Tag Archives: success

Guest Post By Rachel Curtis – Founder P31 Fitness

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P31 Fitness

Greetings to all and I pray this New Year you are walking in is the best one yet. I am so excited about this New Year and all that God is doing in my life and ministry. I have set goals for myself that I know I can’t do alone, but rest in His word that says “I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me”.

This first post of the New Year is a guest post from the founder of P31 Fitness, Rachel Curtis. My wife is a part of one of the P31 groups here in Texas and she has not been just physically blessed but also spiritually blessed. P31 stands for Proverbs 31 and as we all know, it is talking to the women; but guys, don’t stop here – because YOU need this maybe even more than the ladies do! I know you will be blessed by this post, so read on!!!!!

By Rachel Curtis:
It is interesting to me to watch people every New Year with fitness and goals. Everyone is “trying” programs to see if they will “work” for them. That is a FUNNY statement to me. Will it work? There is not a magic pill, there is not a magic workout, not a magic program. It is about YOU making the decision that YOU are WORTH the time to truly make the change. To dig deep, to take care of all parts of health, and to admit that it is the habits we have that have caused us to be where we are today. What about just good health habits, a hard workout, working on all parts of health, and taking responsibility for all areas of health? Stop looking for magic. Just put in the hard work, dedication, introspection, and discipline. YOU are WORTH it! So… instead of asking if a program “works”, realize that a program works when YOU work on YOU!!!!

During this time of year, everyone is in the process of making resolutions. Some are resolving to be more organized, some to lose weight, some to be more disciplined, and the list goes on and on.

The only problem with resolutions is that they tend to only last about 2-3 weeks (maybe a few more if you are really dedicated) and then it is back to old habits, old ways, and a feeling of discouragement arises; failure again. Or so the lies scream….

Let’s try something new – and this year, I want to challenge you to make resolutions that WILL LAST!

A few guidelines:
Don’t be extreme
Don’t be absolute
Be gracious on yourself
Allow room for mistakes and error
Be patient
Be kind

Here are 10 solid resolutions that you can keep this year!

1) Begin each day on your knees and give the day to GOD.

2) Do some kind of movement every day.

3) Listen to your body! Eat when hungry, stop when satisfied!

4) Focus on God, others, and ways to serve those around you.

5) Don’t get so caught up in diets and food rules that can get your focus more on yourself than on God.

6) Un-clutter your life by praying before committing to activities.

7) Journal often.

8) Spend time with God and His Word regularly.

9) Love and serve others as if serving God.

10) Live for an Audience of One – seek the approval of God alone.

Our program, P31 Fitness, empowers women of all ages and fitness levels to experience freedom Spiritually, Mentally, Emotionally, and Physically through a unique fitness environment. All women should feel empowered to be all that God has created us to be each day. May we all work on creating realistic goals for the New Year for this year!

Nutrition:
One area we truly can all make improvements upon, is in the area of nutrition. P31 Fitness asks that you take a new approach to nutrition – called “Listen and Lose”.

Have you ever gotten all geared up for a new “diet,” done well for a few days, and then fallen off the wagon? We have all been there. Diets seldom work, because they only create more rules for us to follow. With diet rules, it is easy to set yourself up for failure. When “cheating” occurs, it is easy to go off the diet. Begin to listen to your body. Learn to listen to your basic hunger and fullness scale inside your body. Your body will tell you what and how much you need, if you will just begin to tune in to the hunger and fullness mechanism. It is about freedom.

Lastly, it is important for young girls and women to see their worth and purpose in life. Because of my own background and struggles with nutrition, fitness, and other areas, I feel I can relate to all types of women. There is an answer to our struggles, and it must be based upon TRUTH!

God created us all special and unique, and He wants us to FEEL worthy and FREE every day. I believe that we were meant to take care of the bodies that God has given us each day and that when we take care of ourselves, we are better equipped to take care of those around us each day.

To learn more about our program, and how to get involved, visit our website: www.p31fitness.com
Thank you Rachel for this really awesome Blog post and to all that are reading this, I encourage you to find a P31 group in your area and take the challenge.

Click this link to listen to a radio spot for P31 Fitness.

So that’s it for this week, but as I always say, “Eyes up and gear up for the best is now at hand”. I challenge you to take this week gladiator style, holding nothing back, giving life your all. Making the decision to live life on purpose with purpose. Until next time, keep pressing forward!
LivXtreme4Him

KINGDOM THINKING UPDATE:

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With only 26 days left in 2013, I see even more new changes in my life ahead. As I enjoy the remaining days in this year and start praying about next year, I won’t be posting any of the daily Kingdom Thinking thoughts. I will be uploading weekly VCast and blog posts as God gives them to me, but that’s it.

