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Checking in for the end of week 3!…
- Share one wellness success and failure from the week.
- Share one wellness goal for the upcoming week.
- Share one significant point learned from completing the Begin With Christ homework.
- Share your weight loss, if you so choose.
- Share one way others can specifically pray for you in your pursuit of wellness.
1a) Success(es) this week: I managed to eat only to “satisfied” a couple of times — by paying attention to my hunger cues so I could stop before stuffing myself — and I managed to wait for hunger a couple of times, instead of snacking out of emotions.
1b) Failure(s) this week: There were still a lot of times where I reached for food when I wasn’t truly hungry, and Thursday was an all-out rebellion… I purposely bought a Coca-Cola, when I said I wasn’t going to drink any more of those (they’re terrible for my health!)
2) Wellness goal for upcoming week: I want to continue to pay attention to my hunger signals, and try to do so at EVERY eating occasion, not just some.
3) I’ve been working my way through the THIN WITHIN lessons, instead of Begin With Christ, because I don’t have the BwC book. So, the thing that most influenced me out of this past week’s homework is… the pendulum swing. I keep going back and forth, and back and forth, between paying attention (“doing well“), and not paying any attention/eating mindlessly (“failing“). And, it gets really tiring. I’m exhausted, and ready to get off of this rollercoaster, once and for all! Time to stop waiting for the miracle cure, and just do the work necessary to get myself healthy!
4) Please pray that I will really focus this week, and do what needs to be done… also, that depression will not derail me. We’ve been going through some really stressful times, recently, so depression often leaves me floundering, and I don’t feel like doing much of anything, most especially avoiding emotional eating. 
Thanks.
On to another week!
(Thin Within – Lessons: Day 3, Week 3)
GOING DEEPER ~ Do you feel as if you’re held captive by food and eating? How has this area of life kept you from doing all that God has planned for you?
Yes, I feel as though I’m held captive. I hate that I’m often unable to participate in activities with my kids because of my weight, or my lack of endurance/strength. I don’t volunteer for things because I’m either too self-conscious or too tired.
BIBLE STUDY ~ Read Jeremiah 29:12-14a. What does it show you about God’s deliverance from any captivity you may be experiencing? Read Jeremiah 31:3, Ephesians 1:5, and Zephaniah 3:17. Write down what these Scriptures say about God’s view of you, and His plan for your life.
Jeremiah 29:12-14a ~ He will end our captivity and restore our “fortunes”. He’ll gather us from faraway “nations” and bring us home.
Jeremiah 31:3 ~ He loves us with an everlasting love and draws us to Himself.
Ephesians 1:5 ~ He adopted us into His family, and He was pleased to do so.
Zephaniah 3:17 ~ He lives among us; He is a mighty savior; He takes delight in us; He calms all of our fears; He rejoices over us with singing.
KNOWING GOD BY HEART ~ Find synonyms for the word “love”… How do these words give you a deeper understanding of God as love? Read 1 John 4:8-10,19 and John 3:16. What do these Scriptures tell you about God?
LOVE = cherish :: devotion :: adore
God cherishes and adores us, and is devoted to us, His children.
1 John 4:8-10,19 ~
- God is love, so if we don’t love, we don’t know God
- God sent His son to die in our place to show His great love for us.
- real love = God loving us and offering up His son in our place
- v.19 ~ God loved us first, thereby enabling us to love others
John 3:16 ~
- God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to die in our place so that we could spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
GETTING PRACTICAL ~ Keep the phrase “when in doubt, leave it out” in mind as you wait for hunger. It’s easy to convince yourself that you’re hungry when you may in fact be at a 1 or 2 on the hunger scale. Prayerfully invite God to direct you when you’re uncertain or in doubt. Make a prepared plan for those times of doubt, so that you’ll be ready when you’re bombarded by the overwhelming desire to eat.
My Plan: If I’m not really hungry, I will distract myself by any one of the following activities:
- blog / check emails
- journal
- do Bible study homework
- practice my Spanish
- go for a walk / do my workout
(Thin Within – Lessons: Day 2, Week 1)
GOING DEEPER ~ This week’s lesson refers to a performance-based pendulum swing. One side represents the pride associated with an ability to lose weight through sheer self-effort, and the other side depicts the extreme of giving up on the weight loss effort and eating everything in sight. Have you had any experience with these two extremes? How does this cycle contribute to a feeling of hopelessness?
