2015 | A Resolution to End the Lie: "If I Could Just Lose Those Last Ten Pounds..."

3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 

"I just want my high school body back." 

"If I can only lose those last ten pounds." 

"Is there like a magic pill you could give me to help me lose weight without exercising?" 

These are just a few of the questions and phrases I've heard as we've begun 2014. As most of my close friends and family know, I've been through my phases of obsession with my physical body. I remember the feeling of control I had while monitoring every morsel of food that entered my mouth. The lure of a body that doesn't jiggle when I run. The idea of rock solid abs that don't fold over when I sit, thighs that don't touch and a butt that doesn't sag. The fat burners were just an added bonus. With high quality caffeine and stimulants coursing through my veins, I felt unstoppable. Working out twice a day became like a drug to me. That newly defined body also brought along things I didn't expect: a troubled marriage, an eating disorder that led to me only eating food that I had prepared (free of fats, seasonings, or anything I considered unhealthy), friendships based solely on if you supported my unhealthy habit. With each new ab muscle peeping through and every new line of definition forming, everything else hit the wayside. Nothing else mattered.The best thing God could've done for me was to sit back and let it happen. There came a time in that phase of life, where God came and found me. He and I walked through years of repairs both in my marriage, my friendships and in my health. 

I know for us as women, it's easy to put our bodies on a pedestal. Magazines constantly photoshop women to portray perfectly defined, size 2 bodies. Type the word "fitness" into the search field on Pinterest and you'll find chiseled bodies of women plastered across your computer screen, as if the lack of jiggle constitutes a level of fitness. In lieu of our New Year Resolutions, I'd like to offer a new one: that we, as women, hold each other accountable. I'm not talking accountability as in showing up to the gym everyday, in sickness or in health. I'm not even insinuating we hold each other responsible for every bite of food we eat. Is exercise important? Absolutely. Is eating healthy necessary? You bet. But there is a life after this one and our physical bodies will be gone. The real accountability comes in spiritually… Are we regarding our spiritual health as important as our physical, if not more so? I'm not saying let's abandon all workouts and all things health-related, I'm simply saying let's stop going crazy with it… working out twice a day and living on a diet of Almond Milk and lettuce. I'm calling for a commitment to grow in godliness while growing in strength… "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."- 1 Timothy 4:8

I'ts 2015. A fresh start. A new chapter. It's time we join together, ladies, as much for ourselves as for our daughters, our nieces, our friend and all the other girls that are being brought up in a world that worships the next hottest body. It's our responsibility to teach them balance. They deserve to know you can enjoy the not-so-good for you foods within reason. That you don't have to prepackage your meals to attend a birthday party. That it's ok to have a little jiggle here and there. That the strength of our hearts will far outweigh the strength of our biceps. If we aren't teaching women around us the value of a relationship with God, then the world will teach them their value is found in what they have and what they look like. God predicted it long ago, that the world would be drawn that way…"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7.  

Let's be honest, even at our skinniest, or healthiest state, we still found fault in our bodies! Losing those last ten pounds, fitting into your skinny jeans and achieving that "goal weight" will not bring you lasting joy. It will be fleeting. Stop focusing on where you fall short and thank God for where you are today. Enjoy your food, your families, your friendships and even your workouts. Let's make it a point this year to seek the Lord with the same zeal we bring to our workouts. There is a freedom to be found in that...and a joy that far surpasses having the body of your dreams.  "Do not let your adorning be external…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4. A firm foundation of the heart will stand long after our firm booty and biceps have passed away! :)

Bitter Coffee and Bing Crosby

Growing up, I remember the distinct aroma every morning. Coffee was always made well before breakfast was considered. After all, the coffee bean was the most important food group in our household. It seemed like my parents drank no less than a pot a day. I loved the smell, but the taste? Gag. I couldn't imagine ANYONE drinking this crap, much less enjoying it so much that they drink it by the potful?! I was convinced my parents had no tastebuds. I stuck to my beverages of my choice, the ones that were sweet and tangy: Mellow Yellow and Vault Zero ( which gave me a nightmare of cavities, by the way...). Hot chocolate and cappuccinos were pretty high on that list as well.