I have a prayer request. Our ministry outreach, Operation Shoebox, is in full swing and my wife leaves for Guatemala in the AM for 9 days. Please be standing with us for safety, wisdom and Kingdom success as they minister and bless the children of Guatemala, Panama and Nicaragua in the days to come.

Here are two blog post links that I feel would be an encouragement as you prepare for this new day and year to come:
Gear Up (Part 10) – “CHANGE”
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/gear-up-part-10-change/
Gear Up (Part 11) UNPLUGGED
https://rkspanberger.wordpress.com/2013/12/03/gear-up-part-11-unplugged/

I want to say thank you to all those that have followed the KT blog this year and I know that the best is right now at hand. Kingdom Thinking has touched lives in places I have never dreamed of. This blog is just another part of fulling the vision God has given our ministry, and that is to make disciples. You can partner with us in this outreach as we reach out globally in helping others live a Kingdom life and fulfill their dreams. Just click this link and note KT in the memo area of your donation. LINK HERE

Always know that you are in our prayers and we count it an honor every time we hear from you with praise reports, prayer requests and/or questions.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Sincerely,
Keith & Debbie Spanberger
CEO’s/Executive Directors
Living Water Teaching International
http://www.livingwaterteaching.org
Kingdom Thinking Blog
http://www.kingdomthinking.org

Gear Up (Part 11) UNPLUGGED

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unplug

 

Last week, I posted on the topic of “CHANGE”.  I’m following up this week, by touching on one of my own personal changes.

So let’s talk about the topic, “UNPLUGGING”.  I have read many articles on this topic and about how those that have unplugged for many days, and I thought to myself, “How could one do this?”  But as I have found with all change, first comes the want to make the change and then the step forward to put action to it.  Last week I moved forward with my own “UNPLUG DAY” and it has been a breath of fresh air.  As I write this post, I’m actually completing my second “UNPLUG DAY”.  No withdrawals, no jitters and for sure no regrets.

Addiction is defined as “a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance”.  Welcome to the tech world we live in; it’s truly become a substance that many can’t live without.  So much so, that we made a young man the youngest millionaire in history because of this addiction.  It’s addiction is evident to all and bullies have realized it and made it a weapon of choice.  The need to know what others are doing, is a “have to know” around the clock.

I shared in my last post, about how I could be sitting in a restaurant and watch families with their face glued to their God; without even realizing that they are losing time with their family and friends.  I actually saw this with a mom and daughter just a short time ago and the mom never really gave the little girl anything other than a warm body at the same table with her and a hot meal, because everything was being given to her smart phone which she never really put away. Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the social sites and such BUT, when I stopped and looked at how much time I was giving to them and the many times a day I spent doing it, I knew I needed a change.  So this is where the “UNPLUG DAY” all started for me.

This has became so strong on my heart, that I actually created a Facebook page =)  I want to start a movement for as many as I can, to set aside at least one “UNPLUG DAY” each week.  Here is the link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/day2unplug .  Time is the one thing that once we spend it, we can’t get it back.  We either grow in it and make precious memories or waste it and one day wish we had it back.

I will close this post here for now, BUT there is more to come!

I really hope this post helps you get a new view of how to live a Kingdom life.  God has prepared a life just for you and it is AMAZING if you can simply get past the junk of this world.

We would love to hear from you with your questions, prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

So until next time, eyes up & gear up for the best is right at hand!

LivXtreme4Him

Gear Up (Part 10) – “CHANGE”

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change

The word “change” is defined by Webster as: “The act or instance of making or becoming different”.

The greatest change we will ever make or deny, is making Christ The Lord of our life. Now I know me making that statement will automatically make my blog not for everyone; but on the flip side, it is a blog that ALL need to read because of our overwhelming need for Christ and the understanding of what a Kingdom life really is. You can spend 1 minute on any social media site and see that most people, even many Christians, have no clue on Kingdom living! This is what this blog is all about.

Have you ever found yourself at a point in your life where you needed things to be different? It could be because of your health or career situation; but whatever the reason was, you just needed change. I have found myself at this cross-roads many times, but I have not always been willing to make the needed changes. A few years ago, I made some eating and exercise changes that after time, reaped some benefits. However, because of not allowing those change to become habits, I wavered and never really stuck to things. Over this year (2013), I have done better; but, there is always room for more growth and improvement. Other changes I needed to make have become evident lately, as well, and I wanted to share some of them in this blog post.

I will start with yesterday: Sunday, November 17th. I have read many articles this year on unplugging and the benefits of it. When I say unplugging, I’m talking about not checking e-mails, not even looking at social platforms, texting with non-family members, or anything that has to do with work and unplugging from it. In the day and time we live in with smart phones, tablets, and laptops in every person’s hands almost globally, it’s created an addiction – like movement that we feel like we HAVE to check these things . I have set in restaurants and watched couples on dates and also families, engrossed on their phones, instead of living in the moment with those they are with. How many lost seconds, minutes and hours have been given to this addiction? So I took a stand to unplug and it was refreshing! My new commitment is that every Sunday is my unplug day. I would encourage you to set at least one day a week to do this and make it a day for God, family, friends, or maybe even just a book day!