I’ve been on both ends, and it wears you out to be constantly swinging back and forth. One minute you think you’ve got it all figured out, and the next you’re having a pity party where only you and the cheesecake are invited. :-& When you flop back to the “I give up” side, it feels as if you’ll never learn; as if you’ll always struggle with this problem.
BIBLE STUDY ~ God uses His living and active Word to convict us and call us to righteous choices (Hebrews 4:12). Read Ephesians 2:4-9. Note the things God has done for you. According to verse 4, why has He done all of this? Read Ephesians 1:3-8 and replace the word “us” with your own name. Try to put into words how all of these verses speak to your heart.
God has… loved us so much :: gave us life through Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection :: raised us from the dead :: seated us in the heavenlies :: united us with Christ :: pointed to us as examples for future generations :: saved us by His grace.
v.4 ~ He did this because He loved/loves us so much, and because He is rich in mercy.
Eph.1:3-8 ~ my response: It is SO much more powerful when you insert your own name into the verses! I really feel that this was done for me, and not just for “everyone else” alone.
KNOWING GOD BY HEART ~ We continue to grow in our knowledge of God by looking at 1 Corinthians 13. Since God is love, replace the word “love” in verses 4-8 with “God”. Record how God reveals Himself to you. Use this revelation of God to guide you in worship of Him.
“God is patient and kind. God is not jealous, or boastful, or proud, or rude. God does not demand His own way. God is not irritable, and He keeps no record of being wronged. God does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. God never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance… God will last forever!“
My response: “God keeps no record of being wronged“, and yet, so often I feel like He’s hanging onto His anger over something I have done, and that I have to keep trying to make it up somehow…that I have to appease Him.
GETTING PRACTICAL ~ Journal as you reflect on the last twenty-four hours. As you’ve paid specific attention to your body and your hunger numbers, what have you discovered? Have you been able to find “0″? Write down your body’s specific indications of hunger…
Well, I wasn’t really attentive to my body’s hunger signals today… I ate mindlessly, and gave into cravings when I knew I wasn’t really hungry. BUT, having former experience with this (having paid attention on other days), I know that my body’s signals of true hunger start with a fuzzy-headed feeling (or, lightheadedness), and then a headache and shakiness. Sometimes I get a growl in my stomach, but not usually. It’s the lightheadedness/headache/shaky thing that always lets me know I’m going to need to eat real soon. If I get to the headache, I’ve gone too far (waited too long).
Finding “0″ is never a problem for me, really. I recognize that very easily. It’s the stopping at “5″ thing that I always seem to have trouble with.
Well, since I don’t have the “Begin With Christ” book, and the preview lesson I was using is now complete, I’ve decided I needed to find another way to continue with a Bible study for this Pursuing Wellness challenge… something related to weight loss, too.
And, aha! I had just the thing! Back in 2005, when I first was learning about the hunger-fullness method, I was using the Thin Within lessons for a Bible study. They ARE a Bible study, really. So, since there are 12 weeks, I thought it’d go really well with this challenge. That is what I’ll be using from now on. 
Here are my answers for Day 1:
GOING DEEPER ~ Hope is defined in the dictionary as “desire accompanied by expectation or belief in fulfillment.” Into what kinds of things have you been putting hope?
- my SELF
- other diet books
- foods
- exercise
- a miracle
KNOWING GOD BY HEART ~ This week’s focus: LOVE
Look up the word “Love” in the dictionary and write down a definition you believe is consistent with God being love. Read 1 John 4:16 and relate your definition to this Scripture.
LOVE - “…to take pleasure in”
1 John 4:16 ~ “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”
So… God takes pleasure in us, and we know this because God lives in us, and helps us to love through His strength.
GETTING PRACTICAL ~ Look at…the Hunger Scale. Find your hunger number right now and evaluate whether or not you’re physically hungry. Decide if you are empty, satisfied, beyond satisfied, or somewhere in between. Write down what you discover.
I am currently… satisfied
MEMORY VERSE:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.“
Isaiah 43:18-19
How about you?
Share with us how this week’s homework was used by the Lord in your life. And also jot down your responses to the accountability questions below. Then get going on Week 3: Praying for Spiritual Stamina and Strength.
- What was your take-away for this week’s worth of homework?
