Time capsule

Today is leap year.  Do you remember what happened four years ago on the previous leap day?  What was your situation four years ago?  Where were you?  Some people like me barely remember what we did last week much less four years ago.  We are human and we forget.  Thank God he knows and remembers.  Have you thank Him, especially if you were in a terrible situation or broken?  Is your faith stronger?  When we go through life challenges, our faith becomes stronger even if we don’t understand or see the “big” picture. 

Project:  Create a time capsule of God's goodness

Time:  1 hour

Location:  home

Supplies:  current photographs, notepad/paper, pen, small box or canister (large enough for photos), construction paper, scissors, tape

Create a time capsule of what is going on in your life right now.  Decorate your box/canister with the year 2016 (next leap year).  Write down your current situation (your job, your children, what you look like, etc.).  On another page, write down your prayers (people who have asked you to pray for them) and requests (where you see yourself in four years, what you need, etc.)  Place all items into your canister and tape it.  Place the box/canister at the top of your closet.  Put a note in your calendar, suggest cell phone when you will open it.  Your family is welcomed to contribute.  On February 29, 2016, open the canister and review what you wrote. 

What are you doing now?  What prayers did God answer?  What prayers did God not answer or answered in another way?  What decisions did you make that prevented God from answering or working?  Say a blessing for your life and living another four years.

Blessings from God,

Athena

Song in your Heart

If someone got a hold of your IPod, would they know you know God?  If you rolled down your windows, would a spiritual song be heard?  One activity in the manual is to keep a spiritual song in your heart and sing it all day long.  When you perform your morning stretching, sing a spiritual song.  If you do not know one, find a radio station, download a song online or purchase a CD of a spiritual artist you enjoy or it can be a song from your childhood.  Concentrate on singing or humming the song throughout your day. 

God loves praise and thanksgiving. When you sing songs to God, you are giving Him praise.  You are also mindful of His presence and His love especially if you are having a difficult or unhappy day.  Music is soothing.  When you sing a song, it uplifts your spirit. 

Psalm 104:33-34 NIV
³³ I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
³⁴ May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.

Have songful day,

Athena

All in the Wash

Do you just throw all the clothes in the wash?  Not separating or sorting?  Do you properly care for your clothes?  You should care for your clothes and learn how to wash them properly.  Yes, it takes additional time, but the care you take reflects how you feel about yourself.  If issue with time or money, you can share with a friend.  It is worth it in the long run as you are not constantly buying or repairing your clothes.  God asks us take care of ourselves and the things He provides.  Therefore, do not waste and care.  If you do not know how, you can look on the Internet for tips and instructions.  Real Simple Magazine has really good information.

We can serve Him when we are healthy and represent His character.  Just like your wash, God does not just lump us all together.  Each of us is special.  Each of us has special gifts and talents and He expects us to use those blessings He gave us.  If God treated us like you treat your wash, would you feel special?  You would wonder about His care for you.  We are each treated individually and with love and tenderness.  Doesn’t that make you want to do more and take care of what He has provided, even if you think it is not much.  (You need to pray for gratefulness and thank God for the blessings you have).   God provides more when He sees that you can handle the little you think you have.

How is morning stretching going?  This is EVERY morning, yes, even on weekends.  In addition to discipline for activity and weight management, you are working on developing a relationship with God as you stretch each morning.

Keep it up,

Athena

Do you need a squeeze from God?

Do you feel squeezed?  It seems like we all feel squeezed for time, money, chores, work, etc.  You feel squeezed with deadlines, activities, schedules, delays, and such.  When it seems like you just completed a task or issue, another one comes along.

