Category: Faith Journey

Encouraged by “Grace looks amazing on you”

Post author By De
Post date May 1, 2020
1 Comment on Encouraged by “Grace looks amazing on you”

Grace looks amazing on you is a 100 day devotional with personal stories, scriptures, and reflections of God’s grace. Such an excellent book for encouragement.

I received the Grace looks Amazing on your 100 Day Devotional for free to review and post. Although, I received the devotional as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy

Searching for Amazing Grace amongst Anxiety

Anxiety has risen high in the last two weeks for me, and when fear creeps in, that is a sure sign that I am not intimately concerning Christ. I’m doing it on my own, and I am not that strong in the gym and especially mentally. That is what has appealed so much to me in Christ is peace. Peace from the worry, what if’s, racing thoughts, problematic outcomes, the world is ending scenarios that can plague my dark mind. But where there is light, there can be no darkness, and that is how I know that I am not leaning on Christ.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Grace looks amazing on you, not self-reliance.

Because I want to be in control, I want to understand, and I want to know the end of all this, but it’s not for me to know. I am to abide and trust in Him.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5

Every day I wakeup a sinner saved by grace and; Without God, my sinful nature will always take over my second nature, and here we are now. I am all over the place with my moods, either enthusiastic or utterly incapable of functioning. I need Jesus!

You can find amazing grace through prayer.

Prayer is an immediate peace provider for me. Its the ultimate remedy for my anxious thoughts, but I also need time in the Word. I was learning more about the heroic story of Jesus how He died for me because He loved me like no other.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

God revealing His amazing grace

Right now, with my Online Bible Study group, which was a thing that a group of friends and I did before COVID began. We are almost a year into studying the Word together online. In late February, throughs God’s urging, we decided to explore the book of Hebrews. As we slowly navigate through Hebrews, I am deeply reminded of God’s divine plan from the beginning of existence. His love and His amazing grace.

Grace looks Amazing on you 100 Day Devotional Book

I am also reading a devotional that I received as a gift from Amy Sieffert called grace is a breath of fresh air. Every morning I am reminded that despite my hot mess, I am His masterpiece. His love is unconditional, and that is something that I need to hear these days as anxious thoughts tell me differently. This devotional is so relatable as Amy shares her failures and God’s redemption through it all. I often think of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus as my redemption, but I am being redeemed in Christ every day.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Grace looks amazing on you as a daily devotion.

Each day begins with a Scripture and a personal incident Amy where she was able to see the grace of God. As a mother of three unpredictable girls, it’s kind of refreshing to see Amy’s take on the struggles of motherhood and that we’re not alone in our insecurities and mishaps. It has been such a blessing to get deeply study God’s Word through Hebrews, and to have this gracedevotional every morning. It is a 100-day devotional.

This is an excellent gift for the woman in your life that needs to be reminded that although she is flawed, she is ultimately loved by Him. I am not a medical or mental doctor, but I do believe in the power of God, but I want to say it does not replace a mental health specialist if you need to speak to someone. I was in therapy for many years for my anxiety and have gotten many tools to help cope.

We need to invest in our mental health.

We have to honor our temples inside and out, especially now, and if you need help in any area. Spirit, mind, and body, I want to encourage you to seek them out.

Amy Sieffert has a giveaway for her book happening until 5/10/20, so enter to win. Make sure you come through here and get the opportunity to see God’s amazing grace through Amy’s eyes and encouragement through her book.

Is there a favorite devotional you have when you are anxious?

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30 Days Plank Challenge of Praise

Post author By De
Post date March 31, 2020
No Comments on 30 Days Plank Challenge of Praise

Declaring Gratitude

Call me crazy, but I think we need a 30-day plank challenge? I have so much to be grateful for at the moment! It depends on how I look at things. Counting my blessings can add up quickly. This month I want to focus on the good and not the bad. What I have instead of what I want and see how that changes the perspective of being at home for the next 30 days. So, would you join me in Praise and gratitude for a 30-day plank challenge? This isn’t your ordinary 30-day plank challenge. It’s a Biblical one; I want to meditate on a different verse in the Bible that expresses gratitude for 60 seconds a day. I will be sharing my 60 seconds somehow some way, so follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. I would love to share your gratitude, so TAG ME @Faithfueledmom on all three platforms and hashtag #plankful. I’ll be following and cheering for you. The year 2020 has been challenging, and some days are harder to express gratitude than others. Let’s be intentional and shout His Praise. Are you in?

