Why I'll Never Have an "After" Photo

Hi, My name is Jess and I am addicted to Sweets.
No joke-I am a sugar-holic.
The most I've ever gone without sweets was 60 days.
Today its been...... 16 hours since my last indulgence

It doesn't matter if I'm happy or sad, having an exercise high, or even in love La La land....I still want ice cream, brownies, chocolates, etc. I think about them everyday. I'm REALLY good at baking too. I make an insane chocolate torte, delectable sopapilla cheesecake, scrumptious cookies. "You should open a bakery"...is something I've heard more than a few times. And honestly when everything else has gone awry in my world, sweets have always satisfied. Always. Let me be clear with you about how bad my addiction is. Even when God has not given me what I wanted, even when His love was not enough to satisfy me, even when His will was hardest...Sweets were consistently good.

Let me go even deeper with you.
I committed a year to the Lord to transform my body, my habits, and overall health. Here are a few of my successes.
-Eliminated all soda
-Daily drank 75 to 100 oz water
-Limited calories to less than 1,800
-Exercised 3 to 7 times per week
-Learned how to cook lean, gluten free, and vegan
-Lost 40 pounds
-Improved breathing and longevity

BUT the sweets have stopped my growing success. I just can't kick them to the curb. They have never failed me... until now. You see, I've got my eye on this fitness goal to be in the best shape of my life. I want to be able to say that I have done whatever it took for my body to feel and look great. I want to be an example to my family, friends, and future children. I want to show other people with thyroid disorders that they CAN look and feel amazing. That they can overcome.

But my body has stopped moving forward. Even with all these wonderful new healthy habits and skills.... my success is at a stand-still. Addictions wreck your goals.The sweets are in the way. They have to go.

For me this is not a purely physical thing. It is very largely a mental and spiritual war.
You see I'm not just a sugar addict, I'm an idolater. Dessert has occupied a place in my mind that only God should be. I have thought about finishing my day with the sweet and perfectly delicious Ben and Jerry's when Jesus wants to be my complete and holy satisfaction. I've longed for tastes of warm brownies and cookies and slowly deadened my desires for the comforts of His word and the warmth of His presence. I will never stop needing more of Jesus, but my mind tells me that He doesn't satisfy the same way. That He isn't safe. That He isn't consistent. And sometimes it even says that He isn't enough. And truthfully, sometimes...I believe it.

So you see- I NEED your help. I need all the help I can get. Because I have broken the commandment that says that Thou Shall have NO other gods before me. I crave and long for something made by man more than the One who made me. Its time to give sweets up for good.
I think gluttony is just a bad a sin as stealing. I am no better than thief next to Jesus on the cross.

The good news is this though.... I'll never have an "after" photo. Let me explain.
God isn't finished with me! He isn't finished with you! He isn't finished with His Bride!
If this blog were finished in that last paragraph, it would be pretty depressing. But the good news is that He doesn't just tell us to get our crap together and then stand in the corner waiting for us to do it.
Here on Earth, we will always be in process. And its a good, good thing.

In Romans 7 we see Paul struggling with the same thing. He says...
Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

I am not naive. I know that even with all your help, the best accountability, and even if you took away my credit card....I will still mess up. Sin is at work. And sin wrecks our progress. There is great hope though because Jesus is My Deliverer!!!

He looks at me like this...

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

Song of Solomon 4:7

I'm not going to use his grace as an excuse though. We can never shove His goodness back in His face and say that it gives us the right to stay in bed with our sin. We miss the point of His death altogether if we do this. I want to challenge and encourage you. Do not ignore your sins. Do not downplay the power they have over you. Do not underestimate your enemy. I'm not saying tell the whole world (like I just did), but tell someone who can hold you accountable and point you back to right living with grace. Join Al Anon or weight watchers or a support group. I've even known addicts to give someone keys to their house so they can do inspections. 

Several years ago, a friend sat me down after I had sinned pretty bad. Through tears she explained that she used to be enslaved by the sin that I was just playing with. That hit me hard. Sin is not a game and it shouldn't be played with. 

