Heart Choices: 2009-03-29 -->

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Serious Life Magazine ~ April Issue Live


Serious.Life MagazineI wanted you to know about this publication I’m a part of called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published a new issue today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. It’s a very high quality magazine… you’ll really like it.

The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The magazine is owned and published by a family who have seven kids, three adopted and one who has Leukemia (
www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics.

Again, the subscription is FREE, and I know you’ll enjoy the magazine, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues.
www.seriouslifemagazine.com
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In Other Words Tuesdays


Today I'm participating in the meme "In Other Words Tuesdays".

Our host for this week's quote is Denise on her blog Shortybear's Place. You can visit other participating blogs by linking there.

I always find it interesting to see how each person often takes a unique approach to our quote for the week.

Here is the quote for today:

In order for heaven to be in me, I must be ...in Christ. As a Christian, I have surrendered my life and invited Jesus to live in my heart.

However, I still live in an earthly body and I have moment by moment choices to make. You see, I still have my free will.

Sometimes, I think that's my problem. But I wouldn't want to be a robot who is programmed to make all the "right choices". I want to ...make the choice to love God and to obey Him.

I have a different perspective as a Christian. Even though for right now I live in this world, my true citizenship is in heaven. But at times, that can be challenging since I can't see, taste, touch and feel this with my physical senses. I take this by faith.

I believe if we are more heavenly minded, we will actually be of more earthly good. The opposite is often quoted. But if I choose to allow Christ to live in and through me, I can be His hands and feet to people in this world. And then I will be a blessing to others in word and deed.

So, I chose to remember that I'm just passing through and that heaven is my real home.

And in the meantime, I want to be used by God to touch the lives of both believers and even those who don't believe ...YET.

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Fitness Friday ~ Mandisa


Today is once again Fitness Friday. Over at Sandy's blog God Speaks Today, she'll be sharing the story of Lisa Shaw, one of our blogging friends who lost LOTS of weight.

I think it's good to find out how people have been successful at accomplishing their goals. Lisa is a great example of that! I've only recently come to know her but I can tell you that I'm growing to love her more with each and every encounter I've had with her in bloggy land. She's such an encourager and motivator. You've got to read her story on Sandy's blog.

So, to go along with the theme of success stories, I thought I would share the story of Mandisa.

I'm sure you remember her from Season 5 of American Idol. She was one of the final 10 contestants. During her audition for American Idol, she quickly advanced to the next round. But when she left the room, Simon made a very derogatory remark about her weight. Mandisa didn't hear the comment ...until it was broadcast on TV for millions to see and hear. She was devastated and humiliated.

But the next time she was in front of Simon, she told him she was very hurt but that she forgave him and the two hugged. Mandisa is a Christian woman who speaks the truth ...in love.

Last November I was thrilled to attend the Women of Faith Conference. Mandisa was one of the speakers and she sang for us. She's beautiful both inside and out.

I took lots of photos and I was so fortunate to have a seat in the front row! Can you believe it? Thanks Marlene and Helen.

I recently read an article in Christianity Today about Mandisa's goal of losing 100 pounds. Her latest album is called Freedom. So far, she's lost 75 pounds and has changed her date to achieve this goal by April for the Dove Awards. Mandisa is so open and honest about her struggles. I'll let you listen to her as she shares from her heart. This video is only about 3 and a half minutes but well worth the time.




It's so wonderful for me to hear that she looks at this as a lifestyle change and not a diet. Because that's what I believe. Instead of thinking about all you can't eat, emphasize all the fruits and vegetables you can eat.

I love that Mandisa's new album is called Freedom. How wonderful to be free from bondage to emotional eating and food addictions. I love her music and voice. And I join in praying for this woman of God, that she will accomplish her goal and lose 100 pounds. I know she will inspire others to take their health seriously too.

I love examples like Mandisa. And I also love examples like Lisa Shaw. You'll have to hop over to visit Sandy so you can read about her story.
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Thankful Thursday ~ Hope




Our Thankful Thursday theme for today is ...hope. Laurie of Women Taking a Stand is our host this week. So, you can link there to view other participating blogs.

Hope is defined on Dictionary.com as "to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence, to believe, desire or trust."

I can be hopeful because of who I place my trust in; Jesus. He is trustworthy so ...I can be hopeful.

Even when life is hard, I know that He sees me and knows all that's going on in my life. And that gives me hope because He loves me and wants what's best for me.

As I grow in my relationship with Him, I learn to trust Him more and more.

So, here's my thankful list for today:

  • I'm thankful that I have the hope that He will provide for all my needs.
  • I'm thankful that I can have the hope that He will use my trials to teach me valuable lessons.
  • I'm thankful that I can have hope that He has a purpose for my life.
  • I'm thankful that I can share with others the reason I have hope regardless of all that's going on.
  • I'm thankful that I can share this hope with love and respect for others.

On this Thankful Thursday, consider being thankful for hope. You can read other thankful Thursday lists by clicking here.

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April Fool's Day?


Some people think of April 1st as ...April Fool's Day. They think of it as a day to play practical jokes and to make sure their computer virus protection is working.

But not me! When I think of April 1st ...I think of Ellie!

Happy Birthday Ellie!

Ellie is someone I met when she was only 2 or 3 years old. This is about how she looked at that time. I was her Bible Study Fellowship Children's Leader when her family moved to Phoenix from Colorado. She was very shy at first.

But then one day as I was sitting in church, I turned around and I spotted Ellie in her daddy's arms as they were singing. Her family had joined my church and Ellie spotted Mrs. Petras and ...smiled and waved at me!

Well, needless to say, her mom Jamie and I became great friends. During what I'll call their Phoenix years, we spent lots of time together. Then Ellie's daddy got a company transfer and they moved off to San Antonio. I got to visit them several times and whenever they're in Arizona, they always take time to visit Mrs. Petras. I'm so glad. Jamie is the same Jamie that I've interviewed for two Fitness Friday posts. You can read them here and here, if you like.


In honor of Ellie's birthday, I wanted to share a few photos with you. If it wasn't for Ellie, Jamie and I wouldn't be friends today. So, thank you Ellie.

Ellie with a big bow in her hair.

Debbie with Mary, Ellie and Jamie

Ellie playing dress up with her friend and sisters

Ellie with Mrs. Petras at our church's annual tea
Ellie and I went to Build A Bear; how fun!

All dressed up for Easter

Ellie's been taking riding lessons and found that she loves horses.

Ellie loves her sister Mary.


Ellie is very smart. After all, she has a great home scool teacher.

Ellie and her dad riding the tandem bike.

When you move to Texas, you become a cowgirl. Ellie even has pink boots!


Ellie helps her mom, Jamie take care of her little sisters. And did I mention, her older brother Braden?

Ellie is growing up quickly but from all I see, I believe she's going to be a godly woman. She even prays for her dad every week before he teaches the men. Todd is the BSF Teaching Leader. And Ellie still goes to Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). And so it continues ...BSF brought this family into my life. And I know they will bless others too.

Happy Birthday Ellie and a big hug to you from Mrs. Petras!

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