‘Let’ Not Your Heart be Troubled

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

photo courtesy of TheGiantVermin

Each day we are presented with choices. These choices could make or break the course of our day, week, month year… etc. It can be so easy to live in stress and be overwhelmed but I want to encourage you today that we are given the ability to live in peace at all times in and throughout any tough decisions and seemingly unbearable circumstances. Take a look at this verse in both the NIV and KJV.

John 14:27 (NIV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I want to focus mostly on the word “let”. Let means to allow or permit. So let’s take a look at part of this verse again. “Let not your hearts be troubled.”
It seems this verse is giving us a choice. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” We have a choice to let, or not let our hearts be troubled. God has freely given us His peace, therefore we have the ability to not be afraid and not let our hearts be troubled as we face each day. We can know that our hope and trust is in God. He is the one who has given us the ability not to be troubled, or afraid. “I do not give as the world gives…” Take heart and let His peace surround you today in a word that screams chaos and stress.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Caffeine Dependency

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

photo courtesy of emdot

Three months ago…. “beep, beep, beep, beep, bee…….”.

“Give me five more minutes…. five.. more…”

… 40 minutes later …

I have now sacrificed any sensible time to make breakfast, including brewing my own coffee. I rush to put myself together while hoping to match a pair of socks on my way out the door. Since five minutes turned into forty, I now have just enough time to frequent the local Tim Hortons for my large, double-cream-double-splenda with a hint of either mint or hazelnut. I know this small dose of caffeine will jump start my productivity once I get to work.

Thankfully once I get to work and the double-double is history, there are free coffee stations every 50 yards in our office. I buy half and half for the remaining 4 cups of coffee I will consume before the day is over. I will not drink Coffee mate creamers or use that powdered creamer at all. I learned that these creamers are made with hydrogenated oils, and are not even dairy products. It’s my personal opinion that the body can digest either half and half or milk better than hydrogenated oil. After researching hydrogenated oils I have decided It’s not something I want in my body.

Hydrogenated oil is:
Hydrogenated oil is oil in which the essential fatty acids have been converted to a different form chemically, which has several effects on the oil. Hydrogenated oil is far more shelf stable, and will not go rancid as quickly as untreated oil. It also has a higher melting point, and is often used in frying and pastries for this reason. Finally, the chemical structure of the oil is changed, which scientists in the 1990s began to realize could result in health effects.

I am learning the importance of independently being dependant in God. I cannot depend of God through someone else’s belief. Hearing great sermons or reading inspiration books is definitely profitable to my spirit, but until I make it personal, until I make it real to me, it will just be information. Once it’s been made personal I can begin to believe that information.

Let’s take a look at Abraham for example. He believed God. He didn’t believe in God. He just believed. His example of faith is what we need to mirror. Do we believe God and ever promise he has give us or are we acknowledging that God is real, and His word is real, and maybe it applies in some areas? We need to cash in on all the promises of God every time we gain more understanding in a certain area.

Learning to be dependant and trust in God in the plans he has for us needs to happen for breakthrough in finances, relationships, ministry, health, workplace, etc. We begin to realize that no matter what curve balls come our way we are still on the straight path because our trust is in the ONE who has it all under control…. we can live life at peace at all times. Settled. Knowing that everything will be ok, especially right now the way things are going in our world…. recession, foreclosures, H1N1, etc.

For a month and half now I have not had coffee, or caffinated teas. I chose to take a “fast” from caffeine because I was depending way too much in it’s ability to keep me alert and awake. I love coffee. Anyone who knows me will testify to that. There’s not a room in my house without a vintage mug, or something that resembles my love for coffee. So I hope you can imagine how hard this decision was. Instead I have transitioned into drinking herbal non-caffinated teas, or I will warm some apple cider mixed with water to cut back on the sugar in the cider. I’ve realized most of the time I was just craving a warm cup or something in the morning. I also increased the amount of water I drink in a day. Eating spinach on a regular basis has also given me lasting energy.

I have since believed that my help comes from the Lord, he is my sustainer, I sleep and awake again because HE sustains me. There is a time and place for everything, a time for every action under the sun. Psalm 121:2, Psalm 3:5 and Ecclesiastes 3:1.

I don’t miss the caffeine, but I do miss the coffee I will start drinking coffee again soon. I will not however have 5-cup days anymore. Maybe a cup in the morning, some around lunch and decaf at dinner. Most importantly I will not be depending on the caffeine to keep me alert and awake.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Entering the Unknown

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

I was at a point about 2 years ago where I had no idea where to turn, what to do next. To be honest I was a mess. I was very unsure what direction my life was about to head in. All I knew is that God was leading me out of the place I was currently, and into a new territory. I didn’t know where I was going, for how long, or how I was going to get there. I was reminded today of a scripture that has given me much direction in the past.

