Be still

There's a lady at my church that gives the same testimony almost every Bible study.  Here's her testimony:

I am blessed.
I have a beautiful life.
I've met many beautiful people.

That's it.  There's no elaborate testimony.  I don't know her. I don't know her backstory, what God's specifically done in her life, or how she's an overcomer through Christ Jesus.  Although, I am sure all those things are true.

For this special lady, who is in her eighties, testimony is simple: I am blessed.

It got me thinking.  My last blog post reached 400+ views.  It was the largest audience so far.  I didn't write for a bit afterward because I thought that I couldn't beat that, that I had nothing wise to say that hadn't been already said in multiple blogs, articles, and books already.

Here's the thing.  I don't have to.  I don't have to compare myself to my past self.  You don't have to compare yourself to your past self.  This precious lady didn't testify of her past.  She simply told of what she was experiencing with God in the present: I am blessed.  I have a beautiful life. I've met many beautiful people.

That's it.  That's enough.  Revelation 22:18 says that we can't add anything to the Word of God anyway.  What is done through Christ is more than enough.

I don't have to top myself.  I don't have to live in yesterday's blessing.

Today, God is enough.
Today, I will be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Today, I am blessed.
Today, I have a beautiful life.
Today, I can say that I've met many beautiful people.

The same thing applies to your life too, regardless of your backstory.  Don't compare your today to your yesterday.  Don't compare your today to anyone else's today.  I once thought that testimony had to come from heartache and disaster.  That's not true.  Whether you've had the best life or struggled to understand God's love because of what He allowed in your life, what was done on the cross is enough for you.  Jesus is enough.  God is enough.  Today.

Today, you are blessed.
Today, you have a beautiful life...a life given through Christ Jesus.
Today, you have met many beautiful people. Yes, even those people who have hurt you, try your patience, and you think God, why?

Today, be still and know that He is God.

Be my guest

 I'm going to see the remake of Disney's Beauty and the Beast today.  The original is my all-time favorite Disney movie, so I've been looking forward to this day.

I've been told not to not see it.

I've been told to boycott Disney because of a hidden agenda.

I don't have to mention what that agenda is, because we already know.

Here's my understanding of what I need to do.  I'm not suppose to take my family to see this movie so that my children won't realize a particular sin, and won't see a particular sin as common.

Don't get me wrong. I've had convictions of multiple television shows for multiple sins, and I've stopped watching them.  Sin is common!  It's been like that since the fall of Man.  We all seem to think that things are worse now, but the Bible says that there's nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).  It further says, "what has been will be again, what has been done will be done again".y

Don't get me wrong.  I shelter my children.  It's just a parent thing.  I do realize that my children may be naive in some areas.  That's okay.  You heard that right!  It's okay if I let some things go over my children's head.  It's okay if I don't explain sin in detail.

That's the way I was taught.  Granted I was considered a "good girl", a "goody-goody" and I was (and still am) naive, but I rarely remember my parents sitting down with me to give me a list of what not to do.  "Don't do that." "Don't wear that." "Don't go there."  Sin wasn't explained to me.  Here's what was.

Jesus, yes, that life-giving savior Jesus.  My parents didn't have to introduce sin to me, that had already happened when I was born.  Psalm 51:5 says, "I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me". My parents introduced me to Christ.  I was raised in church and introduced to Jesus, as a person and a Savior.  Through His convictions, I knew right from wrong.  My parents were not there to slap my hand when I erred.  They were there for all my life milestones, including many spiritual experiences with our Heavenly Father and His sweet spirit.

I was told by relative that I was only a Christian because that was the way we were raised.  No, I'm a Christian because I've had experiences with God!

 I'm told to boycott one movie because of one sin.  Be our guest.  Be my guest.

I'm not going to do that.  I spent years being the judgmental Christian, and it didn't do me any favors. I didn't gain anything from it; I lost friends.  More importantly, I didn't win anyone for Christ.

Luke 6 speaks of taking care of our own sins, not our neighbors.  Interestingly enough, right before that (same chapter), it speaks of not judging and loving our enemies.  Love everyone, not just those who love you.

