I have been overweight, obese or morbidly obese for fifty years. Even when I achieved triple digit weight loss 25 years ago, I was still considered overweight. During that weight loss journey, I remember saying to a group at church that if I had the same struggle with crack as I did with food, My husband would not have been permitted to be a deacon. I think because there were others in the room with food issues no one agreed with me. I will say however, after that discussion our Sunday night fellowships started to include veggie trays along with the cookies.
Evangelicals are often hard on crack heads, alcoholics, weed and tobacco users but seem to be ok with obese pastors. I Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." How should we apply this verse to our lives? It is very much understood that we do not need crack, beer and weed to live but we do need food. But friends, we do not need Cinnabonns, kettle potato chips, fried Mac & cheese or white rice with chicken fat sweetened with white sugar to live. Those of us who have food addiction have processed foods and/or sugar in our diet.
We are not saved by works, eating a whole food diet, but we should make choices as those who have transformed lives. I Peter 1:15 "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do".
My friends, I know I need to change the way that I view food. There are some foods I may never have again but that is ok. A McRib will not add quality to my life but kale, avocado, hemp seeds, chia seeds and raw almonds will. God has been gracious to me already with improvements in my blood pressure and blood sugar. I can testify that in less than a week I did not have the hunger pains that I had when I was limiting my calories but still including processed foods.
I have a dear friend who has coached, encouraged me through a reduction of three pants sizes over the years. A couple of years ago he suggested that I rethink my diet. I was not ready to receive the wisdom. It took unbearable knee pain for me to see the light. I have just started my journey along the road of healthy eating and would love to talk more about it with you.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Monday, September 23, 2013
My second year as head step coach is underway! There was tough love dished out and I hope all of us will grow from our challenges.
As you may know I work at a high school. My cover is campus supervisor but I am really there to minister to those who feel disenfranchised. In 2006, I had a conversation with the principal in which he told me that the black students ( 3-4% of the student body in an upper middle class community) did not have many staff that looked like them and some felt that no one there understood them or cared about them. I wanted to spend the second half of my life "giving back" to the black community and saw the campus supervisor position as way to get into the school so I could do that.
My first year, the principal gave me opportunities to interact with the students so they felt that I was an advocate. My second year he asked that I focus on the blacks in the sophomore class. While we had some success, I felt an all girls group would be less challenging. Partnering with the two other African American women on staff and one year with a non African American woman, we had a girls group. We met weekly to discuss subjects like the importance of embracing education, boyfriends, dealing with female drama, self esteem and respecting others. We had black female professionals come in to share on their careers. After a couple of years, one of my partners retired and the other's job assignment no longer allowed her to help out. Next, there was a directive to discontinue serving food due to food allergies, food was a big draw. The group stopped meeting.
A couple of years ago I was asked to work with the step team, I saw this as a way for my ministry to continue. Many of these girls feel this is the only activity available to them as other groups have people with different races, social economic levels and interests. My connection to this team helps me to meet other students not just black, who feel like they do not fit in. My goal is to show them unconditional love and support and help them see that they can have higher dreams than what they currently see around them.
Being with these girls helps me to grow as a woman as I try to practice patience and discipline to restore and not just punish. I am blessed to have a godly young woman working with me this year. She is not African American but she can actually step. She also helps me to see things from another angle which makes me think and that makes me grow. Pray that God will use me to be the encourager that these girls need.
As you may know I work at a high school. My cover is campus supervisor but I am really there to minister to those who feel disenfranchised. In 2006, I had a conversation with the principal in which he told me that the black students ( 3-4% of the student body in an upper middle class community) did not have many staff that looked like them and some felt that no one there understood them or cared about them. I wanted to spend the second half of my life "giving back" to the black community and saw the campus supervisor position as way to get into the school so I could do that.
My first year, the principal gave me opportunities to interact with the students so they felt that I was an advocate. My second year he asked that I focus on the blacks in the sophomore class. While we had some success, I felt an all girls group would be less challenging. Partnering with the two other African American women on staff and one year with a non African American woman, we had a girls group. We met weekly to discuss subjects like the importance of embracing education, boyfriends, dealing with female drama, self esteem and respecting others. We had black female professionals come in to share on their careers. After a couple of years, one of my partners retired and the other's job assignment no longer allowed her to help out. Next, there was a directive to discontinue serving food due to food allergies, food was a big draw. The group stopped meeting.
A couple of years ago I was asked to work with the step team, I saw this as a way for my ministry to continue. Many of these girls feel this is the only activity available to them as other groups have people with different races, social economic levels and interests. My connection to this team helps me to meet other students not just black, who feel like they do not fit in. My goal is to show them unconditional love and support and help them see that they can have higher dreams than what they currently see around them.
