Heavenly Father, I need Your mighty assistance as I climb the mountains you’ve given me.  There are peaks and valleys where I grow and gain strength, but I rejoice that there are also meadows, where I can rest.  I thank You for Your plan for my life and for Your abundant love, mercy and grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

"Meadows in the Mountains" is a daily devotional program into which the Lord has led me.  Its focus is: More of Jesus, less of me.  I gained inspiration from Joan Cavanaugh’s book by that name.*  She writes, “The uphill road we travel is especially discouraging and tiring to the overweight — unless you catch a ride in a powerful car.  The word of God is that power.  Finding what we need and using it to overcome our very real problem is what this book is about.  God helped me to find the special vehicle that helped me to the top, and He told me to share it with you.  So hop in!  Welcome to an adventure in overcoming!”

My own problem is physical, but yours may be relational.  The principles are the same.  Our Lord promises, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  2nd Corinthians 12:9

You can set up your own program, personalizing it to your own interests.  I enjoy mountain scenery, so that’s why I call mine Meadows in the Mountains.  I also enjoy pretty pictures, so I put one on each daily sheet, and one of a mountain each six weeks, when I record my weight and measurements.  [My sources for “clip art” pictures are magazine ads, tourist brochures, and purchased stickers.]

Steps to Take

      Identify your need, asking God’s guidance.

     Write out your goals, and how you can know you are progressing toward them.

      Include a Bible study method and a weekly prayer calendar, because your focus is to grow spiritually as the Lord helps you become the overcomer you desire to be. 

      Be realistic about your goals, recognizing that what you are doing is making permanent changes in your life! 

      If your focus is physical, make it your goal to improve your health; I base my eating plan on the food pyramid and not on a “diet,” because diets and my will-power always come to an end. But obedience to the Lord and self-discipline is a life-long thing. There are no short-cuts! 

My own “Meadows in the Mountains” notebook includes:
  My initial motivation, written out 
  My Contract with God, in writing 
  My daily plan: devotions, eat right, exercise 
  Daily accountability to myself and to the Lord 

*More of Jesus, Less of Me, by Joan Cavanaugh, is available from www.amazon.com.

Credits: Photos by Howard & Marge Marshall; background, paper clips, and blue tacks, www.bellsnwhistles.com.   Photo of Twin Lakes in California from www.webshots.com.

This web site is owned, designed, and maintained by Marjorie Seaton Marshall of Marshall Consulting.  Spacious Skies Web Designs is a subdivision of Marshall Consulting.  Your business is appreciated!