"That's not my message"

Today we had an amazing service in church. It was "bring a friend day" but better than that, the College & career and youth hosted the entire service including the message. One of our (I say our, taking great pride in the opportunity to teach this young man); one of our highschool students talked about finding your own faith. He said we can't ride to heaven on anyone else's faith. When we get there, we can't simply say oh I'm with them (grandma's faith, mom & dad's faith, the girl in the cubicle next to me, etc.) "them" just isn't listed in the lambs book of life, the names that ARE recorded are specific! So he goes on to talk about our own individual faith is based on our understanding and desire to have a covenant with the Lord. He joking said, "if you're wondering what the covenant is, well that's not my message, that's Pastor's message so you need to come hear what he has to say"

Then it clicked! That's not my message. I can only do, teach, speak and convey what God has sent me to do. I can't run bootcamps because He didn't send me to teach bootcamps. I can't have these fat-loss tremendous "biggest loser style weight loss results" with hundreds of participants at once, that's not my message. My message is on connecting people. Getting people to realize that they are not alone, getting folks outside of their little shell of hybernation and isolation to realize that there are others available and willing to help them walk out whatever they are in. My call may be in fitness, but its the gathering of groups. It's group therapy! I get them in, I give them what they need, they tell others, they have what they need (rehabilitated) and they move on, making room for the next person. I can't hold onto anyone or any place. I can only move when He tells me to move, plant where He tells me to plant and tend to the field He tells me to tend to.

My harvest comes! Until then, I will continue to plant, plow and praise!

Thanks Giving!

Happy Thanksgiving, or as i've so cordially been exposed to in the great southern hospitality dialect, Happy THAYNKS giving as to imply there's another option of givin'. but truthfully there is...there's begrudging givin, regretful giving, obligatory givin, and I'm almost certain the proverbial recompense giving. but today I'm talking about THANKS GIVING!

And so I'm giving thanks for everything and everyone in my life. Every up and down every coming and going and loss and gain every lesson learned every once of wisdom I've gained. For everything I give thanks! I've realized if I never would have experienced some of the moments in my life I would not be who I am today. I Thank God because He has ALWAYS been with me through it all even when I didn't know He was.

Five Most Important Values for Moms

Parents' Magazine "What Do Moms Want" Survey 2009 recently released this Top 5 list of values from moms regarding what they want most for their children.

* HONESTY
* SELF-ESTEEM
* KINDNESS
* SELF-RELIANCE
* CONCERN FOR OTHERS

70% of the parents said they want to instill Self-Esteem in their children. Start with books which model behavior for your kids. Connect with your child.Become the role model "Not a do as I say, not as I do" parent.

Parents' Magazine Editor spoke on the Today Show regarding the key "leadership skills" parents need to exemplify:

* Generosity and Sharing
* Gratitude
* Perseverance
* Stand Up For What Is Important

Here are a few great reading resources for your parenting journey:




First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner
Kurt and Brenda Warner

Together theyre the parents of seven, going into their 12th year of marriage, and founders of a foundation that helps disadvantaged children and families. Their formula for success? They put First Things Firstfamily, faith, and giving to othersits their family motto, and it drives everything they do. First Things First is an honest, insightful, and entertaining look at life inside the Warner household. Kurt and Brenda speak candidly about their marriage, the values they are working to instill in their kids, things theyve done right, mistakes theyve made, the importance of giving back, and the legacy they hope to leave behind.


Great Gift Idea




Parenting with Love and Logic
Foster Cline, Jim Fay

Parenting with Love and Logic shows you how to parent effectively without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles while teaching your children responsibility.

Gifts of Love






What Every Child Needs

Elisa Morgan

Written in a warm, nurturing style, this book details the nine kinds of love every child needs: security, affirmation, family, respect, play, guidance, discipline, independence and hope.

Loving Your Child

Discipline

Not the best word this time of year, it almost conjures up a roaring, raging Bah Humbug. Running errands the other day I drove past a church sign that read "From Humbug to Halleluah" and it listed the service times. I chuckled then it hit me, that takes discipline. Discipline to be in a humbug state of mind and the like to change your mind to halleluh on top of the fact that you gotta get to service on time!

This time of year as we strategize our diet sabotage, Year long Christmas Lists and "what'll I'll do in January" plans, discipline comes in all shapes sizes, and pretty packages.

Everything smells so good, I mean sooooo good. Although, the cinnamon scented pine cones I brought home weren't considered as much when the smell about smacked my husband in the face when he walked in the house. Oops! Too much of a good thing is never right! And everything looks so pretty I just wanna buy it all!

Anyway, back to the discipline. I've about made my way down the list of simple Christmas gifts for my kids and my husband, I've planned and prepared a pre-thanksgiving apetizer/dessert party, packaged cookie jar gifts for the kids teachers, launched the new dance studio kick-off class and yet I can't help but feel a sense of rebellion from discipline. I stepped on the scale with one eye open and hands on my hips reciting the words, whatever it's just a number only to glance down and stomp across the bathroom in defeat recalculating the lack of discipline and countless stops in the fast food drive through. With Thanksgiving only a few days away I again, recall my lack of discipline and wonder why noone held me accountable; I should be lacing up for the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon! Why didn't anyone stop me, why wasn't anyone checking to see if I was running, why, why why...because I was just flat out too wise for my own good...

"A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." -Bill Cosby.... Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. -Proverbs 12:1

Lord have mercy let me accept when I'm stupid, too stupid to get my act together and heed the advice I give to others to get it together.

Enjoying the Holidays Guilt-Free

It’s that time of the year again when most Americans are bound to gain an extra three to seven pounds of weight.

Let’s face it: Trying to eliminate such family traditions as turkey, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes and pecan pie on Thanksgiving is hardly practical.

And that’s just the beginning of weeks of traditional Holiday treats in the office, at cocktail parties and feasts shared with family and friends.

So why not develop a game plan early to avoid the weight gain and start the New Year healthy?

If you follow these few simple tips provided by health and fitness professionals and two working women, who are determined to keep their weight loss success on track during the Holiday season, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy and happy beginning in 2010.

Enjoying the Holidays Guilt-Free