So remember the next time you mess up - our sin problem is a serious one, but God isn't finished with us! Get back up, Get some help, and remember that you are still His prize!

Read More

God at Work - Rebekah the Attorney

Many of us have been on some difficult mission trips but sometimes our jobs can be harder than them all. Its a different mission altogether. You are there long term. Your coworkers see your failures and are watching how you deal with stress. They see if you give dignity to the people around you and if you get puffed up when receiving praise. And in a post-Christian society it is even harder to openly share Christ in the comings and goings. The following individuals are Christians who daily bring Christ to work. Their focus is doing their job well but leading people into eternity in the process.

Rebekah is Estate Planning/Probate Attorney in Houston, Texas
She is also a home schooled, East Texas transplant who likes her books mysterious and her cheese aged, and who is currently very excited about Brian Regan's upcoming performance in Houston.

What does a normal work day look like?

Every day is different.  (One thing I love/hate about my job. :-) On any given day, I could be drafting a Will, going to probate court, trying to find lost heirs, looking up how to get cremated ashes buried, meeting with clients, or working with banks/insurance companies to get information or claims finalized.

Why do you feel called to work in your field? 

God has given me aptitudes and opportunities that make me well-suited to this field and so I feel that I am able to help people effectively using those skills and abilities that God has given me.

How do you bring Christ into your work?

I try to "always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in me."  When my clients are unbelievers, it is difficult for me to initiate conversations about Christ, so with them I try to make it my goal to "work as unto the Lord" so that 1) I do good work for clients so that they don't have any grounds for complaint and 2) hopefully conduct myself in such a way that they will see something different in me. When my clients are believers, I often have opportunities to help them accomplish spiritual goals in the planning or administration of their estates.  Often they are very encouraging to me as I see the lives and families they have built around Christ. :-)

Do you have a specific instance where God used you to minister to someone in some way? 

I think the main examples I have of this are in my probate cases. Often my clients have just lost a spouse or other family member and are struggling with having to make important decisions in the midst of their grief.  My job is to provide the information and resources necessary for them to make many of those decisions and to guide them through the process of settling their loved one's affairs.  I think it helps them a lot knowing that they have someone in their corner who will help shoulder the burden.

Are there some struggles with being a Christian at your job? 

As a self-employed person, I thankfully do not deal with any pressure in my workplace.  Also, I'm generally not forced to work with anyone with whom I have fundamental disagreements.  I'd say the biggest struggle I have, is finding a balance between being bold about sharing my faith and conducting myself in a professional manner with clients and business contacts.  Often I rely on people being willing to share very personal information with me in order to do my job.  If I come across as judgmental or disapproving, they are very likely to shut down and just not share = I mess up their Estate Plan and eventually go out of business.  On the other hand, what's more important, me drafting them a Will or them developing a personal relationship with Christ? It's tough. :-)

What advice/encouragement can you offer those struggling with sharing their faith at work.

Harking back to the whole self-employed-work-alone thing, I'm not sure I have a lot to offer in this area.  Just from my interactions with clients, my biggest thing is to try to do my work with excellence.  If I am perceived as lazy or incompetent, I am not going to have any credibility in sharing my faith.

Can you share your favorite work moment with us-funny, proud, dramatic or otherwise! 

It's hard to choose one favorite, but a big one was getting my first client check as a self-employed attorney.  In some ways I felt like I had just pulled a successful con, but it was a really fantastic feeling to think that someone trusted me, as a new attorney, to handle their legal work. :-)

Read More

23 Phone Backgrounds to Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!

Sometimes you need to surround yourself in the Word. I've gone as far as taping scriptures on my walls at home and writing prayer reminders on my hand. But since our smart phones never leave our sides these days... you could just choose one or two of these wallpapers to spark your memory throughout the day! Merry Christmas!

Inspired by Ezra 10:4

Read More

God at Work - Cat the Air Traffic Controller

Many of us have been on some difficult mission trips but sometimes our jobs can be harder than them all. Its a different mission altogether. You are there long term. Your coworkers see your failures and are watching how you deal with stress. They see if you give dignity to the people around you and if you get puffed up when receiving praise. And in a post-Christian society it is even harder to openly share Christ in the comings and goings. The following individuals are Christians who daily bring Christ to work. Their focus is doing their job well but leading people into eternity in the process.

