April 30, 2013 - Where's MY Help?

“Give us help against the adversary, for the help of humankind is futile. Through God we will do valiantly, and it is he who will tread down our enemies” (Psa 60:11–12) Have you ever cried out in desperation about your health? Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever wondered why "everyone else" can successfully walk in health and you struggle? I did for years. I not only bellowed out those questions, I wanted to blame everyone and every event for my failure. But this attitude is really contrary to the life we live in God. As believers, we have a constant hope and trust that comes only from being attached to the one who created all life. God knows us best and is uniquely familiar with our weaknesses that cause us to revert to times of failure on occasion. But we must always fight for the truth that God's best plan is a healthy life and not a disease-filled death for each of us. While we are only upon this earth for a short season, I am certain that none of us want to walk the journey in an unhealthy body. Not if we get to choose, right? But sometimes we forget that God gives us a choice and wisdom in making choices. Right? The journey to health is an individual walk. Sometimes I wish it weren't. The road to health is a day by day experience filled with choices that sometimes look like adversaries. In the above scripture we are reminded that God is our help from our adversaries and that He will tread down our enemies. But that doesn't mean he makes our health choices for us. Ugh. What that means for us comes from asking God for His wisdom concerning our health on a daily basis. The 1st chapter of James teaches us to ask for wisdom. I am convinced that God's wisdom is an amazing weapon on our journey. But we have to continually seek His truth and not rely on the "report from television" on the greatest, new trick to health. God's help against our adversary is life-giving, but the help of humankind is futile. Our health is not a formula or a pill that changes the equation. Those are futile. Our best health journey is filled with the humility required to cry our for God's wisdom daily and the courage to obey. Brownies are not my adversary. Pride is! "ask and it shall be given unto you - seek and you shall find." I'm asking today for God's wisdom. Will you join me? PK Life Group from 6-8 THIS Sunday - grilling out. All welcome.

April 29, 2013 - Lessons from my Mouth Guard

Sorry this is late, been working since I sprung from my bed. Now taking a coffee break to shoot you a quick encouragement. Just an up-front reminder, Sunday is our family grill-out event. Are you coming? If so, please let me know. I am asking everyone to bring your meat to grill (and a recipe if needed) plus a side dish and the recipe. I am doing steak and salsa. :) And, I'll make a sugar free dessert. My grand baby would love to speak to any of your children who may need a word of encouragement to change their eating habits. She wants to share a chocolate sugar free cake and some jicama fries. Do you have any little folks that she could share with??? Okay - so this morning as I am brushing my mouth guard (worn at night to keep me from grinding my teeth) the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about the importance of the guard I wear. I really detest it, but would like my teeth to be nice when I turn 100. (wink) So when I began to think of my mouth guard, these are my thoughts: 1. it protects my teeth from being destroyed 2. it works while I rest 3. it serves a purpose that I can't see 4. it saves me a lot of time and money in the future Can I tell you eating healthy does all the above? Yes, it does. Healthy eating protects my teeth/gums, regenerates my cells while I sleep, works from the inside out to allow my body a long life, and keeps those doctor bills to a minimum. Then I began to really consider how NICE it would be if a mouth guard miraculously appeared every time we were about to consume a food which offered no nutritional value. Or, a guard that would appear when our portion size had been met. As much as I hate my night guard, somehow this sounds appealing. Or how about even better - talking food? "I'm sorry, these french fries you are about to consume are loaded with fat and salt which eventually will lead to heart disease." YIKES! I am laughing, but sometimes I need this. How about you? That's why we have this group. The food can't talk, but the scale and our health family can. (now while I don't eat fries, I do like nuts and I really have to watch the salt content) And can I be honest, being healthy is not always easy nor care free. In fact, I have found that it takes energy and intentionality to be effective. I have a choice each night as to whether the mouth guard is placed or not. No one reminds me of it's importance and sometimes I am too tired and stressed to even fit the devise in my mouth. But as I begin my morning routine, I am certainly aware of my bad choice the previous evening. This is such a picture of our journey, our health. No one is with us when the temptation to "remove the guard" for a season occurs, but our jeans remind us quickly that consistent, bad choices lead to consequences that we were hoping to avoid. So today, whether we like it or not, let's place a guard around our food choices and portion sizes. It may not be comfortable today, but will be easier tomorrow. Starting the week off making great choices and saying thank you to my mouth guard. PK

