Category: Faith Journey

My Kryptonite

FaithFueled Friday

Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

The Truth Hurts

like to think of myself quick witted, my husbands says I give out “zingers,” my mother says that I am sarcastic and smarty pants, but the Bible says I must train my tongue.[James 1:26}

Ouch! As I read the words it was like God was talking directly to me; confirming my biggest character flaw. I feel like I wasn’t born with a filter, it pops in my head and out my mouth before I even realize the thought has occurred. Sometimes making people laugh, sometimes taking them down for the count or knocking the wind right out of their sails. No matter what the delivery, it is not how God intended me to use my words. I am not proud of it at all, and honestly, it is one of my daily prayers: Lord, please help me to be mindful of what I say.

I was reading, “Becoming more than a good Bible Study girl ,” by Lysa TerKeurst. I love her realness and ability to admit her flaws and grow from them to teach others to grow too. Lysa said: “Our words can be used to build up or tear down. We can speak words of encouragement or we can speak words of destruction. We can think before we speak or we can react without thinking about the effects of our words. These are choices we make every time we open our mouths.”

Learning the Right Choices

There are a few suggestions Lysa makes for women who are “filterless” like me. (I thought maybe specifically me, but I don’t know Lysa personally so I am assuming there are more women out there with the same disability). Some are warnings or things to avoid, and others are words of wisdom. All are just what I need to be mindful of on a day to day basis. “Guard your tongue to keep out of trouble” Phew! Talk about eat the frog.

James 3:5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Since being saved, I have strive to do right by God and also seek truth; meaning just because one of my favorite authors says to do something I am responsible to research for myself and learn.

James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Double blow, so I now had to figure out a way to hold my tongue. I am not always successful, but I now have that ingrained in my mind. There are some instances when I lose my senses but God know I am a work in progress and when those times I may have to bit my tongue, say a little prayer and count to 100; sometimes 300, but I am getting better.

Another suggestion, “Limit your words to be wise,” I think that is even harder when you think you are wise and need to speak your wisdom. Again, guilty! Some may say that I am a bit of a know it all, but I thank God every day for His grace, and I am working on it.

Using your words for good

Your words can be used a variety of ways but as a Christian, it is our job to us them to honor God in all things we say or do. I now make a conscious effort to use a filter even if it wasn’t my instincts. God has given me one to use. In my research, I have found some wisdom from the Bible when it comes to how to use your words for good. What is your Kryptonite? How do you use it for God’s honor?

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Tags bible, choices, Christian, christian women, christianity, God's word, Jesus, speech, tongue, weakness, words

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Growing Faith Muscles

FaithFueled Friday

Changing old habits

When I first came back to Christ, I was a stressed, worried mess. I worried about everything I had no control over, (which is everything) making myself physically sick. It may even have been the cause of me losing one of my twins in my last pregnancy. I would go over scenarios over and over again in my mind, making things worse each time. Then, after speaking with an excellent friend and mentor about my constant anxiety; She suggested a “God Box.” A “God box” is to place all my worries. First, I would write down my issues, pray, and then deposit it in the box. Anytime I began to worry, or what she likes to call “mentally masturbate” (that’s why I love her so) I would look at my box and acknowledge that I had already given it to God.

Matthew 6:34 (NIV) ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Growing Faith Muscles

This small gesture brought me great peace. At the time it was hard for me to trust completely in the Lord. I still sometimes struggle with this. In the world, you are so used to leaning on yourself for solutions when problems arise. In Christ, He will carry your burdens (Who does that? Not your fellow man!) which are something I am not used too. Breaking old habits is hard. Being a child of God, is just that, a child where you must learn new skills.

Matthew 11:28 (NIV) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Pumping My Muscles

Faith, Grace, and Mercy seem to be a like a muscle you need to grow; You must continually exercise it to see results. My friend’s suggestion of a “God Box”, which I now call my “prayer box” was exactly what I needed to increase my faith and truly understand God’s grace. Constructing my first box was simple. I took a tissue box covered it in shimmery paper and cut a hole in the top. All my worries were placed in it. I would still worry; it wasn’t an instant fix, but instead of continually going over the scenarios the box reminded me to pray.

