Brothers [and sisters], I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

ESV Translation

My recent post and share to my social platforms in looking at my health goals as we are headway in 2021.

In January I only had 1 workout to start the year and that is OK because what it did was set as a tracking point for me to see how far I have come. I am ending the month of April with over 30 workouts… not because of what others are doing, posting or sharing but what I can do with my pace, with my time and my body. I am proud of me. Ronnie (from 360Athletes) had something in his gym that I will never forget…. look in the mirror — that is your competition! Siguer adelante folks!!! Let’s do what works for you #healthfirst#journeytohealth#journeycontinues

This means keep moving forward. Just like the Word tells us to do in our spiritual life, I count this for other things going on in my life. Family, friends, work, writings and of course health.

What a slow start I had. Many times we repeat all the wonderful things we want to accomplish for the year. Getting closer to God, fitness goals, work goals, etc. But for us, with the transition from New York to Georgia and work reorganization I had to take this at a different pace. So many moving parts going on at the same time, it gets tough. But in the shift of those parts I found ways to do all those things. Like now. I am being intentional to write. I woke up twice specifically this week at 2:30 for a call to pray. I passed the second time round! Then I set my devotional time for the morning, so I stay fresh. I have my balanced breakfast then I go to town with my daily workout walk or routine.

Little by little and bit by bit, this improved. I feel better spiritually. I feel stronger in my body. I see results all around. Changes had to be made and that was the effort I had to put in to see the results. Anything you are consistent at will yield results and I want to be consistent at the healthier choices in life.

I was also able to finish up book 3 which I am very excited about, “Seasons of Rest.” That should be released this spring, right before summer. ❤ It took me three years to put this one together and then some. But again I got so pulled into work that it drew me away from the things that I love and need to do. Working out and writing things down. Getting the opportunity to go out, see things and get things done. Folks it’s beautiful here.

My encouragement to offer this day — is make the shifts. Make the better moves, and better choices that work specifically for you individually. We can’t follow the same routines as Joe Shmoe and Suzie Q. That wont be effective. But if we intentionally channel our efforts and bring that healthy rounded balance, we are going to see amazing results. Forget what happened before and move forward. Keep your eyes on the prize. God only designed the best for you. It’s up to you to go get it and make it manifest!

In His Name,

Christina

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Did you know that intentionality is part of submission?

That is one of the biggest things of surrendering to GOD.  We don’t like to make those first moves or follow those promptings that tell us to do the RIGHT thing and make the right efforts.

It is hard.  We avoid them, think other things, and just don’t follow through with what He calls us to actually do on the regular.  This is why we go through the seasons of life that we do.  And in each we have to respond the right way with intentionality.  We have to rejoice in the season God brings us into.  We have to be intentional at making the right steps and the right choices.

You may be scared, frightened, anxious and challenged with this season or with the acts of intentionality that He is requiring of you but rest assured –He knows all things and is the one that aligns us into His perfect plan.

The question for you and I is — Are we willing to follow through and align even as uncomfortable as it may be? Hm! Especially when we are so used to flowing in a realm that makes us comfortable. God says it’s going to look like this! When we want it to look and be like how we want. 

These are precisely the areas He wants to work on and IN us. This is why God is so intentional with us – so we need to be the one that responds with intentionality in return.

Think about it.

There hasn’t been one moment where He hasn’t brought you through, even if it wasn’t the way that YOU thought would be best.  You think its better to say nothing.  You think its better to do nothing. You think its better to only do things on your terms.  You think its better to silence the pain or fill the voids on your terms. But what about God’s terms?  What about when He says to abandon the things that are wrecking you? What about when He says to walk in LOVE?  What about when He says to seek peace and PURSUE it? What about when He says to be still and know that He is God?  What about when He says to speak to the mountains, and you do nothing?  What are you doing with your time – are you redeeming it well as the bible says to do so in Ephesians 5:16 “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

We cannot be like the rest.  We can’t ignore those inner spiritual promptings.  We can’t always sit back –there is a time for that and a time to move. But here is how He is telling us… by submitting all our ways to Him. Are you doing “God things” and not just “good things” that are most pleasing to you?

Read this again slowly:  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with ALL YOUR HEART.  Are you limiting that trust?  Are you only trusting through the good times and not through the worst?

Are you leaning on HIS understanding and not just your own?  Especially when you think you are always right.  When you think your perspective and perception is enough.  No its not.  We need to be more open to the Spirit of God speaking LIFE into us so we can follow that right path. Even when it hurts.  Even when it doesn’t look like it is working in our favor.

