Miracle on 34th Street

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Mark 9:23-24

I love Christmas films; “Miracle on 34^th Street” is one of my favorites.

 In this classic movie, the little girl character of Susan is precocious, wise beyond her years, perhaps even a bit cynical. It’s these traits, in fact, that each of us can relate to as well, as we see how Susan responds to her own turn in the “Santa Line.” She’s probably no more than eight years old, yet she’s humoring the adults, Santa, himself, included. Initially, she’s skeptical in believing that he is who he says is, but begins to change her mind as she tugs at his beard.

How much more evidence, then, has God given each of us to believe Him at Who He is? Just like the Santa character’s ability to easily speak Dutch to the little Dutch girl in the story, how much more can God overcome your problem?

Wherever you are this Christmas season, wherever your faith may be, with whatever issues you possess, like Susan did with Santa, try God (Mark 9:24)! He is real!

…“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Two Cents

“So, what do you say?” Ever heard that? Most of us, at some point, have been prompted with this manners lesson when we were children. Or perhaps, it was asked of us, to validate whether or not we were in on a plan or scheme of some kind. Whatever the context, it still poses a universal predicament. We have a say in what we say.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”

Matthew 12:36

Some people refer to it as our “two cents.” It’s our opinion, our perspective, but it always refers to our use of words about a situation of some kind.

So what are we saying, not just about someone else, but about ourselves- TO ourselves? Our “two cents” about ourselves is vitally important to our welfare and our health. To ever think that words are meaningless, without impact or power is doing others and ourselves terrible harm.

“Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

Proverbs 18:21

Even more so, however, are the powerful benefits of applying God’s word to our lives!

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

“As the rain and the snow
   come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
   without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
   It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
   and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:10-11

So what do you say? Are you cursing yourself with such words as “ugly,” “hopeless,” or “worthless?” Or, are you sharing God’s opinion of you?

“…I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”

Psalm 139:14

It’s your choice, not as inexpensive as a mere two cents. Your words and your opinion of others and yourself can benefit you tremendously, making you and your life truly wealthy. But you choose!

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve…”

Joshua 24:15

Exit Strategy

Feeling trapped now, more than ever? Is the holiday hubbub cornering you: the expectations, the stress and ah, yes, the food? Feeling tempted , no matter where you turn, no matter what you do? Ah yes, let’s hear it for holiday cheer!

The good news is, however, you’re not trapped.

There is a way of escape; it’s not the literal “Exit” sign we see on the doors of public places, either. It is- you guessed it- God. And yes, it bears repeating, as our issues and anxieties, also keep coming up in life

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

Now, I know that sounds fuzzy, vague and ideal, not really the “practical” solution you may be looking for. But are you looking for God to help you, individually and uniquely, escape this current holiday torment? He is there, willing and able!

We’re getting ever closer to Christmas now, with the big holiday blowout feasts, laden with anxiety and “forbidden” ingredients so connected to the special holiday. So why not, at this time, turn to God to help us? Nothing’s too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:27).

Don’t see the “escape” for yourself? How about Grace? If nothing else, from party to party, stress to stress, issue to issue and food to food, remember and trust in the power of God’s Grace.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

If it can’t be applied more relevantly, at a time of temptation and seeming personal failure, then when can it applied?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace is here- now- for you!!!!

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16

 God’s not against you! He IS for you (Romans 8:31), no matter what your success or temptation rate seems to be. God doesn’t call it “unconditional love” for nothing!!!!

God is right there with you, in the middle of these challenging holiday situations, issues and feasts. Please never forget that! And He IS helping you, no matter what!!!

“Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Look for the exits that God’s giving you, not to run away from your problems, but rather, to run TO Him, to His Love, Help and Healing. He IS your way of escape!!!

What is a Gingerbread Man?

It’s so easy to feel intimidated and overwhelmed by all of the holiday treats available now. We give so much power to various “forbidden food.” We wonder what the caloric and potential “fattening” damage  assessments are to the buffet of tempting food that’s presented to us. We’re so worried about what food is to us, like this little gingerbread man here, we don’t think much about what we are to God.

