Day 5 "Shredding" in an Unusual Form

June 5, 1 Thes. 4:3-4

"For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor" (I Thes. 4:3-4).

We were up early to get our "Shred" in before our appointment with the College. We turned on the exercise TV only to find out that "The Shred" wasn't one of our options, but...there was a 20 minute cardio video so we went for it. Our new problem...no room in the room.

I've never been one for letting the kids jump on the bed but it was our only choice. So being dedicated we did it anyway. Jordan and I had a blast doing our workout while jumping on the hotel beds. One piece of advice...don't do jumping jacks unless you like your fingernails filed by the popcorn ceilings. OUCH!

Our twenty minutes of Scripture is continuing to be priceless to me. After our fun aerobic workout Jordan and I sat on those beds face to face and opened the Bible to I Thes. 4: 3-4. I asked her, "What does sanctification mean to you?"

I won't betray her confidence, but God is asking us (believers) to be set apart for Him and abstain from sexual immorality. I believe one reason He wants us to be sanctified is so we will be fearless. Fearless of abortions, STDs, awkward relationships, what people think, and guilt. When we learn to be fearless we will conquer new territories and set new standards.

Keep "Shredding" I'm praying for you.

Day 4 "The Shred " Must Travel

June 4, Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1).

Things are not always as we think they should be. On day four of “The Shred” Jordan, Jay, and I left early in the morning for Denver to attend my nephew’s wedding, visit Colorado Christian College, a school that Jordan is interested in attending after graduation, and to attend a play, staring Barbra Andrews, a close family friend. Not exactly your boring week-end.

Our big problem....When and where will we perform “The Shred” (that I forgot to pack)? On the sidewalks of the 16th street mall, that’s where (isn’t that where all improv happens)! Oh, it didn’t look like a typical Jillian workout but it was power walking and arm moving at its finest; I guarantee you that we shredded not only our bodies but our checkbook as well.

No, it wasn’t the normal Shred, and you can judge me if you like, but I assure you our hearts were right. This was the environment that we were in and we had to make the most of our conditions. Speaking of environment, on our way over the beautiful Rocky Mountains I couldn't help but notice the pine trees that grew so mightily in their perfect climate. I flashed back to the peach orchards in Palisade, CO that we had passed earlier that day and said to myself, “Those peach trees wouldn’t survive in the Colorado Mountains.” It wouldn’t be a matter of good seed or good soil; it would simply be that the environment wasn’t right for growing peach fruit.

Have you ever walked into a place that the spiritual climate was so stressful that you could cut the tension with a knife? While you didn’t see it, you could feel it? So my question is… can we change the climate of our environment (our homes, youth groups, schools, etc) so that healthy fruit trees grow?

I know that I’m rambling but the Bible tells us that we can change our environment and the climate around us by speaking kind words (Prov. 15:1). We can actually change our surroundings so that people can grow and love one another by simply speaking kind words into their lives.

You know I could have cussed myself for forgetting “The Shred,” yelled at Jay when he was back seat driving (the whole way over the mountain), and freaked out when Jordan was driving down Vail pass, but instead I decide to speak positive to myself, “June, you can get “The Shred” on free exercise TV tomorrow,” then I decided to joke with Jay about the comments coming from the back seat, and I pressed hard on the floor board of the car as if that might slow the car down.” Our environment stayed positive and we all learned and grew from the situations. So until tomorrow speak love into your surroundings and watch them grow.

Day 3 "The Shred"

June 3, 2 Kings 17:7

"They feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations."

It's easy to look at the girls on "The Shred" and desire to look like them; hard bodies, large breasts, long legs, etc... Jillian keeps reminding us to work hard to accomplish a body like this. Well, are their bodies a result of working out or have they conformed to the customs of the nations?

"Now this came about because the sons of Israel had sinned against the Lord" 2 Kings 17:7.

"What came about?" I asked myself.
Captivity, slavery, and being carried away from the promised land came about as a result of their sin. What was the sin? Fearing other god's and walking in customs of the nations.

