Addicted to doing

So I have been struggling writing this one for some time now...

I was convicted (not condemned, you need to know the difference and that is a whole other blog, but ask if you want to know) of being addicted to doing.

What is addicted to doing?
Addiction is defined as:  The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.
Doing is defined as:  The performance of an act.- www.thefreedictionary.com
So, addicted to doing involves being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in performing an act; specific to Christianity, performing "good" and "righteous" acts that actually interfere with your ability to RELATE to Christ and the Father.  Moreover,  you will find that when you are addicted to doing, you will forsake time with Him so that you can accomplish more (even if it is accomplishing more "for the kingdom").

Why is it important that we understand this concept and renounce it?
Let me explain this with a parable. 
Luke 10_38-42  Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Even Martha was corrected for having the drive to do things (which were good and necessary) at a time when Jesus wanted to RELATE.  We need to know the difference between "faith without works is dead" and not giving Jesus room to have a proper grace-filed relationship with us.

How do we renounce and repent of this addiction?
Well, we do this by doing the same as we do when we are convicted of any other sin.  God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don't, or we "turn back", alternate outcomes are promised.- Acts 17:11 Bible Studies
Another part of disowning this addiction is to replace the addicted behavior with a God-given counter behavior.  The more I learn about it, the more I am convinced that the counter to "doing" is "being".  More practically, acknowledging the Sabbath. 
Sabbath rest is something you can not get by sleeping eight hours every night.  It is not playing video games or checking your brain out to a good book.  To learn more about what it is, I will have to write another blog!  Part of it is squashing the pride in you that says you can do more than what your physical imitations should allow.  It is simply taking a 24 hour period once a week to rest, acknowledge His lordship in your life, and refresh for the coming week ahead.
So, with that said, I am going to go have a mini-Sabbath rest!   I hope you all take the time to honor God in that way as well!

Food Matters

Ugh.......

I have been really really struggling with a concept for a while and I need to get it out.

Growing up and especially in my early adult years, I heard from people and doctors,  " wow, you are so skinny!  You need to gain some weight."  Among other issues, one of this things that did for me was cause me to try and gain weight.  I ate and ate whatever, whenever I wanted.  A bowl of Lucky Charms before bed, Oreos for breakfast, cake for lunch.....you get my drift.  All this time, I never gained weight but I felt horrible!  Looking back now, I laugh thinking if people really knew what I ate, they would cringe.... :-)

So fast forward to today....I have semi-horrible eating habits still which have only been improved because I don't want to be a bad example to my kids and my hubby doesn't like to have all that junk in the house because he gains weight easily.  I have still been feeling like I am not operating at my best though.  I started taking a multi-vitamin regularly but it only helped a little.  Then I started learning about food.  No, I mean real food, not the stuff you see in the middle of the store but the stuff we are made to survive on.  I have been watching a couple of documentaries on it, reading material I have found, and praying a lot about it.  Now, I am convinced to change my eating habits.  I am doing this by starting to eat clean.  But I am not happy about it yet....just another lesson in doing something you're asked to do and knowing that you are not controlled by your emotions, right?

So why?  Just to feel better?  NO!  Did you know that vitamins can heal disease?  Enough vitamin C cures cancer!  High doses of vitamin B6 (niacin) blows clinical depression away!  So, why don't we know about it?  We can if we look.  America just doesn't practice these cures for disease.  I want a quality life while I am here so I can be effective for the Kingdom and I am now convinced that starts with food!  Food matters!

So, I have some things I am hoping to see change.  I will keep you updated as to whether or not they do and maybe you will be inspired too!