Sonya Lee Thompson

^{29 “}Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” (Genesis 1:29) 

In 2010, I tried to become a Vegan and blogged about it for about two weeks. Why? Because I felt it would help me fight off skin cancer (which I’ve battled for over 10 years). With my family of six kids and 1 husband not on board, it just didn’t stick. Plus, I’m just plain weak in my resolve when it comes to food. Ugs! Just being honest.

Now, fast forward to October 2012 and here’s what’s happening:

My oldest daughter, age 16, who we’ll call B., is having health issues. Chronic illness. She’s been struggling with stomach pain and issues since May. Now, I am even homeschooling her because when she goes to the bathroom it will take her 2 1/2 hours!  This is one of the hardest things i’ve ever been through. Seeing your child sick is NOT easy…

So now, I’m confident God is calling me to transform our entire family to a completely Vegan diet. Why? Because the truth is in the results. I went to a 2-day session at a place called Hallelujah Acres. During my time there, people gave testimony after testimony of being healed of everything from cancer to allergies. The point being – their bodies were given the environment needed to recover and then restore themselves to ultimate health. In exactly two weeks, my daughter B and I will go to a Lifestyle center and for one week, we will be engulfed in the Vegan lifestyle with juicing as a primary resource. I just want to record my journey here, because I expect to see amazing results from my daughter, and myself and I want you to be here to experience it with me!  I will also share pictures and recipes as we rate them highly over here.

Below, I’ve attached my first blog in 2010 when I felt God calling me to become a Vegan. Thought you might like to read it. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to stick with it, and I have since gained 10 more pounds…

Why Vegan?

Why become a vegan?

I have been pondering this question a lot lately. Actually, I’ve been fighting this question a lot lately!! I really enjoy eating meat and dairy products. So why would I want to give up two food groups???

For me, it is a walk of obedience. If you’ve seen my profile picture than you have wondered if I color my hair – “No!” I’m a natural blond with fair skin. Multiply that by a pool in my backyard growing up and vacations at the beach every summer to equal SUN BURN. Now, I’m 43 years old, a wife and mother to six children, and a woman who keeps getting skin cancer. To date, I’ve had 7 surgeries to remove Basal Cell Carcinoma. Once on my calf, one from each shoulder, my lip (worst one), and twice on my forehead. I know that Basal cell carcinoma is not deadly. HOWEVER, you have to remove it or it will keep growing and become even more disfiguring. Instead of worrying about getting wrinkles, I fret about how to conceal my latest scars from the surgeries.

As I type this, I have stitches in my right shoulder and left calf. Not comfortable, or pleasant to endure. The doctors all told me to just stay out of the sun. I have been for several years now! No more fun at the beach or gardening because I can’t play outside between 9 and 4pm. There must be another way.

I’ve been praying and searching for another “healthier” way to help my body stop producing these cancers. God led me to a book called, “The China Study,” by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. I highly recommend this book to everyone! A must read.

It talks about turning on and off cancer growth by stopping or starting animal protein consumption. And not large amounts of animal protein, but a diet of 20% animal protein will create the right environment for cancer cells to grow 100% of the time. But, drop down to only 5% animal protein and the cancer growth stops 100% of the time. So, here’s where I am today. Unsure if I really believe this. I want to. But really. Is this like one of those diet books promising good results only to later find out that no diet is effective for the long haul? I hope not.

Becoming a VEGAN is no easy task!!! Yesterday, the Lord reminded me of the healing in John chapter 9. There was a man born blind and Jesus put mud over his eyes and told him to go and wash and when he had done this, he was healed and his eyes opened up. Now, why did this man have to DOsomething to be healed? I don’t know except it may have been a walk of obedience.

That story prompted me to dive in to becoming a vegan in order to see healing in my body from cancer. This blog will be where I document my journey (and even some good recipe’s). If God is leading you to a healthier way of eating, I encourage you to join me and we can walk this journey together. To God be the glory!

-Sonya

Everywhere I turn, 50 Shades of Grey is on everyones mind. Being curious as to what the fuss was about, I googled the book for an overview… GASP!

Really?!?

Somehow this book has transcended into Christian and non-Christian homes alike. Why?

Could it be the shades of grey? Well, if this area is a shade of grey than sure, let’s give it a try, right? Wrong!

Jesus was many things when He walked on the earth, but a shade of grey was not one of them. Everything He stood for was clear and quite frankly, black & white.

I have not, nor will I read this book. Why? I need to follow my Savior’s lead and know what He stands for, so I can also stand for what is pure, and holy, and acceptable to God.

From the overview alone, I can deduce the book is porn for women. Most reviews say, “I couldn’t put it down” because porn is addictive. Be warned, if you choose to read romance porn that trivializes the need for purity and devalues the act of making love to your spouse, you will open the door for sin.

In my opinion, the book 50 Shades of Grey is black and white…trash journalism.

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In this picture, the forest looks uniform – except for the one tree with great bends in it.

Let me ask you, when you look away from the photo, which tree will you recall? Probably the one that’s different.

My sister used to work in a pediatric cardiologists office. They saw a large number of kids with disabilities, and she loved when the Down Syndrome kids would be in the office (she didn’t like the fact that they had heart issues) because they always smiled and were so full of love. I guess you could say they were a good kind of different.

“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NIV)

God urges us to be a good kind of different in this verse. If you were standing in a crowd, would you blend in, or would you be a good kind of different? Strive to be the person God wants you to be and don’t be afraid to stand out!

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What makes you say you are blessed? If it’s when things are going well, and you are healthy with money flowing, then you need to watch this video!