So, that's what I'm doing.  You see I'm a sinner, and to quote a song we do in REFIT®, "I love me".
We are all sinners.  I'm not going to focus on love the person, hate the sin.  I don't have to say that I hate your sin because you already know what I believe (at least I hope that people do, based on my actions). I don't have to say that I hate your sin, because I'm over here trying to take care of my own sin.  I'm just going to love sinners.  I'm just going to love people. Period.

Oh, and I'm going to see Beauty and the Beast....with my children....and my parents.

Remembering March 2nd

For teachers everywhere, March 2nd is a celebration.  It's the birthday of Dr. Seuss and we celebrate with books and activities celebrating the author that encouraged so many to love reading.

However, for my newfound hometown (it's my husband's hometown and birthplace), it is a day of mournfulness, a day that many will never forget.  It is the anniversary of a devastating tornado that according to news that day "wiped us off the map". I don't even want to call it an anniversary, because to me, anniversaries should be celebrated.

So, it's okay to remember.  But, it's also okay to let the past stay in the past.  For those mourning today, you don't have to let what happened five years ago claim your victory today.

You see, although I wasn't in the path of the storm, I remember too.

I remember hearing that town is destroyed, that people are stuck under buildings (part of that wasn't true).

I remember not seeing or knowing where my mother in law was for hours.

I remember my husband, a volunteer firefighter, going out in the middle of the warning, once he heard the news.  He knew we were safe and had to help others.

I remember seeing my husband's boss in the middle of the night that night, with a cut-up face because he had been helping clear town so emergency vehicles could get through.  I remember the look in his face, one of hopeless, as he talked of the destruction.

I remember crying and being upset over people who complained of the mundane, when others had lost so much.

I remember building our house sooner than we had originally planned, because we had a new perspective on things.

I remember this became our anthem.

But, five years later, these are not the things I focus on.  You see, the town rebuilt and is stronger now more than ever.  Buildings were rebuilt.  But, the bible speaks more about  us--our bodies, souls, and spirits--more than it does about buildings.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 talks about our bodies being our temples, where God resides.  Let's work on rebuilding that.  Here's a few things from the Bible that can help us with rebuilding and up-keeping our temple:

We are built on the foundation of  Jesus Christ.  He, himself, is our cornerstone.  We are built together so that God may indwell in us. (Ephesians 2:19-22)  HE IS OUR FOUNDATION!

When we hear His word and listen to it, it is like building our house on a rock.  He is the rock. (Matthew 7:22-27).

We find further evidence of our foundation in song lyrics:

"on Christ the Solid Rock, I stand.  All other ground is sinking sand."  ("My Home is Built on Nothing Less", Edward Mote)

I go to the Rock

Where do I go when there's nobody else to turn to?

Who do I talk to when nobody wants to listen?

Who do I lean on when there's no foundation stable?

I go to the Rock, I know He's able, I go to the Rock

I go to the Rock of my salvation

I go to the stone that the builders rejected

I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me

When the Earth all around me is sinking sand

On Christ, the solid rock I stand

When I need a shelter, when I need a friend,

I go to the Rock

Where do I go when the storms of life are threatening?

Who do I turn to when those winds of sorrow blow?

Is there a refuge in the time of tribulation?

I go to the Rock, I know He's able, I go to the Rock

So, as we remember March 2nd, let's turn our focus to our Cornerstone.  I propose a new anthem:

Do you not know the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?  It's simple. You can talk to God just like you would talk to anyone.  Pray this prayer of salvation, if you feel led to do so.

Father God,

Thank you for sending your Son to die on a cross for my sins.  I know that I am a sinner and have done things wrong.  I know that I can never undo things or be worthy on my own.  But, I know that Jesus died for me, that is blood can wash away my sins.  I ask Jesus to live inside my heart today.  I accept Him as my Lord and Savior. I promise to do my best to live for Him each and every day.  I thank you for it! I praise you for it!

