Standing Under the Weight of Waiting

Are you in a season of waiting? Or as I know it now to be a season of preparation and transformation. Ever asked yourself or more to the point asked God what is this waiting all about? Can We Talk?! 

When God has us in a season of waiting don't let Satan fool you. Something is happening. God is faithful to complete the work He began in us. Besides the work God is doing to work out the situation for our good, God is also busy at work...working in and on us. Remember the story of Joseph. 

Often, manifestation of the promise is secondary to the work God needs to do in us. Secondary to our spiritual maturity and growth. If God gave us gifts and blessings that we were not spiritually ready to receive we would most likely squander them. Take heart, there is good news in the waiting.

Some promises that we are waiting on the Lord to fulfill will not manifest until we prepare and transform. If we are fighting the preparation and the transformation process, we are prolonging our waiting season and delaying our blessings. As we wait, God will change us and our perspective about the situation. He may even shift our priorities and our needs. Have you ever waited on hold on a telephone call for so long that you forgot who you called? God can also do that in your season of waiting. He can, if we surrender our will to His make the experience of waiting so peaceful that we forget about the waiting and the waiting becomes secondary to the time we spend with Him growing and changing. We might even find that what we so desperately WANTED God to do we no longer NEED God to do. Can I get an "Amen" for unanswered prayers?

Don't be discouraged, but you have to hear this...sometimes we may have to wait on the Lord' s promises to manifest for a long long time. I have been in a season of preparation for 5 years now. I have to admit that the first couple of years were tense and anxious times. I did not want to wait. I wanted God to fulfill the promise He spoke to me. I focused on the waiting which made the waiting miserable. God is productive in our waiting process and we should be productive as well. This revelation makes new seasons of waiting more bearable and more constructive.

What are you DOING while you wait? Just think...God may be preparing that husband or wife, moving obstacles out of your way, raising up ministry partners, creating that job or preparing the hearts and minds of those you might be called to minister to or lead. Are you ready to receive any of these? There is good news in the waiting folks!

Now I wait in still attentiveness for the Lord's will for my life.  I know that He knows what is best for me and He has my best interest in His heart. Yours too is in His heart beloved! As I wait God is developing my patience, humility, and my character. He is deepening my dependence on Him. I really don't think about the waiting like I used to unless someone talks about their own waiting, which is what inspired this blog. Otherwise, I am content in my season, knowing full well that God can and will come through. When He is ready and when I am ready. In the meantime, I am busy doing what He called me to do and preparing to receive the promise.

So we wait in still attentiveness for the Lord to fulfill His promise to us and in us. Be. Still. Know.

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!  

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Guess Whose Been Cooking?

I wanted to share with you an email from a community member. I hope this post encourages you and motivates you to keep living well in His name. Her email is a prime example of how we have to change our minds before we change our lives. Can We Talk?!  

A life of healthy eating and exercise requires a lifestyle change and discipline. Plain and simple. She was someone who did not like cooking. Now she is cooking, tracking calories, and exercising. Planning ahead is another key to consistency in healthy living. She is also including her children in her workout program. Having a workout partner helps you stay on track, motivated, and provides support and accountability.

If you have encouragement, recipes or testimony for others in our community please email me. I would love to hear about your progress. Having trouble staying focused, we want to help. Got questions? Email us Enjoy and be encouraged! 

Dear Aqua 

Guess who's been cooking (trying anyway)??? Cooked my lunch for tomorrow...Sweet chili shrimp w/ brown rice plus a banana for my desert...435 calories

For breakfast...my rendition of Starbucks protein plate...1 hard boiled egg, 1/4 of a granny smith apple w/ 1 tbsp of Jif omega-3 peanut butter, and 1/2 of a fiber one oats and strawberry with almonds bar...255 calories

Planned my dinner also...Marinated grilled salmon fillet and baked sweet potato slices with 1 tbsp of smart balance olive oil spread and a dash of cinnamon...380 calories

I have planned a healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack totaling....174 calories.....For a total of 1244 calories. After my workout I will earn 293 calories...A protein muscle recovery shake and the other half of my fiber one bar will be 290 calories. If I stick to this workout plan and eating plan I will lose 5.8 lbs in 5 weeks.

Thanks for telling me about the myfitnesspal...it's the greatest. Got my son working out with me. We pray before each workout. He's trying to get in better shape before summer...he pushes me on the days I don't feel like it & I push him on the days he don't feel like it....and on the days that neither one of us feel like it...the Holy Spirit is pushing us...pray for us. And post more recipes...I kinda like cooking...

