John: Tell us about Busy Mom Gets Fit and why you started it?
 
Valerie: In August 2011, I was just a few months away from my first Figure Competition. I felt like my thoughts were really consumed by my new fitness way of life and some of my friends and family were interested in it. I didn’t want to annoy my regular Facebook friends with my fitness posts, so I started “Busy Mom Gets Fit” as an outlet for fitness thoughts and to allow me to connect to people who were interested and needed some help or guidance. I have been amazed at the number of people who have joined me on my page.

When I competed, I felt this overwhelming sense of confidence. It wasn’t about competing with the other women in the competition. It was empowering to stand up there and know that I had worked hard and accomplished something. The competition, was more about the journey of getting there. I feel like it has given me a platform to connect to more people and inspire others to go after big goals that may be outside of their comfort zone. (Val with her first trophy and trainers/coaches, pictured right)
 
John: How did prayer play a part in your journey?
 
Valerie: John. I have 3 specific prayers I would like to share:
 
I prayed this several months ago after a day of really feeling inadequate:
 
“I’m sorry that I’m not as faithful as I should be to you. I feel blessed and taken care of but so often I skip reading the Bible and praying like I should.”
 
I immediately felt like God wrapped me up in a hug. I physically felt it. I think he was saying what hugs often say—
 
“It’s ok. You are doing what I want you to do.” I quit beating myself up about it and realize that my job right now is to take care of my boys and continue to do my best.
 
I prayed this when in thought about competition in a Figure competiton:
 
“I’d like to do this. To help others through my journey and not come across as vain. Help others to see my heart.” I think he has answered and done this.
 
I prayed this recently:
 
“If you want to use me through this, I’ll do it.” Almost immediately I started seeing him at work. It’s been fun to watch unfold.

 
John: So now that you have completed your initial goals what are your new goals?
 
Valerie: My initial goal was to keep busy while my husband was away and make a positive change for myself. My new goals are to continue on this fitness journey and see where it leads me.
 
John: What Have you learned spirtitually?”
 
Valerie: Spiritually, I have learned that God can make anything “a God thing”. He has put people in my path almost daily to help me and for me to help. Keep your eyes open, especially when you say you’ll do whatever he wants you to do!!!
 
John: What surprises have you had along the way?
 
Valerie: Use your talents and skills that God gave you. Even if you don’t see the big picture, he’s got a plan.
 
John: I think some readers may be a bit intimidated about starting out. What would you tell someone who is just starting out who wants to take better care of the body God has gifted them with?
 
Valerie: Start with what you put into your mouth. You can’t make any excuses about time or money on this one. We all eat…most of us eat too much. Read Val’s getting started tips.
 
Strength train- It’s benefits are numerous for all. It is the only way to stay fit and lean for the long term.
 
Find a form of cardio that you enjoy and get your heart rate up 60-120 minutes a week.
 
I have an article for those who are getting started called on BusyMomGetsFit.com called, I want to be fit!, Where do I start? In it I lay out several different sample workouts based off of how many days you could go to the gym as well as some other tips.

———————
 
I hope you enjoyed today’s interview and many thanks to Val for taking time to do it.
 
I highly encourage you to go to her Busy Mom Gets Fit Facebook page and ‘like’ it. Valerie is constantly posting inspiration quotes, training tips, links to videos, answers to reader’s questions, and recommendations about equipment. I love it and I think you will too.
 

 
Okay, so I decided the other day that reading the Bible daily is so important that not only am I going to give you a one year bible reading plan that works, I am going to walk alongside you and give you the support you need to succeed. When I wrote a post recently on six reasons people fail when they try to read the bible in one year I almost included a seventh, ‘Going it alone.’ It really helps to have some kind of support and encouragement. So, I am going to provide it.
 
I am going to follow the plan I created and release reading tips and insights along the way for anyone who would like to join me. Consider this your official invite to come join the fun of reading through the bible together in 2011.
 

Here is how to get the plan and start receiving free tips.

 
Just enter your first name and email address in the box below. You will quickly receive an email with a confirmation link that you need to click. That link protects both of us from unwanted spam. So watch for it. There is no cost to register and your email address will not be shared with anyone else. You will simply get great tips and suggestions about once a week to help you read the bible.
 
I hope you will join me in following this bible reading plan for one year.

 
(Note: email subscribers if you do not see a box above then goto the website, http://thepracticaldisciple.com and join via the opt-in box in the right side bar.)
The New Year is about to begin, so I hope you won’t hesitate. I look forward to reading with you,
 
John Arnold
The Practical Disciple
  

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

Adoration

What does it mean to adore someone?  It means that you love them.  You love who they are and what they do.  When I adore God I use what I call the formula of praise.  This formula is a recurring pattern I noticed in the Psalms.  David adores God in three ways:  First, he tells God that he loves Him.  Second, he praises God for who God is.  Third, he praises God for what God does.  To learn more about the formula of praise and to see examples click here and read the post, The Formula of Praise.

Confession

When I extol the goodness of God through adoration I find myself humbled.  I am reminded of my sins.  So I move from adoration into confession.  When you confess try to be specific about acknowledging what you have done wrong.  Get beyond generic confessions such as, “I haven’t been as loving as I should be.”  Be specific, “God I have been avoiding Janet because I am angry with her.  Forgive me for pushing her to the side so that I don’t have to deal with my anger.  It is sinful for me to not give her the grace I have received.”  Being specific will help you change.  Notice in the example that I actively acknowledged my action as sin and why it is wrong.  That sort of processing your actions within your prayers will help you change, but you only get there by being specific.  To learn more about confession click here and read the post, Eradicating Spiritual Virus.

Thanksgiving

I am not sure I need to say much about thanks because most of us readily know how to say thank you and what gratitude is.  I do want to point out two things.  First, my experience has been that having thanks in my prayer model forces me to consider what I am grateful for on the days I feel less than grateful.  Paul told the Colossians, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:16)  Second, I actively give thanks for the whole of creation.  I don’t only focus on the people and circumstance of my life.  I give thanks for the earth, the plants, the trees, the animals, the birds, the stars, the sun, and the moon and all of these amazing pieces of creation that God has intricately woven together to make life possible.

Supplication

To supplicate simply means to ask. At this point in your prayer offer God the concerns of your heart.  Pray for friends, family, community, situations and yourself.  Pray for whatever concerns you.  Take time to intercede for others.  I used to think that intercession just meant praying for someone else in general.  However, as I studied the scriptures about interceding, I noticed that intercession almost always means praying about someone’s spiritual well-being.  You may want to adopt someone specific to pray for daily.  I find that to be a very powerful prayer discipline.

Lastly, when trying a new prayer discipline like praying A.C.T.S. prayers, do it for several weeks before judging the merits of the practice.  Your entire first week you may be just getting comfortable with the practice.  I highly recommend living into a practice a minimum of three weeks.  Research suggests that it takes as much as 18 days for something to become a habit or norm for us.  Persevere for a season so that you can see the fruit.

Blessings from The Practical Disciple.

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In my last post, Thorns in the Rose Garden of Spiritual Growth, I spoke about how spiritual growth can be painful because significant change is uncomfortable.  This post addresses ten common ways people resist change.  Think of these things as yield signs warning you to proceed with caution.