Less Mess N' Stress

Praise To Complaints..

2011-05-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

I praise You for the great things.
I whine to You about the other things.
I see You provide my needs,
yet I fuss to get my wants.
You are always faithful,
Yet I still doubt you.
You rescue me,
But I still fear.
You love me,
But I feel unloved.
You made me,
But I dislike me.
O Lord, forgive me.

The Israelites were just rescued from Egypt. They saw the sea part. But the minute they were thirsty, they started whining and doubting God. For 40 years, we see this pattern in them. They see God do something big, but still doubt and sin. How foolish they were and how foolish we are at times.

May you and I remember what God has done and will do. May you and I open are eyes to see God today. May we ease our stress but trusting in a God who can do all things. (just read Exodus if you doubt)

Bad to Good

2011-05-06T06:09:00.000-07:00

Even if it feels the world, friends, family are out to get you, God knows how to make great things happen.

You intended to harm me, but God intendedit for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

O how I am beaten,
O how my body aches.
My heart was crushed.
It cannot withstand those who trample on it.
But , when I become weary,
My God becomes great!
What you tried to crush,
My God builds up!
Let me be weary no more,
let my God God be my my strength,
My Redeemer, my Savior.
And what you intended for harm,
My God intended for victory!

Facebook

2011-04-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

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Day 9

2011-01-18T13:45:00.000-08:00

10Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12

My prayer for you today is that God will sustain you and you will be in His presence as you start making wiser choices.

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life

Day 8

2011-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

Choose today to make your home a place of worship and just be in His presence.

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life

Day 7

2011-01-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

Lack of God, lack of exercise, lack of rest, lack of healthy food, all add up to equal lack of.....(insert your answer). As you ask God to restore, renew and create, what do you need to choose to change or add to your life?

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time.
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life.

Cry Out

2011-01-18T05:06:00.000-08:00

Psalm 51:10-12

Stop for a few minutes and use the scripture as your prayer today. I encourage you to look up all of Psalm 51 and cry out like David.

Challenge Day 5: Look Toward The Goal

2011-01-14T04:38:00.000-08:00

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ."
Philippians 3:13-14

No more excuses, no more trying, no more whining, no more pity parties...just choose to forget what is behind and strain toward the goal ahead... a woman of God who loves and give her life to God, who cares for the body God gave her and makes her home a place of refuge, worship and teaching.

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life

Challenge Day 4: New Year To Make A New Home

2011-01-12T13:18:00.000-08:00

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ."
Philippians 3:13-14

How do you move forward in your home? What is your goal? First remember that your home and everything in it is a gift from God. Treat it that way! Second, your children belong to God and it is your responsibility to train them in His ways. So there are your goals. Let's move toward them.

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life

Challenge Day 3: Be Prepared

2011-01-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ."
Philippians 3:13-14

So as you forget what is behind and began to move forward, are your physically prepared for what lies ahead? As you move forward make sure you are rested and in your best shape for whatever lies ahead. Get up and get moving!

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life.

Challenge Day 2

2011-01-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

Choose to look up and forward, no more looking behind. Today is a new day, move toward the future not the past.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ."
Philippians 3:13-14

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life.

New Year, Make New Or Same Old Choices

2011-01-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

Was God, health or your home in your New Year Resolution? Is it the same one you made last year? Have you already decided you will fail and it is all a dream? Are you ready and willing to choose God, better health and a home that glorifies God?

As you know, I will be blunt. So, here it is, you have control over your choices. You have to decide to stop making excuses, blaming others and make the wise choices. So do you want this year to be different or do you want to stay stuck in your same old ways?

If you are ready to choose, let's start with these few steps.

Take it one day, one choice at a time.
Start fresh everyday with your choices.
Remember it takes doing something a lot of times before it becomes a habit. So again one day at a time.
Accept the Daily Choices Accountability Challenge.
Do not buy one more magazine or how to book. You are just going to not read it and have one more thing in your room to put up.

So how will this work? You will put your accountability list in an email or facebook me or put it in a comment on the blog daily. I will post one scripture, one exercise tip, one home tip and one family tip each week. Each tip will be very short so you can start doing instead of just thinking about it. So if you are ready to be accountable for your choices:

1. Right now sign up by sending me an email, facebook message or post a comment on this blog.

2. Tomorrow evening check off task completed on Challenge list and send to me.

3. Every evening Monday- Friday do the same thing.

Daily Choices Accountability Challenge Checkoff list

Started day talking to God.
Worshiped God in car or home.
Read God's Word.
Exercised a total of 30 minutes throughout day.
Family cleaned up after dinner.
Picked up after myself.
Family picked up at end of day.
Had family or children devo time
Went to bed on time for a full night sleep.
Talked to my children about what God is doing in their life.

I hope you take this challenge. Growing closer to God, getting in better health, making our homes a refuge and a place of teaching is so important. Let me help you make those choices this year. And as I see you struggle with certain choices, I will pray for you and help you find the root of the problem. As you succeed in your choices, I will celebrate with you and praise God for what He is doing in your life.

And share this blog and challenge with a friend.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, I Choose...

2010-12-17T05:51:00.000-08:00

On the tenth day of Christmas, I choose ten less of something.
Nine dancing minutes, eight days of worship, seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

We live in a country where more is better, but truthfully less is more. So clean out ten items out of that closet. Have the whole family join in and have the kids clean out their toy or video games collection. Before Christmas morning comes and you add to your clutter, get a jump start by cleaning out a few things.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, I Choose...

2010-12-16T06:32:00.000-08:00

On the ninth day of Christmas, I choose nine dancing minutes.
Eight days of worship, seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

Ladies, let's start dancing. Get move and celebrate the season. Grab the kids, grab your hubby or grab a friend and dance to your favorite Christmas music. Dancing will burn calories, make you laugh and work off stress. So stop and enjoy the moment.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, I Choose

2010-12-15T05:09:00.000-08:00

On the eighth day of Christmas, I choose eight days of worship.
Seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

For the next eight days take a few minutes to worship before the Lord. Listen to the words of your favorite Christmas carol as you sing it to him. In all the craziness of the holidays, stop and kneel at the manger each day. And why not grab the whole family and come before God together. We want to make sure the "Christ" stays in Christmas. Why not start keeping "Christ" in Christmas in your own home?

On te Seventh Day of Christmas, I Choose

2010-12-13T19:37:00.000-08:00

On the seventh day of Christmas, I choose seven straightened cabinets.
Six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

I am not talking about an overhaul of your cabinets, but taking a few minutes to straighten them out and maybe donate a few items you do not use. Whether it is the kitchen, bathroom or in a room, just quickly go through them and get them in order. Maybe you need to re stack pans that were thrown in there or clean out old food or meds. And while you are switching form summer to flannel sheets, why not straighten the linen cabinet?

After you finish, you will feel better and not be embarrassed when your company shows up and opens a cabinet door. Let's be busy little elves and straighten away.

On the sixth day of Christmas, I choose

2010-12-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

On the sixth day of Christmas, I choose six minutes of moving.
Praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

For six minutes, run, jog, walk briskly, jump rope, skip or anything that gets you moving and your heart rate up. As songs go, "I like to move it, move it." Run off those sweets from the Christmas parties.

On The Fifth Day of Christmas, I Choose

2010-12-09T15:34:00.000-08:00

On the fifth day of Christmas, I choose praise God for 5 blessings.
Four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

During the holidays, we easily get sucked into the wanting more and buying more. Instead we need to take time to step back and rejoice for all our blessings. Stop alone or with the family and praise God for five blessings. Make a blessings already received list instead of a gift list.

Mine:
1.Blessed me with four children who have all come to know Christ and follow Him.
2. Blessed with needs being met before I even realize I have the need.
3. Blessed with a church that truly desires to come before God each week and serve others.
4. Blessed to wake up each day with a house, family and food.
5. Blessed to be loved by God in spite of who I am at times.

I would love to hear yours too.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, I Choose To

2010-12-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

On the fourth day of Christmas, I choose four clean floors.
Three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

You can choose closet floors or room floors. Today just pick up and straighten four floor spaces. Get the family to help you out. Just pick up and put up and see the floor again!!!

And I pray that you are enjoying this holiday season by stopping and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Take advantage of this time of year and do a family advent.

On the Third Day of Christmas, I Choose...

2010-12-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

On the third day of Christmas, I choose 3 exercises.
Two family verses and one organized drawer.

Tis the season to be busy, but it is also the season to over eat sweets. Why I hope you get time to work out, I challenge you to pick three exercises that you can do in a time crunch or add to your normal workout. It will keep you feeling better and there is nothing better than a workout and prayer to relieve stress.

Here are some idea:
5 min jog or jump rope
Crunches
Lunges
Kicks
Punches
Dance

On the Second day of Christmas, I Choose ...

2010-12-06T19:17:00.000-08:00

On the second day of Christmas, I choose two family verses...
and one organized drawer.

As a parent, we want to raise unselfish and giving children. Why not choose to focus on a couple of verses this holiday season and remember why we celebrate and the importance of sharing it with others.

Ideas:

Luke 2- Christmas Story
John 3:16 - sums up the greatest gift
Romans 6:23 - God's gift to us
John 1:4-5
Romans 8:32
And so many in the Psalms

On The First Day of Christmas I Choose To..

2010-12-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

It is time for Christmas!! A time of year that brings great joy yet so much stress. So, we are going to do 12 days of Christmas to help us get ready by distressing, decluttering and giving. Join me for the next 12 days as we make better choices.

On the first day of Christmas I choose to clean one messy drawer.

Whether it is a junk drawer, bathroom drawer or underwear drawer, just pick the drawer you dread to open and clean it out. I promise it will not take that long. And who knows what treasure you may find.

What To You Choose To See

2010-11-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Do you choose to see the storm clouds or the rainbow?
Do you choose to see what is missing from your cup or how much is left?
Do you choose the faults or the good in others?
Do you choose to look at what you want or see all that you have?
Do you choose to wish the day was over or live for that moment?

As we approach Thanksgiving, I challenge you to choose to see the positive and blessing in your life? Look for the rainbow, the good, the blessings that are all around you. The choice is yours to make.

So post in facebook, on here or write it down. I want to know about the rainbows and blessings in your life.

Write this verse on your mirror:
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

My life, I choose to offer prayers of thanks this week.

Count Your Blessings

2010-11-19T06:03:00.000-08:00

As you continue to think and pray about our discussions last week, I want us to pause this week for thanks. I want you to change your negative focus into a positive one. Once we stop and really look, you might be surprised at all your blessings.

We are going to make a 100 things to Thank God for this next week. I want you to post as a comment on here or on your facebook status or on the Body, Soul and Home page, 10-15 things a day you are thankful for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Here are 10 ideas:

Who made you smile today?
Who was there for you when you were sad?
What is a gift God has given you?
Name one person who loves you and would do anything for you.
What is the last present you received?
Did you wake up alive this morning?
What food will you have to eat today?
Are you able to have a Bible?
Do you have the freedom of communication?
Who is someone who has been teaching you?

Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever

All His

2010-11-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

It is Friday and hopefully you are still reading this blog. I know we have had to swallow hard this week, but I know when you and I become humble and listen to God...man, He is going to do something in us.

As you continue to swallow, digest and allow God to speak individually to you, please do not forget how much He loves you and has blessed you. The children that give you gray hair are a gift from God. He has chosen you to raise them in His ways. The house that you would rather burn than clean at this point is also a gift from God. He has provided a place of shelter and refuge and a place to love and serve others. And that body you see when you look in the mirror was created by God. Those hands, feet, eyes, and that mouth were put there by God so you may reach out to a lost and dying world. And all of it, my friend, belongs to God.

May we stop and praise God for the blessing He has given us. Today, may we start to make choices with these gifts that bring glory and honor to God. I pray you find true joy as you remember that it is all His and make yourself, your home and your life completely available to Him.

And since I have been pretty blunt this week, I want you to remember one thing. Listen to this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq29Owv_8yU&feature=related

Excuse, excuse, excuse

2010-11-11T05:56:00.000-08:00

Since I have been stepping on toes all week, (remember it is out of love) I might as well continue today in the home. So, ladies (and my couple of gents) are you ready to stop your excuses? Are you ready to get the priorities and purposes back in your home that God intended? Or (yes this sounds rude but, be truthful with yourself) do you want to keep whining like a two year old or a teenager with excuses?

The saying, "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," is very true. But mama needs to make choices that leads to a happy not so stressed home. So, mama, what choices need to change in your home?

For today, I want us to look at our own choices, not those of other family members. Let's transform ourselves before we go after the family. And because I have been a little blunt this week, we will start with the easy choices.

1. Choose to create an atmosphere that energizes and strengthens one another for the day.
Crank up the worship music in the car and/or at home. Take a minute for a quick family prayer about the day. Do not expect little angels if you let them start their day filling up on the world.

2. Choose to minimize.
Minimize the stuff in the schedule and the stuff in your home. Busy schedules and a house full of stuff is not making anyone happy. A hectic schedule makes you stress which makes your kids stress. A cluttered dirty house starts to drive you crazy and yet you buy more junk. Stop! If it makes you crazy why keep it.

