My Big But...

"So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth!"

- Revelation 3:16

     Along with having been the "Queen of Denial", I have grown a Big But!  Now, of course I am referring to the endless number of excuses I can generate, and/or the ease of validating bad habits and wrong thinking.  This Big But has become quite the obstacle, and distraction - to say the least!  When did I become so quick to  develop "But" responses, I don't even remember; but I do remember being quite good at it even as a Young Woman being asked to complete my Chores.  Here's the funny thing about my Big But...it is not a statement of Honor!  In Revelation, when Jesus was speaking about The Lukewarm Church, He was clearly Not Pleased by their indifference!!  My Big But places me in this category of Lukewarm Indifference.  When I throw out a Big But, I am neither choosing in or out, I am simply delaying the inevitable or looking for another option.  YUCK!!  

     As I've taken a Stand and made a New Commitment to my health, I have been reminded of just how many bad habits I have adopted to prevent me from Obtaining and Maintaining Health and Wellness!  Likewise, as I've sought wisdom about why I would settle for Lukewarm Indifference over Excellence, the Holy Spirit quickly brings to mind the Scripture in Colossians 3:23, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men!"  What a sweet reminder!  Additionally, I was shown the Lies of the Enemy that I have allowed to creep in and take hold that say; "I'm not good enough", "I don't deserve to be healthy", "It's not really worth it", "I'll never achieve the goals I set", "I'm destined to have High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cancer" - just to name a few.  It is at this point that I now have a choice to make.  I can either continue to walk in sin by giving the Adversary such Power in my life, OR I can rise up in the Authority God has given me as His daughter and take captive my thoughts and responses!!  Now, I realize that just by choosing to align with God's desires for my body and my life, does Not mean the Adversary will stop trying to plant such nonsense; it Does, however, mean that I no longer have to settle for less than God's Very Best! 

     Recently, Lysa Terkeurst from Proverbs 31 Ministries wrote a blog about this very topic entitled, "But God Verses".  In her post, she encourages us to follow every "But I" statement with a "But God" statement of truth to decrease the size of our Big But.  She provides a list of Scriptures that include "But God..." to add to our arsenal of tools.  I am grateful for her time and research, and commit to implement this practice immediately!  By acknowledging my "Big But", I find forgiveness and grace as I align with what God says about me rather than what the World would say or what the Adversary would like me to believe!  Likewise, I now have the opportunity to Choose as to the Lord in ALL areas of my life.  I am no longer bound by my Big But, I am, instead free to make wise choices about my health - again honoring the Powerful connection between my Body, Soul and Spirit!  As we begin this Lenten Season, I am inspired to lay down bad eating habits and replace them with The Word of God!  I invite you to join me in this quest towards a more Healthy Lifestyle, leaving our Big Buts Behind (pun intend...LOL)!  May God Richly Bless us as we surrender to Him and ALL that He has for us!!

Mrs. Jeff Baker...

"Love NEVER Fails!"

 - 1 Cor 13:8 (Amp)

     22 years ago today, I began a Love Journey that has been the best of times and the worst of times; and through it all, I have learned that "Love NEVER Fails!"  It was a wet, winter Wednesday morning in Utah when I became Mrs. Jeff Baker, and I will never forget the warmth that overtook me as I dedicated my heart to my Handsome Prince Charming!  I was able to be married in His Mother's wedding gown, at the same location where my Parent's and Grandparents were married - SUCH a joy!!  We were married at 8:10 am and left directly after the ceremony for our Honeymoon Suite; then enjoyed our Reception three days later - Best Plan Ever!!

02/14/1990 - SLC, UT

     I have now been Mrs. Jeff Baker for more than half my life, and I can honestly say that I am honored to carry the name of Such a Valor Man of God!!  It hasn't always been easy, but it has certainly been worth it!  As I pause to reflect the many years I have been a wife, I am humbled by the Many lessons I have learned - generally the hard way.  I have learned the heartache of distractions, the value of Forgiveness, the mercy of Grace, the joy of Restoration, and the peace of Renewal!!  I have not always cherished this title, nor have I always brought honor and respect through my choices.  I have, however, grown in confidence as a Daughter of God which has enabled me to Honor the Wife that I am!  

     Along the way, I have discovered several resources that have SO blessed me as a wife.  Two of my favorites are:  "The Power of a Praying Wife" by Stormie Omartian, and  "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman.  We have gained wisdom and understanding about what God says for Husbands and Wives, and through the love and support of our Pastors, Drs. Tom and Maureen Anderson, we have developed a Kingdom Marriage!!

     Today, I want to encourage you that no matter where you are at in your relationship, God desires you to know His Love!  He is faithful to fulfill that which we commit our hearts to, and He is able to breathe life into our marriages!!  I can now relate to the Shulamite Girl in Song of Solomon as she declares, "Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is better than wine!"  What a blessing it is to love and be loved with Such passion!  I LOVE that He's Still the One!!

     This Valentine's Day, I invite you to join us as we begin the "Love Language Challenge"!!  We have learned the value of working our commitment, and investing in our marriage; and so it is with great anticipation that we step into a 5 Week Journey of sowing Love into one another!  May your marriage be Richly Blessed, and may you know the Joy of Being Deeply Loved!  I am Grateful to Celebrate God's Very Best for me, and continue to thank Him for the opportunity of being Mrs. Jeff Baker!!

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Baker
Celebrating 22 Years Together!

