Free May Scripture Printable: The One My Soul Loves

As you know, I have decided that as part of my goal to reach the nations for Christ this year (reach being my 2013 word), I will provide a free scripture printable for you every month this year...because it all starts in the home, reaching our families for Christ.

May is my absolute favorite month of the year, for many reasons! One reason being that it includes my anniversary. At the end of this month, Big A and I will have been married for 10 years!!! Crazy how time flies!

To celebrate, we are headed to Savannah to spend time together (just the two of us!) in one of the most beautiful cities, where we spent our honeymoon together!

I simply cannot imagine a better husband to spend my life with. God has truly blessed me with him. Every year gets better and I look forward to many, many more!

Go here to download my January print, which is entitled "Hope for a New Year." Here to download my February print, "Love Never Fails." Here to download my March print, "A New Creation." And here to download my April print, "Rest for the Weary."

Happy May, friends! 

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

{Hope for the Home} Linky Party: 7 Creative Ways to Display Scripture in Your Home

As you know, I think it is so important for families to display scripture in their homes. I believe these displays help us to keep our focus on the truth and are a shining light in this dark world. They also serve as a reminder for us to hide God's word in our hearts, a protection against the devil's schemes and the lies of this world.

With that in mind, I thought today would be as good a day as any to show you some creative ways to display scripture in your homes!

A wooden sign...

Source: mydesignhearth.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

A stack of books...

Source: lessthanperfectlifeofbliss.blogspot.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

A canvas...

Source: charlotte-march.tumblr.com via Worthy of the Prize on Pinterest

A pillow...

Source: etsy.com via Mariela on Pinterest

A wall decal...

Source: etsy.com via Kathy on Pinterest

A banner...

Source: sparksinthekiln.blogspot.com via Tracy: The Crafty PolkaDot on Pinterest

A printable...

Source: shanty-2-chic.com via April on Pinterest

What about you? How do you display scripture in your own home?

Go here for more ways to make God apart of your everyday life and home, and be sure to link up your own ideas below!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Faith and Fitness: Core Strength

The two words 'core strength' probably hit home with most people. They associate it with working out, staying fit or having a flat six-packed stomach. When you hear those words, core strength, what comes to mind? A mental cringe, an immediate contracting of your belly, or do you just exhale out or give your tummy a little jab for good measure?? No matter what you do, you know it's there, your core... something that is at the base of your whole body, the center of you physically. If you didn't have it you wouldn't be able to do or go or move or stand or sit... basically you would be immobile.

As a fitness instructor, the first thing I do at the start of class is go over how important your core is to you during class. For power, for balance, for longevity and endurance. I am constantly queuing my class participants to engage their core... 'Keep it pulled in, contracted and be aware of it as you get to the point of fatigue in your exercise routine'... I say on repeat! I tell them when you draw strength from your core it can spur a burst in your movement to help you finish your exercise set stronger, it can help you balance longer or push thru a set harder than if you were letting your core hang there, non existent, basically working against you. No matter if I am teaching cycle or an interval class, core strength is key and either makes or breaks you when it comes to improving your over all exercise routine and ability to increase your physical endurance.

Aside from the physical nature of having core strength, for me, there is also an equally important component in having core strength mentally and spiritually. For so many years I lead a life that I thought was based in faith and encompassed a spiritually sound core. I was raised in church, I believed in God, I prayed... but past that, past what was always asked of me growing up, I didn't do much to give strength to my mental and spiritual core. I basically let it hang there... non existent, working against me and I didn't even know it. I didn't know how to draw it in when I needed it most. I had no clue how to contract that mental core, or spiritual muscle when I was feeling weak or tired. Basically my life went way out of balance. I finally had to step back and ask myself some hard questions. Questions that opened my eyes to all that I had been missing. I cringed, I inhaled, and contracted to the fact that I was allowing myself to be immobile in the biggest, most important part of why I was put on this earth. My faith was lacking, I had no core strength mentally or spiritually. I asked myself....

How can you rely on a faith that you don't exercise? 

How can you fall back on a spirituality that you don't strengthen on a daily basis? 