3. Choose to turn it off.
Turn off the phones, TV and computers and sit down as a family over dinner or at least dessert. If all you do is harp on your kids and never stop to just talk, well how do expect to have a good relationship with them?
Also, just turn everything off so you can get laundry done or pick up or clean up from dinner. The longer you let things compile the longer it will take to fix it. If your child is struggling in school do you put it off until they fail? Of course you don't. Then why put off putting up a couple of things every day and not be left with a huge mess. Again, you are the adult and the one that should be teaching responsibility. You put off your chores for TV or the computer, do not be upset when your child or husband does the same.

You desire to raise godly, responsible, success free kids. It starts with you and I in the home. Are you ready to be the adult? If the excuse does not fly with you when your kids use it then it should not fly when you use it.

Ask and You Will Receive Good Health???

2010-11-10T06:17:00.000-08:00

(Before I began, let me say a few things. Unfortunately there are times in our life or a loved ones life that cancer or certain illness comes upon us. There is nothing we can do to prevent it and we may never understand why or how a person contracted the illness. The discussion below does not include these things. I am only discussing the things we can prevent or control by our choices.)

A verse quoted often is the 'ask and you shall receive.' But are you and I asking God to answer our prayers concerning our health and strength when we make choices to hinder our own health? Do you ask for strength for the day after we choose to stay up late watching pointless television or surfing the Internet? Do you ask for healing of an illness but not make lifestyle changes that will cure the problem? Are you waiting on God to heal and give you strength or is God waiting on you to make choices for your health so he can answer your prayer?

In my own life, I know because of family history I am at risk for diabetes, thyroid, breast cancer and heart problems. Now, do I just pray and ask God to not let me have any of these health issues and live any lifestyle? Or do I ask to God for his protection of these illnesses but also make choices to exercise, eat healthy and let my body get rest that may help prevent these issues?

Sometimes we cannot prevent illness and have to rely on the mighty healing power of God. But you and I can make choices that will give us better health now and in the long run. Only you can make better health choices for yourself.

What poor health is plaguing you or might in the future? Are you exhausted and run down most of the time? What choices can you make to change theses things?

And as I have said before, God created you. You are a child of God. So why not make choices that honor God and our bodies so we are ready to be used by God?

Here are few ways to get started:
1. Give yourself a bed time. You require sleep so get it.
2. Add some healthy choices to your menu.
3. Pray to God for wisdom on healthy choices and ask for forgiveness on the choices you have made that have caused poor health.

No More Excuses

2010-11-09T05:12:00.000-08:00

Do you schedule around God or fit God in somewhere around you schedule?

Remember when answering this question, honesty is the best policy. More than likely you desire to put God first, but on most occasions you squeeze God into your hectic schedule. This is one choice and one habit, you and I need to change.

Today the excuses stop.

1. No more 'I was so tired, I needed the sleep.'

Turn off the TV and computer and either be with God before bed or go to bed on time so you can get up in the morning. Or maybe your lunch break would be a better time for God. Make God your lunch date.

2.No more 'I have little ones at home and they do not give me a moment.'

I have four kids and have had a small child in my house for 14 years. I understand them being at your feet all day. So maybe the one year old will not understand everything you say, but why not read it to them. Or maybe some days your bible study will be out of his/her devotional Bible. God has spoken to me through my kids studies. What a great example and memory your children will have of the importance of studying God's Word.

3.No more 'I do not know what to read in the Bible.'

In the age of the Internet, this excuse is long gone. You can sign up for daily reading plans. You have access to sermons and teachings. And no church falls short of offering Bible studies. You can do a Beth Moore study and never run out of them. For reading plans, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/. Any Beth Moore or Stormie Omartian (great ones on prayer) study I would reccommend plus there are many more out there, also.

4.No more running or hiding from God.

We will cover this more next week. But God knows, so it's time to just bring it before Him.

Ladies, like I said yesterday (remember it is in love and I say it to myself, too), you and I cannot act like a little 2 year old who does not know better or be a teenager full of excuses. We are grown ups and we should start reflecting that in our walk with God. Remember we are to have faith like a child not act like a child.

Hebrews 5:11-15
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Choose To Stop Being A Baby

2010-11-08T05:03:00.000-08:00

First, let me apologize for our journey having to take a pit stop. Now I am back and hope you join me again. Below is just a reminder of where we were in our journey. But I do have one thing to add before we begin this week. It may step on your toes, but these words come out of love for you and my desire for you to have the life with God He has planned for you.

You and I can no longer make excuses about our choices. Based on our age and the fact we know enough about God, we should be making better choices. As your child grows up, you expect them to become more mature and responsible. A 10 year old should not be in diapers and drinking from a bottle anymore. My dear friend, you and I should not be that 10 year old wanting someone to put a bottle in our mouth. It is time we choose to grow up, stop waiting for others to take care of our problems and stop being selfish like a newborn infant. It is time for you and I to grow and mature in our walk with God and for our lives to reflect and glorify Him.

(Again these words come from my love for you and these words are for myself too)

Choose God
1.Choose to study John 15 this week.
2.Choose not to hit the snooze and spend 10 minutes in prayer.
3.Choose to give up 30 minutes of TV time, facebook or reading time to spend in God's Word.

Choose a Healthy Body
1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time so you can get up to pray.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
Maybe a workout during a TV show or a walk during lunch or during your child's practice.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home
1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. Schedule a once a week family prayer time before bed or maybe in the car if you have a commute.
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything (family and home) is a gift from God. Treat it that way.

Why You Must Choose God

2010-10-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Before we look at our schedule, I want to remind you why choosing God everyday is so important. My pastor reminded me and our congregation this Sunday so I am going to relay a couple of Pastor Darius Johnston's points.

Read the verse above a few times. Did you get the point on why you must choose God everyday? If you are not connected to God, you can do nothing. If you are not plugged in daily to God, there will be no fruit. Let it sink in for a moment. Without being plugged in to God, even your actions will produce nothing.

Take a deep breath, breathe in and out and let us look at our schedules. Your crazy schedule is not working because you are not plugged in to the power source. You are tired, weary and sad because you are not completely plugged in. So, how are you going to plug into the power source?

If you do not hit snooze, can you get 10-15 minutes of prayer before you start your day. Post scripture in your bathroom, kitchen or where ever you start your day to claim and pray. And what about the end of the day or maybe small children's nap time, can you spend time reading God's Word? It is part of the power source.

Read the passage below. Write it and put it in your bathroom, car and kitchen. Memorize it this week. Have the whole family memorize John 15:5.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8

Time with God and His Word should go on our schedule first and everything else around it. Whether it is choosing not to hit the snooze, read the bible instead of a book at night, watch one less TV show so you can read His word, you must and have to choose to plug into the power source. Otherwise you are producing nothing.

I would highly recommend listening to my pastor's sermon once it is online. Go to http://www.christchurchfw.com and click on podcast. It will be the sermon from 10-25-10.

So before you start your week with no power, choose to plug in.

Make adjustments and plan the week

2010-10-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some suggestions as you look at your schedule from last week and better choices you can make in your schedule. We will go into more detail and ideas as we get into the week

Choose God
1.Choose to study John 15 this week.
2.Choose not to hit the snooze and spend 10 minutes in prayer.
3.Choose to give up 30 minutes of TV time, facebook or reading time to spend in God's Word.

Choose a Healthy Body
1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time so you can get up to pray.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
Maybe a workout during a TV show or a walk during lunch or during your child's practice.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home
1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. Schedule a once a week family prayer time before bed or maybe in the car if you have a commute.
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything (family and home) is a gift from God. Treat it that way.

A letter from me

2010-10-22T04:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Friend,

Life has not turned out the way you planned. As a little girl, you dreamed of what your life would be one day. Unfortunately, reality has crushed and changed those dreams. At times you have hope and other times hope seems to be gone. But my dear sweet friend, there is a dream, a plan for your life, your home, your children. It is so much bigger than you or I can imagine.

Will you join me and start to live the dream God has planned for you? If you close your eyes imagine what God would do for you. Are you ready to start taking steps and making choices that lead to what God has promised?

We will look at where we have been, where we are and where we can be if you and I start making choices to live for Christ including in our health and homes. Through this journey we will cry, laugh and shake our heads, but in the end we will experience something grand.

I want to change my life, my children's life and generations to come. The choice we make today could impact generations to come. Let's impact them for God!

Finish your homework for the week, and next week you and I will start a journey on our choices. Be ready to surrender your life, your health, your home to God so God can do His thing. And what an amazing thing it will be for you, myself and our families!

Please invite others to join us. Let us share this experience and God's plan with others.

Your sister in Christ,
GaLynn

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Titus 2:3-5
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Deut. 6:4-9
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31
10 [ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Choices of the Home

2010-10-21T06:21:00.000-07:00

As you are keeping track of your schedule this week, ask yourself these questions.

1. What does my schedule say about the home? Is it just a place to sleep and eat? Does it serve a purpose? for the family? for others?
2. Does my schedule include time to care for home or do I just squeeze it in?
3. Does my hectic schedule overwhelm me or does my home overwhelm me?
4. Does my schedule and time allow my home to be a place of refuge, teaching, serving and worship?

Keep tracking your time and answering questions. Remember to be honest so you can truly see your choices. And do not criticize or condemn yourself for any choices. God does not condemn just convicts. Be sensitive to the Spirit but do not let the enemy tear you down.

A Look At Your Health Choices

2010-10-19T18:30:00.000-07:00

I hope you have started recording how you spend your time. As you are recording the time spent, I want you to record the time you go to bed and the time you fall asleep each night this week. And then write down the time your alarm goes off and the time you actually get up. Plus make a side note of time you need to get up to have a smooth morning.

Plus I would like you to figure the average time you spend on TV and the average time on the computer. Add to the average time, what time of day you watch TV? For example, do you watch it right before bed, morning, afternoon?

And there is one more thing to record. I need you to write down what you eat or at least what fruit and veggies you eat throughout the day.

Continue recording all this information. We will be using it next week. Remember, we cannot know what choices to change until we see the ones we need to change.

May you all have a blessed week.

Choosing To Make God a Priority

2010-10-18T18:12:00.000-07:00

If I were to ask if God was the number one thing in your life, you would probably answer yes. And in our hearts, God may be the most important, but in our life, in our time, in our homes - not so much. You and I have chosen to make other things a priority. Some choices come after deep thought, others just tend to happen unintentionally.

Because I know you desire to have a more intimate relationship with Christ and truly want to sit in His presence everyday, I want to help you. You are going to closely look at where your time is going each day. Now, I know you think you know your schedule but I want you to look at it closely this week.

Get a notepad and write down the time you spend doing everything. I mean everything from time hitting snooze to picking out clothes to driving in the car. Write it all down (don't forget time on phone.) Do not judge your schedule or beat yourself up. Just write and then we will discuss.

But if you want to cheat and go ahead and spend time with God, I will let you.

Plan Your Week Now

2010-10-17T15:29:00.000-07:00

Let's get ready for our week by making the choice to plan it out.
Choose God

1.Pick a Book or chapter of the Bible for this week. If you do not have one, may I suggest Psalm 27 or Deut. 6 for this week.
2.Choose to pray before you get out of bed. Don't forget your armor.
3.Choose a time for quality prayer time and personal worship for this week. Put it on your schedule.

Choose a Healthy Body

1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies) .

Choose to make it God's home

1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. (check out website for printable family devo. www.bodysouandhome.com)
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything, family and home, are a gift from God. Treat it that way.

Choosing the Purpose of Your Home

2010-10-12T19:32:00.001-07:00

(Last review. If you have read this a year ago, I encourage you to read it again and see if your answers have change any.)

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Prov. 14:1

You live in a house, apartment or duplex. It might be huge. It might be small. You may live alone or you share it with many. But to each and every one of us that place is our home.

So what is the purpose of a home? Think about it for a minute and write down your answers somewhere.

Now I want to know what purpose is your house serving. Try to be honest when answering that question.

There are a couple of purposes that are obvious: a place to eat and a place to sleep. But I think there are other purposes of the home that we have forgotten or have such a mess in our homes we cannot let the home serve its purpose.

1. A place of worship
2. A place of refuge for ourselves and for others
3. A place of teaching
4. A place to serve

You might be thinking that sounds like a church. I would have to agree it does, but I think it still is the purpose of the home. Please open your mind for a minute and listen.

1. A place of worship: Whether you live alone or have a family, we should be coming before the Lord in prayer and in song. We should praise him when we sit to eat, when we rise, when we lay down, when we feel the breeze or raindrop in the backyard, and even when we hear our noisy healthy kids run through the house.
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips." Psalm 34:1

2. A place of refuge: After a long day, our home should be a place we can take a break from the world. It should be a place others know they can come when they are hurting.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

3. A place of teaching: If you are a parent listen carefully, your home is the most important place in your child's learning. I am not talking academically or athletically. I am talking about the spiritual training. It is to start in the home. If you are not a parent, it may be learning with your spouse, roommate or even a neighbor that is watching.
"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:7

4. A place to serve: We should be serving one another in our homes. We should be helping one another not waiting on someone else. We may not physically wash each other's feet, but we should be willing to serve our family members or roommate in the way needed.

We will get into each one of these in days to come, but for now ask, are the purposes of my home a choice? Have I chosen the right purposes for my home? Can my home even have a purpose because I have chosen to let it be such a mess? Are my choices building my house up or tearing it down? Have my choices put more of the world than of God in my home?