Someone gave me Hebrews 11:6-10. These verses kept me hoping, trusting, and knowing that no matter where I was going or how long it was going to take to get there, I would in fact get there. It suddenly didn’t matter to me how, or when or why. I knew that I would be fine because I stepped out in faith, believing, even though I didn’t know all the details. Check out the different translations of these verses:

Hebrews 11:6-10 (NIV)8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Hebrews 11:6-10 (KJV)8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:6-10 (The Message)8-10By an act of faith, Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going. By an act of faith he lived in the country promised him, lived as a stranger camping in tents. Isaac and Jacob did the same, living under the same promise. Abraham did it by keeping his eye on an unseen city with real, eternal foundations—the City designed and built by God.

So I challenge you, whatever you are at, whatever you may be entering into, take these next steps by faith. Maybe you’re in a transition, or waiting for the next chapter to begin. If you don’t know where you are going, keep your eye looking at the city, the promise land. God is the architect, builder, maker, designer. Trust in His blue prints.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Seasons, Chapters, and Empty Promises

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

photo courtesy of realeoni

Hilariously following last weeks post about where your focus is, please join me this week on the ranting of a scattered mind.

Things that I find rather intriguing:

1. High school relationships are magically mended over time.

Stereotypes are dropped. Assumptions are dissolved. Men and women are born from coodie-fleeing-boys and girls, jocks who wouldn’t dare sit with the school loner, or the mathlete who wouldn’t be caught dead hanging out with the grammar club. You got the point. I think it is rather amazing how this works out. People over time realize what’s important and suddenly we grow up, we have careers, marriages, families, we have all the responsibilities in the world. Which leads me into the next intriguing thing…

2. Life is a cycle, a series of seasons and chapters. Only problem is the novel never ends and the seasons keep coming.

Each season always seems like the longest, the coldest, the warmest, of course I’m referring to the actual weather. It is now Autumn and suddenly the temperature has measurably dropped. The early morning run is now coupled with a knit hat, gloves and that cold crisp air now freezing your lungs and throat. I tend to find beauty in each season. Yes it’s getting cooler, but the changing leaves are painting the horizon and increased rain leaves puddles reflecting the no-longer-blue sky.

This chapter of life you are going through: maybe it has seemed to be the darkest, the climax the most intense, conflicts everywhere you turn. Each new day is the turning of a new page, a glimpse of hope that things will change. As each page turns light is shed on the dark situation and situations resolve and areas where you faced conflict are now personal victories. Each chapter offers its series of challenges and obstacles. We learn to dodge and overcome them; in turn this makes us stronger. This explains why during each season and each chapter seems worse than the previous. That’s because it is. We learn from the past and we change; we get stronger, allowing us to grow. I’d encourage you not to be overwhelmed entering a new chapter, but instead look forward with joy! With joy? Why? Because as we enter into a new chapter we build on the previous victories. Knowing we overcame past challenges and struggles gives us strength to push through and overcome the next challenges that seem like they’re going to overtake us. It’s a cycle.

3. Why we worry: because we are afraid. I’ve heard it said before that 95% of what we spend our time worrying about never comes to pass. Why are we wasting 95% of our thoughts worrying about things? Let’s start enjoying each little moment.

4. Empty promises.

We are raised to be men and women of our words. Yet, how many times have you given someone your word and backed out on that person. Or maybe each New Years you’ve made a suggestion to yourself about something you will change. Notice I said suggestion. I’m sure we’ve all attempted to promise ourselves something. This is the last time I will be late. Or I’m never going to do that again… I’ll never, I won’t… do we follow through on these promises or just leave them to promise to ourselves next week? I’m encouraging you to take notice of the thing you are promising, whether it’s to other people or just to yourself. Take the initiative to make your words stronger.

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Where is Your Focus?

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

photo courtesy of adriarichards

I would like to follow in Patrick’s lead from his post yesterday, Two Words You Never Want to Say. I too managed to neglect introducing myself in last week’s post. As you already know, my name is Veronica. Since Patrick mentioned he is a newlywed, allow me to mention that I am single, I work as an Office Assistant. It’s not my dream job but it’s a very good job for now. One day I will own my own coffee shop, be married with a family… etc, but this is not a time for me to expose all my future hopes and dreams to the world, maybe next week. (or not) I went to school, majoring in Psychology, for about two years before it became clear that wasn’t the right path for me. It wasn’t until I left school, as I am sure is true for most young adults, that I discovered what my passion was. I discovered where my life was heading and it became my focus to do everything in my power to get there.

The mind intrigues me. As I shared last week, I am a firm believer in positive thinking. Thinking positively takes focus. And focus requires determination, diligence and patience. Yes! Imagine that, focused people posses more patience than the unfocused. So what is focus and why should you care if you are focused?

According to dictionary.com, Focus is defined as, a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity. Why should you care if you are focused? Let’s take last week’s article, Push Yourself, Don’t Quit and use it as an example of why it’s important to keep yourself focused. For those of you who may not have read the article, I shared how I found myself in a horrible mood, I changed the focus of what I was thinking about and just like that, my spirit began to lift and I found myself feeling much better even though circumstances may not have been so wonderful.

