Have you ever found yourself in the center of an amazing workout? You are 30 minutes in, breathing at an increased pace, and sweating just enough to let you know you're working hard, but can still turn it up a notch. The soft thump of your heart begins to play a song that drowns out the song being played on your IPod. A momentary glance at your reflection in the mirror elicits a bright smile and you think "looking good girl. He's going to be so impressed." That thought causes you to work a little harder, ignore the rumble of your stomach, and the burn of your legs. This is your body, but keeping it tight for him is the single most powerful motivator. Until.... He no longer pays any attention to how you look or better yet he leaves. His departure signals the end of long hours at the gym, light dinners, and overall healthy meals. You notice that you've gained a couple of pounds, but do nothing to curb it. You once ate to live, but now you live to eat.
Fitness goals are made for so many different reasons. The scenario I just shared is only one. When I consider the Christian purpose, I wonder how being physically fit could ever take a backseat. God has called us all to serve and do all that we can to spread His word. Service includes being mindful of what goes in our bodies and being in good physical health. When I neglect my body by eating poorly or choosing to not exercise, I neglect the responsibility of service that God has placed in all of our hands. I jeopardize the life that God has set before me. I jeopardize my relationship with Him. I become one that has to lament about my health instead of being in a prayer circle crying out to God for the health of others. My careless treatment of my body causes the focus to be on me instead of on God. Ultimately, if I am not physically fit, then I am not fit to serve. Please take your time pondering that.
Adayinthelife:-)
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
I Am Not Ashamed
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
I am an empty vessel waiting to be
filled but so afraid to truly
be poured out
or poured over
my spirit wrestles daily with my flesh
I am a healed body
completely whole now
but when the lights go out
There is still the glow from both scars and wounds
I am a Christian
Sold out
but I can't seem to get my soul out
from under the weight of my own rules
I am a fighter but right now
Right seems wrong to me
And anyhow
no one can understand what I'm going through
I am afraid to be free
Wondering how could Jesus let me
Walk around with his name as my badge when
I am stumbling
Can't stop
Walking upright then I drop
All the salvation it looked like I had..... But
I am scratching, clawing
kicking, screaming LORD HELP ME
I can't go back to where I began
I am a Christian
I am
And on His word I will stand
Lord don't let go of my hand
You are all that I've got... And
I am NOT ashamed
no I am not
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Like Bad Boy I can't stop
SpreadinYour Holy name....for
I AM NOT ASHAMED!
Adayinthelife:-)
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
I am an empty vessel waiting to be
filled but so afraid to truly
be poured out
or poured over
my spirit wrestles daily with my flesh
I am a healed body
completely whole now
but when the lights go out
There is still the glow from both scars and wounds
I am a Christian
Sold out
but I can't seem to get my soul out
from under the weight of my own rules
I am a fighter but right now
Right seems wrong to me
And anyhow
no one can understand what I'm going through
I am afraid to be free
Wondering how could Jesus let me
Walk around with his name as my badge when
I am stumbling
Can't stop
Walking upright then I drop
All the salvation it looked like I had..... But
I am scratching, clawing
kicking, screaming LORD HELP ME
I can't go back to where I began
I am a Christian
I am
And on His word I will stand
Lord don't let go of my hand
You are all that I've got... And
I am NOT ashamed
no I am not
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Like Bad Boy I can't stop
SpreadinYour Holy name....for
I AM NOT ASHAMED!
Adayinthelife:-)
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Erase It
Forget about yesterday....
I had the opportunity to talk with a 7 year old today about what we should do with mistakes. He said to me "yesterday was bad and I didn't do nothing right". I asked him what made him think like that. He said "you remember I just kept making mistakes". The look on his face was sad like he wanted to cry about it. I said to him here's what we're going to do. We're going to forget about it. He said, "but how? You know I didn't do good." I looked around the room for some visual that could help me. My eyes landed on a whiteboard eraser. I told him we can't do anything about what went wrong yesterday so let's just erase it like it never happened. He sat up straight in his chair and began to smile. "Are you serious? We get to erase it?" Yes, I replied. We already have.
To see him smile after was priceless. At 7 he had already learned that mistakes stick with you. They follow you around and cause stress long after they have been committed. The thing is, and this is no deep revelation, they don't have to. No one is exempt from making a mistake. Things happen sometimes in an instant. At others, the offense is a tad bit more calculated. Either way, when mistakes happen we have to do two things. 1. Own that it happened. 2. Erase it from our existence. These two are both important, but I must wager that the second is more so because it is linked to forgiveness. It was evident to me that the little boy hadn't forgiven himself for what happened. He hadn't taken the time to throw his mistakes away. There is nothing gained by forgiving others and continuing to punish yourself when you make a mistake. Own it, erase it, and move forward with your day.