I realize that the modern day customs are to cosmetically change anything that you don't like about your body. God, however, says that your bodies are His temples. Stop fearing what men think about you and their plastic gods. Start being grateful for your natural beauty and health.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Day 2 "The Shred"

June 2, Isaiah 19

"Behold , the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt."

Oh, today was so much better. I got up early, had my coffee, quiet time with the Lord, and then spent some time with my husband, Jay.

By 8:30 a.m. my "Shred" partner was still sleeping. "Jordan, get up it's time to exercise!" Now what 17 year-old doesn't love to be awaken by the sound of a drill Sargent?

She came down for breakfast and I began to list our tasks that we would be accomplishing for the day (keep in mind it's my birthday and I can boss if I want to).

Well, after pumping her up like a football coach ready to start out the season with his new players, we headed for the basement. Sweat beaded on our foreheads and there were times when we didn't think we could do another horizontal push-up...but we complete workout # 2.

We gave each other a high five and then plopped on the couch. It was time for mind exercise.

Isaiah 19 caught my attention. "Behold the Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt."

Jordan read the whole chapter and then we began to see how Egypt is whatever is holding us captive. We came to terms with the fact that God hates captivity for His people because it keeps them from worshiping and celebrating with Him.

We both said that one thing that holds us captive is fear. So we re-read the chapter replacing the word fear where ever the word Egypt appeared and we realized that our Lord is riding on a swift cloud and is about to come to Egypt (fear). He will devour it, confuse it, dry it up, and use it for His glory.

What holds you captive? Won't you let the Lord ride into your life and quickly destroy your enemy, release you from your slavery, so you might worship and celebrate with your Lord!

Day 1 of "The Shred"

June 1, 2009 (Matt 5:37)

"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one."

Ok, so the day didn't start so well.

A friend of mine was heading off to the army and I felt I needed to say good-bye. What was to take 15 to 20 minutes took all morning.

Then it was time to clean house, pay a few bills, and before I knew it my day had turned into evening. "Oh no," was the thought in my head. "I've got the high school Bible study coming for dinner." I scurried to defrost hamburgers, find pickles, paper plates, and what ever else I was suppose to provide.

My day was hectic and in the back of my brain I was wondering, "When am I going to be able to do 'The Shred.'"

As the night went on I began to make excuses why it would be okay if I didn't do "The Shred." After all it was a busy day and people would understand.

At 9:30 p.m. the Bible study departed and I was ready for bed. While standing in my bedroom closet I had a decision to make, put on my PJ's or my workout clothes. I wanted to go for the PJ's but something kept hounding me. "You made a commitment" "I know but they will understand, it's late and I'm tired." I reasoned. The voice grew more convincing, "Do 'The Shred'" now!"

As I thought of each and everyone of you I boldly pulled up my yoga pants and headed for the TV. Yes, Yes, I will fulfill my vow. I will do what I said I would do, even when I don't want to and even if it is hard.

Jillian kicked my rear end but the Lord kicked my other end, my mind.

We need to stay committed to our commitments. Have you ever told a friend that you would do something with them and then a better offer came up and you changed the plan? Have you quit something when it became hard? We need to learn to be faithful in the little things so that when the big challenges like: marriage, raising children, jobs, etc... get hard we won't quit because we are people of our word. So...."Let your yes be yes and your no be no."

What is "TheShred?"

When a friend first told me about “The Shred” I thought that she had a new kitchen gadget. I was unaware that she actually had something that would change my life, and as you can see from my vintage photo I needed a little changing long ago.

Now, I’ve heard of shredding lettuce, cheese, and maybe even unwanted documents. But really, shredding my body; how does that work? I was curious to find out so I ordered “The 30 Day Shred” video from Jillian Michaels. The advertising on the front cover claimed that you could lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. And each session is only 20 minutes long, “Perfect for my busy schedule!”

I knew that Jillian was a Nazi weight trainer on the hit T.V. series, The Biggest Loser, but I had no idea she would soon become my personal trainer (that is via DVD) and kick my gluteus Maximus.

When the DVD first came in the mail my oldest daughter, Jolene, was visiting so I said, “Hey, let’s give this a try.” Need I say that 20 minutes later I could hardly walk?

