November - Week 3 - Your Body Is Your Temple - Know Your Medical Status

"My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" - Hosea 4:6


One of my least favorite things to do each year is going in for my annual physical. Regardless of how healthy I feel, or how many healthy lifestyle practices I have been diligently adhering to over the course of the year, as I go from the waiting to the examination room, I can't help but to wonder what if? What if this is the time something is wrong?

It is this fear that keeps many away from routine doctor's visits until symptoms begin to manifest making it a necessity to schedule an appointment. Hosea 4:6 states that "people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge." This is true in all areas of life particularly when it comes to health and wellness. Some may say what you don't know won't hurt you, I believe what you know can save you. Regardless of how we may dread those office visits, choosing not to be informed of our medical status only denies us of the opportunity to the early detection of illnesses and treatment options. It also prevents us from having the chance to alter our lifestyles in the event that we are at rist for certain diseases.

This week I encourage you to go ahead and schedule your family for an appointment for a full medical physical to include HIV and STD testing. Knowing your status can save your life. You owe it to your family, friends, and to yourself. Have a great week!!

November - Week 2 - Your Body Is Your Temple - Flee Sexual Immorality

"Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body." - I Corinthians 6:18

The weather's getting cooler... The days are shorter... And suddenly after being single for the past several months, now seems like a great time to find someone to shield you from the coolness of the night as you envision yourself taking long walks in the park with someone special.

Long walks lead to long kisses... Long kisses lead to "let's go back to my place," and before you know it your special "friend" has a toothbrush in your bathroom, and the long walks in the park have been replaced with escapades in the bedroom...

There is truly something special about meeting someone that stimulates your mind, body, and spirit. That someone who inspires you to be your best and causes your dimples to sink in deeper every time you see their face. One of the nicest surprises is discovering that your attraction is not simply physical but rooted in the very presence and conversation generated whenever they are around.

Becoming intimate can hinder the process of getting to know someone because it takes the focus off of learning more about the person and instead shifts the focus to fulfilling lustful desires. The substance of a relationship needed to bring individuals together in lasting marriages must first begin with the foundation of a strong friendship. Far too often we allow our physical desires to cloud our judgment leading us to spend time in relationships that we were never purposed to be in. Then we later wonder why we haven't met "the one" This week I encourage you to focus on friendship. It's time to end the cycle of high divorce rates, serial dating, STDs, unplanned pregnancies. Become dedicated to learning and loving your mates with the love of God. Intimacy may be fun for a night, but a strong friendship can last a lifetime... Have a great week!

November - Week 1 - Your Body Is Your Temple - Dine With Pizazz!!

Happy November!!!

The holidays are just around the corner, and during this time of year many of us are more tempted than any other time to continue or increase a pattern of unhealthy eating habits. Energy drinks, dietary supplements, coffee, sugar, and fast food are just some of the secrets behind how some of us are able to juggle the endless demands of our every day lives. As we struggle to cram more into an already over booked schedule, instead of re prioritizing our calendars, we negotiate our diets. It's no wonder why so many of us are always tired, overweight, and moody. the answers to many of our health concerns lies within our diet.


We tell ourselves, "I'll eat healthier tomorrow," as we pull up to the quickest drive thru window, or "I'll develop a work-out regimen next year," as we slide quarters into the office vending machine. And who needs sleep with all of the energy drinks and energy-boosting dietary supplements on the market? Most of us have routines and styles of eating and cooking that can be traced back to childhood that are being passed down to future generations as we continue the legacy of unhealthy diets. As the saying goes "when we know better, we should do better."


Just as bad-decision making eventually catches up with us, so do bad eating habits. This week I challenge us to eliminate at least one unhealthy dietary habit from our routines. Trade in that soda for a bottle of water, substitute your chocolate fix with some fruit. Pack a lunch instead of dining out for lunch. It's time that we begin to model healthy habits not only to maximize our lives today but the lives of tomorrow. Please check out the below low calorie recipe, "Spicy Shrimp Stew." Have a great week!!!


Spicy Shrimp Stew

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup sliced onion
1 cup sliced green bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup water
1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cubed, peeled potato
2 cups diced tomato
One 10-ounce package frozen mixed vegetables
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 to 4 cups cooked brown rice


1. In a 6-quart pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, for 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Stir in the flour until absorbed. Stir in the water, seafood seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper; bring to a boil. Add the potato, tomato, and mixed vegetables. Return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

3. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are cooked, for about 5 minutes. Serve over cooked rice.

October Week 4 - Living With Expectancy - Unleash Your Confidence!