Back in our dating days (eleven years ago, believe it or not), Nathan and I took a road trip. We were on a trip to visit Nathan's grandmother, Grandma Chinski, whom I had never met. When we finally arrived at our destination in good 'ol Arkansas, I immediately fall in love with this beautiful cabin. It was warm and cozy. Beautifully decorated. His grandparents welcomed me as if I were one of their own. We had a great time that evening, just sitting, talking and getting to know each other. The next morning, I awoke to that all familiar smell of coffee brewing. Ahhhhh! The beautiful smell of coffee... if only it didn't taste like death!

As I walk down the stairs from the cozy loft where I slept, Grandma handed me a freshly-poured cup. As everyone around me is sipping their warm cup of joe, I stood there, wondering if I should inform her that I am by no means, a "coffee-drinker." She must've noticed my face, because she quickly asked me, "How do you like it? Cream? Sugar?" Non-existent was the first thing that came to mind, but in a room full of veteran coffee-drinkers I wasn't sure how kindly they would take to that opinion. I responded, "Well, honestly, I've never had a cup I can actually drink. It's nothing but bitter to me." She smiled and walked over to the cabinet and pulled out some small canisters. After a few quick shakes and a stir, she walked back over to me, cup in hand and a confident smile on her face. She implored me to "just try one sip." I knew I had experimented with coffee, time and time again, no to avail. But, I decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. I took the cup from her hand. It definitely looked lighter in color with cute little foamy swirls. If nothing else, it looked and smelled pretty. I put the cup to my mouth and prepared my face to appear less like I had just tasted a sour lemon and more like I kind of enjoy it. I take the smallest sip imaginable. Hmmmm. It isn't bitter. I must take another sip to ensure I haven't lost my mind. Then another. And another. This isn't bitter at all. It actually tastes.....gulp.....GOOD!

From that day on, my love for coffee began. It was warm, comforting and full of flavor. The early days of having a little coffee with my creamer quickly passed as my tastebuds became more acclimated to the flavor. Now, I could almost (I said "almost") drink it black and call it "good." Occasionally, while sipping my coffee, I'll think back to that morning with Grandma in the kitchen and my heart is once again thankful for her willingness to make that perfect cup.

Christmas has a way of stirring your heart to old memories, especially those of grandparents. I hear Bing Crosby playing in the background and I think of my Grandpa. He is gone now, but I still carry those wonderful memories of Christmastime at the Cabin. Late nights watching Bing Crosby movies by the warm fire. One morning, I woke earlier than everyone else and snuck down the hallway to see if my Papa was up yet. The fire had died. I was cold and he was the best fire-maker I knew of. I glanced in his bedroom and saw him sitting on the bed, reading the Word. I asked what he was reading, as if it wasn't obvious. With a chuckle in his tone, he said, "The book that I live in...Romans." I didn't think much of it, being a youngster, and went on my merry way.

The older I got, the more I found the Book of Romans to be a bitter pill for me. I didn't understand it. It made me question too much. My Papa must've been off his rocker. I preferred the sweeter side of the Lord: the sugary, tangy parts, fuzzy-feeling parts of Him. Forgiveness, protection, blessings... you know, all those good "churchy" things that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside. But His Sovereignty? His prevailing purpose over mine? His Will triumphing over my own feeble humanity? His choosing me and not I choosing Him? That wasn't sweet. It was bitter. It was angering. It didn't go down smoothly for me, at all. Verses in Romans like verse fifteen, " For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion,” or verse eighteen, "So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills." It made God seem ugly to me. It felt wrong. So, I avoided it.

It took time. Years. Scripture. Hardships. Prayer. Sanctifying...until one day, the once bitter pill in Romans that seemed so cold and rigid, the one I refused to swallow for so long, became like a warm blanket to my soul. It took the hands and heart of a grandmother to serve that coffee in just the right way. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit, at just the right time, to reveal Truth to our souls. Just as Grandma prepared that cup of coffee with love, confident she had just the right recipe. So too, the Lord loves us well, in that He reveals Truth to our hearts just when we need it, when He sees fit.

Do I still have questions? Sure. Does everything make perfect sense to my human mind? Of course, not. But the gift been given to me is Rest. Resting in the Sovereignty of my Lord who LOVES me. Resting in the fact the He knows best. Resting in His love for me that began long before I was ever born. That is where my soul finds rest.