April 26, 2013 - Mr. Armadillo

YEA, it's Friday and our work week is fast closing. Actually, Friday is now my day off as you can probably tell by the lateness of my blog. So I am having coffee, reading the Word, re-reading Psalm 18 and reminding myself how much I love God and am so grateful for his rescue procedures at various times in my life. How about you? If you haven't read this Psalm lately, try to take a moment and read it in the New Living Translation. When I read this, I smile and feel so protected. I know that God chose certain stories to communicate with us as we would need a good round of encouragement on a regular basis. Thanks, Father. This morning let's talk about those "armadillos" that invade your territory while you sleep. Now maybe you live in a place where none such creature has dominion, but I cannot say that. And I always know that what happens in the natural can absolutely manifest in the realms of our spirits. In fact, that's what the scripture declares. So I was pondering (although I saw some armadillos on YouTube marching through the yard during the day), how wretched that they wage war on my yard while I am resting. I am supposed to be sleeping peacefully and dreaming of almond flour pancakes and bowls of watermelon only to discover that my yard has been impaled by one creature. That is so not fair. The capture and removal of Mr. Armadillo has become almost a joke and yet a problem that seems to escape every trap, every plan, and every attempt at removal. How can something SO small win this war? Are these creatures intellectually brilliant and I on the opposite end of the spectrum? Nope - but they do have the advantage. I CANNOT see them while they wage war, as I am asleep. How many of you know it's easier to fight something you can see and have the correct tools to defeat? But how many of you know many of our own excuses fall right into this description? I always tell people, "if you make excuses for your issues, you get to keep them." I've shared that before. But here's my new insight - I feel that many of our excuses are not visible, "in our face," tangible enemies. Many of our excuses are generational, lack of correct information, defeatism monsters that love to hide in the shadows of our reasoning. "Is that really true?" "Could that really be that bad for me?" "Just because my doctor says 10 pounds makes a difference, another doctor probably would tell me something else." Know what that is? It's called being asleep while the armadillo destroys our yard. Yep! Making excuses about your health can eventually create an ugly and messy "yard" that seems to have no hope of stopping the intruder. Let's stay alert and informed. The foods we eat are often laced with preservatives that our bodies were never meant to process. Just because you can't see the armadillo doesn't mean he's not destroying your property. I am like a crazy, "attack the armadillo" person right now. I check every morning to determine his path and make my new plan. I have eyes wide open and am reading and trying everything. I WILL defeat Mr. Armadillo. But I am also as committed to defeating my excuses. How about you? Talk again on Monday, PK

April 25, 2013 - The Trash Vines

I love the cool temps and the beautiful colors that are popping up in my yard. I am such a "color girl" that all these bright displays of grandeur bring a smile. I don't necessarily enjoy digging in the dirt, but I enjoy the end result. As I was working in the yard over the weekend, another truth moment emerged. Those of you know me personally know that I am a freak about clutter and disorganization. Even in my yard, I cannot tolerate the life being drawn from things because of vines, dead leaves and debris clinging. I know the plants don't have feelings, but the sight of such puts a pain within me. I said a dozen or more times this weekend, "this plant deserves a chance to live," as we dragged the old "fixtures" from the new growth. One of the cleaning sessions was especially tough and while I used a rake, my husband used a blower. It took us almost 10 minutes on one bush to bring freedom and offer a better life. My husband was more than willing to let nature take it's course, but I kept saying, "it deserves to live and without these choking vines." The bush was mature, quiet large, and had no way of detangling the lines which served as a perfect net for the dead leaves and debris. Somewhere within me I felt an obligation to offer the plant what it could not accomplish for itself - freedom. The longer we worked and the more free the bush became, the more understanding came to my heart. Often life's circumstances serve as a net to tangle our very existence. The storms of life blow with their dead leaves and debris specifically designed to encourage us to go the way of nature or accept that those growing older should eat what they want and not worry about their weight or health, or that movement isn't critical to survival. Once we begin to embrace that trash, we quickly find the net tightening. Eventually the truth seems so unattainable we are often forced to embrace defeat whether we chose to or not. Life is hard and choices are sometimes harder. Here's what I think - as soon as the first vine tries to entangle our lives, we fight for our freedom. If we don't welcome the first vine, the others might not feel so welcomed. If I don't get my water in one day, I fight harder the second day to not allow that "vine of trash" to grab this body again. If I don't eat enough veggies one day, I grab that vine and eat more salads the next couple of days. Do you see the truth here? I would like to challenge you today to quickly examine your health and see which "vines" you're accepting that, if left unattended, could potentially recreate the net you've been fighting against. Deal with the vines today and flower in freedom as you move forward. You can do it. One vine to defeat is much easier than 100. I think so. Our next family Life Group is the first Sunday night in May and it's a grilling experience. My granddaughter Kailey will be here to speak with any little bitty folks who need to be encouraged that they can make life-changing health choices at 10. She is excited to share a few recipes and talk. We grown folk will be outside so wear your shorts, bring your meat to grill and a side dish, and the bug spray. Please let me know if you and your family is coming so I can make certain we have enough chairs. PK

April 24, 2013 - Simple Planning

GMA, As I look at a long day in front of me today (over 12 hours), sometimes I have to coordinate what I am eating and make a very secure plan. If I do not plan enough for me to eat, and enough to share, I am sometimes without appropriate foods and starving when I arrive at home about 9PM. I am convinced that planning is critical to our success. But planning is not simply packing your lunch. Right? Planning entails the pantry and frig being filled with nutritious foods as well as the deliberate contemplation of any eating-out journeys. It takes time to plan, but when I don't I find I always struggle. How about you? I went with my daughter and niece to a new Mexican restaurant last Friday, took my pork rinds to eat with the salsa instead of chips (great planning) but didn't realize it was a total different "kind" of Mexican. (bad planning) Then I had a waitress who really didn't know the menu well and I was trapped. I ended up eating a few pieces of cactus, some salsa, guacamole, and a small flank steak cooked as fajitas but the waitress could never give me a firm answer about the sugar content and preparation of any item. And, while in a group, I didn't want to ask for the manager to come and explain the dishes. I did taste something and spit it out as I knew it wasn't good, but I spent the rest of the meal struggling with myself feeling as if I had planned poorly. UGH! I always tell people I can eat anywhere, and I can. But had I done some research BEFORE I went to this restaurant, I could have made a more informed decision. Let us all remember, planning is not just about foods at home but preparing to live our lives in a world of hidden fats, sugar, and salts in most restaurant entrees. The hardest challenge for me has been Italian foods as they are usually covered with a red sauce which is high in sugar or they contain pasta. But even at my favorite Italian restaurant, I have learned to ASK for a bed of romaine lettuce, some grilled chicken (without the butter) and grilled veggies for the side. So good! Here's what I refuse to do - live in isolation. God gave mankind the earth and all it's content for our nutrition and pleasure. I refuse to allow the lust of my eyes OR the failure to plan to hinder lunches with friends, fabulous family events, extravagant weddings, parties.....and the list continues. I simply plan well. I either call ahead and check the menu or I pack. Some people pack weaponry for their protection and I PACK apples for the same reason. (wink) Plan well for this day and start tomorrow with a great plan too. You can do it. No FEAR just a GREAT PLAN. PK

