Faith & Fitness Challenge - Week 3 (Rest Your Body, Rest Your Heart)

Blessings to you, friends!

This begins week 3 of our 6-week faith and fitness challenge. We’ve got almost 400 of you on board and what a journey it’s been!

Each week during the 6-week challenge, I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn't to someone who posts on this blog. At the end of the 6 weeks we'll draw 2 names to win gift baskets full of fitness goodness. And it's FREE! Sign up here: Commit to Live Fit

Congratulations to last week’s winners, Mary Bryson and Wanda Draus – you each win a copy of Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t! (*Email me at Susie@MyFaithRadio.com with your mailing address and we’ll get the book out to you this week).

So, we’ve implemented the following disciplines in the past 2 weeks:

Physical Disciplines:

• ·      Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day (or better yet, half of your body weight in ounces)
• ·      Stretch in the morning and evening

Spiritual Disciplines:

• ·      Read the Word of God every day
• ·      Stretch your faith every day

If you’re just joining us and would like more information, check out the posts from the past two weeks.

Here are your two disciplines for this week:

Physical Discipline:

Get 7-9 Hours of Sleep: I truly believe that rest is the most underrated discipline of our day. We dip into our sleep time so we can get more done in a day, not realizing we’re ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul.’ If we go too long without regular and consistent rest, it deeply impacts our health, perspective, and ability to live strong. When we de-prioritize rest, we make more mistakes, we use costly shortcuts, and we make ourselves more vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes. It’s critical that we prioritize rest and so here’s what I’m asking you to do this week:

Make time and space in your evening for 7-9 hours of sleep. So let’s say you have to wake up every morning at 6am.  For you to give yourself a 7-9 hour window, that means you need to start your night routine at 9pm so you can be in bed by 10pm. This is the time to turn off your computer and TV, and stop your housework. Hey, it’s a perfect time to stretch! And pray! And read! Use that one-hour window to prepare your heart and mind for sleep. I’m telling you, this will be a very life-giving discipline.

Benefits of Sleep:

• ·      Body heals
• ·      Stronger Immune System
• ·      Renewed Perspective
• ·      Higher ability to learn
• ·      Less chance of mistakes
• ·      Health Maintenance

Spiritual Discipline:

Cultivate a ‘Restful’ Heart: Psalm 91:1 says this: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High God will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. What does it mean to ‘dwell in the secret place’? It’s to walk in His presence as you live here on earth (see Psalm 116:9). It’s to make time and space to meet with God, to listen for His voice, and to do what He says. It’s to live with the sense that you’re tucked under His protective wing, and to identify yourself as His with every step you take on planet earth. Now read that passage again: He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High God will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. When you dwell with Him, you can more easily rest in Him. He has you and is intimately acquainted with every detail of your life.

Here’s another important verse: Cease striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). We get into striving and we work on overdrive when we forget that more is up to God than up to us. The word, ‘know’ in this verse speaks of a single-minded intimacy (not allowing anything to get between you and God). Can you see why the enemy works overtime to distract your from the goodness and the greatness of our God? You’re most powerful in your walk of faith and most restful amidst stressful circumstances when you know in your soul, that He your God.

Learn to rest in Him. He loves you deeply.

And, I challenge you to make your nighttime routine a priority; get the sleep your body needs. That discipline will pay you back in great dividends!

I’ll be praying for you as you add these healthy yet simple disciplines to your life. And remember, each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t: Simple Steps to a Woman’s Physical & Spiritual Health’ to someone who posts on this blog. 

Let’s do this!

May you flourish in health, both physically and spiritually!

Blessings to you this week~

Faith & Fitness Challenge - Week 2 (Stretch Your Muscles & Your Faith)

Blessings to you, friends! 

If you’ve regularly read my blog in the past, you know that I stepped back from posting weekly for a season to launch a second daily radio show I’m a part of: Everyday Relationships with Dr. Greg Smalley. Tune in if you need a good laugh and some encouragement in your everyday relationships. 

