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"From far beyond our world of trouble and care and change, our Lord shines with undimmed light, a radiant, guiding Star to all who will follow Him. . . ."  ~Charles E. Hurlburt & T.C. Horton The closer we come to Him, the closer we are to ourselves.  There is a cohesive bond which grows stronger, more enlightened, and more selfless as we walk with Him instead of against Him.  Let us not be in the dark wandering aimlessly and will selfish patterns.  Recognize the essence and power we each hold when we allow the universe to guide and offer us new teachings with every joy, pain, laugh, tear, etc .

"Caught up in their own independence, unbelievers have missed out on the truth that they aren't really free at all: They can't seem to do good.  They'll never know otherwise unless they see someone who is free indeed.  Who knows what simple act could help another understand your freedom to do right, not just do what you want?" Free will is a delusion society has created to help us find a way to ease our human brain.  It is hard for humans to comprehend we have no control of our life.  Our ego often wins the battle by giving in to addictions, temptations, and doing whatever it takes to get to the top no matter who we hurt.  Often we hear, "Do what makes you happy."  The problem in doing what makes you happy often lacks conviction, effort, sacrifice, or the task of doing good-only doing for ourselves.  The vicious cycle only continues to push us farther from God and true freedom.  Accepting our fate and looking at each situation as a...

"Everything which relates to God is infinite.  We must therefore, while we keep our hearts humble, keep our aims high.  Our highest sevices are indeed but finite, imperfect.  But as God is unlimited in goodness, He should have our unlimited love."  ~Hannah More Being human also means being imperfect.  This is no excuse to continue down pathes of temptation, sin, and destruction.  It is no excuse to stop our growth, close our inner most doors, or feed a vicious cycle.  Instead, through humble love and imperfections, we should seek growth, open new doors, and feed our souls-see every situation and person as a teacher.  We should hold the key of unconditional love & respect as it opens the boundaries of our wounds to allow us to heal.

"A great many people do everything but trust.  As if to attempt to fly with one wing, they try vigorously and wonder why it is that they do not mount up, never dreaming that it is because all the while the wing of trust is hanging idle by their sides." Trust is delicate in nature.  It can take a life time to build and can be broken in an instant.  Trust often requires taking a risk. . .a leap of faith if you will!  It is one of life's greatest efforts and selfless acts.  It forces us to open our wings to vulnerability and lead us to other great efforts like love, honesty, faith, God, and loyalty to name a few.  Are you ready to soar?

"Life is what we are alive to.  It is not length but breadth. . . .Be alive to . . .goodness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God, and eternal hope."  ~Maltbie D. Babcock Being alive is allowing some of the simplest and most profound things to be a part of our lives.  While fame, money, addictions, sex, etc. may offer a quick jolt; they seldom bring positivity.  These things weigh on the side of high risk probability.  They are not like a coin whose weight is mostly even on both sides.  Sway towards those things that have a high probability of bringing you closer to God. . .if one is going to risk-risk for a pleasant outcome! 

"Into our lives, in many simple, familiar, homely ways, God infuses the element of joy from the surprises of life, which unexpectedly brighten our days, and fill our eyes with light."   ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow It all comes down to taking time to notice even the smallest delights in life.  God always finds a way to bring you home no matter the chaos going on.  Listen-sometimes the softest whisper is the most profound.

"This bright, new day complete with twenty-four hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes comes with a perfectly matched set of 1,440 minutes.  This unique gift, this one day, cannot be exchanged, replaced, or refunded.  Handle with care.  Make the most of it." Life is based on the choices we make.  It is those choices which can make or break our character in an instant.  Make choices for the better.  Bring an attitude that positively enhances.  Each opportunity should be done with no false motivation or selfish tendencies.

"As we look at God's greatness and experience His love, awe fills our beings.  Our scant ability to appreciate His personality and power lay bare our own smallness.  Yet when the Creator points out our frailities, He's not belitting us.  He reminds us that He wants to share all He has and all He is with us." Our vulnerability is the key to becoming closer to God.  Our troubles usually force us to grow our relationship with Him-through prayer, hope, faith, and trust.  Our wounds can only be touched by His grace.