April 23, 2013 - Yard Work

Okay, so I have now started to move through the required steps with my devotional cookbook and would really love some prayer. I am slightly overwhelmed with the enormity of the project and yet have simply said I'll do what I can a piece at a time. Distribution could occur by the late fall or early winter of next year. The devotional cookbook is not something ever before seen on the market and the lay-out is being generated from scratch. Soooooo, here we go. This morning let's talk about the beginning journey of yard work following the winter. Now maybe you are joyful when this journey begins each spring. Maybe you, like me, love color and the dead leaves finally feel overwhelming. If only I could blink like I Dream Of Jenie and they would all disappear, that would make me smile. (of course I feel the same way about the armadillo - I have now started praying over the cage and will keep you posted) But how many of you know that looking at the leaves and wishing they would be removed and actually grabbing the rake and blower and beginning the process ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. I started about three weeks ago talking myself through the back pain, the tired muscles, and the long days or preparing the yard for the new plants I had gathered. But that starting thing.......UGH! The good news is WE STARTED Saturday and worked some again Sunday afternoon. Then yesterday evening a few extra hours were added to the 2013 project. And now that we are rolling, I can see it. The colors are popping, the perennials are emerging in freedom as the leaves of death have been removed and before my eyes is LIFE. I so love it! Saturday morning all I could see was death. Last night I stood and realized after just a couple of days, we are half way into the 2013 project and LIFE is all around again. Remember, the small things can become the big things, so celebrate the small beginnings and see them as valuable. But sometimes starting the small things SEEM enormous and our failure seems bigger than our victory. Let me remind you that momentum comes from movement. M-O words can be life giving. Perhaps choosing health daily seems like an unattainable goal. It's not! If you can simply choose to be healthy one 24 hour period WITH THE PROMISE TO NOT RETURN AND RE-ENTER THE DOOR OF UNHEALTHY WAYS, and then choose health another 24 hour period, you will soon find that being healthy is easier than you imagine. (or dread) Here's the thing - imagine, dread, fear are all words locked in our brains that are designed to keep us from starting. However, if in our BRAINS, we could start imagining ourselves healthy, overcoming dread with daily boundaries of truth and discipline, and allow the Holy Spirit to help us control our negative patterns, we could celebrate the small victories. That's how I did it. I set a small goal to get through 42 days with NO CHEATING and purposeful, healthy choices. Greatest decision I ever made. I never stumbled once during that period (as I MEANT I could do 42 days), but at the end I thought, "42 days of success, why turn back? I'll try another month and then I'll see." I am 2 1/2 years down the road. You can do it. Don't allow the dread of starting to keep you bound. Start today and never, never look back. Clearly mark all EXIT doors so you have no way of escape to your old journey. Have a great day, PK

April 22, 2013 - My Spelling Teacher

Love these cool Monday mornings with their glistening sunlight and gentle breezes. The sounds from the wind chimes remind me that while I am not on my deck, the wind is still saying "good morning." And to that I reply, "good morning last week of April." As I was driving to church yesterday and reflecting on my journey to the Dekalb Farmer's Market (and it was truly an experience), I was really pondering as to why I still had a twinge in my heart when I had to keep moving past all the bread and dessert samples. When will I see them and not stare feeling cheated as the swarm of partakers huddle around the tables? When? So, I was having one of those moments and the Spirit of the Lord reminded me that some doors are never meant to be opened again. I grew up in the church and the cliche "our doors are always open" was so prevalent. I thought yesterday while driving, opened doors are inviting, warm, they say friendship, they speak of trust, they boldly say "yes, come in." Right? So while I talking this through with myself, (I know - pay attention to the road) I felt the Lord say, "unless they are open to the wrong thing!" Yikes! "The wrong thing?" I pondered, "who opens doors to robbers, thieves, and intruders?" In fact, who would ever open a door to something bad willingly? ME! That bread tasting counter was an "open door" experience that said welcome. But had I participated, I would have MOST LIKELY welcomed a second and third piece, felt guilty and headed straight to the dessert counter. For me, that particular open door spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e! I have years of wrongly spelled doors: J-u-s-t one, O-K for now, S-T-A-R-T again tomorrow. How about you? I am thankful beyond measure that the Holy Spirit became my spelling teacher. That door was spelled N-O! I left feeling wonderful that while my husband walked through the "open door" at both counters, I was able to stand at the door and practice my spelling list. YEA me! Moral to this blog - maybe breads and sweets are not your problem doors. All of us are different. But as I said last week, I KNOW me. I have lived in this body for 56 years and have tried every conceivable plan known to mankind to be disciplined with my health. My only victory came when I learned how to spell via the Holy Spirit. He taught me to spell, stay away from the opened doors, and smile while doing the victory dance in the Farmer's Market. Have an amazing day! PK

