Absolute.

  F w/MCE??? We usually read the Bible through the lens of people.   We focus on the characters and the contributions they each make.   But there’s a character that plays a pivotal role in so many stories, and yet somehow never makes the credits- food. “F w/MCE” is the shortened version of the title of this blog series- “Food with Main Character Energy.”   Each post will examine one story, the role food plays in the story, and what we can learn from its contributions. The phrase, “main character energy” was trending not that long ago, but I didn’t pick it because of its cultural relevance.   I picked that phrase because I think it serves as a good place holder to one theological truth: Jesus is THE main character of every story in the Bible.  But there are more than few instances where food steps into the spotlight with main character energy and this series takes note.   I hope you enjoy it, are encouraged, and maybe even a little surprised. ...

When I started the TTTT Series I made a list of the lies I used to tell myself with notes about the truth that I needed to hear.  I’ve been posting one lie a week for the last FOUR MONTHS and I have finally finished the list.  (Plus one post from a guest contributor, “Too Old to Change.”) 17 BIG LIES! I’m still shocked by how long the list was.   It’s proof of how hard I was working to re-create my reality.   I tried to keep the posts short, direct, and practical because that’s the nature of the truth.   In a few of the posts, I included relevant scriptures.   I will probably circle back to a few writings and elaborate more and/or offer more scriptural support, but I won’t be posting weekly anymore.   For now, I wanted to share this list of scriptures and make it available because I believe in the power of God’s Word!   For those of you who want to make a change but are struggling, I believe this list can give you the encouragement and rein...

TTTT: I’m too busy serving others to exercise. Truth: If you’re modeling after Christ, you’re going to get your steps in.   I used to say, “I’m too busy serving other people to be consistent with an exercise routine.”   I believed that I was modeling after Christ, making sacrifices for others.   I told myself that caring for the church body was more important than caring for my own body.   But I was ignoring this truth- I AM a PART of the church body!   If I truly believe that caring for the church body is important, then it’s impossible to justify neglecting the care of my own body. Scripture is clear that it’s not okay to show favoritism in how we treat people within the church (James 2:1,9), but don’t overlook the fact that that includes YOU!   You are “people within the church.”   If you’re prioritizing caring for the church body, then prioritize caring for yourself.   Moreover, the New Testament tells us that the body is the temp...

  TTTT: 155 pounds is the lightest I will get. Truth: God “is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20) I put 155 in the Facebook post, but the truth is, this number has changed many times.   Back when I was over 200 pounds, the 150’s sounded like a pipe dream.   When I finally started losing weight,   I thought 155 was the lightest I would get.   I remember my disbelief when I saw the 140’s on the scale.   Later, I broke that threshold as well.   The lightest I ever weighed in Minnesota was 135.   … TWENTY pounds less than what I thought my dream weight was! Fast forward a few years, I put a lot of weight back on after moving to Texas (details in other posts).   I refocused and started dropping the pounds again.   I told myself “145 is the lightest I will get”- things were different, I had more muscles, I was older, etc., etc.   I hit 145 and bought new clothes to celebrate.   I had momen...

  TTTT: “I'm an athlete. There’s a lot of muscle in here.” Truth:   Muscles don’t hide. “I’m an athlete, I’m supposed to have a stocky build. And there’s a lot of muscle in here.”   I used to tell myself this as I was buying larger and larger clothing sizes.   The truth is, I was an athlete.   Before the days of being overweight, I was a multi-sport athlete.   But during my season of obesity, I couldn’t do a 20-minute at-home workout video without pausing it… multiple times.   Being an athlete was still part of my identity , but it wasn’t part of my reality or my lifestyle. Being an athlete is tied to physical activity AND physical appearance.   But the connection to physical appearance doesn’t match what I was describing.   Yes, it’s true, muscle weighs more than fat.   But you know what else is true? Muscle tissue burns more calories than fat.   So “a lot of muscle in here” might justify what you see on the scale, but it ...

It started in elementary school.   I learned from a presentation that I was supposed to have 3 meals a day and I was convinced. I began fighting for that normal rhythm as a child.   In my mind, my mom was obligated to provide me with 3 square meals a day and I even argued that a sandwich counted as a snack, not a meal.   25 years later, not much had changed. I remember when Matt (my husband) first brought up intermittent fasting to me.   He was sharing his YouTube education, and I was NOT impressed.   I dismissed it quickly with confidence that I was supposed to have three meals a day.    That is what is “healthy.” The average American has 11 eating events in a day, stretched over the course of 15 hours. Think that over.   That’s one hour a day that you’re not eating, and about 8 snacks a day.   Maybe you don’t look like the average American.   But the statistic alone, should be alarming for all of us, because this IS impacting ...