"Everyone looks for satisfaction in many ways and in many areas of their lives.  We all want to feel fulfilled.  But the person who experiences satisfaction on the job, in a marriage, and in other areas can remain empty if the soul is ignored.  Christians have learned that soul satisfaction is an unsurpassed delight, and it comes only from one place: Jesus." This is to say that nothing upon nothing can ever fulfill you like your relationship with Jesus.  Certainly, a job, marriage, or other areas can add to the fulfillment but never quench the souls desire to have a relationship with Him.  We only have one soul, one body, one mind-fill it with Him!

An amazing performance by The Gym Misss Fits and Mayhem at the 2012 NPC Junior National Show in Chilcago, IL this weekend.  It proved once again to be come stiff competition for all competitors as they competed for their pro cards. Chris Williamson took 14th in Physique Class A.  Adrianne Martinez did not place in Bikini Class B but was complimented by many NPC officials on her beauty and poise.  They both plan to put in some hard work and compete later this year. Other Colorado competitors include: Ianthe Wells: Did not place Bikini Class C Kathryn Elkins: Placed 3rd in Bikini Class D CONGRATS! Crystal Green: Did not place Bikini Class D Lauren Lessnau: Overal1 and 1st place Class A Women's Physique Say HELLO to Colorado's newest Physique Pro CONGRATS!!! Andrea Romero: 14th Bikini Class C

"We might like to think Christianity has more hours of sitting on our laurels than of battle.  None of us prefers hard work to the blessings of peace, yet we can't have one without the other.  God's sanctification is worked out in our lives with effort, and no one achieves spiritual growth only singing psalms.  That restful part of our lives blesses us between the battles that put sin in its proper place behind us." Just like any relationship, God needs our time.  He needs us to fight for Him each and every day.  This takes a lot of effort and battling for what is right.  It is important to lead our hearts not follow them as following can be deceiving.  The relationships and people we are willing to battle for and with are those that are truely precious.

With only four women competing in Class A of women's physique, Lauren Lessnau is said to be the one walking away with first in her class and a chance for her Pro Card.  This Colorado competitor took fourth at the Jr. USAs only a month ago.  Another amazing body out of Colorado! Also competing today, Adrianne Martinez from The Gym in Bikini.  Tomorrow, Chris Williamson will be on deck in Men's Physique.  Good luck to our team and all the other competitors!

"One day, we won't have to settle for brief spells of soul satisfaction.  We'll spend all eternity singing God praises for the victories He gave us on earth.  Our mission accomplished, we'll fill heaven with the rejoicing of satisfied souls." Let's face it-every one at one time or another has heart ache.  Depending on how much, we either become very detached or controlling as a way to give our lives stability.  In these two actions also comes little affairs of the heart.  We gamble, shop, become addicted to drugs, alcohol, and/or sex, consume ourselves in food, etc.  These offer a false sense of satisfaction-just as quick as they satisify, they leave us yearning.  Kicking some of the bad habits as mentioned starts with making a choice.  We all owe it to ourselves and God to want to be better in mind, body, and soul.  Afterall-we only have one!

The 2012 NPC USA Championship is six weeks out and most of us have begun booking travel, making appointments, and training harder than ever.  Stephani Guzzardo, owner of Jua Salon in Cherry Creek North, will be available 7/26-7/28 to spray athletes who are competing.  She is a perfectionist when it comes to her technique and uses a paraben free spray by South Seas.  Stephani will be limiting her schedule to 10-15 clients during the competition.  This is to ensure the best one-on-one service and flawless tan. Fees are as follows:   Mens & Women's BB, Women's Physique     $150      2 day spray:  2 base coats, up to 3 competition                                            ...

"From faith to faith, from grace to grace, so in Thy strength shall I go on, till heaven and earth flee from Thy face, and glory end what grace begun."  Wolfgang Dessler God's grace and strength is within us all, because we were made in His image.  He never hands us what we cannot handle.  He never hands us our wants but caters to our needs-His needs!  We are only a small piece of the puzzle in His story.