I believe my Grandpa saw the beauty in Romans.  A comfort in the Lord's Sovereignty. I believe He prayed for me to see it one day as well. He passed away before I had the chance to share with him how the Lord turned what I saw as bitterness into something lovely. But one day... we will be together again. And I'll bet he will pour me a warm cup of delicious coffee. We will open the Word together and weep at the beauty in it with Jesus by our side. What a glorious day that will be!

Theology - (n) the study of the nature of God | Does It Really Matter?

"To study theology is to get to know God in order that we may glorify Him through our love and obedience. Notice the progression here: we must get to know Him before we can love Him, and we must love Him before we can desire to obey Him...The world is a painful place, and life in it is disappointing and unpleasant. Reject theology and you doom yourself to life with no sense of direction. Without theology, we waste our lives and lose our souls." 

I have spent the majority of my years in a battle. Not a typical battle. This battle was ME against ME. For as long as I can remember, I was taught in church and at home how important it was to live a life pleasing to God.

Don't cuss.
Don't drink.
Don't have sex outside of marriage.
Don't … Don't … Don't.

Do say things like "gosh darn" and "jiminy crickets."
Do drink virgin daiquiris to set an example (why do we call them that anyway?).
Do save yourself for marriage.

Here's the problem with this list. I could NEVER keep all the rules. Every single one of them, and then some, I broke….head on, in full rebellion. I knew how to get away with what I really wanted to do. And I was a pro at manipulation. It was a vicious cycle of… "Oh crap, I screwed up again. Well, God isn't pleased so might as well dig in a little deeper and enjoy this season of sin." Then I'd go to Disciple Now or Winter Jam and rededicate my life for the 20th time that year and set out to do better. I could grit my teeth and make it through a few months practicing all these behavior modifications: the do's, the don'ts, this is what a Christian looks like, these are places Christians go, these are books Christians read. But they always left me empty, feeling as if I didn't measure up, prepared for the next fall… and then would come the guilt, the disappointment, the sorrow. And I'd once again try and climb out of the pit I'd found myself in, hoping I could clean myself up enough to stand before God. Again.

My behavior was not the heart of the problem, the problem was the problem of my heart. And this is where Theology comes in. A.Z. Tozer says it best when he quoted: "The man who comes to a right belief about God is relieved of 10,000 temporal problems…" Many people scoff at doctrines and theology, summing it up as pointless rubbish that does nothing more than confuse people. They ask, "Why does it matter anyway? If you believe in Jesus, what more do you need to know?" I beg to differ… and here's why.

1- It gives you a starting point.
If you do not know what you are being saved from, you can never appreciate what you are being saved into. You'll never know the need for Grace.The Bible teaches that as a result of the fall of man (Genesis 3:6) every part of man—his mind, will, emotions and flesh—have been corrupted by sin. In other words, sin affects all areas of our being including who we are and what we do. It penetrates to the very core of our being so that everything is tainted by sin and “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” before a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). We sin because we are sinners by nature. Or, as Jesus says, “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.” (Matthew 7:17-18)." This would definitely explain why no matter how often I tried, I failed miserable at being "good", desiring the things of the Lord and having confidence in my faith. I didn't have the ability. I needed a heart transplant.

2- It causes striving to cease. 
We are totally incapable of fixing the problem of our hearts. We can't force them to obey. We can't coerce them into submission. We don't possess the power to resurrect that which is dead in sin. We need an outside force. In Ezekiel 36:25-36, the Lord says, "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Take a look at that verse… how much "work" are you doing in this process? The Lord has called you His; He will give you a heart to follow. You see, if He wasn't the One initiating, we'd never be able to follow through. He follows this heart transplant with a deposit for us as well in verse 27, "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules." Can you see what REST you find when this truth settles in your heart? No more to-do-list's. No more guilt and shame over failed attempts. We simply rest in this, "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:14) This overwhelmingly powerful truth changed my relationship with the Lord immensely. It allowed me to, for the first time in my life, “Be still, and know that [He is] God."