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

GrowingYourFaithMuscle

Seeing Results

Eventually, my stomach subsided, things began to get better, prayers were being answered, and I wasn’t worrying. Months went by, and I continued to exercise my new coping mechanism. One day, in the midst of prayer, God told me to open the box. First, I didn’t realize how much stuff I worried about. Secondly, I didn’t know how many prayers God had answered in less than three months. His grace and mercy brought to fruition in my life. Rewind two years later, prayer (and of course God) has changed my life, health, and stress. I still break out the box when I need to release my burdens. I also use it to praise Him when I open it up to see all the things that he has done for me. If only I knew of His sovereignty sooner (not just in theory but actual application) in my adult life.

GrowingYourFaithMuscle.

How do you handle your stress? How do you strengthen your faith?

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Tags anxiety, christianity, coping mechanism, faith, faith journey, grace, grace based parenting, mercy, ministry, moms of faith, motherhood, new christian, prayer, stress relief, worry

Faith Journey Fitness Fitness and Health Honor My Temple Prayer Challenge

Happy 1 Year Anniversary

1 Year Anniversary.

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”-Anonymous

It has officially been 365 days! Today, one year ago I woke up, and I had enough! Enough excuses, enough regret, enough neglect, enough believing the lies of the enemy. I woke up, and I said I must change now! The week before I had dabbled in a fitness routine. It felt great but today last year I wanted to do more than just dabble. I wanted to commit. I wanted to commit to a healthy lifestyle. Now, if you have been following me along the last year, you know that this is not my first weight loss journey. So, what was so different this time around? I did it before so what’s the big deal. All the times before I was seeking weight loss for vanity reasons. I wanted to be a Size X, I wanted to look like so and so, I want people to see me as blah, blah, blah and honestly WHO CARES!

Who I was

I look back on the empty person I was, and I am so grateful for God’s redemption. This journey has been so much more; this has been the results of an ongoing relationship with God. That is the celebration today. I didn’t do this by myself I did this with God. There were so many days I prayed to him for His help through this journey, His self-control, His provision and His unconditional love. This was a daily intentional relationship with God to Honor My Temple. It has grown my faith in Him so much. It has defeated my anxiety, bouts of depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors. I have never felt so fulfilled in my life.

Finding Purpose

The other thing that has changed this past year is my purpose. For the last thirteen years, I have been searching, lost in this world, grasping at anything but the only thing that could fulfill me. I have tried to overcome with bad habits, smoking, drinking, partying, over training, under eating, overeating, negative self-talk, negative to other people, selfish ambition. Not one of those fruits has been of the Spirit. It wasn’t until Jesus found me in a broken place, a rock bottom, despair and anguish were my friend that He picked me up, brushed me off and kissed me and then began this year of healing. This journey has been my inside matching my outside as I yearn to know, grow and glorify Him.

1 Year Anniversary

The Last Year’s Reflection

In this last year, I have learned how to do fitness better. This journey has done so much for me and my life more than weight loss. It has improved my dependence on God, strengthened my marriage, help me find my calling and ignited a passion for teaching others how to honor their temple. It has been an incredible journey. I have had an amazing network of women and men who have cheered me on, cheered me up, prayed for me, and inspired me. I have met other peoples who like me want to teach others how to Honor their temple and glorify God!

I have been called to go to school AGAIN and get my degree in Fitness Exercise Science and an NASM certification so that I can be in the trenches walking with others and teaching them how to honor their temple with God. I created this blog “FaithFueled™” before I even knew what it means the name came to me in a dream. Here I am a year later with a precise definition.

This is the beginning of a new journey now. Can you imagine where I will be in a year, and my husband has joined me in my next Fitness Goal it’s going to be a BIG ONE? I plan on showing others the FaithFueled™ Lifestyle, which is God First! Witness through fitness; glorifying God through living a healthy lifestyle fueled by faith.

1 Year Anniversary

So, I say “Start now, a year ago you would be glad you did!” What got you started on your journey? Whether it be career, projects, weight loss whatever what got you started?

Do you want to join the FaithFueled™ Lifestyle? It’s Free! Join us! www.FaithFueledLife.com

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Faith & Self Care Faith Journey Fitness Fitness and Health

So Much More

Post author By De
Post date July 22, 2016
8 Comments on So Much More

FaithFueled Friday

Honoring Your Temple is Not Just about Weight Loss

In my opinion honoring your temple is not just about weight loss, eating right and exercise. It is about taking care of the body God gave you spiritually, mentally and physically. It has come to my attention that I have been misrepresenting myself. I have showcased the physical worship of God and not the mental and spiritual. Partially because I’ve been on a weight loss journey; I am passionate about healthy, and fitness, and I have been sharing my journey on social media and through this blog. I have not been so public about the personal journey that I have been on in the last few years. The mental and spiritual journey I have kept to myself because I do them in my quiet private time but I find that it is equal, if not greater than my worship of God through physical activity.