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

Did you just pray that prayer?  Did something resonate with you in this message today? Would you like to share your memories of March 2nd?  We would love to hear from  you in the comments below!

When life gives you lemons

Ever heard that saying, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade"?  Or better, yet, my favorite one, "when life gives you lemons, throw them back and demand chocolate".  Yep, I will always say yes to chocolate.

There I was, four days after a doctor's appointment, hearing the words, "Yes, she tested positive for flu."  I wasn't surprised.  I was, in fact, the one who requested the test.  Seeing a loved one sick, though, does feel like receiving lemons when you want chocolate.

Social media was full of proclamations of sickness.  It was that "time of year", after all.  I wanted to post about daughter being added to the list of those who succumbed to the virus.  Look at me, my child is sick too.  I mean others were posting and requesting prayer, so it's okay.  Right?  Before you hound me about that, I love that we can turn to others via social media for prayer....in fact, my husband and I have founded a ministry that connecting in prayer through social media is a vital part of.

However, in this case, once again, I felt God leading me to another outlet.  If I just posted about my daughter having flu on social media, who would it benefit?  First of all, me--I would receive prayer and condolences.  Secondly, her--because she too would receive prayer.  Both of which are good, in and of themselves.  But, the one reading my post? Would he or she benefit? No.

So, I came to this blog.  You see, we as Christians are called to something higher.  People need to hear more about our God, than our problems.  Yes, my daughter has the flu.  But, my God is bigger.

When life gives you lemons, don't throw them back.  There's someone watching you who would gladly take your lemons.  There's someone fighting cancer when you're complaining of the flu. There's a barren person who would gladly take the child that you say takes too much of your "me time".  There's someone who would gladly walk in your shoes, imperfections and all.

So, here comes the heavy part.  You only thought it was getting deep before.  What about those lemons that are heavy to carry?  The loved ones that don't get healed?  The prayers that don't get answered?

Yes, I've had those too. I've watched my grandmother NOT get healed from cancer.  I've NOT gotten the job that I thought I wanted.  But, as a Christian, I need others to know that God is still great.  He is still on the throne.  He is still almighty, even when those lemons start to make life taste sour.

Often we hear, God will not give you more than you can handle.  This isn't true at all.  I believe this misunderstanding comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13, "...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it" (KJV).  I think it's saying that God will help you.  He needs to be the One you turn to when things become more than you can handle.  The NIV version says that "He will provide a way out so that you can endure it."  Endure.  This means that you'll have to go through it, but you will get through it.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

That said His burden, not ours.  So, when life gives you lemons, cherish them, but don't hold on to them.  Give them to Jesus.

When God Says Wait

The other day, on the way home from work, I heard a familiar praise and worship song.  "Strength will rise as we wait up on the Lord".  I thought to myself, God, I want strength in You.  I felt the Lord speak to my heart, "Julie, that's not the most important word there.  The most important word there is wait."  At that point, I felt like Jacob did when he wrestled with the Lord.  You see God answers us in three ways: (1) yes (2) no and (3) wait.  That third one is definitely the hardest to hear.

The bible speaks time and time again about waiting on God.  In fact, the word, "wait" is mentioned over 100 times in the Bible.  Waiting isn't easy.  If you're like me, it's hard to sit still.  I want things done, and done yesterday.  Lately, God has been holding me back, telling me to wait, to stay in His presences and learn.  So, what happens when you wait?

When you wait, you are strengthened. Isaiah 40:31
When you wait, you shall run and not be weary. Isaiah 40:31
When you wait, you shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
When you wait, your heart will be strengthened. Psalm 27:14
When you wait, God will be your help and your shield. Psalm 33:20
When you wait, you shall inherit the Earth. Psalm 37:9
When you wait, you will find that your hope is in Him. Psalm 39:7
When you wait, He will be your defense. Psalm 59:9
When you wait, He will hear your cry. Psalm 40:1
When you wait, He will save you. Proverbs 20:22
When you wait, you will be blessed. Isaiah 30:18
When you wait, He will have mercy on you. Isaiah 30:18
When you wait, He is good to you. Lamentations 3:25
When you wait, He will hear you. Micah 7:7



Even though I'm waiting, I'm asking God to lead me in His Truth and teach me, for HE is the God of my salvation and in Him, I will wait all day (Psalm 25:5)  So, the next time that God tells me to wait, I will.  I might want to moan and groan before Him.  I might want to wrestle with Him.  But, I want all that He has for me.  So, when He answers with wait.  I will wait.  I will wait all day.

