Apologize to your body

I have you ever thought of apologizing to your body?  I haven't either until I watched this sermon.  I have watched this three times and I will probably watch it again from time to time.  This video reminds us to be loving to ourselves.  Whether you are a man or a woman, we all need to watch this to remind us to love ourself.  I hope you enjoy!

Preparation

So it's been a while since I have given an update.  Honestly, I don't have the time to always write it down!  So much is going on and I'm trying to keep up!

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.  Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.  Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my door.  For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord.

  - Proverbs 8:32-35 (NIV)

One thing that has been going on with Sean and I is that we have felt God truly put this in our heart.  Sean and I had a conversation about a month ago on how we want to be healthier (we've had this convo multiple times).  This conversation was different though.  We have friends who are also aligning their bodies & their hearts to what the Lord wants for us.  We had the conversation of "what if"... 

"What if something catastrophic happened to our world?  Would we be ready?"  

Our answer was no at the time.  

Our answer is still no at this present time but we are starting to prepare ourselves for the "what if" and "what could" happen in the future.  The Bible prophecies these things and we believe we are in the last days.  We no longer have time to be slumber and be so drunk in the worldly things that we cannot even see what is happening in the spiritual realm. 

With this being our conversation on that day, we decided to find a new gym that has classes to take rather than just working out on our own.  We found a gym that does crossfit, bootcamp, and strike zone.  This is the perfect solution for us!  Sean can do crossfit and I could do bootcamp.  Sean has been wanting to do crossfit for a few years now and I finally caved in and decided that I will do it with him.  We have completed our intro classes and today we did our first crossfire class this morning.  It was a great first class as well.  The best part was that one of the owners taught our class and he really focuses on form and technique.  I look forward to doing more and getting stronger.

We are in a time to no longer be lazy.  We must get ready for what's to come.  We must follow the instructions of the Lord.  The Lord is pressing our hearts to get ready for Him, to get ready for His will for our lives.  I want wisdom and I want to be blessed because I listened to the Words of the Lord.

We have also been changing our diet slowly so that we don't get burnt out so quickly.  One of my favorite things I enjoy making is smoothies!  I love my smoothies!  They are so filling to me and I love just sipping on them throughout the morning for my breakfast.  The one pictured below has become a favorite recipe of mine.  It's a banana, peanut butter smoothie.  It's full of protein which is so good to have after working out.  Protein helps repair your muscles after working out.  Don't worry, I am not the person that will be a health expert and I don't plan on being that.  It's just a great journey that Sean and I have started.

 

Wednesday Wisdom

God has been doing some amazing things these last couple of weeks.  Sean and I are officially working with the youth now.  We are co-leading the Sunday school class and drama with another couple, who are amazing!  We have been spending more time with them lately and I am loving every second of it.  The youth here are great.  I'm still trying to get their names right and figure out who they belong to! We are already seeing God move in some of their lives and it's truly incredible to watch God transform someone into His image.  I know He's definitely molding me!

Now that we are involved with the kids, Ginger (wife of the other couple) and I want to have a day for the young girls about image.  We want to teach them the basics of hygiene, self-esteem, etc.. basically a girls' day.  So, I have a couple of books we can also teach or do a devotion together with them.  I came across an old book that I read in high school from a Bible study I attended.  I have started to read it again & within the first few pages God has already pointed this excerpt out:


"You are looking for rules to restrict their behavior.  Rules will not keep them.  The empowerment they need must be born out of relationship.  Change you focus from what they can't do to what they can do.  Tell them that they can go as far with their boyfriends as they are comfortable doing in front of their fathers.  For fathers are the protector and guardian of the virtue for daughters."
Kissed the Girls and Made them Cry by Lisa Bevere

This excerpt is regarding sex & relationships. How 'far' is it okay for kids to go, physically, in a relationship? The Holy Spirit revealed this revelation to Lisa Bevere when she was asked to speak on sex with teenage girls.  This answer is probably the best answer I have ever seen.  I know I will keep this answer in mind. 

I just wanted to share this because as a youth leader, I have been asked types of questions regarding relationships.  And sometimes I am not sure how to respond besides saying, "don't date at all."  So as a youth leader, I do feel like this is a great answer to tell students.  I do not want to say something without parents, either being there or saying something that the parents have not discussed with them.  Parents want & should be the ones discussing these topics with their children but we all know that this isn't always the case.  So, I encourage those who have to discuss these types of questions with students that this response is a great response to use.

Wednesday Wisdom

My mom sent this to me a couple of weeks ago and I still think about it daily.  It's definitely reminding me to not worry so much and that God truly knows what I need best. 

God doesn't give you the people you want; He gives you the people you NEED... to help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you into the person you were meant to be. 

I hope this encourages you as you go throughout your day today!  Be blessed today and know that you are in God's hands!!