Monday, September 29, 2008

Enjoy the fresh air of fall!



Jim Rohn states." Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." What a great proactive statement reminding us of the importance of looking after ourselves. As women, we love to make sure everyone else is looked after. However, if you are like many people, including me, sometimes our health doesn't get any attention until we are in a crisis. So as summer leaves and autumn comes, let's spend some time thinking about our health.


To get started, let's answer these questions:

Considering your own health, what comes to mind?
a) an energetic, vibrant woman enjoying life
OR
b) a woman inflicted with headaches, stiff muscles, allergies and fatigue?

Considering all aspects of health...body, mind and spirit,
a) is one area more important to you than the other
OR
b) have you found a balance of the three? If so, how have you accomplished this? (I'd like to hear from you)

Since we are made up of body, mind and spirit, in order to achieve optimal health, all three areas need our attention. During our time together over the next few weeks, let's look briefly at each of the three parts of our health and answer a few more questions.

Physical
~ Am I eating healthy foods that will energize and sustain? Could I cut down on sugars and caffeine? Don't tell anyone (Shhh) but I'm a binge eater so I really need to work on this area. When I do, I feel so much better.

~ Do I get enough exercise and fresh air? I've walked for years and love it. However, a few years ago my sister challenged me to "run", having started her running later in life. Reluctant at first, but wanting to keep up with her new adventure, I began. Walk half a block, run (okay... it was a slow jog) half a block. Little by little, increasing, oh so minimally, until on October 13th, 2007, I ran (jogged) my first 5km and raised nearly $1200 for Haitian orphans. What a great sense of accomplishment! Walking is great but if you need a little extra, why not lace up your runners and go for a RUN? Or if running sounds too ambitious, what about walking a little faster or longer, swimming, skating or skiing?

Let us know what works for you to keep in shape!

**Please note- I checked with my doctor, had a heart echo and purchased high quality runners before starting to run.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Lord, You Know My Heart


The onset of fall tends to bring a rush of activity. Activities, practices, small groups, and the like all swing into full gear come September. It can be difficult to find time to spend with God. Indeed, as women we must make time....and sometimes that means scheduling it in on the calendar.

The past week was even busier than normal and I was feeling mentally drained. My usual time with the Lord had been getting cut short and my attitude reflected it. I knew an intervention was needed immediately.

So last night, I purposefully set aside two hours to spend with Jesus and rest in His presence. I prayed He would refresh my weary soul and bring restoration. I poured out my heart in repentance for the sin that had tarnished my reflection of Him.

Then, completely unexpectedly, He used the first line of a song I had never heard before to penetrate my heart. The opening lyrics? “You know my heart…”

Hearing those words – the specific prayer that has become like breath to me for over a year, “Lord, You know my heart” – I fell to my knees with tears streaming down my face in thankfulness to my wonderful, powerful, beautiful Redeemer.

He knows my heart. He knows my weaknesses, strengths, joy, and fears. He knows when I’ve tried to take things into my own hands, and the times when I’ve let go and trusted His arms to carry me.

Make time today to rest and be refreshed by His Living Water. He knows your heart too, dear sister!

Acts 3:19 “The times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

Monday, September 15, 2008

Goal Setting: One Step at a Time


One of the most important questions I have ever been asked is, “What did you do this week to move towards what God is calling you to do?”

It’s a question that requires reflection and honesty.
Our dreams and God-given goals can often seem unattainable. That’s when you know it’s God – because without His strength, they would be impossible. It’s humbling, exciting, and terrifying all at the same time! We need to seek God’s direction for how we can be developing our gifts and serving Him right where we are, today.

Personal growth happens when we daily put one foot in front of the other, following where God is leading.

If God has given you a heart for the elderly, contact a local long-term care facility and ask about volunteer possibilities. Pick up the phone; don’t wait for someone to call you. Have a passion for photography that captures the beauty of God’s creation? Start honing your craft by taking classes at a local art gallery or college. Dream of being a wife and mom, but a husband has yet to enter the picture? Offer to spend an hour a week helping a neighbour mom prepare a meal or take care of her children for hands-on training.

Set goals to keep track of your progress and start a prayer journal to record how you see God at work along the way.

Tell us!
  • What are you dreams?


  • What will you do this week to move towards what God is calling you to do?

Can't wait to hear from you!
Michelle