Visit Top Her Couture for the latest couture items.  Newly added - alterations to any existing swim suit in your wardrobe.  Just in time to hit the beach in a one-of-a-kind suit.  Also added, new jewelry!  SeaHorse: available in silver & gold - $10ea.  Chain Mesh - available in gold & silver - $11 Interlocked Waterfall: as pictured - $10  Double Trouble: as pictured - $11   Do not forget about all the custom options Top Her Couture offers from sports bras, jump suits, dresses, and skirts!  Custom military inspired couture dresses & skirts worn by The Gym Miss Fits. All styles available for customization starting at $50.  What is your vision? *Remember, all new customers receive 10% off their first order by simply putting NEW2012 in at check-out. *$20 minimum required 

"Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips, and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of the soul."  Samuel UIlman It is an important part of all of us to keep our souls youthful.  Sure, we mature, we grow, we become adults.  In doing so, so many of us get caught up in life and put so many restrictions on the doors to our heart and soul.  Through countless disappointments, hurts, and wounds; we tend to lock the door(s) and throw away the key. 

"Everything that is new or uncommon raises a pleasure in the imagination because it fills the soul with an agreeable surprise, gratifies its curiosity, and gives it an idea of which it was not before possessed."   Joseph Addison Many of us are held back by uncertainty and fear.  We tend to shy away from risk and end up missing out on some of life's most prized adventures.  Satisfy your curiosity by doing the uncommon-what scares us most.  We might just find what it is we are missing!

"All [God's] glory and beauty comes from within, and there He delights to dwell.  His visits there are frequent, His conversations sweet, His comforts refreshing, His peace passing all understanding."   Thomas A Kempis One of my favorite quotes from Eat, Love, Pray is "God dwells in us as us."  This quote is so profound and relayed in the above quote.  We find ourselves being in a very fast-paced, egotistical society where many of us find it hard to get back to our center.  We sucume to temptations, addictions, and other sins easier without questioning why.  Many times it is because we are so far from ourselves which means we are so far from God.  Take a stand for yourself and notice your worth!

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.  I will proclaim the name of the LORD.  Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.  A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he."   Deuteronomy 32:2-4 We all need a relationship with Him.  We need His tenderness and love to grow and develop into something profound.  He does not care what you call Him or how you praise Him as long as you are doing it with your whole heart.  He yearns for us just as much as we yearn for Him.

Challenge Aspen Military Opportunities (C.A.M.O.) is a division of Challenge Aspen a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic sports and life-skills development opportunities for those with physical and mental disabilities. C.A.M.O. specifically assists soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen who have suffered traumatic injuries while working to keep America safe. C.A.M.O. has been in existence since 2004, when the need for adaptive programs devoted to serving the injured military populations intensified. Since inception, over 500 wounded warriors have participated in C.A.M.O. programs, and it has since been recognized nationally as a state-of-the-art program. Since their initial C.A.M.O. experience, over 65% of C.A.M.O. participants have continued to participate in adaptive recreation, not solely with C.A.M.O. programs but back in their own communities as well. Over 90% of participants state that they have increased self confidence and self-esteem followi...

What a beautiful morning for an NPC competition. Representing The Gym are Brian for men's physique, Caitlin in Figure, and Keisha in bikini. Brian looked great! The judges did not do call outs for novice or open in his class nor did they change anyone around.   Keisha got first call outs in bikini novice class a. Only three weeks of dieting and training. . .as always OnPoint make up and hair service added to the total package. Keisha said that was going to be the most fun part! Smaller open class so no call outs.  Caitlin also got no call outs for either classes. Congrats to the Miss Fits & Mayhem as they all took home trophies.  Brian took 3rd in his novice & 6th in open.  Caitlin took 2nd in her open & novice classes, and Keisha took home two first place trophies.  Great work from The Gym and their trainer, Chris Williamson.