All Things are SH*T Compared to Him

(picture source unknown)

I figured some of you would read this simply because of the title.

And, I'm cool with that.

I am taking liberties with an old hymn and giving it a modern twist.

"All things are just dung compared to Him."

Basically, friends...it's just all SH*T.

And, dang it... 

I've been collecting a lot of SH*T.

I'm not good at letting it go.

Despite some sound Disney advice to "Let It Go" plus some pretty sound biblical advice.

  

Philippians 3:13  New International Version (NIV)

  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".

I like to hold onto my "stuff".

Lately, I've been grabbing back my "stuff".

SH*T I already let go.

Crap, really.

Emotional poo.

Steaming hot piles of it.

I've been hoarding crap emotions.

Wallowing in the stink.

Flailing around in the filth.

And, I've decided it's time to purge.

Emotionally, mentally, spiritually & physically.

I'm letting it go.

I've been toying with the idea for awhile now...

purging all the "stuff".

And, today it begins.

I have two goals today...

when the emotional crap starts to seep in...

I will pursue Him & seize Him.

And, second...

 with my closet.

Lord, help me.

If you have some SH*T in your life...

I hope you find encouragement in the lines below.

And, Let It Go!  

I, also, hope that you still love me even though I used the word SH*T.

(smile) 

Pursue Him & Know Him

	Pursue Him and know Him; be found in Him.                               Count all things loss for Him.                                  Just gain Him, obtain Him; lay hold of Him.                                     It’s Christ the central vision.
	Forgetting the things which are behind,                                     Press on, pursue with this mind.                                 By any means each hour now redeem;                          Stretch forth, lay hold of Him.
	Pursue Him and seize Him, Christ the supreme.                             Just love this precious Person.                            Forgetting and leaving all other things,                         Love Him with your whole being.
	Christ now is my center and reality,                    My life for eternity.                              All things are just dung compared to Him,                      So love and just gain Him!

What I Wore Wednesday

 

Happy Wednesday, peeps!

Let's get to it...

What I Wore Wednesday.

This dress is a new fave.

A Vera Wang from Kohls...I got on clearance for $7. 

Paired it with nude heels & ages old Liz Claiborne chunky pearls.

I tried a bun I saw on Pinterest....

not quite sure I got it quite right, but it was fun for a change up! 

This floral maxi was a hand-me-down from my mama's neighbor.

I wore it once.

It's not for me.

I paired it with my jean jacket & Mossimo shoes.

I'm in a dilemma about my hair.

I'm seriously considering chopping it off.

Your opinion is welcome.

Another Vera Wang clearance find at Kohls, I love this sweater.

Paired it with a thrift Ann Taylor tee & Target skinnies.

But, the shoes steal the show...

they're a fave from Charlotte Russe & surprisingly comfortable.

 

The weather feels a bit schizophrenic...

pretty typical for Kansas in the fall.

So, I feel like I live in jean jackets since it's chilly in the morning (and in my office)

, but super hot in the afternoons.

A black maxi, thrift tee, that Target jean jacket (again) & some Steve Madden wedges.

I am loving these bangles & earrings I picked up at Burlington....

I NEVER go there, but popped in on a whim the other day.

They had some really great, really CHEAP jewelry!

Last, but not least....another Kohls clearance find...

loving this Daisy Fuentes swing top.

A Target cardi, Target skinnies, and leopard Target flats....

I see a trend. (smile)

The bangles were Daisy Fuentes from Kohls as well.

The Gunny loves Kohls, so while he was shopping for some tennis shoes...

I perused the clearance racks...

cuz that's the ONLY way to shop. 

There you have it...

What I Wore Wednesday!

If you want to play along,

send me a picture of your outfit with the details 

to justjilly@rocketmail.com.

I'd love to share your outfit & great finds!

 

Treat Yo' TEACHER Tuesday

Oh. My. Word.

It's been busy.

Super busy.

And, honestly, I've been a slacker.

But, it's time to get back to it

with

Treat Yo' TEACHER Tuesday!

For those of you familiar with the Treat Yo' Teacher concept...

hang with me a minute while I explain to the newbies.

Once a month, I make a little something for my boys'

HIGH SCHOOL 

teachers.

Cuz' if anyone needs a treat...

it's a high school teacher.

I was just thinking about skipping it this year,

until my oldest son came home & mentioned that 

his teacher was REALLY missing

her treats this year.

She told him how much she looked forward to them

& how they made her week.

Gheesh.

Convicted.

So, with that said...

it's time to 

TREAT SOME TEACHERS.

Here's what went to school this morning...

Yesterday was jam-packed.
I didn't get dinner on the table until 7:45pm.
Then I realized there was NO way I would have time to make anything.
So, I ran up to Wal-Mart...
TA-DA!
Breakfast of Champions...or, teachers, in this case.