It is at this point when we fall on our knees to feel a gentle kind of squeeze from God.  A squeeze of love from God meant especially for you.  He can give you a squeeze full of love.  It is so much that it is like having a big hug.  God gives you also a squeeze of joy.  It can be the laughter of your child, lick from a puppy or a big thanks like statements of “no cancer” or “I do” or “Welcome home.”  Another squeeze God provides is a squeeze of peace.  When everything seems like chaos, but your heart sings songs to God that is when you know God’s peace is within you.  You feel it when you are in pain, but share encouraging words to others in need.  When we give it all to Him, you can find peace.  God can give you a squeeze of patience.  The knowledge that everything is done in His time and not yours, allows you to have the patience to wait and see where He will take you.  It takes patience to bend down and retie your child’s shoe (again), but it may be at that time your child needs to feel loved and that little act was their reassurance.  Traffic may try your patience but it may be the time you need to say a prayer for a sick friend.  Kindness is another squeeze each of us could use in this world.  We must desire to be kind and good.  If we look for opportunities to show kindness and goodness to others, you receive another internal squeeze from God.  Saying please, holding someone’s hand, helping a friend in need, speaking kind words and doing something each day to make the world a little nicer are acts of kindness and goodness.  How about a squeeze of faithfulness?  When you promise to pray for a sick friend, call a family member for encouragement and faithfully study spiritual readings, you are showing acts of faithfulness.  Knowing that God is proud of you should give you a big squeeze.  God alone can fill the desires of your heart and squeeze out the chaos of the world.  Do you need a fresh squeeze?  Pray.

Have faith,

Athena

Inspired by His Lamb, I am Ministries

This weekend I attended a ladies retreat.  It was inspirational and motivational.  Being with other women helps me realize that not only do we need to support each other, but my manual is needed.  We were created to be helpers to others and not to be trying to do it all alone.  Our virtue is to be a saint in our faith and a servant for God.  It was wonderful to see “sisters helping sisters” with their storms and celebrations of their lives.  If you have never attended a spiritual retreat, you need to make it one of your goals for this year.  Although you should spend every day with God, the intent is to spend a few days focused God and in the company of other spiritual women, free from distractions of life and to renew your covenant with God.  God did not intend us to work alone, that is selfish.  He is always with us and sometimes, He sends angels in the form of another sister to help us through a storm.  A storm is any problem, ailment or sin in your life that distracts you or keeps you away from God.  (No, not children, they are your blessing and it is your role to direct them to God.)

Speaking of storms, if you are going through a storm, stop and pray.  Have faith that God is in control.  Remember, when you feel like God is doing nothing, He is really up to something but waiting for you.  You have to believe and obey.  If you are unable to sleep at night, give it to God and let Him do the night shift.  If you are stressed, write it down and offer it to God.  If you are in sin, stop and seek the advice of a spiritual leader or friend.  We all go through storms and chaos, but it is our lack of faith that causes us to worry and doubt.  It is our lack of faith that keeps us away from God or feel that we can do it better than wait for God.  Once you truly give it to God (no take backs), you allow Him to work.  Look for His actions and just follow…

Be of good cheer, He is always near.

Athena

Ladies Retreat Friday to Monday...
Keep exercising and praying,
Athena

Below are some scripture verses you may want to memorize or recite during your morning stretching.
Peace
Athena

