Yesterday, I disappeared from social media in honor of the 27
million men, women and children who've disappeared traped in slavery. In
brothels. In factories. In quarries. Working as slaves. In 161
countries. Including our own.
Honestly, this is the first break I
have had from social media in years!! I didn't get on my Facebook,
Twitter, my blogs, and more. It was so hard to avoid it, because I am
always receiving alerts on my phone whenever something new happens on my
Facebook page.
However, everytime I wanted to get on my
Facebook or post a picture to Instagram, I was reminded of the 27
million people who do not have a voice of their own. It was a much needed break that was worth it!
Today, I am again here to shine a light on slavery! If you would like to join the End It Movement and Shine a Light a Slavery, please check out their website here.
This is one of my favorite songs. I hope that you will watch this video of "Twenty Seven Million" by Matt Redman & LZ7.
I really enjoy receiving emails and Facebook messages from YOU my readers! Thank you so much for taking the time to open up and be vunlerable with me, someone you have never even met. I take time to pray for each one of you as I read your stories. Receiving your emails helps me to know what you all are struggling with, and it gives me some direction to know what to write about on my blog throughout the week!
This morning after reading and responding to several emails I was overwhelming with this desire to talk to you about getting out of the "waiting for tomorrow" mindset. Last week, I shared a meeting summary with you about Turning Slip Ups Into Success. If you have not read it, I would highly recommend that you check it out.
If you are traveling the road called, weight loss, you have probably experienced your fair share of slip ups and failures. Anytime when we get off track and/or off plan we have two choices.
Option #1: The first thing we could choose to do after a slip up is to throw in the towel altogether. We can let discouragement take us farther and farther away from our goals until we have gained most, if not all, of our weight back. We choose to focus on the negative and see ourselves as a failure.
Option #2: The other option that we have after a slip up, is to decide to learn from our mistakes and setbacks. We decide that all of our hardwork is too important to throw away, because of one mistake. We find the courage necessary to get back on the scale and get back on plan.
When you choose option #2 you begin to realize the strength that God has given you to be successful on your weight loss journey. With every slip up you learn a little bit more, but each time you choose to continue to persevere. Before you know it, you will reach your weight loss goal and have developed a little bit more character along the way.
If you had a slip up last night or six months ago the solution to your problems is one in the same. Get back on plan TODAY! Stop waiting for tomorrow and making excuses for why you can't do it. This morning decide to change your mindset and choose to learn from your mistakes. It's not going to be easy, but you are worth it!
Below I've included a video of Mandisa's song and lyrics for, "Waiting For Tomorrow", because it has been such an encouragement to me. I pray that it will give you the encouragement you need to get back on plan today.
If you are committing to get back on plan, please leave me a comment, so that I can be praying for you!
"Waiting For Tomorrow"
By, Mandisa
Maybe tomorrow we'll start over
Maybe tomorrow I will finally change my ways
Said the same things yesterday
Don't know why I'm so afraid
To let you in
To let you win
To let you have all of me
Can't spend my whole life wastin'
Everything I know I've been given
'Cause you've made for so much more than
Sittin' on the side lines
I don't wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could've been better
Everyday's a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow
Maybe today I'll start believing
That you're mercy is really
As real as you say it is
It doesn't matter who I used to be
It only matters that I've been set free
You rescued me you're changing me
Jesus take everything
Can't spend my whole life wastin'
Everything I know I've been given
'Cause you've made for so much more than
Sittin' on the side lines
I don't wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could've been better
Everyday's a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow
Oh, I'm makin this my moment now
To grab the hand that's reachin down to save me You saved me
And I'm makin this my moment now
To grab the hand that's reachin down to save me You saved me
Can't spend my whole life wastin'
Everything I know I've been given
'Cause you've made for so much more than
Sittin' on the side lines
I don't wanna look back and wonder
If good enough could've been better
Everyday's a day to start over
So, why am I waiting for tomorrow
I'm gonna grab the hand that's reachin down
And I'm not gonna wait until tomorrow
Oh, tomorrow
For our 5 year anniversary, Jon and I attended Passion 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. I think that this was the best way for the two of us to spend time celebrating all that God has done in our marriage.
