#Determination: What IS Failing?

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Ipress on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 3:13-14

What IS failing?

After so many failed attempts in the past, I was definitely afraid of trying to lose weight and failing again.  But what is failing, really?  I’ve learned that the only way to fail is to quit.  Instead of quitting, God tells me to keep straining toward what is ahead, press on toward the goal to win the prize.

Are you excited about the Winter Olympics starting soon?  I am!  But why am I asking...

I remember reading in Elizabeth George's book "Loving God with All Your Mind" about the Winter Olympics many year ago. During that Winter Olympics, figure skater after figure skater fell during his or her routine.  These were the BEST skaters in the WORLD and every single skater fell--some three times or more.  But every single one of them got up and continued their routine to the end.  They didn't stay down.  They were there to perform and to finish their routine--a routine they had spent years training to skate.  That year, EVERY skater that was awarded a medal had fallen.  But they were standing on an Olympic platform with a medal around their neck.  Why did they get such an honor?  Because they got back up and finished their routine.

I can't win a medal if I fall and stay down. I can't cross the finish line and reach my goal if I quit. I must remain DETERMINED!

Will I fall and stumble at times?  Oh yes.  But as the chief research scientist for General Motors said, "The enthusiast fails forward."

I’m Going to Fly

Pioneer missionary, Amy Carmichael, wrote in her journal: “Father, I’m not soaring today.  Help me.” And then she penned God’s response: “Daughter, soaring is not always high above the world.  Sometimes one is soaring only two feet above the ground, just enough to keep you from getting tangled in the thorns and crashing against the rocks.”

Can you relate?  I can. Some days, I feel like I am only soaring above the rocks, dangerously close to crashing.  I feel tired, I don’t want to run, I want comfort more than obedience, or I’m emotionally and mentally worn down.  Yet, on such days, I need to keep facing forward.

My elderly friend Jean has deeply impacted my life. She has been a follower of Jesus for 60 years!  I asked her when she was most desperate for God in her life.  Her reply was quick.  “It was in the moment of my salvation.”  She paused, took my hand and looked into my eyes for a few moments before she continued.  She saw my hurts and knew my struggles. Finally, she spoke again in her frail, elderly voice. “Know God, Julie.  Because He is the same God today as He was when He reached down and saved us. And, Honey,” she continued, “He didn't save us for this world, He saved us for the next!"

Here's my family's short video story:

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From My Cold Dead Hands

#Empowered: The Freedom it Brings!

Hallelujah!  The Lord is reminding me of a lot of important Truths. I am pouring my heart into reading Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst, again and doing an online Bible Study with thousands of other people.  It is like fresh water to my soul.  

The word of the week is EMPOWERED.  What a great word for the start of 2014.

In our society, the holidays seem to give us a free pass on indulging. Previously, I didn't know it was even possible to live counter-culturally when it came to food!  I felt powerless to stand up against feasts and treats, and thought denying myself would be tantamount to deprivation and bondage. Now, I know just the opposite is true.  When someone shoves a plate of fancy cookies in my face, it is actually EMPOWERING to look those cookies (and all of their sprinkles!) right in the "face" and say, "No thank you!"  That's freedom!

But it hasn't always been that way for me...

This is from my journal entry from May 0f 2009--more than two years before I would begin to understand how denying myself is actually where empowerment and freedom begins.  

It's hard to listen to Jesus. He's always whispering to us, I think. If we're willing to listen. He's saying, "Deny yourself...follow me." At least that's what he was saying to me.
It was 3:00 on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. I had a wonderful time of fellowship with an old friend. We laughed, we cried, we praised God...we ate. But I was not satisfied when I left her house. I knew from the moment I turned out of her driveway that McDonalds was calling my name. And to make the trip even more easy, the children were asleep before we even hit the main road.

I heard the Lord urging me. (I ACTUALLY HEARD HIM!) "My way is the way of denial. You can do this." But the voice in my head was screaming at me, trying to drown out His quiet, but powerful voice. Like a small piece of metal being pulled by a strong magnet I turned into McDonald's. basically said, "You think I'm going to listen to you, God? Forget it!" That's what my actions communicated as I ordered my abundance of food.

The sad moment for me was realizing that the food only lasted me approximately three minutes. Then it was gone. I had sacrificed obedience to Jesus for three minutes of pleasure. I knew in that moment I was wrong...very wrong.

Since 2009, I have learned something important.  

Don't Despise the Process...God is turning our cravings toward HIM!

God is ALWAYS at work.  ALWAYS up to something bigger than what we can see.  He is the one who is ALL POWERFUL and the power we have is really His Spirit at work within us. (The same spirit that rose Christ from the dead, might I add.  How's that for power?)

The day before everything started to change--Me, at my heaviest weight, despite the smile, feeling totally hopeless.

I think about all the tears I have shed about my weight over the years. I think back on myself as a 300 pound woman.  How hard everything was.  How sad it made me.  How much my body hurt.  How much my HEART hurt.  How powerless I was to change.

I think back to all the weight loss attempts.  The crazy diets.  The extremes.  The excessive working out. 

It was so difficult.

God has always had a bigger purpose for my life--and for yours!  Everything has been leading me to CRAVE HIM!  His purpose for my life was and is, always and only, to bring Him glory.  My struggle with food and eating and obesity is how He is receiving the most glory in my life! He literally has left me without any other option than to say, "Lord, I can't go anywhere else.  Carry me!  I WANT to crave you and only you."

