Extravagant (Yet Practical?) Gifts

I’ve always loved to hear the story of the Wise Men who traveled so far to honor baby Jesus with gifts fit for a king.

A few years ago at Christmas time I was struggling to truly trust God’s provision for our family. I believe the Holy Spirit showed me something in the story of the Magi that helped me to see how practical God is when it comes to our day to day lives.

Luke 2:22 says that Mary & Joseph took Jesus to Jerusalem to be consecrated to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice for their first born (in accordance with the Law of Moses). In those days, if you were poor, you could substitute a lamb for a pair of doves or two young pigeons (Lev. 12:8). This tells us that Mary & Joseph couldn’t afford a lamb.

We know the Wise Men found Jesus and presented him with Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh - very valuable gifts!  God didn’t just allow the Wise Men to shower them with gifts just because Jesus was the Son of God, or the future Savior of the World…He was also being very practical and taking care of their needs.

Right after the visit from the Wise Men, an Angel came to warn Joseph of danger – He instructed him to flee to Egypt until it was safe to return because King Herod sought to kill Jesus.

Now the Bible doesn’t say, but since Joseph & Mary were too poor to provide a lamb for a sacrifice, I’ve often wondered if they used the gifts from the Magi to flee to Egypt and live there until Herod died.

It would be just like God to be so practical – He has a purpose behind everything!  When I looked at His provision for a trusting young couple and a helpless baby (who just happened to be His Son), I began to see His provision unfolding in the story of the Wise Men’s gifts. It reminded me of how I can trust Him to keep

His promises (Phil. 4:19).

Live What You Believe

My 13 yr. old son and I were driving down the road the other day and we passed a small church near our house. 

He reminded me that his friend used to go to that church, but has since moved away. I said “I know, I remember his family inviting us to an event there one time”. Then he had this to say about his friend’s family. . .

“they’re really Christians, not like some people that just say they are, they really live it.”  

I assume at some point we had conversations about how just going to church doesn’t necessarily make you a Christian, but it’s always a nice surprise when they let you know they got it! This was an unsolicited nugget of truth coming from my teenager!!!

Thought of the day. . .

Are we really living our walk with Jesus? Can others say that we are doers and not just talkers?

Remember, people are watching, even teenagers!

Do I Look Different ? ? ?

I want to share some exciting news with all my blogging friends. . . in the past I've posted how there are two things that I've struggled with over the years, 1) finances, and 2) my weight.

Well, my friend Beth at "My Destiny Sharing Hope" introduced me to something that would answer both of those problems at the same time! 

It's called Isagenix and it's amazing!

(Watch this 3 minute video to find out more about Isagenix)

Let me tell you, I was the biggest critic of all...and you absolutely will NOT find a pickier eater anywhere! I've tried several weight loss programs and never stuck with anything more than two days, if that. If the shakes or food wasn't good, I didn't even last that long.

Isagenix is not a diet, it's a cleanse (and before you get the wrong idea by hearing the word "cleanse", let me say that you don't end up spending all your time in the bathroom, LOL). It is designed with natural ingredients packed with vitamins and nutrients your body needs, and our normal diets lack!  Once your body finally gets the nutrients it needs, you no longer having cravings.  At the same time, it works to release your body of all the toxins coming from the food we eat and the environment around us.

Now, here's the best part - I just finished my 30 day Cleanse (30 days of taking Isagenix products) and I'm happy to report that I've lost - get ready for it. . .

 19 pounds and 21 1/4 inches ! ! !

I'm so excited, I've been emotional all morning from the time I got off the scale, to the moment I measured, to the telephone call to my friend Beth to give her the good news. Even though I have a long way to go to reach my goal weight, I already know that I am so much healthier.

Here's how I know:

• I haven't had a soda in 30 days. Before I was drinking Diet Dr. Pepper (at least 4 a day, sometimes more.) Now I drink only water

• I was eating Hershey Drops candy (a little bag by myself every other day) - often due to stress of everyday life  (which I don't have anymore, because Ionic Supreme helps with lowering your stress level)

• My wedding ring is loose, my clothes are loose, my face isn't puffy, my ankles aren't retaining water anymore.

• My feet that had been tingling at night due to the on-set of nerve damage from my high blood sugar are not hurting anymore.

• I have energy - I don't crave sugar anymore, I don't really crave anything.

• I no longer have headaches that came on during my monthly cycle (sorry if any guys are reading this) due to a dip in hormones

I could go on and on about the health benefits that I've already experienced in the first 30 days.

The reasons I believe it has worked for me, when so many other things didn't are the following:

• The products actually taste good

• There is a network of people encouraging you and helping with any advice along the way (you don't have to go through it alone, and there's great accountability)

• There's no guess work - I don't have to count calories - its all very straight forward and it makes my life so much easier and doable. 

• There's the added incentive of making it a successful business by simply sharing the news about how it has worked for me. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Email me if you'd like more info: (amauer@bellsouth.net)

subject line: Isagenix

Here are my BEFORE Isagenix pictures (taken in April 2013) and AFTER 30 days of Isagenix picture