April 19, 2013 - New Vs. Routine

Praise God it's Friday and our ground is being watered from above so I DON'T HAVE TO WATER FROM BELOW. Now perhaps you enjoy watering the yard as the mosquitos "sing" their songs and nibble on your legs, I do not! I have often wondered how such horrible, pesty little guys can hum as they do. Have you ever wondered what they hum? (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb".........I will bite on Kathy's leg, Kathy's leg, Kathy's leg. I will bite on Kathy's leg until I'm satisfied.) UGH! So anyway, grateful for the water. (wink) Closing out our week of NEW, let's consider the phrase routine as part of our healthy journey as it sits on the opposite side of NEW. Yesterday we spoke of habit vs. intentionality as it related to God's mercy each morning. Today, let's consider that some habits have their benefits but when they lack intentionality, they can become boring and dreadful. Let's open this up. I have a daily routine of taking my vitamins, but if I don't do the "routine thing," they will sit on the counter. I have a habit of drinking 8-12 cups of water everyday. If I don't, my feet resemble the trunks of elephants. I have a habit of reading the Bible every morning. If I don't, I might think life is about me and forget that "Kathy makes a plan, but God orders her steps." You have routines? I really need the daily journey of my habits, but if I am not careful with them I will become bored and hit the delete button. My daily water intake goes from plain to Stevia-flavored water, to unsweet, decaf tea, to water with fruit slices floating. Why? Because I know me. Reading my Bible happens in different translations, and daily devotionals and Daily Audio Bible readings. Why? Because I know me. Varying the ingredients in my salad is a daily habit. Why? Because I KNOW me. Those are not bad things, just my way of making certain I "get her done." How about you? How do you approach the routine of life? But God knows me better than I will ever KNOW myself, as He does you. The water He created as part of our daily routine makes our cells smile. The Bible He wrote as part of our daily routine makes our souls smile. The life HE GIVES us daily, with all of its routines, allows us to smile as we see His plan inside the routines. What a great God! God's Word tells me that He never changes and yet I am never bored. His love and faithfulness is dependable and steady, like a routine or a habit, and yet I never tire of accepting it. But within the routine of this daily journey, God's expression of love that we see daily in the sunrise and sunset, in the color of the flowers as they bloom, in the storms that come and GO does change. So, I guess we will end the week saying thank you, Father, for the routines that you establish and the intentional diversity of change you display to remind us YOU ARE GOD AND WE ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN! And THAT makes me smile. :) Enjoy the multitude of God expressions designed to confirm His love for you and remember, stick with the routines but vary the ingredients. God makes all things NEW. PK

April 18, 2013 - Habitual Routine

New.....new behaviors. Some say that it takes 11-21 times of repetitive completion of a new task before it really becomes a habit. And yet God's mercy is new EVERY morning. Repetition? NOPE! Intentional love that we cannot describe. I need God's mercy new every day and not repetitive. I am a sinner in need of a savior. I still falter and sometimes get internally frustrated and want to comfort with extra............. But then in the morning, God allows me a FRESH start not because He HAS to, but because He WANTS to. His everyday mercy never becomes a habit. Habits can become mundane and void of intention but not God's mercy. I drink my 12 cups of water out of habitual routine. God displays His daily, FRESH mercy because He's the best stickin' Father a kid could ever have. Glad He picked me......and you! Smile as you ponder this today. Talk tomorrow, PK

April 17, 2013 - My Magic Eraser

GMA, Let's continue with our week of firsts - "new" if you will. Recently I have fallen in love with magic erasers. I know that some people are offended by the term magic in any form, but please indulge me and simply examine the word for the power it brings today. One of my grand babies is raising money for summer camp and I have agreed to help her with the resources if she'll clean all the white surfaces in my house - window frames, baseboards and door jams. My house is 15 years old and bares some scars on the white surfaces. So, I opted for magic erasers. Mackenzie and I both stood with awe as she rubbed the first surfaces and before our eyes the dark streaks vanished and the pure white surfaced emerged. OMGoodness. It was amazing! What in the world is in that piece of cloth? It requires little effort, has no smell, and endures for a long period of time. In my mind this was a new, amazing discovery. (now perhaps you've been a fan forever, but I just joined the ranks) Anyway, the longer she used the eraser the more in awe I stood; and, I finally had a moment of revelation. I began to say, "Jesus is MY ultimate magic eraser." My life had dark black streaks and stains and yet when Jesus came into my life, He did an eternal work and I am positionally clean before God the Father. I said over and over again - "Jesus can erase anything! He's MY magic eraser." Now while this is an eternal work, there's our daily life with it's issues. Yes? James 4:8 reminds me that if I come close to God, he comes close to me. The closer God gets, the more I see my need for his touch (eraser) in every area of my life daily. Sometimes we get busy and life's storms pull us from the closeness of God, but when the Holy Spirit is allowed to really touch our hearts (through real communication and relationship with God) then the daily stains so easily are removed and the purity of our life in God shines bright once again. Here's the cool part.....the magic eraser doesn't damage the painted surface so tomorrow's streaks erase as easily as todays. Do you see that? Maturity is a process of sometimes daily eraser experiences, but the brightness of the initial white surface comes right back. COOLNESS! In our health journey, sometimes we need an "eraser experience" to get back in the game. We need to see that we can be cleansed from yesterday's catastrophe. And guess what, just like the magic eraser made the door jam look new, the Holy Spirit desires to guide us into all truth and can do the same thing with our failures. We simply draw near to God and submit our streaks. He simply honors his Word. Did you mess up yesterday and feel like quitting this whole "healthy thing?" Bring that thought to the one who knows the real truth and let him rub your mind and thoughts 'till they shine like NEW again today. Yes! Remember, draw near to God. He made the first move via the cross and never gets tired of moving toward us. Take that step today. Love ya, PK