- Did you meet Christ for the first-time?
- Were you introduced to Him from a new perspective?
- How did the I AM verses and You Are homework change your life this week?
- Are there any fears or doubts are keeping you from declaring that Jesus is the Risen Savior?
Accountability Questions
- How did you do in terms of your wellness goal from the last week?
- What goal have you set for this coming week?
- If you want to share, what is your weight loss goal / how much did you lose?
Ephesians 3:20-21Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
I was able to go through week 2 of the book, because I found it online… so my answers are below. But, I will not have the book for week 3, so I will have to do another study from here on out.
My Take-Away from Week 2’s Homework:
I took away from this week’s homework that I need to give Christ the control, instead of always trying to keep it for myself. Trying to do this in my own strength will not work, and until I get that through my head, I will not see any progress.
Did I meet Christ for the first time this week?
No, I already knew Him. 
Was I introduced to Christ from a new perspective?
Yes, I guess I was… In a way, I see Him as more compassionate and merciful than I did before. More like a true Shepherd.
How did the I AM verses, and the You Are homework, change my life this week?
I thought that some of the “I AM” statements were really powerful, and it’s neat to see how much God’s told us about Himself!
Are there any fears/doubts that are keeping me from declaring Jesus as the risen Savior?
Not really.
ACCOUNTABILITY — answers:
1. In terms of wellness goals from last week, I…
I didn’t succeed much. I haven’t paid attention to my eating, and I haven’t exercised at all (unless you wanna count housecleaning!) LOL. Oh well… we’ll keep trying.
2. The goal(s) I’ve set for the coming week are…
To really pay attention to my hunger signals, and to use “thought-stopping” and prayer to control my urges to undermine myself.
3. As for weight loss, I am… (up/down/same?)…
Same, but that’s okay. Better than “up”!
(Week 2, Day 5)
1) Turn to John 20:24-25 and read about Jesus appearing to His disciples after His resurrection…What did Thomas say to the other disciples about believing that Jesus had risen from the dead? (v.25)
“I won’t believe it until I see the nail wounds in His hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in His side.”
2) Now read John 20:26-27. What was Jesus’ greeting to the disciples when He entered the house? (v.26)
“Peace be with you.”
3) Was Thomas at peace when Jesus first came into the room? Explain your answer.
Maybe not. Maybe Thomas’ reaction was fear, and that’s why Jesus first instructed them all to be at peace, then offered to let Thomas put his doubts aside.
4) What did Jesus say to Thomas? (v.27)
He told him to go ahead and touch the wounds. Then He said, “Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!“
5) According to verse 28, what was Thomas’s response?
“My Lord and my God!”
6) Jesus also knows exactly what is keeping you from truly believing that He is the risen Christ. What does Jesus need to do to convince you that He’s the One who died for your sins and deserves supremacy in your life?
Well, I’m already convinced that He died for my sins, and that He deserves supremacy in my life — but I have trouble actually submitting to that supremacy.
7) What is Jesus saying to you through His encounter with Thomas?
…that I should believe Him without needing proof.
8.) How can First Place 4 Health help you stop doubting and start believing?
Believe that Jesus can change things for me.
9) What’s standing between you and your confession that Jesus is “Lord and God”?
Distrust.
(Week 2, Day 4)
1) “I AM” Statements:
- John 6:48 – “I AM the bread of life.”
- John 8:12 – “I AM the light of the world.”
- John 8:23 – “I AM from above / not of this world.”
- John 10:9 – “I AM the gate” (to salvation)
- John 10:11 – “I AM the good Shepherd” (who sacrifices His life for His sheep)
- John 10:36 – “I AM the Son of God” (and set apart).
- John 11:25 – “I AM the resurrection and the life.”
- John 14:6 – “I AM the way, the truth, and the life / the only way to the Father.”
- John 15:1 – “I AM the true grapevine.”
- John 18:37 – “I AM a king.”
2) What do these “I AM” statements teach you about Jesus that you did not learn about Him on Days 1-3?
He is the only way; He is all-powerful; He is our sustainer; He sheds light on our journey to guide us.
3) Reread the “I AM” statements, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you which one you most need to believe today so you’ll be better prepared to surrender your life and will to Christ’s Lordship. Which did you pick, and why?
