Posts

Showing posts from November, 2011

Day 33: How Real Servants Act

Image
"I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves."  Matthew 10:16 The word servant has been taken out of today's society.  It has been a word with burden, hurt, and feeling of being inferior.  It has been misused, abused, and taken advantage of.  It is no wonder why so many of us shy away from it only to let the me first mentality take over.  It is important to rekindle the word for its positive stand point.  We were built to be servants and in serving; we serve God. One of the hardest parts of serving in today's society is lack of time.  So many of us are consumed by status-who we know, who knows us, how much money we make, our job title, what labels we wear,etc.  God is not asking us to drop everything and become a holy gypsy.  He is merely asking us to be available when divine appointments arrive.  We will have to make sacrifices and let go of control as most times we a...

Day 32: Using What God Gave You

Image
"What you are is God's gift to you; what you do with yourself is your gift to God."  Danish Proverb Most of us have a good idea of what some of our capabilities are.  Some of us naturally have abilities like singing, dancing, being able to remember facts, playing sports, public speaking, etc., but what if we have a hard time pinpointing our gifts.  It is all about trial and error-an experiment!  Many people do not know what they are good at until they try something new, something that scares them, something they never thought they would do.  Asking the people that are closest to us is also a good starter.  Make sure they know it is not a fish for compliments but an honest question.  They can probably think of things you have not. Next, think about how your life's experiences and situations have helped to shape you.  Take some time out of the hussle and bussle to see how God has worked in your life-through pain, fears, joys, sorrows, m...

Day 31: Understanding Your Shape

Image
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."  1 Peter 4:10 Each one of us is born unique and house abilities that are part of a bigger story.  Our natural abilities were given to us by God as a piece of a puzzle.  No one else has our distinct make-up or can fit where God has placed us.  We were all made for His purpose.  It is just as important to build our spiritual abilities as using our natural abilities. First, acknowledge your abilities and be grateful for what He has given you.  It could be accounting, managing, creativity, baking, teaching, good with a certain age group, leading, fitness, etc.  Second, find a way to use your ability for the good of others.  Thirdly, donate some of your earnings or time for the grace God.  This could be doing a service free of charge, donating to a church or organization, or helping your community. Being u...

Top Her Couture Website Launch

Image
Today, Top Her Couture launched their website .  It includes women's fitness apparel, Top Her Couture's other services, a bio about the creator, her modeling portfolio & resume, her blog, and an easy to use contact form. Coming soon to the website is Top Him, Lil Her, and Lil Him.

Day 30: Shaped For Serving God

Image
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. "  1 Corinthians 12:4-6 S piritual Gifts H eart A bilities P ersonality E xperience Each of us is given gifts by God.  None of us receive them all and each of us has a unique set of them-no two codes alike.  God wanted us to rely on others' and that is why we are all so unique in our spiritual gifts.  Be thankful for the gifts you do have and be blessed when some one enters your life with a gift you have not received.  Learn to lean on them so to let them use their gift and vice versa. Our heart is the center of our motivation.  It is our desires, interest, ambitions, and dreams.  " Your heart determines why you say the things you do, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do. "  (W...

The Gym Loses Over 350 lbs. To Take Stage

Image
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:  Chris Williamson                                                                 Phone:  303.756.7300 Cell:  720.936.2436 Email:  Chris@gym303.com 2011 NPC Rocky might be the last show of the year, but it is just the beginning for many. The Rocky is Colorado ’s final NPC show and national qualifier.   This year, Chris Williamson was given an amazing opportunity to transform two mothers into NPC Bikini competitors.   The winners of the contest were Lisa Poole and Kelly Duman.   There training lasted 18 weeks with a combined weight loss of over 75 lbs. ...

