God's Communication Goals Part Six, Goal Four: Other People

Missed part of this series? Start here:

Introduction Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four Part Five


I sometimes forget that life isn’t about me. Seriously, I do.

Sure, I’m praying, but I find myself praying about MY day, MY ministry, MY priorities.

Of course, I’m taking care of my family, but I’m relentlessly seeking “me” time in the process.

Certainly, I’m praying for opportunities to minister, but I’m gravitating toward and clinging to the comfortable, the natural, the familiar and the fun.

Recently, while assessing the impact and future direction of this blog, I realized that, because of some of my painful life experiences, God was connecting me to a number of people who are also enduring some extremely traumatic situations. The kind of stuff that rips out your heart and makes you want to go kiss your kids (again) while they are sleeping.

And in true Sandy fashion, I found myself resisting.

Dealing with hurting people is hard. It’s exhausting. It’s time-consuming. And It’s not very fun.

“But God…I don’t really want to reach out to all these hurting people! Remember! I’m Fitness Friday Girl! I want to write about exercise and organic foods! Oh yeah…and hearing Your voice. (long pause) Right. And that. I don't want a sad, downer-blog! I want a fun, happy blog!”

God graciously allowed me to wallow in my pathetic whining a few minutes while I stared at a picture of one particular child in extreme distress.

And I stared. And I stared.

And then in true God fashion, He flooded my heart with conviction and compassion for the millions of hurting people in the world. And, particularly, for the small handful of hurting people who found their way to my blog or mine to theirs.

“Sandy, how can you on the one hand, ask Me to lead you, speak to you and use you for My kingdom; and on the other hand avoid anything uncomfortable or painful? Whose blog is this anyway? Whose ministry is this anyway? Whose cross do you bear? Whose purpose do you seek? If you want My purpose, you must follow where I’m leading you. If you want a fun blog, then you are missing the point of why I called you to this.”

Whoa.

If you are one of the 75 bazillion people who read The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren, you may recall the very first line of the very first chapter:

“It’s not about you.”

I don’t know about you, but I need that tattooed to my forehead.

Followed by:

It’s about God and His purpose.

(fortunately, I’ve got a pretty big forehead).

That’s it. That is what life is about. God's purpose for us.

Knowing who God is, knowing who we are and allowing God to transform our hearts into the image of Christ…Why???

So that our hearts can break for the same things that break His heart:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
(Luke 4:18-19)

How can I so often miss this? God’s purpose for me and His call on my life is to minister to

the poor…

the prisoners…

the blind…

the oppressed…

the lost (Luke 19:10)…

the brokenhearted, the captives, those who mourn, those who grieve (Isaiah 61)…

the orphans and the widows (James 1:27)

the sick (Matthew 4:23)

the demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16)

the hungry and thirsty (Matthew 25:44)

So often we (I!) miss what God is saying because we miss the point of our existence, entirely.

We’re listening for God to lead us into blessing and prosperity, comfort and joy, when God’s calling for us to follow His heart toward the wounded.

That, my friend, is a very uncomfortable place to go.

But…

when we follow Him there, some really mind-blowing things begin to happen. He starts to lead us to specific people who need specific words of encouragement at a specific time, and then He tells us specifically what to say. (Cool!)

He pulls the curtain back from the façade and reveals to us what is truly in the heart of people, so we can love them the way He loves them and cut directly to the core of their need. (Wow!)

He enlarges our hearts to give what we never thought we could give in and of ourselves. (Fun!)


So, if God seems particularly silent lately, or His voice seems to be fading in and out like a bad cell phone connection...maybe, just maybe, you've been missing the point of His communication all along.

“God is always looking for ordinary people to play significant roles in His unfolding story…While as humans we try to partner with the brightest and most powerful, God is simply looking for people who are willing to take Him at His word—those confident that with Him in the equation everything is possible.” ~Louie Giglio

If you are feeling a tug to follow God's heart, please pray for the two beautiful little girls whose pictures appear on my sidebar. Abby and Bella both have lukemia and could really use your prayers and encouragment.

Fitness Friday: What's My Motivation, Dude? Part Two

I have officially eaten my weight in cookies.

I make no excuses.

I partook of my own free will.

