Fragments

 I wake slowly, the heaviness of the blankets that kept me safe and warm now feeling cumbersome. My eyes adjust to the darkness, seeking the sliver of light from a curtain not quite closed all the way. Before I have even sat up, I am aware that I was having quite a vivid dream, one full of details and emotions. But before my feet touch the floor, the dream has already begun to dissipate, leaving only fragments that puzzle me as I work to piece it together. Over a steaming mug of coffee, I try to recall it all, but the fragments are slipping away fast, and I finally resign myself that it's just another dream I can't remember.

I glance over at my end table where my Bible sits. How often does my time in scripture result in the same experience? I think I am present as I read God's Word but when I close the book and walk away, what stays with me? How quickly the words fade from my memory, telling me I was not as present as I thought I was. Only fragments remain. 

Yet, there are verses that have imprinted on my heart, learned in childhood, reassuring me that God's Word does not return void. "The grass withers and flowers fade but the Word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8 

This is why God commanded in Joshua 1:8 "Study this Book of Law continually. Meditate on it day and night, so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it." 

And in Colossians 1 we read how prayers for spiritual wisdom are ours for the asking! So, I am encouraged. I may not recall my dreams, but I can ask for retention of God's Word. Even better, His word is there to dive into and be refreshed when my mind has only fragments. 

Blessed Assurance

I discovered a hidden treasure the other day. While going through boxes of my parent's belongings, I came across a precious piece of paper. In my father's handwriting is a testimony worksheet he had filled out in which he shares how he received Christ and how his life was different because of this. Oh! What a find! And while I have made copies for my siblings, I'm claiming the original for myself. This is why:

Among the things my dad shares in this testimony are several scripture references to verses he was memorizing or found especially comforting to him because of the promises offered. As i jotted these down and began to look them up, something amazing came to light. With the exception of only a few, every single one was something already highlighted in my bible as special to me! With the first two discoveries I just smiled and thought how nice. But as more of them matched my own a little shiver ran up my spine.

 This was not a coincidence. Sure these verses are favorites of many. Verses like "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities... and by his stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53.5 KJV) or this one from Romans 8.1: "So now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (KJV) But a few of them were less commonly quoted or familiar. Yet at one time or another, in my bible readings, these same verses my dad loved, were underlined or highlighted as special to me for one reason or another.

As to the verses that were not a match to my underlined ones this one in particular jumped out at me: "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins but they already have passed from death into life." (John 5.24 NLT)

Why did this verse grab my attention?

Well, even though I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 9 years old, I have experienced many times in my life where my salvation felt troubled. Fear and doubt would creep in, making myself question my salvation. I remember as a young girl coming home to find an empty kitchen. A pot was simmering on the stove and while my mother's presence was palpable she was nowhere to be found. My mother was always there when we came home from school. Always. But not this day. Fear struck my heart and I gulped. Terror gripped me as I searched the house calling out her name. I was sure the Rapture had occurred and I'd been left behind! You can imagine my immense comfort when my mother wandered in, fresh from a visit to the neighbors for an impromptu tea visit. And while I nearly collapsed in relief, I was unable to share with her the anxiety and fear I'd just experienced. How could I explain it when I was "supposed to be" a Christian?

I am a little embarrassed to admit that this doubt would continue to haunt me on more than a few occasions. A quiet room when someone had been in it just moments before. A sick feeling coming over me when hearing of terrible things going on in our nation (9-11) and thinking "this is it, the end is near" and being afraid that no matter how many times I'd prayed again to be saved, because I wanted to make sure, I'd still somehow fallen short of being one of those counted righteous in His Sight.

It wasn't a pretty feeling.

Thankfully, in part because of a praying husband, I was able to work through this over time and reach a point where I could say I was sure that I was not going to be left behind. I could rest in God's promise when He said he's adopted me into His family and I will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

Why I experienced such doubt over my salvation, I can't explain. Perhaps my childhood traumas and later the betrayals by one who professed to love me, played into my psyche and fed that vein of low self esteem: I'm not worthy, I don't deserve salvation. I'm still not good enough for God. Well, here's the deal-- all of that is true! I'm NOT worthy. But because of God's amazing grace and endless love, He accepts me anyway. Funny how I seem to always need reminders of this... but then, we all have an Achilles heel that the enemy loves to poke at. We all have a propensity to something and apparently this was mine. How thankful I was when I realized that particular monkey was off my back.