I am so ready to dive into all of the discussions, but I will have to wait. I want you to reflect on the choices you have been making for your home. I want you to go before God and ask Him to show you the choices you have made that negatively and positively impact your home. Most importantly, I want you to praise Him for your home. We are so blessed to live in places that have four walls, a floor, and a roof over our heads. So many do not even have that privilege.

I look forward to the days ahead and the journey we will take together. Please choose to join me on this journey as I learn with you and you with me

Why Choose To Be Healthy?

2010-10-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

(Still reviewing why we are making these choices)
*This is about physical health. But it is not a focus on your weight.

Your five year old has a specific bed time of 8 p.m. Company comes in town for a few days and your child does not get to bed until after 9 p.m. Sometimes it is almost 10. After a couple of days of less sleep, your sweet child has become Godzilla destroying anything and everything in his/her path. And you can forget about taking your child to church on Sunday mornings because they are so tired.

Have you been choosing not to be physically ready for day to day life and any challenges that come your way? Have you been choosing not to get the enough rest and therefore can be very irritable?

Physical Health Choice: Will I choose to exercise regularly so I will have the endurance for today and the next challenge? Will I choose to get the rest I need so I do not go Godzilla on my family and friends?

Are you thinking about telling me that you have tried? Admit it, you just did. Are you thinking of all your excuses why you haven't? I am a mother of four and the wife of a quadriplegic. Yes, I know there are times when you have to take care of a sick kid or a newborn. I have slept on a hospital cot for days at a time when my husband is in the hospital. I have been up all night with a friend who is facing a crisis. There are times when sleep in not an option. But because there will be times of illness and emergencies, you have to choose to take care of your physical health. It is something else we cannot "try" to do. We must and have to choose to exercise and get the rest we need so we will be ready to serve God and alert to trials and temptations.

So, how do you stop trying and choose to exercise and get the rest you need? It is a change of mind. Our only reason for exercise cannot be because we want to look better. Think about the show "The Biggest Loser." Every contestant is tired of the way they look, but most of them have another motivation. It is usually health and sometimes that they want to be healthier so they can be a better parent. As believers in Christ we also have another reason.

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
1 Corinthians 6:20

Whether you are 100lbs or 200lbs, you need exercise to be healthy, and you need to be healthy so you will have endurance for the race God has chosen for you. It may be endurance to raise your children. It may be endurance to travel to a nation in poverty. It may be endurance to teach and love a classroom of children. It may be endurance to care for a terminally ill family member. It may be endurance to work a demanding job and be a loving spouse. If we are not taking care of our physical health by exercising on a consistent basis, we are going to be like a high school football player on the first day of practice in 105 degree weather. We are going to have severe exhaustion because the pressure and heat wear us down too quickly.

Getting enough rest is another area we need to have a change of mind. We usually get too little sleep until we cannot go any longer and then we crash. But just like that three year old child's exhaustion affects you, your sleep deprivation affects others, too. You know that the more tired you are the less patient you become, the less productive you become, the less kindness you may show, the less likely you are to spend time with God. Your choice not to get enough rest leads into many more bad choices. And will those choices reflect...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23

In the last blog, we admitted that we must choose God; it is not option. We must choose to come before Him every day so we can face what comes our way and answer God when He calls. But if we choose to survive on little sleep, we lose focus and that could mean we lose focus of God. If we let our bodies become weak and fragile, our health could hinder us.

We must choose God. We must choose to exercise and get rest. Those couple of choices will start affecting so many more. You get a full night's sleep, you wake up refreshed and able to focus on God first thing. You go for a walk or run and use that time to focus on God, worship God or enjoy time with a loved one. And then you are refueled and re- energized both spiritually and physically. You are getting strength and endurance from God and your body will gain strength and endurance. Can you imagine how that will impact other choices and those around us? Do you realize the burden and stress that will be gone because you have given it to God and worked it out in your exercise. Are you getting the difference these choices can make? I know you want it. But don't say you will try, say I WILL CHOOSE.

Choosing God Today Is Not An Option

2010-10-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

(This is from one of my first blogs, but a little review never hurts. And I hope this speaks to those of you who are new.)

Today you choose to go to work even if you wanted to stay home. You choose to feed your kids even though you know they will gripe about what you feed them. You choose to brush your teeth so you will not offend anyone with your breath. You choose those things because you know they are not an option. If you keep choosing not to go to work, you lose your job. If you keep choosing not to feed your kids, they might attack you or your kitchen. If you keep choosing not to brush your teeth, well let's say your friends will only talk to you on facebook. If you keep choosing not to put God first, you will...I think you can finish that statement.

Your first choice of the day is to talk to God. It is a choice, but is it an option? Will you be tempted today? Will there be opportunity to stumble or stay on path? Will there be a trial?

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

Is it an option? No. We have to choose to start our day with God. We need to humble ourselves before Him so we remember we need Him. We need to shout out His names and remember who He is. We need to praise God for who He is and what He has done so we will remember what He can and will do. We need to clothe ourselves with the Armor of God so we will be prepared for the battles. We need to pray for our eyes to see others the way Christ sees them so we may see their needs. We need to pray for our ears to listen not only to God but to others calling out for help. We need to pray for our mouths to speak only in truth and in love. We need to pray for our hands so that they may serve. We need to pray for our feet so they are ready to go when called.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when (notice it is when not if) the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:13-18a

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I will sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts."
Psalm 92:1-6

Choose to call out to God first. Choose to sing His praises first thing in the morning. Instead of the news or cartoons, play worship music or worship dvd for kids. Read a Psalm to start your day and see how that choice affects your other choices throughout the day. Notice how you hold your tongue better. Have more patience in the grocery line because a worship song is stuck in your head. Not yell at the car that cuts you off, but you thank God for His protection instead. Your first choice will affect many, so what will you choose? And remember it is as much of an option as it is to brush your teeth.

Now stop trying and choose to call on God. Put a note that says "What will I choose?" on your bed, on your bathroom mirror, on the TV or remote that you usually turn on, or on the toilet paper roll. Put it anywhere that will remind you of your first choice.

And remember...
1.Choose God
2. Choose a healthy body. (More tomorrow)
3. Choose to make it God's home. (More on Thursday)

Stop Trying, Just Choose

2010-10-10T18:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, even though I may not be near you, I know you are still in that 'I will try to do better' mindset. Well, stop trying and start choosing day by day. And for now this blog will remind you of those daily choices. The simple choices you make today will impact not just today but tomorrow and the next.

Choose God

Pick a Book or chapter of the Bible for this week. If you do not have one, may I suggest Proverbs 31 for this week.
Choose to pray before you get out of bed.
Choose a time for quality prayer time and personal worship.

Choose a Healthy Body

Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time.
Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day)
Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home

Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture.
Choose to schedule chores for everyone.
Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week.
Choose to remember that everything, family and home, are a gift from God. Treat it that way.

This will be the beginning of each week. Tuesdays will cover more on choosing God. Wednesdays will cover choices on your health and tips. Thursdays will cover choices in our home and tips. Fridays will be about accountability.

So all you have to do now is make your choice, what is it going to be today?

It is all God's

2010-09-29T05:29:00.000-07:00

I took a little break, but I am back. I am looking forward to guiding you to a life of less mess and stress. We are going to do things a little different on the blog, but my prayer is that it enables you to live it out.

But before we start it next week, I have one thought to share with you.

Your life, Your home, Your family and Your body all belong to God, are a gift from God and were created by God.

Please spend few days before God acknowledging these facts. Ask God to change your mind set that everything is yours and change it to everything is His.

Your children belong to God, you were chosen to raise them in the ways of the Lord in your home (also a gift from God).

You were created by God so that you may glorify Him and be used by Him.

You are God's child, chosen by Him.

As you change your mind set, will you be ready to live out your life as if it all belongs to God?

I am looking forward to Monday when we begin this journey together.

Survivor

2010-06-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, I survived. My house survived. My family survived.

After putting everything into practice for 6 weeks while I worked a full time and part time job, I can now completely prove it works. (And completely prove, I am not a 5 am morning person, no matter how much sleep I get.) Setting a bed time for myself, a schedule for the family and household chores, and meal planning to fit our schedule worked.

While I would be exhausted after two jobs in one day, my body still got the required sleep it needed. I continued to use the morning commute for worship and time in God's word (with the occasional disruption of moody children.) Scheduled family chores kept the laundry done, kitchen clean and house picked up. And thanks to a persistent 5 year old, we still had family prayer time. While there were not so perfect moments, all in all it went better than I thought it would.

So what did I learn through these six weeks? I think my quote would say, "While life around you may get chaotic, you can choose to outwit the chaos." It may take a little planning and sticking to a schedule, but in the end you have time to breathe and avoid becoming overwhelmed because things do not pile up on you.

Whether you have snickered or rolled your eyes at my theories on choices, I am here to say they do work. Simple daily choices make a huge difference in your life. So, may I encourage you to choose God, choose rest and exercise, choose to make your home a place of refuge. It is the only way to survive this chaotic world and whatever it throws at you.

4 weeks and counting

2010-05-04T06:20:00.000-07:00

"Survival of the fittest"

"Only the strong survive"

"Where there is a will, there's a way"

Survive, strong, will, way? After the first two weeks of a crazy schedule with two jobs, I am so glad I do not live by motto's. I rejoice that I do not have to depend on my own strength and will to survive. How excellent it is that there is someone who sees the bigger picture and is someone I can depend on yesterday, today and tomorrow.

My God is truly awesome in the fact how He has been preparing me for this time even if I did not realize it. All my studying and writing were a training ground for now. But the funny part is I was writing for you because I did not know God had this season of extra serving planned for me. A smile just comes to my face when I think about it.

Even though not everything has been perfect and patience has been lost, priorities have stayed in place. With careful planning, family dinner has stayed in place. God has stayed a priority in my own life and the kids have not lost their focus. And the best part, we have still had the energy and time to open our home on the weekends to other kids. Oh, and there has been the miracle of getting to bed on time.

My goal this week is to find a little more time to workout a little longer. Being in a computer lab means sitting a lot more. I am going to have to increase my workout or find a creative workout at the desk.

My journey has been interesting. I am finding my strengths and weaknesses. Four more weeks are left on this journey and though I may grow tired I look forward to what God has to teach me. And so far I have learned whether you are the strongest or the weakest, I serve a mighty God who will win.

Can I get a WOO, WOO?

Control

2010-04-27T12:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I cannot believe things are going so well. Chores are staying done and on time. I even had myself ready and cooked a healthy TAKS breakfast for the kids and still left the house by 6:30 a.m. Plus having bathroom duty at the school meant I got to read a whole book.

As crazy as it seems, the chaos is not controlling us, we are controlling the chaos. Our biggest problem yesterday was an argument over the correct size of a bite. Evidently, it is a hard concept for a teenage boy to understand. And there were a few minutes of a sibling spat. But really yesterday and today have ran smoothly.

Making the most of every opportunity has been crucial. Using the morning commute for worship has been wonderful. While the girls are taking a bath, preparing lunch or items for dinner the next night gives me more time with them or time for sleep later. Making sure everyone lays out their clothes the night before saves so much time in the morning. (And making myself stick with what I picked out for myself helps too.) Using bathroom duty to read a good book was enjoyable. And using the lack of quality television to be in bed at nine, well, let's just awe! God, communication, organization and not worrying has made this crazy time very enjoyable.

I have to laugh at myself for thinking God was crazy for asking me to step up and the finish the school year. It seemed maybe he had lost his mind. So God was right when he said "trust me."

So three more days of subbing and two clients do not worry me at all. We will survive and when I think I might not at least I know who to lean on.

Here I go...

2010-04-26T05:42:00.000-07:00

*In case you do not know: Last week a teacher unexpectedly passed away. The principal asked me to finish out the school year in her computer lab. So, I am working full time at the school, keeping my own business going, being a mom of four and continuing my writing. Therefore, I am using this blog to journal the next 5 weeks because everything I have been teaching you on choices to have less mess and stress I will have to put into practice.

My Monday actually started last night at 5 p.m. After a wonderful morning of worship and an afternoon of rest in the sun, the family and I started preparing for our week. And I was actually pretty proud of everyone for their effort.

(Part of surviving the next five weeks will only work and be enjoyable if it is a family effort. Last week I made a chore chart for each day of the week so every one knows their responsibilities. We had a family meeting to discuss how important it was for everyone to pitch in.)

At 5 pm on Sunday, laundry was sorted and ready to be washed. The boys finished up the yard work since we had been out of town. My girls cleaned up their toys and pulled out their outfits for Monday. Even my five year old packed her bag for granny's house, shoes and all.

After such a great group effort, we all sat down for dinner at 6 p.m. Of course after dinner, everyone helped with clean up (it is on the chore list) and I even packed my lunch for today. Following dinner, bath rotation and devo time started.

I even got in an ab and leg workout while talking to my mom on the phone. (which is easy since she does most of the talking. Love ya, mom.) Plus all the laundry was washed and sorted by person so they can put it up when they get home today. (tip: I start with the smallest and fastest drying loads and end with the biggest and slowest drying load)

Even though I was in bed on time, 5 a.m. came very early. My body is still adjusting to 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. I was able to be ready by 6 a.m. and get the kids up to get ready. Even with one extra person in our house, we were ready to leave at 6:30 am. All beds were made and house was neat (because of cleaning up last night). We will come home to put up laundry and fix dinner.

