Two-fer Christian

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

When I first read this verse, I immediately think about the positive personal impact on me. I want to be healed from vices like overeating, failure to turn to Christ in all things, and for physical healing or relationships that need to be healed, etc. That's my very worldly I-Me Focus on the benefits for me.

This time, when I read it, I realized there are the benefits for others who are praying for healing for our needs, as well. It may help them better relate to the needs in their own lives, some similar and some distinctly different. I was reminded that one of the reasons that I think that people have related to the Christian Overeaters Past and Present and other blogs is because Jesus uses my many shortcomings to impact the lives of others. I think, although I can't totally know, that some are able to relate to the many things, some that seem virtually insignificant, that may work a wedge in our relationship with Christ. 

I like the idea of being a Two-fer Christian, so my prayers and being prayed for are helping others besides just myself. So, for what ever the reason, we are to: Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Gossiping Christian

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

I've been in situations where friends were sharing derogatory private information about others. I guess if I'm really being honest, there have been times in my life where I indulged in The Gossip Factor, as well. 

The thing is, when I'm around others who are gossiping or I indulge in this vice as well, I don't feel good about myself and my faith walk with Christ. I had to make a change. I could no longer be a part of a group saying how some other person looked to big to fit into the outfit that they were wearing. I could no longer be a part of a group saying how the other person made unethical personal choices. I could no longer be a part of a group that put others down to make themselves feel better.

Even if I don't have a group of friends crowded around me, I find that I sleep much better at night, feel closer to my Lord and Savior, and can look these people in the face when I'm not a Gossiping Christian. A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13

Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Follow the Tail Lights Christians

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:26-27

When I just read this passage, I thought about how I drive behind trucks in the fog when I can't see. I follow their tail lights faithfully in hopes that they know where they are going. Well, I just got to thinking about whether other people follow the path of my feet in the same way that I followed the trucks. Am I sure that I'm not making choices that lead me to the right hand nor to the left, where others might make similar poor choices?

Well, for other Follow the Tail Lights Christians, I don't know if I can totally answer this question, but will prayerfully work through this trying to be open to the message that Christ has for me in this....Hmmmm.... I'm curious to see where this leads.

I hope that when I share with you that God has taken the urge to eat large amounts of food and sweets away from me, that I give God the total credit for it. I have not accomplished this through anything of myself. It didn't happen until one day when I gave up on ever being thin and told God that if He ever wanted me to be thin, He'd have to do it, because I couldn't. The amazing thing is, that very same day is when God took those urges away from me.

Do I continue to model this turning my food and stress over into God's very capable hands? Probably not, but hope that when I share the many times I become vulnerable to food again, it's an indicator that I'm usually feeling stressed, overwhelmed, etc. and need to turn these over to God. Once I do, the craving for these foods goes away. In fact, it's kind of like God's given me this warning alarm.  When I start grabbing something crunchy or start to eat a half bag of something like tortilla chips, it's and indicator that I'm turn to food as a false god again instead of turning to my Lord and Savior to save me from myself and the stress that eats at me. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4:26-27


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.

Playing the Odds Christian

Treasures of wickedness profit nothing but righteousness delivereth from death. proverbs 10:12

I think I'm a Playing the Odds Christian I feel there is a better chance in getting the final reward I want if my life is not focused on worldly, wicked, and counterproductive choices.

Does that mean that I lead a perfect life? No, or else I wouldn't struggle with keeping the last few pounds off all these years. Those few pounds are an indication that I make a false god of food thinking it can resolve the stress I feel, instead of immediately turning to the One True Lord and Savior and put all my stress and concerns in Christ's very capable hands.

I know that even though I'm not totally the example I know Christ wants me to be, He is patient and forgiving and continues to lead me in the right direction, as long as I'm willing to listen. Fortunately, He never gives up on me. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing but righteousness delivereth from death. proverbs 10:12


Since this is an example of the positive influence God has made on my walk with Christ, this may not reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verses.