Just like exercising and working out keeps you healthy physically, praying and meditating keeps you healthy spiritually. You can't have a strong core faith with out doing the work that comes with it too... work within yourself, within others, and work with your God! You can't have strong core strength with out doing the work that comes with that either... work in the gym, within your diet, and work with your lifestyle! A lot of times, in the beginning, I would journal to help strengthen my core. Reflection is a big player in mental and spiritual growth for me. Then as time went on I joined bible studies, prayer groups, changed the types of music I listened to, and adjusted who I spent a good portion of my time with. Basically, just reassessed my lifestyle to give it more balance, in hopes that would help gain some endurance where I was sorely lacking! I refocused the center of me, my core, my spirit to make myself more holistically mobile.

Not that I am any expert on spirituality or all things 'fitness'.. I couldn't be farther from that! I just know what works for me! I can't have the balance I need in life without growing in my core relationship with God. I can't have the stability I need to teach or take a Boot Camp class without developing my core strength physically. One doesn't come without the other, balance and stability in life comes with purpose, work and focus... and most of all practice!!! I quit giving up on myself if I didn't get it right the first time. I allowed myself room to grow and change and make mistakes... I accepted balance where I knew I needed it!!!

Here are some of my favorite core strength moves.. for physical and spiritual growth:

You can find strength and motivation in all forms, in many places... but if you don't find it within yourself first, your fighting an uphill battle that doesn't have an end. Draw your core in... Give yourself strength, mentally AND physically!

Always - Abbey

Images are found on Pinterest... follow me there for more Wellness, Fitness and Motivation!!

About the Author: Abbey Lewis started her blog A Moments Peace just one year ago as an outlet to be creative, and to have a place for her boys to look back and see the real her! It has been that, times 100!! Abbey lives in Texas with her husband and two sons. She loves her family, her faith, her friends and she tries to put a positive spin on any thing that God has in store for her! Feel free to stroll through her blog, Sonic drink in hand, because she believes every thing is better when you have a Sonic drink!

{Hope for the Home}: Am I a good example? Great resources for families!

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. {Deuteronomy 6:4-9}

One thing I try to analyze at the end of each day, is whether or not I was a good example. Was I the light of Christ?  Did I take Deuteronomy 6:4-9 to heart? Did I put into action the fruits of the spirit towards my children and others? Did my husband see my intentions of modeling the Proverbs 31 wife today? It’s no wonder as soon as my head hits the bed pillow, I am O.U.T! *sigh*

Like you, I am striving to be my very best so that I can in turn, help my children and husband be their very best, by modeling the act of truth and love.  It starts by example, doesn’t it?

Each morning, I search for new ways to teach my children God’s word, His character and His promises.  I attempt to feed my soul with scripture and prayer time during my (here comes the exaggerations) exercises and 3 course gourmet breakfast preparations. And like you, *giggle* I am quickly pulled back into reality that my alarm clock has been going off for the past 20 minutes and, once again, we are going to be late for school and work if I don’t get up and get started with my day.  When my feet hit the floor in the rushed mornings, I am mindful of beginning my day with a solid foundation and have found a few ways that work for me.

I love a daily devotional.  A book filled with scripture designed to be read once a day, already labeled with the date on it, to easily follow. One of my favorites is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young that I reference daily. I have a copy in my home, my car and my office.  I have even found age appropriate devotionals for both my 4 year old daughter (Jesus Calling for Kids) and 14 year old son (Jesus Calling for Teens) based on the original version of Miss Young's profound and intimate journaling.

Along with an organized daily devotional, I have also posted several wonderful and insightful scriptural prayer calendars on the inside of my bathroom cabinet and at the entryway of my clothes closet –a calendar with my children in mind and a calendar of scripture with my husband in mind-printed from a blog I subscribed to several years back. A calendar specifically categorized by prayer topic and the scripture that references that attribute. Kat, from Inspired to Action created a blog full of resources for inspired moms like us; a blog full of tools and tutorials at our fingertips.  She invites us to take and share and print and get to know the other women apart of the Inspired to Action community. The prayer thoughts each morning lead me not only to the privilege of praying for my family and having conversations with God, but of talking with my children and husband, telling them what I have and am specifically praying for them each day.

