Heartland Women: The Ultimate Goal

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Ultimate Goal

Pursuing a healthy lifestyle comes in many forms and fashions. Words like Pilates, Paleo, low-carb, Dukan diet, Cross-Fit, lean protein, Zumba, Superfoods, marathons, 5k, vegan, they all seem to be saturated into our culture these days. Thankfully, we don’t have to follow every diet fad or exercise trend to pursue a healthy lifestyle. As a mom of 3 young daughters my days are varied and my schedule just doesn’t fit into a neat and tidy box. For me, a healthy lifestyle means a balanced approach and we incorporate an active lifestyle into our family activities as much as possible: bike rides, 5k-10k races, hikes, and various sports. Bottom line; however, is to set a good example for my three daughters. I am shaping the way they view the beautiful bodies God has blessed them with and modeling for them how to seek His joy in every aspect of life.

Fellow Mothers Together moms Tasha Cook and Annie Sutton shared on what motivates them to pursue a healthy lifestyle and how they view the connection between their physical and spiritual lives.

Tasha Cook: I have a bad back and feel it’s my responsibility to me and my family to be as strong and healthy as possible. I have found that I mostly enjoy exercise in the quiet outdoors. I love to hear God and see nature and all He’s made. I mix it up, though: classes, a run, DVD at home, jog stroller... I try not to use the time I have for physical only. If I have time for my body I need to match that time with my spirit/soul. My verse has been from Proverbs 31:25. I want to be that woman: to be strong and courageous, to laugh without fear of my back going out in the future, to carefully watch my household by being healthy and present for my family.

Annie Sutton: I competed in my first Fitness Competition one year ago in October. This last weekend I competed in my 5th. At first I didn’t really know all the hard work physically, emotionally, and mentally it was going to take to get my body in the shape it needed to be in. I have always loved exercise and this was something I could do for me! I had a goal and I could "press on to that prize" in the end.  Through the journey I have been on through each competition I feel the Lord tugging on my heart saying "What is the ultimate goal?" The goal for all of us is to know Christ and be more Christ like.

Like an athlete in training, God wants us to spend time with him, focus on His word, and dedicate ourselves to grow in Him because He is the ultimate prize!  I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:14). To that end, 2 Corinthians 5:20 says “we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead "Come back to God!" When reading this verse I think wow, we are Christ’s ambassadors! The Lord is using us to reach people. What a motivation to be the best we can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

- Jena M.

What are we doing now?

The birth of the early church is our story. This is where we came from, and it is where we are going. It is the story of how we are called to reach out, and how we are called to come together. In this study, Called and Sent: A Study of the Book of Acts, we will read through the entire book of Acts and discover God’s big plan for His church then and now.

Watch the gospel grow legs and walk around. Watch the early Church figure things out, learn how to love each other in community, and discover how to resolve legitimate conflicts with care. See how they give their lives in faith for Jesus – the Man they watched, with their very own eyes – live, die, rise, and ascend into heaven. The Man they knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, really is the Son of God.

Adapted from the SHEREADSTRUTH study titled “Acts of the Apostles”

Come join us for this 8-part study while getting to know others like you. Women Unplugged is a place where you can come as you are and experience authentic community, gain insights through Biblical teachings about who God created you to be and be encouraged to take action for wherever you are in your spiritual journey and season of life. We are all on a journey and learning together. We want to grow in our confidence to answer God’s calling to uniquely share His love with those in our every day life.

About Women Unplugged

Women Unplugged is about bringing together women of every age and stage of life to grow, serve, be encouraged and make life-long friendships. Regardless of where you are in your faith, we want to meet you. Come lock arms with other women LIKE YOU who are seeking authentic community. Women who are committed to growing in vulnerability and journeying to discover who God created them to be and how best we can use what God has given us to help others. We want women to come as you are. We want to be centered on Jesus, Biblically based, and Kingdom oriented. We want to answer God's calling to uniquely share His love with the world.

Women Unplugged is offered at two times each week: Tuesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday mornings from 9:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Visit www.heartlandchurch.org for additional information!

Friday, January 11, 2013

The Ultimate Goal

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