Being with these girls helps me to grow as a woman as I try to practice patience and discipline to restore and not just punish. I am blessed to have a godly young woman working with me this year. She is not African American but she can actually step. She also helps me to see things from another angle which makes me think and that makes me grow. Pray that God will use me to be the encourager that these girls need.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
GIFTS
We’re not big in Christmas gift-exchanges at my house. My husband and I have not exchanged gifts for birthdays or Christmas for years. However, I do ask my sons to give me gifts because they should be in the habit of giving gifts to the woman in their life. Most women like gifts. I would be doing them a disservice otherwise.
Receiving gifts is not my love language; time is mine. Gifts are alright, but give me some time via face or phone. Yet, the gifts that I enjoy most are items I would not buy for myself, such as Christmas décor, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, theatre tickets, and restaurant gifts cards.
There is one gift I have received that is priceless, the gift of Salvation. I am so glad that the way to heaven cannot be earned because I am convinced I could never earn it. How could I possibly do all the right things to make God happy when I cannot do all the right things to make me happy? I disappoint myself all the time, daily.
Realizing the value of this eternal gift and the price tag for us (while it cost Jesus His life, it is free to us.), I want to tell others. Don’t you tell others when you find a great deal? The great deal God offers is this: accept the fact that you cannot earn your way to heaven on your own effort, but you can be reconciled to God by accepting what Jesus has done for you. He can do all the right things to make God happy.
This Christmas let’s spend some time reflecting on what we’re celebrating. Let me know if you want to talk about it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Receiving gifts is not my love language; time is mine. Gifts are alright, but give me some time via face or phone. Yet, the gifts that I enjoy most are items I would not buy for myself, such as Christmas décor, jewelry, kitchen gadgets, theatre tickets, and restaurant gifts cards.
There is one gift I have received that is priceless, the gift of Salvation. I am so glad that the way to heaven cannot be earned because I am convinced I could never earn it. How could I possibly do all the right things to make God happy when I cannot do all the right things to make me happy? I disappoint myself all the time, daily.
Realizing the value of this eternal gift and the price tag for us (while it cost Jesus His life, it is free to us.), I want to tell others. Don’t you tell others when you find a great deal? The great deal God offers is this: accept the fact that you cannot earn your way to heaven on your own effort, but you can be reconciled to God by accepting what Jesus has done for you. He can do all the right things to make God happy.
This Christmas let’s spend some time reflecting on what we’re celebrating. Let me know if you want to talk about it.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
THOUGHTS ON MY BIRTHDAY
Each year as my birthday approaches, I assess where I am along the road of my life goals. I have shared about wanting to be a Titus 2 woman, see my blog dated March 24, 2009. Each week at the high school where I work, two other ladies and I meet with a group of 15 - 20 young ladies. Our goal is to encourage them to make good choices. My prayer is that I will be led by the Holy Spirit when I stand before these young ladies. I want to be a Titus 2 woman to them.
As I advance in age, I also want to advance in spiritual maturity, wisdom. Wisdom does not just come, it requires yielding to the Holy Spirit so that our minds can be renewed, transformed through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer and hearing the Word of God. One shows that she has wisdom when she knows when to listen, when to speak and what to say. I really need to work on this.
I want to have a positive impact on the people in my life. I want make them think, because you grow when you think. I want being around me to be a pleasant experience so I want to make people laugh. I want to live a life worthy of the Gospel that I have received.
As I advance in age, I also want to advance in spiritual maturity, wisdom. Wisdom does not just come, it requires yielding to the Holy Spirit so that our minds can be renewed, transformed through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer and hearing the Word of God. One shows that she has wisdom when she knows when to listen, when to speak and what to say. I really need to work on this.
I want to have a positive impact on the people in my life. I want make them think, because you grow when you think. I want being around me to be a pleasant experience so I want to make people laugh. I want to live a life worthy of the Gospel that I have received.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
HAIR
Hair is such a big deal in our culture but this is not something new. In the 1st century A.D., Peter cautioned women that their beauty should not come from the adornment of their hair (1Peter 3:3). Is anyone listening to Peter today on this issue? Hair care products are a multi-billion dollar industry. We color our hair. If we have curly hair, we want straight hair. If we have straight hair, we want curly hair. If we have thick hair, we have it thinned. If we have short or thin hair, we add hair. We buy hair and have it added on by combs, sewing or glue. (It is not recommended that one use glue but it is cheaper that having it sewn in.)
