Words Of Encouragement!!!

So, how are you doing today?  No, really?  If you were to take a "Spiritual Inventory" how would you say you are? 
When I started this Blog, about 18 days ago,  It was/is with the intent of taking you on my personal Spiritual and Physical Fitness Journey for the purpose of encouraging you with your own Spiritual and Physical Fitness Journey.
Here is how it is going for me:  I have been faithful to "Move" everyday, with the exception of taking one day off for rest.  Some days(most) I have managed to "Move" twice a day.  I had promised my self that no matter what I would start my day with a "Worship Walk".  That could take place between 7 to 8 am for anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.  That way if I didn't get a "Work out" in I would not be so likely to be merciless to myself(laughing here). This has worked out pretty well.  So, first thing in the A.M. I take time out to Worship the Lord and HEAR what it is He has planned for me for the day while getting my metabolism going.  I was very blessed to be able to order my very own SPIN Bike(www.spinning.com) which arrived on January 4th.  I love being a Spin Instructor and believe in the Spinning Program whole heartily.  Not to mention it is very good on a body that has been reduced to a "No Impact" lifestyle. 
I can get very creative now with my "Moving".  Some days I will combine a 30minute Spin ride with a 30minute circuit work out.  It is very important to maintain muscle tone and strength so I encourage you to use what you can, if you don't have a gym membership, to get those muscles working.  Push Ups, Bench Dips, Squats, Lunges, All types of Sit Ups/Crunches, work just fine to accomplish this.  If its possible, purchase some light weight dumbbells, a Stability Ball and some bands.  Be creative in how you use them.
Now for my friends who have a schedule that is crazier than a carnival ride and just can't seem to add one more thing in   YOU NEED TO ADD IT IN!!!  To be healthy and whole you need to find time for God first then find some time for that amazing piece of machinery He blessed you with and I'm not talking about your car, I'm talking about your body!  I have heard EVERY excuse in the book...trust me, I even used them myself.  Here is the deal;  you just need 30 minutes at a time.   Can you find 30 minutes in your lunch hour(60 minutes in an hour, hint hint)to take a brisk walk?  If you are waiting for kids to finish a sporting event or Soccer practice can you take a 30minute walk??  What are you doing with your "Waiting for everyone else"time??  I promise, your children will appreciate it more when you are able to play with them(because you are more fit and feel better) than watching them score that particular goal, do that particular Kata, or gymnastics move.   Selah")                   

I heard a paraphrased quote this morning from one of my favorite Spin Coaches.  He said that our goal was to make "Our ordinary extraordinary".  I thought about that and If I were in front of you right now, coaching you, I would tell you that YOU ALREADY ARE EXTRAORDINARY!!  You just need to let it out.  Break away those invisible barriers that keep your extraordinary self blocked in.  I would stand right in front of you 6 inches from your face, look you square in the eye's and tell you how AMAZING YOU ARE!!!   Fearfully and wonderfully made.  AMAZING, STRONG, TALENTED, ABLE and SMART and BEAUTIFUL!!! Yes, I would...and do you know why??? Because God made YOU that way!!! With a plan and a purpose and with special gifts all of your own.  I would tell you that YOU ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH!!!  Do you know why??? Because if  GOD is for You than who can be against you???
What are you thinking about yourself right now???  What are you believing about yourself right now?? What do you tell yourself about yourself?   What you believe about yourself manifests in your outward appearance.  Your demeanor, your drive, your attitude and I can go on and on.  What you believe about yourself  is with out a doubt those very barriers that hold you back.  What you believe about yourself can be a stronghold in your faith...it holds you back from God and what He believes about you.
Its time to start believing WHO YOU ARE in CHRIST!!   Start replacing those negative untrue self perceptions with the truth...Gods truth about who you are, who He made you to be.  And believe that you are forgiven for your past failures, future failures too. 
So my sweet and dearly loved friends....how are you doing today?

Lord, I thank you for your LIMITLESS Love, Grace and Mercy.  I thank you that you mention love over 330 times in your word.  I thank you for the amazing gift of salvation, the gift of who you made us to be and the gift of freedom that we have to be that in Christ.  I thank you for our earthly bodies and the special design and purpose each one was made with.  I thank you for our time here on earth and ask you to continue to help us glorify and honor with that time.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.