Each year, one million people in the world kill themselves. One of every 20 suicide attempts is successful, warns the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) as part of World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10, 2010. Suicide is among the three leading causes of death in people 15 to 44 years. WHO estimates that by 2020 the annual number will grow by 50 percent, reaching 1.5 million deaths. Even worse, suicide rates among young people have been increasing so markedly that they are now the group at highest risk in a third of the world’s countries.

—Excerpt from the International Association for Suicide Prevention’s (IASP) website http://www.iasp.info/wspd/index.php

When dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, it is necessary in many cases to present the case that life matters. Most importantly, your life matters. Sometimes, getting back on track (specifically after tragedy or loss) takes more aggressive actions. World Suicide Prevention Day is one day prior to 9/11. The emotions evoked by just mentioning that should encourage you to fight for your life or the life of your loved one. If you need to professional help, I urge you to seek it out immediately. Call someone you trust if you don’t know where to start, or contact us here at CovenantBlessing.com and we will gladly assist you in finding the necessary help in your region.

Christianity is a lifestyle of liberation. Galatians 5:1 tells us that it is for freedom that Christ set us free. God created man as an eternal being—yes you are eternal! We should be striving for a minimum of 120 years here on Earth (Genesis 6:3). The Word contains more than 6,000 promises, and how could you possibly experience them all in an abbreviated lifespan. Don’t let negative circumstances depress you, or Satan deceive you into taking your own life. You can get out of debt, live after loss and redeem yourself after a mistake, but you can’t come back after death. Christ died on the cross for you so you could live in freedom and abundance (John 10:10).

David expressed it wonderfully in Psalm 115:16-18:The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD.

My own life has had its share of situations that could have and perhaps should have driven me to a breakdown or made me suicidal. But, I knew who I was in Christ and held on for dear life to these four things I knew to be true. My life matters to God and so does yours. Before reading the following reasons, realize that God does not lie and His Word is true. He is more trustworthy than any human being you know. No matter how many times you’ve been let down, He will NEVER let you down.

Reason 1: God has a good plan for your life and He needs YOU

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” are the Words from God in Jeremiah 29:11. You see God knew you before you were born; He, in fact, formed you in the womb (Psalm 139; Jeremiah 1:5). He is the ultimate Father. The eighth chapter of Romans is a wonderful chapter describing this truth. Verse 32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Regardless of your situation, you can begin by personalizing Proverbs 3:5-7. Tell the Lord, “I trust you with all my heart and I will not lean on what I understand. I acknowledge you as head of my life today and ask you to direct my path from this moment forward.” Then you will begin to discover the truth of Ephesians 2:10 and Philippians 2:13. God will be working in you to will and do His good pleasure through good works He prepared in advance for you.

Reason 2: God wants you to enjoy your life and walk in The Blessing of the Lord

Any voice telling you to kill yourself is satanic. My proof comes directly from Christ himself. He told us in John 10:10 that Satan came to kill, steal and to destroy. Jesus also said that Satan has been a murderer from the beginning and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). So when you hear, “You’re useless. No one loves you, nor will anyone miss you. This situation is so bad that you will never be able to live it down,” shout back, “I rebuke you Satan in the name of Jesus!” This is what Jesus did when Satan tried to drive Him to suicide in Matthew 4. Whip the devil with the Word! God wants us to live out His promises and long enjoy everything we work for (Isaiah 65:22). He richly give us all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). So don’t think that you’ve gone to a depth so low that God can’t reach. He wants to save you so you can be happy and blessed. Look at this verse from the International Children’s Bible:

So go eat your food and enjoy it. Drink your wine and be happy. It is all right with God if you do this. Put on nice clothes and make yourself look good. Enjoy life with your spouse that you love. Enjoy all the days of your life. Enjoy the work you have to do here one Earth. Whatever work you do, do your best.

Ecclesiastes  9:7-10

Reason 3: Your family and children need you

You may be single and not have children. Or, you may be a teenager. Well, reread the previous paragraph because if God has anything to do with your life, you will be multiplied. God chose Abraham because, “He will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment,” (Genesis 18:19). This was before Abraham had any children. In fact, he was what we would call a senior citizen with a barren wife! So you can’t be any worse off than he was. The Word commands us throughout to teach the commands of God to our children (even if you never had children and are past child bearing, you can bless some young person with Godly wisdom as a parent or grandparent would). Suicide would prevent you from doing your job as a parent. Don’t be fooled—no one can take your place! Sure someone could stand proxy, but the reality is that God ordained you to be your children’s mother or father and your spouse’s mate. Their destiny and yours are wrapped up in eternity. The joy is found as you pursue it together. My husband and I have personally experienced the healing power of God through being the parents God called us to be. Our souls have been (and are still being) mended from things we experienced as children because we chose to live for God, each other and our children. One of my favorite Psalms is 128. It follows:

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem, and may you live to see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel.