I got the bags & pencils at Target last year.  
The tags are from the Dollar Tree from YEARS ago
(it pays to be a craft hoarder at times)

I bagged the milk & donuts up...
wrapped them up cute...
and, sent them off this morning.

So, I want to encourage YOU to "treat" someone!
Each Tuesday, I'll be doing a little "Treat Yo' _____________ ".
It might be teachers, family, friends, IG friends, co-workers, neighbors....
maybe, a TOTAL stranger.
Join me!
Let's #gobelove.

Send me your photos of your "treats", I'd love to share them here!
If you post them on Instagram, be sure to tag them
#tuesdaytreats.

Happy Tuesday, Friends!

Monday Musings: I Prefer the Term "Stressed Out"

 For years, I have prided myself on NOT being a "worrier".

For some reason, I have a mental picture of a little white-haired woman

in her big rocking Lazy Boy recliner 

knitting & fretting over every little thing.

It's my mental picture, so just go with it...

mmmm kay???

Until recently,

when The Gunny pointed out as I was sitting "relaxing"

that my hands were clasped tightly together, 

my lips clamped in a thin line,

and my shoulders were rigid & stiff.

"Relax", he said.

"I am!", I said.

And, yet....at that moment...

1001 different things were running through my head.

And, I was tired.

Heck, I'm always tired.

I'm tired of being tired.

And, I was struck by the words I read in the Daniel Plan book.

"If you are tired all the time, one reason may be that you are trying

to solve all your problems, fulfill your responsibilities, and

make all your changes on your own."

-- Rick Warren

GUILTY.

So, when I admit to being stressed out...

isn't that essentially saying...

"I'm worried you don't have this God!"

Isaiah 26:12 in the Message says,

"Lord, you establish peace for us,

ALL that we have accomplished

YOU have done for us."

Dang.

Double Dang.

Dangittity Dang Dang.

So, that little ditty....

Why worry, when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.
Don’t be a doubting Thomas,
Rest fully on His promise,
Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray? - See more at: http://helpformylife.org/2011/06/29/why-pray-when-you-can-worry/#sthash.DbeuyqHC.dpuf

Why worry, when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.
Don’t be a doubting Thomas,
Rest fully on His promise,
Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray? - See more at: http://helpformylife.org/2011/06/29/why-pray-when-you-can-worry/#sthash.DbeuyqHC.dpuf

Why worry when you can pray?

Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay.

Don't be a Doubting Thomas,

Rest fully on His promise,

Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray?

That is for me???

Got it.

I'm a worrier.

I simply go by the more P.C. term

"STRESSED OUT".

So, this week...

I'm gonna work on 

praying more & worrying less.

Philippians 4:13 says,

"I have the strength to face ALL conditions 

by the power Christ gave me."

He has equipped me through His strength.

His shoulders are bearing that load, 

so why should I?

This week,

I'll fill my mind with God's Word every day.

Change is a matter of choice.

Did you know that the biblical word for personal change is...

REPENTANCE.

 

So, I humbly repent of being that little old white-haired lady.

I lay it all down.

And, each time I am tempted to pick it ALL back up.

I will go to Him in prayer & seek Him in His Word.

That's it for my Monday Musings...

tomorrow is gonna be FUN!

It's the FIRST 

Treat Yo' Teacher 

of the school year.

It's time to #gobelove.

 I hope you'll join me.

Why worry, when you can pray?
Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay.
Don’t be a doubting Thomas,
Rest fully on His promise,
Why worry, worry, worry, worry when you can pray? - See more at: http://helpformylife.org/2011/06/29/why-pray-when-you-can-worry/#sthash.DbeuyqHC.dpuf

Feed Me Friday: Chicken Spaghetti with Summer Vegetables

A super quick recipe for those of you lucky enough to still be 

swimming in zucchini & summer squash from your

gardens this summer....

Grocery List:

 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast (about 4 large)

Organic (sugar-free) pasta sauce (I use Muir Glen)

Whole Wheat Pasta (or gluten-free...I do either)

One can of diced tomatoes

Onion (diced)

Red Pepper (diced)

Zucchini (sliced)

Summer Squash (sliced)

Garlic

Parmesan

Seasonings

Cut up your chicken in cubes & season with garlic powder, sea salt, pepper & Italian seasoning.

Put large pan of water on to boil.  Cook pasta

Saute chicken in non-stick pan in grapeseed oil.

Remove chicken once cooked from pan & add veggies...

saute veggies until desired tenderness (I still like mine a little crisp).

Add chicken back to skillet.

Add sauce & canned tomatoes (fresh if you're still lucky & have those too!)

Add fresh garlic (to taste).

Simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Serve over pasta with fresh Parmesan.

Yum!

