Your Path

A mans Path does not run straight on it's own.

It is amazing how many preach about integrity as if they walk such a straight path. We all have our issues and when someone points out another it makes you wonder; how straight is their path. Many just choose to walk a path that had different pattern of crookedness (sin). SMH. I remember a story of a Christian man had separated from his wife and 8years passed they never divorced however, he met someone else. His friend ridiculed him. But the friend that was telling him he is in sin was a homosexual. WOW! Now this is interesting. Both are in sin yet the man that is a homosexual was calling the other out on his sin. Need I type more. All I am saying is we can help one another by walking our own straight path.

I have asked asked God to help me make my path straight, then He reminds me everyday to keep on walking with him and by choice my path will become straight and easier to walk.

Today is my birthday!

Today I celebrate my 41st birthday. It has been a very fulfilling day thus far. My life at 41 is very different than it was at 35. There is some good, some regret, but thankful for every part of this 41years of living. See today I feel a new beginning. A chance to do things different a chance to take all I have been through and apply the learning to be better at 41, 42 and so on. Today, I am learning to BE ME. Learning to follow all of my dreams and not what people think. Today, I read my bible for ME, Mj. I prayed over every email that came to me crying out in need. Seeking God in everything I have to do. Walking in my faith and not in this world of doubt. Today, I put on the full armor and speak thou is with me.

Today I rise for the 41st year of my life, I rise, I RISE!

God bless you all.

I am now learning to LIVE!!

Follow Your Heart's Desires
by Joyce Meyer - posted June 17, 2011

Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose. He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
—Psalm 25:12-13

To enjoy your life, start following the God-given desires of your heart instead of the desires of your flesh. You may need to mature in faith before you can tell the difference between your flesh and Spirit-led desires.

One way to tell if you are following a desire of your flesh is that when you step out to do it, you will lose your peace and face a struggle. If it is not of God, you will feel like you are pushing a dead horse uphill. If it is a God-given desire of the Spirit, it will work like a well-oiled machine. It will flow, with what I call a "Holy ease." Start your day right, and follow your heart.

Learning to give thanks in ALL things

Those who are thankful will always be blessed
This is re-post of my archived blogs and reminder to myself to always be thankful -MJ FitChik4Life

Learning to give thanks in ALL things(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

My prayer today is that you'll always be blessed even in your trials and tribulations. Some may ask how can you be blessed in a tribulation? Here is a perfect example, I lost my father in 2005 and it was and still is hard, but somehow God has given me this comfort that I know a human being could not provide. I still miss him and holidays are hard for me because he enjoyed holidays and he past 1week after New Years day, so though I think of him often I miss him most around the holidays.

I have chosen to be thankful for all the years God had him with us. I do miss him but the bible says in ALL, not some but ALL things be thankful.

So this week as I remind myself, I wanted to share with you and remind you that regardless of what things look like in ALL things give thanks for there is someone out there that have not what you have. There is someone out there that lost a friend and you still have yours, there is someone that had no food to eat and you just finished eating, there is someone that has no awareness of there faculties and you have all of yours. You don't want to go to the gym today and there is someone who can't go even if they wanted to. My friends look around you there is so much to be thankful for. Inspired from 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Don't be thankful when its sunny if you can't be thankful when it rains. A thankful heart is a soul that will forever be blessed-MJ

Choose to Please God

from Joyce Meyers ministires

Choose to Please God
January 31

Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
— Galatians 1:10

The apostle Paul said that in his ministry he had to choose between pleasing men and pleasing God. That is a choice you also must make.

If your goal is to build a name for yourself and win favor with people, it will cause you to live in fear of man rather than in fear of God.

For years I tried to build my own reputation among believers by striving to win the favor of men. But through bitter experience I learned I was submitting to a sort of slavery to people. God helped me realize I could only be truly free in Him.

If you are trying to build your reputation with people, it’s time to give up all your own human efforts and simply trust God. He will give you supernatural favor with the people that are right for you.


From the book Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Evening of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.

A Renewed Mind

Romans 12:1-2,

The New Year always brings a fresh air. A new beginning, a change.
The mind is above all the key to a new beginning.

No change of mind = No change of life.

Mind renewal is critical because whoever directs and controls our thinking is ultimately the one who will direct and control our lives. In other words, how we think affects how we feel; how we feel influences our desires; and our desires finally produce our actions.

Therefore, if Satan can influence our thinking by keeping us immersed in our own natural, emotional way of responding, he has got us and he really doesn't have to do anything else. We've played right into his hands. He knows he'll win when we're consumed in our own problems, our own trials and our own circumstances, because then we'll be confused, discouraged and depressed. And this will immediately quench God's Spirit in us, and none of His Light or Love will be able to shine forth. We'll be forced to "live a lie." We must always realize that the battle is for our mind! Without a renewed mind, without the Mind of Christ in operation, we'll never be transformed into Christ's Image.

