Pedaling down the Monon Trail, I breathed in the fresh air. Soft rays of shine danced on my head, dappled by the many trees around me. The lower edge of the forest was reawakening into a soft, fuzzy green, but above the bare trees danced in the wind, most still waiting for their spring clothing.

Finally, a day worthy of being called spring. My sister and I flew along the path but quickly braked when a splash of pink caught my eye: a magnolia tree just about to burst into full bloom! Already a few anxious blossoms were opening to the sun.

I just can’t wait for the flowering trees to bloom I thought. I’m ready to be done with the color gray. My impatience for color, warmth, sun, flowers, and life was growing.

 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

The words from Ecclesiastes 3:1 nudged into my mind. God was reminding me that you can’t rush the seasons; you can’t rush Him. Trees and flowers need nutrients and the time it takes to absorb warmth to bloom.

“And so do you,” the Spirit whispered to my soul.

I pondered that timely thought. The last few months of my life have been busy with a new venture. I am getting impatient to get past the preparations into the launch. He was reminding me to not rush ahead, to absorb the “nutrients” I need for a full bloom.

Maybe you’re there too. There’s something you’ve been looking forward to, working toward, and it’s just about there. You’re ready to burst. It’s tempting to just jump in, but taking the time to grow a healthy blossom is important. Otherwise, this new thing may turn out like flowers lured into opening prematurely by the excitement of early warm weather  — with their frozen blossoms stricken on the vine.

Make sure that the bud of your idea is bursting with nutrients. Pray, study, work, save, read, consult, talk — do all the things necessary so that God can coax you into full bloom in His time.

We are so glad you are back for Week 5, Lesson 1 of Faith & Fit: Water Week. You have made great progress! If you have a few sore muscles take a day off if needed from the Physical Challenge. Remember, hardship means growth. Fight the good fight and finish your race! Listed below is your Faith & Fit work for today. Please click on the links or the play buttons to access each resource. Remember to leave a comment about your experience at the Speak Your Mind section at the bottom of the page. In Christ, we can grow stronger.  Let’s do it!

Everyday Faith Teaching Video:

Everyday Faith Scripture Reading:

I apologize for for the mix up on the Week 4, Lesson 2 Bible study. Week 4 Lesson 2 is under today’s Bible study link. Please click on the link below to access Everyday Faith Bible Study:

                               Week 5, Lesson 1 Bible Study

Everyday Fit Physical Challenge:

Beginner Level: Today make it your goal to walk for 1.5-2 miles. Walk at a pace that you are comfortable with and that you are still able to carry on a conversation. If you want to switch it up a bit, try riding your bike for 2 miles. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any physical workout to be sure you are up for the challenge! For more information, please read the following article on how to begin a walking program: Walking Program

Experienced Level: Today make it your goal to walk or ride your bike for 45 minutes. Walk or ride at a pace you are comfortable with and that your are able to carry on a conversation. By the end of your walk/ride you should be sweaty and tired but not exhausted. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any physical workout to be sure you are up for the challenge! Let’s continue push-ups with Coach Dan!

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Rainy day? Don’t worry! Click on the link below for a great challenging indoor work out with Leslie Sansone!

4 Fast Miles!

Everyday Fit Food Challenge:

Water Week:

Today we want to be aware of how much water we are drinking. If you’re like me, it’s easy to get lost in your day and forget to take a water break as the hours pass by. However, we all know how important drinking water is. Every system in our body depends on water. According to this excellent article by the Mayo Clinic, Water: How Much Should You Drink Every Day? everyone’s needs for water differ. “You may need to modify your total fluid intake depending on how active you are, the climate you live in, your health status, and if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding,” states the article.

Mary is very good about getting her water in each day. She packs a large water bottle for school every morning and makes sure she finishes it by the end of the day. Do you have any tips to share that help you remember to keep yourself hydrated? Please share them on our Facebook page or at the bottom of this post.

Here is my tip: I love to add a slice of lemon to my water. It makes it seem extra refreshing. In addition to that, in the summer I snip a few sprigs of mint from my herb plants and add them to my water. Mint really gives the water a zing. Here are some fun Pinterest water recipes that I can’t wait to try.

Recommended Reading: Hearing God by Dallas Willard

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with GodBy Dallas Willard / Inter-Varsity Press

Extra Faith:

Need a little extra spiritual challenge added to your day? Take advantage of the following resources!

 Joyce Meyer Anatomy of a Habit Part 2

Extra Fit

Need an extra challenge? Get your abs in shape with Team Beachbody Coach and Founder of Team Let’s Go Fitness at Dan Vukmirovich. Dan’s videos are short, effective and productive! Let’s go!

You are doing great! You have made it to Week 5. Keep up the good work and share what you’ve been learning so far.

Are you ready for Week Two of Faith & Fit? Jane and I are praying that you will make life changes that will lead to greater spiritual and physical health. Listed below is your Faith & Fit work for today. Please click on the links or the play buttons to access each resource! Remember to leave a comment about your experience at the Speak Your Mind section at the bottom of the page. In Christ, we can grow stronger! Let’s do it!