Next is keeping a journal. I believe we should have a work journal to help us track our work, but more importantly, we should have a journal for life. I have heard it said, “No one will be interested in reading about my life after I’m gone”. If that is the case, then we are at fault for not making our life an extraordinary one. I might not have lived a life that others would want to read about up until now, BUT as long as I’m still breathing, that book is still being written. I also want my future generations to know who I am – not just by what others say or don’t say about me, but by my life lived out in my journals. Plus, it also gives me a way to go back and relive those special moments. I have notes, thoughts, scriptures, pictures, movie tickets, etc. pasted on the pages. My new commitment is to journal more often than ever before, because my life is extraordinary. I have the most AMAZING wife, children, family, friends. I spend my life reaching out to others and God is daily showing me something new in His Kingdom. My late father-in-law, Dr. James Zirkle, once said this, “The shortest pencil is better than the sharpest mind”. My journals in a nutshell, are my life lived on paper. Your life is worth that, also. You must see the value of you and a journal can help with that.

Last thing for the post is exercise. I’m daily getting up and doing something to better my body. Stretching, lifting weights and/or just simple core work, helps me kick start each day – just like my Word time. Something is better than nothing and once you start, the benefits seem to push you to do more.

I really hope this post helps you get a new view of how to live a Kingdom life. God has prepared a life just for you and it is AMAZING if you can simply get past the junk of this world.

We would love to hear from you with your questions, prayer requests, and/or praise reports.

So until next time, eyes up & gear up for the best is right at hand!

LivXtreme4Him

The Name

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The Name

I was reading a book that my wife, Debbie, bought for me. It was written many, many years ago by Brothers Grimm and it is a compilation of many of the original fairy tales. The one I was reading was Rumpelstiltskin. Something interesting that was noted in this book, is some history behind the stories. Most will know of this story, which is about a queen who found herself in a mess. She had to accomplish something impossible. She ended up making a deal with a man named Rumpelstiltskin, but the end result was she had to guess his name to keep her baby. I know I am leaving a lot out, but I think most already know this story. With the help of another, she found out his name and closed the deal in her favor. I took something away from this story, and that was this: “the power of a name”. Rumpelstiltskin’s name had a power to close the deal.

I read about a folk belief that said, “if you knew an evil spirit’s name, you could defeat it”. Let’s change gears here and bring this into a Kingdom perspective. For those that are born again believers, we don’t have to know any name other than the name of Jesus. His name is a name that is above ALL other names. We don’t even have to think about defeating an evil spirit, because they have ALL been defeated forever! Jesus hung on the cross to close the deal on this issue.

Just like the queen in the story, where all she needed was to speak a name and everything was put into order and she was set free. The same goes for us, we just speak the name and BELIEVE and TRUST and things change! But realize change is on a Kingdom time table and not ours. His timing is always perfect in every way, lacking NOTHING!!!!!

So if you are facing what seems to be a mountain like no other you have faced before, then speak His name and believe that He is moving right then on your behalf. But I warn you, don’t make a religion of this – but instead, a lifestyle. Be fully persuaded that His name is above every name and that at His name ALL things have to change!

You are a blessing; I really mean that! I’m always praying for my readers. Debbie and I would love to hear from you. You can post below or send us an email; whichever works best for you.

Until next time, eyes up and gear up for the best is at hand!

Be blessed – Keith & Debbie

LivXtreme4Him

Kingdom Thinking Recap – Week 36

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Well it’s time to say good-bye to another week, but the posted Kingdom Thinking thoughts from it are nuggets of Kingdom wisdom you can always use. Please forward them to others you know, because we can always use a touch of the Kingdom!!

Monday: Kingdom Thinking: Don’t water down your dreams for comfort’s sake.

Tuesday: Kingdom Thinking: It’s time to move beyond “business as usual”!

Wednesday: Kingdom Thinking: Do not let society define the culture you live in.

Thursday: Kingdom Thinking: NO POST

Friday: Kingdom Thinking: Ignite your surroundings with positive momentum.

Here are the links to my two recent blog post:
Monday! http://goo.gl/7d5IsP
The God of Restoration! http://goo.gl/GvHSn4

Well that’s it for now, but a new and fresh week has begun…. So eyes up and gear up to take this new week gladiator style. Rule and dominate every second to it’s fullest and end each day with not a single regret!

What would you do?

