FUNNY Friday!
Would you look at this?!? Would you look at that!?!
Please, would you look at this!
Archive for July, 2011
More than Skinny
It saddens me when women use “healthy living” as an excuse of being obsessed with weight/body. Please hear me, we need to be healthy. But is “healthy” really what you are trying to obtain? Or are you trying to be a certain size/weight? Because healthy isn’t necessarily a size 2. Some of the women in Hollywood aren’t necessarily healthy, they may be skinny, but not healthy. We all need to make good choices and put things in our bodies that will build it up, not tear it down.
The Weight Loss Industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that feeds on the insecurities of women to be “enough”. For some reason, weight seems to be one of the tangible ways in which we measure our “enoughness.” It’s often the way we measure our worth.
If you are trying to become a certain size for the sake of getting the new boyfriend or the self-esteem you seek, it will not work. If all you think about is becoming that certain size, you have easily gone from healthy to obsessive. Your words may justify your efforts by saying, “I just want to be healthy,” but your obsessiveness denies anything your word says.
So what’s the answer? Is there a balance?
Yes!
And the answer’s name is Jesus. You see, the more I seek Him, the less important my weight becomes. The more I seek Him, I receive this incredible by-product of becoming more of me. As I put all of my effort into knowing Him, I naturally want to live a healthier me. Instead of focusing on the weight, my focus is much, much higher, and much much greater.
Jacquline Dukes says it this way:
Christ becomes everything. And the problems are kinda’ there, but kinda’ not. Next to Christ’s glory and splendor, the problems are small enough to vanish. They are still there in the earthly sense, except that now I am next to Him and so they are insignificant.
When I have found my enoughness in Christ, I’m no longer interested in measuring my worth by my weight.
Seek Christ, not a weight. Seek Christ and you will become healthy.
skinny isn’t better
Confession time. Until last week, I did not realize I was believing a big, fat lie. What is the lie? Glad you asked. It is:
skinny = better or skinny = better than
I don’t know what took me so long to understand that skinny = better was my mindset. But as I reflect on my 30-some years of life, I can see it played out over and over. And I’m not the only one caught in this lie.
It is played out on the front cover of the check-out aisle magazines and on the face of women as they pound away on the treadmill. It is in a bookstore you visit or late-night infomercial. Because society has bought this lie, it’s easy to reason that that the skinny girl in a coffee shop will get hit on. It’s also why people are paid to do studies to see if skinner people get the job more easily than not-so-skinny people. And according to some, it’s why I am single.
Oh, we hide this lie in many pretty packages. ”Men are visual, women need to be attractive and skinny is attractive”, ”I just want to be healthy”, “I need to looks this way for my career.”
This just adds to this twisted and distorted mindset that made it easy to believe skinny = better, and sometimes, skinny = better than.
And so I ask, where did this line of thinking come from? When did I start believing it? Why? Because I’m pretty sure it’s not in scripture. I’m pretty sure the Creator never says you need to be skinny to be loved.
It is imperative that lie is replaced with truth.
Skinny does not = better
Not Skinny does not = better
Truth is, we can strive to be a certain size/weight or we can strive to see what Abba says. We can see what His words are about and let Him tell us what is better. We can have Him, The Word, as a mirror, instead of the magazines.
“Before the foundations of the world, I chose you…” this is a life vest for those drowning in the lie of skinny = better.
I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it. Be you. Be who you were created to be. If you don’t know who you are, ask the one who Created you. Spend time letting Him tell you why He created you with the gifts, talents, traits and personality you have and that what He sees in you, makes you beautiful.
*disclaimer–there are those who struggle with diabeates, high blood pressure, etc that will need to monitor their weight, I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the lie/mindset that skinny = better.
Friday Funny
It’s Friday, friday! Time to laugh!
Carlos Whittaker is a worship leader, blogger, husband and father of adorable children. You need to read his Elf-On-The-Shelf story. Think of it as a present for this Christmas in July Friday.
Just click the photo to enjoy!
Have a good weekend everyone!
It’s Who I Am
Do y’all know the Jessica Andrews song Who I Am? I would change the lyrics to fit me.
I am Ileen’s granddaughter, the spitting image of my father, when the day is done my mama’s still my biggest fan….
It seemed appropriate and honest.
Recently, I’ve been relearning who I am. How? I’m glad you asked.
