Ride On
Two memories stand out when I think of riding a bike. The first is from my childhood when I was about 8 years old. My bike was rocking with a banana seat and big handlebars. All three girls in my family got the same bike for our birthdays that year. They were exactly alike, except the color of the baskets on the fronts. I loved that bike. And the fun that came with it.
We rode all over the neighborhood - on the sidewalk, in the streets, even cutting through our neighbor's yard. Back then, we could do things like that and not have any worries. I felt so free in those days spent riding with my sisters.
My other bike riding memory was a different kind of fun. A few years back, a group of us girls got together and trained for the Danskin Triathlon. Part of the triathlon was a 13-mile bike ride. I bought a bike, a helmet, clip-in shoes and, of course, some cute cycling gear. I was ready to tackle the road.
The road was one thing. Sharing the road with trucks, cars, and motorcycles was something else entirely. The fear surprised me. I remember trying to change lanes with an 18-wheeler beside me going 50+ miles per hour. I literally heard the wind in my ear. Wow! What had I gotten myself into? It shook me up a bit. But, thanks to God and the girlfriends I'd trained with, I finished training and completed the triathlon successfully!
As both of these stories show, my favorite bicycle memories are ones I shared with my sisters or my friends. Whether I was enjoying freedom or facing fear, I was glad I wasn't alone in those moments.
It's good to have people alongside you through your life. Whether riding a bike, raising kids, developing a career, or beginning a relationship, we need each other! The joys double and the burdens are cut in half when we're in community.
Shoreline Small groups are the perfect environments to develop these kinds of friendships. By learning together, praying together, and serving together, we can nurture the friendships God provides. Don't miss out. There are people who need you for a friend and people you need for friends. It's a win, win situation. Let's travel together for the next few weeks and learn the six keys to winning the race. Ride on!
© 2012 by Kelly Mata. All rights reserved.
 Kelly Mata is an Executive Pastor at Shoreline Church where she has been in full time ministry for 20+ years. Her enthusiasm for encouraging people to reach their potential is contagious. She thrives on helping people find wholeness and is passionate about getting people involved using their unique gifts and talents to serve the local church and the community. Kelly serves alongside her husband Sam and their 2 amazing teenage sons, James and Robert.
Fitness Resolutions That Stick
It's the New Year. You've decided to get fit - again. What makes this year different? There needs to be a great shift in your attitude before it's reflected on the scale or clothes size. Here are some proven tips:
Keep it Simple. Diet fads emerge and quickly fade away. Many are unrealistic and impossible to maintain, much less live on. Have you heard the latest "Baby Food Diet?" People are so desperate to lose a few pounds that they'll try anything, but they often miss the basic fundamentals of Godly eating; i.e., drinking water, consuming plants and select meats. There are the fitness crazes too; like clever gadgets that promise six pack abs and buns of steel. But you don't need any fancy equipment. Just move! Our body is made to move every day and in all directions. Mix it up! If you're a beginner, start small and make incremental increases. If you're a runner, incorporate cross training with light weights, or cardio kickboxing to enhance your running muscles. If you enjoy yoga, try more rigorous movements, like dancing or swimming, once or twice a week to energize different muscles. Regardless of your fitness level, the key is to be consistent.
Understand Your Purpose. As you transition to a leaner and healthier body, the best kept secret is to understand your purpose; your why. Why do you want to lose those extra pounds? Why is it so important to you? Write it down. This "why" should move you every time you see it or think of it. If it's to impress an old flame, this alone won't motivate you enough to get out of bed on a cold morning for a workout. But if your reason is to be an example of health because you watched a family member suffer from illness, then your "why" becomes a laser beam dialed in on success.
Find Your Rhythm. When you start a new job or go back to school, you'll need to find a new rhythm. Living healthier is no different. Your life and body are unique to you. You can't compare yourself to your co-worker, classmate or neighbor. You have no idea what they're not telling you. Make this year different; keep it simple, embrace your "why" and seek God daily as you build (or rebuild) your healthy body.
www.kratai.net
© 2012 by Kratai Albert. All rights reserved.
 Kratai Albert is a fitness coach and ACE Certified Personal Trainer. She founded the Power of Six health/fitness program for women, owns Kratai Fitness Studio and has a heart to empower women to live vibrantly through exercise, education and encouragement. Kratai and her husband Allen Albert have been married 11 years and have an amazing 8 year old daughter, Keiana. They have been attending Shoreline Church since 2005.
Monthly Devotional
What Ever Happened To Common Sense?
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:9-10 (NKJ)
There's a deficiency of common sense in the world today. It's on display in all facets of our society and leads to moral decay. We need to restore the virtues of common sense in our schools, government, and daily lives. It all starts by seeking God's wisdom through His Holy Word in prayer and supplication. Let's stop trying to replace common sense with uncommon sense. We need God today more than ever before. He is our provider; He is our only hope. He holds the very fibers of reality together with a single thought. He spoke everything that is into existence, yet some believe they don't need Him.
Lord, forgive us of our ignorance and arrogance.
Grant us common sense and the faith to believe.
Lord, let Your Holy Spirit rain on our drought-stricken lives.
Let Your words nourish our feeble minds and soul.
You are our strength when we are weak and exhausted.
There is no one greater than You- no one else to extol.
Teach us to be good as You are good.
Train us to use good common sense.
Teach us the ways of righteousness.
Teach us salvation is our recompense.
Your strong name is our help.
You are our provider in time of need.
You delight in the prosperity of Your people.
When there were no provisions – You gave us seed.
Reflection: God gave light in order to illuminate the truth in the heart of man. That light gives life to those who walk in its glory. He breathed upon the earth and gave life to all living things; He gave eternal life to those who truly believe. Fear and reverence for God is the beginning of all wisdom and to know Him is to know truth.
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion. Proverbs 3:21 (KJV)
Prayer: Lord God, our provider; we thank You for Your words which are the bread of life and Your living water which relieves all thirst. We thank You for Your Son, who is the Truth, the Way and the Life. Teach us to be wise and train us in common sense that we may walk boldly in Your ways.
Additional Scriptures: Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, I Timothy 6:17 (NKJ)
Click here to read Shoreline's statement of faith
© 2012 by E.B Staples. All rights reserved.
 E. B. Staples has been attending Shoreline for about 10 years with his wife Sharon; an Author and Poet, he recently published his second book entitled "The Mighty Storm – A Book of Poems". A strong and powerful collection of poems that will surely stir your soul. This book can be purchased at local book stores or @ www.authorhouse.com.
|