Go here for a copy of Kat's prayer calendar for mothers.

And here for her prayer calendar for wives.

I also try and lead by example through teaching with activities and crafts, especially for my preschooler and her friends. While subscribing to several blog posts in the past, I have faithfully followed Oh Amanda for the past 2 years.  I have had the honor (and permission) of announcing her new E-book to you: Praying God’s Word for Your Kids-10 Prayers & Activities To Impress God’s Word on Your Kids’ Hearts. This has to be one of my very favorite blogs and people (besides Erin at Worthy of the Prize)- I highly recommend you subscribing to Amanda’s blog, so that you can download this FREE guide. It is a beautifully designed book with thorough instructions on how to use it each day and week. A perfect culmination of prayer and activity to talk with your family about who God is and how we can be more like Christ in our everyday living.

In addition to the prayer calendars and daily devotional books, our family has recently created a mission statement that I have framed and posted in the heart of our home; the kitchen.  Gathering around our table each evening for dinner, after a very busy day, we can’t help but see this mirror framed statement sitting nearby as a beautiful and meaningful reminder.  It reads the following:

The Perry-Magera Family Mission Statement: To intentionally seek and listen for God’s Will in all that we do with our whole heart. To always demonstrate how much we love each other with modeling the character of God in word and deed and most importantly to inspire each other to listen to and live for God. To be a family that models lives lived in accordance with God’s laws and grace; to be loving, compassionate, helpful and accepting. To come alongside those who are poor both in life and spirit; to be understanding, patient, encouraging and forgiving not only of ourselves, but others.

This mission statement is our family’s way of identifying who we are together. This statement also reminds us to intentionally seek and listen for God’s will as stated in the first sentence, to always be an example, demonstrating and modeling.

As you might assume, at the end of the day before I drift off to sleep, I pray for another day to try again… to be that godly wife and mother God has called me to be, to raise my children with the intent of knowing and worshiping Christ, to teach my children about forgiveness, grace and truth, to remind my husband of trust, honor and love.  We can agree that we are imperfect and fall short of being the likely example of Christ on most days. But I’d like to think that God is pleased with our hearts when we can continue to attempt, fully putting our hope in Him, seeking Him in all things and in turn, place hope in our homes.

Go here for more ways to make God apart of your everyday life and home!

About the Author: Bethany Perry is owner and stationer at The Fine Line Market in Goldsboro, North Carolina, where she provides personalized stationery and invitations for special occasions. She enjoys celebrating, party planning and perusing through beautiful paper. She is married to (her favorite ECU Pirate) husband David and is blessed with two children, Jacob (14) and Gracyn (4).

LIMITLESS

 

Have you ever had those encounters with God that you walk away just stunned by his overwhelming greatness?  Those times where everything that happens is dripping in his presence and can only be explained as an ordained and sovereign happening of the Lord? This weekend I had an encounter like that. This weekend I was able to help and be behind the scenes at an outdoor Jeremy Camp concert. It took place in a small Texas town with under 600 people making up the entire community. To get a sense of how small it is; there is not even a stop light or a Dairy Queen! The amount of people who showed up to the concert doubled and almost tripled the entire town’s population. It was an awesome sight to see. The quote from Field of Dreams came to mind where he says, “ If you build it, they will come”. That is exactly what happened and they came. Satan tried many times to put a stop to this event but did not prevail! As each obstacle came up, the Lord, who is ALWAYS in control, took care of each situation so that the concert could take place. 

