I'm ON TO THE NEXT ONE...I mean THREE ;-)

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Today begins week THREE of the Cardio Connoisseurs "I'm a COMPLETE 10 Challenge" www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/team_mes
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Then in less than THREE weeks, it's my Sorority's Founders' Day Luncheon where we are required to wear white. I intentionally bought a white dress smaller than my current dress size to motivate me to stay focused.

A few close friends know that I've been "under the weather" since December of 2009 and although, I'm getting better I am so very frustrated that I'm unable to workout like I dream about. It wasn't very long ago, that I was KILLING the fitness and doing 60-90 minutes of cardio a day PLUS strength training.

Well, as a result of recently talking to some dear friends...today as I was casting my nutrition and fitness vision for the week, I've decided to stop dwelling on the past and focus on what lies ahead. Which means:

~Revisit the THREE proven tools of my historic success: SPARK, Core Rhythms & Body for Life

~I've updated my ticker to reflect my goal in THREE weeks, and as I reach my goal I will reset my ticker for the next THREE weeks.

~Concentrate on doing THREE mini-workouts a day.

~Resume doing strength training at least THREE days a week.

~And never ever forget that I can eternally rely on the Holy THREE (that's the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) to see me through whatever challenge I may face...and I'm not just talking about the CC Challenge.

"No, dear brothers and sisters, I am STILL not all I should be, but I am focusing ALL my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead..." Philippians 3:13 NLT

I'm still ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!!

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A Complete and PERFECT "10" ~ NOTHING IS WANTING

Thursday, December 31, 2009

According to www.biblestudy.com, the number ten symbolizes "the perfection of Divine order, commencing, as it does, an altogether new series of numbers. The first decade is the representative of the whole numeral system, and originates the system of calculation called "decimals," because the whole system of numeration consists of so many tens, of which the first is a type of the whole.

Completeness of order, marking the entire round of anything, is, therefore, the ever-present signification of the number ten. It implies that NOTHING IS WANTING; that the number and order are perfect; that the whole cycle is complete."

For me 2010 will be a year of completion and perfection on a different level.

As I reflect on 2009, I remember it as a year of so many wonderful highs (i.e. paying off my SUV, being a testimonial in "The SPARK", my Godson getting a cell phone, my professional accomplishments at work and just being gainfully employed in this economy, finding "love" and losing "love" [yes, that was a highlight], FACEBOOK, and growing closer to my loved ones and friends) and then there were the lows (that shall remain anonymous...LOL), which I am grateful for because they helped me to grow and they were even the inspiration for this blog.

So on this New Year's Eve as I think about making my resolutions for 2010, there are so many things I could outline. Yes, I want to reach my "Own Slim" and get that RED DRESS, run a mini-marathon, be financially free, professionally successful, publish my book, complete the grief cycle, relax more, further develop some important relationships and so on and so on...

BUT more importantly, in the New Year, I resolve to be a PERFECT 10, in my Spiritual life with NOTHING IS WANTING...and to not "worry about [my] life, what [I] will eat or drink; or about [my] body, what [I] will wear. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and [trusting that] all these things will be given to [me] as well." Matthew 6: 25a,33 NIV

To put it simply, my New Year's resolution is just to grow closer to GOD, follow the plan HE has for me and to "[t]rust in the LORD with all [my] heart; and lean not unto [my] own understanding. In all [my] ways acknowledge Him, and [know that] He shall direct [my] paths." Proverbs 3: 5,6 KJV

To my dear SPARK Family, I wish that you too may have a complete and PERFECT "10" in 2010 with NOTHING is WANTING and whatever your resolutions may be, please know that GOD has a plan for you as well **HUGS**

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV

HAPPY COMPLETE and PERFECT NEW YEAR with NOTHING IS WANTING!!!

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From the WALL to the ROCK: A Blog within a Blog

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I am so thankful for the fact that I know GOD's Word is powerful and timely, otherwise I would believe that my Pastor has me under surveillance (LOL!).

Anyway, Rev. Cosby is currently doing a series entitled, "The Grinches that Almost Steal Christmas" and one of the two sermons that he preached today was about being "Overwhelmed".

The scripture for this sermon was Psalm 61: 1-8 KJV and he defined overwhelmed as "to feel bewildered and belittled by the complexities and challenges of life." WHOA...so true and it completely describes how I've been feeling for the past few months...complexities and challenges like friends battling cancer, the "Bank Incident" with my SUV, projects at work, the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, missing Lisa, not being able to SPARK with the CC's and the Bahama Mamas, my untimely responses to the posts on my SP page and all of my SP Goodies, and so on and so on...