     

Wellness Update - Week 1

"For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds, says the Lord."
- Jeremiah 30:17

     Have you ever experienced a time where nothing seemed to go as planned or expected?  This has been one of "THOSE" weeks for me!  The moment I declared commitment, opposition arose.  Now, this in and of itself did not surprise me - having some understanding about how the Adversary works; but the change of direction that has occurred did.  This kind of sudden change in the past would have sent me into an emotional eating frenzy!  I am happy to report that with the love and support of my Sweetheart and Godly friends; I have been able to continue implementing better habits to support my overall wellness!  My Sugar Addiction, however,  continues to rise up loud and clear; so, I continue to pray through moments of craving.
     In Galatians 5:22-23, we learn that the gifts of the Spirit include Self-Control.  Now, as a Spirit-filled daughter of thee King, I want to bear good fruit!  Likewise, I know that God Is in ALL areas, amen?  So. how can I honor Him in some areas of my life and not ALL areas?  This humbling thought brings me to my knees!!  I begin to seek forgiveness for trusting God as my provider, but not allowing Him to restore my health!  How can I stand for God as my physician, and not include my addiction to sugar?  The joy of reflecting is that I can make new choices based on truth, rather than denial!  So it is, that in spite of Big changes this week, I choose to place my trust in God to heal my wounds and restore my health!!  I will continue to drink more water and less soda.  I will continue to exercise at least 3 days per week, and I will eat smaller meals every 3 hours.  These wise choices will require great Self-Control as I better support my body, and I thank God that He is faithful!    

Time to Address my BSS!

But those who wait on the Lord,

Shall RENEW their STRENGTH;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall Run and NOT be Weary,

They shall Walk and NOT Faint!

 - Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

     Do you ever get tired of your BSS?  I am!!  This awareness of my Body, Soul and Spirit is NOT new!!  In fact, this has been a consistent topic of consideration for most of my life.  I admit that in my early years, or "back in the day" when I was young in the Lord as well as my body; I did not think much on this Powerful Connection.  My body was in shape, I thought I practiced good self-control, and I thought I had good understanding in the ways of God...THOUGHT being the key!   22 years ago, however, I began a journey of realization, reality, and revelation!!  It all began when I gave my heart to my Beloved, who happens to be a Master Fitness Coach/Nutrition Expert.  This is a man who fully understands how to consistently operate with a High Level of Commitment, Courage, and Choice!!  His level of understanding about the Body, Soul, Spirit Connection challenged my complacency; and offered an opportunity for me to get real!!  It really wasn't until after our second daughter was born, however, that things became personal!!

     Shortly after her triumphant arrival, I began noticing a change in my body.  No longer could I consume large quantities of French Fries without gaining weight.  Likewise, once I had added pounds, it became Much more difficult to loose them!  That was nearly 20 years ago, and things went from bad to worse in regards to my Body.  To add perspective, I weighed 89 lbs when I was 5 months pregnant with our first daughter, and today I weigh in at 160 + or -.  

                        

                     10/1992

Today

  

     Needless to say, I have grown weary in my Body!!  As I continue to wonder who is the Large Woman in any photo of me, I have become the "Queen of Denial"!!  I have in-turn focused much of the past several years on my Spirit - strengthening and building my relationship with God, as well as addressing my Soul - emotions, mind and will.  I began spending time in God's word and studying under Wise Counsel about what God has to say in these two areas of my life; and as a result, have gained wisdom and understanding!  I have corrected some wrong thinking about my "heart condition" and have been able to align with God's word on Authority - Controlling my Emotions rather than Them controlling me!!  I have invested time in putting God's word in me, so that the overflow of my heart would bear good fruit.  All of this has served me and is Good, however without clearly heading the connection between Body, Soul and Spirit; I am clear that I cannot walk in the Fullness of God's Best for me and my life!  Darn-it!!  I had so hoped that as I strengthened my Soul and Spirit, my Body would somehow automatically follow - that I would wake one day without an addiction to sugar, that I would be filled with super-natural vitality, that pounds would easily fall off...this thinking proves my status as "Queen of Denial"!!  

     This May, I will be 40 years old; and lately, God has been profoundly dealing with me about my Body!  I began to see in reality rather than delusion.  I began to notice the fatigue, weird cycles, tighter fitting clothes.  As I open my heart to "Hear" what God says about our bodies, I am immediately drawn to 1 Corinthians 6:19 - "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are Not your own?"   So, either I believe that God IS or I don't; and given that I do...I feel empowered to step into a new season where I allow the Holy Spirit who is in me to move through me and heal my body!!  I declare today that I AM the one to break the generational curse of Obesity, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cancer in my family!  I choose to honor God by reforming my body as His temple!  I recognize the Urgent Need to make new choices so that I may be an example of Isaiah 40:31.

     This year, my husband and I have stepped into Destiny; and as Youth Ministers, I feel an added opportunity to practice what we preach!!  I have been convicted in calling our Youth to Rise Up, Dive In, and BE a Doer of the Word not only a Hearer!  THIS is my moment to join them in taking on a new level of commitment!  There can be NO more Excuses!!  I invite you to join me on this journey to better balance in my BSS, and ask that you hold me accountable!!  I know God loves me, because He gave me an added measure of support in my Beloved, and I am in gratitude for new seasons!!  I am excited to walk in the Peace of Surrender, and look forward to the challenge of Laying down my will so His can be done!!  To God be the Glory!!