My commute is 45 minutes to the school. It is a great time to crank up the worship music. Listening to the words of the song and watching the sunrise over the beautiful fields is a great way to start the day. And thanks to technology, I read a couple of Psalms on my phone. No, I was not driving. And just before arriving, I used the chorus of Brandon Heath's song, Give Me Your Eyes, as a prayer for myself. It is so important that I truly do see each of these students through God's eyes and let God use me to reach them.

Now, it is time to sub. My goal today is to figure out some desk workout moves since I am sitting at a desk more. Plus be there for any kid who needs me. And I am very excited I only have this job today.

It is Well

2010-04-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

I am postponing writing about my day. Today, my heart mourns as we lay to rest a precious teacher, mother, grandmother and friend, Mrs. Patsy. Yet I rejoice because she has gone home to be with the Lord.

This week and the following five weeks, I will run her computer lab. It is very difficult to sit in her room, but at the same time witness all the lives she has touched. Mrs. Patsy worked 27 years at this school. What a blessing she has been to so many faculty and students!

While we mourn, she is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. And the song, "It is Well With My Soul," seems to be appropriate when you face a loss like this one.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)

What makes this song hit home is the story behind it. The article below is from http://christianmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/hymn_it_is_well_with_my_soul

Text Author and Hymn-Writer Horatio G. Spafford
Spafford was born on October 20, 1828 in North Troy, New York. He was a successful lawyer in Chicago who maintained a keen interest in Christian activities, deeply spiritual and devoted to the scriptures.

Chicago Fire and a Son's Loss
Sometime in 1871, a fire in Chicago heavily devastated the city, and months before that , Spafford had invested hugely in real estate by the shore of Lake Michigan. The disaster greatly wiped out his holdings. Before the fire, Spafford also experienced the loss of his son.

Calm Before Spafford's Worst Life Storm
Two years after the fire, Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.

__________________________________________

After that tragedy is when he wrote the song.

I do not know what tragedy is in your life. You, like me, may be mourning the loss of someone close to you. Maybe you are in a battle for your own life. Maybe you have lost everything financially. May you, like Horatio, feel God's presence and comfort in your life today.

Listen to the words and picture a man out at sea mourning the loss of his family. Listen to it again and claim those truths for your own life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOKQu4-ZVlk

Hello

2010-04-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

I hope you have started the Choice and Consequence Journal study. I just finished writing Week 2 and will have it on the website sometime on Thursday. I am really excited about us looking at the choices we have been making and learning.

And coming in the next couple of days, I will be blogging my own personal journey of choices each day. Everything I have written I will have to put into practice to survive the next six weeks. Stop by and see how I am doing.

Remember the Choice/Consequence Journal Study is on the website http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

Plus check out the family devo and prayer journal.

New Study...Sort of

2010-04-18T20:55:00.000-07:00

God has really laid on my heart to continue with the Choice/Consequence Journal. I have already put the first week on my website. Since you will need to be writing more on this one, it will be available to download on my website. It is still free so do not worry.

You will have a topic to think about and then will fill out the journal. I encourage you to do the journal. I truly feel it is the next step in making better choices.

I will also be posting some other material on scheduling, action plans and organization real soon. Plus I will be adding family workout videos to the website in the next couple of days. And be sure to check out the Family Devotional and Prayer Journal on my website too. It is all free to download.

Please continue with me as we get rid of the mess and stress. And let God get control of our body, soul and home.

front page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/
Body page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/biography.html
Soul page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html
Home page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/shows.html

Blog 100

2010-04-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Wow, 100 blogs!!! You have been listening to me ramble for awhile now. Hopefully, God has used me to challenge and encourage you. Out of 100 blogs, there are a few points I hope you have come to understand and apply.

1. Choose God daily!!!! Choose to be with Him and live your life for Him. (Not an option at all.)
2. Choose to take care of your health through rest and exercise. God needs you ready to do His work.
3. Choose to make your home a place of refuge, teaching, serving and worship. There is not a lot of hope in this world, but we should make sure it is in our homes.

I do not know about you, but God has done some amazing things in my life as I traveled on this journey with you. I have truly enjoyed this journey even though I had to be smacked upside the head a few times to live out what I was typing. But as I have been faithful in the choices to live for God, take care of my health and make my home a place of hope and learning for my children, God is really start to work in my family's life.

May you be encouraged as you continue on your journey to know and serve Christ. Remember, God has chosen you. Now, let's choose Him.

I will be creating a new study journal as we continue on our journey of choices. Plus I will also have a family devotional study. You all have become my friends and I hope you continue on this journey with me. I love you all.

And I know most of you are quiet and do not like sharing, but I would love to hear your stories and lessons God has been teaching you on this journey.

April Week 2 Day 4: Learning From Our Choices

2010-04-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

Here are some more questions to use to write in your Choice Consequence Journal. Remember they are not to make you feel bad or condemn you. I want you and myself to learn from our previous choices, good and bad, and use that wisdom in the future. Let's be good students and learn from God's teaching.

1. What is a good choice I have made on my physical health? Bad choice?
2. What is a choice I have made about getting or not getting rest?
3. What is a choice I have made on making or not making my home a place of refuge?
4. What is a choice I have made on choosing to make or not make God a priority?

Use the Choice/Consequence journal sheet to answer each question. Just click on the link to my website. It is on the right hand side under Study links.
http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 4
Choose to read the passage above and claim it as truth. Choose to believe, know it and apply it.
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to put up the laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep

April Week 2 Day 3: Let's Choose To Learn

2010-04-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

Today, I am not going to talk too much. I want you to do the writing. I just have a few guidelines.
I would like for you to print or use as an example the Choice/Consequence Journal. It is on my website on the Soul page underneath the study links heading.
http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

I want you to use two pages to answer these two questions.

1.What is a choice you have made in your home that has had a positive spiritual impact on your child(ren)?

2.What is a choice you have made in your home that has had a negative spiritual impact on you and your child(ren)?

After you finish, spend time talking to your Heavenly Father. Be honest about your answers and with God. What changes in choices do you need to make to have a more positive and less negative impact? And remember, God does not condemn, He convicts. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, but do not let the the devil tear you down.

Proverbs 4:6
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 3
Choose to read a Deut. 6 and use the "Our Home's Prayer" to help you pray for your home and children. http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/shows.html
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to do a Family 15.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 2 Day 1&2: Choosing To Learn From Choices

2010-04-12T19:08:00.000-07:00

We have been on our Choices journey for awhile now. I do not know about you, but I know I still do not always make the right choice. While I have greatly improved on recognizing the choices I make daily, I am still not perfect. (I know you are in total shock.)

But tonight I am asking myself if I am learning from my bad choices? Or do I still continue to make the same dumb choice knowing the consequences?

As usual, God has been teaching me as He uses me to teach my son. As God gives me the words to say to my child, I realize they are for me, too.

Today, my child made a bad choice on where he choose to sit which led to one more stupid little bad choice. But, unfortunately the consequences have been big. Now he has recognized the consequences of his choices. In a very mature way, he owned up to them and sought forgiveness. At the same time, the enemy was tearing him down. All of this led to a discussion of learning from our bad choices.

So, here is what God taught me while I was teaching my child:

We have to take responsibility for our choice no matter how little it may be.

We need to evaluate the consequences of our choice. (Remember the Holy Spirit convicts not condemns.)

We need to apologize to those affected by our choice even if they do not realize how they were affected.

We have to choose if we want to learn from our choice.

Most likely we think we learn, yet we seem to soon forget and the bad choice repeats itself. So, how can we truly learn from our bad choices?

I am going to start a Choice/Consequence Journal. As I make the right choice and reap the benefits, I will record it as an encouragement of making the right but not so easy choice. I will also record the bad choices and the consequences to serve as a reminder if the choice comes before me again. Please also record the consequences of days when you put your focus on God and the days you choose to loose focus. Not only will the journal help you, it will be a teaching tool for others.

So, who is with me? Who wants to truly learn from our choices?

Choice/Consequence journal available on website: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 1&2
Choose to read a Proverbs 24:3-6. Do you have wisdom? Learn from your past choices to have wisdom for the next war.
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 1 Day 5

2010-04-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-UDWk6e_aE&feature=PlayList&p=EAF7F630247FDB30&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=13

No matter where you are in your life. No matter how much you have messed up. It is never too late to choose God. It is never too late to give God control. And it is time we start trying to change ourselves. Let's choose to let God consume us and change us from the inside out.

Listen to this song and read the words. And make it your prayer to God. Cry out from your soul to Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0qZl_Qu84&feature=related

From the Inside Out (Hillsong United)

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.

April Week1 Day 3: Choose A Friend

2010-04-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

You are a friend of God.

Did you hear I what I said? You are a friend of God.

Praise God! Not only did Christ's bloodshed cleanse us from our sins but it makes us able to approach the throne of God. Because God is God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, we need to humbly approach Him with the utmost respect. But because He is a God who died for you and loves you, you can come before Him as a friend.

While I would never want you to lessen your reverence for Christ, I do not want you to be afraid to come before Him. My heart breaks to think that some of you are missing out on a close personal relationship with Christ because you have forgotten you are His friend.

Go share thoughts, heartache, celebrations with your friend today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtsxdtEN_G4 Nothing But the Blood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZu-VyrK4-4 Friend of God

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, prayer and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 3
Choose to read John 15:13-15
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:13-16&version=NIV
Choose to exercise.
Choose to file paperwork.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 1 Day 3: Choose To Live

2010-04-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

When I survey the wondrous cross...

Stop for a moment and survey the cross while listening and worshiping with the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA&feature=related

Christ died for you, will you choose to live for Him? As you look at the cross, will you choose to give Him your attention or walk away?

My dear friend, may you and I choose to live our lives for Christ. May the way we parent, work, care for our bodies, care for the gifts He has given us, and the way we care for those around us; all be to glorify God.

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, praying and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 3
Choose to read Isaiah 53 and see the prophecy of Christ's suffering.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is%2053&version=NIV

Choose to dance and worship the lord for exercise.
Choose to put up the laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep

April Week 1 Day 2: Choose Not To Forget

2010-04-06T04:38:00.000-07:00

What a glorious holiday we were able to celebrate!! Oh how I love worship on Easter morning. It keeps my blood flowing and my heart pounding. How great is our God!!!

But, my dear sweet friend, does the power and excitement of Easter morning have to stop? Do you and I walk away from the cross and forget? Do you celebrate the empty tomb and then turn away?

So, maybe we do not forget the cross and grave, but do we give it the focus, the celebration in our daily lives it deserves? Why are we not celebrating and worshiping Christ for his death and Resurrection everyday like it is Easter?

Stop for a moment and think about it. If you and I start everyone morning with our own glorious and powerful Easter worship, how would it effect our day, our life? Coming before God, sitting at the cross of forgiveness, and shouting out praise for the new life we have. Wow! My heart is pounding just thinking about it. Do you not desire to experience your own powerful, daily worship?

Let's do it. You and I are going to choose to come before the cross and grave daily. We are going to experience God as we worship Him daily. As we worship, we will be reminded that Satan has no hold and we are not defeated. You and I will know everyday how much God loves us!

Let's not just choose God, but let's CHOOSE GOD!!!!

Start with this worship song (Ps Share your favorite worship song with us. Leave a comment, I will find it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3o3DiMVdOI&feature=related

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, prayer and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 2
Choose to sit in the sun while you worship the Son..
Choose to read Psalm 138 as a prayer
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+138&version=NIV
Choose to get out and go for a run, walk, skip...just get up and get moving.
Choose to pick up the most messy room in your house..
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

Footsteps to Remember

2010-04-05T05:02:00.000-07:00

(*This final day of the The Footsteps Study will be available on the website this afternoon so you may print it up and wirte your answers)

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10

If you look you will his see Jesus footsteps one more. The footsteps start inside the tomb and walk right out. I like to see CSI explain that one. How amazing that day must have been!
But as we have looked at Jesus steps to Jerusalem, to the cross and from the grave, have you stopped to examine your own?

If someone were to write about your steps, what would they say about your life? Do your steps lead to Christ, walk with Christ, or no where near Christ? Why?

You have looked at Jesus footsteps for a week. As you looked you saw the pain he endured, the prayers he cried, but most of all you saw Christ's love for you in each and every step. Knowing what Christ did for you, how have your desires changed to live for him? Or have they changed? Why or why not?

My dear friend, Easter has come and gone. We cried at the cross. We celebrated the Resurrection. We cried at our sins that nailed Christ to a tree. We celebrate the new life we have in Him. But today a new story begins, a story of your steps.

Will your footsteps now take up your cross and follow Him?

The road will be long and will be bumpy at times. Your feet will may tire and even get a few blisters along the way. But when your footsteps end, just like Christ, you will rise and be with your Heavenly Father. Oh to hear my Father say about the footsteps of my life,

"Well done my good and faithful servant."

Now start the story of your footsteps, I know it will be amazing.

The Last Footsteps

2010-04-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

download on website: www.bodysoulandhome.com

My friend, I pray you stop and look at the feet on the cross.

Love is flowing from His hands, From His brow

2010-04-01T20:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLy-B9LuqMo

Footsteps in the Garden

2010-04-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

There are many footprints leading to the garden this evening. But only one set continued to walk further into the garden. And when the footprints stopped, knee prints and an outline of a head would appear.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will ." Matthew 26:29

These prints would be covered in his sweat.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44

Jesus knew what was about to happen. He did not wonder, He knew. And Jesus also knew the Will of His Father. As He arose after praying, Christ's footsteps would lead Him to the crowd that came to arrest Him. God's Will was about to be done.

