Hey my awesome Bible Study Group!!!  Do you know how much you have blessed me?  Last week was a big blur, especially Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I don’t wish the flu on anyone!  Taking the week off was good for all of us I guess. From your notes and comments, many of you needed the extra week and I certainly was out of commission. On the days I wanted to post something, I was blessed to run across Stephanie’s amazing “Sin Plays Dirty” message and Sarah’s sweet note about how God’s Word changed her perspective about this study coming to an end. I love how God provides!

Hope you are ready for a power packed final week~

Week 6~Homework and Assignments

Our word for the week is:

COURAGEOUS

Oh how I absolutely LOVE this word. Do you believe that you are courageous? Do you have the courage it takes to continue to rely on God? To keep believing that you are worth all the healthy choices you’ve decided to make? To admit that boundaries keep us safe not restricted? That this time around will be different? I hope you answered with a big ole resounding “YES” to these questions!

My favorite verse on courage can be found in the book of Joshua. It’s a verse that I gave to my 2nd son when he was born. God let me know that Hayden would need that verse many times throughout his life. He let me know I would need it too. Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV) Please read that and apply it to you and your life. You have what it takes, don’t doubt that. Grab on to courage from the Lord Himself. Be strong and courageous.

Our memory verse for this week is:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. ~ Psalm 73:26

This is a verse that strengthens me in almost any situation. God is enough. Oh how I need to remember this every day of my life!

Reading and Homework Assignments for Week 6:

Sunday-Spend some time in prayer for yourself and your study sisters about Week 6. Share in the comment section of this blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook Page where discussions and prayer requests about Made to Crave are ongoing 24/7.

Monday-Read Chapter 16. Highlight and take notes as you read. When you get to a Bible verse that Lysa mentions, take our your Bible. Look up the verse for yourself. Underline it and write “MTC” beside it. Think on the verse or passage a moment. Journal or make a few index cards with Scripture or quotes that will keep you grounded and give you truth.

Tuesday-Complete Chapter 16 Reflection Questions. Read the questions and record your answers in a journal or notebook. Be honest. These are just for your eyes or whoever you choose to share them with. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.

Wednesday-Read Chapter 17. Follow the same directions as on Monday. Check Melissa’s blog for an encouraging mid-week message! Post a comment to encourage others.

Wednesday-Conference Call with Pastor Matthew Barnett of the LA Dream Center and author of  best selling book, The Cause Within You. 1 pm EST.I had the amazing privilege to spend 4 days last summer at the Dream Center in Los Angeles. These were 4 life changing days and Pastor Matthew is one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I can’t wait for you to meet him and hear his passion for God and all people.  For those of you who have missed the calls so far, it’s still not too late to sign up. You can have access to Call #1 and #2  plus today’s call and our final call with MTC author Lysa TerKeurst for $14. Just call the P31 Office 877-731-4663 or sign up online.

Thursday-Complete Chapter 17 Reflection Questions. Follow the same directions as on Tuesday. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.

Friday-Read Chapter 18 and complete the Reflection Questions. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.

Friday Vlog- Log on to this blog, www.MelissaTaylor.org to watch a short video message.

Friday Option- If you want to have all your work done before the weekend, go ahead and complete the Chapter 19 and the Reflection Questions. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.

Saturday Option- Read Chapter 19 and complete the Reflection Questions. This is our very last chapter. Boo Hoo

Okay, that’s it! Print or “favorite” this page so you can keep up with this week’s study. I won’t be posting the schedule daily, so hold on to this!

EMPOWERED~DETERMINATION~PEACE~TRUTH~

BENEFICIAL~COURAGEOUS

Remember, you have access to all six. You got da POWAHHH! Be DETERMINED to stay committed. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. And discover your PEACE in God, because I guarantee you won’t find it anywhere else. The TRUTH of Jesus Christ will set you free! Much is permissible, but we want to do what is BENEFICIAL. And my COURAGEOUS friend, you are worth every bit of it!