Reason 4: People need you

If any two people ever had reasons to consider suicide, Paul and Joseph did. Paul murdered Christians and stood by while others did the same. And once he was converted, he was persecuted, imprisoned and beaten for Christ. Surely Satan tried to make him feel guilty about his past and depressed about being in prison. Paul, however, said he had to forget what was behind and praise God while imprisoned (Philippians 3:13; Acts 16:25). As for Joseph, the Bible never even records him sinning. Despite this, he was sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape and thrown into prison. At some point during his journey, depression had to attempt to set in. But in both men’s stories, they knew who God was and what He wanted for them. They lived for others, and were tremendously blessed in the process. Because of Paul’s faith in God, 276 people were saved in a shipwreck (Acts 27). More than 70 people came to Egypt (and multiplied) during the famine as a result of Joseph remaining faithful to God (Genesis 46). Countless others will be saved as we all choose life—not just any life, but one lived for the Lord!

Suicide is not the answer to your problem, Jesus Christ is. God has a good plan for your life; He wants you to walk in The Blessing. Your family, children and people who you’ve never met need you to stay alive! Proverbs 3:10 AMP promises that when you obey the commands of God that length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], will be added to you. So if you are experiencing severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts or know someone who is, don’t delay. Seek Godly professional advice. Call a local or national prayer center. Find a Bible based church with activities for people of your age group and get rooted there. Remember World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2010. Visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention at www.iasp.info. YOU matter to so many people, but most importantly, YOU MATTER TO GOD!

Be blessed friends, and have the perfect day everyday!

—Shontta

Fix Your Life

It’s the way we enter the query blank of our favorite search engine. Fix my life. Find a flight. How do repair my garbage disposal? Then in a split second, we have a buffet of information to select from. Some of it simple and some complex; but just like a real buffet, it’s always more than we need. All around us people are depressed, lonely, confused, fearful and suicidal. As Christians (especially Spirit-filled ones) it is our duty to help these souls fix their lives. One of the most disappointing situations for a Christian to be in is one where he or she is right beside someone crying out for help, and not recognize it.  Jesus told his disciples in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” We are the workers. This verse not only refers to the lost, but also broken brothers and sisters in Christ. We have to disable the enemy and life’s ability to distract us from this important calling. People’s lives literally depend on it. Did you conduct a search for fixing your life? If so, you need not travel down the buffet any longer—fix your life right here. Then you will have the ability to go into the harvest field and help someone else fix theirs.

Fix your spirit.

The first step to fixing your life is the simplest of all. Your spirit must be reborn. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Choosing to give your life to Christ is the most important decision you will ever make—bar none. If you are already a Christian, great! You have already fixed your spirit—the real you. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, do it now (link to the salvation page). Fix your spirit.

Fix your position.

Psalm 91 in the Amplified Bible begins this way, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].” Your position should be in the secret place of the Most High. Jesus instructed us in John 15 to “remain in Him.” Remember the simplicity. You fix your position by remaining in His Word and keeping His commands. Then you are automatically dwelling in the secret place. Yes, you are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms; but this does not negate the fact that you have to choose to remain in Him. You must fix your position. Remaining stable and fixed under the shadow of the Most High means discontinuing any activity contrary to His commands. Colossians 2:7 AMP reads, “Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.” And Jesus said in Matthew 7:24 MSG, “If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.” Fix your position.

Fix your eyes.

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you,” is how Romans 12:1 in the Message tells you to fix your eyes. Look at Hebrews 12:2 NIV: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The Word has so much to say about fixing your eyes that I’m going to continue to let it speak for itself. See the following:

The Message

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. — Psalm 42:5 (repeated in Psalms 42:11 and 43:5)

NLT
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. –2 Corinthians 4:18

AMP
Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. –Proverbs 4:25

NIV
But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign LORD; in you I take refuge. – Psalm 141:8

Enough said, fix your eyes.