I have found, that the Lord loves to show his power in situations that seem helpless to the human eye.  From the moment the day started on Saturday until Sunday at midnight the Lord really showed up and let me know in a BIG way that He is LIMITLESS.  For example, the concert took place in an area that is usually drought stricken and a storm came in on Friday that caused flash floods in certain parts, and for a concert that is taking place in an outdoor venue this is not a good sign. But the Lord is LIMITLESS. He stopped the rain and dried up a drenched field covered in 4 1/2 inches of water to the point where people were able to sit on the ground to watch the concert.   He continually defied the odds and you could almost taste his presence. Halfway through the concert I just stopped and was amazed at the POWER of the Lord. The fact that the winds and rains answer to the Lord and all of creation was breathed and controlled by my Creator was powerful. Then and there he spoke to me, right to my heart, saying, “ Why do you limit me?” It caught me off guard, because never in my mind did I think I was limiting the Lord. How can I limit such a mighty God? But then he asked me again, “ Why do you limit me?”  and thats when it hit me, in my mind I believe the Lord can do mighty things but do I really believe it in my heart and live out that belief? To often I hold onto what I know the Lord can do and try and put him in my “Lauren- made” box. The problem with this way of thinking is that his thoughts are not my thoughts and his ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and He is able to do and does more than I can ever imagine. He breaks my man- made box in every aspect and yet I continually try and shove him back in there. I need a good slap across the face and a reminder that we have a God who has created all and literally breathed all into existence. We were created by a LIMITLESS God. 

How often do we also put limits on ourselves? We see the goals we want to reach physically, like wanting to lose weight, or get more toned or build up endurance but we only see ourselves able to do so much. We put these unspoken and unseen limits on our abilities when the Lord has created us to do so much more with his help and through his power. You see, that is where we get messed up. We limit ourselves because we only see what we are able to do as humans. But through God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!  ( Matthew 19:26) He breaks every boundary, he breaks through every limit that was placed and works best through the weakest and most available servants. I have found that the Lord loves to flex his power and majesty in situations that seem impossible and are covered in the doubts and limits put on them by our finite minds. So before you settle, before you only see yourself going so far, or accomplishing only so much, stop and ask the Lord to guide you and give to him all that you are and let your LIMITLESS God work in and through you. 

Tonight as you lay your head down I challenge you to  pray Psalm 31:3,5 to the Lord. Whisper in the darkness, “ SInce you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead me and guide me. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.” Then let him work, watch him work and show up in mighty LIMITLESS ways.  

About the Author: Lauren Barksdale is the founder of Soul Fitness. She has a BA and Masters in Kinesiology from Dallas Baptist University . She coached volleyball at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills for the last 5 years. In college she played volleyball for Baylor's club team and at Dallas Baptist University. She has been married to Ben Barksdale for 5 years and has two children; Evie Grace who is 3 and Hudson who is 10 months old. Lauren has a passion for health and fitness and incorporating that into everyday life as a Christ follower

what to do when all hope seems lost...

We drove into town late Sunday afternoon.

As we passed building after building of broken windows and shops gone out of business, I knew this was not your average, small (American) town.

All hope seemed lost.

And yet the gorgeous river and beautiful rolling hills told a very different story. One of hope. Of what could be. Of what once was.

We arrived at the tiny little church, surrounded by a sea of run-down trailer homes, filled with endless amounts of junk and people sitting on their porches (in their pajamas) in the middle of the day. No jobs. No self worth. No hope.

Why did God bring us here? How were we going to reach these people?  

The odds just kept stacking up against us as we attended the evening worship service of the church that was housing us (and helping promote our ministry that week), only to find there were just 5 people there besides our crew. All of whom were actually from the sister church in the next town over.

This coupled with the fact that the other church in town told us flat out that they would not help promote our ministry, made for a very bleak outlook.

A dying church. With a dying mission. In a dying community.

We came to run basketball camps and and to lead bible studies. To share the hope of Christ with those who may have never even heard his name before. And yet all hope seemed lost.

How would the kids in this community know about the camps? And even if they did hear, who would get off their porch, feed them and bring them? Did they even own cars? 

We canvased the neighborhoods. We passed out flyers. We offered rides and anything we could think of to get kids to come to our (free) camps and to get their parents to come to our bible studies.

But nothing seemed to work. 

Our fears were confirmed the first day of camp when we only had a handful of kids in each one. And no parents in the bible studies.

It was still worth it, we told ourselves. We poured out the love of Christ onto the ones who were there.

And then we did the only thing we knew to do when all hope seems lost.