Last week we launched a very doable, life-giving, six-week fitness challenge. I’d love for you to join us and it’s not too late! Each week I’ll ask you to implement two disciplines; one for your physical health and one for your spiritual health.

Each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn't to someone who posts on this blog). Today marks week 2 of a fun six-week faith and fitness challenge.

Congratulations to Nicole & Sandy (you both posted on June 17^th) – you each win a copy of Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t! (*Email me at Susie@MyFaithRadio.com with your mailing address and we’ll get the book out to you this week).

Here’s how it works:

Sign up for FREE at: http://myfaithradio.com/commit-to-live-fit/ 

Every Monday I’ll post on this blog and share a bit about the physical and spiritual discipline for that week. Every Wednesday you’ll receive a reminder email to encourage you along the way. At the end of the six weeks, we’ll draw two names to win gift baskets filled with fitness goodies. 

Each week you’ll add a very easy and life-giving physical and spiritual component to your daily routine. These disciplines are easy to do, but they’re also easy to let go of. These very doable disciplines add strength and vitality to our lives if we can make them a part of our everyday routine.

So, last week’s disciplines were:

• ·      Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day (or better yet, half of your body weight in ounces)
• ·      Read the Word of God every day

*Check out last week’s blog for more information.

Here are your two disciplines for this week:

Physical Discipline:

*Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Stretch Your Muscles – I’m telling you friend, if you take a few moments every morning and every evening to stretch your major muscle groups, you’ll feel a whole lot better and carry yourself taller! Here are some of the many benefits of stretching regularly:

• ·      Alleviates most body aches
• ·      Reduces stress
• ·      Improves circulation
• ·      Increases overall flexibility
• ·      Reduces occurrence of injury

Dangers of NOT stretching:

• ·      Higher level of muscle discomfort
• ·      Greater potential of injury
• ·      Decreased Circulation
• ·      Increased and recurrence of muscle/joint issues
• ·      Absorb stress in a way that diminishes health

Remember to stretch gently in the morning since your muscles will be stiff and not warmed up.

When you roll out of bed in the morning, face your mirror, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and bend your knees slightly (sit back slightly in squat position; shift weight to your heels). Place your left hand on your left thigh and stretch your right hand in the air (pointing upward – 12 o clock). With knees still bent and your left hand on your left thigh for support, and abs tight to support your lower back, gently stretch that arm overhead until you’re pointing 11 or 10 o clock). Then repeat on the other side.  Lie on the floor, put your hands under your knees and gently pull them toward your chest. If you’re able extend one leg in the air and stretch your hamstring; flex and point your toe to get that lower leg warmed up as well (and then repeat with the other leg). Stand up and take a few deep breaths by breathing in through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. Doing a few basic stretches like these will energize you and helps you feel ready for your day! It’s amazing what a difference a few moments of stretching will do for you. Repeat this routine again at night before you go to bed.

If you need more instruction when it comes to stretching, you’ll find a number of instructional videos on YouTube.

Spiritual Discipline:

Stretch Your Faith:  

Scripture says that we cannot please God without faith! So this week it’s time to activate your faith in a more intentional way. Each day this week, ask the Lord to show you what He wants you to believe Him for (is it rest? Provision? Direction? A future promised land?). Then start thanking Him by faith for His promise to you. Find a scripture to stand on and start living like His promises are true!

Also, make yourself available to Him each and every day. Ask Him to use you in ways that surprise you. Pay attention to that inner nudge and move when He tells you to move. Buy a cup of coffee for someone in need. Write a letter. Open a door. Reach out to a stranger. Listen for the Lord’s voice and then do what He says. Your faith is precious and priceless to Him!

