A friend shared this video on Facebook today. I thought it was pretty powerful and fit nicely with the message intended for this blog. Beauty starts from within and the Lord has a purpose for every woman that is far greater than what appears on the outside. I do believe it's important to take care of the body God gave you. Exercise and good nutrition are the most important things you can do for your physical health. However, more important is your relationship with Christ. I think as women we often tend to analyze, dissect and compare our outward appearance to other women. This video puts that into perspective, what are you doing each day to be that Proverbs 31 woman? Maybe this fits nicely into your goals for 2012 ... I know it does mine.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Is Your Tank Full? Reflecting on Proverbs 31:17
"She is energetic and strong, a hard worker." - Proverbs 31:17
I had every intention of choosing a different verse this morning, but when I read verse 17 I knew the Lord had meant for me to read it ... at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning. Don't you love it when that happens? No, not the crack of dawn part. I love being reminded that I am always on His mind and that He has prepared a way for me ... even if that path seems a bit inconvenient.
As I write, we are coming off a week of everyone in our household being sick, including myself. Followed by a teething 15 month old. On my way up the stairs to go get him from his crib, I found myself praying ... okay, pleading, for another hour of sleep. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this! It usually goes a little like this, "Please, Lord, one more hour of sleep. Well, unless there's something you needed to tell me this morning. But really, one more hour of sleep would be so awesome." You see, I felt a little guilty about asking for one more hour of sleep, because I KNEW He had me up for a reason.
As I opened my Bible, I landed on the next Proverbs 31 verse, verse 17. It had never stood out to me before, but there it was sticking out like a sore thumb. Perfect timing. As always, perfect timing. I moved from being irritated at my early morning wake-up call, to being thankful for getting to spend some early morning one-on-one time with my beautiful baby. Instead of feeling the need to plead for more sleep, I felt thankful that the Lord was ready to speak to me this morning. What a great turnaround! It definitely wasn't me, it was Him.
The Proverbs 31 woman is a lot of things ... and not necessarily all of those things at one time. It's not possible! Unless of course you have maidservants (see verse 15), and even then I think it would be tough. But the good news is this, WE are incapable of being that Proverbs 31 woman when left to our own accord, it takes the mighty hand of God!
In order to be that strong, energetic, hard working woman of God, you have to take care of yourself. When your tank is empty, you're not working at full capacity! Rest, nutrition, exercise, spending time with the Lord ... when I'm feeling out of sorts, I'm usually off balance in one of these areas. I want to wake up every morning with the strength and energy to be everything He has designed me to be. My family deserves it. My job deserves it. Mostly, my Savior deserves my best. But, we all know that doesn't happen every morning, because sometimes we're off balance, sometimes we just don't feel good, sometimes we are CRANKY ... my sometime was this morning! He created the earth, the moon, the stars, me and you .... was he exhausted? Or grumpy? Not at all! Ask Him to fill your tank, it makes ALL the difference!
XO - Amber
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." Colossians 1:29
I had every intention of choosing a different verse this morning, but when I read verse 17 I knew the Lord had meant for me to read it ... at the crack of dawn on a Saturday morning. Don't you love it when that happens? No, not the crack of dawn part. I love being reminded that I am always on His mind and that He has prepared a way for me ... even if that path seems a bit inconvenient.
As I write, we are coming off a week of everyone in our household being sick, including myself. Followed by a teething 15 month old. On my way up the stairs to go get him from his crib, I found myself praying ... okay, pleading, for another hour of sleep. Please tell me I'm not the only one who does this! It usually goes a little like this, "Please, Lord, one more hour of sleep. Well, unless there's something you needed to tell me this morning. But really, one more hour of sleep would be so awesome." You see, I felt a little guilty about asking for one more hour of sleep, because I KNEW He had me up for a reason.
As I opened my Bible, I landed on the next Proverbs 31 verse, verse 17. It had never stood out to me before, but there it was sticking out like a sore thumb. Perfect timing. As always, perfect timing. I moved from being irritated at my early morning wake-up call, to being thankful for getting to spend some early morning one-on-one time with my beautiful baby. Instead of feeling the need to plead for more sleep, I felt thankful that the Lord was ready to speak to me this morning. What a great turnaround! It definitely wasn't me, it was Him.