So, then, coming across this verse the other day was a strong but gentle reminder that I can continue to rest in the promise Jesus gave. The fact that this reminder from my Heavenly Father, came via my other father is a significant factor for me. No matter how many times I struggle in my daily walk with the Lord, no matter the desert-dry days in my spiritual walk, I am still a Child of God. No matter how long I sit in front of a blank page cursing the blinking curser of my computer screen because of writer's block, no matter how apathetic I feel, no matter the brain fog or feelings of lethargy, it does not change Who I Am in Christ.

I am God's girl.
I am forgiven.
I am saved.
I will inherit His riches.
I will be in His Kingdom.
Indeed I already am.

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine
O what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of Salvation, Purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His Blood.

This is my story, this is my song, 
praising my Savior all the day long
This is my story, this is my song, 
praising my Savior all the day long *

*Fanny Crosby

Just Jesus

I'll just go ahead and say it. I'm a slow learner. Or, perhaps more correctly, a stubborn one.

You would think that after 40++ years of being a Christian, I'd get it. And, of course, I do. Get it I mean. I get what being a Christ follower means. I get what living a life set apart should look like. I get that living for Jesus demands my whole heart. I get it and I want it and I pursue it. Well, most of the time. I mean, let's be perfectly honest... there are days where living for Jesus is not at the front and center of my heart and mind. More correctly, it's living for Robyn taking His place. And so, I need these constant reminders, these daily checkpoints to stop me in my tracks, keep me in line and help me refocus, renew and recommit.

As so often is the case, when God wants to get a message, He does it repeatedly. It happened that way this morning....

In addition to following a bible reading plan, I receive multiple online devotionals via email. This morning as I sipped my coffee and tried vainly to focus my bleary eyes on the email as viewed through my smartphone, I read the scripture accompanying the devotional. 

From Philippians 4.19: And my God will meet all your needs, according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. 

The main thrust of the devotional was about running on empty-- forgetting to spend time daily with Jesus, refueling. It was a timely and gentle reminder for me as I had allowed a few days to slip away where starting my day with The Word had been forsaken in exchange for whatever else was clamoring for my attention. 

I laid my phone down and picked up my bible and journal to jot down some thoughts. Satisfied with my pondering, I returned to my phone to finish my email. As I scrolled down through the content of the next email what jumped out at me? Reference to not worrying about our own needs because God will supply them.... and, yes, Philippians 4.19.

Even as my heart thrilled in my chest I wasn't that surprised. It was so clearly NOT coincidence. God had my attention. 

I don't forget to eat. I need food to fuel my body and my brain and when I skip a meal or go too long between eating, I grow cranky, tired and sometimes a little shaky. So why do I allow my spirit to skip feedings? 

It has to be more than just a habit I lock myself into. It has to be the most important source I turn to, daily, minute by minute. 

Jesus. 
Just Jesus.

gas fumes and bread crumbs

On Monday next, Bruce begins his new job! (and everybody gave a loud cheer!!) 

for the past 30 days he's been working for our church in an interim position and it's been a blessing in many ways. Starting Monday, the tool belt gets hung up until the weekend. He'll be working in contractor sales-- working on the other side of the desk. It's going to be different. It's going to be a challenge. It's going to be interesting... its going to be great! 

I said awhile back that I was longing for some financial stability in our lives. Self employment is wonderful even as it is stressful, because of the independence it offers but our economy has not been kind to the small business owner in the past several years. You've heard my woes over these past many many months about how hard it's been to scratch out a living. We are so very thankful for the way God has provided for us both in the lean times and the plenty. 

Despite the steady pay checks coming, it's going to take some time for us to climb out of the hole we've slipped into. It only takes a few weeks of no income to send you down into that pit but it often takes 2-3 times longer to climb back out. 