Sistahs sometimes have additional issues to deal with. Our natural styles may not look “professional “to some. Our hairstyles can also appear to be making a political statement when one is not intended. I do not know any Black woman who straightens her hair to “be like a White woman” but so that her hair is easier to manage and to have more options. That is why I relaxed my hair for the past 30 years, but now I am transitioning to my natural hair. It is time for a change. After all, isn’t it common for women my age to “change” :)
PS This transistion will take months.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
FRIEND, WILL YOU MARRY ME?
A couple of months ago a co-worker’s son told me that he had been ordained as a minister. I thought this was a little surprising and asked what church body was “overseeing” him and his ministry. He told me none, he was “ordained” by filling out a form online and paying a small fee. He is going to officiate the wedding of his grandmother.
The Wedding Report, a research firm, says last year one out of every seven weddings in the U.S. was performed by a friend of the couple. From what I see on the internet and in magazines, this seems to be a growing trend. State laws tell us who can legally get married and who can officiate the marriage vows. They permit or allow clergy to be a part of the process, if the couple so chooses. My guess is they do not question who or how one is ordained because of the “separation of church and state” stuff. Anyone can become “ordained” so they may officiate a wedding.
I do not have a problem with a couple wanting a friend or relative to officiate their wedding, I have a problem with the person getting “ordained” to do it. The online process trivializes what it means to be a clergyperson. For those who have not practiced a faith and have no plans on doing so, getting married by a clergyperson is not really meaningful.
Some feel that marriage is a sacrament like baptism or Holy Communion. I won’t comment on that, but I believe that Scripture tells us: that we should prepare for marriage, it is OK to have a large celebration after the wedding, that we should not be unequally yoked, and the reasons for divorce are limited. There are a number of passages that discuss how husbands and wives should treat each other. The church’s relationship to Jesus is described as a marriage. If our desire is to have a Christ centered marriage, we often choose to be married in a church and definitely have a minister as a part of the service. But do we always have to have clergy present when we do certain things? I know of people who partake in the Lord's Supper at midnight at their New Year's Eve party with no pastor or priest present and without the pastor or priest doing the bread and wine prep. I also know of people who want the person who shared the Gospel with them to be the one who baptizes them, be it pastor, friend or parent.
With that being said, marriage is a state of the heart and mind. Someone may be legally married in the eyes of the state, but in the heart and mind he or she may be very much single. We’ll let God decide if they are really married or not. Some people have been baptized and have partaken in Holy Communion and have never had a heart or mind change. We’ll let God decide if they are Christian or not.
Please share your thoughts.
The Wedding Report, a research firm, says last year one out of every seven weddings in the U.S. was performed by a friend of the couple. From what I see on the internet and in magazines, this seems to be a growing trend. State laws tell us who can legally get married and who can officiate the marriage vows. They permit or allow clergy to be a part of the process, if the couple so chooses. My guess is they do not question who or how one is ordained because of the “separation of church and state” stuff. Anyone can become “ordained” so they may officiate a wedding.
I do not have a problem with a couple wanting a friend or relative to officiate their wedding, I have a problem with the person getting “ordained” to do it. The online process trivializes what it means to be a clergyperson. For those who have not practiced a faith and have no plans on doing so, getting married by a clergyperson is not really meaningful.
Some feel that marriage is a sacrament like baptism or Holy Communion. I won’t comment on that, but I believe that Scripture tells us: that we should prepare for marriage, it is OK to have a large celebration after the wedding, that we should not be unequally yoked, and the reasons for divorce are limited. There are a number of passages that discuss how husbands and wives should treat each other. The church’s relationship to Jesus is described as a marriage. If our desire is to have a Christ centered marriage, we often choose to be married in a church and definitely have a minister as a part of the service. But do we always have to have clergy present when we do certain things? I know of people who partake in the Lord's Supper at midnight at their New Year's Eve party with no pastor or priest present and without the pastor or priest doing the bread and wine prep. I also know of people who want the person who shared the Gospel with them to be the one who baptizes them, be it pastor, friend or parent.
With that being said, marriage is a state of the heart and mind. Someone may be legally married in the eyes of the state, but in the heart and mind he or she may be very much single. We’ll let God decide if they are really married or not. Some people have been baptized and have partaken in Holy Communion and have never had a heart or mind change. We’ll let God decide if they are Christian or not.
Please share your thoughts.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
MEMOIRS
Last weekend, we attended a family reunion in Atlanta. Friday night was game night, Saturday a picnic, Saturday night talent show and Sunday morning brunch and worship. The worship time was in the hotel banquet room complete with songs, prayer, scripture reading, testimony sharing and a short sermon. Several who shared gave earwitness testimony of hearing our grandmother pray while visiting her home. My paternal grandfather died in 1980 and my grandmother 1981, yet their faithfulness to God is still being told.
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
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