Over several days.

These cookies tasted really, really good. Click here for the recipe, if you want it.

My tummy hurts.

With two more family Christmas celebrations to go, not to mention a big New Year’s Eve party to attend, there’s no better time like the present to discuss on-going motivation.

What is it that has gotten me out of bed and to the gym at 5:30 am?

What is it that makes me choose salad over french fries?

What is it that moves me away from the platter of home-made peanut butter and Hershey Kiss cookies ...

to go into the basement and do bicep curls?

Could it be that I’ve eaten ALL of the cookies? There literally ARE NO MORE COOKIES?

Maybe.

(Thanks Jennifer for a yummy recipe, which appears at the bottom of this post.)

Honestly, this post is somewhat difficult for me to write. First, as we discussed in Part One, what motivates me may not motivate you at all.

Secondly, fitness and nutrition are such a part of my life…it’s sort of like trying to explain why I sleep or shower.

It’s just how I live…It’s what I do.

Don't hate me.

So how does one get from “how do I stay motivated” to "it’s just how I live, it’s what I do”?

Maybe I will let you into my brain (this could be scary), and explain my mindset.

There are so many aspects of living a healthy life that I love, I can’t even imagine NOT living this way. Some benefits are obvious. Others, not so much.

Do any of these resonate with you?

1. A healthy diet and exercise gives me energy during the day and helps me sleep well at night.

2. I like the way I look. Not because my body is perfect, but because I know I’m healthy and fit. (I'm also 40 years old, have had 2 c-sections and still wear a 2-piece swim suit)

3. I like the way my clothes fit me.

4. The endorphin rush after a killer work out is completely awesome.

5. Exercise is a great stress reliever.

6. Exercise combats depression by helping the brain manufacture serotonin (a chemical in the brain that regulates mood).

7. Exercise helps to clear my mind. I use work out times to pray, plan and sort through issues. I’ve “written” entire blog posts and Bible study lessons while exercising.

8. Exercise is a much-needed break from the kiddos.

9. I love the way healthy food tastes. It’s so much better than processed, fatty, salty foods.

10. I am greatly reducing my risk of just about every known disease, including all kinds of cancer and heart disease.

11. I am training my children how to make healthy choices for themselves—If I don’t teach them, who will?

12. I am glorifying God by taking good care of the one and only body He has given me.

I think those last two are biggies that a lot of people miss. I’ve talked to several moms who say things like,

“So my whole family has to suffer because I decide to change the way I eat?”

Huh?? Did you say "suffer?"

If by “suffer” you mean you feed your children wholesome snacks and delicious home-made dinners, thereby training their little palettes to crave healthy foods, as opposed to greasy, chemical-laden-barely-resembles-food food, which will then allow them to live energy-filled, disease-free, active lives, live to see their children and their grandchildren, AND fulfill their God-given purpose in life— (take a breath...)

If THAT’S what you mean by “suffer”…

THEN SUFFER, THEY MUST!

YES!!!! SUFFER the little children!!!!!!!!!

And let’s not forget the whole God thing. I know many people who feel like they are doing something selfish—almost sinful—when they focus on their health.

Maybe because they think it’s somehow vain or a misplacement of attention?

Maybe because they find their worth in their appearance?

Or maybe because the Enemy would like nothing better than for them to be confused about God's will, feel like garbage, feel terrible about themselves, lay on their couches and do nothing...and then die?

(long pause...)

Surely, being only obsessed with your jean size is bad. But it doesn’t negate the REAL issue of being a good steward of the beautiful and miraculous body God has given you.

BTW, did you know the Bible is very clear that GLUTTONY is also wrong? (Proverbs 23:20-21) Why don’t we ever hear that preached on Sunday?

So if I have any advice on keeping yourself motivated through the rough cookie-eating, I’d-rather-lie-on-the-couch-and-watch-reruns-of-The Office, days…I offer you this. My gift to you this Christmas Day:

1. Educate yourself. Read books on fitness and nutrition. Get a subscription to a good magazine (for women, I like “Fitness” and “Shape”). Use the internet. Whatever. Just read all the ways a healthy lifestyle can change the course of your life. Read about the dangers of obesity. Read about the diseases affiliated with a high-fat, highly processed diet. Read, read, read!