The last month has been emotionally draining and hard. I’m not going to lie. This girl’s mental strength has wavered a few days. Anxiety has crept in on occasion because I’ve been allowing myself to rely on myself. Old habits die hard. Many people are struggling with their faith and mental health, but I have learned many things throughout the seasons.

Now more than ever, we must praise and be grateful.

Rejoice Always 1 Thessalonians 5:16

This is one of the shortest commands in the Bible because it is a command by God, which means it is achievable. So, it’s a win-win situation in my eyes. We can always rejoice no matter what the circumstances. Let’s do it?!

Bad Habits Die Hard

When I run on my own, I grow weary. I KNOW better and know that relying on my strength, know-how, and provision will last for a moment. God has shown me some amazing things in my life when I give them to Him! Notably, through this pandemic. God has shown up in my family’s lives more significant than ever before, so I know that God is still good.

I also have too much going on; Way too much and when your “still” (whether intended or forced by global pandemic) time to catch up with God makes brings a new perspective.

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A post shared by De |Personal Trainer & Blogger (@faithfueledmom) on Mar 30, 2020 at 6:12am PDT

To say God hadn’t warned me would also be a lie. I knew what I was doing it as I am very capable of saying, “No.” When God would say, “slow down.” I’d say, “okay, just after this one thing.”

When God said, “Ask me?” I’d say, “Sure, but let me see if this works first,” and here I am ending the first quarter of 2020 forced to be still and to come to Him. Spent, warn, lost, and like the knucklehead I can be, finally listening.

Different Reaction

This time it’s different. I am no longer like, “Why, Lord?” I have yet to say that, but before that would have been my first go-to. Although, I fell back into old habits. One thing that has changed is my strength in the Lord. I am lost, but I am lost in the right direction. I know the burden is too high, so I know I must give it to God. Even though I was disobedient, God did not turn His back on me but persistently reminded me to lean on Him. I also am now fully aware and have experienced an unconditionally loving Father who will never leave nor forsake me. I can turn to Him anytime and seek His grace, mercy, love, and guidance. I will continue to grow. God will continue to prune me.

Sinner saved by grace

I felt led to share because I am not a perfect Christian. I am one of those who knows that my sinful nature will always take over my second nature to be obedient to God. I struggle with physical, spiritual, and mental disciplines and aspire to be a Light for Him. So, if my transparency leads someone to His kingdom, it’s the least I can do. Plus, I am not a fan of the idea of perfection. It’s way too hard to live up also. There was only one perfect person to walk in this world. So here I am.

“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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

I feel sharing that I too struggle with my faith walk. I think it’s great to see the highlight reel of life. To see how good it could be, but let’s not forget and live in reality. We all struggle; that’s why we need God, and we are also supposed to hold each other accountable.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2 NASB

You can’t hold someone accountable if they don’t tell you. It’s also an opportunity to help someone else grow or relate. The facade of perfection has to stop. Because what are we genuinely seeking? Unless it’s to be more like Jesus, it is all in vain.

30-Day Plank Challenge

So, I am giving all the things to Jesus this second quarter and seeing where that takes me. At least hoping it gets me through the next month of self-quarantine, social distancing, or whatever you want to call it. I am going to give it my best try. I’ve done it in the past, and He has always surpassed my expectations or anything that I could have done on my own.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28

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30-Days Thanks Challenge

I am also doing a Challenge in April! I am beginning Easter Sunday and through the entire month of April!

Each day I will be planking for 60 seconds and saying, “Thank you, God!” For the little and the big things. Each day while planking, I will be reciting or meditating Scripture!

I want to invite you to join me? There is nothing to gain but a grateful perspective. Connecting with each other online in a time when we can’t connect in person. Encouraging each other through Praise and planks. We did a plank “talk” challenge in Bibles and Bootcamps. Most of the women chose to meditate and recite their favorite ScriptureScripture. All were shocked at how much longer they held the plank with ScriptureScripture. We call them “Power Verse” in #BibleAndBootcamps

One day I was thinking about how amazing it would be to see women expressing gratitude to God; then, planking came to mind-not because it rhymes with Thanks. I just thought of my Beauties and how powerful it would be to see people praising God and thanking Him while planking.

Will you join me in the 30-Day Plank Challenge?