I’m learning more about me, simply by learning more about Christ. The more I know him, the more I know me. A couple of weekends ago, my friends and I gathered in a living room to learn more about Christ via Milt Rodriguez. Milt shared Jesus with us, and in doing so, it reawakened parts of me I had forgotten.
I found myself wanting to write again and take more photos. I have found myself needing to be in nature (even though it’s blasted hot outside) I have noticed a desire to be with people who show me Christ, because in doing so–I know me better. My friends, who also gathered in the living room with me, have found themselves desiring to be about their uniqueness too. We haven’t said that, it’s just really evident in everyday living of life.
And when I think of the idea that the more I know Christ the more I know my true self–which is hidden in Him–the more I know where/what I am supposed to be doing in life, the more peace resides and striving ceases.
When Christ–who is my life–reveals himself, I remember who I am.
I’m sure as this rumbles in my head more…you’ll hear more about it. Try to contain your excitement..hehehe 
Half way
We are almost half way through July and I have yet to see a beach or lake this year. I’m slightly depressed. Growing up in MI you could drive 45 minutes and be near the water. I did not take advantage of that luxury while I was there.
I am ten times more creative near large bodies of water. It reminds me that there is something bigger than me in the world. The sound of waves hitting the beach automatically allows me to relax and reminds me that there is a God who stops them from coming further up the coast.
It’s there I remember bits of me that I had forgotten. And although I could concentrate on my body and how I look compared to the woman a few towels/chairs down for me, I make the choice not to do that. I choose to remember I am more than the sum of my parts. I choose to remember that I’m created in Christ, a beautiful part of His Body, clothed in splendor, and I choose to focus on the glories of Him, not on myself.
That is why I need a beach asap. I’m headed with some friends to Orlando this weekend…for a conference. However, I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Bring on the beach!
Bitter or Not
I went on a walk at state park in the early evening yesterday. It was beautiful. I had started my walk with a little Adele but quickly realized I needed to listen to Kari Jobe instead. It proved to be a wise choice. When I was let go from my job in July 2009, her record help me keep my sanity. ”Beautiful”, “My Beloved”, and “Singing Over Me” drowned out the sound of the lies and insecurities I was facing.
During the walk yesterday, I realized how far God has brought me. I live with The Marrieds and seven years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to survive it. I was angry and bitter. At that time, my roommate had just started dating and I would get mad at them for things like–sitting too close to each other on the couch or praying together. I was a hot mess. The fact that the roommate and I are still friends is definitely a miracle.
Yesterday I would pass a couple here or a family there and instead of giving them the stink eye, I’d smile. It wasn’t a conscious thought…it just, was. And in that moment I began thinking of all the wonderful adventures I’ve had in the last seven years and found a contented smile plastered on my face. My heart began to overflow. I praised the Lord for the journey thus far and I praised Him that it will keep going. I praised Him because it was a good day.
And I was floored as He gave me the gift of fireflies at the end of our walk together. He knows my heart–intimately. He gives good gifts. He gives me eyes to see fireflies as a gift from Him and gives me faith not to explain them away, but to accept said gift.
What gifts does He give you, that you explain away? How is He showing off to you–in the little things? In what ways are you receiving His good gifts? They are all around. He pursues your heart like no man ever will–can you see it?
Freedom
It’s been a great weekend, full of reminders and remembering. I blame it on U2.
Saturday I and 60,000 other people crowded into Vanderbilt Stadium to attend U2′s 360 Tour. I’m still taking in the grand-ness of the evening. Among the greatness was a Johnny Cash song, and a shout out to Charlie Peacock, Jars of Clay and Michael J. Smith. Sixty thousand people sang Amazing Grace, With or Without You, I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, It’s a Beautiful Day and many, many more. The highlight of the evening was when Bono pulled a man on stage. He had held a sign that said he would like to play a song for his wife. So Bono brought him his guitar, the man played, Bono sang, the band joined in at the secon chorus and in the end Bono gives the man his guitar. It’s only later do we find out the man was blind.
Yet in all that greatness something more stands out. I knew going in Bono was a champion for the One Campaign and I knew he was known to be a man to challenge people to think outside of themselves. What I did not know was his deep desire for freedom. He reminded us about Burma and how people are in prison there because they want decomarcy and we need to help them obtain freedom. He talked about love, peace and freedom. The songs sang echo’d this desire for freedom.
So as I sit at home, still processing all that happened at Vanderbilt Stadium, the echo of freedom rings the loudest. Today we celebrate America’s freedom. We grill hamburgers, we drink beer or lemonade, we play corn hole, we gather with family and friends to watch fireworks, and we remember the millions of lives it cost for us to take part in such simple, yet beautiful, tradtions. 