Everyday Faith Teaching Video:

Everyday Faith Scripture Reading:

Please click on the Week 2, Lesson 1 Bible study link below!

                       Week 2, Lesson 1 Bible Study

Everyday Fit Physical Challenge:

Basic Walking Guidelines

Begin your walk with a warm up. This means to start walking slowly for a few minutes, giving your body time to warm up. Save any stretching for the end of your walk, as you should not stretch cold muscles. If you have body parts that are very tense and need to be stretched before your main walk, do your warm-up first and then stretch them. You should also still follow your walk with a stretch at the end.

The Walking Site has some wonderful stretches for walkers, and here is a link to their stretching page.
As you are walking, walk tall, pull in your stomach and tighten your bottom.
When you have finished your exercise for the day, be sure to let the Faith and Fit group know by posting on our Facebook page. Great job!

Beginner Level Exercise:

Today make it your goal to walk for 25 minutes. Walk at a pace that you are comfortable with and that you are still able to carry on a conversation. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any physical workout to be sure you are up for the challenge! For more information please read the following article on how to begin a walking program: Walking Program. Feel free to also substitute any of Leslie Sansone’s indoor walking videos as well. Week 1, Lesson 1  lists a free resource for this (Password: Deuteronomy8).

How are you doing with your walking/jogging? Are you feeling any stronger yet?

Need an indoor exercise routine? Here’s a Leslie Sansone 1-mile walking video!

Experienced Level: Today, make it your goal to walk or ride your bike for 45 minutes. Exercise at a pace you are comfortable with and are able to carry on a conversation. By the end of your walk/ride you should be sweaty and tired but not exhausted. As always, check with your doctor before beginning any physical workout to be sure you are up for the challenge!

 Rainy day? Don’t fret! Click on the link below for a challenging indoor work out with Leslie Sansone!

4 Fast Miles!

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Everyday Fit Food Challenge:

Sans Sugar

Today we are looking at leaving refined sugar out of our diet. Studies are showing that sugar may be the springboard for inflammation and many of the chronic diseases that are plaguing our generation. Sugar is also a sneaky substance and is in many foods that you may not even realize. Become a food label reader. Realize that sugar has many other names. We are not expecting that you give up sugar for the rest of your life. The purpose of this challenge is to develop healthy habits and choices, not deny ourselves every one of our favorite foods. If you reduce the amount of sugar you eat, you will most likely improve your health.

Check out this resource for information on cutting out sugar.

Here’s a healthy sweet treat sans sugar:

Recipe for sugarless oatmeal cookies from Don Colbert

Recommended Reading

Today we are recommending The Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth About Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers by Dr. David Perlmutter. Mary heard Dr. Pearlmutter on PBS and told me about him. This book outlines what they believe to be the cause of many of our modern diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Incredible, cutting-edge information. The Grain Brain Cookbook was just released last week. *Here is a CBD link to the cookbook:

The Grain Brain Cookbook: More than 150 Life-changing Gluten-free Recipes to Transform Your Health – eBookBy David Perlmutter, MD / Little, Brown and Company

Extra Faith:

Today’s food challenge is Sans Sugar, but that doesn’t translate so well to spiritual goals, does it? God surely doesn’t want us to give up the sweetness in our personalities. As a matter of fact, God emphasizes that we have a gentle, quiet spirit or, as I’m fond of saying about a beloved friend of mine, “She has a sweet spirit, doesn’t she?”

Well, developing that gentle, quiet spirit can be a challenge to those of us who just aren’t that way naturally. I’ve found an article written by Erin Davis interviewing Nance Leigh DeMoss discussing this very topic: Do I Have a Gentle and Quiet Spirit?

Extra Fit

Need an extra challenge? Get your abs in shape with Team Beachbody Coach and Founder of Team Let’s Go Fitness at Dan Vukmirovich. Dan’s videos are short, effective and productive! Let’s go!

Please enjoy Day 2 of Dan’s Mind Body Spirit Challenge!

Don’t forget to post below or on our Facebook page any questions, workout information, recipes, prayer requests, and encouragement to others. 

Blessings and congratulations on Week 2, Lesson 1!

Great job today! See you soon!

Saturday morning found me zooming along on my bike to the butcher shop for my weekly shopping. There’s something freeing about relying on your own power to get you around the city, and I love pedaling along the Monon Trail whenever I can. A wrong turn on the way home brought me through this neighborhood. Tired from the heavy load in my purple bag, I took a minute to rest under the scarlet maple tree.

It was easy to see God’s creativity everywhere I looked. “It won’t be hard to find my Sacred Everyday here,” I thought. The Sacred blazed brilliantly right into my Everyday morning.  Thanks for

sunshine,

            trees full of color,

                                              the breeze on my face,

                                                                                            crisp autumn air,

                                                                                                                        Butcher shop treats,                               my bike,

                                                                   and a peaceful morning

bubbled through my mind. How often do I miss the simple pleasures of life because I don’t slow down enough to see them? Open my eyes to your Sacred Everyday, Lord. Open my eyes.