Join my Facebook Group. I will be going LIVE daily with my plank challenge, and hopefully, you will join me. Even if you do it privately on your own, I have some verses for you to use in your meditation. If you do want to join me merely post on whatever Social Media platform you like (I will be on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and use and follow the hashtag #PraisePlank, I will be watching and praising with you!! Also, TAG me in your stories, and I will share your Praise. I can’t wait to spend the month Praising God for His goodness!!

Can you be grateful even with a little bit?

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Learning to Wait on God

Learning to Wait

When Mimi was a baby she signed, which is an excellent way to communicate her needs. Two of my daughters signed (my middle one refused). Our signing girls during infancy/toddlerhood whined less than my middle who refused.

When we woke up in the morning after our good morning kisses, my baby would sign “milk.” I usually reply “Wait” (in sign) at which she began to get anxious. Continually signing milk, waving her arms, kicking her feet. She knows it is coming, but she wants it NOW! Once she gets it, she is satisfied and content.

No Patience

Now, my baby is also a “healthy eater,” horrible sleeper, but more than makes up for it in food consumption. When she was younger she would sign “eat,” and I respond “wait” her reaction is entirely different than when she wants milk.

Mimi would proceed to fall out on the ground and have a tantrum. Crying, yelling, signing till I put her in the high chair and fed her.

waitingon-god

Waiting without God

Waiting without God and waiting with God. I have found similarities with my one-year old’s patience. When I first found Christ, I would wait without God. Praying for things and anxiously waiting for God to answer; similarly to my toddler when I tell her to wait. Sometimes, I would have a full out tantrum because things weren’t happening in my time or how I wanted them.

I can Help God Mentality

Then I progressed in my faith and became like my middle daughter, Lailah. When I tell her to wait for something, she’ll take it upon herself to do it on her own. Calling herself “helping” me out usually ending up in a spill, break or simply a mess. I have “helped’ out God quite a few times resulting in nothing that I wanted or a long messy drawn out way to it.

Waiting with God

As a believer and an adult. I wait differently than I did when I first came into my faith. I have found Scripture to guide me; yet, still, work in progress. I still need to work on my execution.

Similarly to my oldest daughter; when she asks me for something, and I say “wait.” She will wait for a while to come back to me and “remind” or ask me again. Then, if I still haven’t done it, she will ask if she can help me and wait a little longer. Thanking me once I execute my task because of our fourteen years together she has gained trust in me and knew that I would get to it when I can.

4 Ways Scriptures Shows us to Wait

Like my relationship with all my daughters; I have learned to wait with God as I have matured in my faith. As I have grown, I have found that I need several things for me to have patience, hope, and trust that the Lord will answer my prayers. I may not like the answer, but I will receive a reply nonetheless in due time.

1. Wait

When waiting with the Lord, you have to have trust and confidence that He will answer you as well as stay close by His side so that you are ready when it is time. (Kind of like my twelve years old)

Psalm 33:20-22 (NIV) ²⁰We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.²¹In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. ²²May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

This verse to me is a proven process of what is needed to wait for the Lord.

2. Help

I look to God for his help in trouble instead of offering my “help.”

P salm 46:1(NIV) God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

3. Rejoice

Instead of fretting; I rejoice no matter what. I am grateful to turn to and to help me in need. I just need to come to Him, be grateful to Him and wait for Him to take action.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ¹⁶Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust

Something that I learned and continued to grow in is trusting in the Lord. How He does things because it’s usually different from my own but always so much better than anything that I could do for myself.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) ⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

waiting

What helps you get through the waiting phase?

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Faith & Self Care Faith Journey

Three Lifestyle Changes I’ve Made this week

Post author By De
Post date March 26, 2020
4 Comments on Three Lifestyle Changes I’ve Made this week

Changing my routine in 2020

Within the last few weeks, I have had to embrace lifestyle changes very quickly and almost daily. This year has been every event full. I’m not sure if it’s been because of all the events in the last three months of life is just busy. Up until a few weeks ago, I was in my routine. Training my clients and prepping for my fitness competition. I had no time for embracing anything new or different. Rewind to present days and we are in this surreal time of life. One minute we feel we have things in control to the next changing everything we’ve previously done. All within minutes changing day today. We are living in unpredictable times meaning that the routines that we have become accustomed to day in and day out are being disrupted.

