will we cover even half of the content but just want to touch on the points that have impacted us personally. We want to share the ways God has spoken to our hearts through this book.
Alright then, here's chapter 1 for me.
It's titled What's Really Going On Here? She starts off talking about diet companies and how they teach people how to eat better and why that doesn't always work. The real issue is what we crave and that our cravings aren't going to be satisfied just because our bellies are full. God made us to crave him and his presence and we feebly attempt to fill that craving with food, sex, drugs, shopping, insert any addiction. We will never feel full on the "food" of the world when that is not what we were made for.
Lysa then touches on Eve's temptation vs. Jesus' temptation (when he was fasting and Satan came and tempted him). She says, "Eve was saturated in the object of her desire. Jesus was saturated in God's truth." She shows how Jesus, who hadn't eaten in 40 days, was able to resist Satan by quoting scripture and using truth as a weapon. That is available to us to use as well! "Truth is powerful. The more saturated we are with truth, the more powerful we'll be in resisting our temptations. And the more we'll naturally direct our cravings where they should be directed - to the Author of all truth." I love that!
As Christians, our goal is to be Christ-like so it's amazing to have an example in the Bible of what Jesus did when tempted with food. I really appreciate that. So what have I been doing? Quoting scripture to get me through tough situations. I have been declaring truth from the Word to get me through times when I'm flaming mad that I'm not eating cake with everyone else. And hey, it works, so that's cool.
There is a ton of content that I didn't touch on in the 1st chapter, so you should really go read it all for yourself. I know God will speak to your heart through what she says, that is unless you have your heart-ears plugged. Isn't that a funny/weird picture? And I leave you with that.
Monica
We want to do short chapter overviews here on the blog 'cause it's that good. (Even the intro is good!) By no means will we cover even half of the content but just want to touch on the points that have impacted us personally. We want to share the ways God has spoken to our hearts through this book.
Alright then, here's chapter 1 for me.
It's titled What's Really Going On Here? She starts off talking about diet companies and how they teach people how to eat better and why that doesn't always work. The real issue is what we crave and that our cravings aren't going to be satisfied just because our bellies are full. God made us to crave him and his presence and we feebly attempt to fill that craving with food, sex, drugs, shopping, insert any addiction. We will never feel full on the "food" of the world when that is not what we were made for.
Lysa then touches on Eve's temptation vs. Jesus' temptation (when he was fasting and Satan came and tempted him). She says, "Eve was saturated in the object of her desire. Jesus was saturated in God's truth." She shows how Jesus, who hadn't eaten in 40 days, was able to resist Satan by quoting scripture and using truth as a weapon. That is available to us to use as well! "Truth is powerful. The more saturated we are with truth, the more powerful we'll be in resisting our temptations. And the more we'll naturally direct our cravings where they should be directed - to the Author of all truth." I love that!
As Christians, our goal is to be Christ-like so it's amazing to have an example in the Bible of what Jesus did when tempted with food. I really appreciate that. So what have I been doing? Quoting scripture to get me through tough situations. I have been declaring truth from the Word to get me through times when I'm flaming mad that I'm not eating cake with everyone else. And hey, it works, so that's cool.
There is a ton of content that I didn't touch on in the 1st chapter, so you should really go read it all for yourself. I know God will speak to your heart through what she says, that is unless you have your heart-ears plugged. Isn't that a funny/weird picture? And I leave you with that.
Monica
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Waiting For January
Hey there. It has been a while since I have posted. Throughout the month of December I had absolutely no desire to even think about anything to do with being healthy, surrendering to God, or this blog. I told Monica that I wanted to title this post "Bah Hum Blog" but I thought it sounded too depressing. I'm not one to be down in the dumps but this month has just been weird for me.
Don't get me wrong, a lot of great things happened in December. I directed 56 amazing kids in our church's Christmas Musical earlier in the month. My husband and I also headed up a Christmas toy giveaway event where we were able to give 1,000 kids a wrapped gift, a new blanket, and a bag of candy. We saw about 2,500 total people come out that night for the giveaway & they all had the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
By the time Christmas came I was exhausted. We didn't even put up a tree until the week before Christmas. I hate to admit this but here goes - while the boys were opening up their gifts I couldn't stop staring at the tree, imagining how quickly I could get it all packed up again. I didn't even really enjoy the day like I normally do. Christmas is normally my favorite time of the year and I just couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling it this time.
All month long in the back of my mind I have been saying to myself, "When January gets here, I'm going to really get in line and eat better." I enjoyed November immensely when we did our 30 Day Challenge but as soon as December rolled around I felt out of control again. Why is it that I can stick to a set of rules so well but I can't just do this on my own?
Monica and I are both reading the book Made To Crave by Lysa Terkeurst and we already cannot put it down. She talks about the fact that God gave us the ability to crave for a reason - to have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. It is such a trick of the enemy to twist this natural desire that God placed inside of us into an unnatural addiction to food or other things. In the first chapter she says, "With Jesus, if we want to gain, we must give up. If we want to be filled, we must deny ourselves. If we want to truly get close to God, we'll have to distance ourselves from other things."
I feel like in all of my "good-doings" this month, I have really lost sight of what is most important. I had such a fire inside of me when we first started this journey a few months ago and I feel like I have let that flame go out. I am praying that God will light that fire once again.
So, tomorrow is January. I do love the idea of January and fresh starts and clean slates. I am not making any resolutions but I am committing myself to denying myself and following Jesus.
Oh, I almost forgot - Happy New Year!
Love,
Celeste
Don't get me wrong, a lot of great things happened in December. I directed 56 amazing kids in our church's Christmas Musical earlier in the month. My husband and I also headed up a Christmas toy giveaway event where we were able to give 1,000 kids a wrapped gift, a new blanket, and a bag of candy. We saw about 2,500 total people come out that night for the giveaway & they all had the opportunity to hear the Gospel.
By the time Christmas came I was exhausted. We didn't even put up a tree until the week before Christmas. I hate to admit this but here goes - while the boys were opening up their gifts I couldn't stop staring at the tree, imagining how quickly I could get it all packed up again. I didn't even really enjoy the day like I normally do. Christmas is normally my favorite time of the year and I just couldn't understand why I wasn't feeling it this time.
All month long in the back of my mind I have been saying to myself, "When January gets here, I'm going to really get in line and eat better." I enjoyed November immensely when we did our 30 Day Challenge but as soon as December rolled around I felt out of control again. Why is it that I can stick to a set of rules so well but I can't just do this on my own?
Monica and I are both reading the book Made To Crave by Lysa Terkeurst and we already cannot put it down. She talks about the fact that God gave us the ability to crave for a reason - to have an unquenchable desire for more of Him, and Him alone. It is such a trick of the enemy to twist this natural desire that God placed inside of us into an unnatural addiction to food or other things. In the first chapter she says, "With Jesus, if we want to gain, we must give up. If we want to be filled, we must deny ourselves. If we want to truly get close to God, we'll have to distance ourselves from other things."
I feel like in all of my "good-doings" this month, I have really lost sight of what is most important. I had such a fire inside of me when we first started this journey a few months ago and I feel like I have let that flame go out. I am praying that God will light that fire once again.
So, tomorrow is January. I do love the idea of January and fresh starts and clean slates. I am not making any resolutions but I am committing myself to denying myself and following Jesus.
Oh, I almost forgot - Happy New Year!
Love,
Celeste
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