Day 29: Accepting your Assignment

Image
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."  Ephesians 2:4-5   Life is a two way street not just where we take by eatting and breathing but where also give by contributing.  First and foremost we were put here to serve God.  We are part of the ministry he sacrificed His life to enable.  We do not have to be deacons, priests or other clergy to minister.  We are commanded by God to serve and is not optional if we are to be christian.  Once we have grown spiritually and accepted God;'s grace, we must utilize what He has tought us.  It is not enough just to learn it-we must impliment it every day.  The trouble with this day in age is God has been taken out of most every thing including our lives.  Science takes away every day miracles.  We are left with a stagnate life. ". . .if you don't wake up tomor...

Day 28: It Takes Time

Image
"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Phillipians 1:6 Maturity in anything can never be rushed or it loses its flare.  maturity is a process of believing, belonging, and becoming which many people try to zip through.  So much of society is looking for an easy button in just about every situation, temptation, relationship, or journey.  The obsession with speed and business has diverted many of us from what God is looking for-strength & stability.  He knows we are slow learners.  "It doesn't matter how many steps you take but rather the direction they are going." Part of the problem with maturing is we have to acknowledge deep-rooted problems, are required to change bad habits that usually seem comfortable, and face ourselves in the mirror.  Most people want to believe they are perfect the way they are and thus avoid taking steps; even when the...

Day 17: Defeating Temptation

Image
"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."  1 Corinthians 10:13   Temptation never has the last say.  There is always a way out!  Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life says, "The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you." (pg. 136)  This idea is stating that if we fight the feeling or emotion of the temptation, we are more likely to give in.  An idea is the most contagious thing on this planet and if the focus is continually on it, it will pull harder.  It wants to break us.  Find something better to think about that is honorable, spiritual, lovely, pure, noble, and right.  Be sure to share your struggle with someone.  Whether it is a support group or specific friend, most temptations cannot be fought...

Day 26: Growing Through Temptation

Image
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."  James 1:2-3 Temptations are all around us.  Every day we have the opportunity to lie, cheat, steal, be unfaithful, yell, deceive, be unaccountible, and irresponsible.  By no means are the sins of today a punishment.  They are the stepping stone to developing character.  They are God's wake up calls where we are given choices.  The four corners of temptation are predictable which gives us an edge to making the right choices. Temptation always focuses on a desire within you and whether it is a bad desire or not; temptation has a way of twisting and turning your desire to be sinful.  It feeds your ego and always begins in the mind.  This is where doubt, deception, and disobedience come into play.  Temptation wants you to doubt God and what is right.  It will conjur ...

Day 25: Transformed by Trouble

Image
"Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."  Romans 8:5 God gives us so many chances to build our character.  He puts us in difficult situations, in the face of difficult people, and reflects trials with ourselves.  Each hump in the road or detour is a chance for others' to see the reflection of jesus within us.   Most of us have come to this point at one time or another where we are at our lowest and there is no room for superficial praying.  It is the time where your faith is the purest! It is important to stay focused among the chaos.  God's plan is always good even in the midst of horror, terror, and fear.  It is more important on what is happening to you on the inside than what is happening on the outside.  I personally never understood that until recently.  Not only was I mad and ang...

Day 24: Transformed By Truth

Image
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”    John 8:12 The bible is more than a book.  From cover to cover, it offers authority and answers to every question, doubt, or situation here on earth.  It is set truths which offer us guidance and counsel and acts as our own personal table of contents for our lives.  There is much to learn and help us grow within the pages of the bible.  Many times we find our ego trying to confuse us and helping us to stray.  It is important to follow God's word regardless of whether it feels right to us.  God's words are flawless and priceless.  They are the means to set anyone free. Freedom is a word we all know and we all long for in some sense.  The bible is the key whether you read it, research it, remember it, receive it, or reflect on it.  The words should be honored, and we sh...

Day 23: How We Grow

Image
Like most parents, they want their children to become adults and grow-up.  They do not want you to just age but grow in personality, character, and intellect.  Being one of God's children, he looks for the same.  He wants us to intentionally commit, desire, and otherwise persist in growing.  What we choose to commit to is what we become.  With that being said, some of us will float through life with no direction, some of us will put only half in, and some us will commit completely [usually to some materialistic means].  No matter the commitment [or lack there of], it has a consequence; so choose wisely! I used to think my choices were just that, mine!  Through Christ I have found this is not quite right.  The work I put out is the only responsibilty I have.  How I treat people.  How I react.  How I portray christ & his values.  How I handle situations.  It is developing what I already have.  God...