Think of what is hindering you from your goals. Now think of what you can do to change it. Here is the most critical step. DO IT!

Yes, someone does understand!

Oh what a blessing it is to have a friend to whom one can speak fearlessly on any subject; with whom one's deepest as well as one's most foolish thoughts come out simply and safely. Oh, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person-having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

This friend accepts us as we are; yet patiently helps us to be what we should. Ask your self do you have a friend? I do and he is a masterpiece. His name- JESUS!
If you didn't, know now you know.

Blessings to you all this holiday please know if you don't think you have a friend, think again. God is here all the time.

There is a thief in our minds-I met my thief face to face!

“Don't become a victim of yourself. Forget about the thief waiting in the alley; what about the thief in your mind?”

I am having a wake up call. I have held myself to a higher standard of perfection because people look up to me and I find that when I fall short of this standard I allow the enemy and my mind to torment me as being less than God says I am. A special friend, I know loves me and I love him very much,shared with me this very subject and I must say it was very true. What hurt is the fact that I felt I was letting others down by not being perfect and letting myself down also.

Now some may relate to this and some may not but as I said my blogs are about learning and growing. I have stumbled fallen and now God is saying get up and who cares what man thinks just learn, hold on to my unchanging hand and press forward. Pick your head up and do not allow the weapons to prosper.

What is the weapon? you may ask. I have learned it can be your mind as well as circumstances, things and others. I have allowed what others think of me to become my thoughts and this self hate is NOT of God. I realize that the weapons that are formed against us can only prosper if we allow them. Unfortunately, I have allowed them. NO MORE will I be a victim or look at myself as such. NO I will not have self pity for myself and my wrongs or what people think.

Again, I have said when you pray for God to use you be sure to pray for strength. It's one thing to be used by God however, when we get personally involved our flesh can intervene in what he has us to do and this is where the chaos and a big mess is made.

God I praise you for your teaching I don't want to be right I just want to be right in you. When I am wrong if I repent then I will be right in you. I will not be able to please this world but I can please you. Lord, I surrender to you and all your ways. I will no longer lean on my own understanding I will listen to you. If I fall I know you will pick me up and allow me to repent, for this I say thank you in advance and I praise you for your unconditional love.

Inspired from the sermon at The Park Ministries by Bishop Claude Richard Alexander, Jr. titled :A Piece of Work! Yes I am a piece of work. I thank him daily for what he is teaching me, showing me and molding to be. I am a under construction.
God you are SOOOOOO AWESOME!

Experience God's Presence Tonight!

My soul yearns for You [O Lord] in the night,
yes,my spirit within me seeks You earnestly.
— Isaiah 26:9

Have you ever noticed that in the quiet darkness of night there seems to be something special about the presence of God?

He is always with you, even during the daytime, and you can talk to Him anytime, even when you’re busy. But during the day there are many distractions that keep you from focusing on His presence for an extended period of time. And by the end of the day you’ve often experienced problems and frustrations that can cause you to feel lonely and needy. It is then that you can finally give time and attention to the one who is the answer to your needs.

When you yearn for God in the night, seek Him earnestly, and you’ll find He will minister to you in a special way. He will provide answers to any problems you may have, and He will give you peace and rest.


Taken from Joyce Meyers Ministry
From the book Ending Your Day Right: Devotions for Each Evening of the Year by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2004 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.http://www.joycemeyer.org/OurMinistries/EverydayAnswers/dailydevotionals/

Mistakes...we all make them.

Many of us have made mistakes. I am learning that there is nothing wrong with making a mistake as long as you learn from it.

It is very easy to forgive others their mistakes; it takes more grit to forgive them for having witnessed your own. ~Jessamyn West