Adayinthelife:-)
I had the opportunity to talk with a 7 year old today about what we should do with mistakes. He said to me "yesterday was bad and I didn't do nothing right". I asked him what made him think like that. He said "you remember I just kept making mistakes". The look on his face was sad like he wanted to cry about it. I said to him here's what we're going to do. We're going to forget about it. He said, "but how? You know I didn't do good." I looked around the room for some visual that could help me. My eyes landed on a whiteboard eraser. I told him we can't do anything about what went wrong yesterday so let's just erase it like it never happened. He sat up straight in his chair and began to smile. "Are you serious? We get to erase it?" Yes, I replied. We already have.
To see him smile after was priceless. At 7 he had already learned that mistakes stick with you. They follow you around and cause stress long after they have been committed. The thing is, and this is no deep revelation, they don't have to. No one is exempt from making a mistake. Things happen sometimes in an instant. At others, the offense is a tad bit more calculated. Either way, when mistakes happen we have to do two things. 1. Own that it happened. 2. Erase it from our existence. These two are both important, but I must wager that the second is more so because it is linked to forgiveness. It was evident to me that the little boy hadn't forgiven himself for what happened. He hadn't taken the time to throw his mistakes away. There is nothing gained by forgiving others and continuing to punish yourself when you make a mistake. Own it, erase it, and move forward with your day.
Adayinthelife:-)
Sunday, June 16, 2013
I'm A Witness
Did you ever pause to think about how God connects people? This past week one thing after the other made me think about it. A classmate posted a message on Godly marriage that I was able to share with others. The way that it touched people left me just thanking Him for His foresight. God put her and I together and it seemed to be about school. Truly it is all about Him.
Today I witnessed just how intricate God's plans for us are. I woke up this morning and went to meet the neighbors of my friend Elaine. They are a husband and wife who are expecting their first child in the coming weeks. Elaine suggested Mr. Ian as one of the father's that the ministry would surprise with gifts. I wanted to introduce myself to them before the ministry team showed up with father's day gifts. Mr. Ian and his wife were just finishing breakfast, but they welcomed me into their home as if I was a long lost friend. At that time, I thought that Mr. Ian was a little tired because he looked down. I kept my stay brief and promised to return with the ministry team and gifts in tow.
When we arrived with the gifts, he and his wife went from sad faces to beaming with joy. The smiles just went on forever. Mr. Ian said "you don't know what this means to me. Yesterday I lost my father." Finally, I understood that he had not been just a little tired. I offered my condolences as he continued to thank us for thinking of him especially at this time. He is mourning his father, but there was such joy on his face.
We left shortly after. I drove to Walmart lost in a totally different thought and then God reminded me that I had just been a part of His perfect plan. Before I fell in love and moved to Louisiana, God had Mr. Ian in mind. God knew the day that his father would be called. God knew that the ministry would reach out to father's on father's day. God knew that Elaine and I would meet, become classmates, neighbors, and finally friends. He placed the two of us together so that she could connect me with Mr. Ian and I could be a part of what put his mind back on God. The bible says blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Today God sent comfort to Mr. Ian. I am so thankful that He allowed me to be there to witness it.
Adayinthelife:-)
Today I witnessed just how intricate God's plans for us are. I woke up this morning and went to meet the neighbors of my friend Elaine. They are a husband and wife who are expecting their first child in the coming weeks. Elaine suggested Mr. Ian as one of the father's that the ministry would surprise with gifts. I wanted to introduce myself to them before the ministry team showed up with father's day gifts. Mr. Ian and his wife were just finishing breakfast, but they welcomed me into their home as if I was a long lost friend. At that time, I thought that Mr. Ian was a little tired because he looked down. I kept my stay brief and promised to return with the ministry team and gifts in tow.
When we arrived with the gifts, he and his wife went from sad faces to beaming with joy. The smiles just went on forever. Mr. Ian said "you don't know what this means to me. Yesterday I lost my father." Finally, I understood that he had not been just a little tired. I offered my condolences as he continued to thank us for thinking of him especially at this time. He is mourning his father, but there was such joy on his face.
We left shortly after. I drove to Walmart lost in a totally different thought and then God reminded me that I had just been a part of His perfect plan. Before I fell in love and moved to Louisiana, God had Mr. Ian in mind. God knew the day that his father would be called. God knew that the ministry would reach out to father's on father's day. God knew that Elaine and I would meet, become classmates, neighbors, and finally friends. He placed the two of us together so that she could connect me with Mr. Ian and I could be a part of what put his mind back on God. The bible says blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Today God sent comfort to Mr. Ian. I am so thankful that He allowed me to be there to witness it.
Adayinthelife:-)
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Herbie Man Is The Man
Honestly, it would be easier for me to write a book about what he means to me
Each page would be filled with words, but only a few would be able to
Read between the lines and see just how much my daddy loves me
Book one or maybe book two could be the one about how
I've always felt like he was the one who held each of my dreams
Each of my fears, each of my triumphs
More than an encourager, he listens when I am hurting
And laughs with me when the mood calls for it
No one in the world can love me like you do
Is how Ms. Anita Baker said it
She must have been singing about my dad
The early morning calls to start my day
Hours and hours on the job to make sure my life was ok
Each time I think of how he put his life on the line for
Me... Daddy, daddy, daddy it all
Amazes me.
No one in the world could love me like my daddy G-O-D!