Psalms 15:2	A person who obeys God in everything and always does what is right, whose words are true and sincere,..
Psalms 10:4	A wicked man does not care about the Lord; in his pride he thinks that God doesn't matter.
Proverbs 16:3	Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.
Proverbs 11:25	Be generous, and you will be prosperous.  Help others, and you will be helped.
Proverbs 17:22	Being cheerful keeps you healthy.  It is slow death to be gloomy all the time.
Proverbs 21:9	Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
Proverbs 21:19	Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife.
Proverbs 22:24-25	Don’t make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers, you might learn their habits and not be able to change.
Proverbs 23:17-18	Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.  If it is, you have a bright future.
Proverbs 24:16a	For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.
Proverbs 4:5-9	Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.  Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom though it cost all you have,[b] get understanding.  Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.
Psalms 37:5	Give yourself to the Lord; trust in him, and he will help you;
Psalms 46:1	God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalms 1:2	Happy are those who reject the advice of evil men, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God, Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night.
Proverbs 12:24	Hard work will give you power; being lazy will make you a slave.
Proverbs 24:3	Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 14:1	Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness.
Psalms 16:6	How wonderful are your gifts to me; how good they are!
Psalms 135:5	I know that our Lord is great, greater than all the gods.
Psalms 16:7-8	I praise the Lord, because he guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me.  I am always aware of the Lord's presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.
Psalms 13:5-6	I rely on your constant love; I will be glad, because you will rescue me.  I will sing to you, O Lord, because you have been good to me.
Psalms 34:1-2	I will always thank the Lord; I will never stop praising him.  I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!
Proverbs 23:2	If you have a big appetite, restrain yourself.
Proverbs 19:20	If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise.
Proverbs 15:32	If you refuse o learn, you are hurting yourself.  If you accept correction, you will become wiser.
Proverbs 18:15	Intelligent people are always eager and ready to learn.
Proverbs 15:14	Intelligent people want to learn, but stupid people are satisfied with ignorance.
Proverbs 27:19	It is your own face that you see reflected in the water and it is your own self that you see in your heart.
Proverbs 16:24	Kind words are like honey - sweet to the taste and good for your health.
Psalms 50:14	Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised.
Psalms 145:21	My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Proverbs 19:23	Obey the Lord and you will have long life, content and safe from harm.
Proverbs 27:17	People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron.
Proverbs 21:5	Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.
Proverbs 16:18	Pride leads to distruction, and arrogance to downfall.
Psalms 34:3	Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us praise his name together!
Psalms 139:23	Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Psalms 37:4	Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desire.
Psalms 27:11	Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do, and lead me along a safe path, because I have many enemies.
Psalms 90:12	Teach us how short our life is, so that we may become wise.
Proverbs 20:12	The Lord has given us eyes to see with and ears to listen with.
Proverbs 18:10	The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.
Psalms 145:18-20	The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.  The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalms 34:18	The Lord is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.
Psalms 103:19	The Lord placed his throne in heaven; he is king over all.
Psalms 62:8	Trust in God at all times, my people.  Tell him all your troubles, for he is our refuge.
Psalms 27:14	Trust in the Lord.  Have faith, do not despair.  Trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 12:25	Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.
Proverbs 16:9	You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.
Psalms 138:8	You will do everything you have promised; Lord, your love is eternal.  Complete the work that you have begun.
Psalms 16:11	You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

I'm glad the water posting was helpful for some of you.  I think I am getting use to this :)

How is the water challenge going?  Ready to move to 5 glasses a day?  It does take discipline but it is part of the journey.  Another suggestion is to get a pitcher, fill it every morning with water and challenge yourself to finish the pitcher by the end of the day.  Another suggestion:  You can also get a fun glass or crazy straw to make it more "entertaining". You can do it.

One thing I forgot is inspiration.  In the manual, there will be inspirational quotes and scripture passages to memorize especially during your exercising/stretching.  The reason you memorize passages and quotes is to keep you focused and they will be helpful when a storm comes or if you have to make a decision.  Below are some quotes to memorize and tomorrow I will put scripture verses.  I would suggest that you put them on cards and keep in your purse, bag or cell phone to keep and refer to often.

"The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears or the sea."	Isak Dinesen
"Life is full of beauty.  Notice it.  Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces.  Smell the rain and feel the wind."	Ashley Smith
"Begin to see yourself as a soul with a body rather than a body with a soul."	Wayne Dyer
"Wisdom doesn't automatically come with old age.  Nothing does - except wrinkles.  It's true, some wines improve with age.  But only if the grapes were good in the first place."	Abigail Van Buren
"Life is all about timing…the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable…attainable.  Have the patience, wait it out."	Stacey Charter
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."	J.R.R. Tolkien
"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows you are slightly cracked."	Bernard Meltzer
"Don't ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."	Howard Thurman
"In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive."	Lee Iacocca
"Idleness is not doing nothing.  Idleness is being free to do anything."	Floyd Dell
"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."	Maya Angelou
"Tension is who you think you should be.  Relaxation is who you are."	Chinese Proverb
"Good manners sometimes means simply putting up with other people's bad manners."	H. Jackson Brown Jr.
"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you don't know you left open."	John Barrymore
"Waste your money and you're only out of money, but waste your time and you've lost a part of your life."	Michael Leboeuf
"Ideas can be life-changing.  Sometimes all you need to open the door is just one more good idea."	Jim Rohn
"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us."	Hal Borland
"Sometimes it's a form of love just to talk to somebody that you have nothing in common with and still be fascinated by their presence."	David Byrne
"To give and then not feel that one has given is the very best of all ways of giving."	Max Beerbohm
"The art is not making money, but in keeping it."	Proverb
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."	Victor Frankl
"There's lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven't the time to enjoy it."	Josh Billings
"As a child, my family's menu consisted of two choices:  take it or leave it."	Buddy Hackett
"A good friend is a connection to life - a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world."	Lois Wyse
"The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you!"	Coco Chanel