There have been days when life has felt so overwhelmingly difficult. Unpaid bills, creditors calling to demand what is rightfully theirs to demand, getting by on gas fumes and bread crumbs, physical challenges and emotional stress adding to the already fragile morale.... those are the days I need these reminders:
i am not alone. 
God has not forgotten or forsaken me. 
he gives strength to the weary.
he gives hope to the hopeless.
he offers a yoke that is easy, a burden that is light.
he offers a future filled with hope.
he sends me reminders and it gives me the courage and strength i need to face one more day. 

Learning to trust in Him regardless of my circumstances, remembering that trust is a choice, remembering that my source of security and stability is never in a job or a paycheck or any circumstance of life, but in Him and Him alone; that is what allows me to rise up on wings like eagles, to walk and not grow weary, to run and not faint. 

Imagine That!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, 

because he trusts in you." 

Isaiah 26.3

Having peace of mind in troubled times can often feel unobtainable. I don't know about you but when I'm worried or anxious, my imagination can run wild. I start thinking of all the things that can go wrong, and it just mushrooms from there. Peace feels like a fuzzy concept. I desperately want it but it seems just out of reach.

The bible tells me that the only way to have peace is to 'fix my mind' on God. I recently learned that the word 'mind' in the Isaiah passage does not refer to the mind as in logical, rational. problem solving but it's the word for 'imagination'. It's our imaginations that can cause us to lose our peace.  I'm learning that the only way to fix my mind on God is to grab hold of my (run away) imagination and bring it to Him.

There's a great lesson is the quote "Don't believe everything you think."  There's been a lot of "junk food" my mind has been fed over the years. Junk food like "you're worthless" or "God doesn't care about your needs." As a result, I can't be trusted to tell myself the truth all the time. It's not enough to just erase the old tapes; I need to replace those thoughts with something else.

When I let my mind have control I will copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but when I let God have control, He will transform me into a new person by changing the way I think. (Romans 12.2)

2 Corinthians 10.5 tells us to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." I have an imagination given through God's design but instead of using it for negative scenarios, why not instead imagine all the great and marvelous works my God is capable of? Instead of imaging all the bad things that can happen, I can concentrate on all of His marvelous works, provisions and His Sovereign Grace. I'm choosing today to let God shape my imagination.


Now Glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us is able to do far more that we would ever dare to ask or even dream of-infinitely beyond our highest prayer, desires, thoughts or hopes. May He be given glory forever. Ephesians 3.20-21

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Yesterday I felt great! I felt light and flexible, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! I walked 4 miles at an average of 14 minutes per mile. The sun was shining and I was able to spend most of the day under those beautiful sunny skies.

sunny skies at the bay. 

Today I feel not so great. I feel heavy and tight, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. My joints feel like they've been filled with quick setting cement.  I forced myself out the door and pushed myself to do a 2 mile walk which took almost 45 minutes to do. The sky is overcast and rain is in the forecast. I have a feeling I might spend some of this day under the covers.

some days feel black and white.

But, despite all of that. I still got out there and walked. I don't care how long it took or how slow I walked or how short a distance I covered today. It doesn't even matter that yesterday I did great. What matters is I am moving. I will not let my fickle disease control me.

some days it's a struggle to stand upright. 

I can blame it on the weather or link it to something I ate the day before that caused inflammation to occur, but some times there just is no rhyme or reason to a Fibro-Flair Up. All I can do is hang in there because it always passes. I have my little tricks for recovery and I also know when to just ride it out . In the midst of the pain and lethargy I know I can go to God for comfort.

We are pressed on every side by troubles but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4: 8-10

Some days it's the fibromyalgia, some days it's the depression. And some times it's just life. "In this world we will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!" Said Jesus.

That's my life line.

consider the (daisies) of the field, they neither toil not spin...

Ready, Set.... GO!

Tomorrow is the Big Day! 

The Run for the Honeywagon.

 Bucket List Day. 

Team Burke. 

The LoveBurkes do the honeywagon. 

A 4 mile walk. 

We've got this. 

No problemo! 

Piece of Cake.

And speaking of cake, I just might have some to celebrate after we finish. 

(gluten free of course) 

 Took an obligatory 2 mile around the high school track this morning, just because. I debated on making this a rest day but the muscles really needed to be stretched. And it was such a glorious, beautiful, sunny morning. The birds were trilling, the parking lot was busy with cars; high school kids showing up for some event, cars whizzing by on the highway, and the wind rustling my hair and nipping my ears. 