2. Be accountable to someone. Find a workout partner, a personal trainer or a support group who will expect you to show up and ask you how it’s going. Or if you’re like me and prefer to exercise alone, start a fitness blog tracking your progress.

3. Find an exercise you love. For me, it’s walking. In the park, in my neighborhood, on the beach. I just heart it. When it’s too cold to walk, I have an elliptical. If you like running, biking, hiking, spinning, aerobics, kickboxing, tennis…then do that. The key is to like it.

4. Eat food you love. Healthy food is delicious when it’s prepared to your liking (and no, I don't mean deep-fried). Find recipes you like and cook them. Use spices you enjoy. Find restaurants that serve healthy dishes.

5. Set a goal—a weight loss goal, a fitness goal or a time-frame you can shoot for. Sign up for a 5-K or a marathon and train for it. Write it on a calendar. Tell people what you are doing.

6. Take a “before” picture and hang it somewhere you can see it. (cringe)

7. Take pictures every few weeks—you may not realize how far you’ve come.

8. Take measurements. The scale won’t tell you the full story. Especially when you add weights.

9. Reward yourself. Give yourself a weekly treat for sticking to your fitness routine. Buy some new clothes or take a trip when you reach your goal.

10. As your body shrinks and your old clothes get too big, give them to charity. Don’t keep your “fat clothes” just in case.

11. Get rid of the all-or-nothing mentality. A cookie-binge does not negate years of healthy living. If you fall of the wagon, get up, dust yourself off and move on. Grace, grace, grace. It's amazing!



In the end, a healthy lifestyle becomes self-motivating. Once you see how great you look and feel, you won’t want to go back to the way you lived before. I promise.

Does anyone out there have anything to add? I’d love to hear what motivates you!

Oh...and here's that cookie recipe.

2 and 2/3 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup Crisco (I used real butter, room temp)

2/3 cup peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

unwrapped Hershey Kisses

Cream brown sugar and Crisco (or butter), and add peanut butter. Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir to combine well.

Shape into balls, roll in granulated sugar and bake for 8 minutes at 350 degrees (mine took 10). Press chocolate kiss in center of each cookie and bake for 2 more minutes.

Cool on wire rack.Once chocolate kiss is completely cooled, these will freeze beautifully.

Merry Christmas!!!!

God's Communication Goals, Part Five, Goal Three: Your Transformation

Missed part of this series? Start here:

Introduction Part One Part Two Part Three Part Four

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30

God wants to transform you.

After knowing the Truth about who He is and knowing the Truth about who you are in Him,God is most interested in your permanent, radical, and miraculous heart-transformation.

More than your happiness

More than your financial prosperity

More than your physical health

More than the man, woman or career of your dreams…

God wants to give you a new heart…a pure heart.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8


He will literally use anything and everything to communicate this to you.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

All things…

Big things

Small things

Loud things

Uh...small AND loud things...

Quiet things

Important things

Mundane things

That’s why it’s so vital to pay attention and let God’s voice lead you.

It’s not always easy to hear His words and allow them to change you. It can burn and sting.

“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness” Malachi 3:1-3

And at times you will be tempted to question God’s motives and His methods.

“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?” Romans 9:20-21

But God knows what is best for you. See, He knows your heart-transformation, though difficult, will allow you to ascend to places in Him you didn’t even know existed…

“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah” Psalm 24:3-6

Live your life in true freedom…



“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” Psalm 119:45

And discern His perfect will for your life…




Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

How is God transforming you today?

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." II Corinthians 3:18

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Fitness Friday: What's My Motivation, Dude? Part One

Welcome to another installment of Fitness Friday! Grab your bottled water and a juicy piece of fruit...let's jump right in.

Motivation is key to any successful fitness and nutrition lifestyle. It is the "why" that makes you do the "what" in your life. I think motivation in fitness falls into two main categories:

Initial Motivation--Why make healthy changes to begin with?
and
Continued Motivation--How do I keep going when it gets hard?

Today, let's focus on Initial Motivation.

I love lists. I wish life were just a series of little lists I could follow and check off. With a cute pen and a legal pad. I love cute pens and legal pads. So nothing would warm my heart more on this Fitness Friday than to give you a fool-proof, one-size-fits-all list of motivators.