Cat Lovetro works as an Air Traffic Controller in Houston, Texas. Along with being an ATC, Cat is a former Brooklynite who somehow became a Texan. She's an over-caffeinated avid traveler and struggling polyglot, amateur baseball statistician, who loves reading obscure Wikipedia articles and spending time with Amelia, her Labrador Retriever.


What does a normal work day involve?
A "normal" work day depends on the day. It usually starts VERY early or late in the afternoon. Thursday and Friday nights are very busy, with everyone trying to get away for the weekend. We have "pushes" through the day, which is just like rush hour, everyone is trying to get to the same place at the same time, so you have to take a pile of airplanes and put them in a straight line. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's quite difficult if the weather is acting up. We also have departure pushes where everyone wants to leave at the same time. Weekend mornings are usually pretty quiet, save for college football games which can make small airports get VERY busy for a few hours.

Why do you feel called to work in aviation?
When I was 7, I saw my first space shuttle launch in Florida that's when I knew. I devoured everything I could possibly get my hands on on the topic, and not just space flight, aviation, adventure, and exploration. I can still get lost in an atlas for hours. Anyway, I've been endlessly fascinated by how it keeps the world (and beyond) spinning. I take absolute joy in my job, and the while the hours can be hard, and you miss out on a lot of holidays, family time, etc, I have yet to "work" a day here.

How do you bring Christ into your work?
Its hard. It’s not really something we’re supposed to talk about, not blatantly at least. After a while you get a feel for who else is a Christian and opportunities do present themselves with people who aren’t Christians.

Do you have a specific instance where God used you to minister to someone in some way?
Honestly, sometimes its something as simple as being trustworthy. There can be quite a bit of downtime, which can lead to A LOT of gossip. The ability to keep a secret someone has trusted you with is pretty rare and really sets you apart.

Are there some struggles with being a Christian at your job?
It’s hard to be gracious. Its something I've always struggled with anyway, and being in pressure cooker makes it especially difficult. Air traffic control has a reputation of being the “most stressful job in the world”. While I think that might be a bit of an overstatement, there is a nugget of truth in there and the job certainly has its days. When a bunch of Type - A people are put it a high stress environment and told to work together it can be a madhouse.

I also work in an 85%-90% male environment, working shifts around the clock, sometimes with just one or two other people. It’s important to have appropriate boundaries, and I’ve made it a point to get to know the wives of my co-workers, especially ones I work overnight shifts with.

What advice/encouragement can you offer those struggling with sharing their faith at work.
Be intentional and trustworthy the times you can’t be truly bold. Never be afraid to be honest, but always strive for graciousness. People will begin to trust you and it will provide opportunities. Seize those opportunities when they come along. Be a good employee and co worker. Show up on time and do a good job. That speaks volumes to the people around you.

Can you share your favorite work moment with us-funny, proud, dramatic or otherwise!
I don’t necessarily have one in particular. At least one that wouldn’t involve an hours worth of background explanation. I love my job, and I’m so proud that I have the opportunity to never have to go to “work”.Every time I walk through baggage claim and get to see happy reunions, I'm really thankful I get to help facilitate. I love being able to help a student pilot on their first solo flight. I’m honored to be a part of helping a fallen soldier return home. I’ve been trusted with the life of the President and I get to help train our military pilots and astronauts. I’m responsible for billions of dollars worth of equipment and the lives of tens of thousands of people a day. I take great pride in my small part of making the world go ‘round.

Read More

God at Work - Josh the Hospital Translator

Many of us have been on some difficult mission trips but sometimes our jobs can be harder than them all. Its a different mission altogether. You are there long term. Your coworkers see your failures and are watching how you deal with stress. They see if you give dignity to the people around you and if you get puffed up when receiving praise. And in a post-Christian society it is even harder to openly share Christ in the comings and goings. The following individuals are Christians who daily bring Christ to work. Their focus is doing their job well but leading people into eternity in the process.