2 miles around the track, with a chocolate protein smoothie to finish it off!

I woke up with a sense that 

today was a day I really needed to remember all I am thankful for. 

To not let any waves of overwhelmedness, depression, anxiety or worry, get me down. 

As I gazed out my living room window, sipping my morning cuppa, and watching the sky change colors with the breaking of sun through clouds, I just stopped.

THANK YOU.  

Thank you God for your mercies, new every morning. 

Thank you God for your loving kindness. 

Thank you for loving me. 

Thank you for providing for me. 

Thank you for never giving up, even when I feel like doing so. 

Thank you for your strength that carries me when I am weak. 

Thank you for making me weak, so I will learn to depend and  lean on you. 

Thank you for building my faith muscle. 

Thank you for the little pill I take each day

 that helps keep me balanced and sane.  

some days this IS how it feels!!

I do try every day,

 to remember to be thankful for the things one would think we wouldn't be thankful for.

 Like depression. Who would be thankful for that?

 Or financial worries and woes. Who wishes for that in their life? 

For body aches and limitations. Why? 

But we are told repeatedly in scripture to give thanks. 

To praise him.

  Give Thanks in ALL THINGS, for this is the Will of God. 1 Thessalonians 5.18 (emphasis mine) 

some days are just FULL of hurdles!!

Really God? Give thanks for circumstances that aren't pleasant? 

Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5.20

Give thanks for feeling weak and needy? 

My grace is sufficient for you; My power works best in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12.9 

what a wonderful way to look at it.

Yes. Some days its harder than others for me to remember to be thankful. 

To give thanks.

 And it is on those days that I need it the most.   

Yes, even more than coffee.

even more than coffee, I need to give thanks.

Tomorrow I will bust a move along with my sweetie, knocking out those 4 miles like it's nothing.

 And along the way, I will continue to be giving thanks. 

Psalms for the Soul

Last week, despite the biting cold, we had some spectacular sunny days to ease the chill. I got out there every day for my walk and managed a few pictures along the way. Afterwards I was just struck by the notion to soak in the Psalms for a time. The words of the psalmist and the photographs of God's amazing creation seem to come together like notes to the words of a song.  Enjoy!

Are We Excited?

I am slogging as I am jogging through the 1st chapter of Ephesians. Slogging because this new way of bible study using the inductive style is at times slow going and frustrating for me, a neophyte to Precepts, but at the same time I am jogging with Joy as I spend time in God's Word, and in prayer over His word. And believe me, I am praying because everytime I feel that slog begin and the cobwebs spin over my brain causing me to shut down, I have to mentally and physically shake it off and realign myself in Christ to read it through His Spirit.

I was texting with my sister earlier today, as we are taking this bible study class together. No, I wasn't asking her for the answers!! Silly. The good news is that there really aren't wrong answers per say, because God speaks to each of us in the way we need most so He may reveal something to me that He won't reveal to another and vise-versa. No, we were chatting back and forth about each of us experiencing the slogging. We both agreed however, that talking to God about how frustrating this bible study is for us, does seem to bring us closer to Him and isn't that really the point of studying His word? Well then, mission accomplished!!

One of the sweet gems that is rising to the top like a thick layer of cream, is the revealing of the Great Mystery, as Paul refers to it. The Mystery of The Plan. And this is the plan: long ago, before He even made the world, God loved us. Loved us and chose us! He chose us, in Christ to be HOLY AND WITHOUT FAULT in His eyes. And what's more, this has ALWAYS been His plan! He made a plan and never wavered. It  was always His unchanging plan to redeem us. To adopt us into His family. Not only did He have this awesome plan to adopt us, but it gave Him GREAT PLEASURE to do so.

Now think about it. Does this blow you away?

Well, here's a truth. I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 9 years old. I don't have one of those heart wrenching gutter-to-gospel stories of redemption but I do believe that the angels rejoiced just as much over my prayer to receive Jesus as they did when Paul, who calls himself the worst of the worst, converted. But because I grew up in a bible believing, church attending family, because I never left the church to go explore the seedier side of the world, (ok, I might have tip-toed close enough to see it but I never went over the edge) I must admit that over time the Gospel Story of Redemption kinda lost its glow. I just take this gift, this precious gift, for granted a lot of the time. I grow complacent in my faith, just humming along like a happy little Christian, but not really living like my life has been rescued, saved, redeemed, bought with a price.