The Proverbs 31 woman is a lot of things ... and not necessarily all of those things at one time. It's not possible! Unless of course you have maidservants (see verse 15), and even then I think it would be tough. But the good news is this, WE are incapable of being that Proverbs 31 woman when left to our own accord, it takes the mighty hand of God!
In order to be that strong, energetic, hard working woman of God, you have to take care of yourself. When your tank is empty, you're not working at full capacity! Rest, nutrition, exercise, spending time with the Lord ... when I'm feeling out of sorts, I'm usually off balance in one of these areas. I want to wake up every morning with the strength and energy to be everything He has designed me to be. My family deserves it. My job deserves it. Mostly, my Savior deserves my best. But, we all know that doesn't happen every morning, because sometimes we're off balance, sometimes we just don't feel good, sometimes we are CRANKY ... my sometime was this morning! He created the earth, the moon, the stars, me and you .... was he exhausted? Or grumpy? Not at all! Ask Him to fill your tank, it makes ALL the difference!
XO - Amber
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." Colossians 1:29
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Beachbody Summitt 2012 - Las Vegas!
My team is growing and I want you to come with me! I had such an amazing time at the 2011 Beachbody Summitt in Los Angeles, there is no way I will be missing the 2012 Summitt in Las Vegas. Message me for details on how you can join my team of coaches and help end the trend of obesity!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
What's Really In Our Food?
I just came across this video clip of Robyn O'Brien, author of The Unhealthy Truth. She's a Texas native, a mom, and a food crusader. She wasn't always a "foodie", her turning point came when her child had an allergic reaction while eating breakfast. She began researching the food industry in America and her findings have left me reeling. My oldest has several food allergies, so this video clip hit a sore spot ..... it's a little long, but I would love to hear your thoughts.
Robyn O'Brien on Genetically Modified Foods
http://youtu.be/rixyrCNVVGA
Robyn O'Brien on Genetically Modified Foods
http://youtu.be/rixyrCNVVGA
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Intentional Prayer
I would like to pray for you, or perhaps those around you. There, I said it. Purposeful, intentional prayer. It's been weighing on my heart in a pretty non-dismissive manner. Sometimes God asks something of me and instead of embracing it, I dismiss it. Sound familiar? The only problem is, He never lets me off the hook! He keeps pressing into my heart until I fall into obedience.
So, if there is something in your life that needs prayer, send me a message. I'm embracing it wholeheartedly! I would be honored to pray for you! I will write it down and devote one day each week to praying over these requests. You can email me at amber@fitrevival.com or send me a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ambernicolebailey. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned!
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." James 5:13 ESV
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
So, if there is something in your life that needs prayer, send me a message. I'm embracing it wholeheartedly! I would be honored to pray for you! I will write it down and devote one day each week to praying over these requests. You can email me at amber@fitrevival.com or send me a message on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ambernicolebailey. I am excited to see what the Lord has planned!
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." James 5:13 ESV
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Sifted.
Where have I been for the past two months you ask? Well, my blog hiatus has been completely unintentional. Simply put, I have been busy. Life got chaotic, crazy and unmanageable (from a human perspective). However, amidst the frenzy, I have been forced to reflect. It was this time last year that things began to unravel a bit. And unravel they did. My life today is quite different than my life just one year ago. Can I be honest with you? It's better. I can't even believe I'm saying that. If you're my friend and you're reading this, you probably think I'm lying. It literally takes me writing this blog to come to that conclusion. My relationship with the Lord is stronger. He has sifted me continuously, and even when I'm sure that all of my "issues" have been addressed, there's more. That, my friends, is love. He loves me. I love Him. Man, it's been an incredible year. Incredibly difficult. Incredibly victorious. I could go on, and in the coming months, I probably will. But, I just want you to know that I am still here.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Verses 16-18 Reflection
"She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night."
This verse came at such an opportune time, perhaps that is the reason I have had so much trouble writing about it. For several months now, we have been toying with the idea of me returning to work. We felt that if the right opportunity presented itself, we would act on it ... by "we", I mean our family. The right doors did open and I will be returning to the same great school with the same amazing co-workers, parents and students to teach fifth grade. I'll even be in the same classroom, how's that for being "right"? Although I am the one returning to work, and it is essentially my job, it will be a change for all of us. I stressed about it, tried to control it, manipulate it, and analyze it. I wrestled with it continuously and allowed it to overcome my thoughts. Consequently, I prayed about it and gave it over to the Lord daily, and not just once a day!