Josh is a Spanish Medical interpreter/translator at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Josh is husband to Laurie and Daddy to Mia and Shiloh. He and Laurie teach a Sunday School class to single adults at Houston's First Baptist Church and are both fries connoisseurs.

What does a normal work day involve?
I am the communication bridge for non-English speaking patients with their medical team. I interpret for the doctors/nurses/social workers/chaplains/psychiatrists/etc etc when they need to communicate with a non-English speaking patient that only speaks Spanish.

Why do you feel called to work with Spanish speakers?
I'm not sure if "called" is what I would use, as the Lord could give me a different job not using Spanish and that would be just fine. But the Lord has gifted me with the ability to speak Spanish and I have always wanted to use it in some way. Interpreting is the perfect way to use Spanish in order to help others.

How do you bring Christ into your work?
First, I attempt to do my job with excellence and go above and beyond to assist the patients and medical team. Facing cancer is a very daunting thing, and if I can help them understand I feel I am honoring God in that way.
Secondly, when the door is open to share hope, pray with a patient, or even share about God's goodness in my life- I try to seize that opportunity.
Usually if that happens it is after the interpreting session. But there are some opportunities for that and I have had many patients tell me they are encouraged by my words of encouragement or prayer.
Thirdly, being available for my co workers and attempting to connect with them on a personal level.

I was told once by a patient that throughout the darkness of Cancer, each time I helped them it was light for them on their journey. That truly made my day and let me know that it makes a difference. Any chance I get to pray with a cancer patient- that is a meaningful ministering opportunity.
I am truly blessed to be in that position on a daily basis. Dealing with cancer everyday keeps my troubles in perspective and has given me a more compassionate heart towards suffering.

Are there some struggles with being a Christian at your job?
 The struggle, if any, is handling the amount of "vicarious trauma" I experience on a day to day basis.

What do you mean by vicarious trauma?
I don't have cancer, but I hear about it everyday. I see people lose their loved ones. Sometimes I see more than one death in one day. I deal with pediatric cancer patients too- kids that are the same age as Mia and Shiloh. Although I am only an interpreter, I witness trauma, sadness, and hard cases frequently. Therefore the trauma, if you will, is vicarious. At the end of the day sometimes I have to vent and process with Laurie. Mind you, some of the patients I work with, I have worked with for months or years. So after a while you can get close to them and they become friends. You can do what I do and totally detach yourself emotionally and be somewhat jaded- I still want to show compassion and as a result at times I experience "VT."

What advice/encouragement can you offer those struggling with sharing their faith at work?
I think it's encouraging to know you are not the only one struggling with something. So I would start by saying I TOO struggle with sharing my faith. I would first of all pray for opportunities to share with others. If you pray, then you are looking for God to answer that prayer by providing someone to share with. Lastly, bring up God casually frequently. E.g if someone asks how your weekend was, mention the sermon you heard at church and the nugget you learned. If people ask how you are- go beyond the "fine" and share a bit of your heart. I have had people come up to me: josh I know you go to church and stuff, I need prayer for X, could you pray for me? Attempt to invite co workers to something outside of work. Laurie and I host parties at our home or football watching and we try to invite coworkers.

Can you share your favorite work moment with us-funny, proud, dramatic or otherwise!
I can't think of anything immediately. But, just like I have to give people bad news some days, I also get to give people good news and tell them they beat cancer, or their scans are clean, or you are a survivor, etc. giving people a hug after that news is always great. So being able to share in their joy and be the first to tell them that news is an awesome blessing and privilege.

Read More

Caution Ahead! A Woman's Mind

A woman's mind is one of the most complex things you could ever write about. Our thoughts are constantly at war. We are assaulted daily by unceasing voices and fears and hopes and ideas. It almost never stops. Personally, there have been times when I have cried and begged the Lord to just completely turn it off because all of it was too much to bear. If you are a guy then you might be thinking that we are all crazy, and I have to admit that sometimes it feels that way. But really this is the way it is...not all the time, but a good portion of it. A study done by the University of Pennsylvania proves that we are masters of multitasking and our intricate minds are the reason why. But along with accomplishing a multitude of little things, our thoughts also have the power to bring us to tears at the drop of a hat.

