Be In Good Health

Session Three May 20th

Ladies we are gonna have a good time--so don't be late and bring someone with you. Remember that your homework is to meditate those scriptures and the following summaries:

Session One There is no area in your life that God intended for you to operate without Him.

Session Two Where are you...really ? God tells us where we should be as women of God by the leading of The Holy Spirit. Health is a lifestyle that we maintain.

I love you all so dearly. Be in good health, Karen

im sittin up here cryin like a baby

i just watched susan boyle on youtube! i never watch american idol no less britains got talent but her name kept coming up in the news so i googled her. you'll notice that people laughed at her when she told them she wanted to be a professional singer. she also said that she was not a singer thus far because 'no one gave me a chance'...her choice of song and performance was beautiful.

the crowd pre-judged her because she doent look like your typical contestant or entertainer. but she showed them--with confidence and perfect execution at that!!  well she cettainly removed all doubt. she is a professional singer. she always knew and now we know as well.

i instantly thought of you girls. no one may believe you when you boldly tell them your dream of being fit for life. but i believe you. you know you can. so when your weight changes the rest of the world will finally know what you always knew--you can.

i am so inspired. what can i say? see for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk

Did you exercise today?

No? Oh I know why--you didn't have a partner to encourage you! Well, now you do! I commit to exercise everyday for the remainder of the track just so you will not be alone. It may be early at the YMCA, late on my treadmill, after dinner at the park but I promise not to miss one day so that you will not be alone.

And when I see you this weekend I can just scream in your ear "you better not slow down" and you can 'replay it' later when you exercise (insert smile).

Session One more Notes 5/6/09

Make sure your life does not have the two categories we talked about. THINGS I CAN DO WITHOUT GOD // THINGS I CAN'T DO WITHOUT GOD. Without Him, we can't do anything! Incorporate that into your daily confession.

God not only saved our soul He also rescued our capacity to believe and think like Him. We have the mind of Christ. We know how to relate to Him. This way of operating with Him in first place is now our first nature as a Christian.

The Bible is our guide and instruction for living. We can't skim the instruction manual because many of passages you will only benefit from them when you do them not just make mental ascent. The Bible is also referred to as God's love letter to us--don't you want to read all the details?

You may subscribe to health magazines but don't subscribe to thier philosophies. There is some good information in those periodicals though.

We're off! Off to a great start! Remember to make time to do your Homework Assignment. We did not get to complete the quiz thats in your packet. If you can answer those questions before next session, that would be great. If you have questions, email me and I will get back to you the same day. I love you girls. See ya this weekend.

Today.

 Today today I live for one thing--to give You praise in everything do,  God all my praise goes out to You. Today today its all or nothin' all the way praise goes out to You. Yes all my praise goes out to You!

By singing that praise song I just 'put on the garment of praise in exchange for the spirit of heaviness' (Is. 61.3) YOU can too. You can do this lifestyle change. Cast off those preconcieved notions of failure. Instead, plan what you will do with this new found discipline--what area of your life will you address next? You CAN do this. Just start with TODAY.

What exactly is a 'cheat day?'

Don't Answer--Allow me to break it down for you. You're welcome.

Cheat Day ( chēt  dā  ) (n.) 1. two days into a diet you begin to proclaim that you have been good so you decide to reward yourself--all day. 2. Every Saturday 3. an arbitrary time in the middle of the day when you just can't take it anymore (you got tired of eating right). 4. You didn't workout because--well.. you usually don't have an excuse for this one!

The dictionary defines cheat as follows: To deceive by trickery, To deprive by trickery, To mislead; fool, To act dishonestly; practice fraud. To violate rules deliberately, as in a game.

and day as follows: The period of light between dawn and nightfall; the interval from sunrise to sunset. A period of opportunity or prominence.

[some thoughts to consider...who are you decieving? who have you deprived of a more healthy choice? Is this a game? when you break a rule that you set does that mean you not accountable to yourself?  day means day not 'deviate from your lifestyle for almost a lifetime... a day is an opportunity to do, to be, to go, to pursue, to build. And technically its not a day if it last for all your 30s (that would be a lifetime).]

Hmmmm....do you see the discrepancy? I sure do. Clear up the smog of your mind. You are not on a diet, you are living out a purposed lifestyle. You don't take days off from your daily hygiene routine and commence to give the occasion a special name. You might not have washed your hair on time this week but it probably isn't a big deal and you don't need to apologize for not doing so. You have a reason for delaying what you want and need to do. (If you don't wash your hair for 3 months you are a skunk head) Likewise you do not have to declare a day off from your healthy lifestyle. You didn't do things as you have planned--get back on track. That's all. This is where nutrition and exercise have to rise to in our lives. Its just what we do because of who we are. Because of Whose we are. Because of what He has said. Because of what we believe. Declare you won;t be stopped. Declare you are not defines by what happened today--but rather by what happened at Calvary.

If you choose something a little different from how you systemically eat--there is no cause to name a day after the occasion. So you didn't exercise today don't feel the need to proclaim you are taking a break when rest days are a part of any sensible health and fitness plan.

