New Beginnings

January is a wonderful time to start thinking about new beginnings - a time to renew commitments, make a change, and do something better for yourself and for the world. The word beginning is a synonym for the word Genesis. It's new. It's exciting. It's good.

However, starting over, starting again, or simply starting can also be scary. It's unknown. It's different. It's change. In the beginning the world was without form, void, and dark. (Genesis 1:2) Is there anything in your life that seems chaotic (without form), possibly a void of feeling accomplished, appreciated, or heard? Are you in a dark place?

In the midst of a dark and formless world, God's spirit was right there. He was hovering over the waters and it was then that He called forth the light. He was able to separate the darkness from the light and the light was good. (Genesis 1:4)

Whatever situation you are in - whenever the water seems too deep to swim up, remember that God's spirit is there - waiting to call you out of the darkness. Nothing is impossible with God and now is the time for you to make your new beginning. Write your Genesis story, and let it be good.

Sometimes our goals can seem so far away. It's not always easy to see the light - but let the Spirit guide you. He will call you forth for the greatness of His Kingdom. Sometimes I get discouraged when I think about how far I still have to go. Financial goals, family goals, and future goals often seem frustrating because I want to be there now - not in a year or ten years from now. But it helps to look back at some of the things I've already achieved and remember that those accomplishments didn't happen overnight.

Whatever goals you have for the New Year, I hope to be there as an encouragement along the way. I don't have all the answers, (but no one does.) So, let's grow together in 2015!

Luke 9:62, Don't Look Back!

Well, it's happened again. Christmas has come and gone and now it's time to start thinking about those New Year's Resolutions. 2014 is almost over. It's time to stop fretting about everything you didn't do; stop hanging onto any regrets. Leave the past behind you. (Mostly a pep talk for myself!)

My theme for 2015 is "Don't Look Back," and it comes from Luke 9:62. What can I do better in 2015? I don't want to make the same - very broad/vague resolutions that I have in the past; I want to make a tangible difference. I don't need to do more, I simply want to do better. (smarter, not harder)

This year, I'm not only going to set goals I want to reach by the end of 2015, but I am going to break it down into monthly, weekly, and daily goals as well. I want to have a plan in place and when life happens (as it always does) I can always modify my goals as needed.

First things first, I'm going to have a solid bible reading plan. I've done cover-to-cover and OT/NT/Psalm in a day; I think I'm going to try a chronological approach this year. Most of this blog will probably be about what I'm reading at the time.

I have other personal goals as well; fitness goals, healthy eating goals, etc... I will track all those closely on my Fit For the Kingdom Facebook page and occasionally on here.

I am also going to keep editing my book and seeking out publishers - hopefully being able to speak on it's contents a few times throughout the year. In summary, it's about Faith, Fitness, and Food.

I want to make a difference for God's Kingdom this year. I want to live radically and not waste any time I have been granted - time only given to me by God for the purpose to further His kingdom in the first place. Feel free to keep me accountable; feel free to ask me how I'm doing, and feel free to join me. Click HERE for my reading plan if you want to follow along!

I want to hear about all the lives you will change in the upcoming year. Are you in?

I Choose You, Jesus

We often read the account of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion and are continuously stunned by the events that led up to this beautiful tragedy. I still find myself amazed when I read the account from the gospel of John. In chapter 18, verses 39-40, Pilate asks the Jews, “So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” In amazement, the Jews reply, “Not this man…”

They had an opportunity to choose Jesus and didn't! I know I often find myself judging the accusers with arrogant thoughts of, “How could you?” and “Not me. I would have chosen Jesus.” But in reality, how often do we have the chance to choose between Jesus and our own selfish desires?

This looks different for everybody. I am passionate about fitness. For me, sometimes I have to ask myself, “Is working out worth it today?” Sometimes it is, and sometimes it’s more important to spend quality time with friends or family. If I find myself stressing out about my workout instead of focusing on my relationship my family or God through regular devotional time, then it’s time for a priority check.

Whether it’s watching sports or other TV shows, reading your favorite book, or playing x-box…whatever you enjoy as your pastimes, remember to keep your priorities in check. It’s great to enjoy the pleasures of life God provides for us. But are we placing those things ahead of our relationship with Him?

If we forego our Bible reading for extra workout time, extra sleep, or possibly that late night movie, maybe it’s time to rethink our priorities. We need to constantly ask ourselves, “Are there moments when I have the choice to pick between my own desires and Jesus?” If so, what am I choosing? 

Are You a Strong Willed Child?

Many of us have one: a strong willed child. For some of you, you have strong willed children. If that's the case, know I'm praying for you. Come over, take a load off - just leave the kids at home. (Just kidding.) I love kids. I love my strong willed child and his tattle telling older brother. We love our children dearly, but let's not beat around the bush: they can be a royal pain in the rump! 

However, we can learn many valuable lessons from our children. It's funny how God uses them to highlight our own areas of weakness, whether that's lack of patience, being quick to anger, or a strong willed defiance of what God is asking of you. 

Sometimes it's easy to give up or give into our children when they are being difficult. We have to learn to compromise and let them explore their creative side - even if that means giving up our parental power of wanting things done 'our way.' 

Our way. As a child, we often hold the notion that when we grow up we will be able to do everything 'our way.' As an adult, we often try to do everything 'our way' and most of the time, we fall flat on our face. God doesn't compromise. However, if we are insistent about constantly defying His will, He will allow us to fail so that we recognize the need to follow through with His instructions.

I do believe God allows us to carry out His will through our own unique personalities and creative passions - personalities and passions that He designed for us and instilled in us long before we were born. Our talents were given to us for a purpose. There is a reason we tend to enjoy certain things more than others. If you are looking for your way to witness, start there - where you find your joy for your passion. 