Jesus' steps would now lead to the cross. But tonight He would be mocked and beaten. If you look, you might see the first drops of blood in the footsteps.

I pray you take the time tonight to fall on your face before God. The God who sent His Son to be beaten, flogged, mocked and crucified for you. Not because you deserved to be saved, but because God loves you!

May tears of repentance and joy fall down your face as you come before the Lord.

Footsteps of Betrayal

2010-03-30T20:07:00.000-07:00

Please make sure to visit the website and download the study. I truly want you to have this Easter study to keep.

www.bodysoulandhome.com

Footsteps of a Teacher

2010-03-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

Available on website: www.bodysoulandhome.com

Footsteps That Lead to Amazement and Understanding

2010-03-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

Next lesson is available on website http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

Easter Week

2010-03-28T13:40:00.000-07:00

This week lesson will be available on my website. It is titled "The Footprints of Easter." You can open the individual days. And it is still free :)

http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

March Week 4 Day 5: Choose to Focus

2010-03-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

It feels as if we just celebrated the birth of Christ. And now it is time to draw near to the cross and the empty tomb. Oh my spirit leaps, my heart pounds, my eyes fill up with tears as I come near the cross and the empty tomb.

Next week, we will be taking the time to study the week between the triumphal entry and Resurrection. So, I ask you to start preparing yourself, your heart and your mind. Be ready to focus on our Savior and even ourselves as we come near to our Savior.

Let's start our focus on Christ predicting His death.

Matthew 20:17-19

Jesus Again Predicts His Death
17Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"

Wow! Read it again and remember Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen and is sharing this information with the disciples.

Personally, I do not even know if I would willing go somewhere just to be mocked. But Christ went to Jerusalem knowing He would be mocked, flogged and crucified. Do you truly understand that part? Christ knew his fate before he even started on the journey to Jerusalem.

Why? Why would Christ travel by foot to face mocking, flogging and death?

As a parent, I would run anywhere, face anything to protect my child. Even if I knew, I might face injury myself. Love for her children will make a mama do crazy things. So, is love what drove Christ to start that long walk to Jerusalem? Did Christ see my face, your face as he walked that road? Did Christ know my stupidity would need saving?

Oh, my dear friend, Christ walked the rode to Jerusalem knowing his fate. But, Christ made that journey for you, for me, for our children, for our loved ones, for our neighbors because He loves us. Every step on that dusty road was made to save us.

Stop and focus on the footprints on that dusty road and remember, they were made for you.

John 10:10-11

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

Print the footprint or save it as your wallpaper and focus on the journey Christ made for you. And my friend, who do you know that needs to hear about the footprints made for them.

March Week 4 Day 4: Choose to Let It Out

2010-03-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be brief. As I was starting to write, my heart became heavy. I feel the Lord is telling me one or more of my dear sweet friends needs me to speak to them. So I am. If you are not that person or persons, will you read the blog and pray for our fellow friend.

This week I have been praying and desire greatly for you to cry out to God so you may be healed of your wounds. But I know your wounds are deep. You have been trying to bandage them up yourself and ignore the pain. But my dear sweet friend, the pain is paralyzing you. It paralyzes you in your relationship with God and maybe even relationships with those around you.

My eyes are filling up with tears as I write to you. My dear sweet friend, you do not have to hurt anymore. My sister, fall on your knees before God. Weep in His arms. Tell your Heavenly Father your pain, your hurt. Let it all out. Stop and be still before God. Hear Your Savior tell you how much He loves you. Maybe it is even forgiveness you need. Your Savior is there ready to forgive you.

Play "Healer" again. Believe the words you sing through your tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug

Call a friend and weep together before God. Spend as much time as it takes before God to let it out and let the healing begin.

I do not even know if I know you. But you are my sister in Christ and I love you. May you experience the healing hand of God.

March Week 4 Day 3: Choose to Renew by Being Still

2010-03-24T04:33:00.000-07:00

Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Do not steal. Do not use the Lord's name in vain. Those are pretty easy. Be still? Are you crazy??

Being an American in the 21st century and being still seem to contradict each other. Our lives get faster and we keep trying to do more and more. Evidently Taco Bell was not fast enough so we now have Taco Bell Express. Sadly, prayer lives are a to go item also. While I completely agree we should talk to God throughout the day, we, as a nation, as a church, as Christians have forgotten to stop and be still before God.

If you, if I , do not stop and be still what are we missing? What is God doing that we do not notice? Are you missing His healing, His miracles, His answers?

Life is and will continue to be crazy. But and I mean BUT, God is still faithful, still has the power to perform miracles, still forgives, still loves and still has a plan and purpose for you. My question to you, will you choose to be still? Will you choose to be still and listen? Will you choose to be still and see God working?

As Samuel told the Israelites in his farewell speech,

1 Samuel 12:16
"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!"

You may not see the power of God like the Israelites, but you will see God.

If you need healing from your wounds and hurts, will you choose to be still and let God heal you? If you need an answer or are seeking God's will, will you be still to hear God speak? If you need to renew your relationship with God, will you be still in His presence?

My friend, God is there and here. God is working. Will you choose to be still and know that He is God?

Remember your assignment is to choose to let God heal you. Now be still so God can.

Memorize Psalm 147:3 and I would suggest the verse above too, Psalm 46:10.

March Week 4 Day 2: Choose to Renew through Worship

2010-03-23T04:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes you feel more renewed than an amazing worship service. Feeling the presence of God sends chills down your spine. While there is nothing like corporate worship, can you not experience worship in your home?

Whether it has been awhile or maybe you have never tried it, I recommend that you experience an intimate worship experience in your home. Just you praising and worshiping your Almighty Creator, your Heavenly Father. Stopping to connect with God through song and prayer.

Now, some of you are already making excuses on how silly you would feel or you are too scared to be in God's presence by yourself. My sweet friend, you are being silly.

Make a playlist of worship songs you love and that claim the promises of God. Simply start by playing and singing them. Listen to words you speak about your God. As you speak those words, truly believe them. My sister, you may start shouting, weeping or be in complete silence because of who God is.

As part of your healing process, choose to draw close to God as you worship Him.

Remember your only assignment is to choose to let God heal you from your hurts and memorize:

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

Now go worship your Savior.

March Week 4 Day 1:Choose To Heal

2010-03-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

You had a week to continue on your journey of refreshing and renewal. Some of you may be trying really hard, but you still feel lost, hurt or too burned out to feel refreshed. You are missing a step.

You are trying to refresh your life the same way you refresh your house when last minute company walks through the door. Yes, you are cramming all the junk in the closet and giving a false sense of cleaning up. Eventually the door is going to bust or the company is going to open the door looking for the bathroom and all the junk is going to come tumbling out.

What hurt, memories or guilt are you pushing down and trying to ignore? My dear sweet friend, you do not have to hold it in. You do not have to hide the pain. You do not have to carry the secret that haunts your memory. My friend, I promise you that my God, your God, can heal you.

Please stop shutting the door to hide the pain. Come before your Heavenly Father and let Him heal your Spirit, Soul, body and mind. He is your Healer.

If God can heal a victim of date rape, verbal name calling from a loved one and a betrayed relationship, plus the numerous years of rebellion. He can heal you.

Play this song and come before your Father. Lay it down at His feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug

Healer

You know my every worry
Calm my raging sea
walk with me through fire
Healer of my disease
I trust in you (x2)

Chorus:
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (Oh Jesus)
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Oh my healer (You're my healer)

You know my every worry
Calm my raging sea
walk with me through fire
Healer of my disease
I trust in you (x2)

Chorus:
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (I believe)
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hand

Soloist: Nothing

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hand

Repeat Chorus
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (Soloist: Everything I am)
I believe you are my portion (Soloist: Yes you are)
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Soloist:
Reach out to the Lord
our deliverer
Everything we need(x2)
All I need is found in you (x4)
All sufficient one
All: All we need is found in you

Soloist:Nothing is impossible for you

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hands.

I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

More than a enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

You are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

You're more than enough for me.

Do you believe God is your healer? Do you have enough faith that He can and will heal you from your hurts and wounds? Will you choose to go before your Father and let Him heal you? Will you choose to reach out and touch His cloak?

I pray you will. I lived a wounded life filled with hurt. I am the one above who was healed by my Father.

*If you have faced abuse of any kind, rape, etc, please seek Christian counseling. I can point you in the right direction. If counseling scares you, please talk to me, your pastor or a Godly woman in your church.
*If you are currently in an abusive relationship, then leave immediately and seek help. Go to your church, a friend, family member or a women's shelter immediately. You do not deserve to be abused and it is not your fault.

This week your only action plan is to spend time before the Father and find healing.

Memorize

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

Website

2010-03-17T12:46:00.001-07:00

It is not completely finished, but it is up and running. I hope to have the videos and downloads soon. Plus more study material.

www.bodysoulandhome.com

March Week 2 Day 5

2010-03-11T17:29:00.000-08:00

Before we get into today's lesson, I wanted let you know that I will not be writing next week. I am taking some time off from the blog so I may work on a website. I am very excited about it. It will have the Choices Study, workout videos, photos of organization ideas and mp3 downloads of the study.

Please keep choosing God, exercise, rest and sticking to your schedule. I would encourage you to keep refreshing by Spring cleaning the bathrooms and spend time with God outdoors.

Now I am going to give you something to think on and study over the next week. My only request is that you put aside anything you have been taught and truly look for answers in God's Word over this next week. And I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

My question is: who is the crazy one, the person who has faith in God, no matter what reality they may be facing, or the person who has faith in God, just not enough to think God will perform an outrageous miracle?

Here is my example:

A man suffers a stroke leaving him bed ridden. His health has many complications over the next ten years. And at one point he is even put on hospice. His wife believes that the the Lord told her one day God would heal him. Even as he goes on hospice, she still believes God can and will heal him. (This is a Godly woman who has made God a priority in her life. She finds time for God no matter what trial she may be facing. she has a close, intimate relationship.)
Once he is on hospice, the people of the church start coming to her and telling her she has to give up this dream of him being healed. She is told she needs to face reality.

Is the wife believing God can and will perform a miracle crazy or are the people saying God cannot perform a miracle, it is too late, crazy? Or is there a middle ground that makes more sense?

Currently, I am searching God's word for this answer. I know the people on both sides of this story. Neither side would I consider ungodly or far from God. I respect both sides very much as a person. But these people read the same Bible and worship and love the same God. How can their faith be so different?

When there seems tobe no hope for a marriage, an illness, a rebellious child or a lost soul, can it be too late for God to step in and perform a miracle? We know death was not too late for Jesus to step in and perform a miracle. 99 years old was not too late for Abraham to have a child. Even after Saul killed those following Christ, Jesus changed his life and generations have read his words. But then some argue that those miracles are not for today's world.

David is another example I keep studying. As his child was ill and dying, he fasted and prayed. He had faith God could save his child's life. But that time God chose not to perform a miracle. David had faith but when the answer was no, he accepted it. Should we hold on to faith and hope in God for a miracle until He answers us instead of just holding on to faith until reality tells us it is too late?

Any Christian I know would say they have faith in God and believe in miracles. But they tend to struggle that God would perform that miracle in their life or they lose faith once the doctor report comes back or after a certain amount of time has gone by. I am guilty of it myself.

Do I, do you, truly choose to believe God? Are we putting a limit, time frame on His power and works? Or are we suppose to believe reality?

I have some of my own answers. But I am not going to share them yet. You look for answers and seek wisdom and discernment from God. Maybe right now there is something in your life where you have no more hope. Does God want you to hold on and hope a little longer?

I love you and pray God reveals who He is and what He can and will do for you. Have a blessed, refreshing, renewing weekend and week with God.

(P.S. The man who was on hospice is no longer on hospice. And for the first time in three years, a therapist took him outside in his chair for 20 minutes. Praise God!)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20samuel%2012:15-23&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%2018:10-15&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%2021:1-7&version=NIV

March Week 2 Day 4: Will You Choose To Refresh Or Grumble

2010-03-11T04:23:00.000-08:00

It is the day on your schedule to clean house. Do you look forward to it? Or are you thinking if every excuse not to do it?

Just like everything else we have discussed, your attitude over caring for your house is your choice. And if we are honest, we would all have to admit we grumble more about the beautiful house we have to clean than being thankful for our beautiful home. But you and I can choose to change our attitudes of grumbling to attitudes of seeking refreshing.

I have a Refresh Challenge for you. Now I do not 100% believe it will work, but it will not hurt any current circumstances.

My Refresh Challenge will be you choosing to refresh your home, body and spirit all at one time. As you joyfully clean your house, you will be worshipping God. Crank up the worship music and rejoice in all the ways God has blessed you. (If you have a home to clean and things in it to pick up, you are blessed.) Clean at a speed that will give you the complete benefits of a workout. We are not going to look at cleaning our house as a chore, but as a time of worship and workout.

OK, it seems a little bit crazy, but I think you will be much more likely to be refreshed when you are done. You will know you are a getting a workout. You will be worshipping and praying for loved ones as you go along. And when you are all done, your house will be clean.

We are blessed beyond belief with all our stuff and the size of our homes. Why not choose to show your gratefulness when you clean instead of complaining about your blessings?