Here’s why stretching our faith is so important to us:

• ·      Reminds us of who (and whose) we are
• ·      We grow in the things of God
• ·      We become spiritually conditioned to take the land God wants to give us
• ·      Reminds us that we’re pilgrims on this earth, just passing through
• ·      Reminds us that greater is He is who in us, than he that is in the world
• ·      We bring pleasure to God’s hear when we live by faith

Scripture for Faith Stretching:

•    Hebrews 11:6 ~ Without faith it is impossible to please God. Anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

•      James 2:14 ~ What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

•    2 Corinthians 5:7 ~ For we live by faith, not by sight

Dangers of living an earthbound life:

• ·      We lose our sense of expectancy
• ·      We lose sight of our invitation to walk intimately with God
• ·      We miss out on an exciting faith adventure
• ·      We’re easily deceived by the enemy
• ·      We settle for far less than what God has for us

I’ll be praying for you as you add these healthy yet simple disciplines to your life. Also, each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t: Simple Steps to a Woman’s Physical & Spiritual Health’ to someone who posts on this blog. 

Let’s do this!

May you flourish in health, both physically and spiritually!

Blessings to you this week~

Faith & Fitness Challenge - Week 1 (Water and the Word)

I've missed you, friends! 

If you’ve regularly read my blog in the past, you know that I stepped back from posting weekly for a season to launch a second daily radio show I’m a part of: Everyday Relationships with Dr. Greg Smalley. Tune in if you need a good laugh and some encouragement in your everyday relationships. 

Starting today, I’ll post every week for the next six weeks (and I'll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn't. Today marks the beginning of a fun six-week faith and fitness challenge. Here’s how it works:

Sign up for FREE at: http://myfaithradio.com/commit-to-live-fit/ 

Every Monday I’ll post on this blog and share a bit about the physical and spiritual discipline for that week. Every Wednesday you’ll receive a reminder email to encourage you along the way. At the end of the six weeks, we’ll draw two names to win gift baskets filled with fitness goodies. 

Each week you’ll add a very easy and life-giving physical and spiritual component to your daily routine. These disciplines are easy to do, but they’re also easy to let go of. These very doable disciplines add strength and vitality to our lives if we can make them a part of our everyday routine.

So here are your two disciplines for this week:

Physical Discipline:

Drink Water – Many experts suggest we need 8-10 glasses of water a day. My husband added this one discipline to his daily routine and lost 10 pounds in one month! Fitness expert Wendie Pett suggests we drink the equivalent to half our body weight (in ounces). So if you weigh 200 pounds, you need about 100 ounces of water a day. Either way, it’s time to up your water intake and here’s why: 

• ·      Great for hair and skin
• ·      Helps digestion and metabolism
• ·      Helps muscle function 

Dangers of Dehydration:

• ·      Muscle spasms and cramps
• ·      Neurological impairment
• ·      Digestive issues
• ·      Dry skin and hair
• ·      Headaches
• ·      Water retention

When we drink too much soda, we lose our taste for water. I challenge you to find a fun water bottle and raise your water intake starting today! 

Spiritual Discipline:

Read the Word:  If you don’t have a regularly established quiet time, take that first step. Set aside 10-15 minutes each day, open the Word and prayerfully read. If you’re new to reading the Bible, start with the books of Psalms, Proverbs, or the Gospel of John. If you already have an established quiet time, the challenge to you is to extend your time by adding a few extra minutes each day dedicated solely to reading God’s Word. Scripture is living and active and will change your life! Here’s why God’s Word is so important to us:

• ·      It’s living and active and brings life, strength, and direction to our soul
• ·      It offers us wisdom and reveals God’s heart
• ·      It teaches us how to live and brings clarity where there’s confusion 

John 4:13 ~ “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Matthew 4:4 ~ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Ephesians 6:17 ~ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 12:13-14 ~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Dangers of doing life apart from the Word:

• ·      We lose our way
• ·      We adjust our theology to match our lives (rather than the other way around)
• ·      We’re easily deceived by the enemy

I’ll be praying for you as you add these healthy yet simple disciplines to your life. Also, each week I’ll give away 2 copies of my book, Balance That Works When Life Doesn’t: Simple Steps to a Woman’s Physical & Spiritual Health’ to someone who posts on this blog. 

Let’s do this!

May you flourish in health, both physically and spiritually!

Blessings to you this week~

Believe the Best: No More Reading Between the Lines!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post whenever I get the chance and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

Now, on to my topic...

We all go through seasons in life when we feel especially vulnerable and our insecurities feel close to the surface. During such times it's easy to misread people and situations. 