But, alas, that isn't how life works. See, what motivates me, may not resonate with you in the least. We are all so uniquely crafted, this is one area you really need to examine and discover for yourself.

For some of you, it may be the death of a loved one.

For others, it may be a medical scare of your own.

Or perhaps you see a photo of yourself and can't believe you really look that big.

Or someone calls you "fat"

Maybe you've got a closet full of clothes that you love but can't fit into...again.

Or you get a glimpse of your chart during a physical, and the doctor has the word "obese" on your list of diagnoses

Some of you may, as the saying goes, just be sick and tired of feeling sick and tired

Honestly, I don't really think I had one moment in time that shifted me from an unhealthy lifestyle to a healthy one. From as far back as I can remember, I've cared about my health and my weight.

However, I have had a few major motivators over the years that propelled me into more serious fitness routines and more disciplined eating. Here are the highlights. Maybe you'll find something in there that also propels you to action:

1. Age 13: My mom has a heart attack at the age of 53...the first of many heart-related ailments that would eventually take her life at age 70.

Result: I realize genetics are not in my favor. I vow to take care of my body so that I will live to enjoy my children and my grandchildren.

2. Age 24--At an annual physical, I discuss my 5-pound weight gain with my doctor. This is the first time I ever pay attention to the words "age" and "metabolism" in the same sentence. I do some quick mathematics in my bride-to-be head, and figure

A. I have only gained less than a half a pound a month this year--that's not too bad, right?

B. If I continue at that rate, by age 34, I'll be 50 pounds overweight! By age 44, I'll be 100 pounds overweight. YIKES!



Result: Get my first gym membership, and add weights to my cardio workouts.

2. Age 31--After 2 c-sections in 18 months, I struggle to get to my pre-pregnancy weight.

Result: Discover Body For LIfe and complete my first 12-Week Challenge

3. Age 36--Watch the movie Supersize Me




Movie Plug: I cannot recommend this movie enough. Not only is it highly entertaining, but it is so full of information...I think I've watched it 4 times just to catch all the stats.

Please rent this movie and watch it. You won't regret it.

Make sure you watch the special features, too.
WARNING: You may never eat a McDonald's french fry again as long as you live.



Result: Buy and read the books written by the experts interviewed in the special features. Buy and read a whole slew of books on nutrition, natural diets and health. Switch to an almost all-organic and almost all-vegetarian diet, for my entire family.
And vow never to order McDonald's french fries again. (And I haven't).

4. Annual trips to Holiday World--a giant water park in very rural Santa Claus, Indiana.
Dude, I've never seen so many tattoos on large, hairy bellies in my LIFE! No offense against these people. I'm sure they are all swell folks. But put a shirt on already!

Water slides and family fun aside, it's like the Midwest Mecca for obese, unhealthy and inappropriately clothed families. I'm not kidding, every single year, I come home and recommit my life to health--and remind my children why we do what we do around here.

Yes, some people renew their wedding vows.

Some recommit to Christ.

But I...I have a weepy annual ceremony, pledging allegiance to my veggies.

5. Any day, every day, reading stats like these all over the news:

Two in every three adults in the U.S. are overweight, that's 127 million people, not counting the overweight children!




One out of three adult Americans is obese (that's 60 million!) and nine million are severely obese!


Obesity is responsible for as many as 300,000 deaths annually.



The cost of health-care related to obesity runs at about $100,000,000,000 (that's $100 billion!) per year



Just writing all of this makes me want to hop on the elliptical and drink a Go LEAN protein shake.





That's my story...what's yours?

God's Communication Goals: Part Four: God is Love

Introduction

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

"Love must express and communicate itself.
That’s its nature.
When people love one another, they start telling everything that’s happened to them.
Every detail of their daily life, they “Reveal” themselves to each other, unbosom themselves and exchange confidences.
God hasn’t ceased being Revelation any more than He’s ceased being Love.
He enjoys expressing Himself.
Since He’s Love, He must give Himself.
Share His secrets, communicate with us
And reveal Himself to anyone who wants to Listen."
~Louis Eberly, Alive Now

God's Communication Goals, Part Three: Identity Theft

Introduction

Part One

Part Two

“This is my shy one.”
“He’s the class clown.”

