Good morning! 1-11-11 (THAT won't happen again for a while!)

My First Place group is getting ready to start our next 12 week session on Sunday...we prepare our hearts, minds and spirits for the challenges ahead of us. We already know that losing weight and changing our unhealthy lifestyle habits is a hard thing. But we have seen what works and that's what we need to duplicate.

First Place 4 Health teaches us and encourages us to put Christ FIRST...and teaches us about how we are 4 sided people - spiritual, mental, physical and social. AND as we talked about Sunday, Rolling Plains is beginning "The Journey" which focuses on 5 habits that make us more like Christ - worship, study, prayer, connect, serve. Doesn't it seem like these things are so closely related and will work together?

Spiritual - worship and prayer

Physical - serve

Mental - study

Social - connect

I am also reading a book about change. We all know that change is hard. Our minds want us to make changes that will make us healthier and those same minds try to make decisions that will direct our behaviors. The problem is that our emotions rule our behaviors much more than our minds do. That is why will power alone is not enough to make real change that sticks. Here is the exciting part - the part that makes me very excited about the next 12 weeks - to affect real change we need a definite PATH that is planned out so that our minds have less to worry about and can make those decisions that our emotions can live with and cope with, even in stressful times.

Planning is probably one of the hardest parts...but we are going to work TOGETHER in the next 12 weeks, encouraging each other to worship our AMAZING God through daily moments and Sunday worship...study God's word on a daily basis so we can communicate with that AMAZING God...serve each other and our church with our time...connect with each other through daily messages and in our group meetings...and PRAY, both for ourselves and for each other.That sounds like a LOT to accomplish doesn't it??? Sounds like too much to accomplish given all the STUFF we have to do with school, family, work and friends, doesn't it??? Is it too much??? I don't believe it is. We already have a good start...I think we are off to a great start and we can help each other stay DETERMINED!!!!

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7

Dear Loving Father, I'm knocking!!!! I'm asking that you place your loving hand on our First Place 4 Health members and friends. Guide us, and strengthen us and give us the wisdom to use the amazing tools You have placed in front of us to not only make our bodies healthier, but to make our hearts and spirits healthier too. I ask that EACH person who begins this journey this coming week will reach out and knock as well. Open the door for them, and let them see and feel the HOPE that You can give them that will give them the determination they need to succeed! Amen

That prayer also is for those who read this Blog and want to become healthier in mind, body and spirit as well!

Stay safe and warm in the coming snow storm!