This must break the heart of God.

I remember searching for a very special gift for someone's birthday one year. I saved the money to purchase it, and I was very excited over what I had chosen to give them. I hoped and prayed that this gift would be received with elation and gratefulness. But there was only a shrug of the shoulders and a rather sullen thank you from their lips. And then the gift was set aside and was probably never used. At least, not in the way it was intended. Now, how do you think I felt?

Yah. Pretty hurt.

And I realize that is what I am doing to God when I treat His gift of eternal life, His Saving Grace, like it's just, so-whatever. I find myself going back to verse 19 in chapter 1 of Ephesians where Paul writes: I pray you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him.

Because, if I begin to understand just how incredible this really is, perhaps I won't ever take it for granted again.

Carrying On The Theme

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! 

Psalm 118.24

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again~ rejoice! 

Philippians 4.4

God has a way of speaking to us, even when we forget to listen. 

MOVING DAY. LOOKS LIKE WE GOT US A CONVOY.

Yesterday was Moving Day for Mom. I wrote before the move started about letting the day be a day for gladness, even though I knew the challenges that laid before us. I am so glad God planted that verse in my heart yesterday morning because before we'd even gotten the first piece of furniture out the door my mom was freaking out and causing all of us within earshot to cringe. I was about to lose it myself when I put my hands on her shoulders (instead of around her neck-- Just Kidding!!!) I put my hands on her shoulders and gently whispered "Mom, this is the day the Lord has made, let's rejoice and be glad in it." 

CHECKING THINGS OUT JUST BEFORE THE CHAOS BEGINS

There was a transitional moment as the words settled upon both of us and I knew we were going to be okay. I repeated the verse a couple of times during the day as the move progressed and tempers flared and frustration levels frazzled.... and each time it was the perfect mantra to bring the blood pressure down and keep us breathing smoothly. Thank you Jesus.

FERGIE CATCHING A RIDE 

MY LIL BROTHER BRIAN PUT IN A FULL DAY MAKING SURE MOM WOULD BE COMFORTABLE

DISCUSSING WHERE TO PUT THE NAIL TO HANG A PICTURE.

MOM'S SNAZZY NEW SHOWER CURTAIN. THE WORLD IS HER OYSTER. 

Mid afternoon my brother and I slipped out of the new apartment and went back to his place to get a few things. We were searching for a piece of furniture in his garage that might work for storage in her tight quarters. We spotted the forgotten microwave cart tucked in a corner and knew this was perfect for the spot we were thinking. We began emptying it and wiping off the dust. I pulled some junk from the bottom drawer and unearthed a small framed picture that when I turned over gave me a cry of delight. It was a sweet little farm scene with flowers and such with the bible verse from Psalms printed across the picture. Yes, This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

"This is going with us and we are going to hang it on her wall where she can see it first thing every morning!" I  informed my brother. 

LOOKING LIKE HOME. 

The day was pretty successful if you take into account that we got it 99% done in one afternoon, no one was hurt and only a couple of small meltdowns happened. ( not naming any names) Mom had her first meal, supper, in the dining room and met a few of the residents. 

WHAT'S FOR SUPPER?

We left her shortly after supper, to settle in and adjust to her new surroundings. I know change is hard for all of us, more so the older we get and more set in our ways. I know the first few days will be interesting as she learns her way around the place, adjusts to going down to the dining room for her meals and finds all her things in new locations! But Moms are resilient if nothing else and I think she will do just fine. 

Oh, and the continuation of the theme? This morning my daily devotional reading began with this familiar verse from Philippians about always being full of joy-- I say it again.... REJOICE!!

choking on a chicken bone

It was a scary moment.

While eating our delicious dinner last night, one I slaved over (if one can slave when cooking in a crock-pot) something very unexpected and frightening occurred. My husband swallowed a small piece of chicken bone.

