Hello again, dear precious sisters of mine! I'm sorry for getting this out so late, but I've been busy doing what Darlene suggested on her post today.

I've had wonderful praise and quiet time, shorter than I'd like, but my time with God is His time with me...and His determination of how long it should be, I'm sure, is far better than mine!

Since this is my first post for "Live Well", I'd like to begin with why I love it so much. It's because our sister Darlene has based this wonderful weight loss program on Christ and being fully surrendered to Him first (Matthew 6:33). And I'm so grateful to God for her, because this is what I've always been looking for!

I know with this weight loss program, I will not only lose the weight necessary to lead a healthy life, honoring to our gracious Father God, but I will keep it off since it's not founded on me and what I prefer to look like so I can feel better about myself. It's all about Christ and His life shining through our mortal bodies. And everything in this world is temporary, but all things with God are everlasting!

Therefore, while I may be a gourmand, and choose to settle things with food: whether I'm happy and want to celebrate, bored and want something "fun" to do, or troubled and sad and want something to make me feel better, I am resolved to dieting God's way, just as I am resolved to do all things in my life.

So, instead of eating and eating and eating all day (which I LOVE to do), I decided to concentrate on having "One Pure and Holy Passion" (click on the link to watch the video) by doing all the things my darling husband requested I accomplish today! Get repair calls in and clean out our "junk" room. And who worked alongside me? My two wonderful teenage boys!

You see, my sister-in-law and two of her four kiddos are coming to visit us in a couple days and I needed to get our "junk" (bedroom) cleaned out and made ready to be used as it's supposed to be!

Here's what it comes down to dearly beloved sisters: "Who or What do you prefer?" I'd love to say that with every breath I prefer Jesus, but that would be a lie. My greatest passion and desire in life is for that statement to be true. But unfortunately, there are too many times I prefer my feelings, what others might think of me, and my thoughts and ways above anyone else's, including God's. That's when the Holy Spirit of God reminds me:

"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."
~ Galatians 1:10 (emphasis added)

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
~ Galatians 2:20

Last time I checked, a dead person doesn't have any of their own desires, opinions, thoughts or ways...needless to say, they don't care what others think of them either! So if I'm truly crucified with Christ and I no longer live, shouldn't I "live" as if I am?

Now let's return to my question, "Who or what do you prefer?" Below is my answer in a song I wrote a couple of years ago:

Although I fail often, my goal in life is to "Live Well". Not according to the world's standards and certainly not according to my own. But according to God's standards, for only in Christ Jesus can any of us truly live well!

By the way, I had my yearly physical yesterday and found out that I've lost 7 lbs since my last visit a couple of months ago!!! May God receive all glory and praise, for every victory is in Christ Jesus our Lord!