Day 22: Created To Become Like Christ

Image
"You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone."  2 Corinthians 3:2 We have been blessed by being created in the image of God.  We have been given rights of intellect-being able to reason, think and solve.  We have been graced with an immortal spirit.  We have the honor of giving and receiving.  We also have the abilities to decipher right from wrong making us accountable to God.  We by no means will ever be God, but should hope to mimick his values, attitude and character.  He is looking for us to develop our character not our unique personalities which usually takes letting go of the false sense of control we all have inside us.  He never promised us this life on earth would be easy, simple, or a place where all your dreams come true.  More than likely there will be plenty of times we are uncomfrotable.  We are but a small part of a bigger story and are not here to live for ourselves....

Day 21: Protecting Your Church

Image
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval."  Romans 14: 17-18 The unity of God's children is the soul of fellowship.  He is looking for us to focus on what we have in common, be realistic in our expectations of others', resist gossip, encourage eachother, and support our religious leaders.  He is also looking for us to nip problems in the butt by going to the person the conflict is with rather than a thrid party.  It is about leading by example and being ever so humble when doing so. We all know how hard it is to balance a lot of life's situations and people.  We often find ourselves picking other's apart, so much so we forget the things we have in common.  It could be a thing as little as your favorite food or music.  It is important to remember we are imperfect beings and...

Day 20: Restoring Broken Fellowship

Image
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."  Romans 12:3 Because God values our relationships, they are always worth restoring.  It takes a lot of maturity, talking with God, opening a communication line with sympathy, honesty, and non abrasive demeanor.  He wants us to be in peace with ourselves, life, and fellowship.  These requires acknowledging your mistakes and choosing your words wisely.  This is one of the hardest lessons I have had to learn.  I still struggle but am more at peace than I have every been. I have had to learn that my tongue can be like razors that harvest bitterness and resentment.  It is about finding understanding.  It is about releasing our pride and self-centeredness.  Life rarely goes exactly how we picture it.  There are bu...

Day 19: Cultivating Community

Image
"No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."  1 John 3:6   Honesty, humility, courtesy, confidentiality, and frequency are part of the commitment in belonging to a community.  If these are things that are currently not within your community and fellowship, then there are tough choices and risks one must take.  God is not looking for flattery, gossip, or pride.  He is looking for you to be able to grow with your small group.  To learn of yourself and your spirit through His will and grace.  There are so many ways to cultivate God with your community and should be something you are genuinely interested in.  I enjoy blogging God's wisdom as well as insights I find helpful in bringing me closer to God.  I continue to be an unbias ear to my best friends and often time play devil's advocate in hoping to make sure they think through all their thoughts.  I am a secret keeper....

Day 18: Experiencing Life Together

Image
"Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ."  Galatians 6:12 God wants you to be shared through authentic, mutual, merciful, and sympathetic ears.  He is looking for quality and not quantity in how you share yourself.  "Real fellowship happens when people get honest about who they are and what is happening in their lives." (Warren, Purpose Driven Life pg. 93)  This includes more than worshipping in a church.  It is about fellowship with unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrifical giving, and sympathetic giving. I feel being authentic in this day in age is so hard to come by.  So many people pretending to be friends to other's when they have false intentions that are usually self-centered.  Of course, it usually works itself out to when you are in need the most, they are the one's that ...

Bodyspace Spokesmodel Search

Image
http://www.capturesquephotography.com/ Please take a moment  to vote for Miss Fit , Jasmin Sanchez daily.  This mother of four, student, and competitor is a ball of fire sure to ignite the fitness world.  Click on See Women tab and scroll down to jsanchez85, click, and vote!