To embrace change, you have to like what you are doing differently more than you did before. Within the last few weeks, our world has been inflicted with a pandemic. Every day feel we are adjusting to a new normal. Many people are reflecting and making lifestyle changes. I included and the Fit Black Queens Podcast.

Fit Black Queens Podcast

In February, a group of Fit Friends and I started a Podcast. It was a little rough at first but we are starting to get this podcast thing. It’s nice to have a place to talk through the events that are going on in this world. We have five women of various ages and fitness backgrounds. We all have a unique story and perspective and we share our views on the Fit Black Queens podcast. Saturday Mornings on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Anchor and Stitcher. Sharing the brown girl’s perspective of Fitness, Wellness, and Health. We also host Virtual LIVE Power Hours and Cocktail Hours to get together and connect with Fit Black Queens. I’m also looking forward to our Virtual Retreat coming soon. So, many plans for Fit Black Queens this year.

Fit Black Queens Podcast Challenge

Last week on the podcast that I co-host, Fit Black Queens. We had a Power Hour. Sharing 10-minute Fitness, Nutrition and Wellness tips to help inspire FIt Black Queens while quarantined. If you have been listening to our podcast the last few episodes have been our experience with the quarantine as a fitness professional. Sharing our experience with Social Distancing and our desire to experience new things while indoors. There have been many lifestyle changes with the quarantine that have evolved weekly since our Surviving COVID-19 Quarantine. In the last episode on Social Distancing, we were challenged to do something different while quarantined. I am always up for a challenge so I tried three things differently this week that may lead to lifestyle changes.

3 Things I’m doing differently now

The Fit Black Queens Try something new challenge is a great reminder and inspiration to intentionally get uncomfortable especially now when we are facing daily uncertainty. Sometimes lifestyle changes are necessary to adapt to the world. Our Power Hour was motivated me to try these three things:

Meditation is something I never took the time to do because I never thought I had the time to do it. Deani the Yogini shared a 10-minute Meditation that I have been doing daily. It has been a great way to clear my mind after my morning devotions and Bible Study. It’s something that I think I will continue to practice. Finding more mental clarity and presence led me to have a very productive week.
I appreciate the outdoors. Alexis of Flecks of Lex shared with us a fun way to add movement and to get outside every day even if you are quarantined. My family adopted these outdoor moments. We have made it a point to get outside and get some fresh air for at least 10 minutes a day. It’s amazing the difference it makes for our mood. When we take it outdoors for short breaks I feel so much more energized. My appreciation for fresh air is greater now that I have been forced indoors. The sunshine does a body and mind good.
Simple meals can keep you sane. After making meals all day every day for a week. I quickly took Jquenow’s advice and kept things simple. All my meals this week took about 10 minutes and the family loved them all.

Here are some Quick & Easy Meal Ideas to make for dinner

We are Alone Together during this COVID 19 Pandemic

My word for 2020 is Connection. Every week I am reminded of it someway, somehow. I have been intentionally trying to make connections and reach out. That is not something that I typically do I tend to stay to myself, reaching out and letting people know that I care is something that I am trying to do differently. I am connecting with friends now more than I did before either virtually or on the phone. Sending out, “How you doing?” text and letting people know they are loved. Safely social distancing from my computer at home like the majority of us. It doesn’t replace real-life connection but this can feel isolating to some people. Although, I hate being forced to stay indoors. I am amazed daily at how well my family is adapting and how quickly I can adjust to a new normal. I am sure I will be doing things differently more and more as the weeks’ progress. Hopefully, they will be positive changes in my life.

What lifestyle changes have you made since the COVID 19 Quarantine?

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Grace in Loss

Learning something new

Every time I think that I have this Christian walk thing figured out God gives me another challenge to master. Not that I think that I could be perfect and walk like Jesus, but I make a conscious effort to live and abide in Christ. There are so many challenges that I face in my attempts but this one in particular keeps coming up in many different ways. It’s something that is multi-faceted but people seem to pigeon hole in one or two areas; grace.