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question-mark-1

It seems like forever since I last posted, but actually, I posted “Redeemed” on July the 9th. I wanted to share something in this post that I feel God revealed to me on a recent vacation. A few months ago, we had a cruise booked with some close friends and as it got closer and we were preparing to leave on our trip, we heard some very disturbing news. Our cruise ship had become crippled at sea and the rest was history; most all know how this story went… So fast forward to current time; we decided to go on a family cruise this time and we found a really good deal on a ship. YES, the ship was that very same ship we had booked before, but it had been restored to what was supposed to be better than ever. A “multi-million dollar face lift” is what we heard. So let’s stop here for right now with this story.

So what would you do? Would you say, “Well I am not setting foot on that ship!” OR would you say, “It’s all new, I’m in!”? Would you allow the fear of the past dictate the decision of the present? As for us, we were in and ready to go and so away we went. We are now back home again from our amazing trip with tons of new memories that we will not soon forget. (Just a side note, the ship was everything and then some!)

So here’s my thought in this. How many times has fear held you back? How many times has fear or rumors made you reconsider? We are told in 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.”

Fear should never be allowed to give direction in our lives. We should be a people that live and dwell in peace and then when we hear that voice inside of us speaking, then we stop, listen and obey. In every area of our lives, that voice will speak IF we recognize it. We recognize it from a relationship; that is the fruit of Matthew 6:33.

In a nutshell, we must not let anyone or anything stop us from moving forward in what GOD has called us into. Once you know it’s from Him, then the approval of others is not needed nor should that direction be questioned. So MOVE forward and never waiver or look back.

July Mission Trip Update:

group pic 15

Below is a link  to pictures from the Living Water Teaching July youth group to Guatemala. They ministered the drama 13 times to 2,221 people and the results were: 1,157 Salvations and 45 Reconciliations. PRAISE THE LORD! Email us at lwt@lwtusa.org to find out how you can go and be a part of one of the life changing mission trips LWT holds throughout the year.  click this link to see the pictures: http://goo.gl/SJMbzy

Redeemed

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redeemed

Redeemed (Verb)
1. Compensate for the faults or bad aspects of (something).
2. Do something that compensates for poor past performance or behavior.

Psalm 107:2 (AMP) “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”

Galatians 3:13 (AMP) “Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse.”

What an amazing gift redemption is. There is nothing like it and only one that could ever give it. Christ paid a price no other could or would pay. I read those two scriptures and the many more that are throughout the New Testament talking about our redemption and can’t imagine life without it.

You and I are redeemed from a past, present, and future; not so we can live a reckless life full of sin – but instead, a care-free life purchased by His Grace. Can you even wrap your mind around what the word “redeemed” even encompasses? Honestly, no one could ever truly do that because once you think you have then something else comes under the price paid. Your life is no secret to the Father but yet He still allowed His Son to die for you and me. Many think they can hide their life and skate by, but life is an open book and nothing is hidden from God. He loves us so much that even for the worst sinner the price is paid in full once Christ is made Lord over their life.

You are redeemed from the struggles of the past and released from the bondages of what was. Jesus has washed away the stains with His precious blood so that each day is a new one and every second you live is free.

So today let go of those unlocked shackles and move on. Receive your redemption!  Therefore, say this with me: “Lord Jesus, I ask you to come into my life and make me new. I confess you as my Lord and Savior now and forevermore. I now call myself the redeemed of the Lord as your Word says. In Jesus Name – AMEN!”

We would love to hear from you with your praise reports, prayer request or anything else you would like to share below.

HE STOPPED THE SUN….

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He stopped the sun

Joshua 10:13 (AMP) “And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed”

I would love to have seen that miracle play out.  I can just picture all those that day watching & wondering what was going on!

Have you ever wondered what He would do for you to see you succeed in the task at hand?  His reach is limitless, so there is no boundary that can stop Him from moving heaven and earth or even stopping the sun to see you succeed.

Most think too small, but I can picture Joshua that day just looking up and saying, “Hey God, will you do me a favor and stop the sun for me?”  Can you imagine God doing that very same thing for you?  Oh, I can and so much more!  We don’t need to waste time with flowing tears, screaming voices and lengthy theological words; but instead, all we need to do is just talk to Him.

Honestly, is stopping the sun such a great miracle compared to the miracle that manifests when we make Jesus the Lord of our lives?  I never negate the power and awesomeness of any miracle, but can there be one greater than the forgiveness of every sin and the transference into eternal life?  If you are pausing and thinking, let me answer for you.  That’s a big NNNNOOOO!!!!!!  There is no greater miracle – past, present or future.  So whatever you need, even the stopping of the sun, you have it.  You should go through the Word and find all the scriptures that have to do with the power of your words.  One of my favorites is found in Mark 11:23 & 24 (AMP) (23) “Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.  (24) For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].”

We would love to hear from you with your praise reports, prayer request or anything else you would like to share below.

I want to end this blog saying Happy Fathers Day to all the guys out there who are blessed enough to be called dad.