April 16, 2013 - A New Fish Recipe

Hey gang, Wanted to first send my heart-felt prayers to any of you in Boston or who have family in Boston. Yesterday was such a shock! God help our nation! If there are specifics that you would like me to pray, I am available. As we started yesterday with the theme of NEW, that's what we'll continue throughout the week. I am always thankful in the mornings for a new day. Anyone else? A new set of opportunities and a whole day in which to create makes me smile. Last Friday, I created a new recipe that I would like to share. You may know that my family loves Basa fish. (not bass) It's VERY mild and bakes or fries well. Of course you know that as I don't eat starch or sugar, italian bread crumbs (which I always used for breading and some flour) were not on the agenda. Therefore, I have not fried fish in over 2 years. Friday afternoon the grand daughters were coming for dinner and you know Kailey eats like NIna, but those girls LOVE my fried Basa. So I started scheming. I had been in a cooking mode that day anyway as I made a batch of ketchup and BBQ sauce for the months ahead of grilling. (all natural and sugar free - yum!) Those of us HCG folks know that melba toast is our only "bread/cracker" substitute. Basically it tastes like cardboard, but has the crunch. I took 2 boxes of Melba toast and ground them in the food processor until fine. I then added 1 cup of almond flour, 3-4 tbs of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp each of sea salt, garlic salt and onion powder. Then I gave about eight twists with the black pepper and added some tarragon, which is a sweet herb I use with chicken and fish. I prepared the 2 bags of basa by cutting each fillet in half and dredging through the breadcrumb mixture a couple of times and then placed the fish pieces on a plate for about 45 minutes. (one of the secrets to frying good fish is to bread them and allow to dry so the bread crumbs can absorb the moisture and won't splatter) I used a large skillet and about 1/2 inch of wesson and olive oil. You'll be ready to fry when a toothpick inserted in the hot oil bubbles around the wood. (placing the fish in early could result in extra oil and soggy crust). Allow to really crisp on one side before turning as almond flour doesn't stick as well, but the melba toast helps with this. The fillets were amazing and without sugar, white flour, or corn meal. YUM. You should definitely try this one. Have an amazing day, PK

April 15, 2013 - A New Week with New Opportunities

Good morning all, Sorry this is late, I battled with an eye situation yesterday that took me some time to work through. The leaking is slowing down and it's not pink eye. I think the rain yesterday helped with the pollen and that in turn has caused the river from my eye to slow down. Now that my eye is slowing down, gotta get started working. Long day ahead as I am certain many of you have as well. However, in the midst of eye pain, I really smiled when I realized it's Monday which marks a new week with a new seven day span of God-opportunities. God does care about increments of time. He created the world in seven days and described each one; He rose again in three days and gave us victory over death; His mercies are NEW EVERY MORNING. God's Word teaches that He marks off the universe with the span of His hand (measurement) and He numbers the hairs on our heads. (X-treme measurement) He cares about time and numbers. We have in front of us numbers and scales and portions, and often those are things we don't readily embrace. However, God placed them in the heart of mankind for our benefit. I believe God desires that we know He LOVES numbers and He has made a plan for our health journey that includes them. We cannot toss the numbers aside and disregard them. I believe they are designed as boundaries for our journey BECAUSE of God's great love for us. So where am I going with this? This is a new week - let's remind ourselves that our Father is the greatest numerologist in the universe and we were created in His image. Let's focus our attention this NEW day to a NEW week on a NEW approach to the numbers (boundaries). As we weigh this week, let's thank God that He set a scale in our path BECAUSE He loves us. As we weigh our meat, let's thank God for portion control that He placed in our path BECAUSE He loves us. It's a new week - let's look with expectation for the goodness of our heavenly Father throughout the day and thank Him for our NEW attitude towards His boundaries. Why? BECAUSE He loves us. Are you expecting from the Lord this week? Love you and praying GREAT expectations for us ALL. Come on fam, increase your expectation! PK

April 11, 2013 - Share An Apple

I sat through an amazing class last night for our spring Life Night Session. It was called "The Way of the Master." It's a great program that really confronts the fear many have in sharing their faith in Jesus. I was awakened this morning with "share an apple" in my heart. While I know that sharing what we've learned about being healthy is not as critical as sharing the Good News of Jesus, it certainly patterns the journey. We discovered that only 2% of all Christians share their faith. Why? Fear of rejection is the number one reason. However, we discussed that while fear may be one reason, another could easily be that many don't see eternity as real - at least not hell. If we REALLY don't see eternal destiny as an issue, we certainly will not have that unction in our hearts to tell others this good news. How about our health? If we are not convinced that eating healthy, great hydration and rest is critical to excellent long-term health, we probably won't share the good news. Right? But none of us can say we don't know. Our doctors and almost everything health-wise we read reinforce that concept. The question then becomes, as it did last night, "do we love people enough to share the good news with them regardless of their reaction?" Some don't want to give up their 6,000 calorie a day journey. I get that. And we don't need to preach at them, but today let's all grab an apple on the way out and find someone to share it with and simply say, "I wanted to share this small apple to simply communicate I care about your health." Let's be the ones to take the healthy desserts and fruits to the office daily as part of our realization that healthy choices are critical! And when eating out with friends, show them by our actions that we KNOW the benefits of a healthy journey and we believe they can be healthy also. Your consistency and commitment to health is speaking volumes to unhealthy people. You're hope givers. Keep offering hope to everyone you see as we know that obesity-related illnesses ARE NOT FRIENDLY. Share an apple and a smile and offer people hope. If they choose it, great. If not, you remain steadfast and choose health for you and the generations who follow you. Blessings all day long and especially on the ones you share an apple with! PK .... Kathy Hill Sent from my iPad