3- It allows you to see God for who He is: Sovereign.  
For quite a while, I believed that it was I who chose the Lord. I decided whether I wanted to be His. I chose my destiny, and it was all up to me to choose the "right" way. But there was only one problem with this idea, the Bible. As I dug into the Word, I began to see a pattern of God consistently choosing people based on nothing other than His love for them. In Ephesians 1:4-5, we read it best, " For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…" I also noticed many places where God was sure to let me know that it was not my choice for salvation, but His alone. We find it in John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide…". There are many more Scriptures, but you get the gist. These truths definitely had my mind spinning. It took the power away from me. I wasn't in as much control as I thought I was. For so long, I had picked myself up off the ground…I had followed the to-do-list…I had decided when and how I want to follow Him… It seems to me He was working behind the scenes all along. God isn't sitting back twiddling his thumbs, hoping that those He has chosen from before the foundations of the earth will come. No. He says, "Come" ...and Danielle is coming. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. (John 10:27-29).

4- You read the Bible…correctly.
The Bible is to be read as one big story. Not a story about us, not an instruction manual before leaving earth…it's a story about Jesus. We are just finding ourselves along the way, to be part of HIS story. Yes, you will find guidance for your life in that Book. Sure, you will get encouragement, advice and all of those good things. But it's so much more than that! Notice the pattern: man fails, God gives a promise and then silence… man is left with nothing more than a promise. Out of silence, you see God step in, call His people, redeem them and then tell them, "Now that you are redeemed, this is how I want you to live." That's a very different viewpoint than what I had growing up, where you were sure to dot your I's and cross your T's… because THIS is the person God loves. No! God loves us "while we were still yet sinners," before the foundation of the earth, not based on anything we can offer. The fact that I've already been accepted, flaws and all, gives me the confidence to live as God tells me to. I don't obey to be accepted. I'm accepted, therefore I obey. It seems like a small, insignificant detail…but it is everything. 

There are many more reasons I could give as to why doctrine and Theology are so important to me, but we can get in depth over coffee sometime. It has brought nothing but peace into my life. My heart rests here. I no longer serve the God I had put together in my imagination, I serve the One true God. I live out this life... resting in Him, confident in my faith and more importantly assured that this all-mighty, powerful, Sovereign God not only loves me, but he likes me! He will keep me by His side, as His daughter, till the end.

Elevating Gifts Above the Giver | The Truth of the Prosperity Gospel

"Sunday morning in America is the greatest hour of idolatry in the whole week. Why? Because most people who are even worshiping God, are worshiping a God they don't know. They're worshiping a god that looks more like Santa Claus, giving out the next best gift, than the God of Scripture. They're worshiping a god that is a figment of their own imagination. They created a god in their own likeness and they worship the god they've made." 

It seems to me this particular gospel is becoming more popular. I say that because I see it in often in Facebook posts. I hear it in conversation. I witness it in action. The Prosperity Gospel is absolutely detestable. It essentially uses faith in God to get things from God. It portrays God to be like an employer, and a pretty evil one at that… paying His people their wages in worldly values: vehicles, safety, health, wealth and material things…but, of course, you must earn those wages based on what you do: how often you call upon His name, the amount of faith you have to "believe it and receive it," the degree of boldness as you "name it and claim it" to be yours! Ridiculous! I know you can't always read tone in a blog. So, in case you are wondering if you're sensing some anger here, let me assure you ...you are.

Tell the parent that lost their child in a horrific accident that constant prayers of protection would've kept her alive today. How about the woman who was beaten as a child by her Father, left by her husband, stricken with cancer, lost two children and is now struggling to show unconditional love to her emotionally distraught child? Would The Prosperity Gospel give her hope…NO! It would simply point the finger to her in condemnation for not praying enough, not giving enough, not having enough faith in the Lord. What about the young girl that birthed twin babies, almost died in the process, and got to hold them in her arms long enough to see them take their last breath? Her hope MUST be in the Lord!! Where else can she put it?! Look at Job in the Bible. He was considered a righteous man and lost everything…all health, all wealth, all children…GONE. Through grief, pain and suffering, he stood strong in the Lord, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." Job 1:21 

STOP PORTRAYING THAT A "BLESSED LIFE" IS A FINANCIALLY PROFITABLE LIFE!! 

