Friday, August 27, 2010

Get Healthy

If I were to ask what is your description of healthy eating, I'd probably get lots of different answers. Some might say no sugar, while others may say no artificial sweetener is healthier. Some may say eating fruit is healthy, while the no carb people would say not to eat many fruits. Some may say eating protein is good for health, while others might say only vegetables, no meat.

The truth is, the healthiest eating plan is the one you can stick to. No I don't mean diet of ice cream and chips. I just mean that you & I could pick completely different healthy eating plans and both be equally successful.

Getting spiritual healthy is the same. Some may wake up early to spend time with God, while others wait for the quietness of night when the rest of the family sleeps. Some may read directly from the Bible, while others prefer the help of a Bible study book or devotional. Contemporary worship or traditional. Attending a Baptist church, others Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Christian or non-denominational, to name a few.

The truth is there are many ways to be spiritually healthy in Christ. To say that "our way" is the only way is wrong. There only "one way" is Christ. No one comes to the Father, except through Him. But the ways we choose to worship and pray, as long as they are Biblical sound, can be as individual as we are.

The important thing here is to choose a plan! You won't get healthy on the chips and ice cream plan. You have to pick a real health plan. So pick a real spiritual plan and stick to it! Here's to a healthy relationship with Christ!

Chatty Kelly

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Look

Chances are, if you are like me, you have mastered "the look." No, I'm not talking fashion here. I mean "the look" you give your kids as a warning.

Before my kids do something they aren't supposed to do, they glance over at me, to see if I'm watching. Then I flash them "the look." For me, the look is eyebrows up, mouth straight and tight, eyes bulge slightly. The look says "I see you, don't do it!" They quickly return to doing good and don't get into trouble.

I wonder if God has "the look." To see what I mean, join me at Titus 2 in Action, where I am a featured contributor every other Wednesday.

Titus 2 in Action





Chatty Kelly

Monday, August 23, 2010

Rock of Ages (Def Leppard)

I've got something to say.
It's better to burn out, than fade away!

Rock of Ages, Def Leppard, 1983

One of the things I learned when I attended the She Speaks Writers & Speakers Conference in 2008 was that if you are working for God, you can plan on the devil to attack you.

The very first time I ever gave my testimony was at a women's retreat when my oldest was about 5 years old. She woke up with the throw up bug the morning I was to leave. One of the hardest things I've ever done was leave that sick child to go speak at the conference. She even asked, "how could you leave me?" I knew she'd be fine under the loving care of her daddy, but it was so hard on me to leave her. I now realize that the devil was hoping I would in fact stay home and not share my message.

I've got something to say!
The devil knows this, he wants to quiet me so I'll fade away. The night before I gave my testimony at my church this year I pulled a muscle in my back and was in a lot of pain. On another occasion when I prepared my message for a women's retreat my computer crashed and I lost everything on it.

I now realize these are spiritual attacks. But with the help of God, I'm not going to let the devil stop me. I've got something to say. It's better to burn out, than fade away. The devil's attack may sting or even burn, but to just fade away quietly without sharing my message would let him win.

Today's Def Leppard song is called Rock of Ages. Of course, I lean on the ROCK of ages, God. That is the only way I can escape the devil's attacks. The hymn Rock of Ages says Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.

God is the Rock of Ages I can hide myself in to protect me from the devil. He can save me from wrath. I've got something to say. And I won't be stopped. Will you?

Rocking Revelations:
1. Do you believe in spiritual warfare? Why or why not?
2. Do you believe the devil can and will come after you if you are working for God? Why or why not? Will this prevent you from doing the works God prepared in advance for you to do?
3. What are some ways you can hide yourself in God and protect yourself from the devil's attack?

Karaoke:
Dear Lord, You are the Rock of Ages! There is none mightier than you. Protect me, Lord, from the attacks of the devil as I make my way trying to do your work and your will. Shine your light on me so that I may see the way you want me to go. Thank you being my strength, my hope, my shield, my salvation and my rock. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rock On:
Read Psalm 62 for encouragement on how not to be shaken, but to take refuge in God, our Rock of Ages.

Chatty Kelly