A trusted friend suddenly seems disloyal and distant. A co-worker pulls back and seems to be spending time with someone who doesn't like you. You walk into church and nobody seems interested in talking to you. Your pastor walks right by without noticing you. You no longer feel like you have your boss's favor.

When one or more of these scenarios happens in a short amount of time, it's easy to connect the dots, draw certain conclusions, and then react accordingly. Just recently I talked with someone who had a number of 'dots' out there. He had some legitimate reason for concern, but deep in his soul, he sensed that God was telling him to believe the best about others, not to jump to conclusions, and to continue on with doing the right thing.

His response was exactly right and at the end of the day, the little mishaps fizzled to nothing. Imagine if he would have taken the bait, gotten big and reactionary with his friends and co-workers, and stepped out of the authority and assurance that he had in Christ Jesus. 

We may have some real 'dots' out there, just begging to be connected, but that doesn't mean that the picture actually exists or is an accurate one. We need the mind of Christ not to draw wrong conclusions.

From now on, we regard no one from a worldly point of view (2 Corinthians 5:16).

I cringe when I think of how many times I assumed people had bad motives when they didn't, or I assumed they we're mad when they weren't. Thankfully, many of those times, I kept my feelings to myself and brought them before God and found my footing once again. Interestingly enough though, I learned that in many of those situations, those people we're enduring their own struggles and would have greatly benefited from an extra dose of grace and love (which comes out of fullness; reactions, on the other hand, come out of emptiness).

We all tend to misread people and situations when something in them resembles a past painful experience for us. We must take responsibility for our actions and reactions, and we must pursue deep inner healing so that our past no longer has the power to diminish our current perspective and relationships.

Remember too, the enemy overplays his hand when it comes to our unhealed areas. He prowls around, just looking for an opportunity to magnify a problem or skew a perspective. His goal is to get our eyes off of God and onto our fears and hang ups. He wants our past to keep speaking to us. He wants our wounds to perpetuate themselves. And he wants us stuck in the prison of an earthbound perspective.

You've probably heard me say this before, or read it in one of my books, but it bears repeating. If the devil can get us to live in reaction to our circumstances rather than in response to God, well, then, he has succeeded at stealing our joy and robbing us of the abundant life to which our souls are heir. 

Determine to believe the best in others this week. Even if their motives are off, you stay in the shelter of the Most High God and declare, My salvation and honor depend on God alone. HE is my mighty rock and refuge (Psalm 62:7). Determine too, to believe the best about God. He has your best interest at heart every single day. Even if your circumstances scream something different, refuse to draw a conclusion that disregards God's promises to you.

For the Believer, the only conclusion that matters is the one God has come to regarding us. We are worth everything to Him. We are loved, called, equipped, and chosen. We have everything we need and then some.

Have a blessed week~

Fan the Flame Within Me!

Happy Thursday, Friends!

And to those visiting, I say welcome! For years, I posted weekly on this blog, every Wednesday, in fact. But this past year I’ve had to put my blog on the back burner for a bit. I’ve had a lot going on. Let me tell you a bit about it.

Many of you know I host a daily (deeper life) talk show called Live the Promise. I’m telling you, friends, we have church together every day! If you’ve never listened, I pray you’ll join us!

Last month I released a new book that I’m thrilled about, titled, Your Beautiful Purpose: Discovering and Enjoying What God Can Do Through You. I pray you’ll check it out and let me know your thoughts!

And here’s one more reason I’ve put my blog on the back burner for a season. Focus on the Family recently launched a new, daily, live talk show called, Everyday Relationships with Dr. Greg Smalley. And I’m his co-host! We’re having a great time, lots of laughs, and hopefully offering some wonderful takeaways to help you walk out your everyday relationships.

So, it’s been a while since I’ve shared my thoughts on this blog. Yesterday I received an email from a precious woman who wondered why I’ve not posted for a while.

I asked her what she’d like me to write about and she replied, “How do you get the fire/zeal back in to your prayer time?  Why do we go through these dry places where our prayers seem blah (and very "me" centered). Why is reading the Word sometimes a chore instead of a delight?  