And He has carried me!  Now, I get the incredible honor of helping other people to follow a specific path for their lives as well.  It's a path toward health for the glory of God!  The path to FREEDOM...a path that began with self-denial...and also brought EMPOWERMENT!

Thanks be to God!  I've lost over 100 pounds, but more importantly I've found hope and freedom in Christ.  #EMPOWERED!

I know God has led me back to Made to Crave.  I know He has even GREATER plans for my life as I continue to walk in faith through this study.  I have to trust Him and His sovereignty in my life.  Nothing happens to me apart from the divine hand of Love.  

Self-denial doesn't feel like self-deprivation--it feels like being #EMPOWERED!

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 

Here's my FREEDOM video.  Let's BE FREE!

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Dreams for 2014

Several months ago I attended a "How to Write Your Story" conference led by Kelly Rife.  I was fabulous!  One of the activities that day was writing an annual Christmas letter to yourself, as if it is one year in the future.  It's a fabulous way to dream and to discover what really matters to your life.  When you know what really matters, you can revolve your life around the important stuff.  So, here's my letter for Christmas 2014...we'll look back in a year and see if dreams came true.  I KNOW our pictures will look much different!

Greetings to all our friends and family!

We have had such a wonderful year.  Even through the difficult times, we saw God's faithfulness and goodness to us.  

The year started with a 90 Day Transformation that I created to help others move toward health in every area of their life.  I never imagined I would get the response I did!  People really want help and support--they need a friend, an encourager, and a cheerleader.  I love being all of those things!  I hope that others were blessed, but I can assure you--I was the most blessed of all!  I grew through it and watched my family transform.  I want our family to be known for loving God and loving others unconditionally.

I've also been able to speak candidly about obesity and the hope for freedom and change at several retreats and conferences.  I've also been asked to be a contributing author in a pretty sweet book deal!  More details to come on that.  

When God said I would fly like a butterfly--I had no idea what glorious opportunities would open up.  Out of my ashes have come so many beautiful things.

Dan & I celebrated our 9 year last January--which means our 10 year is right around the corner!  That's nearly 10 years of life with my very best friend.  I feel so humbled by his love for me.  We plan to do some traveling to celebrate our 10 year--maybe a cruise?  Something special, for sure!

We spent a lot of time redecorating and remodeling our home.  A year ago we longed to get out of the city and into a bigger house, but God has been working contentment into us and now we are to the point where we love our home so much it would be difficult to leave!  Come visit us and see for yourself how full of peace it is.  Doesn't hurt that I have a husband who is an excellent designer!  He knows how to make our house beautiful on a budget!

Speaking of budget, we went into 2014 in dire financial stress.  It's awesome to look back and see how taking some intentional steps this past year has paid off in big changes for us!  We both worked hard at our jobs, served others, spent differently, changed habits and came out in a much better place.  I achieved the promotion of a National Director as a Health Coach in early 2014 and just felt so grateful for my team and my commitment to others--and their trust in me!  I know I'm using the word blessed a lot, but that is how I feel.  So grateful, so humble, so blessed!

In May, Dan & I ran the Color Run together in Hershey!  It's been awesome moving toward my health goals and being so focused this year.  As of October, I have lost a total of 165 pounds!  Actually, I like to say I've lost a total of 200 pounds...because I lost a ton of weight, decided to ditch my health habits for a season, gained some weight and then realized how very important my health truly is and went hog wild to lose what I gained and to finish the job!  I don't think I've weighed this since I was a young teen.  I gotta say, it feels amazing! And sometimes I don't recognize myself in the mirror--but I'm willing to get reacquainted. ha ha!

My children are amazing!  Jude began 3rd grade and Kate started 1st at Poiema School.  I am so thankful we found that little school and for the impact it is having on our children.  

Jude is growing into quite the handsome, smart, strong, courageous young man.  He is such a gifted singer.  I wonder how God will use that?  Dan and I just want to stand beside him and encourage him in his gifts and talents--not forcing him to do anything, but hoping he will choose to use them.

Kate is a friend to all.  She definitely has the gift of encouragement.  She is social and confident.  She, too, is a gifted musician--and has no fear of the stage.  

It was the year of season passes and annual traditions.  We had memberships to Longwood Gardens and to Dutch Wonderland.  These things were gifts to our children, in place of adding to the clutter of more "stuff"--and it was a wise move!  When we wanted (or needed) to get away with our little family, we did.  We also did our annual Spring and Fall Camping Trips with my sisters.  This year was so much fun!  We climbed the rock pile and hiked part of the Appalachian Trail...we didn't just sit around the campfire!  I love having the energy to do all the things I really want to do.  Dan convinced me to try some other difficult trails and I LOVED it!  So did the kids.  I'm thinking of planning an Appalachian Trail hiking vacation for us.  Never did I think I would want to hike and camp for vacation!  But it's something my whole family loves--so we're going to do it!

So much more I could tell you.  We took a few trips, had a few struggles along the way...but in all of it, we consistently felt God's presence and had each other!  

Merry Christmas 2014,
Julie Garner

What are your dreams for 2014.  Don't be afraid of them!