Life is wonderful, go out and enjoy it,
Athena

Water…water…water…

GOD made our bodies wonderful.  Did you know that your body is made up of water and that the large percentage of water is in your muscles?  Did you know that you should drink 8 cups or 64 ounces of water a day?  Also, for every 25 pounds above your body weight, you should drink an additional cup.  Did you also know that a human adult can survive weeks without food but only a few days without water?  If you have heart problems or kidney failure, this condition will lesson if water intake is at the desired level.  If your body does not get enough water, your body attempts to hang on to as much water as possible to survive.  Your body generally loses 2-1/2 quarts of water a day.  If you exercise, you need to drink more water.

Want beautiful skin and minimize “sagging skin”?  Drink water.  Want to minimize digestive issues and constipation?  Drink water.  Even if you do not feel thirsty, you are.  As you get older, your “mechanism” for thirst becomes faulty so you should drink water even if there is no signal.  When you start feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

Contrary to belief, water can help you lose weight.  When you start drinking the correct amount of water, your body is satisfied and will start releasing fluids it has been storing from deprivation and will start dropping pounds.  Your body metabolizes the fat and other waste materials easily and so the more water, the more fat and toxins it removes.  So, if you want to lose 50 pounds, then you should be drinking 10 cups of water (80 ounces) each day.  (You are only challenged to drink 3 glasses right now...do you see where we are going but it takes discipline).  Also, when you increase your water intake, you increase your energy level.  Caffeinated beverages decrease your energy so limit your intake of them and for each caffeinated beverage you have, you should have a glass of water. 

Now that you know more about water for your body, don’t you want a drink?  Drink up!  I will have a glass of water on the rocks with a twist of lemon...

Athena 

You have a goal.

We are going to focus on a goal – to obey GOD.  You made a commitment and now you need to set your goal and make a plan.  God will direct your steps and put people in place to make it happen.  Success is intentional.

Steps to reach goals:

1.       A clear picture

2.       Have an excitement or passion about goal (desire, what can you do to make it toward goal)

3.       Confidence, not ego (know what you are going to do, based on past experience and relationship to God.   When confident, will throw all energy into it.  No doubts, you can do anything God requires you (and He will equip you).  Visualize what God says he will do in life.

4.       Course of action (steps to get you there, realize that it will take time)

5.       Calendar of events, set timelines, dates, plan.  When put date, mind begins to evaluate, front and center of conscience and subconscious in action.   We can’t afford to waste time, need to work at it.  Dates prevent discouragement.

6.       Cooperation – the wise find people who can help you achieve goals

7.       Consistence – fix purpose

8.       Controlled emotions – You are a child of God.  If listen to negative people, they will steal dreams.  Help others reach their goals also.

9.       Courage to act – fear is a paralyzing, take steps to reach goal.  Read God’s word and learn how to help others.

10.   Conscience – dependence on God

God’s word gives courage, faith and trust:

·         Becomes compass and direction

·         Recall God’s past experience and help and goodness

·         Observe courage of others and outcome.  If obey God, what will happen?

Where there is a goal, there is a step.  Don’t let life fly by – God has best for you.  God does what is best for us, well trained that find self with God.