My understanding of grace is God showing unmerited favor to us in the form of blessings. A pretty generalized idea that can be applied in many situations right? Yes, so with that interpretation I never realized how much grace God really does show us daily. There are the obvious, and there are the not-so-obvious ones that we take for granted and then there are the really big ones.

graceinloss
Different types of grace

1 Corinthians 15: ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

The obvious graces that I recognize and give praise to God daily for: I woke up this morning, food to eat, clothes to wear, home, healthy family, great husband. There are the ones that we take for granted but still are His grace nonetheless. These are the ones that I never praise Him for nor do I recognize as grace but I should and need to work on. The tedious tiresome task of our everyday life is God’s grace too. For me being a stay at home mom’s those are the ones that I tend to complain about the most. I am grateful for God’s grace I am able to stay at home. I am grateful that although I complain and behave ungratefully; he still shows me favor. Things like laundry, dishes, bathrooms, and kitchen floors (to name a few). These are the ones that I am still trying to master and he is challenging me with everyday.

Then there are the really big ones, those are monumental moments in my life that I can pinpoint the effect His grace had on me. It was by God’s grace that I married my husband. The house that we live in was definitely through His grace and direction. One that really stands out in my mind lately and I don’t really think I have thoroughly processed is the birth of my third daughter.

Life changing Grace
My youngest one was what would be refer to as an “accident.” We weren’t intentionally planning to conceive her and I was in complete denial that I was pregnant in the beginning. All the signs were there but I was passing them off as other things. Until, I was unbearably sick for days. So, took the test, came out positive and headed to the doctor. Went through all the general procedure and had an ultrasound to measure the baby. At the ultra sound found out that “Yay! ( a little sarcasm) not only did we accidentally conceive one child but there were two in there.” Have you ever seen the commercial where the dad passes out over learning of triplets? Imagine my husbands face just before he passed out but didn’t actually fall to the ground. I wasn’t exactly thrilled but I was ready for whatever God had given us.

We continued to live life and scheduled another ultrasound appointment 3 weeks later. Still unbelievably sick to the point I had lost 10 pounds in three weeks. Was very weak, tired and couldn’t get much accomplished. Went in with my little sister and soon to be middle daughter for the ultra-sound excited to see how my two lil ones had progressed in the 3 short weeks. At 11 weeks, I went in for the next ultrasound; Get in, lathered up, after a few swipes the ultrasound tech brow furrows, a few more swipes and she says, “I will be back I have to go talk to the doctor.” Hind sight, I should have known something was wrong but dealing with a curious 5 year old and chatting with my sister I didn’t pay attention. The doctor comes in,introduces her self and after few swipes regretfully tells me,”I am sorry but “Baby A” no longer has a heart beat.” Seriously, how do you react to something like that? You only have had 3 weeks to process that everything will be multiplied times two and just as quickly as you come to terms with that; you subtract it back down to one. I am not a very emotional person and I admittedly can be slow some time so it took me a long time to process that, honestly I still am working on it.

pregnancyinfantloss

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—.

We left and I had the mommy task of answering lots of questions that I couldn’t answer myself. Got seen by my doctor the next day and she explained to me that it was probably the best thing that “Baby A” didn’t make it. It probably had some “cell abnormalities, defects, they were fraternal so that should have no effect on Baby B, blah blah blah,” doctor talk. The gist is that then I was on bed rest for 6 weeks, lots of doctors appointments to make sure that “Baby B” would be okay. Fast forward 6 months and I had a wonderful, natural delivery of a 7 lb 8 oz. healthy little girl who was perfect in every way. Her name is Milah and she is my happiest child, super intelligent and a weird and funny fact was born with four nipples. We jokingly say in remembrance of her twin but there might be some truth to that we have yet to find out. (Insert twilight zone music now). Through God’s grace he had spared her from her siblings fate and she is now our little happy survivor. Her middle name is Taryn-Grace and every day I am reminded of God’s unmerited favor of not taking both babies but sparing me one. There are days that I look at her and think, “What if there had been two?” and there are others day that I look at her and think, “What would have I done with two?”

graceinloss

Depths of His Grace

Just as God is infinite with His love for us, I find He is even more so with His grace. Every day at every moment we are walking, talking, breathing and basking in His grace. The birth of my daughter was death of me relying on the world, it strengthened my faith and made me the strong Christian woman I am today. That in itself if you knew the path I was on is God’s grace. Seeing this perfect little person that from the very beginning before she even came to us God showed favor. That was more than enough proof that my God is an awesome God. Every day when I sit and reflect on the grace that He shows me in the obvious, the routine and the really big ones. (Not every day but some days there are those neon light big moments) Where not only He show me faith but glimpse of the immensity of His love for me through His grace.

How has God showed you grace today? Yesterday? In a big way?

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