Discussion Board

Welcome aboard, Rainbow, and good afternoon from China!

I am so happy you found us and I think we here are in the same boat with you. We have had (or still have) the same struggles. We are here to encourage each other in our faithfulness to Him and in our efforts to eat for health according to Dr. McDougall's guidance. We also have the privilege of praying for one another.

If you do not have the time to read the books or watch the DVDs offered here, no problem! I think you can get all that you need from a few links since this site is so comprehensive.

I will give you some of the most important links:

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/sep/if.htm

http://www.drmcdougall.com/free.html

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/pdf/pdfmc050100nl.pdf

Others may add some of their favorite links. Since you time is limited, I will give you a very quick summary of what I eat (normally according to the MWL program):

I usually eat a large breakfast of veggies with brown rice for dessert. I often eat no lunch. If I eat lunch, it may be just a bowl of rice. I nap in the afternoon. Then I usually eat two pieces of fruit. For dinner I usually eat veggies and rice. According to the guidelines here, you may also eat a cup of low fat legumes (beans or peas but NOT peanuts) daily.

If you have read the threads here, you have read many of our favorite verses. Please share some of your favorites with us!

"1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12, KJV)

Hello Friends!

Welcome rainbowfirefly! I'm so glad that you are joining us here and thank you for sharing a bit about yourself too. I'm so glad that you have realized that Jesus loves you and that He indeed does have all the answers and can give you the strength you need. In the Sept. strength thread there is a list of verses that Jubilee compiled - I hope that you will look at them and look them up. We had fun trying to come up with a different strength verse for each day that month. Pinkrose gave you some EXCELLENT links to read too. What are you studying in school? Is it related to the medical field as I see you said you work in a hospital. If there are any questions you have please feel free to ask away and we will be happy to assist you.

I had a VERY enjoyable time at the Ladies Conference. One of the speakers spoke on letting go of the past. Don't dwell on past mistakes and sins that have already been forgiven by God. Press forward and live for TODAY and be all that you can be TODAY for Christ. The other speaker spoke on mentoring younger ladies in the Lord and being an example and encouragement to them.
I did not bring my own food with me and knew that the meal was not going to be McD. legal. I had salad that was coated with blue cheese dressing, a little bit of rice pilaf that was a bit oily, and some steamed veggies which were quite good. And a huge piece of pumpkin pie for dessert I was so full from this that I skipped dinner when I got home, and didn't eat much Sunday because I still felt full and a bit yucky from my "no-no" meal on Sat.
But yesterday I got right back with healthy eating and had a very good day food wise, and the scale is down 3 lbs. this morning from what it has been showing lately.

How is everyone else doing?

Here is a verse to share with ya'll today:

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
Ps. 84:11-12 KJV

Hello everyone.

Welcome, Rainbowfirefly. What a name! We are all seeking to live and eat in a more healthy way so as to be able to accomplish the works that God has given us in this life. May this way of eating be a blessing to you!

I've been swamped lately, but still reading this forum most days. Lots of life challenges on my plate, along with some eating challenges as well. All I can say is when I fall, I fall hard.

I mentioned on the exercise thread that I'd read a book called SPARK which has motivated me to exercise more. I've been using the treadmill every other day. I'd like to do another 5k in the spring, and hopefully this time I won't be limping in pain for 2 weeks afterwards. That's the goal anyhow. For those who might be interested in the book, he gives lots of interesting data from medical tests showing how the brain responds to exercise. Then he concludes that the reasons for those responses involve evolution. I just skimmed through that stuff since I don't believe in the theory of evolution. It was still interesting to me, but if that's off-putting to some of you, I thought I'd warn you. Pinkrose, you posted the poll about depression, so you might be interested in the data pertaining to exercise being the most effective way to combat depression.

May the Lord bless each of us with self-control, contentment, and strength as we live for Him.
Jubilee

Hi everyone...

Thanks so much for the welcome! Pinkrose...thank you so much for the links! Maybe once the end of the semester rolls around I'll be able to read one of the books, but for now, I really appreciate the links! For those that have asked or been curious, I'm in school to study cardiac and vascular sonography (ultrasound). It's an intense 21-month program, the first 9-months of which is spent full time in the classroom and learning to scan. The remainder of the time is on-site clinicals. It's challenging trying to juggle it all, but I firmly believe that this is the path that God has placed me on and I know that He will carry me through.

I feel blessed this evening to have found this community as well as a faith community. I just returned from church and for the first time in my life, I feel accepted by a faith community. I don't think that I've ever felt completely comfortable at church. I was there because I had to be, or felt that I should be. Now, I'm going because I want to....because I want to fellowship with others that are on a path to God, that are followers of Christ. The pastor talked about risk....how it takes risk to connect with others in relationship and how faith takes takes risk, because it's difficult to walk away from what is in order to become more of what God has created us to be. During the service, I felt that I was taking the first steps to doing that. I am turning to God, to Jesus Christ, rather than turning to the food for comfort. I am stepping away from the food addicted woman that I've been for many years and trusting that God will keep me safe and show me the way.