Great questions, no? 

So here’s my best answer: TRUST…

A while back I had author Emily Freeman on my show and she said the best thing: Is it more important to please God or to trust Him? She went on to say, “If we focus on pleasing God, we’ll quickly get into striving; but if we entrust ourselves to Him, and trust Him for all He is, we’ll stay in that place of grace, and we’ll please Him in the process (my paraphrase).”

Using ‘TRUST’ as an acronym, here are few things I learned about reigniting my prayer life:

T- Thanksgiving: Almost always, when I sense that the fire has gone out and my passion has waned, it’s because I stopped being grateful, stopped thanking God for all of the blessings I enjoy. When we focus too much on what we don’t have and on what God is not giving us as the moment, we lose sight of the fact that God is always wonderfully good, is beautifully for us, and will never forsake us. Start today by thanking Him for everything you’d miss tomorrow if you woke up and it wasn’t there.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

R – Repentance: Another fire-quencher is sin and selfish attitudes. Scripture says that His kindness leads us to repentance. When you’ve spent some time thanking God, conviction returns to your soul. Take the next step and dare to say, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts; see if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in your everlasting way.’ (See Psalm 139) Confession is a cleansing, beautiful thing. God draws especially near to the humble, repentant heart.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results (James 5:16).

U – Understand: Oftentimes when we feel our flame flickering and not burning brightly, it’s because we’ve approached God only for what He can do for us and not for who He is. A sure way to fan our spiritual flame is to seek Him for all He is worth! Still bring your requests before Him, but then lay them down at His feet, and seek to know His heart. He is the star-breathing God, the Lord of Lords, the King of kings, and the God of angel armies! He is high and lifted up and yet intimately right here. He loves you. Get to know Him more and you’ll have a better understanding of how He is working in your current circumstances. To better know Him is to love Him more; and to know Him is to be filled to the fullness with Him (see Ephesians).

Knowing the Holy One results in understanding (Proverbs 9:10).

S – Stand: When we don’t feel God’s presence and His promises don’t exactly feel true, it’s time to stand on the Word of God because it is true. When I find myself feeling more earthbound than heaven-bound, I rise up, walk around my house, and proclaim the promises of God written over my life. I will not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord! (because I struggle with health issues) God’s grace abounds in my life so I can abound in every good work! (because I’m constantly in over my head). When I stand on God’s promises, and my ears hear my mouth say what’s true, in due time, my heart believes again that His Word is true. I challenge you, walk around, stomp your feet if you have to, and proclaim the promises of God. Take your stand right where you stand!

For your promises are backed by all the honor of your name (Psalm 138:2).

S – Surrender: Another thing I’ve noticed is that surrender and spiritual passion are closely linked. When I find myself hanging on to my own understanding, or when I rely more heavily on my fears than I do on God’s faithfulness, it’s like a throwing a wet blanket on my spiritual flame. What’s my answer? I get on my knees, open my hands, and I surrender my everything to the Lord once again. I give Him my worries, my ‘what if’s’ and the deep desires of my heart. I’m only dealing with partial information. He knows what’s best for me (and for you). Try actually getting on your knees, opening your hands, and releasing the things you’ve been white-knuckling up to this point. Say to the Lord, 'Father, what does obedience look like here? And who do You want to be to me here? My Deliverer? Defender? Strong Tower? I surrender to You. Show me Your greatness in this place.'

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

T – Trust: Here we are, back at trust again. When I lose perspective on life, I’ve somewhere along the line stopped trusting God. Here are a few things that are important to remember:

• He has a plan for your life that is your best case scenario
• He is faithful, true, and made Himself available to you
• He is good and kind and true; you can trust Him to get you safely home

You can trust Him. If your passion has waned it's time to re-engage your heart, to renew your mind, to humble yourself in His presence, and then to rise up knowing that you are His, and He is yours. You are blessed, indeed.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I hope this helps you to fan the flame within you! You are so very precious to God!

~Until next time I post.

Thanks for the nudge, Roberta