For my Daniel Plan/Clean Eating converts:

make a BIG salad & go easy on the pasta. :)

Happy Friday, Friends! 

 

Thrift Shop Thursday

It was a self-imposed no-shopping summer at my house.  

And, surprisingly...

Target is still afloat.

As are my fave thrift stores.

But, before June 1....

I did a little thrifting & spruced up my dining room.

All the plates are thrifted.

I'm not sure this is how they are going to stay,

but good enough for now.

I thrifted some wreath forms & picked up this burlap ribbon at 

Hobby Lobby for 90% off. 

HOLLA.

Thrifted this plate holder & the top two plates.

The bottom was a wedding gift 19 years ago, 

At least, it stood the test of time.

The marriage...not so much.

(smile, friends...ya gotta laugh or you cry.)

A thrifted tray & basket platter thingy.

 I'm "borrowing" the ice bucket from my mama.

Oh, and the wine fridge below....

it has a watermelon in it.

No wine.

WHAT????

Lame.

So, there ya have it.

Thrift Shop Thursday.

And, a spruced up dining room for under $30.

What have you been thrifiting?

What I Wore Wednesday....

Do you know what day it is???

YUP.

What I Wore Wednesday....

since I haven't done a What I Wore post since June....

let's just go with my favorites, shall we?

And, I think we'll just make this a wordless Wednesday post as well...

I mean, I know it's not "wordless"

But, I won't comment on each outfit.

Ya get me??? :)

If you wanna play along NEXT Wednesday for a 

What WE Wore Wednesday post...

just email me your pic & the deets about your outfit

to 

justjilly@rocketmail.com.

'Cuz it's fun

&

you know you wanna!

Happy Wednesday, friends!

 

Still At It....

I'm still at it.

But, I won't lie...

This summer has been hard.

Really hard.

And, I feel I have failed more than I have succeeded.

But, the mere fact that I am persevering after nine months

 on The Daniel Plan speaks volumes.

   

I'm still running.

But, I'm slow.

But, I'm running.

So, there's that.

Told you....I'm slow.

 

The weight loss plateaued a bit this summer.  

But, I'm kicking it back into high gear this fall.

There will be more of this...

And, less of this.

And, I have embraced the small set-backs this summer.

I am a firm believer that failures are part of our successes.

"The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act.  If you want to change how you act, you must begin by changing the way you think.  Your thoughts are the autopilot of your life."

The Daniel Plan

--Rick Warren

 After nine months, I am still working on those thoughts.  But, I have embraced the philosophy that every bite I take is a "powerful opportunity to create healing or infirmity."

"The two most important words in the English language when it comes to your health...

THEN WHAT???"

If I drink this Diet Coke, THEN WHAT???

Migraines.

If I eat this cupcake, THEN WHAT???

Weight gain, bloating, & migraines.

If I go to the gym today after work, THEN WHAT???

Clarity, weight loss & better health.

If I drink this water, THEN WHAT???

Glowing skin, weight loss & hydration.

So, I ask myself a LOT....

THEN WHAT???

It is with renewed commitment that I am facing this fall.  I have set goals & I am excited to reach them with HIS help.

If you want to know more about the Daniel Plan, feel free to ask OR simply go to the source.

THE DANIEL PLAN 

Psalm 25:15 (MSG)

If I keep my eyes on God,

I won't trip over my own feet.  

 

Gritting Your Teeth: A True Tale of Love

This past Saturday, we celebrated my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.

50 years.....

And, the thing I appreciate most is my parent's honesty that it has been no picnic.

No fairy tale.

There have been times of just simply gritting their teeth and getting through.

And, it's really that...

the getting through...

that we truly celebrate.

And, Saturday afternoon....they were surrounded by those who love them.

And, there were tears and laughter.

There was love and loss.

And, there was a bond among many of them that only Jesus brings.

This morning, I reached over to turn off my alarm.

And, I was struck by the date.

September 15th.

Nineteen years ago today, I walked down the aisle.

Full of hope.

Believing in forever.

And, twelve years later....

one of us stopped gritting our teeth

and walked out.

And, maybe your story is like mine.

Broken.

And, maybe the wounds are fresh.

Or, maybe there are scars that are still sensitive to the touch.

And, if that's you...

I want you to know....

He is there.

"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there.  

If you kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath."

Psalm 34:18  (MSG)

"When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of YOU....

my life is God's prayer."

Psalm 42 (MSG)

Rehearse everything you know of Him.

He is faithful.

He is a provider.

He is a safe place.

He is a father to the fatherless.

He is a healer of broken hearts & dreams

AND,.

He will NEVER leave or forsake you.

Happy Anniversary, Bill & Sherre!

Thank you for gritting your teeth.

For teaching me day after day,

that love is a choice.

 I love you.

I am blessed to call you mama & daddy.