Have a great week! Keep believing this time will be different! And indeed it will. Have a great week MTC gals! I

_________________________________________________________________

***Reminder: This study will wind up at the end of this week. The MTC book will be finished, but our road to great health physically, emotionally, and spiritually is just beginning. I hope you will continue your Bible study, either here or somewhere else. The next study on this blog is An Untroubled Heart: finding a faith that is stronger than all my fears.  It is written by author and Proverbs 31 National Speaker~Micca Campbell.  You can sign up in the right side bar of this blog. We will continue to have side discussions about our healthy eating plans and MTC progress, but we will be moving forward in to a deeper relationship with the Lord. We will continue to supply support, encouragement, and accountability as we continue to focus on studying and learning God’s Word. AUH begins March 25, 2012.

If you’d like to go ahead and order An Untroubled Heart, you can order it online at a variety of online venues or call the P31 office toll free 877-731-4663.  Ask for me and I’ll pray for you over the phone.  Just like the MTC study, we will offer Conference Calls (again at the low $14 rate) and author Micca Campbell will play a key role in our online study as well as join us in one of the calls. Check the Online Bible Studies Info page of this blog for all of the info! I hope you will join me! I’ll miss you if you don’t!

I received a letter today from a sweet gal in our Online Bible Study group. I loved what she had to say so much that I asked her if I could share.  I bet you can relate to her fears and hopefully you will be reassured by the message God gave her through His Word.

Thanks Sarah for letting me share this!

A grateful heart is a happy heart!!!  

Can you relate to Sarah?  Share your thoughts in the comment section of my blog. I’d love to hear your perspective on how the end of this study will effect you.

Hello Sisters!  I’m peeking out from under my covers for the first time in a while. I’ve slept a total of 62 hours since Sunday night and while you would think I would feel rested, I’m still a bit run down. The flu is not kind. On the bright side, I don’t have a fever today, so I’m praising Jesus for that!

We have rescheduled Pastor Matthew Barnett’s conference call for those who are participating in them. It will be February 29th at 1:00 pm EST.  I’ll send you the details Monday.

I tried to think of something awesome to post today, but it turns out I didn’t have to. I found it somewhere else. Stephanie Clayton wrote an excellent message called “Sin Plays Dirty.” It spoke to me as pure Truth. It is profound, to the point, convicting, and will make you think. We all need people we can be real with our ugly stuff and she addresses this.  So check it out and leave her a comment today. In fact, I so want you to read it, that if you leave a comment, you will be entered to win An Untroubled Heart, our next online study book.

You have 24 hours to leave a comment to be entered. The comment must be left on Stephanie’s blog, not mine. An email doesn’t count either. The comment must be on her blog.

Be blessed! Hope you all are happy and healthy!

This is a rare occasion, but due to circumstances out of my control, we will not have Week 6 of Bible study this week.  We are calling this “Catch Up” week.  I’m sure some of you are jumping up and down celebrating!  I’ve heard from many who are behind, so hopefully this will be a good thing for you.

I am sick. Fever. Chills. Sweats. I just woke up after sleeping for 16 straight hours, so I’m staying in bed.  I want to finish strong and I’m not feeling so strong.

Those of you signed up for conference calls this week, keep checking your emails. Right now they are still on, but that could change depending on how I’m feeling.

Stay well and take care of yourselves!

Oh, and don’t forget about the live webcast, “How Big is Your But” tonight!  I was supposed to be interviewed live, but doesn’t look like that was meant to be    :( .   You can watch the live webcast at 8 pm EST on Lysa’s Blog.  It’s going to be great!

Thank you so much for understanding. We will pick up with Week 6 next Sunday. Keep checking my blog this week, MelissaTaylor.org for new messages and updates. Also visit the Online Bible Studies Info Page for the latest on our next Online Study, An Untroubled Heart, beginning March 18th. You can sign up in the right sidebar of my blog.

Hope all of you are doing better than me!  Love and Healthy Blessings,

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in all we have to do, in our goals, our responsibilities, our roles in life, busyness, and work, that we forget to have fun.  I know I’m guilty of it at times. I get so involved in the daily grind, that I forget to slow down and just have some fun.