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 2 Action Plan
Spring Clean Living Areas: Wipe down baseboards, blinds and walls if they need it. Dust fans and light fixtures. Vacuum out the furniture and under the furniture. Dust off the power cords. Clean the inside of the windows. Spray some pretty smelling febreeze over the furniture to give a fresh scent.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 2 Day 4
Choose to count your blessings.

Choose to read Acts 16:22-27. If Paul can worship God after being beaten in prison, I think we should be able to worship when we clean house.

22The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody's chains came loose. 27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"

Choose to keep doing your workout routine. (maybe even get outside today)
Choose to work on living area and put up laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week2 Day 3: Refresh the Living Room

2010-03-10T04:41:00.000-08:00

Refreshing!!! Saying the word makes me feel better. The sunshine makes me feel better. And a couple of new pillows, candles and plants make my home a welcoming site.

Last week, I hit the jackpot. I found decor pillows for $3 and floral arrangements for $5. A few dollars has added some new life to my living room. The Spring Cleaning part may not be much fun, but adding a little extra color is a lot of fun.

If your living room has you dragging then go by a place like Ross and spend a couple of dollars. One or two new pillows will refresh your whole room.

Enjoy making your living room a clean, refreshing space this week. And remember if toys or things tend to clutter your living room, please get you a cute basket for the clutter until you can put it up.

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 2 Action Plan
Spring Clean Living Areas: Wipe down baseboards, blinds and walls if they need it. Dust fans and light fixtures. Vacuum out the furniture and under the furniture. Dust off the power cords. Clean the inside of the windows. Spray some pretty smelling febreeze over the furniture to give a fresh scent.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 2 Day 3
Choose to sit in the sun while you worship the Son..
Choose to read

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Choose to keep doing your workout routine. (maybe even get outside today)
Choose to work on living area and wipe down the bathroom.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 2 Day 2: Choose to Renew with Hope

2010-03-09T06:05:00.000-08:00

A month ago, twelve inches of snow covered the ground. Yesterday was dark, gloomy and raining. Today, I get to enjoy the sunshine and warmth. Unfortunately most of it will be through a library window, but at least I will see the sunrise this morning as I drive to work.

Just the like sunshine brings a smile and warmth to our face after a long winter, God will bring peace and joy during and after the storm. And your home should bring a smile to your face and be your place of refuge.

The season of trials and sorrow may feel like those long winter months when you are waiting for sunshine and new life. But even though it may be a long winter, you hold on to the hope of spring. You should hold on with even more hope to God. Even in the darkest of times, you can hold on to the hope and truth you have in Christ. It is simpler than we admit. Will you and I sulk and give up or will you and I choose to hold on and find joy because of the hope we have in Christ?

And I also plead with you one more time, will you please choose to make your home a place of refuge for you and your family. Freshen it up with some flowers for spring. Pick it up as you go along in the morning so you come home to a clean home. I promise you that you will have a smile on your face when you get home. Flowers to greet you and no mess on the floor are the most welcoming sight after a long day.

As I enjoy watching the sunrise and find new hope in a new day as I drive to work this morning, my prayer for you is that you choose to find hope in Christ today and choose to refresh your home for the Spring.
March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 2 Action Plan
Spring Clean Living Areas: Wipe down baseboards, blinds and walls if they need it. Dust fans and light fixtures. Vacuum out the furniture and under the furniture. Dust off the power cords. Clean the inside of the windows. Spray some pretty smelling febreeze over the furniture to give a fresh scent.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 2 Day 2
Choose to rejoice and proclaim your hope in Christ. Giv your sorrows and burden to him.
Choose to read through Exodus or Isaiah and see the promises God kept to His people.
Choose to keep doing your workout routine. (maybe even get outside today)
Choose to work on living area and do a Family 15.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 2 Day 1: Choose to Renew Yourself in His Promises

2010-03-08T05:58:00.000-08:00

The Promise by the Martins

Click on link and then follow along with the words.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF8H5BWY6_M&feature=related

I never said that I would give you silver or gold
Or that you would never feel the fire or shiver in the cold
But I did say you'd never walk thru this world alone
And I did say don't make this world your home

I never said that fear wouldn't find you in the night
Or that loneliness was something you'd never have to fight
But I did say I'd be right there by your side
And I did say I'll always help you fight

'Cause you know I made a promise that I intend to keep
My grace will be sufficient in your time of need
My love will be the anchor that you can hold on to
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

I never said that friends would never turn their backs on you
Or that the world around you wouldn't see you as a fool
But I did say like me you'll surely be despised
And I did say My ways confound the wise

I didn't say you'd never taste the bitter kiss of death
Or have to walk thru chilly Jordan to enter into rest
But I did say I'd be waiting right on the other side
And I did say I'll dry every tear you've cried

'Cause you know I made a promise that I've prepared a place
And someday sooner than you think you'll see me face to face
And you'll sing with the angels and a countless multitude
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

So just keep on walking don't turn to the left or right
And in the midst of darkness let this be your light
That hell can't separate us and you're gonna make it thru
This is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you
Oh, this is the promise, this is the promise I've made to you

As we renew and refresh our self this month, we need to remember God's promises. This song reminds us of what we are promised. There will be disappointments, there will be hurt, there will be loss in our lives, but my dear, sweet friend, God has promised us so much more. Read the words again and really think if you believe those words. Find joy in each and every promise. No matter what lies ahead today, tomorrow or this week, God has promised to love you and never let you walk alone. Find peace in that truth today.

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 2 Action Plan
Spring Clean Living Areas: Wipe down baseboards, blinds and walls if they need it. Dust fans and light fixtures. Vacuum out the furniture and under the furniture. Dust off the power cords. Clean the inside of the windows. Spray some pretty smelling febreeze over the furniture to give a fresh scent.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 1 Day 4
Choose to open up to God about the promises that are hard for you to believe.
Choose to read through Exodus or Isaiah and see the promises God kept to His people..
Choose to keep doing your workout routine.
Choose to work on living area and put up the dirty dishes in the kitchen.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 1 Day 5: Choose to Renew in God's Word

2010-03-05T04:40:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, I pray today that as you read God's Word you remember He is your God. The God of the Bible is your God today. God's promises still hold true. His love, joy, strength and peace are for you, too. So come before your Father and renew yourself in His truth.

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:28-29

6 Praise be to the LORD,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 28:6-7

2 The LORD is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Exodus 15:2

2 O LORD, be gracious to us;
we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
our salvation in time of distress.
Isaiah 33:2

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31

3 Have mercy on me, O Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
4 Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
Psalm 86:3-5

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD;
I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
5 How great are your works, O LORD,
how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:4-5

17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments
Habakkuk 3:17-19

19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
Selah
Psalm 68:19

Now read the scriptures again. Use them as your praise and prayer to God. Worship your God and bring Him your burdens. Find joy and strength in the Lord today.

March week 1 Day 4: Choose to Refresh and Reflect

2010-03-04T04:32:00.000-08:00

I hope you are taking time to renew your relationship with the Lord. If you are one of the ones lucky enough to be receiving the sunshine this week, I would suggest sitting out in the sun as you worship the Lord.

As you are refreshing your health and soul, we might as well refresh our homes. I hope your are cleaning out the kitchen and giving it a good wipe down. You will be amazed about the difference freshly wiped cabinet doors and baseboards can make. But sometimes you want just a little more refreshing.

I am on a strict budget. I cannot just buy to buy. But you do not have to spend a lot to refresh your kitchen a little more. For $5-$10 you can buy some fun Spring hand towels and/or potted flowers for the kitchen or table. A few bucks can bring new life to your kitchen and table. You can even try the Dollar Tree. I bought cute bamboo placemats one time there. And they were just a dollar.

And as we start this time of renewal and refreshing, maybe it is time we start living like life is good even on the worst of days. Our lives and our homes need to start reflecting God's goodness. Why not even choose to let our lives and homes reflect the joy of the Lord?

God has blessed me and He has blessed you. Even if the last thing Christ did for you was die on the cross, well then, you are still abundantly blessed. (But you know God has done much more.)

Will you choose to start reflecting the goodness and joy of the Lord? Will you choose just for a month to give it a shot? I would encourage you to keep a journal about the difference it makes in your life. I will warn you, the enemy will try to tear you down. But I know you can stand firm and choose to find joy and goodness in the Lord.

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 1 Action Plan
Spring Clean Kitchen: Clean out cabinets, fridge and pantry. Wipe baseboards, blinds and cabinets doors. Break it down through the week if it makes it easier.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 1 Day 4
Choose to thank God for His specific goodness in your life.
Choose to read your favorite scripture of promise.
Choose to start your workout routine.
Choose to work on kitchen and put up laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 1 Day 3: Choose a time of renewal

2010-03-02T19:54:00.000-08:00

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8 (NASB)

Read that verse again. It does not say might or maybe but will. I am covered in chills just at the thought of God drawing near to me. How wonderful it is to be near to God!!

As we choose to renew our relationship with God, I hope you desire to draw near to God, to be in His presence, to rest in the shadow of His wings.

Why I would love just to focus on verse 8, we have to look at the surrounding verses to know how to draw near to God. If we want to live like a new creation and renew our relationship with Christ, there are a few messy things to clean up first.

Read James 4:1-12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=james%204&version=NIV

What are some things we need to choose to lose or clean up?

Desires of pleasure
Wanting what others have
Selfish motives
Friendship with the world
Pride
Slander and judgement

What do we get if we choose God?

Devil will flee when we resist him
God comes near to us
As we humble our self, He lifts us up
Gives grace to the humble

We can draw near to a world of stuff and immediate pleasure or we can draw near to a God full of grace and promises. So let's shed our worldly winter coats that have left us cold and choose to renew ourselves as we draw near to God and soak up the warmth of His love.

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 1 Action Plan
Spring Clean Kitchen: Clean out cabinets, fridge and pantry. Wipe baseboards, blinds and cabinets doors. Break it down through the week if it makes it easier.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 1 Day 3
Choose to stop and draw near to God.
Choose to read James 4:1-12.
Choose to start your workout routine.
Choose to work on Kitchen and wipe down bathrooms.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 1 Day 2: Choose A Time of Renewing and Refreshing

2010-03-01T17:26:00.000-08:00

"16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"

2 Corinthians 5:16-18

As we began to look at the road to the cross, His death and His resurrection, we remember not only what Christ did for us, but also what it meant for us. It did not stop at Christ dying for our sins. The suffering and death was the first part. The resurrection gave us a chance for a new life.

The most important decision you will ever make is accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior of your life. It is crucial and has to be made so you may spend eternity with God. But why do we let it stop there. Yes, we are promised a new life and a new earth one day, but girl...you are a new creation now. You are chosen by God now. You have promises from God today. Yes you may have to give up some old habits, but is it not worth it?

My sister and friend, you are God's creation and once Christ came into your life, you became a new creation. So why do you choose to live as the old? Why not choose to live as the new creation you are in Christ?

As new flowers start to bloom, old, empty trees become full of life and bloom, or as the baby bird hatches from its egg, you my sister in Christ are a new creation too. Let's to choose to live as on and experience the abundant life of Christ.

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 1 Action Plan
Spring Clean Kitchen: Clean out cabinets, fridge and pantry. Wipe baseboards, blinds and cabinets doors. Break it down through the week if it makes it easier.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 1 Day 2
Choose to praise God the death and resurrection of Christ that made you a new creation.
Choose to read your favorite scripture of promise.
Choose to start your workout routine.
Choose to work on Kitchen and do a Family 15.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

March Week 1 Day 1: Choose A Time of Renewing and Refreshing

2010-03-01T04:52:00.000-08:00

Welcome to a new month that hopefully brings us all a little warmer weather. I would like to apologize for not posting daily blogs last week. I have a sick little one that needs her mommy. I hope to have daily postings this week.

March means spring is coming, flowers and trees blooming soon. Green grass appearing again. Baby birds chirping. Spring is a time of new life. And even though it is a few weeks away, we are going to get an early start.

We are going to refresh our homes, hearts and minds. We are going to refresh ourselves by coming in the presence of our risen Lord as we approach His death and resurrection. We are going to refresh our homes as we do a little spring cleaning. And it is not going to drain us, but refresh us!!! Let's get started!

March Action Plan
To refresh our soul and mind and Spring Clean Our Homes

March Week 1 Action Plan
Spring Clean Kitchen: Clean out cabinets, fridge and pantry. Wipe baseboards, blinds and cabinets doors. Break it down through the week if it makes it easier.

Memorize Psalm 103:1-5
"1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

March Week 1 Day 1
Choose to praise God for a new life.
Choose to read Psalm 103 and shout those first 5 verses and claim them
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+103&version=NIV
Choose to start your workout routine.
Choose to work on Kitchen.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

Feb, Week 4 Day 3&4: Choose the Promiseland

2010-02-25T04:40:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have not been posting daily this week, but mommy duties have required more of my time.

As we close out this month, how are you choosing? Are you choosing God daily? Are you choosing to make your health a priority? Are you choosing to make your house a refuge (not a storage unit)?

I pray you begin to desire God more everyday. I pray you realize the benefits if better health and desire to take care of yourself. I pray you desire less stuff and make your home a place of refuge for you and your family. And I also pray that you desire God's promiseland more than creating your own promiseland.

You have to choose whether you want to follow God to the promiseland or if you will continue to sit in the desert and try to create your own. Now, you are probably saying, why would I do that? My answer is I do not know, but you might be.

