Chunking the Junk

Sometimes you just have to sit down and type! I've been wanting to organize my thoughts on what I am going to share with you today, but I realize that's probably not going to happen...so here goes it!

If you are my Facebook friend you've probably not escaped the fact I have been on a journey to healthier eating. As I read new information I have shared snippets with you through my status updates. Some of you are interested and others have laughed at me, it's okay, I'm laughing with you:)

Let's start by making this point clear, I AM NOT AN EXPERT AT ANYTHING. I'm not a doctor, nurse, nutritionist...shoot, I haven't even bought any books on the topic....yet. So, what I share with you here will be based on what I have tested personally or what has resonated with me from my research and reading online.

Of course, like any subject there are varying opinions on the topic of what to eat, what not to eat, etc. I'll leave those arguments to the "experts." If anything I am sharing this with you because if you only make one healthier choice from it I have been successful. Sharing, inspiring and encouraging...it's what I do and it's part of who God made me to be!

A couple of months ago I purchased a Vita-Mix high powered blender. I had been eyeing (okay, coveting) one for over 5 years when I first saw it demonstrated. Couldn't talk my hubby into the purchase (they're not cheap, think investment here.)

With hubby convinced and vita-mix in hand I went in search of some yummy smoothie recipes. I stumbled upon a whole new world of green smoothies. Drinking my greens was a new concept to me and I liked it. I like them so much I now have one every morning for breakfast!

As I learned more about fruits, veggies and seeds and their nutritional value I came to the revelation God has provided us everything we need to live healthy, disease free lives...but it's all in our choices. There is healing in food.

If you've been around My Soul Sings you know I am passionate about inner healing, aka healing of the heart. God is all about our health, from the inside out...healthy food choices are a great way of taking care of what He gave me, so I can not only have life to the full (see John 10:10) but live life to the fullest and have life to give to others in need of it.

No, I am not a vegetarian or a vegan...yet:) I don't believe it's wrong to eat meat. In fact, I believe the Bible gives us the freedom to eat it. You don't have to agree with me here...that's not the point of this post.

Google and I have become fast friends on this journey. I started looking up the health benefits of items I had hardly given a second glance in the produce department. Here are some of the tidbits I have put into practice and seen results from:

*Did you know that eating fruit after a meal will lead to bloating and gas? Fruit only takes about 20 minutes to process and reach the stomach. It's best to eat fruit early in the day, and especially not after a meal in which you've consumed meat. Most meat takes hours or longer to digest. Put fruit in behind that and it ferments before it ever reaches the stomach. Traffic jam! Not only is the result bloating and gas, but you've missed out on the nutrients in the fruit! Here I was eating fruit with my meal hoping to add fiber to my diet to prevent constipation and in actuality I was only making my condition worse! I have tested this. I am now a believer. Enough said!

*Artificial sweeteners are the same as drinking battery acid. They cause joint pain and aches. I haven't had a diet soda or artificially sweetened drink since last week. No joint pain whatsoever this week and no ibuprofen either...WIN!

*First thing in the morning, drink a tall glass of water with lemon juice in it. I usually use 1/2 lemon or more per 24 oz tumbler. Lemon is very cleansing and is an anti-oxidant which rids your body of free radicals which cause sickness and disease. Think of this morning ritual as a cleansing of the pipes so to speak!

*Greens, greens, greens! This is why I like green smoothies so much. I would probably never eat a big bowl full of kale in a salad, but put a few leaves of it in a smoothie with some mango and I can drink it up! Greens are also full of water; water that has already been purified naturally.

*Studies have linked a low fat diet with a tendency toward depression. Our bodies need good fat! Remember the fat in a doughnut is not equal to the fat in an avocado! I have to wonder if craving sweet junk food like chocolate ice cream or cake when we are feeling down is our body's way of saying, "I need fat!" The junky fat may satisfy and comfort for the moment, but a diet with a balance of healthy fat could make a difference for a lifetime!

I have an app on my iPhone called the green smoothie app. It has recipes for green smoothies, soups and raw puddings. What I love most about it is the nutritional information on a wide range of fruits, vegetables and greens. It tells you what they are good at preventing and/or treating. Great find for $1.99!

If you want to be entertained, as well as have a wealth of green smoothies recipes at your fingertips, check out www.blenditandmendit.com. My younger daughter likes to sit with me and watch her video tutorials. We like her enthusiasm, it's contagious:)

I also have learned quite a bit from www.greensmoothiegirl.com. In fact, I am planning on purchasing one of her books soon.