Mistakes are a part of life. Some mistakes are small, like making a right turn instead of a left, passing a street we should turn on, forgetting a time for an appointment. Some mistakes are a bit more detrimental; saying no when we really meant yes. Holding back our feelings or putting up a wall against those who need us most, making poor decisions and just doing wrong. All of them are a learning process. Some are more painful than others and we will have regret. Though I made a left and was suppose to go right I can make a U turn and be back where I started. Sometimes you have to go out of the way to get back in the direction you need to go.
Every time I use a GPS and don't follow the directions exactly it will say recalculating, then gives me further direction to get out of the jam I got in. Even worse sometimes it does not say anything for a while because it is thinking or internally recalculating and you’re waiting for that voice for direction. When you’re in a place that is unfamiliar it can be confusing, frustrating and downright scary. Have you ever been lost in New York City? YIKES!!
Never the less, with almost all mistakes you can correct them by rerouting or finding a different approach, however, we can't get the time back it took to make the mistake and the time it may take to correct it. Some correction is almost an immediate fix others may take some time; this is where the enemy can get really busy in your life. Through lack of self-control, patience and humility, conviction he can really make a mess of you taking the wrong turn.
In my walk with Christ, he has shown me that no matter the mistake I make he forgives me. I tend to take this same approach with people. To many times we take peoples mistakes and crucify them with it. Unfortunately, when we feel we have penalized them enough they are beyond repair or it takes longer than we want for the repair to take place.
Now with God it's different. Once we admit we made a mistake, he then has an expectation of us, just like we have an expectation of him when we are faithful. I learned that when I don't follow the directions of the GPS, if I am patient and LISTEN it recalculates then tells me what I need to do. In order to get back on track and be rerouted I must be obedient to the instruction. After the mistake when we repent or travel the road he expects, he has a way of taking us to a higher level than before, higher than we can imagine, because obedience is better than sacrifice. Being obedient in doing what we have learned to be right. He knows our hearts so he knows when we have truly repented from the mistake, but man does not know another man’s heart. Many times there’s a false representation of a man’s heart being displayed, but sooner or later it will come out.
But to God be the glory that he is an all knowing God; a God that sees all and hears all.

God I thank you for allowing me to make mistakes and I thank you even more for allowing me the opportunity to repent and correct them. I praise you for your patience with me, a patience that surpasses a man’s understanding. Show me your ways Lord so I may not stray.

It is very easy to forgive others their mistakes; it takes more grit to forgive them for having witnessed your own. ~Jessamyn West

The power of words

Stick and stones, may break my bones, but words will never hurt me

Remember that little rhyme from childhood?

It's wrong.More than that, it's a lie. Words are very powerful. Words can hurt or heal, build up or tear down, comfort or curse.

According to Mike Gordon, pastor at CenterPoint Church in Florida, very few of us are prone to slice and dice our partner with our words.

At the same time, most of us are guilty of making little cuts, or "nicking" those we love with our words.

Have you nicked your partner lately?

And no, I do not mean shaving. I mean nicking with your words. The little cuts and jabs, the sarcasm and put-downs we sometimes carelessly throw out there.

It took me just about the entire first year of marriage to figure out that what some of my friends found hilarious, my wife did not find at all amusing at best, and cut and hurt her at worst.

Other folks excuse "nicking" as just being brutally honest. In my experience, most of the folks who brag about being brutally honest enjoy the brutality more than the honesty.

"The genius of communication is the ability to be both totally honest and totally kind at the same time."

The power of the tongue

Our tongue, and the words that come from it, has incredible power. Words have the power to hurt or to heal, to tear down or build up, and to curse or comfort.

How have you been using your words with the one you say you love? If you realize you have been doing some nicking up until now, here are two things you can do:

1) Make a commitment to use your words to comfort not curse, heal not hurt, build up not tear down

2) Go to your love and apologize for nicking in the past and let the one you love know you intend to change this bad habit. The words could be something like:

"I realize I have nicked you and hurt you with my words, and I apologize and hope you can forgive me. I'm also making a commitment to you to control my tongue in the future."

A word of warning as you apologize. I know of one gentlemen who apologized by saying "I need to tell you I am sorry for nicking you." Well, somehow what she heard was "I want to apologize for Nicky."

You can imagine how the conversation took an unexpected detour from there.

The above example, and the one below, demonstrate just how very much the words we choose to use matter to those we love.

Different words, different result

A country boy fell head over heels for a little girl who lived down the lane. The problem was, every time he got around her, his knees shook and he stammered when he tried to speak. He just had no clue about how to talk to this girl.So one day he went to town and followed a city boy who was known for being good with the ladies, trying to pick up some tips. The country boy listened as the city boy looked deep into the eyes of his girlfriend and said "Your beauty could make time stand still."

"That's it!" he said, and rushed back to the country and found his girl. Taking her by the hand under the apple tree, he looked deep into her eyes and said, "Your face could stop a clock."

Same content. Different words. Very different result.

Remember, you have a choice, hurt or heal, tear down or build up, curse or comfort.
Which words would you like to use, and which words would you like to be used with you?

This has taught me to look at myself and I pray it helps you in some way too.

Taken from Jeff Herring is a Relationship Coach, Speaker, and Syndicated Relationship Columnist.