Within a couple of days I began to feel stomach muscles (I believe the six pack is only a few weeks away). My energy level increased and I began to sleep though the night. This is all good news for someone who has an alarm clock in her head that goes off at 3:00am.

Jillian is a cheerleader for the over comer. At the age of 14 she weighed 175 pounds. Her mother took her to a martial arts instructor, knowing that her daughter needed discipline in her eating habits and in her thinking patterns.

While being interviewed on the Huckabee show, Jillian states, “I recall sitting outside the gym waiting for my class to start. I was eating a whole bag of Cheetos. My instructor had been watching me from the corner of his eye. When it was my turn for class he told me to go home. He wasn’t going to train me. He said I had no discipline and was wasting my time and his.”

A few weeks later Jillian had a wake up call. She knew she had to take authority over her life. She begged the instructor to take her back and promised that she would work hard. Today Jillian is helping millions of people not only lose weight but to get mentally tough. She pushes people to get past their limits. She has not only mastered discipline she demands it.

I don’t mean to sound like an infomercial but I think Jillian offers us a challenge as believers. I think it’s time to start the 30 day shred not only for our bodies but for our minds.

Some of us need to shred our minds from fear, hate, resentment, bitterness, self-doubt, negative self-talk, anger, bad habits, etc... Moms, girls, we can push through this together. We can become the women God intended for us to be. We can and should become women who know that all things are possible and that through Christ we can do all things.

I’ve asked my daughter, Jordan to commit with me. We’ve committed 20 minutes a day (not on the Sabbath) to work out our bodies and 20 minutes a day to get into the Word of God and work out our minds. We would like for you to join us in this challenge beginning June 1st.

Now if we are going to succeed we have to have a goal.
June’s goal looks like this: (you will need to make your own goal)

Body:
1. Lose 4 pounds,
2. Firm up arms, stomach, rear, and legs.
3. I want to run three miles without stopping by Sept 18th, 2009.

Mind:
1. Get rid of doubt
2. Get mentally tough and know for sure that I can do all things through Christ
3. Take thoughts captive immediately
4. Know that every trial and trouble that I face Jesus already took care of it on the cross and it will all workout for good.
5. Have a great time with Jordan while reaching my goals

At this year’s Wake Up Sleeping Beauty kick-off which will be Sept 18th, 2009, I would like to share a few of your triumphs. I would like to know what you've overcome mentally as well as physically, so please stay in touch with me this summer. Maybe even send me pictures of the new you.
Now, to order your shred and to get started go to http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00127RAJY/?tag=yahhyd-20&hvadid=50494715511&ref=pd_sl_62ogoc9x8c_e
Remember June 1st, 2009 we will all begin together. I can hardly wait for our new summer adventure, how about you?

Please E-mail me at june@wakeupsleepingbeauty.com and let me know your commitment. I can't wait to hear your stories in September.
Love ya,
June

Can't We Just Have Fun?

It seems that there is so much negativity in our world today: Brittney Spears is teaming up with Kohl's to dress our daughters (now that's positive reinforcement), the financial world is upside down, and I might have to grow my own garden! Yikes

Isn't it time we started having some fun? A few high school students seem to think so.

A few nights ago I was watching a news show when a clip appeared. It showed high school kids having fun for a change. They were dressed like animals (looked like school mascots) and going to the grocery stores. I have to tell you when the chicken started inspecting the store's eggs, I started rolling with laughter, it was pretty funny. Teenagers have a great sense of humor. Finally, good clean fun. They weren't hurting anyone, being rude, or destructive. Just being kids.

A few days later I watched as our youngest daughter, Jordan left the house in some wild outfit. "Where are you going in that?" I asked.
"Oh, just wait and see!" She laughed.

Now watch and you be the judge....do kids just want to have fun?



Maybe frogs really do become princes, or maybe Jordan's youth pastor, DJ Jorgensen and his wife Vanessa are a couple of nuts! What ever the case, downtown Grand Junction will never look the same to me!

Just go out this week and have some good clean fun.