The Snow Reminds

I am reminded.
Reminded of why I lost weight.
As I ran through the snow and as I sat low on the sled to be pulled behind a 4-wheeler...reminded. When my daughter was learning to ride a bike I was struggling to run behind the bike because I was short of breath. My doctor had mentioned I had gained weight and I began to look at photos and sure enough...I had. This wonderful winter snow reminded me of the great reasons I started to work toward getting fit and why now I enjoy the benefits of working on my fitness each week.

Since my journey began I realized God's call for me to serve the Lord while getting fit. It has been the greatest blessing of this journey! I am reminded how thankful I am to the one who asked me to join her on her journey of following God's ministry call. And as snow accumulated and we were unable to have our Faithfully Fit classes I really missed everyone. All the prayer time, devotions and laughter during crunches! I look forward to a normal schedule returning soon. But even though I was not able to be with each lady individually they were in my heart, prayers and thoughts! I thought of each of you as I ran through the snow. I was so thankful for all those who encourage one another each week by working out together. I thought of you each as I laid on the ground after hitting a bump, falling off the sled and knew that you would each laugh with me at our next class as we all reminisce about our snow experiences.

In writing this brief blog I am reminded. Reminded that there is joy, fun, laughter and more with the ladies of Faithfully Fit. Here are a few photos to make us smile on a cold winter day:

Making goals together and cheering one another to the finish!  Color Run 2013

Posing for our first magazine article.

Acting like the kids at VBS...because we can!

Traveling together, keeping in touch, exploring God's world!  

Fellowship!

Encouragement!

 

I am reminded that God is so good!

See everyone at the next appointed time!

~Jodie

 

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31

Lessons in Radiance: EVE

"And Adam called his wife's name Eve, because she was the

  mother of  all living." Genesis 3:20

If you have been involved with Faithfully Fit in the past, you know that we have discussed Eve. The last time I spoke on Eve and lessons to be learned from her was due to the fact that we were studying "Bad Girls of the Bible."  Eve had her faults (don't we all?), but we can learn from her and what the Bible has to say about her "sheer radiance" even through the temptation, fall, and curse that she is most well-known for.

Remember our key verse for this session? 

Eve was radiant. She was made...created..by God's hands. She was formed out of Adam, to be Adam's perfect helpmate....suited just for him. She was not just spoken into existence, but God created her from the living tissue of Adam to be radiant...unashamed.....beautiful. (Genesis 2:20-25)

The Bible does not give a physical description of Eve - you know 5ft 10 inches, 150 pounds, golden blonde hair, and knockout abs -  but rather her beauty is described through her duty to her Creator and her role alongside her husband. Eve was created by God to fulfill the Biblical role of a wife. Not to be under Adam..but to walk alongside him and support him...to become one with him. Eve's radiance was not found in her "outward appearance" but in what she was made to be for Christ. Made not only to he a helpmate to Adam but to be the "mother of all living."

Even in the darkness of temptation and the fall, God still used Eve in the curse. God could have ended it right there. He could have been done...but our God is full of grace and mercy. God knew her heart and knew that sin was going to enter the world but from the very beginning He had a plan. A plan to "save the world and not condemn it" (John 3:17)

 Genesis 3:15 says this (directed to the serpent) 

"I will make you and the woman enemies to each other. Your descendants and her descendants will be enemies. One of her descendants will crush your head, and you will bite his heel.”

Through Him, Eve had a hope. Hope for one of her descendants to make her wrong.....right. Because she continued to"look upon Him" she was full of radiance...full of Joy...even in darkness...even in sin. We too can become radiant, but not on our own. Are you ready to look into His face today?

~Donna

Seek with a Whole Heart

The house is quiet on this first morning of 2014. Time is on my side today and I lay with my Bible to seek the King. The hunters cleared out early this morning to take in the last day of the season, those who stayed up late to ring in the New Year sleep away on this first morning of 2014. I treasure the quiet. I seek to see the King in all His glory.
There are still a few decorations from Christmas remaining in my home. The tree in the living room stands fully decorated and as I pass I see the star, the one with Jesus.

The wise men are there. Seeking.

And I am reminded.

Reminded of years that I spent seeking other kings, chasing other things.

And I seek the truth to learn.

First, the wise men asked direction. "...Where is the one who has been born the king of the Jews?" Matt. 2:2

They asked with great purpose. "We have seen the star in the east and have come to worship Him."

 

Jeremiah 29:12 details the posture of seeking that we should take saying, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Seeking with all my heart. Looking with everything I am, searching for the King as the wise men did the night they saw the star. They were not emptied handed. They carried their treasures with them and presented them to the King when their search was over. I think it was more than a gift, the Word refers to them as "treasures". Could it be that they laid down their treasures in worship, presenting their whole heart to the One they were seeking?

 

We may not have a star shining in the East to guide us toward Jesus. But we do have guidance and direction from the One who promises to listen. Jeremiah says that

when

we call

when

we pray

He WILL listen. (Jer. 29:12)

And Jeremiah gives us confirmation that just as the wise men found the Lord so too will those who seek Him with their whole heart. (Jer. 29:13-14)

In the quiet of my house this morning, I seek.

In the sunrise of the morning, I seek.

In the truth of the Word, I seek.

Seek to see, to taste, to feel the King.

With my whole heart I seek, that I may lay my treasures down and worship.

 

In winter session 2014 of Faithfully Fit we will seek. We will gather together many times a week to strengthen our faith and fitness. And we will seek. We will seek the one who makes us RADIANT.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces will never be covered in shame."

Psalm 34:4-5

All ladies are invited to join us. Begin seeking Him in the quiet of your home, in the still of your heart. Then join us as we fellowship, prayer and have devotion to continue the search of the One who takes away the fears, the One who answers, the One who listens, the One...the only One true King!

Happy New Year ladies ~ Jodie