I overheard someone recently say, “I don’t have time to have any fun. I have too much to do.”  Oh, how I relate.  I wanted to chime in, “I hear ya sista!”  I really do believe though, that too much serious, too much busyness and work can lead to stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and mental breakdown. Having fun can come in all sorts of varieties.

I know my favorite way to unwind is to sit with my husband in our back yard at our little tiki hut.  It’s a place he built where we’ve hung many memories from our lives. It’s nothing fancy, but from this spot, we can enjoy the outdoors, each others’ company, read a book, watch our kids and dogs play, or just relax. For me this is fun.

I also love spending time with my family where no distractions from the outside world are involved. This can be as simple as going on a hike or playing a game, or it can be something bigger like a vacation. For me this is fun.

Another favorite thing to do is hang out with girlfriends. Being goofy, sharing secrets, watching a movie, playing a game, going out to dinner, meeting for coffee, or even better, having a girls’ get away weekend together. For me this is fun.

I have found I can also enjoy time all by myself.  I love to go to a near-by coffee shop/bookstore, where I can sit and read, write, or focus on the thought of my choice. For me this is fun.

We have been so involved with our latest Bible study, that I can understand how some may feel overwhelmed. I want to remind everyone, that our purpose in MTC is not to lose weight, be skinny, or even begin to exercise.  Our purpose is to learn to go to God for everything. Our peace can never be found in our bodies, it can only be obtained through Jesus. There is only one week left in MTC, and I hope that if anything else, we can say that we want to find our peace in God, not anyone or anything else.

So, back to fun.  Recently, I had the pleasure and privilege of hosting a few of our online Bible study team members in my home.  Some of them were able to come in early and volunteer at the Proverbs 31 Office for a few days. It was awesome working in person with some of the ladies who make these online studies possible. I can’t do this by myself. The online Bible studies team works so hard behind the scenes and I am so grateful for each one who has served in this ministry since it began a little over a year ago. We work hard together, but this week, we also took a little break for some fun together.

Below is a short video clip of me and the team members who could make it. Right before this clip, we enjoyed some yummy food (permissible and beneficial I might add) then we played the Wii game, Just Dance. This was both fun and funny!  I know they had to get a laugh out of watching my 45 year old body try to keep up with any of my “competitors.”  I’ll just go ahead and admit, I didn’t win a single round!  But, the night was not about winning, it was about fun.  Take a look:

***If you cannot see the 2 videos below, click here.

And here’s just a peek at the fun that was had. Check out Stephanie and Veronica’s dance moves

Hope you enjoyed that!

***Our winner of An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell is Jennifer, who posted February 14, 2012 at 9:35 pm. Jennifer, email me at Melissa@MelissaTaylor.org with your mailing information and I will send you your book!

If you are interested in signing up for our next study, An Untroubled Heart, Finding a Faith That’s Stronger Than All My Fears, you can do so in the right hand column of my blog .

Finally, a big thank you and super hugs to the Online Bible Studies Leadership Team and the Made to Crave Facebook Prayer Group Leaders. I love you, I thank you for your service for the time you were with us, and I am honored to call you all my friends.

Prayer Group Leaders for MTC on Facebook:
Pamela Vandervoort
Kristi Seat
Wilma Hill
Robin Packer
Kelley Murphy
Kandace Poindexter
Charlotte Bowers
Kim Goldstein
Tabitha Wells
Lisa Kramp
Veronica Herzing
Lynne Koch
Patti Muzik
Megan Smidt
Tricia Davis
Donna Bostick
Heather Bleier
Sheena Wilson

Leadership Team
Stephanie Clayton
Heather Bleier
Lisa Kramp
Veronica Herzing
Donna Bostick
Angie Combs

Big Blessings! One week left, let’s finish strong!
Love,
Melissa

Hey Y’all!  How are you doing today?

Here we are in the middle of Week 5, and I want to hear from you. You hear from me all the time. In the comment section, tell us:

1. What is your name?

2. Where are you from?

3. 2 things about yourself

4. How MTC has helped you grow closer to God

5. What will you take with you as a result of this study?

I’m working out with Lysa TerKeurst tomorrow morning and I can’t wait to share your answers to #4 and #5 with her!