When we arrived in Atlanta for Passion 2012, Jon and I learned that the theme for this year's Passion was FREEDOM. Throughout the conference we learned that there are 27 million slaves in the world today, this is more than any other time in human history. We heard a message from Christine Caine, about how she is taking action too help those who are victims of human trafficking. Christine founded The A21 Campaign, if you would like to learn more click here.
The last night that Jon and I were at Passion 2012 we took a stand for freedom with 45,000 other college students, leaders, and volunteers. It was powerful to walk in silence and pray for the 27 million that many people know nothing about. At midnight, the hand of freedom was lite. Shouts and cries to the Lord rang out from all 45,000 of us that were there. We began to sing songs of freedom, trusting that the Lord would hear our cry for the slaves in this world.
Jon and I were extremely convicted as we learned about the 27 million at Passion 2012. For so long, Jon and I have lived our lives thinking that everything was just fine, but it's not. We are so thankful for the A21 group and their courage to step up for these people and share with them God's love. We are determined not to forget these 27 million and to share their stories when they cannot.
Please take a few minutes to watch this video about Natalia's story by the A21 campaign.
So, now you know the truth...what are you going to do about it? What is this was one of your sisters? Would you just sit back and do nothing?
This morning I read a Proverbs 31 devotional about how as you come into God's presence you will be transformed. I was reminded of the fact, that as I spend time with God in His word, in prayer, in worship, and even in silence I will be changed!!
Every Wednesday night after work, I go to church for choir practice. Please do not be deceived when I say this, because I am not the world's best singer. However, I love singing praises to my God! I joined choir, because of the way God has used music and worship to change me. It isn't something I expected, but as I spend time worshiping God, I cannot help but be changed by Him!
Last night in choir, we sang one of my favorite songs called, "Unto the Lamb". Honestly, I do not know how anyone could hear this song and not be moved by the music and lyrics, because it is so powerful! My favorite line in this song is, "All praise unto the Lamb who sits on the throne, Honor and power, dominion and praise, Unto the Lamb, who was and is, and is to come!"Do you believe that those words are true!?
Choir is just one of the places where I come into God's presence on a weekly basis and experience God's transforming power in my life. Have you been spending transforming time with God? If not, I would encourage you to take time this week to come into God's presence!
This isn't my church, but if you have never heard this song, please take a moment to listen to "Unto the Lamb".
“When the people of the land come before the LORD at the appointed feasts, whoever enters by the north gate to worship is to go out the south gate; and whoever enters by the south gate is to go out the north gate. No one is to return through the gate by which he entered, but each is to go out the opposite gate.” Ezekiel 46:9 (NIV 1984)
As soon as my eyes opened I knew it was going to be one of “those” days. I think that saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” was created for days like this. I was sad, disappointed, frustrated and empty.
But I couldn’t put my finger on why I felt all of these emotions. I just knew I had to get out of the house before everyone woke up and my feelings steered our day in the wrong direction.
I put on my tennis shoes and started out the front door. Though unsure of where I was going to run, I was certain of the length: far! Far enough for me to come back with a different perspective. What I needed was to get alone with Jesus, to have Him fill me, and exchange my negative emotions with His peace, truth and life.
As I started my run, old thoughts poured into my head. You are not beautiful. You are not special. Your life doesn’t count. After years of reading, studying and even teaching the Truth, it was hard to believe I still struggled with these dark thoughts.
As lies poured in, I remember scriptures stored in my mind and heart. He sees me as beautiful. He says He is wild about me. He is more than enough for me. He is all I need.
Mulling over these precious promises from God’s Word, tears began to pour. This is what I needed.
I didn’t need more words of affirmation from my husband. I didn’t need another pat on the back from a friend. I needed a new outpouring of love from my Love. I needed to be reminded of who He says I am, to give up the old lies and replace them with His Truths.
When we come into God’s presence, He fills us. The Lord changes us so that we are not the same as we were when we came to Him. Ezekiel 46:9 represents this exchange of old for new. The people of Israel were told when they came into the temple area to worship, they were to enter through one gate and exit through the opposite gate.
So the same should be true with us; we are “not to go back as we came, but more holy, and heavenly, and spiritual” (Matthew Henry). As we enter into our special times with God, we need to come out the “opposite gate,” different than the way we went in.
After an hour of running, crying and talking to God, I was not the same when I returned home. Now, I was ready. Ready to be the wife and mom my family needed. Restored into a vessel that God could use. Being with Jesus had changed me.