April 10, 2013 - The Happy Song

Hey fam - got the door open and the birds are singing their happy songs. I just love their sweet voices. Have you ever considered how God delights in our sweet songs? I know when the birds get fearful and are squawking to protect their young, it's not a pretty sound. Their songs change to reflect what's happening in their lives. Occasionally the bitter sound seems to never end draws me to the porch to see what predator has arrived to threaten the future of this family. Think about our health journey! Sometimes I wonder what my song is like? As I go through my day, am I emitting a song that makes others smile like the birds outside or am constantly consumed with my own issues and my song declares that. Sometimes my song never floats from my lips; however, my face sings things I wish it didn't. Anyone else with me? And how many of you know that often our song is based in worry, fear, failure, shame? While these are real emotions, we were given a will and my will is stronger than fear...than shame...than worry. God's Word teaches me that Jesus' death gives me the power to overcome these emotions and walk in victory. However, for me, when I falter and hit a bump, sometimes I have to return to confessing the truth over these issues so that they don't sing their ugly song over me. I confess that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I will not worry - God clothes the lilly's of the valley and feeds the birds of the air. He WILL take care of me. He delights in that actually. Here's the thing we need to guard against - in our health journey when we falter, let's not make excuses NOR hide from the truth. Our appetites will always be an issue. We accept that. But we also know what conditions unleash the fury of our appetites. If you don't, ask God to show you. He will. Then do your best to eliminate the provokers AND confess that your will is not stronger than the truth. Then make yourself sing your happy song again. Our family and co-workers are listening for our song. Conquer those emotions and emote your happy song. You will change the atmosphere of your surroundings if you do. I am smiling, singing and determined to emote the happy song this day. You? Love - PK

April 9, 2013 - Aggravation!

It's only one week into April and I have already eaten three watermelons. YUM! Wal-Mart has been selling them for $6.88 and following my rule has yielded 3 YUMMY, fat melons. I have been indulging morning and night. At one point this weekend, I remembered that all I had eaten throughout the day was watermelon. Oh well, at least I was happy. But happiness was quickly over ruled by frustration. I walked outside to my car and was assaulted by the yellow stuff. Wow, the pollen is crazy and yet somehow I smile at the knowledge that God has a plan EVEN in the things that aggravate me the most. Amen! Does anyone else find the yellow dusting to be annoying? (smile) I would love to confess that yellow hand prints on my car and instructions to "wash me" somehow make my heart smile. That is simply not the case. And yet, in some Asian countries this annoying yellow dust is collected, ingested, and has amazing benefits. People actually consume the pollen and experience a smile in their bodies. I cannot imagine that and yet I certainly empathize. When I read that I wondered if it was another "get rich quick scheme." But how many know that just because I THINK there's NO GOOD USE for the pollen, doesn't mean that's true? I think often we rely too exclusively on our feelings and fail to remember that in other countries they don't have the medications we do and nature becomes their pharmacy. (Terry and I are rolling with coconut products currently to fight inflammation in our bodies and are seeing some results.) At Life Group on Sunday we spoke of situations where we have been contacted by others who REALLY desire the benefits of health and yet can't imagine "walking the walk" on a daily basis. Having to read every label, finding a restaurant that works, and eliminating foods that I love can bring a yellow-pollen response. Maybe with others you know, too. We prayed and made fresh commitments to dig deeper into our foods, do more organic and be more committed to sharing as research is allowing us fresh insight into pockets of truth about our health journey. It is aggravating, at times, to spend hours cooking and measuring when Cinnabon is right down the street. UGH! But we reminded each other illness doesn't discriminate and we would rather spend our time eating, hydrating and resting well than fighting diseases. Sometimes we cannot see the benefits to our health journey, like the yellow pollen, immediately. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT CHOOSING HEALTH REGARDLESS OF THE AGGRAVATION ISN'T WORTH IT. And let's just say - I might head to the health food store and check out the yellow capsules. Maybe? OR.....there's enough on my car to make a years supply. If only I could get the little plastic containers. Bahahaha. Loving you from Atlanta! PK PS - two LIfe Groups left this season - May and June. Grilling out in May. YUM!

