By Lynn Cowell

When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.” Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV 1984)

As soon as my eyes opened I knew it was going to be one of “those” days. I think that saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” was created for days like this. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and empty.

But I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt all of these emotions. I just knew I had to get out of the house before everyone woke up and my feelings steered our day in the wrong direction.

I put on my tennis shoes and started out the front door. Though unsure of where I was going to run, Read the rest of this entry »

Lysa TerKeurst

“Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.” Romans 14:20 (NIV)

Four years ago I was stuck in a rut of wishful thinking and excuses with my weight. At the beginning of each day I would say I wanted things to be different. I would vow in my heart to make things different. I would even make a plan to stop the snacks, increase the veggies, and say no to the desserts.

But then life would happen. And the excuses were so very plentiful. So, my resolve would melt away like butter on a hot yeast roll.

Of course the next morning I would always get up and weigh myself hoping that somehow, something would have happened over night. Despite my indulgences from the day before, maybe the numbers would have gone down.

But the scale was not impressed with my wishful thinking. It could only tell the truth.

And so you know who I’d get mad at?

God.

I’d beg Him to help me one minute while scarfing Read the rest of this entry »