Day 8 "Monday, Monday"

June 8 Isaiah 14:6

"How the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" Isaiah 14:6.

I'm not going to lie to you, I didn't want to do "The Shred" Monday morning and neither did Jordan. However, after I yelled (and I mean yelled) up the stairs at Jordan for the umpteenth time I was about to lose my patients.

We persevered and were both very proud of ourselves after it was over.

Jordan said to me, "Mom have you ever had a book in the Bible become yours? You know like everything it says just jumps off the pages at you?"


"I guess I never thought of owning it, but yea, I know what you mean." I replied. "Why don't you pick the Scripture today" I suggested.


Jordan began to read Isaiah 14 and what was to take 20 minutes took an hour. "A day is coming when the captives will take their captors captive and will rule over them." Jordan and I started listing all the things that have taken us captive:

• Things that others have said about us
• Fear
• People judging us
• Rejection
• Hurt
• Bitterness
• Believing who we are through the eyes of others rather than believing who God says we are

Our eyes began to fill with tears as we realized how this captivity keeps us from living the amazing free life that Christ died for.

I told Jordan, "We are going to take Communion and we are putting everyone of these captors on the body of Christ (the bread) then we are going to drink the wine (juice) knowing that as His blood washes over the bread, that we just ate, it is redeeming, cleaning, atoning, and making new all things." AMEN


"Jordan, today the oppressor has ceased, and how fury has ceased!" We are free! Just believe.

Day 6 "Rest" Day 7 "Simply"

June 6 Acts 8:16

"They had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).



On our way home from the week-end I realized that you can exercise all you want but if you don't eat right you won't be able to get the full benefit of "The Shred."

We all over indulged at the wedding. Who wouldn't? We sat down to steak, chicken, potatoes, and veggies, with all the works. Then came the chocolate fountains with bananas, strawberries, brownies, and pound cake just waiting to be dipped. Across the room waited jars of malted milk balls, spree candies, M&Ms, and Gummie bears along with their little plastic bags and ties to make the perfect parting gift. And I can't forget the amazing wedding cake. But the next day...sugar overload!!! I wanted to be sick.

Yep, we must eat right and exercise if we want the full benefit of health.

We Christians sometimes forget that if we want the full benefit of our faith we must have both Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Peter and John knew the power of both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. "When they heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 8:16).

Have you received Jesus? How about the Holy Spirit? Without both it is impossible to live the full abundant life that Jesus promised us. They go together like diet and exercise.

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."