Monday, January 30, 2017

The art of womanliness

    I have started devouring the content over at artofmanliness.com.   Weird, I know, but I really like a lot of what they have over there.   There is some stuff that is irrelevant to me as a woman, but a lot of it is relevant to anyone who wishes to improve themselves.  That phrase sounds so old-fashioned!   I have learned so much, but more importantly, I have been reminded of the importance of continuing to grow as a person, to be better than I was before.

  We are always talking about growing spiritually, and that is most important of all.  But I believe that our day-to-day lives are linked to our spiritual lives.  A godly woman should strive to be a good mom, a good housekeeper, a good cook and a competent home-economist.  First, because it is in Scripture in Titus 2.  Second, because  a good homemaker is such a blessing to herself and her family!  I am definitely not talking about a Pinterest-perfect mom, but I am striving to improve daily.

  I have also read at the Art of Manliness about what some men think about certain types of women.  Ouch!  I am still convinced that when women are womanly, men are encouraged to be the manly men that they long for.    Not that women should be weak, fearful or dumb.  We should find and embrace biblical womanliness.

 

Sunday, January 8, 2017

Weight loss journey victory!


I had one goal for the end of the year: maintain the 30 pound weight loss.  Not an easy task when you consider what an eating and cooking frenzy Christmas is.  I stopped getting on the scale when Eileen came home.  For 3 weeks I coasted.  I still exercised faithfully, but in all honesty, we ate good and I enjoyed it all.

This morning, I felt like it was time to face the music, pay the piper, to get real.   So I did.  And I was amazed to find out that I did maintain my 30 pound loss during the holidays.  Part of me is jumping up and down like a game show contestant that just one a million dollars.  The other part of me is crumpled on the floor, amazed and grateful to have finally found success in an area where there had only been failure for years.

My take-away?  I am so encouraged to keep on!  15 pounds this year. That is .3 pounds per week.  Anybody can do that!  You might say, "I can do better than that!"  Maybe you can, but maybe you shouldn't.   Maybe if by just taking it slow and steady you can drop another 15.....forever.

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

This just in from Dave Ramsey

In keeping with today's previous post, I will share this nugget of wisdom from Dave Ramsey.
This is also true about food.  I do not have to put just anything into my mouth just because it is there or because it is good, or whatever.  I can develop power over anything.  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me!

Exercise and Mary Hunt.

So, I went to the gym for the first time this year.  I also had my class with Sandra on Monday, so all is proceeding normally.  I like this quote because  real progress is slow, and there really is no instant gratification.  

I have been thinking about the new year and my goals.  The weight loss thing I have figured out.  The paying off debt and saving I understand, but have not had the same progress, which is why I want to make it a priority.  It also goes without saying that Bible reading and Scripture copying are always on the top of the list.  I am doing really well there. I am doing a chronological reading this year, for the first time.  Also, I haven't missed a day of the Scripture copying, so that is good.  It's only the 4th, but hey, I like to look on the bright side!

I have said that I really like Dave Ramsey, and I do, but I would be wrong not to let you know about Mary Hunt.  I first heard Mary Hunt on Dr. Dobson's Focus on the Family radio show.  She told her testimony about getting 100,000 dollars in debt, without her husband finding out.  Can you imagine the stress of that much debt and the fact that you were hiding it from your husband?  Long story short, she paid off her debt, they're still married, and she makes a living helping people with her website, Debt-Proof Living.  

One of the practical things that I learned from her was this: if you spend money on something "on sale" that you didn't need, you didn't save money, you spent money.   She avoids malls and at first I didn't understand that, but now I do.  Not spending the money in the first place is better than buy stuff on sale.  

The quote above is about exercise, but to me, it's also about saving money.  Every effort is making a small change that one day will become hugely significant. 

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Ramsey and Flylady

A homemaker really should grow to be a terrific multi-tasker.   As you  know, I love Dave Ramsey (for money help) and Flylady (for house help)    What I can tell you is this, if you want to follow Dave, you need to follow Flylady.

Good homemaking is, at its very core, very economical. Properly caring for your laundry, planning menus, and avoiding clutter are the practical ways a homemaker saves and makes money.  Homemakers of the past knew this to be true.  They knew that waste and sloth were bad for the pocketbook.  They were hard workers with a weekly and yearly plan.  For some, this allowed for a few luxuries, for others, it meant survival.

 There are two paths toward having more money.  One, make money.  Two, making your money stretch farther that before.  A really smart person does both.  Some people are blessed with an innate desire to frugality.  I am not one of those people.  With me, like the weight loss, it has to be very intentional.  If you are not intentional with your money or your weight, you will end up in debt and overweight.

I am, by nature, very practical, and I appreciate practical real-world advice.  So here's my two cents.  Dave Ramsey and Flylady.

For your benefit, some links.     Dave Ramsey     Flylady

Monday, January 2, 2017

For His Glory


Isn't that a great thought?  What a relief!  Always for my good!  Always for His glory!  I can rest in knowing that whatever comes my way come from Him and it's for my good.  Pessimistic, negative thoughts about my circumstances have no place in my mind.  Why should they?  I am in Christ. 


I know this to be true, but where is my responsibility?  Am I doing my all for God's glory?
It's so easy to coast while in ministry.  I mean, everything you do "pleases" God.  But there is more to it than that, and that is precisely what I need to keep in mind.  It's not about what I do, but who and what I am that matters most. When I am what I need to be, then I do what I should do the right way and with the right motive.   For His glory.