Life tends to wear us down and make us miserable. But our first response is not to fall in God's arms. It is to grumble and complain. And we want to be happy so we start trying to make ourself happy. Some of you buy more stuff and think if I just had this or bought my kids this, we will be happy. Others choose to dive more into work and spending all time and energy trying to feel good by being successful. And then there are those whose dreams were crushed, so we push our kids in sports at an early age so they will be the next big star (which is to make us feel better not them.) And then some of us just give up and decide to stop and camp in our tent and be miserable.

I do not know about you, but I do not want to settle for being in the desert. I am tired of trying to make my own Promiseland. God has promised me so much more. We can choose to build our own Promiseland or we can choose to know and follow God to the Promiseland.

Each of our journeys may be different amounts of time. Our deserts will be different. But each of us need to choose to follow God, choose to be in good health for the journey and be willing to choose to get rid of some junk if God asks.

So will you choose the journey to the real Promiseland or will you choose to settle for the desert?

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 4 Action Plan
Choose to find an exercise buddy to hold you accountable and tell you to get off your butt.
Memorize "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come" Prov.31:25

Week 4 Day 1&2
Choose to thank God for His promises.
Choose to read Exodus 16. Are you like those who did not obey and tried to do it their way instead of being obedient?
Choose to do try one of your new exercises.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 4 Day 1&2

2010-02-22T18:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is already the last week of February. Spring is just around the corner (which is hard to believe when many of us are seeing snow again!). But the last week also means having an exercise schedule worked out for you.

If you are still having difficulty with your schedule and routine, do not worry. Remember, you want to make it fun and easy. And do not forget, you can do a workout while doing something else.

Here are a few examples:

Go up and down on your tiptoes while cooking dinner to workout your calves.
Do lunges while you walk across the living room.
Do bicep curls with the laundry basket while you carry it through the house.
Vacuum.
Do a squat against the wall while you wait for your preschooler to go potty.
Sit on an exercise ball at your desk or while you watch TV to work your abs.
Park far way from the entrance and walk briskly.

These are just a few examples. If you really stop and think you will find many ways to add to your exercise routine. Please make sure you get in cardio even if it is by cleaning the house or chasing your child around the park or outside. Just choose to get up and move.

Please avoid:

Sitting on the bench at the park while you watch your kids run around.
Sitting on the couch for two hours to watch TV instead of exercising while watching TV.
Use being tired as an excuse.
Sitting in the car while your child practices, go walk around.
Sitting while playing the Wii.
Doing nothing.

I want you to have a plan before the end of this week. Please do not hesitate to ask for help. Let's choose to get in better health and better shape.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 4 Action Plan
Choose to find an exercise buddy to hold you accountable and tell you to get off your butt.
Memorize "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come" Prov.31:25

Week 4 Day 1&2
Choose to thank God for allowing you to be able to get out and exercise.
Choose to read Prov. 31:10-31. Can you laugh at days to come? Do you have your Physical Strength but also find strength in the Lord?
Choose to do a chore workout.
Choose to clean up the kitchen and do a Family 15.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 3 Day 5: Choose to say thank you today

2010-02-18T19:21:00.000-08:00

Thank You by 33 miles

What if in morning when I wake up
Even before I fill my coffee cup
I said thank You
Thank You

What if I look at the day and the hours ahead
And before I move forward I bowed my head
And said thank You
Oh I said thank You

What if I looked at my life in a different way
Took a little more time to stop and pray
I know it would change all the moments in between
So here I go

Thank You for everything
Thank You for loving me
It don't even matter what tomorrow brings
Well I will sing my

Thank You for sun and rain
For what You give and take away
For all Your goodness I will always say
Thank You
Oh I'll say thank You
What if I lost everything that I had
I could smile and somehow still be glad
And say thank You
Thank you

'Cause life is joy, life is pain
But the prayer on my heart will never change
I say thank You
Oh I'll say thank You

To listen click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYdfH71lHAE

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to love yourself and others enough to get into better health.
Memorize
"6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " Hebrews 11:6

Week 3 Day 4
Choose to say thank you .
Choose to read your verse Hebrews 11:6. Thank him for the rewards of following Him.

Choose to play at a park, outside, go for walk with friends or family.
Choose to put up all laundry so you may enjoy your weekend.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 3 Day 4: Choose to Persevere

2010-02-18T05:16:00.000-08:00

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "

2 Peter 1:3-11

As I said yesterday, choose not to give up. You are on a journey. You are choosing to change your life and live for Christ. You are choosing to grow closer to Christ, be in better health and getting your life back together. It will not happen over night. It is a daily process. Just keep making wise choices. The blessings and benefits are coming. Do not lose faith! Don't be like the Israelites and give up. It will make the journey longer.

I really would like to pray for you specifically. Please share with me so I may.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to love yourself and others enough to get into better health.
Memorize
"6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " Hebrews 11:6

Week 3 Day 4
Choose to trust in a powerful God and tell Him you do.
Choose to read scripture above.
Choose to try just jogging outside or in the house.
Choose to pick up your room.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb.Week 3 Day 3: Choose Not To Quit

2010-02-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

A generation of immediate gratification, that is who we have become. A hunger for immediate rewards consumes us at times. When it doesn't, we stop and walk away. And when it comes to our weight and health, we want the pounds to drop immediately. And we quit way too soon if we do not see the results.

I do not mean to be so blunt, but it is time to stop acting like a child and demanding it your way. Years of poor eating or not exercising cannot be changed in a week. You will have to be patient to get the result you want. Stop the tantrum of I did all the work, but did not lose the weight I wanted so I quit. You need to choose a lifestyle change and choose to be patient while it changes your body and health.

Nothing is more frustrating than working out and giving up your chocolate for a couple of pounds. But that is just one week. Week after week those couple of pounds add up. Eventually you will put on those pants and they will be too big. Choosing to stick it out will have great rewards. You may just have to wait. (Side note: losing a small amount of weight on a consistent basis, will actually help you keep it off.)

Please do not give up, choose to make a lifestyle change that leads to better health and stick with it. The awesome rewards are coming, just be patient and wait.

And before we close, the same goes with your walk with God. You may have started being with Hm everyday, but do not feel the change you want. Maybe you feel things should be going easier or you should feel closer to God. Remember, God answers His way. Open your eyes to fully see how He is working in your life. Or maybe you want God to do a certain thing in your life, but He wants to do something else. God is working. Don't give up on change in your life. God's timing is perfect. Keep seeking Him and growing closer to Him. He has plans for you, I do not think you want to miss out.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to love yourself and others enough to get into better health.
Memorize
"6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " Hebrews 11:6

Week 3 Day 3
Choose to give God your frustrations and ask for the courage not to quit.
Choose to read Psalm 69:13-18 as a prayer.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2069:13-18&version=NIV
Choose to try an outdoor exercise.
Choose to do wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 3 Day 2: Choose Faith Over Reality

2010-02-16T06:05:00.000-08:00

We have looked at several choices over these past months. Some of them make you realize you need to make better choices. Other choices you do not even attempt because you feel like there is no hope. Well you are wrong. You are choosing to believe a lie.

"When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.” Charles L. Allen ...

No matter where you are in your life, whether it is a complete mess or just a little mess. No matter where you are in your health or weight. No matter where you are in your relationship with God. The situation is not hopeless.

We choose to believe in God, but we believe in reality more than we believe God. You read this blog and think the theory is good, but your life or health is too far out of whack. Nothing is impossible with God. His will and timing may be different from ours. He may ask you to sacrifice certain things to get there. But nothing is impossible.

Now will you choose to believe God and what He is able to do? Or will you continue to do a reality check and not believe?

Stop just reading this blog and thinking about what life could be like. Instead, truly believe what God can do. Be obedient in what He asks of you so He can.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to love yourself and others enough to get into better health.
Memorize
"6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. " Hebrews 11:6

Week 3 Day 2
Choose to believe God.
Choose to read Hebrews 11.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+11&version=NIV
Choose to try another type of exercise.
Choose to do a Family 15.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 3 Day 1

2010-02-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

This morning I will be attending a funeral of sweet, loving woman of God. She was one of the first to welcome my son and I into the Pipes family. I always felt accepted and loved by Jerry. She was a simple woman who loved her family, church and God. I would be surprised if she had any enemies. And even though she will missed by many, we get to celebrate her life and her being in the presence of the Lord now.

Today, pause and think about your love ones, your neighbors, your friends. Are you sharing Christ with them? Are you loving them with the love of God? Are you impacting their life? Or are you waiting to tell them about Christ? Do you think you have plenty of time to share the love of Christ with them? Are you too busy with your life to care about their eternal future and their own relationship with Christ?

There are a lot of bad choices we will make in life. Most of them have consequences. But choosing not share Christ with those He puts in our lives has eternal consequences for that person. So do not put it off another day. Choose today to share Christ and His love. There is a lost and dying world around us that needs Christ. Choose to share the the awesome news of a loving, forgiving God with them.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to love yourself and others enough to get into better health.

Week 3 Day 1
Choose to thank God for giving His Son for you.
Choose to Psalm 23
Choose to try a new exercise today.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 2 Day 5

2010-02-12T07:09:00.000-08:00

So today especially if you live in the DFW area, enjoy God. Sit in awe of who He is and all He created. The view outside is amazing and beautiful.

Getting your exercise today is easy if you live here too. Go play in the snow and become five again. And if you live somewhere with no snow, still go play like you were five again.

And while you play like a child, have faith like a child. Believe not just in God, but believe God.

Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.

Week 2 Day 5
Choose to praise God for all He is and all He created.
Choose to read Psalm 40
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+40&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising by becoming 5 again.
Choose to pick up your room.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 2 Day 4 (the real one this time): Choosing Joy

2010-02-11T05:18:00.000-08:00

So why am I talking about joy during our week of physical health? Mmmm...well they do kind of go together. Your joy is probably effected more by your physical health than you realize.

Think with me for a moment. When you are tired, you are more irritable. When you eat too much junk, you feel guilty and crash when the sugar wears off. When you look in the mirror, well we all know how we get sometimes. And when you let stress build up...should I even say how we get?

Now lets think about it the other way. When you are getting the rest you need, you start your day more refreshed. When you choose to eat healthy foods, you feel better about yourself and have more energy. When you exercise, you not only burn off calories, but stress too. When you make all these choices, you enjoy seeing the changes to your skin and appearance in the mirror.

Ultimately, we need to seek Christ and find joy in Him. But how we take care of ourselves will influence our mood and how we respond to situations. Between giving our burdens to Christ and a good workout, a bad mood can turn into a much more peaceful, happy mood. By getting a good nights rest and starting the day with God, we start our day much more happy. By eating the nutrients throughout out the day and having communication with God, we handle things a lot better.

It is simple. God created you. God created you to need Him. God created your body to need different things. So choose God and choose to provide your body, heart and soul with what it needs. It is much easier to be joyful when you do.

(Side note. I know some of you are thinking how the bible does not mention exercise routines. But remember, they walked even when they traveled. Their work was physical labor even getting water for the house. If we had to do their daily routines, we would be in much better shape.)

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.

Week 2 Day 2
Choose to seek God and find joy in him.
Choose to read Isaiah 40:28-31
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2040:28-31&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do a quick vacuum.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 2 Day 4: Choosing Your Exercise Routine

2010-02-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

I hope you are just having fun exercising this week. It is a great start to getting healthy!

There are some other choices that need to be made in your exercise routine. Since they vary so much from person to person, it is really hard for me to cover it in a blog. I am going to give you a couple of suggestions, but please contact me individually to get the best routine for you. (I taught fitness classes for 6 years and stay current on fitness programs.)

Everyone needs to choose to get at minimum 30 minutes of cardio six days a week. Cardio can include playing with your kids, cleaning your house (vacuuming), or just a going for a good walk.

Another choice is toning and strengthening three times a week. The more muscle on your body means the more calories you burn even when you sleep. What type you do really depends on your ultimate goal.

I wish I could go into more detail, but it needs to be done on an individual basis. The choices above help you stay healthy not necessarily lose weight. Depending on the amount you may need to lose to be healthy, different workouts are required.

If you have any medical conditions, please seek a doctor about the best exercise program for you. If you are overweight and have not been working out, please see your doctor so they can set up up on a program and monitor your health. But please choose not to put it off any longer. Your health and life are important to many people. It is also very important to your Creator.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.

Week 2 Day 2
Choose to ask God to remind you how important you are to Him and His purpose for you.
Choose to read Genesis 1:26-28
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1:26-28&version=NIV
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 2 Day 2: Choose Fun Exercise

2010-02-09T05:31:00.000-08:00

You and I like to have fun. We are more likely to do something that is fun more than we are to work. If you have struggled with exercising it is because you make it a chore. It is time to have fun getting healthy.

Establishing an exercise routine will be easier if you make it something you enjoy or fun. There are so many options out there. You just need to find what you enjoy.

I used to love kickboxing because I worked out a lot of stress. I also enjoy dancing. I will just dance or use a ballet or Dancing with the Stars workout DVD. Last night my workout ended up being a wrestling match with both my boys (By the way they still cannot take me.) When it is pretty, I want to be outside. I take the kids to the park and play with them. I swing, slide and even try the obstacle course. And a game of tag is a great workout, too. I just pick my exercise for the day depending on my mood. I pick something I will enjoy.

