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!

I'm Full! Now What?

God day Planners   

As you hurry through your day, remember that planning is the key to success for maintaining a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle. Can We Talk?! It takes NO thought, effort, or energy to be sedentary and to eat whatever you want whenever you want it. But eating healthfully and regular activity takes thought, energy, effort, and preparation, and the D word DISCIPLINE. Christ can teach us to be disciplined in every area of our lives, including a healthy lifestyle. We have to ask ourselves, am I really worth all of that? Is the legacy of a healthy lifestyle for my children worth all the effort and energy? God says...YES! I say...YES!!! What do you say? 

Here is our question for today. Please feel free to drop your temple related (emotional, spiritual, relational, financial, physical) questions to me. Glad to answer and share with the group! Got a recipe you would like to share or a testimony, please send them.

Dear Aqua

Help me understand: We should eat a balanced meal...and get in our correct servings of each food group; however we should stop eating when we are full. What happens if you get full before you finish, like what if I don't get all of the servings in for that day?

Dear Operation

Great question! In general feeling full is a good "problem" to have because so many people don't KNOW that feeling, because we've have ignored the signal for so long that we have silenced it. There is a long answer and a short answer. The short answer is nothing. Remember we are looking at a lifestyle of healthy eating, not just a day or two when we think we can do it. Also we are incorporating these lifestyle changes a little a time so that we can stick to the changes and not create an unrealistic plan that we cannot maintain. SOON, you will love the planning process, you feel out of sorts when you have not planned adequately, and your thinking about healthy eating and exercise will be more natural and automatic. Remember, to change our lives we have to change the way we think. Be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind!

The long answer is really more complicated. I will answer as succinctly as possible, but I have to elaborate just a little. According to the USDA, A “healthy diet” is one that:

• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Even newer guidelines released at the end of 2010 have a more effective and comprehensive focus.

 “Because more than one-third of children and more than two-thirds of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, the 7th edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans places stronger emphasis on reducing calorie consumption and increasing physical activity. The new 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans focus on balancing calories with physical activity, and encourage Americans to consume more healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free and low-fat dairy products, and seafood, and to consume less sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined grains”.

As long as you are eating healthfully as described above CONSISTENTLY (more often than not) the couple days here and there that you feel full and stop eating are not a big deal. Your body is going through changes to adapt to the plan you have introduced. If this is happening frequently, you’ll need to investigate further. You might also add a multi-vitamin to your diet if you are concerned about getting all your recommended vitamins and nutrients.

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

I'll Have the Salad!

God afternoon all!

I hope this week finds you well and walking in the marvelous light of Jesus. No matter where you are right now... at this very moment, He loves you with an undying and unfailing love! His passion for you greatly exceeds anything you can ever imagine. Are you certain of this fact?

This week (hey and it's ONLY Wednesday) I had no less than 5 conversations about salad as a healthy meal choice. My antennas went up when some of those I spoke with told me what they were putting IN and ON their salads. Can We Talk?! Salads can be a healthy choice, but salads can also be very deceptively high in fat and calories if we are not careful as to how we LOAD that salad down. For example, the salad at a local fast food restaurant is 650 calories...OUCH! (No wonder that salad was so good). How is that for healthy eating? Three major factors for keeping a salad healthy (low in fat and calories) are the amount of the salad, the toppings, and the dressing. We wanted to provide you some tips about salads to keep your salad light, healthy, and working for your new lifestyle.

1. Make your own dressings. You control the fat and calories.

2. Having chicken or fish on your salad? Put the chicken or fish on the salad while it is still warm. The greens will start to wilt and less dressing is required.

3. Use pecans or other nuts instead of croutons for texture and crunch. Careful of the amount.
4. Use a light extra virgin olive oil with a dash of lemon pepper seasoning instead of salad dressing.
5. Use less dressing. Add a squeeze of lemon to the salad and use less of your favorite low-fat dressing.
6. Need some variety and need to increase daily fruit servings? Add fresh fruit to your salads.
7. Check out WebMD's tips for healthier summer salads.

If you have tips for healthier salads send them to me or post in the comments section of the blog. DearAqua4HisTemple@gmail.com

Make your food choices COUNT! LESS is the new MORE. Eat LESS...move MORE!

Your body is the Temple of the Living God! Live Well in Him!

Exercise and Injury...What Can I Do?

God Day Conquerors!  

Are you staying true to the health, wellness, fitness, and spiritual goals you set at the beginning of 2011? It's Springtime! Many folks have abandoned their new year's resolutions, but not you! It is time for new beginnings. Even if you have fallen off the goals you set, now is the time to start again. Our God is a second, third, fourth....chance God. It is also time to declutter our homes, lives, and minds. What an awesome time to invite the Lord into our hearts and into our lives for some intimate conversation and strategic planning!

I encourage you to give away 10 items in your home during your spring cleaning! You will be relieved and someone else will be blessed. Make sure it is really nice stuff. I got these cool sneakers from a dear friend when she completed her closet spring cleaning. Let us not be consumed by the romance of stuff. We can't take it with us! HEAVEN is already furnished! Praises to God!

Have you submitted your plans to the Lord? Can We Talk?! The Word tells us to give the Lord our plans and we will see those plans come to fruition (Proverbs 16:3). Now that doesn't mean we make the plans and give them to God as the final version. God is not in the business of blessing our mess! That means we submit a VERY ROUGH draft of our plans to God and He has the final say about the execution of those plans. The Message says "Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.” Once God is in charge of our plans we can't fail, because He can't fail! Amen?!

Today's question comes from a community member who is out of state. Please pray for “T” in your prayer time. Injury and pain are major limiting factors for exercise for many people. We should always seek the advice of a doctor before starting any exercise regime, particularly when preexisting pain, injury, and health concerns are present.

Dear Aqua

My weight issue is weighing me down. I am so afraid of exercise because of the pain I have every day of my life. I just don't want anymore of it. I have a total knee replacement, bi-lateral bulging disk in L4 and L5 with bone spires and a second rotator cuff surgery that they could not repair all the way. I know that I look at what I cannot do instead of what I can, but what can I really do? God is so able to do above and beyond what we ask or think, I am just tired of asking. Love T

Dear T

There are exercises that you can do. You may have to modify them to make sure that you don't further injure yourself. I am not sure where you are in your rehabilitation process, but some exercise and rehab may help with the pain that you are experiencing. Always check with your doctor about what limitations you should adhere to so that you do not exacerbate your injury. In fact ask the doctor is there a person, place or organization that he/she can recommend that can help. You may be able to walk and may be able to do seated exercises. I heard the other day that "Walking is still the undisputed king of exercise".

Because of your limitations with EXPENDING energy it is going to be important for you to monitor your energy CONSUMPTION. In short, it is going critical for you to monitor WHAT and HOW MUCH you eat. We can give you encouragement and support virtually, but I do recommend that you find some help in your community for nutrition and exercise programs to meet the needs that you have. Call community centers and local churches to see if they offer low to no cost exercise programs. A good program will have a trainer who understands and is able to work with people with injuries.

Don't let your injuries keep you from seeking help. In fact those injuries should be the fuel that cause you to knock on every door and leave no stone unturned. God's desire is not that you live in pain. He wants you to prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers. Seek His will for a healthier life and lifestyle. Don't get tired of asking! God is an ever present help in the time of trouble. We will be praying for you. In fact, right now we speak healing and deliverance in your body in the name of Jesus! Stay in touch with us about your progress. 

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

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