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Archive for January, 2008
Dealing with the New Year
Posted by: | CommentsHaving a New Perspective
Philippians 3:12-14
"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." NIV
My best friend and I have this tradition we do every year for the last five years usually around the end of December. We go to our favorite beach spot, where we talk and pray about the past year and look ahead to the New Year.
We ponder and discuss all the interesting occurrences that have happened over the past year; the good times, the bad times, the frustrating times and also the fun times. We share what valuable lessons we learned from our experiences, what God showed us and how He was faithful through all of it
We do this as a closure to one year and then an opening to the next. After we have laughed a while and then cried, we begin to look forward with great excitement, wondering what God has for us this coming new year. What new experiences will we go through and what new lessons will we learn. It’s all fresh and new and that is exciting.
In doing this I believe it helps us to view each year as a season, understanding that God is Sovereign and has new seasons of experiences and growth to make us more like Christ. I can testify there were times we went through seasons of grief and there were also times we experienced seasons of joy.
It helps me to remember that God is in total control and that we are constantly growing as His children and that He knows the plans He has for us. Plans of new wisdom, insight and understanding that He wants to impart to us, if we will allow Him to.
It also gives us a fresh new outlook of the coming year and enables us to leave the past where it belongs, not that we forget the past but learn from it and move forward into our present future with opened hearts and minds to receive whatever God has for us.
With that said, I put together eight ways we can view the New Year and every year as.
A Year of:
1. New Beginnings: Start out the New Year with a fresh point of view to new experiences, memories and blessings. Having an opened mind and heart to where ever the Lord may take you with full assurance and confidence that He is with you. (Matthew 28:19-20)
2. New Possibilities: There’s no limit to what God can do in your life and nothing is impossible with God. God opens doors that no man can shut and also closes doors that no man can open. The possibilities are endless with God that is according to His will. (Philippians 4:13)
3. New Plans: Every year is a new season, be prayerful of what God has planned for you and be willing to walk by faith in obedience as you follow His leading. Remember that His plans are always for good and not for evil to give you a future and a Hope. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
4. New Purpose: As you forge ahead, God always has a plan and a purpose for what you will go through and experience. Remember that God always has a reason for what He allows in your life and through it you can trust Him completely. (Proverbs 1:3-5)
5. New Provisions: The bible says to not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow has enough worries of its own. Trust in your Heavenly Father who knows everything you need, who is your God and your Provider. He is faithful and He will do it. (Matthew 6:1-33)
6. New Growth: When we are willing to let go and let God work in us and through us, He will always stretch us and grow us. It is an important part of the growth process. Continue to grow in your relationship with Him and in His Word. Pray for God to mold you and make you pliable in the potters hand and then watch the master craftsman work on His masterpiece; which is you!
7. New Wisdom: With new experiences and new lessons come new wisdom and insight. Always make it a priority to seek out wisdom as hidden treasure or fine gold. In Proverbs it says that it will be like a garland of grace around your neck and honor you and present you with a crown of splendor. (Proverbs 4:7-9)
8. Renewed Peace: As you go through new experiences and new adventures whether they are good or bad, my encouragement is to keep your eyes fixed on Christ and He will give you rest and peace, because He is our peace and loves you and cares for you deeply. (John 16:33)
Keep in mind that if even the wicked give good gifts to their children how much more will your Heavenly Father give to those that ask Him? (Matthew 7:7-11) Let us give thanks to the Lord for getting us through another year as we look forward to what He has for us up ahead and praise Him that He is faithful and worthy to be praised!
Our God is an Awesome God
Who Reigns on Heaven and Earth
With Wisdom Power and Love
Our God is an Awesome God!
May the Lord bless you and your family with a blessed New Year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Filoiann M. Wiedenhoff is a Pastor’s Wife; Work from Home Mom, Woman’s Biblical Counselor, Bible Teacher and Christian Author. Shc writes Christian literature to help ignite, inspire and empower believers into living godly lives that glorify God. You can also visit her website www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com.
Woops… I Did It Again!!
Posted by: | CommentsBack to the Basics after the Holidays
Thanksgiving is the jumping off point for the holiday festivities and the fun ends with a bang on New Year’s Day. That extra cookie because "it’s the holidays" causes all of us to ask ourselves come January 2nd, "What was I thinking?". At that point we firmly commit to losing those extra holiday pounds we so proudly gained.
To all of you "Woops I did it againers", have no fear. I’m going to take you back to the basics and get you on the road to your pre-holiday physique you once sported. And to the beginners for the first time, fear not, the basics are what you need to get started on your new healthy lifestyle!
BASIC RULE #1
The first thing you will take is a walk. Yes, it’s that simple. Cardiovascular activity is proven to not only prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity, but also reduces high blood pressure, improves joint flexibility, and increases energy levels which makes working through each day a breeze. But what the "Woops I did it againers" are after is the extra bonus of cardiovascular activity…fat burning. The most important basic rule is to do some sort of physical movement every day to burn the extra holiday pounds. Cardiovascular activity is the main source for melting the fat away. I recommend five days a week walking away from your house for 15 minutes, then turn around and walk back. However, the key is to walk fast enough to where you cannot hold a conversation with your partner, or yourself! Slowly increase your walking time to 45 minutes a day. Commit to getting up 30 minutes earlier each morning before work, during your lunch hour or in the afternoon to perform your activity. But remember, to be successful you must be consistent.