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

Psalm 8:4

Yes, there’s no sugar coating it (pun intended): the holidays are challenging to us all. We are faced with numerous, unique fears, memories, expectations and simultaneously occurring promises of comfort/joy/terror/destruction. We can, however, take a second and look at another couple of real promises, as we “go in to battle” at the next holiday gathering:

“Since you were precious in my sight… I have loved you…”

Isaiah 43:4

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Indeed, God, the Creator of the world, the universe and every living creature, is willing and capable to help each of us in our individual lives. No matter what we eat, don’t eat, do, don’t do, God is MORE than able to help us WITH it.

What’s your “it” then? Is it a gingerbread man? Is it candy? Is it cake? Is it fear? Is it temptation? Is it stress? Is it ALL of the above?

We can’t avoid food and issues this holiday season; in some way or another, we’ll all need to deal with it. Let’s have God help us then. He’s aware of where we are, of our individual triggers and issues. He knows how to deal with us: spiritually, emotionally AND physiologically!

 By faith, then, let’s dare to accept God’s help, now, with whatever we’re mindful of. He’s not intimidated by any of it.

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”

Jeremiah 32:27

God, instead, is more MOTIVATED by His love for us and His desire to help- us! He’s thinking of how much He loves you and I RIGHT NOW!!!

Halfway to the Light

What is it about this time of year that makes me extra reflective? I think it has to do with the abundance of lights. You see them everywhere. People go gaga over lighting anything this time of year: trees, porches, windows. Even our clothes, such things as the notorious holiday sweater, with a blinking reindeer or Santa, seem to be lit up these days.

As we’ve been lighting the Hanukkah lights this week, it especially struck me how light not only is prevalent, but also how it guides in a definitive direction, day by day. Or, in the case of Hanukkah, it guides night by night. We’ve now completed four nights, halfway through this sacred celebration.

And as we’ve lit the candles, said the blessings and tried to keep out cats from setting their whiskers on fire (Gracie, especially, is quite curious about the candles), I’m struck with the hope of gaining more momentum with the Light.

This time of year, it’s overwhelming to those of us dealing with eating disorder patterns; we’re inundated with so many food choices, all seemingly the staple of any holiday celebration. Food does seem to be everywhere now; a lot of it can also be our “trigger/comfort foods” as well. That, coupled by the extreme stressful intensity of our individual personal and family issues can leave each of us feeling like we’re in no other place except the darkest of pits.

But what if, day by day, we’re getting more of God’s blessings and Light instead?

“But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more to the perfect day.”

Proverbs 4:18

What if our breakthrough was closer than we realized? What if each of us, in our lives and recovery, was more than “halfway there” concerning the light of God’s hope and blessings? What if?

Next time we see a Menorah, let’s all stop and think about how God continues to bless us, adding His new blessings to each of us, day by day. It’s not hopeless; we’re not hopeless! God has lit His Love and Hope for us thus far.

How much more then, is He going to Light our lives in the future?

Exercise Reality Check

 There’s a lot of emphasis on exercise in today’s culture, isn’t there? There are countless gyms, trainers, types of equipment, programs, workout clothes and shoes, as well as a variety of athletic activities from which to choose. It’s overwhelming. Yet there’s still a rise in eating disorders, in childhood obesity and Type 2 Diabetes?

It seems that these two opposing categories of choice are battling each other, further confusing and stressing us out.

Why is this so? It’s too complicated for me to give a two-word explanation, obviously. Yes, it is complicated.

But perhaps, it has something to do with focus and priority, putting exercise and health in a healthy balance for our lives. God tells us that, yes, there is some benefit to exercise.

“For bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable to all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

1 Timothy 4:8

It lowers blood pressure, combats heart disease; it also improves circulation and mood, just to name a few positive results.

But, like anything used to excess, it can harm, even kill. That’s what it could have done for me, back in the day, when I exercised for six or more hours a day, while starving myself at the same time. Believe me; that was not God’s Will!

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace…”

1 Corinthians 14:33

That was not profitable!

So what is profitable? Moderate exercise that is a part of your life, but not your ENTIRE life!!!! If exercise is preventing you from other people and things in your life, to the point of disruption, that is not profitable.