Journal:  Write down three goals you would like to accomplish in 3 months.  Remember, they must be obtainable and measureable.  Now, write down three goals you would like to accomplish in 6 months, 9 months and a year. 

Keep up your morning stretches and drinking water.

You are beautiful,

Athena

Whew, this is difficult especially since I am working on the manual at the same time.  The manual has projects, activities and journal entries so it is a little more involved than I thought.  When you were born, GOD knew you.  He knew who you were and your life plan.  On your birth, you were given a name, selected by a person who loved you but directed by GOD.  In this project, you will learn about your name and its significance.  Be proud of you... Here is an example of a project:  Your Name Supplies: Internet or library access, notebook, small poster or legal size paper, writing supplies and coloring instruments Instructions: In your notebook, research your given name on the internet or in the library.  Find the meaning of your  name, its origin and various pronounications in other languages.   If you have a unique name, you  may have to refer to other sources like parents or family members.   Using this information, create a small poster 12"x18" or on legal size paper 8-1/2"x11" with your name.   Decorate it and put it on your wall.  You may frame it if you like. Continue your morning  stretching and drinking your 3 glasses of water. Athena (Greek origin) meaning is “wise”, a girl’s name, goddess of wisdom and war, identified with the Roman goddess Minerva

How is it going?  How is the morning stretching going?  Did you successfully drink your 3 glasses of water?  Did you read your Proverbs 31 verse?  What do you need to work on?

Every morning praise GOD for your life. Praise GOD for your breath.  Praise GOD for your family.  Praise GOD for you.  Focus your life toward the promises of GOD.  Focus your life toward the goodness of GOD. 

I realize that everyone's life is not perfect and everyone has situations but keeping your faith in GOD, you have hope.  If you think about it, everyone has a storm.  Some have a storm approaching, some are in a storm, and some are leaving a storm.  What makes the difference is the how you handle your storm.  Where are your eyes?  Remember, you are not alone.  If you do need help, there are several resources online, through your minister or spiritual leader, and media.  Life is not easy and GOD did not promise us that it would be a piece of cake, but He did promise to be with us.  Give it to GOD and let him worry about it.  I always say, if you can't sleep or fearful, give it to GOD for the night and let him take the night shift (I know he will not mind) so you can sleep.  If you can't sleep, do evening stretches (not exercises) and pray.  No one says you have to be on your knees.  Actually, you should pray continuously and this is just another opportunity. 

I will mention that if you are in a dangerous or fearful situation, please seek help.  GOD does not ask you to be a martyr or live in fear.  GOD loves you and wants you to be free and at peace.  Remember, I mentioned how your health and spiritual life are tied together.  If you are in fear or sad, your are not healthy in all areas.  Please seek help immediately.  You are on a journey and like any journey, there is the unknown but GOD is with you and will direct you.

Continue morning stretching and drinking 3 glasses of water.  FYI, cold water or water with lemon or lime is my favorite and drinking it with a colorful straw is fun.  If still having trouble, get a pitcher and keep it in your refrigerator.  When it is gone, you are done.  Another variation, put it in a crystal glass with cherries...

Be at peace,
Athena

Hello!  I think I forgot a step.  This is actually more difficult than I thought as I am unable to put many of the activities and projects.  Since I am working on the manual at the same time, I think I jumped ahead.  Drinking water is correct but drink 3-12oz glasses of water a day (3 bottles).  When you first start adding water to your diet, it is difficult for some especially if it is not incorporated into your diet already.  Challenge yourself everyday to drink 3 glasses of water.  If you are already exercising, great but stretch every morning.  This time will become essential later.  Continue to stretch for 15 minutes every morning. 