It's okay to rest.

"Run it out!"
"Clap it out!"

These are things I hear myself yelling when I teach REFIT®, especially after a very high intensity part.  Yet, that whole "live what I preach" is hard.

This past week, I had a fantastic time that was spent solely for ME.  I don't do that often, because I much prefer serving others and taking care of things.  Well, this past weekend, I had a blast attending a REFIT® function out of town, spending the entire day with friends, then a Super Bowl get together with family.  It.  Was. Fun.

And then Monday came.  You got it.  Everyone's favorite day of the week, right?  Monday hit me with sickness.  My body was screaming at me to rest.  Even one of my mentors (I don't think she even knows I consider her a mentor) told me to show down and rest.  I took the day off work.

I listened to my mentor, right? Nope.  Not this overachiever.  From my sick-bed, I did work for school, folded laundry, and spent the day marketing and making plans for the future of REFIT with Julie.

Is that bad?  I'd like to say no because I felt accomplished.  But, I also felt drained.  On a day that I was suppose to feel refreshed and rested, I felt drained!  Insert sigh here.  Insert that feeling of "Oh Julie, do you ever listen?"

Well guess what?  It's okay to rest.  There I said it.  I, personally, hope I'm listening to myself.

In the bible, Luke tells of a time when Jesus went to visit the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha.  Martha was busy being a host, cleaning house, cooking, waiting on Jesus.  Mary simply sat at the feet of Jesus and listened.  I mean, it was Jesus after all, right?  Who was in the right here?  You know it...it was Mary.

So, in our lives and even in our fitness journeys, it is okay to rest.  I might yell, "Run it out".  You might "rest and repeat" or "walk it out".  All are okay and perfectly healthy in taking care of our physical bodies.

So, I challenge you.  I challenge myself.  When we want to push our bodies to the limits, when we want that high intensity workout, I challenge us to remember this: rest is good too.

I am nothing

I lie here tonight humbled by the fact that I am nothing.  You may think that this is some sort of pity party.  You don't want to read on, right? Pity, party of one... um, no thank you.  But, I dare you to read on to find that it's not pity, but rather an all-consuming humbling knowledge that I am nothing without the One who created me.

No, I'm not talking about my parents.  I was created in the image of God.  I read recently that the same God who made the mountains, the lakes, the world, looked down on Earth and decided it needed one of me too... that it needed one of you too!

Wow! It takes your breath away, doesn't it? The Master of the Universe (no, it's not He-man) looked at the universe and chose me!  He chose you too!

In fact, one of the most quoted scriptures says that "God so loved the world that He sent His Son" (John 3:16).  So, He created us. Then, He saw we needed grace and needed saving. So, He sent His son for us.... to die for us so that we can live for Him.

Are you still reading?  That's not a pity party at all!  It's a realization of "who am I?"  Who am I that He would die for me? Who am I that He would  bear my sins?  My crazy self-centered sins!

Often, I hear myself telling fitness class participants that they are enough.  When in fact, I'm not sure that's true.  You see, we aren't enough on our own. We need people in our lives saying 'I love you'. We need friends who say, 'You've got this!'  But, most importantly, we need God saying "you're mine", "choose Me", "love Me", "let Me hold you under My wing".

I also hear myself say "you're worth it".  But, we aren't. At least not on our own.  We are only worth it when Christ makes us worthy and covers us with His blood, His sacrifice, His atonement

So, I admit that I am nothing.  I don't want to waste one more second thinking I can do it alone, that I can live, work, love, (insert your verb here) without God, His Son, and His Spirit.