April 8, 2013 - Math That Isn't Simple

Good morning to you all, Sorry this is late, I have been working this morning and looked up and was shocked at the time. :) Anyway, I won't be long. We had some yummy new recipes to share at Life Group yesterday. Thanks to those who attended and Linda, you always SHINE! I love our group. We only have 2 more for the spring/summer - May and June. We will take July and August off. Our May meeting will be a "grill experience." More details to follow, but we will definitely fire up the grill and play with the meats and veggies. Today, just a quick word that God placed on my heart about Math. Logically, when we think about numbers, we KNOW that 1+1=2. That's way simple. But I heard the Lord say this morning, "1+1 does not always equal 2." Ahhh.....so when I started pondering, I felt this - one brownie + one brownie = a LOT more than just two brownies many times. One brownie plus another brownie equals two brownies PLUS guilt, cravings for another brownie, hiding the third brownie and whatever else our stomachs say. One brownie may not undo the math, but the "addition" of another brownie may. On the other had, DIVIDING the brownie, and saving it for later in the week, may be a great option for some of you. Even for me with a sugar free version, 1+1= too many. :) Moral of the story - addition is a mathematical necessity, but when considering portion sizes that often lead to things we hate to experience, division may be our best choice. Funny how I wake up with something so small in my heart to share and yet it's a reminder to us all that we cannot ADD more than we need and can process or we will show the results often in our emotions or the scales. Have a great Monday and remember with a smile - you matter to God. PK

April 5, 2013 - A More Opportune Time

Good morning to all, I have "heard" that we may see peeks of sunshine later today and I may do the victory dance at just the thought of it. I love the rain, but I am ready to get in the sun also. I am hoping today smiles on us. Let's talk today about temptation. I am convinced that our eyesight plays a part in struggles we face with our health. What? We don't eat with our eyes. That's true, but our eyes are often stimulated and communicate to our stomachs that we are starving even if we have eaten regularly. Anyone know this to be true? I am convinced that part of the temptation lies in the fact that our eyes lust for things we don't really need SOMETIMES. Do we need another biscuit? No, but we see it laying on the platter and don't want to waste it. Do we need another pair of sandals? No, but our new dress would look better with a coordinating pair of shoes. Can you see where I am going with this? Also, commercials are notorious for displaying food items so we will rush to kitchen and grab a bag of Dorritos whether we are hungry or not. (that's why the commercials are so loud; you can run to the kitchen for some food and still hear the car advertisements) I wonder if we couldn't see the biscuit or the sandals or the commercial if we would still be so tempted. I wonder? Luke 4:13 reminds us that when Jesus was tempted immediately following His baptism, His encounter with Satan didn't go the way the evil one intended. However, the verse does include the "rest of the story." It provides us with the intent of Satan which is to provide additional temptation at a more opportune time. It's not bad enough that Jesus had been 40 days with no food. Satan then proceeds to SHOW him 3 scenarios as means of temptation. When success is not accomplished, Satan simply removes his plan of temptation until another time - a more opportune time. What time is this? It was the Garden of Gethsemane. Isn't that cruel? But how many of you know that our weaknesses can be hammered by what our eyes "determine" we need. Then, perhaps we rationalize that this one time it will be okay. Submission to temptation often perpetuates the cycle of failure. Jesus KNEW this. There was no room for failure in the wilderness or the garden. Jesus never allowed what he saw to gain victory over the truth. Let's chew on that over the weekend. Let's not allow the yeast rolls with butter or the second bowl of ice-cream to place us on the cycle of failure again. Let's keep our eyes on the truth of being healthy and off the foods we feel we need. Our weakness often manifests at the most IN-opportune times. Yes? Praying for you, PK

April 4, 2013 - Margins

This is one of my devotionals for the morning. It's really great and so important on our health journey. Margins, for us, can be portion control, rest, adequate sleep, ingesting enough veggies each day - all these are critical. SOOO, read and enjoy and then ask yourself how many days have gone by without MARGINS in your journey. I just read something in a medical journal again last week about the hormone that is released when we sleep TOO much or NOT enough. God planned this body with margins. Let's make certain we stay within them for our optimal finale. PK But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:15-16, NLT Our society wants us to spend every waking second of our lives doing something. As a result, the pace of life can become quite daunting. There are clients to meet, deadlines to make, calls to return. We run at 10,000 RPM for the entire day, then make our way home and have to deal with cooking dinner, washing laundry, and getting the kids to bed. We must learn to slow down in life. Racecars cannot be repaired while on the track, so why do we think we can "be still, and know" God (Psa. 46:10) when we cannot find the time to take a lunch break? But there is a way to slow down when we're running full throttle all day and night. It's called margin. Put another way, it could be considered a reserve or simply breathing room. Jesus thought it was important enough that he made it a routine part of his life on earth--he recognized his earthly limits and took time to get recharged. Consider this: When you don't have any margin in your life, you cannot fully accomplish the things God reveals for you to do. There are numerous ways we can introduce breathing room into our lives. We can learn to say no when we're already overloaded with tasks. We can anticipate the unexpected and add some time to the front end of meetings. We can take opportunities to laugh, cry, and rest. We can also take time to help others in ways that allow them to experience breathing room in their lives. Don't move so fast that God's voice is lost in the everyday. Take time to slow down and breathe so you can grow and get to know the Savior as a friend.