Ok, that’s it. Keep it simple!  Do all this and you will be entered to win our next Online Study book, An Untroubled Heart by Micca Campbell.  In fact, visit Micca’s site today, she describes the message of her book and I know she’d love to meet you. Leave her a comment and introduce yourself to her too!

Sign ups for the next study, have begun. Look in the right column of my blog for sign up details.  I hope you’ll be joining me!

Hey girls! It’s Stephanie with the Friday vlog! Welcome you to the very first MTC slumber party! I hope you enjoy this quick little message, as well as my vlog debut with absolutely no makeup! LOL! So without further delay, let’s watch…

Alright ladies…our word of the week this week is TRUTH! As you go throughout the rest of the study I hope you remember that God’s “I AM” is bigger than your “I am not.” Because the TRUTH is, that as a daughter of the King of kings…you do have the power! Any doubts…any fears…any anxieties that are plaguing your life right now…let’s find rest in the simple truth that HE IS all we need.

Hey girls, it’s Stephanie. Today you are getting a firsthand look into my disobedience. Let me be the first to admit I have dropped out of the “Made to Crave” study several times. In fact, I received a copy of “Made to Crave” before it even went to print as part of Lysa’s “In the Loop Group”.  I hadn’t been able to lose weight any other way and I thought her book might give me the quick fix I needed. When I realized the study was actually going to be work and require, gulp, change?!?, I put the book down. I didn’t even make it past the second chapter.

When Melissa Taylor offered the online study during January of 2011, I thought about trying it again. I joined the study, but arrogantly scoffed every time the email with the week’s assignments hit my inbox. I would justify my avoidance with statements like, “how shallow is it that a Bible study would focus on weight” and “I have better things I could be studying.” All the while, my weight continued to increase…my self-confidence steadily on the decrease.

I became involved with Melissa Taylor’s studies in a leadership aspect during the study of Wendy Blight’s book “Hidden Joy”. However, I knew come January, the MTC study would rear its head again.

This time would it be different? Would my newly appointed leadership position change things?Would I be able to do it? This time would it be different?

I must admit up to this point, it has not been different. I have slipped in and out of old habits. I do well for about three days, followed by a three day binge and boycott of anything resembling exercise. I cannot lie. I am tempted to give up. I am tempted to let this study come and go without making any real life changes. That is what I am tempted to do.

However, as I read Chapters 7,8, and 9…I know that I cannot quit. There is a runner inside of me that needs to get out from under the cherry donuts weighing her down! More important than that…there are some lies straight from the pit of Hell that need to be demolished!!!

I do have time to work out! I want to be more obedient to God! I do not want to seek food for comfort! I want more Jesus! First and foremost, I want to serve the God who has redeemed my life from the pit of depression, anxiety, and bitterness! I know that I can trust Him to deliver me from this too!

I choose to clothe myself in strength and dignity.  I choose to run the race He has set out for me. I choose to beat my body into obedience. I choose Jesus over food! I choose Him! I choose you Jesus!!!

Dearest sister, I know it is tempting to give up and give in. But somewhere deep inside of you is that desire to keep going. Reach deep down and yank that desire up to the top! In fact, let’s pray for that right now…

Dear Lord,

There is power in your name. Right now I pray in the name of Jesus that you would demolish any stronghold that holds us captive. Any addiction that we serve, anything we put in place of you Lord, shatter it…flatten it with a 2X4 in the name of Jesus. Let us lean into You and only You. Be the center. Be our everything. Strengthen us where we feel weary. Lift us up where we feel weak. Enable us with the Holy Spirit and divine power to choose You God over anything else we might desire. We will not stop God. We will not quit, because we want more of You Jesus. Crave God, we were made to crave you Jesus. Thank you Lord…for all you have done and are going to do…thank you.
In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

We will not give up. Let’s say it out loud…WE WILL NOT GIVE UP! WE GOT DA POWAH! DA JESUS POWAH!!! All 9100+ of us!!! Let’s take the opportunity today to leave a comment below, an encouraging comment for a sister who might be struggling…or even for yourself who might be struggling. Let’s remember who we are in Jesus…because ladies…we were made for more!!!