I am far from wealthy, but I consider my life truly BLESSED. "Following Jesus" sounds easy, as it seems to be for the wealthy, healthy and the prosperous ones. But our true commitment to Christ is revealed in the trenches, in the heartaches, in the sickness and in the despair...when we have nothing and no one else to cling to. It is in those times, our faith is tested and perfected..and we come to the solid understanding of what Jesus meant when he said in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that IN ME you may have peace. In the world you WILL have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Spend some time in the Word studying the life of Jesus and His followers. I guarantee you won't find health, wealth and prosperity in worldly things… but you'll see disciples, who found Christ to be enough without those things. In Luke 9:23, it sounds as if Jesus was pretty much homeless, "Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Paul was a bold follower and friend of Jesus. He sums up his life experiences in 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 as less than desirable; "Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." No bed of roses for that guy either. I could go on with dozens of examples, but for time's sake (and your attention span), I'll leave you with this short video. Come what may, CHRIST IS ENOUGH!

2014 | A Resolution to Abandon the Lie: "If I Could Just Lose Those Last 10 lbs..."

3 John 1:2 - Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 

"I just want my high school body back."

"If I can only lose those last ten pounds."

"Is there like a magic pill you could give me to help me lose weight without exercising?" 

These are just a few of the questions and phrases I've heard as we've begun 2014. While I've answered them all to the best of my ability, I'm left with concern in my heart and for good reason, too. As most of my close friends and family know, I've been through my phases of obsession with my physical body. I remember the feeling of control I had while monitoring every morsel of food that entered my mouth. The lure of a body that doesn't jiggle when I run. The idea of rock solid abs that don't fold over when I sit, thighs that don't touch and a butt that doesn't sag. The fat burners were just an added bonus. With high quality caffeine and stimulants coursing through my veins, I felt unstoppable. Working out twice a day became like a drug to me. That newly defined body also brought along things I didn't expect: a troubled marriage, an eating disorder that led to me only eating food that I had prepared (free of fats, seasonings, or anything I considered unhealthy), friendships based solely on if you supported my unhealthy habit. With each new ab muscle peeping through and every new line of definition forming, everything else hit the wayside. Nothing else mattered.The best thing God could've done for me was to sit back and let it happen. There came a time in that phase of life, where God came and found me. He and I walked through years of repairs both in my marriage, my friendships and in my health. 

I know for us as women, it's easy to put our bodies on a pedestal. Magazines constantly photoshop women to portray perfectly defined, size 2 bodies. Type the word "fitness" into the search field on Pinterest and you'll find chiseled bodies of women plastered across your computer screen, as if the lack of jiggle constitutes a level of fitness. In lieu of our New Year Resolutions, I'd like to offer a new one: that we, as women, hold each other accountable. I'm not talking accountability as in showing up to the gym everyday, in sickness or in health. I'm not even insinuating we hold each other responsible for every bite of food we eat. Is exercise important? Absolutely. Is eating healthy necessary? You bet. But there is a life after this one and our physical bodies will be gone. The real accountability comes in spiritually… Are we regarding our spiritual health as important as our physical, if not more so? I'm not saying let's abandon all workouts and all things health-related, I'm simply saying let's stop going crazy with it… working out twice a day and living on a diet of Almond Milk and lettuce. I'm calling for a commitment to grow in godliness while growing in strength… "For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."- 1 Timothy 4:8

I'ts 2014. A fresh start. A new chapter. It's time we join together, ladies, as much for ourselves as for our daughters, our nieces, our friend and all the other girls that are being brought up in a world that worships the next hottest body. It's our responsibility to teach them balance. They deserve to know you can enjoy the not-so-good for you foods within reason. That you don't have to prepackage your meals to attend a birthday party. That it's ok to have a little jiggle here and there. That the strength of our hearts will far outweigh the strength of our biceps. If we aren't teaching women around us the value of a relationship with God, then the world will teach them their value is found in what they have and what they look like. God predicted it long ago, that the world would be drawn that way…"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7.

Let's be honest, even at our skinniest, or healthiest state, we still found fault in our bodies! Losing those last ten pounds, fitting into your skinny jeans and achieving that "goal weight" will not bring you lasting joy. It will be fleeting. Stop focusing on where you fall short and thank God for where you are today. Enjoy your food, your families, your friendships and even your workouts. Let's make it a point this year to seek the Lord with the same zeal we bring to our workouts. There is a freedom to be found in that...and a joy that far surpasses having the body of your dreams. "Do not let your adorning be external…but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4. A firm foundation of the heart will stand long after our firm booty and biceps have passed away! :)