Let's focus on something else...Mirror of truth.  When an artist looks at the beauty of the body for a painting, s/he is not looking at the flaws.  The look at the curves and love healthy women with shape and curves because it creates shadows and shapes.  Many of the women who are considered "beautiful" (like Queen Latifa, Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz, any of the Kardashians and Selma Hayack) are not "skinny".  If anything, they have many curves but what makes them most attractive is their confidence.  They know they are not perfect and have flaws, but their confidence and boldness overshadow any character flaws. Right now, you probably have a body but not curves and shape.  You will as you continue focus on yourself and your stretching is part of it.  Designate that time to GOD and your relationship with him.  If it helps, memorize a inspirational verse to say while you are stretching. 

Now, you need to look at yourself spiritually.  Are you a Proverbs 31 woman?  You assignment is to read Proverbs 31.  You can Google it and also get the site Proverbs 31 Woman.  In your journal, read and write down your reflections regarding the chapter.  Do you fit all these characteristics?  What do you need to work on?  

Become a Proverbs 31 woman,
Athena

  

Welcome Journey members!  Yesterday, you were asked to make a list of your goals and 10 things that were important to you.  Look over the 10 items...Did you mention improving your healthy or your spiritual life?  This should have been one of the top ten items.  Remember, when it is important, you strive to complete and it is always on your mind. Just like when you want something like a new pair of shoes, pants or a purse, you can always be thinking about what you want in regards to your health and exercise.  You can exercise all day and every time you eat, you should be listening to your coach.  You know what you need to do and your coach is always telling you, you just need to listen and obey.

Food - You need to drink 3 bottles of water before you drink anything else PER DAY (yes, even before coffee).  If you need to add a little flavor, try a lemon or lime. Remember, nothing else until you have drank your water.

Exercise - Every morning, you are to stretch during your meditation and prayer for 15 minutes.  You can use "GOD, I will be obedient to you today" as a mantra.  If you do not know how, get a DVD, check on the internet (SELF Magazine has several) or attend a class to learn but just do something for 15 minutes.  If you know yoga or pilates, I would suggest this.  If not, you can just run in place, jumping jacks, pushups and situps. Just a note, if you wonder why you are up 30-25 minutes before your usual time, Coach GOD is on duty so get up.  You know He won't let you go back to sleep.

Practice obedience,
Athena

Greetings! In the previous post, you requested forgiveness. I hope you were sincere. You must depend on GOD to give you strength and fortitude to stay on track and work toward your goal of keeping His temple clean. You goal toward spiritual and healthy lifestyle is faith that GOD will help and guide you. Now, your goal will be to serve him faithfully, actively and lovingly. Your sincerity is important. Now, you will need to make a commitment to a year of a healthy lifestyle. In the manual, you will be asked to sign a contract so I will ask the same.

COMMITMENT CONTRACT
I, _________________________, will commit myself to twelve months of service and activities to create a lifestyle worthy of God and myself. I deserve to be healthy, happy and honor God with my life, my body and my mind.

Read aloud and pledge: “Today, I am choosing to be obedient to GOD.” Every morning, repeat this pledge when you awake.

You need to get a notebook (any kind) or keep a binder of notebook paper as your journal. In this journal you will perform various journal entry assignments. You first assignment, copy the contract on the first page, sign and date the page. On the second page, write your name and write down all the goals and make a list of 10 things that are important to you.

As you know, you need to exercise and watch your diet.  As I mentioned, this blog will not have the projects and activities in the manual, but I will mention various activities and projects to complete.  

Until tomorrow,
Athena

Greetings!  In my last post, I mentioned the comparison between your health and your spiritual life.  You may not see it right now, but you will.  As you continue your journey, your spiritual life will grow stronger and you will feel the need to make healthier and better decisions. 

In the manual, exercise activities, healthy practices, inspirational verses and spiritual projects are required and I am trying to think how I can incorporate them into a blog, but it will be too much so in this blog, I will work on the spiritual aspect only so let's get started...

Your body = a temple of GOD.   With this thought in mind, how do you honor GOD with your gift?  Are you making excuses, cheating, or even living the life GOD has prepared for you?  Basically, are you at peace with yourself?  In order to start our journey, cleansing is essential.  The first spiritual task is to ask for forgiveness, confess your weakness and sin, and seek reconciliation with GOD. 