If you are interested in making some healthier choices, and have questions, feel free to ask me. I might not have the answer, but I may can help you find one! So many health issues can be cured and/or reversed by making changes in our diets. I want that, don't you?

Today in my breakfast smoothie alone I had 9 servings of fruits and vegetables. The FDA recommends 5. This afternoon as I have written this post I enjoyed a snack size smoothie containing one peach, about 2 cups of frozen honeydew, spearmint leaves and one whole romaine heart. It was very refreshing on this hot day and tasted great! Much healthier than what I use to choose as a snack:)

Well, that's about all I have to say on the subject for now. If you found your way to this blog through a search engine please know you are welcome here, but the topic of this blog is not usually health, nutrition or green smoothies. My Soul Sings is a place where I share my journey and relationship with the Creator of the Universe and Lover of my soul...Jesus. But what better way to honor Him then by honoring my temple (body) and what goes into it. I want my outside to reflect what's on the inside! I have been saved, healed and delivered...from the inside out and that makes my soul sing!!!!!

Claim your upgrade!

Rainy days are perfect days for playing "catch up" around the house and for listening to podcasts, worship music and whatever else I find that nourishes my soul in the Lord. I am getting ready to attend a conference in Franklin this weekend with Graham Cooke as the speaker. I love Graham's message on our identity in Christ and so I have been watching/listening to a session of his today.

Helping others discover who they are in Christ and who Christ is in them is one of my heart passions! You can imagine my excitement listening to speakers who teach on this very topic...I get REALLY HAPPY and indeed MY SOUL SINGS!

In this particular message Graham instructs the audience to go through an exercise which I think is AWESOME, LIBERATING and EMPOWERING. I just couldn't wait to share it with you, my blog family:)

Isaiah 54:17 tells us no weapon formed against us will prosper.

Deuteronomy 23:5 tells us God turns curses into blessing simply because He loves us!

Tuck those passages away from future mediation, because they are packed with goodness!

Now, get two sheets of paper (preferably notebook, so you have lines.) On the first sheet of paper make a numbered list of negative aspects in your life, they can be negative emotions, negative situations or negative character traits, curses or sin patterns. It might look something like this:

1. critical

2. depressed

3. alcoholism

4. hopelessness

5. broken relationship

Get the idea? Now after you have completed your list of negatives set that piece of paper aside and take the next sheet and number it the same as the first. For example, if you had 25 things listed on your negative sheet, number your second sheet 1-25.

Isaiah 61:3 is a beautiful and encouraging passage of scripture. It is an example of what God gives us in place of what the enemy tries to saddle us with....a garland instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning and praise instead of heaviness.

Now, quiet yourself before the Lord and ask Holy Spirit to reveal to you a promise, prophecy, or an "instead of" for each item listed on your negative sheet. This is replacing the enemy's lie with God's truth.

He may give you a scripture reference, or simply one or two words for each. You will know it is from God if it lines up with His character as revealed to us in His Word. What He says will not be negative or condemning! God's words to us always bring Life (seriously, can I get a dollar for every time I have written this in a blog post?)

Using my example list of 5 negative things, my positive, or "instead of," list might go something like this:

1. gift of encouragement and edification

2. joy

3. filled with His Spirit, dependent on Him

4. HOPE and His vision

5. restored relationship

As Holy Spirit leads you spend some time repenting for your part in believing or wallowing in the items on the negative list. If others have been involved in these "curses" choose to forgive them. Curses are not part of your inheritance in Christ, nor are they part of your identity in Him. If you have focused on these negative things you have empowered them in your life. Break agreement with them. To repent means to "turn from." I like how Graham Cooke puts it, "if you have a thought that doesn't line up with His, have another thought." That's repentance, pure and simple! Making the list of truth is you having another thought...His thoughts!

Now, destroy the yucky, negative list. Shred it, flush it down the toilet, however you wish to properly discard of it:) Take the list of truth and declare them over yourself. It could go something like this: (using my example list from above)

"Holy Spirit, I receive the gift of encouragement and edification. I choose to use my words to bless and not curse. I will use my tongue to bring life to others and myself. I choose to be filled with the JOY of the Lord as my strength. I have much to be joyful about, Father, please help me to recognize the joy in my life and focus on Your goodness in all situations. As I walk in the Spirit I ask You to fill me with Your abundance. I will trust in You, Father, to meet the needs of my heart and to fill me to overflowing with Your presence and Your peace. I submit my relationships to You, Lord. May I bring about the spirit of reconciliation and restoration. Give me wisdom Father to know when and with whom Godly boundaries need to be exercised."

Choose to meditate on the list of who God says you are until your actions start lining up with these truths. When you are tempted to go back to the negative pull out your list and declare the truth over yourself again!