Who told you you had to make an excuse for not following your plan? Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (really would be more meaningful to read through verse 14). Today, walk and make choices as you are led by the Holy Spirit.

 

So when are you gonna help me lose weight?

I already have. That is the point of BE IN GOOD HEALTH. The approach starts with a path paved back to God. He is our creator and we must have a firm scriptural foundation for everything we endeavor to do in this life. In doing so, we assure our direction, approach, and destiny--not to mention our motivation and protection from all the forces that would stand in our way. I am helping you right now. Write me with your specific question (either on the blog or email me)--I wont turn you away. Together we'll turn to God.  Hebrews 12.2a Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

There is a transition that takes place when you attempt to make a change. Taking calculated steps ensures that we give transition (n.) the opportunity to occur then set in and become a part of our new lifestyle. Proverbs 3.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. It may seem slow but don't you want to finish strong? Say Lord, I need you in this area of my life. I recieve Your direction for making a permanent change.

Proverbs 24:27 Put first things first. Prepare your work outside and get it ready for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house and establish a home. There is a certain amount of mental and spiritual preparation we must do. Spend some time envisioning yourself as the new you. Eating well, exercising daily, making improved lifestyle choices. Think about what has to be different fromthe way you operate at present. Invite God to be involved. Write confessions accordingly and start saying them now.

Psalm 127.1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. God is giving us a warning that our attempts to build (do anything) are futile without Him. Its not a threat but rather an encouragement coming fom God who knows how humans are wired and wants to save you the trouble of starting something you may never truly finish with success and have the ability to maintain. Let Him in today.

Allow the time that it takes to meditate the scriptures on health and wellness and let the Holy Spirit have the opportunity to impart their truth to you. You are doing something. It is working. All the power of God is on your side!

Food & Beverage Recommendation 4 22 9

RAW. Thats the word of the day. Let me de-mystify it for you. Its not that big a deal. Anything thats not cooked, processed, or if it comes from the earth that way--then it is raw. See how easy that was? Start simple. Stick to it.

1. Raw Snacks

• Celery Carrots Tomato Cucumber (cut them yourself--when the store does it, they add preservatives)

• Nuts & Dates  (Walnuts, Almonds, Macadamia  not roasted or salted. Eat less peanuts.)

2. Salad (only veggies--try zucchini, pineapple, mushroom, coconut, sprouts, sugar snap peas, avacado, water chestnuts, peppers but never iceberg lettuce--there are so many varieties with more nutrient power to their punch!)

3. Fruit of your choice (not dried-- like raisins, or fruit you find in trail mix) Venture beyond apples, banana, orange, pear. Invest in some cute tupperware and take mixed berries or melon.

TIP: Keep the categories separate so you aren't eating the same thing all day. Variety is the spice of life.

There are other wonderful things you can snack on and put in your salad but just try to add one raw meal and one raw snack to each day--then we will work on doing more!

A Leaders Duty

I went to our churchs' monthly Leadership Meeting http://www.lwfc.org/ last night and I can truly say that I am growing. We talked about some of the things leaders must know, do, and possess. A common thread I heard was one of the tenets of Christianity that our church embraces, endorses, and executes and that is To Replicate Oneself in a protege'. In essence it is the building action of the kingdom of God. 'Go all over the world and teach people what you just found out...' (paraphrase Matthew 28.19). Jesus didn't tell His disciples to wait until you get a title or wait until you 'move into a leadership role'; He simply said learn this gospel let it affect you then go and tell someone else (paraphrase Luke 22.31-2). Being in a leadership role enables you to reach more people but it certainly is not a prerequisite to talk to people about the truth that is changing your life.

Everytime I hear something good at church I think of someone who may not have been in attendance and call them to fill them in. That is is our duty. These are words of life that are being given and because we so tenderly care for the people in our lives, I admonish you to share with them accordingly.

Likewise, I am compelled to share with you what God have undoubtedly commissioned me to tell the body of Christ concerning optimal health and fitness. Its your duty to recieve.

Give Give CHOOSE....

God through Jesus gives us eternal life for our future.

For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (John 6:37-40)

Jesus gives us abundant life for our present.

The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:7-11)

Then they give us a choice....

John 1.12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God even to them that believe on His name

Power in that verse doesn't mean strength or ability--it means CHOICE; that is to say He empowers Christians with the choice to make the decision to engage the process of becoming a son of God.  Did you realize you have a choice? Did you also know that you reaffirm that choice on a daily and decision-by-decision basis?

After having been bestowed two wonderful gifts like eternal and abundant life, we then must choose to live a God-centered lifestyle to realize or access the benefits from those gifts. The life Jesus promises has terms and conditions--namely doing things God's way. Stop making decisions that are incongruent with God's will found in His Word. Stop right now!

What does that have to do with thunder thighs? Surely He didn't promise that! Well no! but somewhere along the way we failed to adhere to His plan. Choose God today. Seek His way of managing your every affair and in doing so you will reap the fruits of living the abundant life.