John 10:11 - “I AM the good Shepherd.” … too often I try to do things (like lose weight) in my own strength — I try to follow my own path — and I end up getting horribly lost. If I’d just be a good “sheep”, and listen for my Shepherd’s voice, following His lead, life would be a lot smoother of a ride!
4) Turn to Mark 9:7… What does God say about Jesus?
“This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to Him.”
5) How is listening to Jesus, God’s beloved Son, part of your First Place 4 Health program? Why?
By listening to Jesus, and following what He says, I’m giving Him first place in my eating…which is the only way to succeed (see also 2 Chronicles 26:5).
A very good reminder…
(Week 2, Day 3)
[Read Hebrews 4: 14-16]
1) According to verse 14, what role does Jesus play in our 21st century lives?
He is our Great High Priest (in heaven).
2) How does the fact that Jesus is our “great high priest” benefit us? (v.14)
He intercedes between God and ourselves.
3) Verse 15 tells us there is something unique about this great high priest. What makes Jesus different from the priests who ministered to God’s people before Christ came to save us?
He understands our weaknesses, because He experienced them all — yet without sinning.
4) Verse 16 tells us about a very special benefit of having Jesus as our high priest. What is that benefit?
We can boldly approach God’s throne.
5) What do we receive when we come to God in our time of need (v.16)?
Grace and mercy.
6) Reflecting on the inventory you did at the beginning of this week’s study, what personal vulnerabilities do you need to bring to Jesus so that He can shore up your weaknesses with His strength?
- desire for more than I need (greediness)
- lack of motivation (laziness)
- rebellion against what I know I need to do
7) How is doing a First Place 4 Health Bible study, that is specifically designed to increase spiritual strength and stamina, an essential part of holding firmly to the faith you profess?
It shows that every area of my life — no matter how seemingly insignificant — needs to be spiritually strengthened…and that it’s ALL important to God; it’s giving God first place, even in my health management efforts.
8.) How is caring for the other 3 aspects of your being — body, mind, and emotions — part of holding firmly to the faith you profess?
It’s giving ALL areas of my life over to Christ in humble submission, admitting that I can’t do it on my own strength.
9) According to Proverbs 24:10, which we read in the introduction to this week’s study, what happens to us during times of temptation when we’re not strong in equal measure in body, mind, emotions, and spirit?
We will fail, and not be able to run the course that God has laid out before us.
10) How is First Place 4 Health helping you overcome your weaknesses through the power of Jesus Christ, your Lord?
By strengthening the spiritual side, and reminding me to surrender all (not just some) parts of this journey to Jesus.
(Week 2, Day 2)
1) Recap what you learned yesterday, especially as it applies to your participation in First Place 4 Health.
Jesus came to set us free, and He is ruler over all — including my body.
[read Titus 3:3-5]
2) In verse 3, Paul tells us what our life was like “at one time”… today we’re going to apply these words to our health & fitness efforts. How were you deceived and enslaved by the diet and exercise programs you tried in the past?
They gave me false hope, making me believe they had the answers. I became enslaved because, when one failed (as they all eventually do), I’d search out another, desperately trying to find that “magic fix”.
3) What kinds of passions and pleasures ruled your life before Jesus set you free? (Make your answer applicable to those things that kept you from acheiving your health and fitness goals).
- laziness
- sweets
- books/reading
- Coca-Cola
- chocolate
4) How did your chronic lack of loving self-care contribute to malice (“ill-will“) and envy, especially envy of those who took good care of themselves?
I constantly coveted the healthy lifestyles of others, wishing it were as easy for me as it was for them; I berated myself for not doing what I knew I needed to do; and I even sometimes wished for others to become fat and lazy so I wouldn’t have to feel so bad about my own state. 
5) Titus 3:4-5 contains a precious truth… Who appeared, and what did He do? (paraphrase in your own words).
God saved us out of His kindness, love and mercy. We didn’t deserve it, but He loved us enough not to leave us the way we were. He gave us a fresh start through the work of the Holy Spirit.
6) What had you done to deserve God’s kindness and love?
Nothing. Nada.
7) If you’d done nothing to make yourself right with God, why did God your Savior appear?
Because He loves us and is kind and compassionate.
8.) What additional information have you learned about Jesus after completing today’s lesson?
He gives us a fresh start because of His love. We don’t have to do anything to deserve it. He is merciful.
