Wordless Wednesday - Since I'm in a biking mood

See, even the president needs to exercise every now and then! Although I think the bike would do him a whole lot more good if he actually rode it ;-).

Monday Motivation Continued - Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

Monday Motivation - This do in remembrance of me

Today is Memorial Day. The day that we remember those in our lives that have already gone on. I was thinking about this and wondering what would people remember about me when I am gone? Will they remember that I was an intelligent, caring, and motivated person or will they remember that I was someone who struggled with her weight and had poor self-esteem? Is that really how I "want" to be remembered anyway? The more I thought about this the more I realized that when I am gone I don't want to be remembered for my outward appearance and if I am remembered by my outward appearance I want it to be a good memory for people. I want people to say "now that was a pretty and confident girl." When I remember my loved ones I don't think of their appearance but rather the people they were on the inside. I remember what it is who made them who they are. Some of those loved ones I have many good memories of, some of them there are memories that I wish I didn't have to carry with me. Those memories are the ones that make me think that I want to leave a lasting impression with the people I leave behind when I go. I don't ever want someone to have a bad memory of me when I am gone. I want people to remember that I was confident, strong, kind, compassionate, intelligent, funny, and willing to do the Lord's work. If I am not confident with who I am now, if I feel very awkward in my physical appearance then it is hard to be all of those things. My outward appearance affects how I feel inwardly. My weight makes me feel like I can't really accomplish what I want in life. I struggle even trying to pray some nights because of the confidence I lack. I don't want this to be the way I am remembered. We had communion at our church last night. We usually do this during passover but some things happened and we had to push it aside. I think it was very fitting however that we were able to do this during the Memorial Day weekend. We read the passages in the bible that explains about the communion and how Jesus said to do this in remembrance of Him. I thought it a very powerful line when it said "this do in remembrance of me." We can never remember the Lord as He was to the desciples but we can remember Him as He has worked in our own lives. I certainly remember and am in awe of all the things He has brought me out of. The Lord is not slack concerning His children and He has been there through every "need." We are His children so if we remember Him and all the things He has done for us then we too should leave a legacy for others to remember. One that tells about the wonderous works of God. What does it say of us as christians when the only thing people can see on us is poor self esteem and a physical body that does not match the inward spiritual body? It would be wonderul to have said of us when we are gone that we were true christians and God fearing people and served God with every part of us. How do you want to be remembered?

Luke 22:19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Watch the video in the next post. It explains perfectly what I mean.

Thursday 13 - Things you could give up and feel healthier

1. White sugar - brown sugar is better and honey is just as good, if not better when used as a sweetener.
2. Franken foods - foods that are supposed to resemble the real thing but are just a freak chemical mixture that is just barely mocking the real thing.
3. White flour - whole wheat is so much better for you and does not cause your blood sugar to crash and spike like white refined flour does.
4. Fast Food - Well the bad fast food anyway. There are healthy options at fast food restaurants, you just need to physically make the choice to eat them.
5. Soda of any kind - the phosphoric acid in regular soda is bad for your bones, the sugar is bad for you all the way around, caffeine is a drug, and diet soda is just another franken food loaded with chemicals. (Even I still struggle with this one!)
6. Your tv - yes this may seem strange but it's very easy to veg out in front of the tv. It's been proven that people eat more while watching television and are less likely to be physically active. Besides, tv is not only bad for you physically it's bad for you mentally and spiritually. Is there really anything on television that's worth your total well being?
7. Processed and prepackaged foods - There are so many chemicals and preservatives in these foods that it's no wonder we are unhealthy and overweight. We don't even know what we are putting into our own bodies! Not only does homecooked food taste way better but it's much healthier for you and you know exactly what you're eating plus there's an added bonus - it's much cheaper!
8. Stress - stop worrying over the little things. It's a proven fact that stress causes more health problems especially heart related problems. Try to let the little things go and save the stress and worry for the really major things in life. Worrying and arguing over a sock on the floor, or a cabinet door left open is not worth elevating your blood pressure and increasing your chances for heart attack or stroke.
9. Exchange your artificial house plants and flowers for the real thing. I'm not saying to get rid of your decorations - I have some too - but I am saying to add some real plants too. The fake ones are just dust collectors which is bad for your lungs - and allergies - and real plants and flowers actually help to cleanse the air in your home.
10. Negative attitude - A cheerful mind and outlook on life helps to relieve stress. Happy people are usually healthier and live longer!
11. Laziness - Get up and move! It's hard to get started but trust me - you will feel awesome once those endorphins kick in!
12. Noise pollution - if you leave your tv or stereo on for background noise then maybe you should try turning them off. Find some quiet time - if you can - sit down with a good book (or the good book), write in a journal or even pray. We can all use some wind down time especially before bed and more rest = better health!
13. Anything that keeps you from achieving your goals or feeling good about yourself and this includes negative people. Surround yourself with people who support you and take away all the things that hinder you. If you have a successful environment then you will be successful!

Wordless Wednesday

Have a joyful day! :-)

JOY

Don't forget that there will be JOY tonight. Hope to see you all there :-).

Meeting at the Library

We are meeting at the Mans. Library tonight. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. so we should get there a little early in order to get seats. The library events are usually held on the second floor between the childrens section and the a/v section. You can wear your JOY shirt if you like. I will probably wear mine. We may go out to eat afterwards but I'm not completely sure about that. We can discuss it later. Hope to see you all there!