Fix your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 tells you to guard your heart because it is the wellspring of life. If you allow your heart to remain broken, ultimately your life will be broken. God wants your heart fixed on His Word so your entire life can be blessed. He says to you in Deuteronomy 11:18-21, “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” It’s just that easy to fix your heart and extend your life and the lives of your children. Fixing your heart eradicates fear. Psalm 112:7 tells us that the person whose heart is fixed on the Lord is not afraid of evil tidings. And David, who had his share of evil to fear, declared, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody (Psalm 57:7). “O God, my heart is fixed (steadfast, in the confidence of faith); I will sing, yes, I will sing praises, even with my glory [all the faculties and powers of one created in Your image] (Psalm 108:1). The man’s heart was so perfectly fixed that he couldn’t help but praise God! Fix your heart.

Fix your mind.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise,” is how Paul sums it up in Philippians 4:8 NLT. I always follow this verse with the question, “What could possibly carry all those attributes all the time except the Word?” Nothing! Hebrews 3:1 NIV also answers the question by saying, Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus (who is the Word), the apostle and high priest whom we confess (parenthesis mine). As always, the results are predictable. “Ecclesiastes 12:11 AMP tells us, “The words of the wise are like prodding goads, and firmly fixed [in the mind] like nails are the collected sayings which are given [as proceeding] from one Shepherd.” Isaiah 26:3 NLT says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Then you will be able to testify the words of Psalm 119:73 MSG, “I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.” Fix your mind.

Simple, yet effective. The buffet of God’s Word is always open and you can never overeat. Now go into the harvest fields with these instructions: fix your spirit, fix your position, fix your eyes, fix your heart and fix your mind. Fix your life!

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday!

Psalm 138:8

—Shontta

You all are the best! Hearing from readers is always great for us here at Covenantblessing. It’s encouraging to know that we are encouraging you! Recently, you’ve responded to my personal weight loss testimony. And since this is another area in which I minister, I always want to share things that God showed me on my journey. Working in the fitness industry has been a tremendous blessing. I’m continuously learning and tweaking my own eating habits and exercise routine; I want to share that with you as well.

I’ve put together five categories with my personal top five items. These lists are not limited to all that I believe, eat and participate in, but they are the ones I like best and do most often. Included are links to sites that I believe will assist you in gaining knowledge about your weight loss/maintenance efforts. I believe in you, and more importantly so does God! He promised to bless everything you do, and you can do all things through Christ who give you strength (Ps. 1:3; Phil 4:13). Here goes:

List Four—Five fitness books:

All of these books are easy reads. They offer ideas that are practical and non-constricting. None of them are ‘diet’ books, I don’t believe in those. None of us totally agrees with any author, but these books have given me some superior knowledge that I have put into practice and gotten positive results. Promotion of overall happiness in life I believe is their ultimate goal.

1. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. Yes, this book changed every part of my life and is one of my all-time favorites.
2. Power Foods: Good Food, Good Health with Phytochemicals, Nature’s Own Energy Boosters by Stephanie Beling. If for any reason you are disgusted with traditional diets, this book will liberate you! Enjoy food and eating again!
3. The Power of 5: Hundreds of 5-Second to 5-Minute Scientific Shortcuts to Ignite Your Energy, Burn Fat, Stop Aging and Revitalize Your Love Life by Harold H. Bloomfield and Robert K. Cooper. OK, this book is a keeper you will refer to again and again! It’s more than diet and exercise it deals with everything from anxiety to aging with research references.
4. Frame Work by Dr. Nicholas A. DiNubile MD and William Patrick. This book is about balancing your body, maximizing its healing ability and maintaining an active life through proper exercise. The author does a great job of communicating the benefits of tailoring your workout to your body’s frame.
5. Super Foods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life by Steven G. Pratt and Kathy Matthews. Again, people who present healthy living as something to be enjoyed, not as some rigid, sugar-free, bland, fat-free low-carb existence. They speak of maximizing the benefits of things God put in the earth for us to enjoy.

List Five—Five favorite snacks:

Now for the fun part—eating! With all the parties, holidays and multi-tasking, we have to be creative as we choose snacks. Most of these can be bought or homemade. I eat them all guilt-free!