“She is so full of herself.”

“You are such a loser!” “He’s nothing but trouble.”
“She’s so stupid.”

“He’s not very good with people.”

“You’re too loud.”

“You’re too quiet.”

“You should be more like your sister.”

For your entire life, people have been telling you who you are and who you should be. You’ve been labeled. You’ve been shaped by voices. Some of you have been so impressed by the opinions and words of those around you, you’ve lived your life as if you were “that person,”

whether it was accurate or not.

Others of you are so confused about who you should be, you take on multiple identities. You are whoever you need to be at the time.

Some of you are just so sick of yourselves, you’ve pretty much given up on figuring out who you are.


You are a victim of Identity Theft.

You have a true identity.

The identity with which God created you.

The identity that is fully and completely yours because of the blood Jesus shed for you on the Cross.

The identity that allows you to fulfill your call and purpose in God’s kingdom.

The identity that allows you to live in freedom, above condemnation.

The identity that allows you to love yourself so you can be free to love others.

In fact, you can't love others with a godly love, unless you first understand God's love for you and also love yourself.

If you pay close attention, you will discover that much of God’s communication with you is somehow connected to one of these two things:

Who God is

And

Who you are

Why does God want you to know who you are?

Because He knows all about your identity crisis.

He knows all about the thief.

Because He wants you to realize your importance in the scheme of His eternal plans. He wants you to know your position and your supernatural authority in Christ.

You must know who you are if you are ever going to be all God created you to be.

And unless you've been shaped by the Word of God, you are not who you think you are.

Has your identity been stolen?

Let today be the day God redefines you.

Read these slowly, in the first person. Out loud, if you can.

I am…

Justified (declared not guilty) -Rom 3:24

Not condemned- Rom 8:1

Set free from the law of sin and death- Rom 8:2

Sanctified and made acceptable- I Cor 1:2

Righteous and holy in Christ -I Cor 1:30

A new creation -2 Cor 5:17

One in Christ with other believers -Gal 3:28

Blessed with every spiritual blessing- Eph 1:3

Holy and blameless- Eph 1:4

Covered with God’s love- Eph 1:4

Adopted as God’s children -Eph 1:5-6

Forgiven- Eph 1:7

Brought under Christ’s headship- Eph 1: 10-11

Marked by the Holy Spirit -Eph 1:13

Raised up to sit with Christ in glory -Eph 2:6

God’s work of art- Eph 2:10

Brought near to God- Eph 2:13

Sharing in the promise of Christ -Eph 3:6

Able to approach God with freedom -Eph 3:12

A member of His Body (the church) -Eph 5:29-30

Given fullness in Christ- Col 2:10

Free from your sinful nature- Col 2:11

Promised eternal glory- 2 Tim 2:10

A Child of God- 1 Jn 3:1,2

Christ's friend -Jn 15:15

Born of God- 1 Jn 4:7

An heir of God- Rom 8:17

A Joint heirs with Christ- Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7

A Child of promise -Rom 9:8; Gal 3:14

Given the mind of Christ -1 Cor 2:16

Crucified with Christ- Gal 2:20

Connected to the true vine- Jn 15:1,5

The temple of God- 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19

One spirit with the Lord- 1 Cor 6:17

A Saint- Eph 1:1; 1 Cor 1:2; Phil 1:1

A Citizen of heaven- Phil 3:20

Rescued from Satan's domain- Col 1:13

Hidden with Christ in God- Col 3:3

Chosen of God - holy, beloved- Col 3:12

A child of light, not darkness- 1 Thess 5:5

A Partaker of Christ- Heb 3:14

A royal priesthood- 1 Pet 2:9

A Stranger to this world- 1 Pet 2:11

An Enemy of the devil- 1 Pet 5:8

Salt on the earth -Mt 5:13

Light in the world -Mt 5:14

Chosen and appointed to bear fruit -Jn 15:16

Called to do the works of Christ- Jn 14:12

Given spiritual authority- Lk 10:19

A Ministerof a new covenant- 2 Cor 3:6

A Minister of reconciliation- 2 Cor 5:18,19

An Expression of life in Christ- Col 3:4

A Partaker of a heavenly calling- Heb 3:1

So, how about you?
What part of your new identity do you struggle with the most?
Please share!