Signs of Compulsive Exercise

(Teenshealth: http://kidshealth.org)

If you are concerned about your own exercise habits or a friend's, ask yourself the following questions. Do you:

         force yourself to exercise, even if you don't feel well?

         prefer to exercise rather than being with friends?

         become very upset if you miss a workout?

         base the amount you exercise on how much you eat?

         have trouble sitting still because you think you're not burning calories?

         worry that you'll gain weight if you skip exercising for a day?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you or your friend may have a problem. What should you do?

How to Get Help

The first thing you should do if you suspect that you are a compulsive exerciser is get help. Talk to your parents, doctor, a teacher or counselor, a coach, or another trusted adult. Compulsive exercise, especially when it is combined with an eating disorder, can cause serious and permanent health problems, and in extreme cases, death.

Because compulsive exercise is closely related to eating disorders, help can be found at community agencies specifically set up to deal with anorexia, bulimia, and other eating problems. Your school's health or physical education department may also have support programs and nutrition advice available. Ask your teacher, coach, or counselor to recommend local organizations that may be able to help.

You should also schedule a checkup with a doctor. Because our bodies go through so many important developments during the teen years, guys and girls who have compulsive exercise problems need to see a doctor to make sure they are developing normally. This is especially true if the person also has an eating disorder. Female athlete triad, a condition that affects girls who overexercise and restrict their eating because of their sports, can cause a girl to stop having her period. Medical help is necessary to resolve the physical problems associated with overexercising before they cause long-term damage to the body.

God tells us:

“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”

3 John 1:2

Let’s believe it and accept it for our lives, not just in the area of exercise, but in everything we do!

Twisting the Rubik’s Cube

Yep, I’m going nostalgic here. Remember this little bugger?

Ah, yes, it’s the infamous Rubik’s cube from the 1980’s. I remember, as a kid, being tormented, frustrated and utterly obsessed with solving this square riddle. I spent hours trying to get the individual sides all one color- to no avail. I would twist to the left, to the right, up, down; I followed the latest “strategies” I learned from some kid, the key “trick” to the whole infuriating cube. Nothing. Multiple colors still persisted on each side of that blasted thing! And I came close to spraining my wrists as I tried to twist that colorful block all perfect, all in vain.

I should have known that this cube was a snapshot of eating disorder behaviors to come. For what also existed for me, as a child, was this root riddle of being my “right weight,” but never, of course, seemingly achieving it, as I was that dreaded kid with a “weight problem.”

Like the cube, I was obsessed with figuring the weight loss thing out, twisting, moving, trying the latest “trick” diet, hurting myself in the process. Like the cube, I didn’t achieve the desired result.

Why not? Because, I insisted on doing it my way! We can come up with all sorts of little answers, schemes, ideas, strategies and gimmicks, in all areas of our lives, can’t we? But are they of God- or are they just our own bright little (and often desperate) ideas?

“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

God has so much for us, including His Wisdom and Guidance. But we need to approach and seek the Source of it all, God, FOR it! God tells us that He will lead, help and guide us; He also tells us, as well, that His Will be accomplished, ultimately!

“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

 Isaiah 48:17

“He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.”

 Psalms 23:2

 “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.”

Psalms 31:3

“Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.”

Psalms 33:20

“Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of the LORD will endure.”

Proverbs 19:21

“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

Psalm 33:11

This was a huge revelation for me in my recovery when God showed me that wishing to be an emaciated weight was NOT His Will for me. It wasn’t because He was forcing me to a life sentence of being miserable. No. God’s will for me was HEALTH!!!!

“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers.”

3 John 1:2

However, I was too busy twisting my own wrong, distorted images and thoughts, trying to make them into my “perfect” reality, just like that cube. It didn’t work though.

As God, life and time are consistently teaching me, the goal is not perfection; it’s health- of spirit, mind, emotions, thoughts and yes, body, as well.

Where are we “twisting” ourselves, like the Rubik’s cube, these days? Before we twist and force something to happen, let’s stop and really ask ourselves the following question:

“Is this God’s Will for me?”

Wait…wait quietly. See if we get our answers. Let’s look to God; we’re looking, at least, in the right direction. In the meantime, let’s be blessed and imperfect, knowing that we’re never disqualified from Jeremiah 29:11:

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

And no, that Rubik’s cube still goes colorfully unsolved for me. It now makes a great paperweight.