Luv ya...and keep on being a blessing! J
 
Dear J
 
This brings me great joy! Great joy! I am praying for you and your family. Love, love the calorie tracking. It is major to stay on target. And look at you and your baby....see what an impact YOU have on others! What a great legacy!!

I know this is just a snapshot, but looks like you need to add some plants to your diet. Remember your fruits and veggies! Make it easy on yourself and prepare lunch for the whole week. When I am really on my game, I cook 2 meals on Saturday or Sunday to last me for lunch and dinner for the week. Get those small containers and store it in fridge in servings that are ready to take, heat, and eat.

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name! 

A Gift!

None of us should live our lives to receive accolades from people. If we do, that in fact may be our only reward. People can give you great praise one minute, but that praise may not amount to much of anything later. Jesus received a royal welcome when he entered Jerusalem, the people were hailing "Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" and five days later those same people were shouting "Crucify him".

As believers our goal is to live and die for Jesus on this of eternity and our reward is heaven on the other side. Occasionally, we receive the gift of knowing that we have touched the lives of others. We've made a difference, instead of making a mess. Sometimes after a loved one goes on to be with the Lord the family receives that gift. 

In the wake of my brother's home going, I want to share with you something that a friend/customer of his took the time to write and send to the Galveston Daily News. He didn't write it because Nelson died, he wrote it because Nelson lived. What a gift.  

Letters for May 26, 2011

Gentleman Cab Driver Will Be Missed

On May 16, I called for Yellow Cab to take me several places as my car was in the shop. Upon returning home, I realized that I needed a bag of ice. I called Yellow Cab and asked if my old friend “Nelson” was anywhere on the East End, and if so, could he pick me up a bag of ice and deliver it to the Galveston Yacht Basin? He did so. We talked for quite a while, as I had known him for years.

That Monday was his 58th birthday. Grateful, I gave him a gracious tip. The next day, I called for his services again. I was informed that he had died from a heart attack. He was buried May 24 in early morning services at Shiloh A.M.E. Methodist on 29th Street.

What I share here is not an obituary. It is due tribute and recognition. Nelson Holloway was in fact a friend to every hotelier, restaurateur and bar owner on this island, as he could be counted on to deliver your patrons, customers and guests home or to their hotel room alive, with their purses, wallets, keys and dignity.

During the years, I have in one way or another placed many fares in his care. Once, he even made certain I was home safe and secure, delivered to my boat after a long night out.

We might all take it for granted, but in a tourist town, not unlike New York City, cab drivers are an important part of the overall experience and essential. Nelson Holloway was exemplary in his performance.

They may not yet realize it, but every hotel, restaurant and bar on Galveston Island will come to miss him, as I do already.

Michael A. Basham
Galveston

Are we living a life that glorifies God as well as a life that leaves an imprint on the hearts of the people we encounter? The Word says...Let your light so shine before men that they might see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Let's live a life that pleases God AND a life that leaves people better than they were before they encountered us. The Jesus in us may be the only Jesus some people ever get to see. Jesus commands us to love one another. If someone were to write a letter to your local newspaper about you, what would it say? 

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!

When Darkness Falls God is Still Good and Still God

This past week my brother-in-law of more than 30 years, Nelson was laid to rest after suffering a heart attack. He was on the road to a lifestyle change of healthy eating and exercise, but he was not able to undo years of unhealthy living. This passion project is even more dedicated to helping and supporting believers in their journey of eating and living well to the glory and honor of God. We are desperate and committed to continuing the work of this ministry and to gain ground on the epidemic of obesity and it's health complications.

 

As a family of believers, we found comfort in knowing that my brother was a believer. Darkness can never overcome the light. We understand that death can have no victory in the lives of believers. Some of you may also be mourning the loss of a loved one. I wanted to share with you something that I wrote for my brother's funeral service. I hope that you find comfort in knowing that death is not final and mourning is a natural process.

God doesn't waste anything. He is able to use everything that we go through to bless us and to bless others through our testimony. We will not allow Nelson's death to be in vain. I pray that it causes some of you to commit to a healthy lifestyle with your whole hearts and I hope that it will jolt some of you into getting started today. Your response and commitment are necessary and the need is urgent. We really cannot afford to wait. Please make a change today, putting this change at the top of your priorities. We can do this with God's guidance, power, and grace.

Thank you and bless you for reading, commenting, and sharing.           

This Time

Visiting death again. Storm raging. Sorrow palpable.

The world's truth we must all pass from This life to This death.

The Kingdom's truth we will live forever in eternity with Him. Comfort.

This time we rest with an unrelenting and unwavering assurance that God is in control. Sovereignty.

This time death and hell can have no victory. Faith.

