Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Yahweh & my Yogurt


One word.  Maury.

What comes to mind?  Let me venture a guess, may I?
" ______________, you are NOT the father"
or "_______________, you ARE the father"
These life-changing statements emphatically result in an explosion of emotions and tears, yelling and fighting, cursing and denials.
I know this to be true because it was the way I spent my noon hour for all too many years. ( come on now, no judging allowed!)

That is, until one day God spoke to my heart while I anxiously awaited the latest paternity results  - - "Why are you watching this Tera? Just because you CAN, doesn't mean you SHOULD"
in other words,

"Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23

God was right (imagine that).  Just because I "COULD" watch this nonsense, didn't mean I "SHOULD" watch this nonsense (my apologies Maury).  So, I decided right then and there that Mr. Povich and I needed to end our daily lunch date.  And I felt good about it. One small step of obedience.
What I learned however; is that simply keeping out the "bad", wasn't enough.
*******************************************************************************

I start each day off with a yogurt. 

You see, yogurt has power-boosting protein and bone-building calcium. It can also help you lose weight and fend off a cold.  But perhaps the greatest benefit of yogurt is that it contains probiotics, "live and active cultures", beneficial bugs that live in your digestive tract and help crowd out harmful microorganisms that can cause intestinal infections. Now, before you cringe and think "Oooooo, yucky icky", hear me out.  When I decided  back in 2009 that it was time to change my way of eating, change my way of exercising (ok, START exercising ;) ),  I did my research.

Things to Avoid in Excess:  Milk Chocolate & Candy (booooo!), Potato Chips, Soda Pop, Pizza, Processed Food, and (gulp), Cinnamon Rolls & other Homemade Baked Delights, etc, etc....the list goes on.

 But we already know all of this, right?  I mean, c'mon, everyone knows that a breakfast loaded with sugary pastries, followed by a fast-food burger, fries, & milkshake lunch, and an evening supper composed of a  bucket of broasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits is not beneficial to our health (Gee, anyone else suddenly craving Poptarts & KFC?) ;)
What we DON'T always consider is that in addition to "keeping out the bad" (that which is permissible, but not beneficial), we must also "put in the good" (that which is constructive) in order for our physical body to achieve a healthy balance.   Yogurt puts the "good" back in, and that's why I enjoy a Yoplait Light as part of each morning.

The same is true of my morning time with Yahweh.  It's vital to my spiritual balance that each day begin by "putting in the good" through prayer & quality alone time with the Father.  Jesus did too.

                Early the next morning, while it was still dark,
                        Jesus woke and left the house.
               He went to a lonely place, where he prayed. - Mark 1:35 

It's important that I not only keep out the "bad", (negative thoughts, poor television choices, profanity-ladened music, jealousy, pride, unforgiveness, the list goes on......) but that I put in the "good"(reading the Word, prayer, thankfulness, love, joy, patience, mercy, the list goes on....) through the daily renewing of my mind, and that's why I savor the Savior as part of each morning.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. - Romans 12:2

How do YOU maintain a healthy physical & spiritual balance?  I'd love to hear from you, so I'm hosting my first blog *giveaway* ! Simply comment below and your name will be entered to win a copy of Sarah Young's Daily Devotional "Jesus Calling" along with a crisp $5.00 bill.   Why the $5.00?  *to pick up your own yogurt of course ;)

Sweet Blessings,
♥Tera

7 comments:

  1. Hi Tera,
    I really like the connections you made with keeping out the bad (bad influences & food) and starting each day with the good (God & yogurt)! So true and easy to remember. I try to start my day with God and the gym, although sometimes I skip the gym to spend time writing, which for me, means more time with God. I've been wanting to read this book; thanks for the chance!
    Blessings,
    Laura
    laurajrath@gmail.com
    www.laurarath.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Laura! Thank you for commenting on my blog, and.........Congratulations! Please email me your mailing address! I'm excited to send you a copy of JESUS CALLING! Sweet Blessings! :)Tera

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  2. For me to keep a healthy balance spiritually, I imagine God being right next to me all day long, so it helps keep my behaviors and actions in line with His Word and glorifying to Him.

    Love your post and congratulations on your first giveway :)

    Veronica H.
    wwww.simplymemywalk.wordpress.com

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    1. Hi Veronica! I'd LOVE to send you a copy of JESUS CALLING! Simply email me your mailing address (ktelness@windomnet.com) Thank you for commenting on my blog! I hope you will continue to follow! Sweet Blessings! :) Tera

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  3. I am still working on finding that healthy balance. I do great for a while then I fall back a bit. It is a learning process! I like to do a devotion first thing in the morning but evenings is when I find extra time with God, after the Littles are in bed:)
    As for health I try to run regularly and listen to only positive music as running to ,fill me up.I also try to feed my family more healthy options as well.

    Have you tried Greek yogurt? Very very good for you. I do not recommend the plain kind but any others are awesome. Do not just try once give it at last a couple tries, very thick and creamy and less sugary, I can barely eat yoplait anymore bc it is so sweet.
    I have heard so much about the book you are giving away. Hope I win:)

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    Replies
    1. Hi there! (I'm sorry, I didn't see your name anywhere!)In any case, I would LOVE to send you a copy of JESUS CALLING! Simply email me your mailing address (ktelness@windomnet.com) Thank you for commenting on my blog and I hope you will continue to follow! Sweet Blessings! :) Tera

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  4. I am still learning how to find a balance. I am trying to surround myself with friends of faith, read the Bible daily, pray often and yes, watch what goes in, so that I can watch what comes out. I am not as good at the health side but continue to make an effort every day. I know it will take time to get in a real routine and habit, but God is worth all the time I give him. Tera, you have been a real inspiration to me and I hope to find a balance in the near future with a great devotional of my own!
    Your friend,
    Kym
    kimberlymccutcheon@live.com

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