We got on our knees.

You should never let adversity get you down 

-- except on your knees.

"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray."

James 5:13

We gave it to God. We had done all that we knew to do. We had answered His call to go. We had prepared and we had spread the word.

We did not have the power to get kids there. We did not have the power to change lives. We did not have the power to bring hope. It would have to be God working through us.

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

Exodus 14:14

When we step out in faith, God does the work for us. And boy did he come through.

We showed up at camp the next day and the kids started coming in droves...3,4,5 times the amount we had the first day.

The churches wouldn't help us, so God used the schools. The superintendent of the school district actually sent out a district wide message telling all families about our camps AND the bible studies.

Nothing is too big for our God.

We saw about 75 different kids (and their families) that week. The gospel message (of salvation through Christ alone) was presented every day. We know of (at least) 12 who put their faith and trust in Christ.

We witnessed miracles. And God whispered in our ears once again, "do you trust Me?"

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

In pursuit of the goal

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.       Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

I love the Olympics. I love the passion, heart, drive and commitment that each athlete displays in all they do. I love the sweat, blood and tears that cascade down the runner's face as he crosses the finish line, the concentration in the eyes of the gymnast as they are about to take on their final dismount, the swelling pride that turns into a smile as they accept their medals. Each athlete proudly displays and wears their country's colors, showing that they are proud to be who they are, a citizen of that country. All in all for me, the Olympics is a time of pride, passion and pursuit.

Each athlete, no matter the sport, has put in countless hours of intense practice. They have trained their bodies to perform, they have been disciplined in everything they do. They have practiced every aspect of the game and are prepared for "battle". They go into strict training and make their bodies a slave to the purpose they want to accomplish. Their every thought, purpose and drive is focused on pursuing and attaining the goal.  From the very time they wake up, everything they do is done to perform better and become one step closer to that goal.

As Christians we are called to do the same. Our every thought, action, spoken word should all be geared toward one purpose and pursuit... glorifying the Lord. The prize at the end is even better than the earthly gold medal that each winning athlete adorns around their neck. Our prize is eternity with our Creator. A crown of jewels to sit atop our heads. Rejoicing in the light of His presence. Talk about a sense of victory and a time of rejoicing.

We are to be disciplined in growing more like Christ daily. From reading, memorizing and acting on the living Word of God. We train our bodies, minds, hearts and souls to daily live in and for Him.  We wear our colors proudly. When people see us and interact with us do they see we are citizens of a Holy Nation. (1 Peter 2:9) Do they see that we are His chosen people? Are we running daily, training ourselves for the calling that has been placed upon us?

Now you may or may not consider yourself an "athlete" and whatever your athletic ability may be, if you are like me, you still dream of being able to stand atop the box, accept your gold medal and proudly represent your country as your national anthem is played. However, there is a strong chance we will never be able to compete in the Olympic games. That is okay though, because we have an even bigger goal to attain and race to win. We are all called to be contenders in this world of sin and to fight, train and persevere here on earth for the eternal "gold" as we represent our "country" and citizenship as children of the mighty God.  So today I encourage you to train like an Olympic athlete. Be disciplined in all you do, say and think and continue to press on towards the goal. Make your body a slave and go into strict training as you become more like Christ, growing in Him and sharing Him with others around you.

Wear your colors proudly and always look towards the precious goal, Eternity with our Lord. Now thats a gold medal Im excited to have adorned around my neck!

About the Author: Lauren Barksdale is the founder of Soul Fitness. She has a BA and Masters in Kinesiology from Dallas Baptist University . She coached volleyball at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills for the last 5 years. In college she played volleyball for Baylor's club team and at Dallas Baptist University. She has been married to Ben Barksdale for 5 years and has two children; Evie Grace who is 3 and Hudson who is 10 months old. Lauren has a passion for health and fitness and incorporating that into everyday life as a Christ follower

Is America in Trouble?

With the 4th of July, a patriotic musical at church and all of the Independence Day posts floating around FB last week, it got me to thinking...

How can we expect God to bless a nation that continues to deny Him?

