Heart Choices: 2009-05-24 -->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Dark or Light Style

Then Sings My Soul Saturday ~ Focus

12:01 AM
to Read (
Words)

Once again, it's Then Sings My Soul Saturday. I link to Amy on her blog at Signs, Miracles and Wonders where you will find other participating bloggers. I enjoy blog hopping to listen to the songs that have touched others this week.

I chose to post a video of a song that I've known for many years. In the midst of challenging circumstances, it helps me to remember where I need to focus my eyes. "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus" is a song that helps to remind me of His glory and grace. The things of this life are temporary.

QuickEdit

Fitness Friday ~ Cool Down

9:00 PM
to Read (
Words)

It's Fitness Friday today and I want to talk about ...cool down.

When you heard the term cool down, did you think of relaxing in your favorite lawn chair in front of the ocean? Doesn't that scene above look awesome and inviting? Living in Phoenix it feels like it's already been summer for a while. (Sigh) ... a girl can dream of being by the ocean, can't she?

Just so you know, when I say cool down I'm referring to the period at the end of your exercise session. It's a very important component in exercising and one that's often skipped by many. Often people don't take the time or they don't realize how important it is.


So, let's get back to Fitness Friday business, OK?

Maybe this photo won't be so distracting and get us (me) back on track. Did it work?

Let me put on my nurses' cap for a moment. Yeah, when I went to nursing school, we actually had to wear those white caps (along with white hose and uniforms; yuck!).

When you exercise the goal is to get your heart rate elevated for a period of time (20-40 minutes). If you suddenly put on the brakes and stop, there are a few things that can happen, depending on how conditioned you are.

Your blood pressure can drop suddenly causing you to become dizzy, nauseous or possibly even faint. Believe me, I've seen it happen too many times. It's so easy to avoid this too.

All you have to do is to simply end your workout by slowing down your pace for the last 3-5 minutes.

  • If you've been walking rapidly, slow down to an easy pace at the end.
  • If you've been bike riding, slow down at the end and pedal easily.

This allows your heart rate and blood pressure to return to normal before you stop. And it helps to prevent you from getting injured too.

I mentioned on another Fitness Friday post about the importance of stretching. I won't review that now but you can always click here and read all about it. At the end of your workout and cool down, it's a great time to stretch.

One more thing ...don't forget to replenish yourself with lots of fluids throughout your workout and particularly during your cool down period. It's easier to do when you're not bouncing or running. During the summer when it's hot you tend to sweat more so that means ...more water.

Keep hydrating yourself throughout the day and not just during exercise.

By including a cool down time:

  • You're going to feel better
  • Replace fluids lost during your workout
  • Help prevent muscle soreness

So why not add those important 5 minutes to your exercise? You'll be glad you did.

Now, don't forget to hop over to Sandy's blog at God Speaks Today. She's our host of Fitness Friday and I think other bloggers are starting to join us on a weekly basis.
QuickEdit

Thankful Thursday ~ The Voice of God

7:02 PM
to Read (
Words)

Today is Thankful Thursday and Lynn of Spiritually Unequal Marriage is hosting. She has chosen the theme of discerning the voice of God. You can read other posts on this topic by linking there.

When I checked Lynn's blog to discover what the theme would be I was taken back. You see, I just had a conversation with my friend Helen yesterday about this very topic. So, I guess it was perfect timing to write about this today.

I'm so thankful that as a child of God, He hasn't left me alone in this world to figure things out by myself. The Bible is His inspired word that teaches me how to live and love. He speaks to me through His Word. I've had times when a particular verse of Scripture practically leaps off the page even though I may have read it many times before.

Sometimes I've heard people say God told them to do something and yet it directly contradicts what is written in the Bible. I don't believe them because He doesn't contradict Himself.

I think the biggest barrier to hearing the voice of God is ...not listening and instead being so distracted with things of this world. If I don't take the time to spend with the Lord in prayer and reading the Bible, how can I expect to hear from Him?

Another obstacle is not obeying what God's already told me to do. When I disregard what He's already said, it's called disobedience (or sin). So, how can I expect Him to speak to me about something else in my life? Sin interferes with my intimacy with God.

I don't pretend to have all the answers about hearing from God. There have been times when I haven't been able to hear from God. I need to remember that I don't live a life of faith by my feelings. I know in my heart that God has never left me and I still believe even when ...I don't hear His voice clearly.

On this thankful Thursday, I'm so thankful that I have a personal relationship with God through Jesus. I can walk by faith knowing that He loves me and cares about my life. How awesome is that?

QuickEdit

Serious Life ~ An Online Magazine

1:00 AM
to Read (
Words)

Have you heard of Serious Life Magazine? It's a free publication and you can access it online. The May issue is still available by clicking on the photo above.

Serious Life is a digital publication and the editor-in-chief is none other than Brent Riggs. You may know him as Abby's daddy. I have her photo on the sidebar of my blog. It says "Pray for Abby". He also writes The Riggs Family blog along with his wife Michelle. And he has another website called Brent Riggs, where he tackles many interesting questions.

If you're a blogger, this is a great opportunity to be listed on their free blogger directory. Heart Choices is listed for the second month now and I want to do my part to tell others about the publication.

If you're not a blogger but enjoy reading a great online magazine with many color photos and a wide arrangement of articles, you must check it out.

Here's a listing of some of the current articles:

Why Women Live Longer Than Men, Angry at God, Spring Clean Year Round, One Sign You're Driving Too Fast, True Peace, Has Evil Gone Out of Style, Understanding Why We Get Sick, Marriage is a Trip, Living for Heaven, Cammy Aguilara bio, games, featured blogger and ...much more!

So, don't waste any more time and click on the link to access the magazine. I love it! You can also download it to your computer to read at your leisure.

QuickEdit

In Other Words Tuesdays ~ Heaven and Earth

1:00 AM
to Read (
Words)
Today is Tuesday, so it must be "In Other Words Tuesday". Deborah of Chocolate & Coffee is hosting today and the quote she has chosen for this week is:

As I think about this quote, I believe it's talking about perspective. Where's my main focus; on heaven or earth?

If I aim at earth, I believe I will be more concerned about the things in this present life.

  • Where will I live?
  • What shall I wear?
  • Who are my friends?
  • Where do I fit in?

There are certain present day realities that we all must face as long as we are alive on this earth.

But if I aim at heaven, I really get so much more. According to the Bible, if I want to go to heaven when I die I must have a personal relationship with God ...through Jesus.

And having a relationship with Jesus ensures me that I'm never alone. His Spirit lives in me, even when I'm still living on earth. As I surrender and submit my life to His leading, He works in and through me ...to impact this world.

So, even though I'm aiming for heaven, I get earth thrown in. It's not my work but His work in and through me, which is so much better.

If I simply aim at earth, I may have some temporary pleasures but I would miss out on a life of freedom from the power and penalty of sin. I would not have hope of spending eternity with my loved ones and especially ...Jesus.

QuickEdit
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)
[name=DEBBIE PETRAS] [img=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFJVPMbOdvnnAWibKZdwPabEM01zxrBxqngtQd92EREjOQ0mIw3Z-d9vt7rV4vS0_tTNvpQoN0Ec-Uvt1kSf1YwFDZzrVagGbjWfQXV0fEqpcK3Gjrg1toowBP4IgU-7qQ4Z_JlJMjBG8/s1600/Debbie+Face+blog.JPG] [description=]