Witness: Attestation of a fact or event. One that gives evidence; specifically: one who testifies in a cause before judicial tribunal. One who has personal knowledge of something. Something serving as evidence or proof. Public affirmation by word or example of usually religious faith or conviction.
I recently had the opportunity to meet a man of God that warmed my heart and here is why. He was so fired up for God and what God has done in his life (He found Christ in prison), but he didn't know how to express it. He mentioned that he loves listening to Joyce Meyers because she is so real. He felt that he was a soldier for Christ, but didn't know where to start. Wow! He is a willing witness for God.
Gods family is very diverse. We all have different backgrounds and experiences and that is what makes us so unique. I have recently been feeling as if I needed to be changed or retrained with all that I had learned since coming to Christ. Weird? Not really. Although I come from the Midwest, I lived in NY for 8 1/2 years and maybe that is where the boldness or the direct approach comes from. (IE. I had a young woman call me because in her heart she needed to be ministered to. She was going through a divorce and had met a guy that she was dating. I simply told her she would need to wait until her divorce was final; otherwise, it would be adultery. She later stated that she called me because she knew that I would only give her the truth.)
For some reason this memory came to my mind I guess because I have been seriously wondering how ministry is handled in this part of the country. I have been told often that I'm very direct 'in a good way.' In my own life I have chosen not to play with sin and simply try to communicate this to others. I ask God regularly to examine my heart and motives to make sure that they are in line with His.
After all of this, I realized that I do fit. I fit into The Body of Christ. He called me for His purpose and not my own. There are different types in The Body of Christ and I too believe that I am a soldier for The Kingdom. Maybe I'm still rough clay, but I know that I am on The Potters wheel and I'm glad about it.
My life growing up may not have been easy, but my life is much easier with Christ because I NOW have hope for a better day. My life is a living testimony of what God can do in a person with a willing heart. My life has been changed because I have decided to be real with God. It's not about fooling man any longer, I NOW know that I can not fool my God.
I believe in spiritual warfare and calling a spirit by name. One of the best compliments I ever received was someone calling me a smooth stone (David and Goliath). They stated that they would take me into battle any time. (Smile) I personally would make sure that I had Jesus, but I understood what they meant. I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14). It took years to really understand the spirit from the flesh and of course I'm still learning (Eph 6:12). Maybe it was because of too many scary movies or science fiction books, etc....Regardless, I'm a firm believer in The Word and what it says about God and the devil.
When Jesus Christ introduced Himself to me, I decided to believe Him, follow Him, trust Him, honor Him and anything else that comes along in the relationship. I am a living witness to the Goodness of Jesus. Bless Him!!!!
We are all that we are meant to be and more because God is still working on us IF we allow Him to do what's needed. Let us not think that by accepting Him that we can do whatever we want to do and it's ok. I truly do not believe that it's a free for all in my heart:
Galatians 5:18-26 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
As Christians we are still in the flesh and still need deliverance from these things (vs 19-21). If we love God we will keep His commandments. My saying is if you love ME help keep me on track. Don't candy coat my sin, help get the devil off my back. (Sorry! Turned a corner for a minute.)
Be the type of WITNESS that God created you to be. Don't let anyone make you feel less because you might come from less. Our God is MORE than enough and He is Great at Sharing it with you.
You Are Blessed,
Mike died in 2001 of heart failure. His twin brother Ray who shared an apartment in Los Angeles together found Mike laying dead on the floor. Two days later Ray died of kidney failure. There's something so beautiful about that - twins, who despite everything, came and left this world together.
so I have a new workout, or should I say "In ADDITION TO" what I am doing.
My New workout according to Darren:
Monday: Legs and shoulders, calves (.5 of cardio)
Tuesday: Cardiio (45 minutes hard)
Wednesday: Back and biceps (.5 of cardio)
Thursday: Training off
Friday: Chest and triceps, abs (.5 of cardio)
Saturday: Ballet
Sunday: Spinning
"Only one body part per week and not working out 2 days in a row. You will have to learn how to train harder than anyone in that gym.
You will only do 2 sets and 2 exercises per body part so thats 4 sets per body part once a week. After you go home you need to write
down what you did or you can bring pen and paper to the gym. You will try to increase weight on every exercise every week. In a year
you should be doing twice as much weight as you are doing now. If you can make it to 12 reps you need to increase the weight. Dont go
below 8 which means it is too heavy. "
Legs - Squats (free weight, hack or smith machine) 2 sets
Extensions 2 sets
Shoulders - Seated dumbell presses 2 sets
Side lateral raises 2 sets
Calves - Standing raises 2 sets
Seated 2 sets
Back - Pull down to front 2 sets
Seated pulley rows 2 sets
Biceps - Machine Curls 2 sets
Dumbell seated curls 2 sets
Chest - Incline dumbell presses (bench almost flat) 2 sets
Cable, Machine or dumbell flys 2 sets
Triceps - Try to do dips 2 sets
Press downs 2 sets
Abs - Use a machine and load up the weights to make it hard. 2 sets
Legs raises on decline slant board holding hands on bench behind neck.
The way you work all 2 sets is you do the first set between 8 - 12 reps until failure.
Then you wait about 15 seconds, 3 or 4 breaths, lower the weight by about 25%
and then do the second set to failure. Your workout wont even take 25 minutes and
you will know you are doing in right when after the 2 sets you will be out of breath and
will need to rest 5 minutes before going to the next exercise.
This workout was derived from Mike Mentzer who was considered to be the smartest man
in bodybuilding and former Mr. Universe in the 1970's.
Two great bloggers in the universe who are my pals are @calinative & @tiffanybbrown
Do you live in or around Cincinnati, Ohio? If so, you're in luck because Scott and the Queen City Voxers Group have organized a Vox user meetup!
WHERE: Ault Park Playground. 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45208. "We'll look for each other at the playground marked by the red X below. If it's raining, head for the shelter to the north of the [red] X."
To RSVP (which is not essential, but is appreciated), reply to Scott's announcement or send him a private message. All Voxers, as well as their friends and family, are welcome to attend.
If you do attend the meetup, have a great time and please take lots of pictures and send them to me so I can post them in Team Vox for everyone to see!
Thank you so much to Scott for organizing this meetup. Wish I could be there!
doggie beach, coronado island, california