We have taken Him out of our schools, we allow filth to invade our tvs, movie screens, billboards, etc. The list goes on. We have no standards anymore.

I get SO sick of the whole "we have to tolerate everything and everyone" garbage. No we don't! 

God has called us to TAKE A STAND for what is good, what is pure, what is lovely, what is TRUE and RIGHT.

Just like a parent sets up boundaries for a child, so has God set up boundaries for a society, so that it can flourish.

When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. - Proverbs 29:18

And where is the whole "tolerate everything nonsense" when it comes to Christ? We are expected to accept everyone and their ridiculous beliefs and yet are not able to utter the name of Jesus anymore.

Ok, soapbox over. The real reason I wanted to post this is to challenge Christians to take a stand. Answer your call.

We cannot expect the blind to see, to turn this nation (that was founded on God) around and seek Him again. It is up to us.

Pray for our leaders and take a stand.

If MY PEOPLE, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - 2 Chronicles 7:14

He is talking about His children. Believers. You and Me.

Now, am I talking about acting crazy and starting some sort of radical protest? Absolutely not. That is the kind of stuff that gives Christ a bad name.

I am talking about in your home, at your job, with your family, in your daily life...take a stand...be different...live like Christ. And when you mess up...be real...say your sorry...and thank God that His faithfulness does not depend on yours.

By the way, I am talking to myself too. Let's revolutionize this nation one home at a time!

Who's with me?

May God bless America, again!

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Freedom, Fireworks...and a Fabulous Summer Dessert!

It was a wonderful day celebrating the 4th of July!

Just me and Big A. We have had the house to ourselves for an entire week, ever since I returned home from the mission trip (which I still need to tell you about). I don't think that has happened since having kids, but it has been nice to get settled into our new home without constant interruptions...we have accomplished alot in a few days!

So, we began the day by sleeping in. I could sleep the entire day if someone let me. :)

Then we headed to the next town over and got a great deal on a sectional couch and ottoman! We purchased it in a 4th of July sale and are so excited to finally fill the space in our downstairs living room! We sold our futon upon leaving Green Bay, not wanting to move it again and not knowing what kind of space we would have in our new place.

It will be so nice to have a place to sit and watch tv again, with plenty of seating for family and friends!

(I will post a picture when it arrives today, I didn't think to take one when we bought it.)

We had a nice little lunch date while we were out and then we headed home to work on the house, making space for our new furniture!

Last night we went to the Greeneville Astros baseball game (the minor league team here in town) and stayed afterwards for a fantastic fireworks show! As you can see, we had great seats...although nerve-wracking because I had to pay attention to every pitch!

Upon returning home, we enjoyed this fabulous Red, White and Blueberry Trifle from Skinnytaste...

It was SO easy to make and SO yummy...a perfect summertime dessert! Go here for the healthy recipe.


I hope everyone had a blessed holiday with loved ones!

Remember, even though the 4th is over, freedom lives on...

About the Author: Erin Vick Franklin is the founder and director of Worthy of the Prize. Erin has a BBA in Marketing and Management from TCU and a Masters of Christian Education in Church Recreation from Southwestern Seminary. She is a published, award-winning author and poet. Purchase her book Worthy of the Prize Sports Camps: A Church's Guide to Implementing an Effective, Community-Reaching Christian Sports Camp to be used as an outreach tool for your church or mission organization. Erin is the wife of A, a Worship Pastor, and a work-at-home-momma to 2 crazy little boys, a and e.

Workin’ on my Fitness :)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men 

Colossians 3:23

Recently one of my former students, who is now 19, posted on her Facebook wall the following statement: 

     “I hate being a girl in today's society. Running everyday for 3 weeks. Day 1 of diet supplement”

    I read this and automatically my heart started to ache. Why would someone who is an amazing athlete, smart, witty, beautiful and caring struggle with this? We all know that answer.  She is living up to a faulty standard set out by society and working so hard to please others rather than the Lord. Now, I do not know if she is a believer or not but I DO know that many Christian girls struggle with the same thing. 