On of the most famous speeches in all of America says “Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.” And I know we pick a day in Jaunary to remember man specifically, but its truth needs to be remembered today.
Because freedom is more than a deeply pulsing heart-beat heard in Bono voice–its the heart beat of every human. To be free. To be loose of chains that weigh us down and to rid ourselves of the tryanny of the past and the negative voices that seep into our present–this is what we desire. This is what we want to walk in–freedom.
“My chains are gone. I’ve been set free”
Now to learn to walk in the freedom and not go back to the slavery I’m comfortable in…that’s the challenge for me and for you.
Fun Friday
Do you ever have moments when your family or married friends say something incredibly stupid to you, the singleton? Yeah, me too. My friend sent me this link from Single Dad Laughing. SDL asked his readers “What are the things people say to single people that are rude or ignorant?” and then he put his “responses” below. I thought it to be brilliant!
I have heard 23 of 33–how about you??
- So, why are you single?
Ummm, maybe because I don’t shower and I hate puppies. - Just have fun with it!
Thank you. You’ve just solved all my problems. I was purposefully NOT having fun with it. - Have you tried online dating?
Match.com didn’t work so I guess my next move is Craigslist. - It just wasn’t meant to be.
Thank you. I’ve been hoping to find somebody who knows the complete plans of the universe. So tell me, all knowing, who IS meant to be? - It will happen when you least expect it.
How can I expect it less than never?
- There are plenty of fish in the sea.
Thank you for rubbing my nose in my inability to get any of them. - You’re just too picky.
So, you’re saying I should settle? - Are you kidding? I wish I was single and in your shoes.
Poor baby. - You’re so attractive! What seems to be the problem?
How do I answer this without making you or me look like a jerk? - Maybe you’re not trying hard enough.
Oooooh. That must be it. I think what you’re really saying is that I’m not easy enough. - He just hasn’t found you yet.
Oh, well, then I guess I’ll stop looking and wait for him to come to me! - When are you going to get married?
When are you going to let me kick you in the teeth? - There are so many great guys/girls out there.
So, are you saying that I’m not one of them since they’re so readily abundant and I’m still alone? - You have such a pretty face, I bet if you lost weight you could find a man!
And I bet if you gained weight you’d be mistaken for a Manatee. - I’m sorry.
For what? Making me feel like a piece of crap? - You’ll be complete some day.
Yes, because I’m so incomplete now. Thank you. - You’ll always be single until you fix yourself up.
Meaning… I have to be someone other than me? - At least you don’t have any responsibilities.
At least you don’t have any tact. - You’re not getting any younger!
And you’re not getting anything in my will. - Oh, you’re the unmarried one.
Oh, you’re the one with a ridiculously large forehead. - From married moms: oh, it sucks that I am going to be a single mom for the next three days while my husband is out of town.
From single moms: Oh, I’m sorry. You have to go three days without help while somebody goes somewhere to make some money for you. If you need anything, let me know. - Your kids will give you all the love you need.
Yes, because who needs a partner to hug, kiss, and have awesome sex with. Certainly not me. - Are you gay?
If I told you I was, would you get off my back? - You’re too skinny.
You’re too fat. Let’s hug and pretend we don’t despise each other. - Good luck, all the good ones are either taken, gay, or still attached to their mothers’ breasts.
First of all, that doesn’t make any sense. Second of all, huh? - It must be so nice to be single.
It must be so nice to be stupid. - You know, your biological clock is ticking.
Thank you for the reminder. So is yours, which means a drop kick to your face won’t heal as quickly. - Maybe if you didn’t look like a mom.
That’s right… I’m trying to trick people into liking me and then I’ll spring my parental status on them at the last possible moment.
- Come on over…you won’t be a third wheel!
Well, I wasn’t going to feel that way before, but now… - You’re smart and independent and already have kids, you don’t need a man anyway.
I can see your reasoning. So are you saying that you are dumb and dependent? Cause that’s all I hear. - Beggars can’t be choosers.
So, I’m officially at beggar status. Please sir… can you spare a girlfriend for a guy down on his luck? - It’s going to be hard to find a man who wants an instant family.
It’s going to be hard to find your contact lenses after I punch you in the face. - Your self confidence scares guys off.
I think you’re onto something. I’ll start acting like a pushover doormat. That’ll bring me the right kind of guy.