This time the man. Son. Father. Husband. Brother. Uncle. Nephew. Cousin. Friend

Knows the One who conquered death, hell, and grave. Victory.

Griped with grief. Screams into deafening silence. Barely breathing, our tears fall and our hearts break.

This time our souls cry out to a loving merciful God. Dependence. He is present. He is listening.

This time in This pain we know victory. Assurance.

Victory and peace pursued, captured, and apprehended because Jesus is present This time. Love.

Grace keeps us. Faith sustains us. Love lifts us. Heaven is near. Heaven is felt This time.

This blog is dedicated to my brother, Nelson "Tank" Holloway (1953-2011)

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!  

Mother Daughter Relationships

God day Conquerors  

It's Mother's Day weekend and many of us will be celebrating and honoring our mothers and those who mothered us with heartfelt prayers, cards, flowers, candy, and well wishes. Some of us won't be partaking in these celebrations because possibly our mother or mother figures have gone on to be with the Lord or we have strained and estranged relationships with our mothers. For those of you in both of these situations I pray God's love and comfort on you. God can comfort your heart and give you peace as you deal with your lose and separation. Aside from this, mother-daughter relationships can be quite complex. Can We Talk?!

Mothering is a big responsibility. There is no mother test or license required before a woman can become a mother. Think about it, the moment a child is born the mother is also born. I believe that most mother's do the best they can with what they have and what they know. If they knew better, prayerfully they would have done better. God's grace is sufficient to cover all the heartaches, pains, and bitterness birthed through our perceptions of neglect, distance, and lack of love from our mothers.

I thank God for each of you who had and have great relationships with your moms. You are a blessed! That is not every one's reality. Some of us have challenging relationships with our mothers as a result of generations of unresolved mother-daughter conflict. Often we are attempting to heal old wounds that predate our present relationships. We should be attempting to heal these wounds or we are destined to pass these issues on to our own daughters, to their daughters and generations to follow. This is the way of generational curses. Think back within your own genealogy, how did your mother and her mother communicate and get along? Does that explain some of your own mother-daughter woes?

We don't get to choose our mothers. God did the choosing for us before we knew Him. Because we know that God does not make mistakes, we have to play the hand we are dealt. Good, bad or indifferent our mothers are still...our mothers. We have to choose to work through our issues in these relationships if we want to be healed and see change for future generations.

Yes, it takes time, courage, effort, energy, grace, prayer, and love. If we have unresolved issues with our mothers we have to confront them and address them sometimes day by day if we are going to be all that God calls us to be and if our families are going to live out their purposes in Him.

For those of you who still have young daughters that you are raising, I pray that you are taking every opportunity to nurture your relationships. Pour love into your daughters and show them what it means to be godly. Talk with them. LISTEN. Guide them. Hug them! Don't settle for relationships like your own relationship with your mother. No matter how good you think it was...make it better by God's power. Creating healthier relationships takes work and commitment.

For those of you who are estranged from your mothers. Forgiveness is the key to a healthier you and healthy-loving relationships with your families and others. Creating healthier people also requires work and commitment. God can walk with us, but WE have to do the work.

As we reflect on Mother's Day and what it means to us remember that none of us was ever placed on this earth just for ourselves...to satisfy our own needs, to minister to ourselves, to bring joy and happiness to ourselves. Each of us was created for a purpose; that purpose is outside of ourselves and has to do with serving, choosing, and loving God in everything we do. By His power give a little of yourself this weekend, wherever God guides you, even if it is not reciprocated.

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!

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Speaking of Royalty

God day Royalty!

When we first started this passion project we said that we would talk about everything related to what we feed our temples. Not only do we have to be fully aware of the natural food, but the spiritual food is as important to our overall healing, health and well-being. Can We Talk?!

This past week the world stood still (almost literally) as a prince married his princess. For those of you who know me, you know that I do not follow pop culture and celebrities. I did not follow any of the wedding news nor did I watch the royal wedding on television. It was 3 in the morning for goodness sakes! A girl needs her beauty rest. What was funny about this week is that my sister, (you have to know her to laugh at this) sends me a text at 0430 in the morning saying "text me when you get here, I saved you a seat at the Abbey". She wakes at 3AM EVERY morning.

What was not funny this week was watching the comments and commentary about the royal wedding from lips of faithful believers. I heard an onslaught of negative and critical comments from the bride's make-up to the best man's paternity. Oh my! What does THAT have to do with the wedding? As faithful believers we MUST have the eyes of God. We must see everything through the eyes of God and through the blood of Jesus Christ. We cannot look upon a beautiful event such as this (I'm told it was beautiful) and focus only on the negative. How can we behold such beauty and speak so critically? It's a heart issue.