Light Shines Through Cracked Pots! (from Joyce Meyers)

Let not those who wait and hope and look for You, O Lord of hosts, be put to shame through me; let not those who seek and inquire for and require You [as their vital necessity] be brought to confusion and dishonor through me, O God of Israel.
— Psalm 69:6

I just had to share this one-

Everyone is like a pot that carries life. But not everyone carries a presence that blesses others. Religion tries to force people to follow laws to make them perfect, like pots without cracks. But if a light is put within a flawless pot and then covered, no one is able to see the light inside the pot. Perfect pots are not able to reveal internal light to illumine the way for others.

God chooses to shine through imperfect, cracked pots. People are blessed when our cracked pots let the light of Jesus shine through. Choose to be a glory-filled, cracked pot rather than an empty, pretty vessel.

Now that was food for the soul-Bon appet'ite


Remember BFIT Nutrition/Powerblendz is now open. Come visit us and get complete nutrition in a cup-try one of our protein shakes. Located in the brand new hottest club in Charlotte- Club Fitness 11108 S.Tryon St. Charlotte, NC. 28273
Come get your Shake on

Flaws in Life.....

Sometimes life can throw you a serious learning curve. When you learn things about yourself that must be addressed it can feel a little overwhelming. I realize somethings in me that are good and not so good, however, God is showing me that he loves what He sees because it is an opportunity to use me. WOW! I mean me he wants to use me. I feel honored. When a situation arises and I have to address it I take a look at me. Well, unfortunately I look at me a little to hard, meaning I don't give myself any slack. Yet I allow my clients and others to have flaws but I don't accept mine.

God has used a special person in my life to help me realize I, MJ must learn to love me flaws and all. No one is perfect... that's why pencils have erasers. Right? What I don't like I am giving myself time to change it. In all of this learning, I am falling in love with self. I thought it was selfish at first but then I realize it is not at all. It is a necessary fertilizer for my growth as a child of God.There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.
Today I say to you if you are not accepting your flaws you wont be content when others truly accept you flaws and all. I find this to be apart of unconditional love.

Unless I accept my faults I will most certainly doubt my virtues

What Good (Holy) Friday and Easter means to MJ

I was asked what Easter means to me and it was an opportunity to tell someone what he did for us.

Many of you know I am a Christian.  I don't shout it at the top of my lungs or lay hands on everyone I see, but I try to never block the light that is in me.  The light of the Lord.  Easter is a very important time of year to many and to Christians it is a renewal.  Just as Spring is to many.  Life has been a bit rough for me and so much has been happening lately. Lots of good and I wont call the rest bad I will say it has been learning curves.  Today, Good Friday is a reminder to me that God loves me regardless.  God thought enough of us that he sacrificed his ONLY son just for you and me.  Jesus was crucified and it hurts my heart, but I feel so loved today.  To know that he loved me enough to die for me, for my sins.

2010 has been full of endings and new beginnings in my life and the crucifixion of Jesus seemed like the end however, the resurrection proves the beginning. The beginning of a new life. Eternity.


I feel forever loved due to his sacrifice.  I am so thankful that His love is unconditional.

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.

Today is Good (Holy) Friday-I am grateful, for my Father thought enough to die for my (our) sins. When I feel down, I ask, Jesus you love me this much, that you died for me. Don't know if you know someone that would do that, but today I remind you that there is someone that did. Just for you and me Now that’s love.  

Many heartfilled blessings to you all to today, tomorrow and everyday.

MJ-Your FitChik4Life

Pressing on!

A nod, a bow, and a tip of the lid to the person who coulda and shoulda and did.-Hats off to all FitChiks4Life for all your accomplishments.

 

Those that didn't meet there goal, no worries for today is a new day-press on FitChik, remember we are in this for life.

 

 

 

Join us for Talking Fit-Live discussion Pt.3-Help, I can't seem to lose anymore weight- Mon.9pmEST http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=14144&uid=113043952329

The FitChik4Life Challenge

OK Game on!! My boot camp class is being challenged to diet down with me for my first competition of 2010, which is in 16weeks. They are stoked. I am already so proud of them.  It's a very challenging task however, it is rewarding to all of us. Already have results with a camper losing 3lbs in first week.  Keep it up ladies and gents. You are paying yourself back, by adding years to your life

Talk soon-Remember to join us on FitChik4Life fan page Live discussion every Monday at 9pm.

Soon to come  

Talking Fit w/ FitChik4Life on blog talk radio.  

Our Online store will be published soon.  You will now have access to our FitChik4Life shirts, and more.

Yes God is good- Stay focused, eat well and often love the body you're building

TALKING FIT!!!