Now, I have to say that when you cook any meat in a crock-pot, the meat literally MELTS off the bone! I had thrown in 2 frozen chicken hind quarters that morning along with a jar of sweet n' sour sauce. It smelled divine! I scooped out the tender juicy meat shaking the bones to the bottom of the pot, taking only the meat to the platter. Or so I thought. Only a few bites into the meal, my husband suddenly looked stricken!

He croaked out "Chicken bone stuck in my throat."

I laid down my fork and waited. He tried unsuccessfully to dislodge it with his fingers... the bone was too far back in his throat... but upon suggesting it, not so far back that a Heimlich maneuver was the answer. I stood up, unsure of what to do to help him. He did some not so pretty coughing and-- um-- well--- retching is probably the best way to describe it but that bone wasn't moving. He could breathe and he could talk but he could feel the bone poking the sides of his throat and he felt the need to swallow, knowing if he did it would send the bone down further, which is NOT the direction we wanted it to go.

I felt very helpless and I know Bruce was feeling helpless too. I laid one hand on his back and prayed simply but strongly for Jesus to intervene. I don't even really remember what I said but what matters is that Jesus heard me. In the next second a gagging cough expelled the wretched bone.

It was just a tiny tiny bone, a fragment of one actually, but it had a very pointy end and it had lodged sideways in his throat. We shuddered over the what could have been and gave swift praise to God for delivering him from something life threatening.

I am aware of so many loved ones around me struggling with issues bigger and scarier than a chicken bone. I feel like I could be on my knees in prayer from sunup to sundown. I find myself breathing short little puffs of prayer as a name comes to mind. I don't know how God will work things out but I am sure that He is listening. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love... as it says in Romans 8:38... neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.

and another wonderful promise just 10 verses above this one.... 
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I am trusting in His promises. which means that...

neither chicken bones nor mission trips, neither financial security, nor lost wages, neither having sure answers nor facing unknowns will separate us from the Love of God. Whether I understand it or not, whether I have solid answers or walk in blind faith, God has my best interest -- and yours-- at heart. 

Martha, Mary and Me

I realize the amount of "Things To Do" between now and when we leave Wed. is of such magnitude that the last thing I should be doing is sitting here but as I said on my Facebook status this morning, the next two days will require Martha-like diligence and the only way to survive this is to start the day like Mary.

I have often experienced Mary-Martha tug-of-wars. I want to just sit at the feet of Jesus and rest and revel in His presence but obligations, responsibilities and perhaps even some pride have often tripped me up. I know Martha often gets a bad rap and I would love to write about this at greater length.     Some day.
I would love to delve more fully into the peace and wisdom that comes with Mary's actions.      Another day.
For right now I just needed to express that for those of you who are facing your own 'to-do' lists as you count down the days till Christmas, as you worry over details, remember.... there is really only ONE thing to be concerned about....

"But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken away from her." ~ from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10


May you find a little peace today.

application is everything...

Small Group has started up again. We're doing a 6 week series using an Andy Stanley (learn more here) study called Life App's. Our first session was "Application is Everything."

You know, the doctor can prescribe the best medicine but it doesn't help if you don't take it. You can purchase a gym membership but it does no good if you don't go to the gym and work out. You can study out the best healthiest eating plan in the world, but it won't help you at all if you don't follow the meal plan. 

Application makes all the difference. 

James 1: 22-24: Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. DO WHAT IT SAYS (emphasis mine)  Those who listen to the word but do not do what it says are like people who look at their faces in a mirror and after looking at themselves go away and immediately forget what they look like.

then came the question...

What resolutions have you recently made but failed to apply? 

I read this question and immediately thought of every New Year's Resolution I've ever made.... of every diet plan I have failed to follow through on.... on every promise I've made to exercise every day, every budget I've said I would stick to, and the best laid plans for improving myself spiritually. 

Yes, I felt like a loser and not in a pounds off kind of way.

Real life change happens in the doing.

 

I can put on my spiffy new walking shoes but unless I go out and walk, my feet might look good but my health won't be any better. I can plan out better eating habits but if I ignore the carrots and reach for the cookies instead..... and I can read my bible every day but until I actually put into practice the things that I read, it will just be words on a page rather than directives in my heart. Application is everything and it's time to apply it. it's time to DO WHAT IT SAYS.