Awards, Awards, Awards

I hit the Blog Jack Pot this week, for sure! I received two awards AND won a blog giveaway! It's the first time I've ever won anything in blog land...and win I did! Take a look at this:

This first award was given to me by Kathleen at Measuring My Life in L-O-V-E.

Description of award:

These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

OK...now here is where I have to break some rules and make a confession. I'm pretty sure I don't even read 8 blogs! And half the blogs I read are the BIG WIGS. I'm thinkin' Beth Moore and Louie Giglio aren't going to be displayin' my award.

But I do have a few people I'd like to honor here. Please go visit them!

A Day In The Life of A Boy And His Mom: Ana is hilarious. And a wonderful friend who loves to be a friend and has a LOT of friends. This girl is one of a kind. Seriously. When you read her blog, you will fall in love with her. She's great. Some day, Ana and I are going to do a girl's trip or something together. I just want to hang with her, though I've only communicated with her over the internet. She makes you feel like you live next door.

A New Life : I found Lindsey when she commented on Beth Moore's blog and instantly felt drawn to her. She is tender and sweet...and breathtakingly beautiful. God is taking the trials and pain of her past and transforming them into an incredible ministry. I can spot a good writer a mile away, and this girl can WRITE, y'all. And I don't even say "y'all" but it seemed so appropriate here. Check out her precious header!

Jottinmama: Every time Kate comments on my blog, I smile. Always uplifting. Always kind. Her posts are deep and introspective. God is working through her in profound ways. She digs these nuggets out of scripture, quotes and song lyrics that have me pondering for days. I love that. I can't wait to see where God is taking her. Another excellent writer, I might add.


My Chocolate Heart: I just met Jennifer and we bonded over our mutual love of chocolate and learning to make cute headers together. It's a rare thing to find someone who is so incredibly excited about her faith. Though she is new to blogging, you'd never know it by reading her posts. It's as though she's been at this for years.

This next award was given to me by Lu at Avery Tales.

Description of award:


When you receive the prize, you must write a post showing it, together with the name of who has given it to you, and link them back. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in their content or design. Show their names and links and leave them a comment informing that they were prized with 'Honest Weblog'. You then have to name 10 Honest random things about yourself.

OK...I already confessed I don't read enough every-day kind of blogs to offer a mininum of seven awards. But here are two that definitely fit the bill:


Heart Choices: Debbie's post are "brilliant in content" for sure! She writes on health issues...a woman after my own heart. No pun intended.

Forever 'n Ever 'n Always : I just found Jill and haven't had a chance to read through her entire blog. But in the last three days, I've been there four times! This a GORGEOUS blog, y'all. Again, I don't say "y'all." She is the mother of 8 kids, many of whom have been adopted. Since I, too, am an adoptive mom, I felt an instant connection. I want to be Jill's friend. :) And she very well may persuade me to add a few more munchkins to my family. Yikes! Did I just say that out loud?

Here is one rule I can follow: 10 Random Honest Things About Myself:

1. I'm the youngest of 7 kids

2. I like the music from High School Musical (all three of them) and Camp Rock.

3. I'm listening to that music right now

4. I think Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers is WAY cute.

5. I don't like to fly on airplanes

6. I never received a grade lower than a B on any single assignment in all my years of school, including college.

7. My first job was working for a Polish catering company called Miss Lucille's Catering when I was 14 years old.

8. Miss Lucille's catered my wedding

9. I'm Polish

10. I've never lived in an apartment. Moved straight from mom and dad's to a house I purchased with my new hubby 15 years ago.

And last, but not least...I won the BEST give away EVAHHHHHHHHH this week.

Paula at Wrinkled Shirts actually gave away a PLANE TICKET and HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS to attend the Proverbs 31 Girl's Night Out in Houston! I get to hang with Paula all day, get a tour of Houston, meet Renee and Lysa from P31 AND maybe even meet Kate from Jon and Kate Plus 8. (Please, God...let me meet Kate. She's my soul-sister and would be my BFF, if only she knew me).