When we accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ we are adopted into God's family as royalty. We are royalty and we should speak like royalty. How can we look upon the beauty of this wedding, where our Father and King was represented and not just be filled with joy? How could our eyes not be fixed on the wonder and beauty of His Majesty? It's a heart issue. The Word of God says that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We need heart transplants. I know a God surgeon!

The royal couple offered this prayer to God.

"God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage. In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy. Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen".

I know what you are probably thinking. Why are YOU NOW judging those who made the comments? A few years ago, I was convicted of having a critical spirit. I am being healed everyday so, the answer is I recognized my old self in these comments. I'm super-sensitized to critical comments, it's part of my healing process.

Before I always had to pick apart everything and everyone because nothing was ever good enough. Maybe I didn't feel good enough? What is certain is that I was looking through foggy dirty lenses, not through the eyes of God. I saw everything through own my pain, my past, and my life experiences. Good or bad. God wanted to heal that pain so I could see the beauty of His people and His world, making me more useful for Kingdom building. He wants to do the same for you. I meditated on this scripture to begin the healing process. When negative thoughts creep into your mind start reciting this scripture. Take those thoughts captive and begin to speak words that edify, support, and encourage.

Philippians 4:8 Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected.

The Message says it this way...Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Some of you will read this post and think, that's not me. I'm not critical, negative, or judgmental. Others will read it and be convicted, not by my words, but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.        

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!

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Holiday Eating Caution

Hello Conquerors!

Last week we celebrated the resurrection of our risen Savior! I pray that your Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday were all that you wanted and needed. We know as faithful believers that we could not have the power and glory of the Resurrection without the sorrow and pain of the Crucifixion. Jesus came to die. We thank God for this sacrifice and we are grateful that death was not the final answer. He got up with all power, might, dominion, and sovereignty in His hands. He holds the keys to hell, death, and the grave. He is alive and He lives in us! Glory to God!

As we continue on our journey to caring for our temples we must be mindful of the snares and pitfalls of holiday eating. For me staying on track with my diet becomes more difficult on holidays because food can be the center of many of our celebrations. Once I get off track after a day or two of partaking in the holiday fare, I find myself on a slippery slope of undisciplined and unplanned eating. Does this happen to you?

First we have to be aware of the issue. (OK, I just told you, were you listening?). Holiday eating can be a danger to staying on track with your new healthier lifestyle. The danger lies in the amount of food, sometimes the preparation of the food, and in the fact that we often choose to forgo exercise during the holiday.

Secondly, we have to come up with a plan to enjoy our favorite foods in moderation. Listen, I eat the foods that I like, I just don't eat as much and I try to prepare my favs in a healthier way. If I am not the chef I just keep the portions small. Try not to make a big deal out of what you can and cannot eat, being picky can take all the joy of sharing a meal together. Make the fellowship the most important part of your gathering, not food.

Thirdly, be prepared to start your healthy eating routine immediately after the holiday is over. Stock the fridge with the food you routinely eat. Prepare a healthy meal and have it ready. Skip the take home plates or as my family calls them "to go CARTS". What?! You need a cart to take the leftover food home? These yummy treats keep us off track well after the holiday is but a distant memory.

Lastly, enjoy yourself! Enjoy your time with friends and family as you celebrate, fully committing to enjoying the food you are eating without feelings of guilt, shame, or defeat. We are not defeated because we get off track. We are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus who loves us. God wants us to live in health and abundance, not in guilt and shame.

I speak God's blessings over you, your family, your journey in Him to a healthier temple. Whatever you need, God will supply it according to His great love and abundant riches. 

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name! 

News You Can Use

I received a startling, but affirming tweet the other day about a report in Men's Health Magazine. Houston is the 9th fattest city in America and Texas has 5 cites on the list. You may have already heard about this and said...so what? I live in Pearland, LaMarque or League City, not Houston. Can We Talk?!   

What is happening in the world as a result of our uncontrolled appetites and flesh feeding frenzy should be a concern for everyone. It is a concern for this passion project because I know that many of you, your families, friends, and communities are affected by this epidemic. We are eating are ourselves to death! As a society, we are fatter than we have ever been in history. People are dying from weight related health issues, which touches us all and should concern us all.  

Certainly, we have to examine and determine the worthiness of the information before we go out and make changes in our lives based on that information. Examine how (criteria) the information was gathered for the report and determine the actions you need to take for you and your family.

WE already know that we need to live healthier lives. We really don't need the report to tell us that. God has already spoken and I pray that as you are reading this you thinking of new ways to improve on what you are already doing for your temple...to the delight of God, I might add!