It seems like only yesterday that I was blogging about being "On the wall and I [COULD] NOT come down!" I was soooooo motivated and knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt I would be at my goal weight by the close of 2009...Here's the link: www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_jo
urnal_individual.asp?blog_id=1905308

Well, now here I am with less than a few weeks away from the end of the year and as it relates to my goals, I am not where I had hoped to be, partly because I have been bewildered and belittled by the "complexities of life."

So am I having a pity party or kicking myself??? Mmmmmm NEGATIVE! Instead, I have gone BACK to BASICS and have evaluated the following:

1. Where am I?
2. Where do I need to be?
3. What do I need to do to get there?

Listed below are the key points from today's message, "GOD's Answer[s] to an Overwhelmed Heart", which perfectly connect with my BACK to BASICS points from above:

1. *Accept the fact that you are helpless.* Which to me means that I cannot control everything and everybody. I need to chill out on my quest to perfection, it IS NOT going to happen!

2. *Break life down into manageable parts.*
"Yesterday is for learning. Tomorrow is for leaning. Today is for living."

3. *Know where to turn.* I am blessed to know JESUS and the power of prayer (there's no better place to turn). Plus, I have such an awesome support system through my family, friends, co-workers and SPARK (both through my SPARK Friends/Teams and my SPARK Tools) and I need to lean on them a little more.

In March, I was on the WALL, but moving forward I am standing even more firmly on the ROCK. This "lifestyle-change-thing" is not just about me hitting a number on the scale or a size in my closet, but it's my ministry. So, I may not be at my goal weight by the end of the year and to tell the truth, I don't know when I'll hit it...but this I do know...I will get there and I want my experience/testimony to be a blessing to others who are also on this journey!!!

Finally, along the way, I will keep trusting in the LORD, because HE is the rock that is higher than any complexity or challenge that life may throw my way...AMEN!

"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth I will cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61: 1,2 KJV

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This is the DAY that the Lord has made...I don't care if it's Friday the 13th!!!

Friday, November 13, 2009

Today, Friday the13th and not at all by coincidence, is the opening of the new apocalyptic movie “2012”. December 21, 2012 (12-21-12), is predicted to be Earth’s expiration date. Obsessive fear has overtaken thousands of people around the world who believe that the end of the world, is a little more than three years away.

Dr. Mark Hitchcock says in an article for CBN, “2012 Predictions Provoke Media Storm”, “Books on 2012 are flying off the shelves. Network news, cable channels, and major Internet outlets are featuring programs and articles on the 2012 phenomenon.”

Just a Few Examples:

History Channel: “Decoding the Past—Doomsday 2012: The End of Days”
History Channel: “The Lost Book of Nostradamus and 2012”
AOL News: “Thousands Expect Apocalypse in 2012”
ABC News: “Will the World End in 2012? Thousands Worldwide Prepare for the Apocalypse, Expected in 2012”
Fox & Friends: “It’s the End of the World: Mayan Calendar Ends in 2012”
Geraldo Rivera (Fox News): “Fact or Fiction: Will the World End in 2012?”
USA Today: “Does Maya calendar predict 2012 apocalypse”
Los Angeles Times: “Many gather to ponder end of Maya days”
New York Post: “2012: The End is Nigh!”
U.S. News and World Report: “Apocalypse 2012: Are the Final Days Coming Soon? New Doomsdayers Adapt a Mayan Prediction”
Newsweek: “2012: A Y2K for the New Age”

The devil uses his favorite tool, the media, to invoke paralytic fear in us. If it’s not 2012, it’s the swine flu. If it’s not the swine flu, it’s threats of terrorist attacks. If it’s not threats of terrorist attacks, it’s identity fraud. And the list goes on. But the Bible says…

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm 91: 5,6,11 (NIV)

And

… no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. Matthew 24:36 (NLT)

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Matthew 24:44 (NLT)

Sherrie (this is one of my good friends and church members)

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

NOTE: I would like to add that as a Christian, I do not believe in Superstition, chance or luck. I know that GOD has a plan and HIS plan is actualized according to HIS will. That is why Friday the 13th, an open umbrella indoors or a black cat in my path has no special significance to me. Amen :)

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I BELIEVE (Day 9)

Friday, October 30, 2009

Reason # 9 “I believe in God because of personal evidence.”

“This is what the Bible calls a ‘still small voice.’ If we listen with an open heart and mind we will find God. There is something in us that leads us to face the inevitability of a creator; that there is something unique and valuable within us. Pascal once said, ‘Within every man there is a God-shaped void.’ Also, Augustine’s prayer reminds us that, ‘Thou has created us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.’ “

Don Waddell – “Why I believe in God 9 non-biblical reasons”

For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

Romans 1:19-20 (NLT)

If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you," says the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NLT)

Sherrie

For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

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