Those questions and seeds of doubt crept into my subconscious and then preyed over my heart like a vulture. Is this the right thing for our family? Who will take care of my boys? How will I adjust? Quite honestly, I am brokenhearted to leave my boys and my role as a stay-at-home mom. Did you read the post by my guest blogger (Melissa Stephens) this week? Did it hit home for you as much as it did for me? My identity is about to shift in a big way, but I do know that God has a plan ... and it's a perfect plan. I can look back and see how He has been preparing me for this change. I am excited about what He has in store for me! It seems puzzling that I can be broken and excited at the same time, but I guess that's the paradox of knowing that He is my identity and that remains constant.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be returning to a profession that I love, not many people can say that. At a time in this economy when teaching jobs are hard to come by, He gave me the teaching job of my choice. Prior to being a mom, it was this job that consumed a big part of my identity. Now it will return as a large part of who I am, but my sense of identity will not be lost (or found) in it.
What about verses 16-18? I'm not going to dissect meaning this time, it just feels more appropriate to generalize. So, generally speaking .... it doesn't matter if you stay home, work from home or work away from home. Maybe you have children, maybe you don't. Maybe your children have left the nest. Maybe you are single or a single mom. Whoever you are, God has a plan and His wish for you to aspire to be the type of woman described in Proverbs 31 is real. According to verses 16-18, she is wise, energetic and hard-working. She is strong and resilient. She has a plan. She sets goals in alignment with the Lord's will for her life. She takes actionable steps to achieve those goals, consulting with Him every step of the way. She operates in the best interest of her family. She opens her heart to changing direction and takes joy in using her talents to bring glory to His kingdom. After all, that is our purpose here on this Earth.
XO, Amber
This verse came at such an opportune time, perhaps that is the reason I have had so much trouble writing about it. For several months now, we have been toying with the idea of me returning to work. We felt that if the right opportunity presented itself, we would act on it ... by "we", I mean our family. The right doors did open and I will be returning to the same great school with the same amazing co-workers, parents and students to teach fifth grade. I'll even be in the same classroom, how's that for being "right"? Although I am the one returning to work, and it is essentially my job, it will be a change for all of us. I stressed about it, tried to control it, manipulate it, and analyze it. I wrestled with it continuously and allowed it to overcome my thoughts. Consequently, I prayed about it and gave it over to the Lord daily, and not just once a day!
Those questions and seeds of doubt crept into my subconscious and then preyed over my heart like a vulture. Is this the right thing for our family? Who will take care of my boys? How will I adjust? Quite honestly, I am brokenhearted to leave my boys and my role as a stay-at-home mom. Did you read the post by my guest blogger (Melissa Stephens) this week? Did it hit home for you as much as it did for me? My identity is about to shift in a big way, but I do know that God has a plan ... and it's a perfect plan. I can look back and see how He has been preparing me for this change. I am excited about what He has in store for me! It seems puzzling that I can be broken and excited at the same time, but I guess that's the paradox of knowing that He is my identity and that remains constant.
I feel so incredibly blessed to be returning to a profession that I love, not many people can say that. At a time in this economy when teaching jobs are hard to come by, He gave me the teaching job of my choice. Prior to being a mom, it was this job that consumed a big part of my identity. Now it will return as a large part of who I am, but my sense of identity will not be lost (or found) in it.
What about verses 16-18? I'm not going to dissect meaning this time, it just feels more appropriate to generalize. So, generally speaking .... it doesn't matter if you stay home, work from home or work away from home. Maybe you have children, maybe you don't. Maybe your children have left the nest. Maybe you are single or a single mom. Whoever you are, God has a plan and His wish for you to aspire to be the type of woman described in Proverbs 31 is real. According to verses 16-18, she is wise, energetic and hard-working. She is strong and resilient. She has a plan. She sets goals in alignment with the Lord's will for her life. She takes actionable steps to achieve those goals, consulting with Him every step of the way. She operates in the best interest of her family. She opens her heart to changing direction and takes joy in using her talents to bring glory to His kingdom. After all, that is our purpose here on this Earth.
XO, Amber
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