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How do we handle the freedom God gives us? Watch this video to find out.

PS. The black dog in the video is my dog, Laney.

“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face.” Ezekiel 14:3 (KJV)

As Christians, we are familiar with the commands not to worship idols.

If I ever see a golden calf, I’ll be sure not to stare too long – after all, I don’t want to worship idols! I thought as a young girl.

Adulthood brings with it a more mature understanding of the oracles of God. But somehow, I’ve never come to grips with modern day, American idolatry.

My mom told me the Television was a modern day idol.  I could see that.  So I’ve always limited how much T.V. I watched – just in case.

Her list of possible idols grew as I did.  Soon I began my own list of probable modern day idols.  My list came from watching where others spent most of their time.

Somehow, these lists never really satisfied me. If ancient idols were made of gold and silver, what are modern day idols? I continued to ponder.

In reading my current Bible study, When Life is Hard, by James MacDonald, he suggests that the modern day god – our American Idol – is ME. (See 1 Peter 4:3-5)

I believe he’s right. The modern day idol is me and I want to be careful not to worship myself above my God.  Here’s a quote by Mother Theresa that sums it all up: (apparently she was well aware of “me” being the modern day idolatry)

Deliver me, oh Jesus,
From the desire of being loved
From the desire of being extolled
From the desire of being honored
From the desire of being praised
From the desire of being preferred
From the desire of being consulted
From the desire of being approved
From the desire of being popular

From the fear of being humiliated
From the fear of being despised
From the fear of suffering rebukes
From the fear of being calumniated (maligned)
From the fear of being forgotten
From the fear of being ridiculed
From the fear of being suspected
~Mother Teresa

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It’s that time of year once again.  Time to set our clocks back an hour (on Sunday November 6). Time to get out our fall and winter clothes, and time to hunker down for the upcoming winter.

On November 6th, the newscasters will remind everyone to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. Just a good time to prepare.

How about your spiritual walk? This might be a good time to check your spiritual batteries, and put on your armor. How about falling back into God’s arms during this upcoming season in your life.

A new season is coming – we can smell it in the air. Are you ready?

During autumn, I’ve noticed the animals eat more. I suppose they do it to keep warm in the pending cooler temperatures.

This might be a good time for us to eat more spiritual food, too. If we are full of God’s word then we will be ready when seasons of trials come our way.

Let’s learn from nature, and be prepared for the next season – winter.

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As soon as my key hit the door knob, my toy poodle, Rex, began barking wildly. I opened the door only to be bombarded with an excited little dog who was overjoyed to see me.

He jumped up and spun around. He “smiled” at me and sneezed frantically. His tail wagging a million miles a minute. All because I’ve returned home.

Here’s the catch, I had only been gone for 15 minutes. Really?

How do you think God reacts when we take the time to come to Him? Jesus told a parable about the prodigal son and an overexcited dad. I believe God is that excited each time we turn wholeheartedly in His direction.

But how do we react when He approaches us? Are we overjoyed like my dog – every time. Or are we sometimes ashamed at where we are in our lives? Maybe we feel annoyed because we were “fine” without Him.

I’m not always happy with my poodle for his reactions. Sometimes, it’s just plain annoying. But when I remember his joy is because he truly loves me, I can rejoice with him.

It’s the same with God. We need to rejoice every time He approaches us, because it’s always out of a deep love that He is here.

We should also approach Him with excitement and joy. After all, it is a privilege to stand before the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords because of the blood of Jesus.

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“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

What’s your M.O. (Mode of operation)?

This week I’ve become aware of my M.O. and of those around me. Complaining seems common in my life, and there is a direct connection between my words of complaint and my feelings of discontent in any given situation.

Here’s an example: “It’s been raining for three days, when will it stop?” or “Why am I bothered by watering my plants – when will it just rain?”

Get the idea? When it rains, I want the sun. When it’s hot and dry I want the rain. Of course, weather is only one area in my life with this problem.

So what’s a busy mom to do?

Change my words by altering my M.O. through God’s word.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)

God’s word has the power to help me change everything in my life. His word brings life and hope to those who will listen.

Do you need to change your M.O.?

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Matthew 7:16 says, “By their fruit you will recognize them…”

If I want to harvest apples, I won’t plant a fig tree, right?

Here’s my Proverb: Plant the seed of the fruit you want to eat.

Boy was I shocked when the Lord recently revealed to me a problem in my own life (tree).

I’ve been struggling for years with inconsistency. I have been known to verbalize it as my biggest character flaw.

I’ve lamented before the Lord to help me change this problem. Then I’ve tried a multitude of solutions – but they all fall by the wayside after a season. Returning me to my woe of inconsistency.

I’m studying a book called, When Life is Hard, by James MacDonald. In it, he points out that trials produce steadfastness. Then steadfastness will produce every good thing to cause us to be holy.

The definition of steadfastness is “to stay under.”

In a light bulb kind of moment, God gently led me to realize my issue wasn’t inconsistency – but rather that was the fruit of the tree of flight.

When troubles come my way, my instinct is to run. Maybe this is why I’ve always liked the story of Lot – he ran and never looked back.

I’ve been trying – FOR YEARS – to change the fruit of my tree.

Now I realize I need to change the tree I’m growing in my life garden. It’s time to cut down flight and plant steadfastness. The fruit I will reap is going to be consistency.

It’s a baby tree, and I’m studying the Word of God to water and I’m praying to give light to my tree. In faith, I believe consistency will be my new fruit.

What kind of tree is growing in your life garden? What kind of fruit is it producing?

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