April 3, 2013 - The EASY Yoke

Have any of you ever found yourself discouraged with LIFE? Am I the only one who sometimes wrestles with the issues of the journey? I wonder how many of us sometimes feel we are yoked to circumstances that we feel incapable of carrying? Anyone got your hand in the air other than me? I am a problem solver by nature so I am not scared to take a problem, no matter how large, and start breaking it into smaller sections in order to resolve it's fury. However, I cannot say that many times I don't stoop down and grab the issue, or the participants in the issue, and hurl them on my shoulders. Of course you know, especially if you've ever been here, how exhausting that can be. Let's move to our health. As we get older, it seems the journey to achieve and maintain health can become so laboring. As youth, our energy often carries us and we assume the effects of bad choices will arrive 100 years later and we will deal with them then. Not so. Unfortunately, bad health choices while we are young become the yoke to disease and disease-related illnesses as we age. I often hear people say, "well, I'm just getting older." That thought pattern will steal the very life from our lungs! It yokes us to excuse-making, death statements that rob the REST and PEACE that God planned for our journey. Mind you I am not saying that we will never battle health issues, but I am saying that choosing well can help us to escape some of the heavy burden of bad consequences. Yokes were used to connect the oxen to the problem and were a sign of work. I don't know about you, but I would prefer to choose my own health journey and enjoy good health as opposed to being yoked to disease and have to WORK to try and solve the problem for YEARS. (no fun!) Maybe sometimes you get weary of feeling you're doing all you can to be healthy and are still suffering. Ask yourself - are you yoked to your problem or to Jesus, the problem solver? Our reminder today comes from Matthew 11:29 (MSG) 28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Jesus really wants to YOKE us to his plan for our health that gives life. And given the choice, I prefer the easy yoke as opposed to the work yoke. Anyone else? Loving and praying for you, PK

April 2, 2013 - It's Not My Mouth But My Heart

Good morning and blessings spoken over you as we begin our time of sharing this morning, Romans 8:31-34 continues to speak to me beyond last week: "If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." I am convinced that we so easily buckle at the issues that confront our daily walk. Most of our lives are spent looking for the easy way to the solution for "that has to be God." I'm not certain. This verse reiterates that life, whatever that looks like for you, can accuse us and even try to cause our trust in God to be questioned. The evil one has been using every weapon known to mankind to penetrate the truth of this verse from the beginning of creation. Satan never really cared what Eve ate. He cared that her trust in God was confronted and broken. Can I tell you that's still the plan. Some of you are crying out desperately, daily, for God to heal you from the flesh in which you live. I so understand. But listen, God already knows about your situation and the chains that so easily entangle you. He knows! Our battle against food is not with our mouth - it's with our heart. The human heart is the seat of all emotions and will. The desire to be free is lodged there also. The problem often occurs when our heart is sick from unmet expectations and it's broken voice asks, "did God really say?" In that question we never find "would you like another brownie?" The intent is never to overcrowd our bellies. The hurt in our heart is usually inflicted upon us as children who were made to endure an extremely difficult situation. And, as children, we never knew how to handle the trauma nor process what occurred. So, as children, we hide. We hide the pain deep within our memory and place heavy stones around that hurt. And when that hurt, or something similar arises, and we have not determined how to allow the stones to be removed and our hurts to heal, we usually cover with something again. That covering can be food, drugs, withdrawal - there is a long list of cover mechanisms. But God wants his children free. The children on Thailand who are being held against their will have no conscious choice about their lives. We do. AGAIN....God knows and He cares. 1 Cor 2:10-12 reminds us that God has given us HIS Spirit that is higher than our emotions and His Spirit desires to reveal God's plan for us, which is freedom. ("But[e] it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. 11 No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. 12 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.") Freedom is wonderful. God gave it to us. Let's use our God-given freedom to take the stones down that have covered our hurts, expose the lie that we deserved it and no one will understand, forgive the offenders, grab God's hand and walk out. Then, we are free to make choices based on the truth of who God is and not the lie that we have hidden. Time to get serious about freedom friends - in every area. Let's do a heart check today. Are there areas where you're angry because someone "owes you" and you cover the hurt with food? That's just ONE incident. Let;s GET free in our heart so we are FREE to choose health everyday, all day. Love you - PK

Morning Blog, April 1, 2013

Good morning to everyone, I am a wee bit tired after a long week and weekend, so I am moving more slowly this morning. I am ready to jump on the clock and begin my work week. But for now, talking with you about Easter being the "last eating holiday" before grilling arises, is HUGE. I have five different people who are starting their health journey this week, as "summer is right around the corner." And yes it is. I also need to give a shout out to Wal-mart who had their watermelons on sale for 6.88. I bought one on Friday and it was HEAVEN. I found the dark green one with a flat, yellow bottom and the formula lives on. :) I have eaten more watermelon in three days than in 6 months. HAPPINESS has arrived at my house. I am hopeful to coheres my husband in heading to Wal-mart for another one today. Did anyone make any sugar free desserts or new dishes to share? I made a pork roast with Lipton Onion soup and sugar free cherry jelly (I usually make whole cranberry sauce with xylitol and lemon extract, but the cranberries are out of season so I substituted cherry jelly (all fruit) and a cup of dried cranberries. The fruit rehydrated during cooking and made a beautiful blend with the cherry jelly and onion soup mix. It was a real hit and EASY in the crock pot. Then I made a sugar free, starch free carrot cake with black walnuts. I used sugar free coconut and no pineapple or raisins. I did make a buttermilk glaze to pour on the cake before frosting with a cream cheese icing. It was YUMMY! Finally I made a squash casserole with melba toast. I made the casserole a day ahead so the melba could softened as it tends to be like card board. Extra pimentos give this dish a real punch in flavor. How about you? Any body got any recipes or success stories to share? We need some testimonies. Also, our Healthy 4 You Life Group meets this Sunday from 6-8. I will be making a pork roast (like I did for Easter) and a new asparagus recipe. YUM! Will be sharing a new fudge recipe as well. Bring a dish and a copy of your recipes and let's hit this summer season of shorts and bathing suits right square on. Yes??? Come and bring a friend. We will also establish a Saturday soon to cook with the children who need to see that healthy eating CAN be yummy. We will get that date on the calendar this Sunday. Please let me know if you are attending. Much love to all - PK