One verse I read this morning that I want to share is John 8:12...When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

rainbowfirefly

This was a really good thread. When they first started having the religious thread, I was very hopeful. I need the support of the Lord in this struggle, and fellow Christians.
At first it seemed there were going to be so many anti religious post that we would have no room at all. Something that confused me. I mean they said --basically--if you want to refer to Religion, go over there and do it. So we did. Then they still attacked us.
Well, I am so delighted to see you have beeen diligent and carried on.
I have been reading more scripture, as well as some Sunday School manuels, which have so much in them. And a Hymn book. Hymns are really poetry and they can bring such peace.
Praise be to the Lord, the miners are being brought to the surface.
I had a real break through this week . I have three sons. Two are very active in their congregations, my youngest has been quite hostile to any thing regaurding church.
Well, recently his wife was arrested for public drunkeness. And in fact taken out of the home, and the Judge issued a restraining order against her.
Obviously this is a tense situation, and to make it worse They are in Tenn, and I am in Ca.
Well, my son is now talking about Church again.
And because I have a circle of e mail friends who pray with each other, I turned to them and the Lord instead of to food.
It was so different than my lifelong way of dealing. Not that I knew I used to handle things with food, just did , you know.
It felt so special to be able to just pray, and feel the peace.
Also I am working on Praying without a , I don't know how to put it, but I tend to Tell, more than ask. Like I have the answer, and just want it put into action. Now I am seeing that Jesus is the answer. Just put my loved ones in his care.
There is still a long way for me to go to heal, and certianly for my son and grandson, but there is hope. More than in a long time.
Thank you for listening.

Good morning.

Welcome, Merriweather. I'm glad you've joined us! I know what you mean about learning to come to God in prayer, and then just trying to listen and seek Him, rather than just giving our own instructions. And Hebrews 11:6 tells us "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." I love that reminder that He rewards those that diligently seek Him.

And thank the Lord that your son is turning toward Him in his trials. God never wastes a trial, and accomplishes His good purpose in them if we allow the trials to develop perseverence and maturity in us, as we find joy by trusting in Him alone. (see James 1:2-4)

May we all continue to diligently seek the One who comforts, strengthens, and heals us.

Blessings,
Jubilee

Hi friends,

Welcome merriweather - I'm glad you have joined us too! I do pray that God will give you the strength and grace you need as you are dealing with your son's situation. Nothing is impossible with God and He can take what seems like the worst of situations and turn them around for good. I'm so glad that you are turning to the Lord and your friends for support rather than food - that's huge!

I love reading hymns too. They are so full of doctrine and inspiration. One of my favorite hymn writers is Fanny Crosby who was blind since infancy. She wrote literally thousands of hymns. One of my favorites is All The Way My Savior Leads Me. Do you have any favorite author's and hymns?

Hi Jubilee - it's so good to hear from you! I'm glad that the book you read has been motivating you to exercise more. I know that my daily walks are a necessity - I'm a crab without them - and the movement and fresh cool morning air start my day off right. I'll be praying that the Lord meets your needs abundantly as you face the challenges you have mentioned.

God Bless you all!

Thank you LuvOatmeal, for your prayers. That blesses me knowing that you are praying!
Jubilee

ooh, favorite hymns! My very favorite, ever, is "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" and I also love "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Those two just send me. "Be Thou My Vision" ... "Crown Him with Many Crowns"... "A Mighty Fortress" THAT song rocks...such a good battle song.

Fanny Crosby wrote amazing wonderful praise hymns. I also love Charles Wesley's style.

have any of you ever heard Second Chapter of Acts hymn CD's? They came out in the...early 80's? or maybe late 70's but are still in...print?..well, that group put a dozen or so great hymns to some very nice modern music. They did the hymns honor, though. They did not tweak the choruses or leave verses out. Beautiful music, and those CD's are how I have so many hymns memorized.

what about praise choruses? any favorites? Mine is "I Love You, Lord"

Merriweather, welcome!

In regard to our prayers, here is a quote I received yesterday:

"The secret of Christian quietness is not indifference, but the knowledge that God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, and worry becomes an impossibility."
-- Oswald Chambers

"4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4, NRSV)

I think now a days with so much bad news on and politics, it is especially to think on good things.
Pinkrose, you put my thoughts into words so well. Thank you. Indeed I seeking to listen more.
One friend said the other day that she used to think she had to cry and beg , throw a sort of fit to have her prayers answered. Now she realizes she needs to be still, and listen for the answer.
And feel the gratitude. In all things.
My bookclub at church read The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom this summer. So joyful, which is amazing since it was about the Holocost!! Any way at one point she thanked the Lord for the fleas in their sleeping area. Turned out they were able to keep the little secret scriptures--actually only a few pages--because the gaurds would not go near them because of THE FLEAS. Yes , he can take anything and make a miracle.

Yes, Merriweather, you are so right that we are to be focused on good things- Phil 4:8 puts it most clearly: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Favorite hymns that help me to focus on "these things" on which we are to focus:

When I survey the Wondrous Cross

And Can It Be (also called Amazing Love)

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

He Leadeth Me,

Day by Day

and.... about a gazillion more, too numerous to name.

Tune my heart to sing They grace,
Jubilee

Oh, I LOVE And Can it Be...Charles Wesley! And Come Thou Fount... I almost named that one, myself. It's one of my favorites. Thou, did you know, the person who wrote that eventually strayed from the Lord?

Holy, Holy, Holy!

Immortal, Invisible! ...in light, inaccessible, hid from our eyes...

So many great songs! I enjoy singing with those who have never even heard these great songs before--sometimes in English, sometimes in Chinese.

While I do not think I have any song writing talent, I may someday try to write a song because songs have such a great impact on people's minds and hearts. For example, who would have thought that people would still be singing O Sacred Head, written by Ber­nard of Clair­vaux around 1153, in China (or anywhere else) in 2010?

This is my favorite verse:

"What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,
For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee."

Meditate on these words.

Thought for today:

"Keep one thing in view forever--the truth; and if you do this, though it may seem to lead you away from the opinion of men, it will assuredly conduct you to the throne of God. -- Horace Mann

"23 Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding." (Proverbs 23, NRSV)

"31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."' (John 8, NRSV)

"17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17, NRSV)