Focus is something that has been very important and influential in my life over the last year or so. I grew up as an overweight child and it held me back from fully living my life. I remember being in middle school and dropping out of soccer. Did I quit? Yes. Did I want to quit, absolutely not! Over the last year I’ve been focusing on my lifestyle habits and choosing healthier options. Ok, let’s all face it, we’d all rather make excuses for why we can’t make healthier choices. I’ve heard many, here are just a few examples, “I’ve tried that diet… I can’t do the no-carb thing… I don’t have time… I just can’t keep it up…”

First, I’d like to say every single one of us cannot use the same health plan to lose weight, maintain weight or put weight on. Whatever it is you want to do, you’ve got to make it work for you with your body. I’ve had many people tell me their opinions of what has worked for them, and their magical food they ate that helped them drop that last 5lbs that seems to always stick around. While I welcome all advice from others, I have to stay focused on my goal, to be healthy.

I joined a biggest loser competition last year at my office and nothing motivated me more than that. Just like NBC’s The Biggest Loser, we would weigh in once a week, Monday mornings of course. Each week I would wait in line for my turn to weigh in. I was shocked how many reasons, or excuses rather, I was hearing for someone’s 2lb weight gain, or why they didn’t lose this week. “Well I had a party on Saturday and then the family was over Sunday for dinner and the whole nine yards.” It’s amazing how quickly we can excuse our behavior. For anyone that watches The Biggest Loser, change is a must! The overweight contestants join the show because their focus was off. Maybe they’re a single mom, trying to raise a few kids. Or maybe they’re a busy Dad working two jobs, whatever their story is, they’ve all made choices to lead them to where they are when they first join the show. I see The Biggest Loser helping these contestants change their mental focus the most. Yes, they train them in proper nutrition and workouts, but most importantly they help re-align their focus.

Since a little over year ago, I’ve dropped roughly 70lbs. It has taken a lot of work, and focus. It also took a year. Staying focused will produce amazing results if you keep going, refuse to quit and push yourself.

Let’s say you’ve attained what you were focusing on. Don’t stop there! Get a new focus that incorporates your previous focus and build on your achievements.

I’d like to share with you a tool I have found very helpful. It’s called “The Daily Plate”. You can find “The Daily Plate” on livestrong.com This is an amazing tool that allows you to enter your weight, the amount of weight you would like to lose or gain, your activity level etc. It then gives you an approximate calorie intake and allows you to track your daily food and exercise. This helped me stay focused to lose the 70lbs. A great thing about “The Daily Plate” is the breakdown of carbs, fats and sugars. Helping you make sure you are getting a healthy balance. Enjoy!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Push Yourself, Don’t Quit

Post written by Veronica Kipfer.

photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadem/

I want the world to know, today I experienced the temptation to give up, throw in the towel and quit. I had no choice but to keep going, pick up the towel and kick the idea of quitting to the curb. Everyday we’re faced with opportunities to give up, allowing our minds to take us into a downward spiral, leaving us discouraged and ready to quit.

Allow my experience today to show you, sure maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way, you have the power to change your mood!

I am a firm believer in the power of positive thinking. While experiencing the temptations to quit, it was as if I was walking around with a frog in my throat, something was off, very off. I was made well aware of it due to my lack of joy that is normally in abundance. I took a minute, stepped back and thought about what I was thinking about. I’ll tell ya what, I wasn’t thinking about anything positive. WHAT?! Yes, that’s right you heard me. I will admit, my thoughts were all going south at the moment, and every thought I was experiencing was something discouraging, distressing and an overall feeling of being overwhelmed. So I decided this wasn’t okay, and I was going to do something about it!

The solution was real easy and it made a world of a difference. Just change what you’re thinking about. God brought to remembrance this verse in Philippians 4.

Philippians 4:8 (AMP) For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

It takes work!! I couldn’t just sit around today and wait for some amazing circumstance to come along. I can’t depend on my environment or my friends and co-workers to give me joy. Although I love my friends and co-workers and certain things that happen in life do bring me joy. For example, the other day while driving I saw a little boy skipping along while walking down the street with his Dad, that was beautiful, it brought me joy! : ) But specifically in my situation today, I couldn’t wait for daisies to fall from the sky, I had to take action.

I needed to fix my mind, to fix what I was thinking about. I decided to begin to let everything else go from my mind and start thinking on things that were true, the word is true. Whatever scripture you know, whatever you can stand on, take it and make it personal. Take 2 Timothy 1:7 For example: “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.” “I have the right to a sound mind…”

Once you realize you have the right to a sound mind, you can begin to take control over your thoughts. Watch your mind transform based on what you’re thinking about. So what about giving up, quitting, and feeling inadequate? Well, instead of throwing in the towel, tell those thoughts to get lost and kick them to the curb!

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!