We are Talking Fit! 
Live tonight 9pmEST-Topic up for discussion. " I can't seem to lose anymore weight" Oh yeah, the famous I hit this plateau and can't move. Join us on the FitChik4Life fan page under discussions FitChik4Life live Discussion tonight 9pm

Weekend Renewal

Just returned from the Arnold Classic Expo and what a fulfilling weekend. I want thank all of my online supporters who shared with me this weekend. It was a pleasure meeting you all. We never realize that our actions are being watched until someone points them out. I'm thankful for the emails after this weekend, sharing how you all view me. I truly believe that you can be attractive n pretty on the outside however, beauty can only be from the inside. You have enriched my soul this weekend to re confirm that what I am doing means something to someone. That God is seen in all I do.
A young lady shared with me on Saturday that she was a little nervous about meeting me because so many in our sport are pretty but not very social able or they feel intimidated. Then after she met me she felt like she was renewed. I said we are not all like that many are beautiful inside and out. I thanked her for allowing me to, but it's just the God in me and the she in returned renewed me. It is a blessing to encourage because it encourages me.
To you all I say thank you. Have a magnificent Monday
Don't forget we are Talking Fit every Monday 9pm est. Live discussion on the FitChik4Life fan page on Face book click the link on the top left of this page.
MJ Fox, IFBB Professional Athlete FitChik4Lifetm/Certified Personal Trainer Powerblendz/NUCO FIT Representative Sent via my BlackBerry

It's good for the soul

I was talking to a friend the other day, I said how ya been? She replied with a sigh, girl, I'm making it. I said making what? She said Huh? I said yep me too. I am making today the best day of the rest of my life.  She smiled and said MJ you are something else. I said well I can't make it if I don't know what I am making. I mean that would just be a mess, I think. She said true that. I replied, SO what ya making?  She smiled and said I am making today the best day of my life MJ. We both laughed. She said, I thought you where about to get really deep on me. I said nope. She replied ok, ok I needed that laugh.

Don't think to hard on this one my friends.  The point I am making with this lil story is laughter.  It is a wonderful, priceless antidote for many things that can sometimes get us down.  Today and everyday choose to smile at someone or something. Go the opposite direction of what would normally ruin your day.  Today say, I will no longer have bad days, I am now saying well there could have been worse day and smile anyway.

Choose to look at the lesson in all things good and bad. When it seems you can't find the lesson, then don't stress it just laugh.  It will warm your heart and elevate your mental state. Go ahead, just laugh.

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.

Learning to say no!

Hoping all of you had a wonderful weekend.  I have been going through a learning phase and thought I would share it with you, as I know many can relate. I am learning to say no.  I have found that I'm always so willing to help and many times I sacrifice my sanity to do so. I am not alone on this. Many of us do this and we tend to find we are not getting the satisfaction or joy from the action of doing.

Is this a bad thing? Well, yes in some cases. I truly believe, that there should be an automatic sense of joy when you do for others, not a sigh of relief. Even when there is no thank you in return or appreciation you should feel good with just the fact that you gave of yourself to something or someone. I'm learning that when I put me on the back burner to long, I tend to not get joy in doing for others.  Now, some are reading this and maybe saying oh no! that's wrong as a Christian you should always have joy doing for others. The bible does state we should not grow weary in well doing. However, it also states that we must take time for Him.  I feel if Christ is in my heart then is that not a part of my temple which is my body? So if I am taking care of my temple (body and mind) then it is not just for me it is for him also. When I speak on doing for me,  I am referring to things like not taking my devotional time away from Christ. Being sure of getting my workouts in which is part of my therapy to handle this thing called life. Taking a short vacation away from the chaos. I think taking care of the outside is important and taking care of the inside is even more so. At the young age of 39 (smile) God is showing me some powerful things.  I would not be able to see them if I don't slow down sometimes. I am so grateful for those he is placing in my path both good and bad because it is really making me stronger and better than I've been.

So I say ALL this to say, MJ is officially doing her and in return I know I will be able to do so much more for others. Yes God is so good, all the time.

A well cared for tree bares good fruit. However, a diseased and malnourished tree may not bare any fruit at all and the if it does how healthy is it, considering it's source.

Blessings to you all this week.  BTW Update on my training- I am now 18weeks out from shine time on stage. My back has been tight but nothing major and I am steadily able to increase weight and or intensity in my workouts. My diet is starting to be more consistent.  Ya know I am always gonna keep it real for you all. Updated progress pics soon to come. I say in advance, thanks so much for your support.


Remember Live discussion on the FitChik4Life fan page every Mon 9pm est. TALKING FIT!  You got questions, we got answers. Join Us!