I wanted to share this with you so that you know that we are on the track and to encourage you to press forward, incorporating more healthy lifestyle changes into your daily routines. Still drinking soda? Give it up! There is no nutritional value in soda. Check out the sugar content of your cola. Not to pick on the soda drinkers...Are you smoking, a fast food junky, or sedentary? Make some changes that can impact the rest of your life and bless generations to come. We will be blessed, our children will be blessed, and our children's children will be blessed if we follow God's leading, choosing Him. That is His promise!

If you haven't gotten started with your health and fitness lifestyle yet or you are having trouble with consistency email me. Remember to send your temple related questions and comments. Let's talk and pray about how to stay faithful to this journey through the power of God. I am passionate and committed to seeing you live your best and blessed life...a healthier life to the glory and honor of God.

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!   

Your True Identity in Him!!

Hello Temple Lovers!


 One of my twitter friends posted this video this morning. StickyJesus.com (click to see) I have been so moved by it that I have viewed it several times and I wanted to make sure that you also see this. God loves you!

As we continue our journey to health and wellness through Christ Jesus and as we seek to care for these temples that He has given us, remember that you are beautiful and accepted TODAY. Let's not get so bogged down with where we want to be that we cannot celebrate our accomplishments and His love for us today!

Love the body that you are in NOW. Love the person created by Christ Jesus NOW. You are His child...loved, sealed, redeemed, chosen, healed, and anointed!! You are one with Him. Have a great day!

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!

A Return...With No Investment?

    God Day Seekers!
My prayer for you today is that you have everything that you NEED and most of what you WANT. God is our provider and He promises to supply all of our needs from His abundant riches! When we align our lives with His will there is nothing He won't do to bless and prosper us!

Speaking of wants and needs. Can We Talk?! How do you get the information that you want and need to help you stay on task in building and creating your new healthier lifestyle? Do you phone a faithful friend, read fitness magazines, search the web, read blogs like this, or search the scriptures? All great ways to get the answers we seek, I might add!
If we are going to be successful on this journey we must look outside of ourselves for the answers. There is a wealth of information available to us, IF we just avail ourselves. Look...if we had all the answers you wouldn't be reading this AND let's face it, I might not be writing this.

Ever heard of a return with no investment? Like purchasing a house or a car with no money down. Usually that ends up being a really bad, I mean a really bad deal. The person driving off the lot with a brand new car with no money down is usually "upside down" in that car for years to come. Upside down = you owe more on the car than the car is worth. Really?! (Did I mention that was a bad deal?) Can we apply this to our new healthy lifestyles? We have to invest in our new lifestyles if we want to realize a return, if we are not going to feel like we are upside down. It is not magic and it is NOT going to just happen TO US. It is going to happen BECAUSE OF US and our faith in God's ability to direct and sustain us.

Here are some great tips from one of our community members! She subscribes to JM Health Kicks. I recently started reading Prevention. What books, websites, magazines, applications (there is an app for that, you know) do use to give you ideas, tips, and strategies to help you stay inspired, motivated, and on target in your new lifestyle of healthier living? Share them with us here in the comments section or our email address and we will compile a list for the community.

Dear Aqua

I subscribed to JM health kicks...I'd like to share:  Here are a few techniques you can use to keep your portions under control — whether you are eating in or at a restaurant.

1) If you're at home, use smaller plates. This creates the illusion of eating a bigger serving.

2) If you're at a restaurant and you know the portions are going to be huge, ask the server to put half your meal in a doggie bag before it even hits the table. This saves you money as well as unnecessary calorie overload.

3) Share an entrée with your dining partner.

4) Make a new rule for yourself: Always leave something on your plate. This reminds you that you are in control of the food, not the other way around.

A little bit of empowerment can go a long way!

Dear Operation

Thank you! These are great tips. I have tried all of them EXCEPT sharing the entree. In most cases the doggie bag is better than the original meal. Haha! But I promise to try this!

If you are like me #4, leaving something on your plate was probably one of the hardest battles to overcome. Especially, if you grew up hearing "clean your plate...people are starving in Africa". There are ways to help the starving people in Africa and other developing countries besides cleaning your plate. Those last 2-3 bites of food left on your plate are NOT going to help the people in Africa, but they will contribute to your waistline. You NEVER have to EAT IT ALL. There...I said it!

Have a great week everyone! Remember...our rewards equal and sometimes out perform our investments. Basically, we are going to get out of this new lifestyle as much (or as little) as we are willing to put into it!

Your body is the temple of the Living God! Live Well in His Name!