Every day presents new evidence of the reality that we live in a microwave society. Most things that we desire materialistically are only a credit card swipe away from our immediate disposal. For the most part I consider myself to be a conservative well-grounded individual, yet periodically I find myself drawn to the lures of the "gotta have it now" mentality. Many attach their very self-confidence to their ability to acquire superficial possessions. A question to consider is how do we feel about ourselves when we are stripped of all the superficial things that give us place in a materialistic world?


True confidence is the fruit of knowing and embracing who you are in Christ. One of the greatest joys is waking up each morning with peace in knowing that because you are seeking God's will, each moment of your day will be filled with opportunities to fulfill your God-given purpose. Confidence is the ability to embrace everything about the person God created you to be. Regardless of the imperfections the world may see, knowing that you are a work in progress and that through Christ even your flaws can be used for his glory makes every day a more promising. This week begin to walk with confidence! You're God's child! Act like it!!! Have a great weekend!!

October Week 3 - Living With Expectancy - Stop Talking! Start Living!!!

When was the last time you sat in a barbershop, salon, or amongst a group of friends as they swapped stories of "if I just had enough money I would... My relationship would be better if... Or if I were married my life would be better because... Or if my children were older I could... And the list goes on and on. Sometimes the person doing most of the talking may even be you. the reality is, life will never present us with the perfect conditions to begin taking the actions needed in order to fulfill our ambitions. It's up to us to make the best of our blessings and to understand that there's no limit to what God can do.

Proverbs 18:21 states "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Words hold an extraordinary amount of power. Sometimes our words can talk us right out of a blessing. Words are often the root of many arguments, unforgiveness, self-doubt, discouragement and even have the power to create global conflict. Not only do words often result in conflict but sometimes we can spend so much time engaging in exchanges of thoughts and ideas that very little gets accomplished. This week I encourage us to be people of action versus prolific wordsmiths. Dialogue is a powerful tool, but dialogue in action will continue to change our world. Have a great week!!!

October Week 2 - Living With Expectancy - Renew Your Thinking

As an educator, one of the most challenging parts of my job is showing students how to believe in themselves. I am a believer that every individual regardless of age, background, or skill level possesses unique gifts and talents that can pave the road to greatness. The struggle is helping them to see beyond their past or current situation long enough to visualize the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.

This mentality often follows individuals into an adulthood filled with ambitions that remain unfulfilled as a result of years of following negative thought patterns. Proverbs 23:7 states "as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Too often we compare our lives to that of those around us instead of focusing on achieving our personal best with the resources, gifts, skills, and talents we possess. These comparisons can leave us feeling as if our lives are not measuring up, or that somehow we've missed the mark of success. Our life's journey is not meant to be a mirror reflection of the images of success depicted in the media or society. The beauty of life is that every person was created uniquely and is destined to fulfill a purpose that was divinely designed. Even when it appears that the grass is greener in the lives of others, it is our responsibility to remember that the path that we are on is preparing us for the harvest of tomorrow. This week I encourage you to renew your thinking. Keep looking ahead, your future is waiting for you!!! Have a great week!

October Week 1 - Living With Expectancy - Revitalize Your Prayer Life

Happy October!!!!

Are you Living with expectancy? Or are your thoughts about your dreams and desires more aligned to the following way of thinking:
You believe it can happen but not for you. You know that all things are possible but not right now. You have witnessed and believe in miracles but your situation is too far out of control, or self-inflicted therefore you are deserving of the negative consequences or discipline you are enduring. Or maybe you feel that because of past mistakes, you don't deserve more.

This month as we enter the last quarter of 2010, I encourage you to let go of those thoughts and actions that are blocking your blessing. Begin to live with expectancy!!! Expect that every blessing every miracle is on the way! Faith grants us the ability to live with expectancy through knowing that we serve a God who forgives and is able to restore all that is broken in our lives. Make a committment to revitalizing your prayer life and pray for God to align your desires with his desires and to purge your heart, mind and spirit of all that is not aligned to his will. When we seek God's will we can live with the expectancy that his will shall come to past, and we can rest assured that we are living with purpose.

A revitalized prayer life restores confidence in the future, grants peace, and provides clarity on the actions needed in order to live an abundant purposeful life. Through prayer we are in fellowship with our Lord and Savior, and we are equipped with the spiritual discernment that enables us to make better decisions and enables us to walk in obedience. Regardless of what your situation looks like, expect the best! Living with expectancy means working now in preparation for what's to come! You don't wait for wealth to learn how to manage money, or wait until you secure a job to gain the requirements. Professional athletes don't wait until the play-offs to prepare for a win. Living with expectancy is a life-style of constant preparation and application. Seek opportunities to apply your knowledge and to sharpen your skills in your areas of interest. Most visions don't come to pass over night, they are the result of small efforts that lead to big results. Pray like you mean it, live like you believe it!!!! Live with expectancy!!! Have a great week!!!