Day 18: Experiencing Life Together

-
"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 quickly walk away or half-ass their place in your life.  God is looking for a fellowship where you can admit who you are, what you believe, share your fears and mistakes, and be able to ask for forgiveness and prayer.  True intimacy happens in the light and one will need to become vulnerable and take risks to accept this grace.

Fellowship is never a one-way street.  It combines giving and receiving.  It is not about being responsible for everyone but to them.  To be able to encourage and walk with others' to develop mind, body, and spirit.  To be able to fill someone else's love tank and accept your's to be filled at the same time.  It is being able to feel others pain, sorrows, fears, joys, love, and desires.  It is about sacrificing your opinions or the societal norms to truely be in them and with them simultaneously.  So many of use are taught not to even mention our burdens, so we do not ask for help until it is too late.  Be grateful if you have a person who is willing to help bear your burdens.  More than likely, they are stronger than they look, humble in nature, and exude love even when all hope seems lost.

Be merciful in your fellowships as we are all human and fall-some more than others.  Speak ever so slightly not to be in denial of their faults or rub them in.  Realize that forgiveness and trust are two entirely different actions and choices.  Forgiveness is in the past and should be a realitively immediate action.  Trust is about the future and should be earned and healed over time.  We all will have someone hurt us.  When it happens, forgiveness is your choice; trust is their's.  Do not bind yourself to your past.  Forgive their wrongs and let them take the steps to prove to you that you can trust them again.  A person who can prove such an act definitely values you in their life.  They are willing to sacrifice and fight in repentance for your fellowship.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

Popular posts from this blog

2011 NPC JR NATIONALS: MissFits & Mayhem Give It Their All

-
Image
Hundreds of competitors flock to Chicago, Illinois for the 2011 NPC Junior Nationals Competition [about 30 of those competitors from Colorado].  When first getting the skinny on what was going on, only about 4-6 competitors from Colorado were called out for Top 10.  This is a huge feat as Erica Cobb pointed out "the competition is STIFF".  Erica competed in Bikini Class D with her team mates Jesse Lehman who competed Physique Class A and Lana Hofman who competed Figure Class E.  Though none of them earned their Pro Cards, they will make a comeback at the USAs in July. 10th Place Bikini Class D 7th Place Figure Class E 4th Place Physique Class A Congratulations MissFits & Mayhem on a beautiful performance.  You all worked very hard and know exactly what needs to be done to blow them out of the water in July. **Other Top 10 Colorado competitors included Alex Carneiro, his wife Katherine, and Christina Hefner
Read more

Say A Little Prayer For Me

-
Image
It was a busy day for The Gym as it began well before sunrise.  Lana Hofman, Erica Cobb, and Jesse Lehmen head to Chicago, IL with their coach, Chris Williamson, and The Gym support team to compete at NPC Junior Nationals.  Upon sending them off, Erica met me with a gleam in her eye and a huge smile.  "I just want Saturday to get here.  I'm feeling really good."  It was refreshing to see how pumped she was. What most people do not understand is this show is a qualifier for your Pro Card and by two weeks out; your body and mind are usually fighting themselves.  They ache, feel sick, mentally & physcially are drained, and sometimes fight to keep motivated.  It takes a lot for these competitors to compete let alone compete nationally.  I commend these athletes for their time commitment, their motivation even if they have a few doubts, and their willingness to be vulnerable in front of thousands of people.  They are some the strongest, most inspirational people . . . th
Read more

5 Fun Facts About Ms. Olympia Bikini: Ashley Kaltwasser-

-
Image
As a competitor, we all start from somewhere.  There are a very few genetic freaks that enter the sport waking up as Olympia material.  Ashley Kaltwasser is no stranger to starting from the bottom and working her butt on to make it to the top.  This two time Olympia winner has worked hard to get where she is today.  Here are five fun facts that you may not know: She started off as a blonde.  Say what?  Yes, this now stunning brunette was a bleach blonde for her first few shows.      2.  She didn't place at her first national show, the 2011 IFBB North Americans.  The same show IFBB Pro Crystal Matthews received her pro card.     3.  It took her almost another year and a half from start to get her pro card at the 2012 Team Universe where she also took Overall.  Her and IFBB Pro Bianca Berry competed in the same class and just barely beat the now IFBB Pro Cortney King.   4.  She placed 1st and Overall at the 2012 Arnold Amateur and placed 10th at the same
Read more