"Mess To Message"

GM to you all, Genesis 50 (the conclusion to the story of Joseph) reminds us this morning that God is able to take our mess and create a message. God is able to take our desperation and give someone else hope. I know that sounds like a cliche, but I can so identify with each statement. My health was a mess and I found that desperation to live was the final state that propelled a life-long change in me. I always wanted to be thin, but I never wanted to be healthy. I felt like healthy people had their own prison of cardboard food and denial. How WRONG I was! Joseph commented to his brothers that what they had intended for evil, God intended for GOOD. (Gen 50:20-21) What a powerful insight after suffering many years. And I am especially drawn to the fact that he spoke KINDLY when he had every right, in my small mind, to speak sharply. LOVE IT! As we journey though the next several days, we need to remind ourselves that Satan wants to discourage and trap each of us. He can use the BIG things in our lives or the simple things like candy, Halloween cupcakes, and issues that may serve to "seemingly" place us in a pocket of hopelessness. I can't even imagine what being betrayed by your family and left to die really feels like. But Joseph not only escaped the entrapment, he went on to help others escape entrapment. Let's make that pledge. I remember the YEARS of eating so much sugar on Halloween that I would be literally sick by the end of the night and wanting to hit myself in the stomach in order to throw up. UGH! (true confession this morning) So many through the rest of this week, will be on a "sugar high" only to crash, look in the mirror, and confess failure AGAIN. My heart hurts when I think of the prison I endured for years - and others as well. Maybe you are thinking, "really - not that serious." However, sugar is so addictive and so hard to overcome. It seems that weekly I am hearing testimonies of people with chronic illnesses, like cancer, who are being told by their doctors to delete sugar and all other white stuff from their diets immediately. YIKES! Planning is critical to successful health; I am convinced. As we approach a candy holiday, I am having to prepare for several days of endurance. Making almond flour muffins and baking apple cobbler is a great substitute to filling my body with tons of sugar and vowing to never do it again while winking in the mirror. God is taking the mess of my past and giving me creative energy in the kitchen as HIS tool to help rescue me. And guess what, He'll do that for you as well. I promise. Joseph endured and then conquered. That is going to be our testimony. Can I encourage you the remainder of this week? NO candy or sweets. It may be hard, but you'll thank me. Make a pledge with me - NO Halloween sweets - not one bite. We can do it. :) PK REMEMBER - Life Group at 6:00 this Sunday. Come for Thanksgiving dishes and start planning your healthy, Thanksgiving luncheon this Sunday with us! Need to hear from you if you're planning ti attend.