***For those who don't know, Herbie man is my earthly father. I wanted to honor him and daddy God:-)*****
Adayinthelife:-)
Each page would be filled with words, but only a few would be able to
Read between the lines and see just how much my daddy loves me
Book one or maybe book two could be the one about how
I've always felt like he was the one who held each of my dreams
Each of my fears, each of my triumphs
More than an encourager, he listens when I am hurting
And laughs with me when the mood calls for it
No one in the world can love me like you do
Is how Ms. Anita Baker said it
She must have been singing about my dad
The early morning calls to start my day
Hours and hours on the job to make sure my life was ok
Each time I think of how he put his life on the line for
Me... Daddy, daddy, daddy it all
Amazes me.
No one in the world could love me like my daddy G-O-D!
***For those who don't know, Herbie man is my earthly father. I wanted to honor him and daddy God:-)*****
Adayinthelife:-)
Monday, June 10, 2013
4 Me
Sometimes I write and it is for other people. This is just for me. Just for me to think out some thoughts in poetic form.
The quietness that surrounds me
Would be greater if I heard the bird's song
If I heard the caterpillar's legs crawling across the leaves
The quietness would be better if it
Surrounded me like a blanket does on a cold morning
It would be better as a symphony
That provided the backing to an amazing movie
I love the way a movie score takes you through
Scene by scene...
Each song helps drive the story
I Still Believe is playing for me
Followed by the simplicity of Who Could Imagine a King?
Jamie Foxx is bringing tears to me
Singing I Wish You Were Here so sweetly
Agnes, Evora, Pop, and Ellease
Grandaddy "boy" sitting next to me
"I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here"
Adayinthelife:-)
The quietness that surrounds me
Would be greater if I heard the bird's song
If I heard the caterpillar's legs crawling across the leaves
The quietness would be better if it
Surrounded me like a blanket does on a cold morning
It would be better as a symphony
That provided the backing to an amazing movie
I love the way a movie score takes you through
Scene by scene...
Each song helps drive the story
I Still Believe is playing for me
Followed by the simplicity of Who Could Imagine a King?
Jamie Foxx is bringing tears to me
Singing I Wish You Were Here so sweetly
Agnes, Evora, Pop, and Ellease
Grandaddy "boy" sitting next to me
"I wish you were here
To see the things I've done
I wish you were here"
Adayinthelife:-)
Friday, June 7, 2013
Weeping May Endure For A Night....
2 Samuel 19:4 KJV
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
King David was no stranger to loss. He was a warrior that routinely went to battle. But, his familiarity with loss did not alter the sense of anguish he felt at the death of his son Absalom. He wept openly for him even though his son brought shame upon his house. He wept openly for him even though Absalom sought to take his life.
David behaved as most of us would have had we lost a child. He allowed everyone to see how the loss affected him. He gave himself completely over to weeping and mourning. He forgot about the circumstances that altered his relationship with Absalom and remembered how much he loved him. David's grief was effortless and genuine.
It is interesting how easy it is to weep. I wish it were the same with joy. We say weeping may endure for a night as freely as amen. This piece of scripture has become a stamp of approval for public spectacles. Go ahead and cry, mourn, and persevere through the trial is the thought. Sit in front of everyone as David did and let it all out.
"BUT JOY" are the words we should focus on. If we are to learn anything from the scripture, we will do exactly what the word but does in a sentence. We will negate "weeping may endure for a night" from our go to vocabulary and focus all of our energy on "joy cometh in the morning". Joy cometh in the morning means every single day that you rise, you should do so with the expectation of joy. Joy should flow down through the cracks of every conversation, every gesture, and every smile. It should be so much a part of who you are that you forget those words that once preceded....BUT JOY!
***Additional reference - Psalms 30:5*****
Adayinthelife:-)
But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!
King David was no stranger to loss. He was a warrior that routinely went to battle. But, his familiarity with loss did not alter the sense of anguish he felt at the death of his son Absalom. He wept openly for him even though his son brought shame upon his house. He wept openly for him even though Absalom sought to take his life.
David behaved as most of us would have had we lost a child. He allowed everyone to see how the loss affected him. He gave himself completely over to weeping and mourning. He forgot about the circumstances that altered his relationship with Absalom and remembered how much he loved him. David's grief was effortless and genuine.
It is interesting how easy it is to weep. I wish it were the same with joy. We say weeping may endure for a night as freely as amen. This piece of scripture has become a stamp of approval for public spectacles. Go ahead and cry, mourn, and persevere through the trial is the thought. Sit in front of everyone as David did and let it all out.
"BUT JOY" are the words we should focus on. If we are to learn anything from the scripture, we will do exactly what the word but does in a sentence. We will negate "weeping may endure for a night" from our go to vocabulary and focus all of our energy on "joy cometh in the morning". Joy cometh in the morning means every single day that you rise, you should do so with the expectation of joy. Joy should flow down through the cracks of every conversation, every gesture, and every smile. It should be so much a part of who you are that you forget those words that once preceded....BUT JOY!
***Additional reference - Psalms 30:5*****
Adayinthelife:-)
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