1. Berries. Pretty much any kind will do. My favorite ones are blackberries and raspberries. Check out the benefits at http://nutrition.about.com/od/healthyfood1/a/berries.htm.
2. Mangos. Yum! Mix these in with your bowl of watermelon and cantaloupe for a super sweet snack. Resource: http://www.thefoodpaper.com/features/health/mango.html
3. Fruit and Nut Trail Mix. Yes, the ones with chocolate are fine. However since I prefer to have my chocolate in the form of some ultra rich cake, I skip having it in my trail mix. My favorites are PLANTERS^® fruit and nut trail mix and Craisins® Trail Mix – Cranberry, Fruit & Nuts. Super Target also carries a large variety of mixes. Resources: (http://www.planters.com/varieties/trailmix.aspx and http://www.oceanspray.com/products/craisins_trail_mix_cranberry_fruit_nuts.aspx
4. Granola. Pretty close to trail mix, but it has the oats in it. I’ve actually found this priced for a dollar at my local drugstore! Talk about a great alternative to a greasy bag of chips. Resource: http://img.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Meal-Planning/Select-Cranberry-Almond-Granola/ID=prod3489575-product
5. Yogurt. Nowadays pretty much everyone knows about the benefits of yogurt. So pick your favorite brand and flavor, throw it in your bag with a plastic spoon and enjoy soccer practice. Resource: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/benefits-of-yogurt

List Six—Five favorite drinks:

One of the last things I did to aide my weight loss efforts, was cut soda from my diet. Please don’t be alarmed if you are a sodaholic. I’m not advising you to do so, but remember what I said about learning some things for yourself. I’ll put it this way: I immediately saw a change in my weight. Besides water, here are the things I drink most.

1. Raspberry Tea. Tea is healthy and so are raspberries. You can make your own, buy it or use one of those nifty drink mixes in your water. Resource: http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/tea-types-and-their-health-benefits
2. Almond milk. Delicious. Goes great on your favorite cereal—not Fruity Pebbles! Read more at http://www.silkpurealmond.com/?gclid=CNa08IDrj6ICFQfxDAod9CGWaQ#a=3;r=1.
3. Soy milk. I don’t use this so much on cereal as I do to get the benefits of the soy. Resource: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/joy-soy.
4. One hundred percent fruit juices. Who doesn’t love this stuff! Pick your brand.
5. Potbelly’s dreamsickle smoothie. My one true guilty pleasure. Yummeee! Resource: http://www.potbelly.com/Food/Menu.aspx

And, to further prove that I’m not some robot health person, sometimes I actually do the following things: stay indoors all day watching football and managing my fantasy team (www.espn.com/fantasy), eat Kruncher’s Mesquite Bar-b-que chips (http://snydersofhanover.stores.yahoo.net/krkecopoch.html), Ultimate Loaded Queso from On The Border (www.ontheborder.com) and tour The Cheesecake Factory (www.thecheesecakefactory.com). That’s actually five guilty pleasures—might as well stick with the theme!

I’ve totally enjoyed this and pray you benefit from the information and resources here. Remember, we are blessed to be a blessing. The things God has done in us, He wants to do through us. So we would all be remiss if we didn’t share our testimonies and blessings with others—it’s our calling!

Please write me with your praise reports, feedback or questions.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday

Psalm 138:8

Shontta

You all are the best! Hearing from readers is always great for us here at Covenantblessing. It’s encouraging to know that we are encouraging you! Recently, you’ve responded to my personal weight loss testimony. And since this is another area in which I minister, I always want to share things that God showed me on my journey. Working in the fitness industry has been a tremendous blessing. I’m continuously learning and tweaking my own eating habits and exercise routine; I want to share that with you as well.

Part 1: Fitness and wellness rules to live by, Part 2: Top 5 Free Ways to Get Fit

I’ve put together five categories with my personal top five items. These lists are not limited to all that I believe, eat and participate in, but they are the ones I like best and do most often. Included are links to sites that I believe will assist you in gaining knowledge about your weight loss/maintenance efforts. I believe in you, and more importantly so does God! He promised to bless everything you do, and you can do all things through Christ who give you strength (Ps. 1:3; Phil 4:13). Here goes:

List Three—Five favorite workouts:

These are the not only some of the workouts I teach, but they are my favorite ones to be a part of.