OH. MY. STINKIN. GOODNESS.

This calls for another "Y'ALL!"

I'm dying here! I am still so excited, I can't even stand it. What to wear????

Thank you to everyone who made my week so wonderful. I heart my new bloggy friends!

OK...this post took me way longer than I planned. I need to go enjoy my family and step away from the computer. Have a very blessed weekend, everyone!

Fitness Fridays: Bang for your Buck

Let’s be real. Most of us do not have the luxury of hours a day to spend in the gym.

Shoot, I don’t even belong to a gym.

But there are still a lot of things you can do that don’t require much time. In about 15 to 30 minutes a day, you can do some fabulous exercises that will give you the most bang for your buck.

In other words: Maximum muscles worked in the minimum amount of time.

Let’s call them the Top Seven M&M Exercises

mmmmmmm…M&M’s........

Sorry.




Slightly distracted there for a minute.






1. Walking: Every fitness routine should include cardiovascular exercise, to strengthen the heart and burn calories. Walking is my cardiovascular exercise of choice. It is something you can do anywhere, anytime, with no equipment other than a good pair of shoes. Did you know that a brisk walk can burn up to 500 calories per hour. Hey! That’s about ½ cup of M&M’s.


2. Interval training: Don’t have an hour to work off your chocolate? Interval training is a great way to get a cardio work out in 20 to 30 minutes. You can do interval training with any cardiovascular workout (walking, running, elliptical, stair climber, etc). The key is to keep your intensity levels changing throughout your workout, to sort of “fake out” your aerobic system. Simply increase the intensity of your workout every one or two minutes, until you are pushing yourself as hard as you can (a level 8 or 9 on your scale of perceived exertion). Hold it there for a minute or two and then drop down to a low level again to allow yourself to recover. Repeat this interval as many times as you can until you’ve completed your workout. As you become more fit, you can increase your intensity for longer periods before you drop down to recover. This type of work out is very challenging, but oh, so effective.



3. Squats: A good squat works all the major muscle groups of the lower body in one smooth move--the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and calves. For beginners, you can do them without weights. As you become stronger, simply add hand weights.


4. Lunges: These also work all the major muscles of the lower body, but they are a bit more advanced than the squat, since they help to improve balance, as well.






5. Push-ups: A good push up can strengthen the chest, shoulders, triceps, and even the core trunk muscles, all at one time. Beginners can do push-ups against a wall or counter, then advance to knees and finally, feet.

mmmmm…push ups….

ahem.

6. Bent over row: This exercise works all the major muscles of the upper back, as well as the biceps. Again, begin this exercise with no weights, and then increase weight as you get stronger.

7. Crunches: Here’s good news! You can scratch "Ab Roller Plus" from your Christmas List this year! A good old-fashioned crunch, and all it’s crunchy alternatives (legs bent to either side, legs bent in the air, etc…) are still the most effective exercises for getting those six-pack abs.

mmmmm….six pack…..

No, not really.

Disclaimers/Warnings:

1. If you have a bad back, knees, hips, elbows…pretty much any chronic pain…please see your doctor before you begin an exercise program.

2. To be effective, these exercises must be done correctly. If you aren’t sure how to do them, consult a personal trainer, a buff friend, or purchase a basic exercise DVD. These exercises are also demonstrated and explained in Body For Life and Body For Life for Women

(see sidebar for book info).

Or, check out these sites:
MedicineNet.com
WebMD

3. To reduce risk of injury, it is important to warm up before exercise, and stretch afterward.

4. And again…y’all know I’m NOT a doctor, right? Just consider me your buff friend.

Coming up on God Speaks Today:
Saturday: Boy, I’ve had a very blessed week in blog land—two blog awards

(which I’m obligated by Blog Award Law to pass on to other deserving bloggy friends)

AND I won a wonderful blog give away. I'll tell you all about it.

Look for some fun, light-hearted reading this weekend.

Monday: We continue our series, “God’s Communication Goals: What He wants you to know and why”

The best way to keep up with my blog is to subscribe or follow me. It’s quick and easy. And I offer a full money-back guarantee, if you are not completely satisfied. No, wait. It’s free. If you aren’t satisfied, you can just cancel it. No problem. I don't know where you live.