Bessings, Stephanie

**Winner of An Untroubled Heart Give away is Kitty, who posted at 1:27 pm on Feb. 1st.  Contact me at Melissa@MelissaTaylor.org or call me Monday at 877-731-4663 so I can get your contact info and mail you your book Congrats!

Wow. That’s all I can find to say. I cannot believe we are already into Week 4 of our study! 3 weeks down, 3 weeks to go. I hope that thought doesn’t scare you. I’ve heard from some that they are a little afraid that when this study is over, they will go back to their old habits and get sidetracked from their new mantra that “this time around will be different.” Now, now. That won’t happen without your permission. Don’t give permission.

Even though our study will wind down in 3 weeks, our healthy journey is just beginning. Remember the focus here is on growing closer to the Lord. While doing that, we have made new commitments that are good for our health and well being. If you’ve started your journey here, I hope you will stay with me so we can move to the next study together.

An Untroubled Heart, Finding a Faith That is Stronger Than All My Fears by Micca Campell will be our next online study.  Through the study of this book, we will be encouraged to lay down our worries, trust in God, and embrace a life marked by peace and joy. Who doesn’t want this?  I hope you will consider joining me. Sign ups for this study will begin in a few weeks, but you can order your book now if you’d like to participate.If you’d like to go ahead and order An Untroubled Heart, you can order it online at a variety of online venues or by calling the Proverbs 31 Office, 877-731-4663. Just like the MTC study, we will offer Conference Calls (again at the low $14 rate) and author Micca Campbell will play a key role in our online study as well as join us in one of the calls.  I’ll add a sign up space for An Untroubled Heart very soon to my blog. I just couldn’t wait another day to let you know what was coming next!  The An Untroubled Heart online study will begin March 18, 2011.

And now, on to Week 4 of Made to Crave!

Our word for the week is:

TRUTH

Memory Verse:

John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Who here doesn’t want to be free?  Jesus Himself is this truth. He frees us from continued slavery to sin, from self-deception, and from deception by Satan. As we seek to serve to serve God, Jesus’ perfect truth frees us to be all that God meant us to be. (Life Application Study Bible)  And He can even free us from our bondage to food or whatever else has a hold on us.

You May Want to Copy and Print the Rest of This Post

Reading and Homework Assignments for Week 4:

Sunday-Spend some time in prayer for yourself and your study sisters about Week 4. Share in the comment section of this blog or on the  Online Bible Studies Facebook Page where discussions and prayer requests about Made to Crave are ongoing 24/7.

Monday-Read Chapter 10. Highlight and take notes as you read. When you get to a Bible verse that Lysa mentions, take our your Bible. Look up the verse for yourself. Underline it and write “MTC” beside it. Think on the verse or passage a moment. Journal or make a few index cards with Scripture or quotes that will keep you grounded and give you truth.

Tuesday-Complete Chapter 10 Reflection Questions. Read the questions and record your answers in a journal or notebook. Be honest. These are just for your eyes or whoever you choose to share them with. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.

Wednesday-Read Chapter 11. Follow the same directions as on Monday. Check Melissa’s blog for an encouraging mid-week message! Post a comment to encourage others.

Thursday-Complete Chapter 11 Reflection Questions. Follow the same directions as on Tuesday. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.

Friday-Read Chapter 12. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.

Friday Vlog!!! This is your lucky week!  You get a video message from Stephanie Clayton today!

Friday Option: If you want to have all your work done before the weekend, go ahead and complete the Chapter 12 Reflection Questions. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.

Saturday Option-If you didn’t do the Chapter 12 Reflection Questions on Friday, do them today.

Okay, that’s it! Print or “favorite” this page so you can keep up with this week’s study. I won’t be posting the schedule daily, so hold on to this!

EMPOWERED~DETERMINATION~PEACE~TRUTH

Remember, you have access to all four. You got da POWAHHH! Be DETERMINED to stay committed. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. And discover your peace in God, because I guarantee you won’t find it anywhere else. The TRUTH of Jesus Christ will set you free!

Have a great week! Keep believing this time will be different!  And indeed it will.  Have a great week MTC gals!  I <3 U!