Prayer:
Dear GOD, creator of all.  I humbly come to you right now to ask you for your forgiveness and guidance.  You have given me life and I have not glorified your gift by keeping my body as a temple to honor you.  I have been lazy, selfish and unaware of Your plan for me.  Today, I ask your to please come into my life, my heart and my body, fill my mind and guide me through this journey to honor You and my life.  When I want to give up or find excuses, give me your wisdom, strength and courage to continue.  Allow me to be worthy of your blessings, an example for my friends and family, and show others how You work in my life.  In the honor and glory of your holy name, Amen

Now, do it again with sincerity and you are welcomed to add additional words. If you need additional confession, seek the help of your minister or spiritual leader. 

You are worthy of a lifestyle that is loving, rich and happy. You are worthy of a body that you love.  You are worthy of peace of mind and joy in yourself.

Say, "I am forgiven.  Today, I am choosing to be obedient to GOD."

Commitment contract tomorrow,
Athena

Welcome!  Today is a new day and a perfect day to start a journey.  Are you ready?  Like any journey, you need to prepare. First, this journey is intended as a reference only and intended to help you make decisions about your health.  It is not a substitute for any treatment and you should seek advice from your doctor. Just a note, when I am referencing GOD, I am not labeling a particular religion or methodology, I am referencing whatever spiritual being, supreme being or manifest of the universe you believe because you cannot do this alone.  Your guidance and trust refers to a God which you believe that will help and guide you.

OK, if you are wondering why many diets do not work long term is because YOU have not changed.  Only GOD can cause that change if you are sincere, focused and honest with yourself.  You are the only one who can gain control of your life but you do need help - God's help.  Did you know that your health is tied to your spiritual life?  Yes, you have always known when you don't feel good about yourself, you don't take care of yourself and you move away from God.  God did not make us to deprive ourselves or starve but to hunger and long for Him.  He created us with five senses and sensibility but He does not want us to mistreat or abuse your body.  Your body is His temple.  When you tear down or neglect the temple He gave you, you are insulting God. You need to stop and reflect on how you treat your body and how it reflects on God gift to you. 

Until tomorrow...
Athena

Today I am starting my blog to help me organize the arrangement of my book. Thank you Liz for showing me this site and for giving me the courage. Thank you God for bringing special people in my life to keep me on track of my mission even with all the interruptions right now (I can tell the devil is not happy).  I am hoping that by writing this blog, it would keep me on track and give me inspiration to finish my manual, You are Worthy, a 12 month Journey to Weight-loss and Keeping It Off.  This manual is a monthly guide of gaining control of your life and increasing your spiritual life.

I guess I should start by telling you about myself.  Like many women, I struggle with self identity and living in the western world does not help.  The media bombards you with images of the "perfect" female figure and if you don't look like them, it is difficult to keep your self esteem intact. My story is really like many others- I come from a large family with weight issues (Hispanic heritage doesn't make it easier) and low to middle class income.  When you enjoy Mexican food and love to party, it is difficult to watch your weight.  It is even more difficult if your faith is weak or limited. 

By no means am I "skinny" or a minister.  I am just me...After my second child, it became so difficult to lose the weight and now that I am getting older, it is very discouraging.  I know I can do it, but I have finally realized I cannot do it alone...I need help from above (i.e. GOD).  I call my manual a journey since it has taken me a long time to reach a point where I felt comfortable with my own image, successful in what I am doing and inspiration to record my personal journey. 

Ladies, you can do it...I can attest that it is not easy but you need a coach.  No, not me...GOD.  Yes, you are accountable to the only being who really knows you, your weaknesses, your strengths, your fears and your life.  You know you can't fool the BIG GUY and that makes it more difficult to make excuses and be lazy.  I will give you my journey and maybe it can help you. 

Funny, before I started doing this, no one was home or bothering me.  Suddenly, I get calls, interruptions and demands. They say when the devil doesn't want you to do something that will change you life or fulfill the path of God, he tries to bother you...I guess I am on the right track...

Until tomorrow...Athena