God's Communication Goals: Part Two, Goal Two

Welcome! If you are visiting today from "The Nesting Place", (one of my all-time favorite blogs) here is my lovely garland I created!

My favorite part is the cinnamon sticks. I just love them!

Now I just need to figure out how to keep it this way until next Christmas, since it's not glued or pinned or wired or anything. I may be adding some sunflowers and making it a summer garland. Nester...Help!!!

Enough decorating for today. If you have a minute, please stick around and read on as we continue Part Two of our series: God's Communication Goals, What He wants you to know and why.

God left him to himself to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart.(II Chronicles 32:31b)

I once was a fabulous mother.

I anticipated my children's needs before they expressed them. I understood the intricacies of their emotions and the complexities of their character, instinctively. I practiced the most effective discipline...a perfect balance of rules and relationship. I planned educational outings to the zoo, the library and the museum. I was crafty (in a glue-stick kind of way). I responded to their inquiries with wisdom, patience and gentleness.

Yep...I pretty much had it all figured out. What with reading a handful of James Dobson books and babysitting well into college...you know. I'm just sayin.

Then I actually gave birth. It was pretty much down hill from there. At least in terms of my confidence in my own abilities.

See, unlike many women who enter motherhood completely and admittedly clueless, I entered motherhood with arrogance and pride. I was Queen Judge of all mothers who struggled with tantrums in Wal-Mart and fed their children cookies to keep them quiet. (All you experienced moms know where this is going.)

Enter into my life four little creatures who apparently were NOT briefed on my surpassingly great revelations prior to being placed in my arms. Ahem. Enter four little creatures who are so different from one another, it does me absolutely no good whatsoever having prior kid experience. What works with one kid NEVER works on the next one!

Enter simultaneously a Loving God who heard my sincere cries to be greatly used for the Kingdom of God; and, therefore, refused to leave me in my pitifully prideful state.

Enter now God's Communication Goal #2:

God wants you to know the truth about who you are.

Look what God said to the children of Israel.

"Make sure you don't forget God, your God, by not keeping his commandments, his rules and regulations that I command you today. Make sure that when you eat and are satisfied, build pleasant houses and settle in, see your herds and flocks flourish and more and more money come in, watch your standard of living going up and up—

make sure you don't become so full of yourself and your things that you forget God, your God, the God who delivered you from Egyptian slavery; the God who led you through that huge and fearsome wilderness, those desolate, arid badlands crawling with fiery snakes and scorpions;

the God who gave you water gushing from hard rock; the God who gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never heard of, in order to give you a taste of the hard life, to test you so that you would be prepared to live well in the days ahead of you.

If you start thinking to yourselves, 'I did all this. And all by myself. I'm rich. It's all mine!'—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today." (Deuteronomy 8:16-17) The Message

Dear Little Children of Israel....I feel your pain.

My eleven years of parenting, among other things, has been

ONE. LONG. PAINFUL. SURGERY.

(sigh)

A few years ago, in the midst of my most difficult season of parenting yet, I reached the end of myself. I literally fell to my knees in my bedroom...more like collapsed into the fetal position...and blurted out some unrecognizable version of, "I can't do this anymore."

I wasn't even crying at this point. I was so far beyond that. I was just numb. Catatonic.

I felt God lovingly say back to me..."Finally, Sandy. Now, this I can work with."

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:7-10)

Before God could show me all that I am in Him, He had to first show me all that I am NOT in myself.

And while the process has been long, slow and painful (for everyone involved, unfortunately), I cannot express how humbled and honored I am that God stuck with me in all my stinky-ness long enough for me to finally see some genuine changes at the DNA level of my character.

When I reached the point of embracing--rather than cursing or denying--my weaknesses, God was able to flood me with REAL strength and wisdom. Which, ironically, is what I thought I possessed the entire time.

See, if we resist and rebuke trials, hardships and weaknesses, we miss a vital element of God's communication to us. Sometimes, there's just no other way for Him to reveal ourselves to ourselves.

It's not easy to look honestly at what lurks in the deepest recesses of our hearts. But the really, really good news is that God already knows what's there. And He cannot love us any more than He already does. Stinky pride and all.

Now THAT is a surpassingly great revelation.