1. Aqua fitness. Call me biased, but not only do I teach one of the best aqua fitness classes around, it’s one of my favorite ways to workout. In the water you’re nearly weightless, there’s no impact and the healing power is excellent. Everyone from world-class athletes to 80-year-old ex-dancers train in water. A bounty of benefits are attached to aqua fitness. Resource: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/evan3.htm.
2. 2. Strength training. Previously I mentioned the importance of this portion of fitness. Stronger muscles mean stronger bones, a faster metabolism and enhanced immunity. Resources: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/strength-training and http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/growingstronger/why/index.html
3. 3. Bootcamp. Enough said. These programs are not for the faint of heart or most beginners. Individual classes are offered everywhere from local fitness clubs to independents. If you’re ready for a challenge, look up one in your area, participate in the one your gym offers, or check out a video version from the library!
4. 4. Running the bleachers. This is nearly as intense as bootcamp. Again, walk or drive to your local track and proceed to the empty cheering section. Run or walk those babies as long as you can stand to (I normally shoot for a minimum of 20 minutes).
5. 5. Abdominal routines. Ah, the abs. Take your pick of routines. Currently I’m between the P90-X Ab Ripper X DVD and my own concoction of abdominal exercise favorites. Same rules apply—check out a video, FitTV or take a class with a special emphasis on abs. Resource: http://www.beachbody.com/text/products/programs/p90x/popup_parseb_051010/workouts_12.html

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday

Psalm 138:8

Shontta

You all are the best! Hearing from readers is always great for us here at Covenantblessing. It’s encouraging to know that we are encouraging you! Recently, you’ve responded to my personal weight loss testimony. And since this is another area in which I minister, I always want to share things that God showed me on my journey. Working in the fitness industry has been a tremendous blessing. I’m continuously learning and tweaking my own eating habits and exercise routine; I want to share that with you as well.

I’ve put together five categories with my personal top five items. (Click here to see Part One: List One—Fitness and wellness rules to live by) These lists are not limited to all that I believe, eat and participate in, but they are the ones I like best and do most often. Included are links to sites that I believe will assist you in gaining knowledge about your weight loss/maintenance efforts. I believe in you, and more importantly so does God! He promised to bless everything you do, and you can do all things through Christ who give you strength (Ps. 1:3; Phil 4:13). Here goes:

List Two—Top five free ways to get fit

After a lot of prayer and research, I ended up living by these methods during my initial weight loss. It barely cost me anything!

1. Get a library card. Go to your local library and check out fitness DVDs that are enjoyable for you. I don’t think I mentioned this earlier, but I did not have a gym membership nor was I a fitness instructor when I lost weight. I was (and still am) at the library often checking things out and trying them out. I renewed and used the ones I liked and returned the rest at no cost!
2. Utilize FitTV. Your satellite, cable or fiber-optic television provider may not offer this channel. However, if you do have it, it is another excellent resource. Nearly everyone owns a DVR. Check out the fitness programs on FitTV, and program your recorder accordingly. This is slightly better than using the library in some cases because you don’t have to leave the house at all. There are a variety of shows to choose from and the information is top notch. Resource: www.fittv.com
3. Go to a local university or high school track. Although the track itself is not one of my favorite things, the variety of things I can do there motivates me. I also love being outside so I can savor God’s awesomeness. This is also a great place to go with a friend or two—and then, go out for lunch! Resource: (http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-520–13479-0,00.html)
4. Invest in a pair of dumbbells or resistance bands. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of strength training as a part of any fitness routine. Initially, I neglected this portion and my body suffered as a result. If your muscles are strong (I didn’t say big), your body will be strong. So even if all you have is a pair of five pound dumbbells for strength training, use them! Here are two resources for you to checkout: http://www.webmd.com/video/exercise-bands and http://women.webmd.com/family-health-9/slideshow-30-minute-workout-routine.
5. Two-minute cardio and toners. Every little bit helps. It’s true. Sometimes on my way to get a basket of dirty laundry from upstairs, I’ll drop and do a set of pushups. Or, in the middle of some kitchen activity, I’ll grab a barstool and crank out some lateral leg lifts. Every form of movement during your day accelerates your metabolism. I’m one of those people who always hears, “I wish I had your energy!” First of all, I live, move and have my being in Christ! Second, I always want to respond, “You do, you just aren’t using it!” God created us in His image. Our bodies have the power to heal themselves and live as long as we want to live—the quality and quantity of your life is entirely up to you (all things being equal, of course). Take ideas from the resources above and give yourself energy boost through exercise all day long. Resource: Live Long, Finish Strong by Gloria Copeland www.kcm.org.

Be blessed friends and have the perfect day everyday

Psalm 138:8

Shontta