BASIC RULE #2
The second rule is to start some sort of strength training program using weights. This can be accomplished at home with a reputable video and or book, or joining a local gym. Strength training increases the body’s metabolic rate, causing the body to burn more calories throughout the day. It also increases bone density, prevents osteoporosis, increases lean muscle mass, muscle strength, power, and endurance, and helps prevent injury, just to name a few. I recommend strength training three days a week for the return, experienced "Woops I did it againers" and two days a week for the beginners. For the beginner, if you are a member of a fitness facility, I would recommend signing up with a degreed personal trainer for eight sessions to get you back in the groove. If that is not an option, sign up for at least one session to get you started on a weight-training program. After six weeks, seek their help again for a new program that will add on an extra day for a total of three days a week.
BASIC RULE #3
The third and last basic rule is to be mindful of what you eat. This is the most basic and confusing part of the plan. For the beginners and experienced alike, if you follow these simple guidelines you will notice results. My first, hard fast, no excuses, just do it rule is: no fast food, no fried food, no processed food and no fizz (soda). If you are guilty of any of these four no no’s, stop them immediately! Results of weight loss, energy improvement and just plane ole’ feeling better will be almost immediate. Also, be sure to consume smaller meals four to five times a day and be mindful of the amount of carbohydrates consumed with each. Overeating of carbohydrates is the culprit for weight gain, not to mention too much sugar and increased alcohol consumption. I recommend cutting your sugar intake in half and staying away from alcohol for a while. Consider enlisting a local registered dietician for important nutritional education along with an individually designed, healthy eating plan.
Although it may seem all to overwhelming right now, if you begin with these three back to the basics rules you will not only have success losing those holiday pounds, you will feel great, look great and hey, maybe even get a new wardrobe out of it!
About the Author:
Diana Sadtler is a University of Tampa graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She is a Certified Personal Trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
Diana’s passion for fitness and nutrition has sprung her into a lifelong journey in helping others. She currently speaks to women’s groups on how to integrate exercise, nutrition, and healthy habits as part of day-to-day life. In addition to Diana helping her clients achieve optimal health, she also achieves her own personal goals and competes in fitness competitions annually. She enjoys working with individuals of any age and fitness level and believes that exercise and good health is a lifestyle choice.
Diana is also a freelance writer on health and fitness topics. Her articles have appeared in Focus on the Family publications and various fitness websites. To contact Diana with questions or comments, please email her at dsadtlergetfit@tampabay.rr.com.
From Fear to Faith
Posted by: | CommentsWhat is it that makes us fearful? The answer to this question can be overwhelming. In the society that we live in today the growing amount of phobias people are bound with seem endless. From the unimaginable fear to the secretly harbored fear, everyone has experienced this emotion of anxious concern on all different types of levels.
Fear is paralyzing. It renders its victims powerless. The most courageous person can be brought to their knees because of fear. Prisoners are easily identified; the indicators are the chains, shackles, attire, etc. Fear’s prisoners also have distinctions. Eyes are downcast, heads are hung, and shoulders are slumped due to the weight of fear and its heavy burden.
Fear is begetting of other strongholds such as insecurities and low self-esteem. However, for the believers of God, there is hope. Our ammunition to combat against fear is faith.
One cannot walk out on faith if they are standing in fear. Faith will cause you to step out into the unknown and believe and trust in God. God is faithful, and because we are created in His image and likeness, we too must learn to be full of faith.
Faith grows, and the growth and development of your faith takes time. Your faith grows by being tried. Each trial you go through stretches your faith a little more. By the time you come to the next trial, you’ll have a little more faith than you did when you went through the last trial.
Faith is simply believing and trusting, though it doesn’t always seem simple at all. No, you may not know what to do next, but believe and trust that God does. No, you may not know how you’re going to make it out of a certain situation, but believe and trust that God knows. After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith. He knew you before you were created in your mother’s womb. He knew the end from the beginning. Exercise the faith that He instilled in you. Believe…trust…have faith.
About the Author:
The Lord has wrought miracles through the life of Takiela Bynum. Life’s circumstances ignited a blaze, and reduced her broken spirit to ashes. She has been restored from cremation and beautified with salvation. Takiela wrote at her leisure as a tween, and her work proved as evidence of incipient literary composer. God had a purpose for her pleasure…to minister. One must first be hurt in order to be healed, held captive in order to be freed, and cast down to be exalted, that is the basis of her prose. She has novels and poetry that are pending publication.
The Lord exchanged the ashes of her life for His beauty, indeed.
Takiela has been married for over ten years to Minister Marterrio Bynum. They have three children and reside in Nebraska. Learn more about Takiela at TakielaBynum.com.