Choosing to seek His blessings, His viewpoint, His wisdom and insight will focus your heart and mind on His plan for you. I have seen some people choose to walk in denial of the problems in their life, as if they don't exist. This isn't His solution, nor will it bring about change. Focusing on Him and actively seeking His viewpoint will change YOU, and afterall, YOU are the only person YOU can control anyway:) Focusing on what others are doing, or not doing, never brings about a positive solution....trust me, I've tried that!

Heaven is full of unclaimed UPGRADES! Father God is waiting for you to claim your upgrade! What are you waiting for?

My Soul Sings because I have discovered the lavish love of the Father fully embracing His goodness, basking in His presence and seeking His solutions...now that's an upgrade worth claiming!!!!

Complaints Not Welcomed Here

"Complaining is to the devil what praise is to God." When I saw this quote from Bill Johnson, I knew there was great truth in it.

Praise is our way of acknowledging God, of keeping Him on the throne of our life. Praise is one way we show our love and thankfulness to God. Praise keeps us mindful of His presence and focused on His heart.

In His presence we find peace, strength, rest, love, comfort, joy and much more! Living from His presence equips us to live a Spirit filled life, bringing heaven to earth, advancing His kingdom. This is the will of God...and praise is the key to unlocking all of it! Just writing about it sets my heart on fire... Praise, Presence and Peace...my three favorite words beginning with the letter "p!" I might just tuck that away for a title of a future blog post;)

I guess you know where this is going...if praise empowers God in our lives, what or Who does complaining empower? Keep in mind the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus came to give us abundant life (see John 10:10.) Praise leads to abundance and fulfillment. Complaining sets your eyes on the work of the enemy...actually, complaining comes into agreement with the enemy.

Now, I'm not saying there isn't room for constructive criticism. Constructive criticism has its place to bring about betterment of ourselves and others. Constructive criticism should offer a plan of action, something you can do to make the situation better. Please do not confuse the two:)

Complaining can be driven by a critical spirit, jealousy, or rejection, to name a few sources. A chronic complainer most likely is not living a life of fulfillment, joy or peace in Christ. I know. I was one.

Let's take a look at some scriptures first about the tongue in a negative sense:

Proverbs 4:24 "Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips."

Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Proverbs 12:16 "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult."

Proverbs 13:3 "He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin."

Proverbs 21:23 "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity."

Philippians 2:14 "Do everything without complaining or arguing."

WOW! There's more where those came from...if you want more conviction camp out in Proverbs for awhile... WARNING: Wear closed toe shoes!

On a more positive note, let's take a glance at some verses on praise and words of life:

Psalms 34:8-9 from the Message, "Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him. Worship God if you want the best, worship opens doors to all His goodness."

Proverbs 10:11 "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life!"

Proverbs 15:15b "A cheerful heart has a continual feast."

Proverbs 16:24 "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

I could continue, but I think you get the concept.

I posed a challenge on my Facebook yesterday to go the entire day without complaining. Many of my Facebook friends participated. Some shared they were successful with not speaking complaints aloud, but still struggled to take the thoughts captive. That's awesome! The first step is learning to recognize it before it leaves your lips!

At one point in the day I realized I had talked less, not wanting a complaint or critical comment to leave my mouth. Guess there is much wisdom in Proverbs 10:19 about when words are many, sin is not absent:) Lesson learned...talk less!

Having success in the challenge was empowering to me. I felt wonderful and my spirit was uplifted. Our words really do carry much power, either to bless or to curse. I want to bless.

You might be thinking, "Amy, this all sounds good, but really, no complaining...I think I might explode!" God knows our humanness and His Word is full of instruction. Let's take a peek at some:

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, O' people, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."

Psalm 142:1 "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; before Him I tell my trouble."

I am so thankful for David! Don't you just love how honest he is? He doesn't try to sugar coat or downplay what's bothering him. He just tells God exactly what he is feeling. What an awesome example for us! There have been many times when I have gone into my bedroom closet and beat the floor with my fist because I was mad at God. He's God and, trust me, He can handle it. By pouring my heart out to Him I was able to express the deep emotions of my heart, as ugly as they were, in the safety of His presence. The wonderful thing about it was I left the "ugly" at His feet and came out the other side of the rant session with His perspective and peace.

Honestly, when I back-up my truckload of complaints and dump them on a friend or, more likely, my husband I might feel better temporarily, but without addressing the root of what feeds my need to complain, any relief is fleeting. Have you ever listened to someone rant and rave? Ever felt slimed by it? It is very draining to be in relationship with a chronic complainer or critical person...again I know...I was one.