Our thoughts are constantly suggesting to us that we change something about ourselves whether it be our hair, our jobs, our friends, our hobbies, or even just the type of laundry detergent we use. They tell us that if we changed that one thing that our lives would be easier or that we would be happier or we would have more peace. But we change it and it doesn't work.

They berate us with comparisons to other people's lives. If only you were married then you would be understood or respected more. Possibly if you just had a more fit body or a different nose then you would be wanted by that guy. If you made more money then tithing wouldn't be such a sacrifice and of course your budget wouldn't feel like such a stranglehold.

They bring up our darkest moments again and again. That relationship let down, that ugly argument with your sister, and that time you disappointed your kids. They pop up as we are in the middle of grocery shopping, on vacation and in the shower. The most subtle of things can remind us of our inadequacies and failures.

There is no hiding. They find us everywhere.

Honestly I thought that when I grew up that this battle would be won or at least calmed down. But walk into a women's conference and you will learn that the battle doesn't stop - we just learn how to fight back.

As I grow in the Lord my confidence grows that my heart and mind will eventually join sides.
Take heart ladies, even the best of us still have moments where the lies and fears win, but as we walk with the Lord we DO get stronger. I want to equip you with sound truth so that you can be ready as the war wages on. And if you are a man reading this, use this to encourage your sisters (or sisters in Christ). The best advice I've received is that you have to preach the Gospel to yourself. I hope the following words and scriptures help you do that even in your darkest moments.

Is that thought something Jesus would say to you?
Are we really convinced that Jesus would think that dying our hair would make us more beautiful?! Thats crazy talk! And when was the last time your heard Jesus hint how that girl in your small group doesn't actually like you. We need to recognize the flat out lies that these are! Jesus doesn't talk like that! When you think something that causes fear or hurt or confusion recognize that God is for you not against you (Rom 8:31) and He does NOT have plans to harm you, but to prosper you! (Jer 29:11)

Its about Progression, not perfection
These days we expect to look beautiful all the time, have a perfectly balanced budget, be a top performer at work, be knock-your-socks-off wives....and its too much! We raise the bar so high that even Jesus couldn't meet our standard. Remember that Jesus is our definition of perfection, not the media, and not everything we try to be. (2 Cor 12:9) Instead of constantly working on our imperfections, we need to be persistently relocating our identity, self-worth, and significance in Christ. If you struggle with perfectionism I suggest reading Pastor Derwin Gray's article on the topic.

Refocus your attention
The devil would love to distract you from what God is doing. John 8:44 says that when the devil lies that he is speaking his native language because a liar is what he is. He has been mastering his craft for millenia. The Bible says to watch out! (1 Peter 5:8) Its important that you not let him steal God's glory or undermine His plans by continuing to dwell on your insecurities and false fears. If you do this you are letting the devil outsmart you -  be familiar with his schemes (2 Cor 2:11).  Keep your eyes on Jesus and refuse to take them off!

Godly counsel matters
Whether they are a friend, a Bible study leader, or a professional counselor, good Godly counsel is priceless. If you are in a pit then its impossible to dig yourself out unless you have divine intervention. (Eccl 4:9-10) Sometimes we truly can't help ourselves because the issue is out of our control or will affect us for the long term. Throw your pride out the window and get healthy! Go to counselling, ask your best friend to text you scripture throughout the day, or meet with a leader and pour out your heart. Heck do all 3! (Prov 15:22)

Final word of advice. These are tools you will need to learn to use again and again. This is not a quick fix because we are not in a small battle. Use your sword regularly-its the best way to sharpen it.


Further reading:
http://www.christianitytoday.com/derwin-gray/2014/november/patience-persistence-and-progression-not-perfection.html
http://www.harvest.org/knowgod/new-believer/foundations-for-living/devil.html
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/dec/02/men-women-brains-wired-differently
http://time.com/70558/its-not-you-its-science-how-perfectionism-holds-women-back/
http://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/perfectionism-leading-fatal-disease-among-women-18-100/
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/pressure-proof/201407/3-big-perfectionism-struggles-women

Read More