So the rest of the week, try different things that are fun to you. Check the stores for workout DVDs of things you enjoy. There are plenty out there under $10. If you have a baby, crawl around with them. You will wear out faster. If you have kids or a spouse, dance around the living room. Getting healthy is not boring, it is fun.

Your reason to exercise is you are God's. It is your choice to enjoy it. So go have some fun and get in shape!!!

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.

Week 2 Day 2
Choose to thank God for creating you and making you so unique.
Choose to read Psalm 139 again. Do you really get believe? Do you mean it?
Choose to have fun exercising.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 2 Day 1: Choosing To Remember Your Reason

2010-02-08T04:58:00.000-08:00

I hope you took time to get some rest this weekend. It is a new week with new choices to discuss.

We are going to continue discussing choices about our physical health. I know this is a sensitive subject for many of us. So I would like for us first to choose to remember why we should make better choices about our health and weight.

First of all remember, we are not making this choice to lose weight to meet the world"s standard (too thin is not healthy either).

Today, you and I are going to choose to be healthy. Our focus for being healthy will be because we our God's. As David said we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. God created these amazing bodies. Isn't it time we treat them like His creation? It is not just the trees we need to save, but ourselves too.

I am keeping this short so you can talk to God. Please spend time giving God your struggle with weight, eating habits, smoking, laziness etc. If God has even numbered the hairs on your head and created you in your mother's womb, He cares about your health.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to find a way to get your fruits and veggies and memorize Psalm 139:13-14.

Week 2 Day 1
Choose to lift your burdens that effect your health to God.
Choose to read Psalm 139:1-18. Read it aloud to God.
Choose to jog, dance, kickbox and/or jump rope.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 1 Day 5: Choose to Rest in Him

2010-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Today, just stop and come before God. Find rest in His arms. Renew yourself in His Word.

Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.

10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.

Week 1 Day 5
Choose to sit in God's presence and refresh your spirit.
Choose to read Psalm above or any scripture that encourages you.
Choose to jog, dance, kickbox and/or jump rope.
Choose to put up laundry laying around.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 1 Day 4: Choose A Day of Rest

2010-02-04T04:40:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed how our weeks seem to get longer and longer, but go by too fast? I know this may be surprising, but there is still the same amount of hours and days in a week. No extra time has been added over the years even though we keep trying to add it. So, I am thinking that may be the reason you are so tired and worn out. But, besides a good night's sleep, there is another choice you can make...have a sabbath, a day of rest.

I hear you already telling me why you cannot take a day of rest. As I tell my son, please don't interrupt. Please just give me your complete attention with an open mind.

You start your day with a cup of coffee sitting on your porch or in your room. You turn on some wonderful worship music and just sit in the presence of God. You take a few moments to sit in awe of a loving Father. (If you choose your day of rest to be a Sunday, you get up a few minutes earlier to enjoy this time and keep the music going while you get ready.)

You take this day to eat sandwiches or eat off the dollar menu for lunch. You plan ahead so you do not have to cook today. And it is ok if you use paper plates.

You go to the park to play or for a walk. If it is cold, you stay inside and read a book, watch a movie or play a game with the kids.

You take a nap with your child or everyone has quiet time in their room.

And if your day of rest is a Sunday, you go to worship and fellowship with other believers. But if you are working the whole time at church and spend 6 hours there, you might want to find another day of rest or reevaluate your Sunday.

You choose to do all these things from when you get up and at least until 5 pm. You do not check emails or do any work. You let your mind and body rest. You refresh your spirit by being with God. I want you to realize the importance of recharging your batteries.

Now for all of you rolling your eyes because you have little ones at home. You and your spouse need to decide how you can both take that time in the morning once a week. Maybe you alternate and the other one can feed the kids breakfast. And the rest of the day, they are resting and playing with you. Most kids do not act up when they have your undivided attention. If this becomes part of your routine then they will fall into it.

Just please give it a chance. We were created to take this day. God himself took a day. Choose to have a day of rest. You have all week to be busy, it can wait until the next day.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.

Week 1 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to seek God.
Choose to read Exodus 20:8-11
Choose to exercise by doing squats and lunges during commercials and jog during the show.
Choose to pick up your room.
Choose what day will be your day of rest.

Feb. Week 1 Day 3: Choose Rest for the Rest

2010-02-03T04:43:00.000-08:00

Short tempered...Little patience...Grouchy...Irritated...Sound familiar?

If you have ever been a new mommy or been around one, you know that new mommies can be very cranky and irritable because the poor things get little sleep. A new mommy does not have a choice. It is part of being a new mommy. But the rest of us (unless it is due to a medical condition) have no excuse not to get rest so we are not cranky.

For the sake of your loved ones, coworkers and friends, please choose to get the rest you need. Yes there may be times that due to sickness or emergency keep you from a good night sleep. But most nights you just have to choose to get rest.

Please choose to get rest for all those others you may interact with today. It is hard to reflect Christ when you are snapping at everyone you meet.

Tonight choose to go to bed and get a full night rest for the sake of others. And we will say thank you when you do.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule.

Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.

Week 1 Day 3
Choose to sit in God's presence and refresh your spirit.
Choose to read Matthew 11:25-30
Choose to get up and move. Play a Wii game with the kids or dance around the living room.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 1 Day 2: Choose To Say Goodnight

2010-02-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

Is rest really important? You only have to look at the first chapter of the Bible to answer that question. So why do we try to do so much and put rest on the back burner?

Our bodies were made by God. He created us to get rest. Why fight with the way we were made? Or why drink all these different things for energy instead of healthy eating and sleep for energy? If the creator and Lord of all things can rest, why shouldn't we?

What is keeping you from a goodnight sleep? Too busy? TV? Cannot fall asleep? Children?

If children are keeping you up then maybe you should give them an earlier bedtime. Children require a lot more sleep than we do. Depending on the age they may need 10 hours of asleep. You can put them to bed an hour or two before your bedtime and give yourself enough time to get ready for bed. Choose to set a bedtime for all of you.

If it is your favorite show on TV, then record it or catch it online at a later time. Let technology benefit you. If it is the news, you can catch it online or catch it earlier. I know in my area there is local news on at least one of the channels from 4 pm to 10 pm. Choose your bedtime and watch your shows around it, instead of a choosing a bedtime around your shows.

If you cannot fall asleep, you may need to look at a few things. You may need to cut out caffeine earlier in the day. You may need to read instead of staring at a computer or TV before bed. Some people need a warm bath to relax. Find a way to let your body unwind sooner to help you fall asleep when you get to bed. Choose to take steps to relax (including your mind) before bed.

If you are too busy and getting home too late most of the week then you definitely need to reevaluate your priorities. It is not healthy for you or your children. Choose to put your health over too many activities.

If you get your body on a bedtime schedule, it will become easier for you to fall asleep and get a goodnight's rest. Choose to do it for you, your body, your work and your family.

February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule and life.

Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.

Week 1 Day2 Action Plan
Choose to ask God to show you how to get the rest you need.
Choose to read Genesis 1-2:2
Choose to work out your abs during commercials and lift cans during the show.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up at least the living area.
Choose to go to bed on time.

Feb. Week 1 Day 1: Choosing Good Health

2010-02-01T06:41:00.000-08:00

The first month of the new year of the new decade is over. We have started a new month that comes with new choices everyday. Some of the choices are very important especially the ones concerning your health. We are going to start this month looking at our choices to get in better shape and better health.

We have talked about the three choices that effect our health in previous blogs, but let's do a quick review. You have to choose to exercise, eat healthy and get plenty of rest. They are all choices you have complete control over. You know if you choose to eat too much or not enough there are consequences. You know if you choose to get little sleep several days in a row, you are not productive. You know if you choose to not exercise, you are at risk not only for weight gain but also heart disease.

Making three better simple choices could lead to feeling better, more productivity, and probably happiness. The reward of choosing to take care of your health is too great, yet so easy to reach.
And these choices are not just for people who are over weight. These choices are important for everyone. The question to you is, "Is your health and life important to you?"

I hope you said yes. If you want to say yes, but are hesitant here are some reasons.

You were created by God. You are His masterpiece. Treat yourself like one.
You were created for a purpose. Your good health effects you fulfilling that purpose.
You may have been blessed with a precious gift, your child(ren). Your health is important in raising them.
Your success in work, raising a family, etc depends on good health.
Exercise and rest can lower you stress level.

Let's choose to start making our health important. Let's choose to start today.

February Action Plan:

Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule and life. (we will be discussing it)

Week 1 Action Plan:

Choose to rearrange your schedule to allow for 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.

Day 1 Action Plan

Choose to thank God for creating an unique and special you.

Choose to read Luke 12:6-8. Reread it again. Do you get your importance?

Choose to exercise by jogging, jump roping, dancing during your TV show.

Choose to clean up the kitchen and give it a fresh start for the week.

Choose to get a full nights rest.

Week 3 Day 5: End of the Month

2010-01-29T06:05:00.000-08:00

It is the end of the month. You are feeling very accomplished, frustrated or like you are making progress. No matter how you have been doing on your choices, I want you to remember that you need to take your choices day by day.

You had choices yesterday, today and will have them tomorrow. Some days you making the right choice will be easy. Other days life will get in the way and make it harder to make the right choice. But just because a difficult day comes along, please do not give up. You need to hold yourself accountable, but not be critical or frustrated. Admit you made the wrong choice and then choose wisely the next time.

As I have said many times, I hope you choose God daily and choose to get rest and exercise. I hope you are starting to get your life more organized and are cleaning out the mess. But it will take time and we will do it together one step at time.

As we say goodbye to another month, choose to finish a closet and have a schedule for yourself. Please feel free to ask me for any advice on either of those.

But most importantly, choose to remember how precious you are to God and how much He loves you. No matter how messy life may be, your Father is right there with you. So choose to take a moment and enjoy His presence.

January Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet and memorize Psalm 100

Week 3 Day 5
Choose to sit in the presence of God.
Choose to shout Psalm 100 to God.
Choose enjoy a physical activity with loved ones.
Choose to pick up your room and enjoy this weekend.
Choose to smile because God is good!!

Action Plan Week 3 Day 4: Choosing To Finish

2010-01-28T04:35:00.000-08:00

As of today, you have either not started on your closet, half way started on your closet, or maybe you are even finished. If you have not started or in the process of working on it, you have to make the choice to finish. The next three days you have choices to make to finish it or you will choose to put it off.

Your whole life you have been making choices to finish what you started or to put it off another day. I want you to finish your closet by January 31. I want you to have that feeling of accomplishment. But more importantly, I want you to choose to finish the race. I want you not to put off God another day.

Maybe you are like the turtle in the race and have slowly grown in your relationship with God. Or you might be like the hare, you got off to a fast start but stopped to rest. You came to know the Lord and you were excited. Your relationship was on fire but somewhere along the way you choose to take a break. Whether you are the turtle or the hare, it is only important that you finish the race and you finish strong.

Choose to not put off today what you can do today. Do not stop or give it up because you feel you are in the back of the race. Today choose to get back in the race. Today choose not to stop because you get tired or because the path gets filled with potholes and bumps. Lets choose to finish this race together.

January Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet
Shoes: You can store them in clear containers, some type of cubby, or a basket in the bottom of the closet. Pick something that fits your personality. If you take the time to pull them off then containers might work. If you take them off quickly then some type of open cubby works best. If you fling them off your feet then a basket might be best to keep them off the floor.
Purses/Bags: Sit them on a shelf and use dividers to help them stand up or use clear containers to store and protect them. If you have built in cubbies use them for your bags. If you have wall space or back of a closet door, you can use hooks to hang them.

Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet and learning the verse.

Week 3 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to thank God for choosing you for this race.
Choose to read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 1 Corinthian 9:24-27
Choose to actually go for a jog or walk and think about the race God has called you to.
Choose to have a race and see who can pick up the house or kids room the fastest. (Have a prize like an extra piece of dessert.)
Choose to get a full nights sleep so you are ready for the race.

Week 3 Day 3: Choosing to Find Some Order

2010-01-27T04:33:00.000-08:00

As you clean out your closet, you are probably finding a lot of things you do not need. Closets easily become cluttered because we keep throwing more and more stuff in them. Sometimes we throw so much stuff in them that there is no room for the items the closet is supposed to store.

Does your life feel like your closet? You keep cramming more and more into the week that you are about to pop. You have stuffed so much busyness in to your week that there is no room for the important things in life.

Whether it is our closet or our life, we have to make sure we are choosing to arrange important items and choosing to clean out the not so important things that take up too much space. As you clean out your closet, I want you to really think about what you are trying to cram into your life. What in your life is like that shirt from 3 years ago that is just taking up space? Would you notice if it was not part of your life anymore? Would it be a relief to have that time back?

As you continue to work on your schedule from last week, make sure you are cleaning out your schedule like you clean out your closet.

January Action Plan:
Choose to clean out a closet
Find containers to store items on top shelf.
Try not to use your shelf under your clothes for items.
Try to designate a place for shoes (options coming tomorrow)
Organize by sections (dress and casual, colors or by sleeve length)

Week 3 Action Plan:
Choose to clean out your closet and memorize Psalm 100.

Week 3 Day 3 Action Plan:
Choose to thank God for providing you with life and ask for wisdom in your choices for your life.
Choose to read Matthew 6:25-34
Choose to jog or jump rope during every commercial break during a TV show.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms. (Lysol wipes are fine.)
Choose to go to bed on time.