There are times when you need to share your heart with a friend or spouse in order to get Godly counsel or perspective...but hopefully your "venting" doesn't sound like the teacher on Charlie Brown, "wah, wah, wah, wah, wah, wah."

I have heard it takes 21 days to form a new habit. It is my desire to live a complaint free lifestyle. I am purposing for 21 days to not complain in hopes of it becoming a habit!

If you are interested in learning more about the important connection between our emotions and our health I suggest you read "Deadly Emotions" by Don Colbert, M.D. For more on speaking blessings check out "Blessing Your Spirit" by Sylvia Gunter and Arthur Burk.

If you are interested in participating in "21 days to a complaint free lifestyle" join with me in this prayer.

Dear Daddy, I am so thankful You have empowered me to change. You are taking me from glory to glory and I am being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. I want to live a life in complete surrender and praise to You. I want my words, thoughts and actions to reflect Your heart. I want to empower You, Daddy, to move in my life and the lives of those around me. I want my life to reflect Your heart to a broken and dying world. I want others to see the difference You have made in me and are continuing to make in me. Teach me, Holy Spirit, to talk and live like Jesus did. May I know the difference between complaining and Godly rebuke and correction. May my words be spirit as Your words are Spirit, spirit that brings life, not death. Daddy forgive me for the many times my words have spoken death and criticism that has been destructive. I break agreement with the power I have given the enemy through my ungodly words. I purpose to pour out my heart like water before You and bring my complaints to You. Instruct me Lord. Give me Your perspective, align my heart with Your heart. I want to reflect You! I love You, Daddy. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You, I love You, I love You, I love You, I praise You! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

No tomatoes, oh my!

I went into my friendly Walmart store this afternoon where I visited the Subway.  As I approached the counter the dismayed young man working said, "I just have to tell you, we are out of tomatoes!"  He said it with an air of defense like I was going to hold him personally accountable.  

The lady in front of me was joking with him about how this was a grocery store and why couldn't they just go get some tomatoes from the produce department.  She was teasing him, but by his response I could tell he was in no mood for folly. 

I joined in the lighthearted conversation and she said, "we are nice customers, we're just giving you a hard time."  He replied, "yeah, not everybody is nice and I don't have no respect for those that disrespect me."  He went on ranting about how he doesn't get paid enough to do this job and get disrespected by customers. 

I know enough about hurting people (due to the fact I once was one and I minister to wounded people on a weekly basis) to know with his current attitude he will never rise above "working for the man" for a meager hourly wage.  But I didn't allow this to stop me from taking advantage of the opportunity to love him unconditionally. 

Everyone has a story and I certainly don't know his...I just know he is discouraged and by what he was saying, deeply wounded...people are talking, are we really listening?  If we listen the Lord will allow us to see into their heart beyond the gruff exterior and into the areas of hurt.

Before you go imagining me pulling out my KJV pocket Bible and a couple of evangelistic tracks, think again.  Evangelism is NOT one of my spiritual gifts...in fact, on every spiritual gift assessment/test I have taken I score the lowest in evangelism.  I'm not saying this kind of witnessing is wrong, it's just not my style.  I just was drawn to show this boy the love of Jesus through kind actions and words...not preach to him about his lack luster attitude. 


In the end it's the love of Jesus that draws people to the Father.  In fact, I didn't even mention Jesus in our conversation.  But I know he encountered the love of Jesus through me.  I had spent the morning talking to Jesus, worshiping Jesus and basking in His presence....yes, I was having a grand day and; therefore, I was able to give away some of my joy from the overflow in my heart.  I was living from heaven to earth and so I was not effected by his mood or attitude.

He remarked, "not everybody is as understanding as you about the tomatoes."  I replied, "it isn't your fault the store is out of tomatoes.  I believe if we want to receive respect we must first give it away, it truly comes back to us."  Now I could have told him about the Biblical law of sowing and reaping...but fortunately for him I left the preacher girl side of me at home:)

Friends, I hope you see where I'm going with this story.  It had nothing to do with tomatoes.  I would be willing to guess this boy has a rejection issue and when customers "go off" on him he takes it personally...thus the gruff exterior...I will hurt you before you hurt me thinking.

There is a quote I've seen several times recently, "be kind to everyone you meet, because everyone is going through some kind of battle."  I would say this is true.  Who knows what a kind word from us will do for those in the midst of a battle. 

He was incredibly slow at sandwich making might I add.  While I was waiting the delivery truck came and brought the tomatoes.  I was able to have my sub with tomatoes and he even added extra.  As I paid I said to him, "you are doing a great job, have a nice day."  Those words of encouragement cost me nothing, but who knows, they might have meant everything to him.