We have to ensure that ALL our ways… yes not some of our ways.  Not our Sunday ways or our Tuesday preaching night ways… that make us look all smart and spiritual.  Or the just came out of prayer days. But ALL! OUR! WAYS!

And this cuts me deep.  It does.  Because I would be lying if I said I had this all down packed! I do not.  But I acknowledge that and I need a lot of help to make this better.  Here is where my intentionality must kick in.  Especially to be intentional to feed myself daily and regularly in prayer, study of the Word, lifestyle of worship, my fellowship and giving, so that it all comes into alignment with God.

This is a hard pill to swallow.  The pill of intentionality.

The quality of mental states (e.g., thoughts, beliefs, desires, hopes) that consists in their being directed toward some object or state of affairs.

Those objects and state of affairs are found in God’s Word.  Because He tells us who, how, when, why, where and what to do with our thinking patterns, feelings, beliefs and hopes on what we wish to accomplish in life.

Let’s get it right today.  Let’s be intentional and follow through by submitting our ways to the King. All of our ways.  All of our being.  All of our hopes and dreams.  All of our actions and steps.

May it be in alignment with the One who governs all things. May it be in alignment with His Holy Word.

In His Name.

AMEN.

Lord help me this day – it’s a new day. I hope that I can maximize and make the most of it. I have to confess that good things are coming my way. I am optimistic. I have to appreciate life and embrace the seasons of change. Everything is going to work itself out because You are in the midst. I want to be fruitful and better at doing things. Be my encourager. My rock and fortress. Be the One to uplift me through times of uncertainty. Be the advocate that I need to have things work on my behalf. More than behind the scenes. You are in it all. I trust You. I trust what You are doing. If there is anything for me to do this day —is to plan my days right. I will rest, read, relax when I can but make sure that I keep things on target and in order here.

Yesterday in the presence it was amazing.  What an experience.  I was wrecked.  Your presence and peace just rocked me. Your Word hit deep and I needed that affirmation.  I needed that Word to sit on my heart as heavy as it did.  I had a dream that there would be a turnaround.  I waited all week and nothing happened externally.  When Sunday came as I had wept buckets and pools of water in my dream –that is when it happened. 

I stood at the calling to bask in the glory of God. I wanted this touch. I stood in my spot with no one touching me and not knowing who was watching me. I felt my whole core being rocked and I could not hold it back. I wept. I just wept and wept. I stood there for a good while and knew there was one thing that I needed more than anything else –apart from relationships, finances, prestige or career. I needed to be with You as my priority and focus. I want You more than I want “this”. Help me to get rid of all the veils so that I can experience Your Glory. I am glad You brought me there. I am going back.

I am looking forward to next week’s service. I am looking forward to CHANGE and transition internally.

Most importantly I am looking forward to watching You do what You to best and that is my peace.

You are removing the veils in my life and that is fine.

Send me Your light and Your faithful care, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God.
Psalm 43:3-4

So what about you Christina? What’s going on with you? You been so quiet.

That is what I got today and I am. I feel like a blank page sometimes. Not knowing all the answers. Contemplative. Deep in thought as per. Wondering what’s next and simply trusting God. I love that I am here but it has been the first time in a while that I felt a hole in my heart.

We need to shine so bright that when we are no longer there that absence is felt.

My daughter came up to finally visit us for the first time since we moved here and I can freely say that.
Her and her husband joined us for the first week of spring and it was amazing. I worked still but every other opportunity was spent with them enjoying every laugh and every moment that we could maximize.

You can do so much in 7 days and how quickly they go by. Once they left I drove away with such a hollowness. Even in the most loveliest place I find myself now, I felt the absence. It was a familiar feeling, especially when I think of precious time spent with loved ones. I know these feelings have to be managed properly so I don’t go way off into a dark place but I do miss them a lot.

I know God has a purpose for all things and what I truly need to do is pursue the One that has the ultimate plan for our lives. I have the time now. I am scared. I am nervous. I am thinking a lot of what and how to do things but I am going to embrace each day and make the most of it just like I did when the kids were down here. I am going to continue exercising at my pace. I am going to cook creative and healthy meals. I am going to read, write and pray daily. I am going to work productively and on these terms.

What about you Christina? As I said, I don’t know all the answers but what I do know is that He has given me grace sufficient for this day and will continue to do just that. I can’t be anxious. I can’t make something up. I can’t go on a rampant thinking anything less of where I am or where I am going. This is actually the best place I have ever been at in a long, long time.

I just know that God’s got me. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. That’s my peace. That’s what I am about.

“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”
Matthew 6:24 TLB