 I am 28 with two children and have gone through this exact situation throughout the years and honestly still do at times. I get so focused on working out to look a certain way, to fit into a certain outfit, to fit into the mold set by an ever-changing society who could honestly care less about me.  I have friends who attend the same bootcamp as I do and at age 40 they stand in front of the mirror and “inspect” their thighs, their love handles, and their arms that they say continue waving even after they have stopped. You may be laughing at this but we have all done it. We have all snuck a peek in the mirror to see if the results that we have been working so hard for are making an appearance :) 

So what is it that has us so obsessed with looking a certain way and trying everything possible to be that “perfect” size? This verse can and does work in more instances than in the area of fitness but it speaks volumes. So often as women we go to the gym and kill ourselves or go out to eat and eat like a malnutritioned bunny rabbit to work for and please “man”. We work with all our hearts and all our effort for a couple “atta boys” and compliments that will soon fade away and leave us wanting more. What a shaky and fragile “god” we make of our appearance.  This standard becomes a god that will not last, will not satisfy and if we continue to follow it will become our entire life. We will get to the end and look back and see that we worked with all our heart to please these and pursue these instead of the one God that does sustain, does last and does bring fulfillment. This unending striving is exhausting and pointless yet we work with all our heart, all our passion, all our being to make others happy and take notice of us. In the end though, there is so much more. A more solid foundation that we can build our work upon and set out our hard work for. This foundation is one that created all that we are. A foundation that formed the very last detail to what we look like down to our DNA. That foundation is God, our Creator. 

We are created in the image of God and our bodies, as Christians, are a temple of the Holy Spirit and through honoring and taking care of our bodies we are better prepared to do the Lord’s work. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) When we are well rested, have energy, and are practicing healthy eating habits think of how much more you get done and how much more you are able to move and interact with others. Those “others” are exactly who the Lord put you around in His timing and for His purpose. So why go against all that He has ordained and sanctioned by only looking at the external and working to please or impress man and not the Lord? Why put so much effort into a “tent” or our earthly bodies and barely give notice to the “house” of the Holy Spirit, the body that will last? ( 2 Corinthians 5:1) We get caught up in worship the creation over the CREATOR.

I have a friend who has a very healthy outlook on health and fitness. She eats well and exercises daily but does not go overboard or become all-consumed at every calorie she has burned or eaten. Her driving passion is to be a good steward of what the Lord has given her and to be able to serve and love  others with her healthy body as she lives her life, heartily, for the Lord, not man. She eats balanced meals, she works out regularly and yet when you ask her why she does it she will respond, “ to serve my Lord and so that in 50 years I can wrestle on the floor with my grandchildren”.

Please do not misunderstand me health has its place but its place is NOT on a pedestal that covers and consumes all we do. Yes, we should pursue a healthy lifestyle, one full of activity and healthy eating choices. But we should never work so hard to please man and live up to the standards set by society and forget who created our bodies, who gave us our health and who we honor through taking care of these things. With all that we are, that we have, all that we are being called to, honor the Lord and work for the Lord for the blessings that flow out of this are not only physical but eternal and spiritual and LASTING.  

In Isaiah 2:22 it tells us to “stop putting trust in man who has but breath in his nostrils” for these are faulty Gods. Put your trust, put your hard work towards the one that made you, the one that delights in you and the one who resides in you and calls you his own. This is the “society” and the “standard” you want to live with. One full of grace, love, acceptance and an unconditional desire for you to know, “ You are beautiful”.  

So if you find yourself like my fellow student and myself, and start to getting caught up in working towards the faulty standard society has set. Take a step back and focus on the one who created the body with which you work and give HIM the glory. 

About the Author: Lauren Barksdale is the founder of Soul Fitness. She has a BA and Masters in Kinesiology from Dallas Baptist University . She coached volleyball at Birdville High School in North Richland Hills for the last 5 years. In college she played volleyball for Baylor's club team and at Dallas Baptist University. She has been married to Ben Barksdale for 5 years and has two children; Evie Grace who is 3 and Hudson who is 10 months old. Lauren has a passion for health and fitness and incorporating that into everyday life as a Christ follower