I love Proverbs 16:24, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."  Proverbs 18:21 is another favorite, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

I would like to be able to tell you I walk around releasing words of life everywhere I go, but sadly, that is not the case.  What was different about my trip to Subway today?  I was filled.  When we try to give and our hearts are empty or dry we usually don't make the mark because it is from our flesh.  You might get the best of Amy, but you don't get His best which is far superior to anything you will get from me.  When we are filled with the Spirit of God and our hearts and minds are set on Him giving away His presence comes naturally and without great effort because it comes from a place of overflow and abundance.

After reading this post some of you will be inspired to give more encouraging words.  That would be good, but you would be missing the more important point I feel the Lord is wanting me to share with you.  If you read this post and thought to yourself, "I need to spend more time being filled with His presence" than you win the golden ticket:) 

Spending time in His presence, being filled with His glory and then being able to release encouragement, joy and presence to others makes MY SOUL SING, it will make your soul sing too...give it a try!

A Birthday Blessing

Today my baby girl turned 10! Juliana Grace Dover has brought so much joy into our lives! I can not wait to see how the Lord uses her life in the years to come to bring Him glory, honor and praise.

I want to share with you a blessing I am speaking over Juliana today. It is taken from "Blessing Your Spirit" by Arthur Burk and Sylvia Gunter. I encourage you to change it around to fit you or a person you love and speak a blessing!

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." I learned several years ago about the power of our words...they really do bring life or death(Proverbs 18:21.) I decided then to choose to speak life...and once I made the effort when words of death came from my mouth they really stood out to me!

Speaking words of life is something you will hear me talk about often in my blog posts, because it has literally changed my life. Coming into agreement with the kingdom of heaven with words of life has power, speaking words of death also has power...it empowers the enemy.

This will be lengthy, but if you take the time to read this aloud over yourself or a loved one you will be blessed...I guarantee it!

"Juliana, listen with your spirit to the Word of God. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39)

Juliana, your Father made you beautiful and beloved. I bless you with receiving the Father-heart of God and His matchless love for you. His love revealed in you is a gold mine of identity and legitmacy from which to live out your birthright confidently and purposefully. I bless you with the belonging, inclusion, and worth His love nurtures in you. I bless you with being convinced deep in your spirit that nothing in heaven, earth or hell can separate you from your Father's love. I bless you with knowing that nothing in your past, present or future can take His love from you. I bless you with being sure of His love in your fears and worries, in your problems and pain, in good times and bad. He promises because of His love, His power and His blessing upon you, He causes pain and negative things to be transformed into good, and I bless you with deeply abiding in that truth.

Juliana, listen with your spirit to God's Word for you. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love." "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." (John 15:9, 11)

Juliana I bless you with being filled with complete and overflowing joy, knowing Jesus loves you as His Father loves Him. Imagine that! He loves you with the same love that flows between His Father and Him. I bless you with experiencing the rich love of your Father. I bless you with deep heart identity as God's very own beloved child, securely loved in His family, calling Him "Abba, dear Father." I bless you with seeing in the spirit things as they are, the gifts and the presence and hand of your Father, His truth and His love touches all through your life. I bless you with experiencing your Father's faithful love for you, with your spirit and your heart knowing, feeling and delighting in the love that your Father expresses to you. I bless you with experiencing that so often that you never doubt your Father's love. I bless you with knowing deeply in your spirit the truth you are accepted, affirmed and capable. I bless you with receiving God's love that casts out fear. I bless your spirit with being completely persuaded that nothing can separate you from His love.

I bless you with knowing profoundly God is love. I bless you with being known as a person who is loved by the Lord and who loves the Lord. I bless you with knowing deep in your spirit that your Father's favor is upon you; He likes you; He enjoys you; He takes pleasure in who you are today, regardless of what you are doing or have done. I bless you with being secure in your Father's love, having the peace of Jesus in your relationship with your Father. I bless you with receiving the communication of His love to you in a thousand ways. I bless you with creative and unique reminders of your Father's love for you. I bless you with recalling countless times your Father has been with you, has loved you, has taken care of you, has blessed you. You can do nothing to make Him love you more and nothing to make Him love you less.

I bless and release you to love and be loved, to enjoy life and enjoy your Father and be enjoyed by Him. I bless you with His banner of love over you. I bless you in the name of Jesus Christ!"

Taken from "Blessing Your Spirit"...a book of 40 daily blessings and 20 blessings using the Names of God.

My spirit is blessed and this is why My Soul Sings!