Strong willed children can be difficult. But, if cultivated through the spirit, they can grow up to be strong willed Christians. Are you a strong willed child of God? If so, is your will working for His, or against? 

Yikes! I'm a pastor's wife!?!

I can be kind of goofy sometimes. However, it's very rare and only my close friends, my kids, and my husband really understand just how weird I am. I grew up with the idea that being "Christian" was a synonym for being "prim and proper." With this notion, I always had a certain sense of not being 'good enough' because I could not live up to the typical Christian stereotypes.

I spent the majority of my early adult years building up walls so that others would be blinded to my imperfections. I wanted to be seen as independent, happy, and care free. In reality, I felt alone, miserable, and anxious - all the time. Trying to hide who I really was in order to live up to the 'Christian expectations' was not only exhausting, but I was contributing to the very impression that blinded me from God's truth.

It was not until I became part of a ministry team that I really began to understand the paramount fact: Christians are far from perfect. And that is okay! Knowing that God created us with all our quirks, all our emotions, and all our imperfections - and yet loves us in spite of it all is a beautiful thing.

I am still awed by the fact that my husband is a children's pastor - making me a pastor's wife! I am definitely not the type of woman I used to think that being in a position of ministry encompassed. I keep thinking that one day I will wake up and just 'feel' like a pastor's wife.

However, the more I get to know my ministry team, the more I realize that 'putting on a face' for the sake of worldly views of how Christians 'should' act is harmful to our personal testimonies. No, I am not perfect. (My husband and kids can testify to that!) I lose my temper at times, I make mistakes, and to top it off - I am extremely introverted. (not the picturesque 'pastor's wife who I always pictured as outgoing and could always remember everyone's name)

But through it all, God blesses my mess. As long as I am trying to live for Him and keep focused on what He has for me, instead of trying to live up to my own idealistic standards, I am enough. Sometimes I just need to get out my head and out of God's way and allow Him to work through me - imperfections and all.

Facing "The Rut"

November and December are awesome months! I love the holiday season - the bright lights, the Christmas trees, (the desserts)...But with the season comes colder weather, more time spent indoors, and the endless effort of piling on extra clothes - hats, scarves, gloves, etc... And I really don't care what anyone else says - no one looks good in layers.

So as this season brings a lot of joy it can also bring the 'winter blues.' The leaves are pretty...but they are dying, the snow may glisten...but it's a pain to drive through and snow days are great...but now the kids are stuck at home, indoors, ALL day. (Or in my case, my husband!)

Despite the season, we all have found ourselves in a rut at one point in time or another. So, how can we fix this? What are steps we can take to either prevent or bring ourselves out of an emotional low? Well, the first thing is that you have to actually want to climb out of your emotional hole.

One of the hardest things to do when I am in a ‘rut’ is actually want to come out. I have days where I want to lay in bed, hide under my covers, and just stay there. I am very grateful that I have my kids who keep me on somewhat of a schedule because without them I would be a lot less productive.

Next, you pray...I know that sounds so cliche, but if you really believe that God listens and answers prayers why would He not answer yours? If your child came to you and said they were feeling like crap, would you scoff and brush it aside as if it were no big deal? God doesn't either. You also have to believe that God can fix it. Sometimes I think we pray without really believing God will answer. 

Even if your prayer is "God I feel like crap. I want to feel like crap and I want everyone around me to feel like crap too. This kind of sucks. Help me to want the desire to change my attitude." Reciting the Lord's prayer is great and all, but it's not the only way to pray. God doesn't care about formalities.  

The absolute best way I have found to pull myself out of a prolonged emotional depression is to be others centered. A lot of theories out there say that when you feel like a ‘mess,’ you need to take time for yourself and focus on your needs. But I find that when I am focused on other’s needs and am driven by the passion to help someone else, I bounce back faster and stronger than before.

Picture a cup being filled with God’s grace. In this grace is love, peace, and even joy. When we go to God, we are filled with His abundant love to our rim – we are full. God will keep filling us up if we pour out His grace onto others but when we stop overflowing God stops pouring in. We can be content for a while, but slowly that grace is going to evaporate away. In order to be filled, we must pour ourselves out. 

"Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, 

and one who waters will himself be watered." 

Proverbs 11:25

Fitness Challenge!

It's not too late the to join my 20 workouts in 23 days Fitness Challenge. All workouts are posted on my Fit For the Kingdom's Facebook page. Check it out!

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may not think you have the time to workout. But...these workouts are all under 15 minutes. Put dinner on the stove and get your workout in before you have to set the table!

Let's start the week off right - together!

Stuck in the Mud

Sifting through my Facebook page kind of sucks sometimes. I feel bombarded with political statements, self-righteous opinions, and an overall hatred towards people who look/act/think/or believe differently from what others deem 'appropriate.' There are so many empty 'Amen' comments to posts that definitely aren't speaking the truth 'in love.'

In the opening of John chapter 9 Jesus and his disciples come across a blind man. The disciples immediately ask the question, "Is he blind because of his sin, or his parents?" Immediately, they assume that this man is 'getting what he deserves,' and instead of taking compassion on him, they want to know the 'down and dirty of his past.'

This man might have been physically blind, but the disciples were spiritually blinded by the same naive notion that people 'are where they are' and 'do what they do' because they're not working hard enough or simply lazy.

The reality was that the man had been blind so that the "works of God might be displayed in him." How many people out there are waiting for the mud to be washed out their eyes and how many people are waiting for you to do it? The disciples judged. Jesus healed.

Are you trying to heal the world or hurt it?