Heart Choices: 2009-01-18 -->

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Fitness Friday


It's Fitness Friday again! Sandy at God Speaks Today and I are joining forces so hop over to her blog when you're done reading. There's strength in numbers and I don't know about you but ...I can use all the help I can get.

To be fit and healthy takes time, energy and commitment.

So, let's encourage one another throughout this process. And accountability is a great way to help keep us on track.

As I considered a topic for this week, I kept coming back to the why's of getting fit. Because the answer to the "why?" question is so important. If you're losing weight for the wrong reasons, it's going to be hard to stay motivated, especially on those days when you're ready to throw in the towel and eat a box of bon-bons. You know what I mean. We've all had those days.

If the reason you're trying to lose weight is:

  • To please another person

  • To squeeze into a smaller size for a particular event

  • To look like the models in the fashion magazines

Forget about it because ...it won't last.

The goal should fous on getting healthy so you'll have more energy to do whatever God has called you to do.

If you're overweight and you're running after your little children ...it's hard to keep up.

And if you're a grandma, there's still much for you to do. Don't settle and assume that this is the way it's going to be from now on.

No matter what your age, it's never too late to get started.

Many times women will look at celebrities and models and want to look the same way. If you've never seen this video by Dove, it's worth the 1 minute and 15 seconds to watch. You'll find that the perfection you think you see ...really isn't so. No wonder so many young girls are developing eating disorders.

So, let's be realistic.

  • Yes ...you can begin to exercise.

  • Yes ...you can lose weight.

  • Yes ...you can begin to eat healthy.

But let's do it sensibly and for the right reasons. I don't know about you but when I'm in good shape and have lots of energy, I feel much better about interacting with other people.

And as a Christian, I know my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. So, I want to take care of my body.

So, what about you? Have you thought through the reasons you're participating in Fitness Friday? Or maybe this is your first time visiting. If you're ready to start taking better care of yourself, what is your main reason for doing this? I'd love to hear from you.

Sandy's Fitness Friday topic today is related to diet and the importance of eating from a variety of food groups, including fruit. I encourage you to take a moment to visit Sandy too.
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Thankful Thursday ~ Prayer


Thankful Thursday is being hosted this week by my good friend Lori of Lori's Reflections. Our theme for this Thankful Thursday is prayer.

What a timely theme that is for me! With all of the challenges at this time in life, I wonder how anyone could get by without prayer. It's times like this that cause me to reflect and realize how dependent I am on God.

I have a confession to make. I like to be in control. My human nature likes to think I can make things happen. If I work hard and do the right things, then good things will happen. But it doesn't always work out that way. So much is outside of our control. I guess God uses challenges and circumstances to show me that He is the one in control. And so by faith, I need to place my trust in Him.

But the great part is that ...He is trustworthy.

And He invites me to come to Him and talk to Him. That's what prayer is ...talking to God.

I found the best cartoon to illustrate the concept of bringing my burdens to Him. Saija had posted this one on her blog and I loved it. Joyful Toons is a great resource.

So, on this Thankful Thursday, I want to encourage you to unburden your heart and pray. Pray for our country, President Obama, and the many people who are without work and in financial difficulties.

I'm so thankful that I don't have to carry all the burdens of the world on my shoulders. I can come before Almighty God and talk to Him and tell Him about my concerns and needs. And for that I am so thankful.

You can visit other blogs who are participating in Thankful Thursday by visiting Lori's Reflections.

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Inauguration Day 2009


It’s Inauguration Day. America has voted and the people have made their choice.

No matter how you voted in this Presidential election, today is a day of anticipation. President Obama will be sworn-in with his right hand on Abraham Lincoln’s Bible and the invocation will be said by Reverend Rick Warren.

It reminds me of another Inauguration Day but this one was in 1993 and Bill Clinton was being sworn in. My hubby and I had the honor of receiving tickets to the much coveted Arkansas Inaugural Ball.

Neither of us had voted for Bill Clinton and we weren’t from Arkansas. But my husband received the tickets from a friend who I guess had “connections”.

Anyhow, we'd never been to an event like this so …off we went to Washington DC.


There was an air of excitement in Washington DC that cold wintery day. We stood outside during the swearing-in ceremony and listened to Maya Angelo recite her poem that became quite famous.
We even watched as former President George H. Bush and his wife took off in a helicopter. And we sadly waved goodbye.

For me, the most exciting part of the inaugural festivities was the Inaugural Ball. Greg and I were all dolled up in our formal attire with our tickets in hand.

We had to go through a full security screening and this was well before 9/11.

Official photos were taken. Greg is not that much taller than me but this photo makes him look so much taller.

Everywhere I looked there were celebrities and musicians like Kenny Loggins, Carol King, Michael Bolton, Tony Bennett and Chuck Berry. Chuck rocked the place with his music and we all danced. The newly elected President Clinton played his sax. All of the major national TV stations were represented by their top commentators surrounding the ball room. It certainly was a night to remember.

Fast forward from 1993 to 2009. Few things have changed on Inauguration Day. The number of inaugural balls has decreased significantly. I’m glad I had the opportunity to go when I did. Who knows when I’d have another opportunity?

Although government can’t solve all of our country’s problems, I will pray for President Obama and the incoming administration. I believe it is a pivotal time in our country’s history. I pray that the right decisions will be made.

And I pray that God will continue to bless our country!
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Who Do You Trust?


When life is good and things are going smoothly, it's easy to say you trust God.

But have you ever been in the midst of challenging circumstances that were outside of your control?

Today I'm over at Laced with Grace. Come and visit me there to read the rest of this post on "Who do you trust?"...

If you haven't entered the fabulous January giveaway on Laced with Grace, it might be a great time to do that ...while you're there. All you need to do to enter is to add a comment. The giveaway ends January 31 so don't miss out. The prize is a complete DVD Bible study called "Living the Gospel in Relationships" by Tara Barthel.

See you at Laced with Grace.
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