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

Using our talents to spread His word

I believe our purpose is to spread the gospel, and there are so many ways we can do that. We all have our strengths, and I have recently reconnected my love of fitness, nutrition, and health. I have found that I love to inspire and motivate others through fitness, but there is so much more to me too.

“It would be a shame to be fit for this world but be unfit for the King.”

I believe that physical fitness is important, but a relationship with God and knowledge of His word is more important.

Honoring your temple includes:

Things you watch;

Romans 12:2 – And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

The things that you say,

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear,

The way you treat others,

Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Among other things.

Worshiping God is done in many forms: dance, song, written, fitness for example but one is no more important than the other. It is your way of bringing glory to the Lord.

HonorYourTemple

Misrepresenting my purpose

It has been brought to my attention that I was misrepresenting my beliefs on honoring your temple. August 1st, I will begin my third prayer channel this year, and I have invited the public to join me this time. I put an invitation on Instagram to join, and women commented, that she thought “honoring your temple” was to keep clear of a worldly desire not just physical fitness and that if she joined that would be her focus. Those who know me personally, know my heart but because I am a fitness blogger; I enjoy fitness and nutrition, and I talk, post and share about it daily but that is not solely where my heart lies. Nor is it the sole intention of my Honor Your Temple prayer challenge but if you do not know me personally, never experienced my prayer challenge it would be safe to assume that physical fitness and proper nutrition is my focus in my prayer challenge.

What’s my point?

So, this prompted me to write this post to let everyone know that there is no one way to honor your temple there are many and your relationship with God is the ultimate honor and my intention and purpose to share. We are here to spread the gospel. However, you choose to do so and connects you with God. Treat your body with respect other than salvation it is one of our greatest gifts. What do you believe is important when honoring your temple? Is it one particular thing or several things?

If you’re interested in joining my 30 Day FREE (I would never charge someone to pray) Honor Your Temple Prayer Challenge, please join us at www.FaithFueledFitness.org

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Tags exercise, faith, faith and fitness, fitness, honor your temple, prayer challenge

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Idolizing Success

FaithFueled Friday

Psalm 31:6 (NIV) I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.

Idols

Chasing the impossible dream

Did you ever have to read the poem, A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes? I loved it; I used to think of it when things would go wrong in business. It now has new meaning. I used to be an Entrepreneur I was so obsessed with the “Success” of my business; fulfilling my dream. At the time, I had two little girls 10 and 6 and one on the way. I don’t know if it was the pregnancy hormones, but I was on a mission to put my business on a stable platform before I had my baby. My need to succeed placed on any other priority. I relentlessly pursued every opportunity right or wrong. Looking back I have realized; my business never would be successful because God was not in the equation. I did not commission Him to help me reach my goals. I took it on my shoulders to carry that burden and became weak. Spending wasted ours chasing money and success.

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (NIV) I have seen all thins that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Idol

Flaws in the dream process

Now, the poem has new meaning. What happens to a dream deferred? It remains, it’s not going anywhere sometimes it needs to rest and placed for a later time. Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? It all depends on where your heart is. My heart now belongs entirely to God any dream that doesn’t glorify him has shriveled and died. I have new ideas that I am finding out can incorporate some of the old thoughts but unless it’s foundation is placed in the Lord it’s on shaky grounds. Or fester like a sore and then run? It did rot, I thought about “What will people think?” “What about all that energy I put into it?,”What about others who can obtain their dreams?” at one point all sore points but I have now found contentment in God and those wounds have healed.

idol.

Gaining the focus I need

Does it stink like rotten meat? Not anymore that has been thrown away. There is a new dream, one that involves God who can make it better than anything I could have done on my own. Or crust and sugar over– like a syrupy sweet? The peace I have, the lack of angst, the new focus is so much more pleasing. I sit back and look at those who I used to run with towards the shiny gold medal. I see the error of our ways and rather than be sore or smell the agony of defeat, I feel contentment. That is so much sweeter than being in the rat race. Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Not for me I have someone to help me carry that burden, someone to give my yoke to so that I can be free from burdens. Or does it explode? Only through his grace has my business taken on new heights. The delivery has changed, but it is far exceeding anything that I could have done on my own. All because I put my idol of “success” away and leaned and relied on God. Is there something that you are making a priority over God? Is there something that you’ve done a priority and want to give it over to him now? Either way, what were your results?