Dear Lord, I need You today. Living this life sometimes drains me and leaves me empty. As I come through Your gates and into Your presence, change me. Pour Your life and heart into me so that as I leave through the “opposite gate,” I am not the same woman as when I came in. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Back in November 2011, advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi teamed up with 180 Weight Watchers members - and new Britain's Got Talent judge, Alesha Dixon - for the weight-loss giant's biggest ever ad campaign.
The idea was to write a Weight Watchers feel-good anthem based on the stories told by members. Alesha Dixon was enlisted to sing the song and make a cameo appearance in the advert, but it's the lip-synching members who steal the show.
Many of the lyrics used in the song were inspired by things said by Weight Watchers members during casting, with lines including: "Feel so high, lipstick's brighter", "Now I'm prouder stepping out of my house" and "Didn't like my photo, I'm loving it now, I'm looking in the mirror, I'm checking me out".
You can find the lyrics below and this ad has 180 actual members, none of whom has ever performed before.
I used to be so boring
Staying in bed all morning
No longer I'm the one whose letting me down
Now I'm proud and stepping out of my house
So now I do a little shopping
Buying little dress I'd be wanting
Gonna buy it, gonna wear right now
Whatever makes me happy
Didn't like my photo, i'm loving it now
I'm looking in my mirror, i'm checking me out
Finally ready to get up, i'm taking control, hey!
My ladies let's play
Out all night, yelling, shouting
Wear that smile, I like what I see
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Feel so hot, lipstick's brighter
Who, what, where, is rocking with me
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
My life revolves' around tv
Easy her to be someone to be me
Now I know what I want out of life
It brights colours, so my body can't hide
And now I wear a little make up
Taking centre stage here on made-up
And now i'm doing what I wanted at last
Whatever makes me happy
Didn't like my photo, i'm loving it now
I'm looking in my mirror, i'm checking me out
Finally ready to get up, i'm taking control, hey!
My ladies let's play
Out all night, yelling, shouting
Wear that smile, I like what I see
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Feel so hot, lipstick's brighter
Who, what, where, is rocking with me
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Throw out the roof
Live for today, life is a game
You just gotta play
Always, always, always
Lay your hair down
Do it always
Life is a game
Now you just gotta play
Always, always, always
Out all night, yelling, shouting
Wear that smile, I like what I see
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Feel so hot, lipstick's brighter
Who, what, where, is rocking with me
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Out all night, yelling, shouting
Wear that smile, I like what I see
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Feel so hot, lipstick's brighter
Who, what, where, is rocking with me
Always, always
We're gonna do, do, do it our way
Today and tomorrow are really busy days for me, because I am trying to get ready for graduation. I don't have a lot of time to blog, but I wanted to share this success story with you.
I have blogged about this couple before, Tim and Melanie Howie, because they were interviewed this past Spring. Tim and Melanie are an incredible couple and I am so glad that they have been able to share their story with others! They are so inspiring!!
Tim and Melanie can fit into Tim's jacket that he wore when he first started Weight Watchers.
Tim and Melanie also participated in our Success Event. As a result, Melanie was interviewed and featured today on TV!! Please click the link below to read Melanie's success story story.
Recently, I've been struggling and discouraged by different things in my life. It would take too long to explain everything, but let's just say that I have not been the most joyful person to live with! ...sorry Jon.
I've been praying that God would speak to me and He answered my prayer this week! He used some verses in Romans and a song to speak my heart. I am going to share with you part of my journal entry from earlier this week to explain how God's been speaking to me.
I’m a “should” girl. I am always thinking about what I should be doing, always praying that God would show me what I should do. Recently, I’ve been so discouraged. I’ve been desperate to know what my purpose is in this life! I’ve prayed and thought and been so frustrated, because I feel like God has not given me any guidance or direction in this area.
The truth is that God has probably been trying to speak the truth to me for weeks, but I was too consumed with myself that I was not listening. However, today I was finally able to hear God's still and small voice in the word of God and in song.
“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” - Romans 4:20-21(NIV)
My life is going to be hard. There is no doubt about it, but I never have to question my purpose. My purpose is to bring God glory that’s it. I am supposed to worship and glorify God no matter how I feel or don’t feel about the things going on in my life. Then, like it said in the verse from Romans 4:20-21, as I give God glory, He will grow my faith! Amazing! If I don’t worship and glorify God my faith will not grow! I need and want my faith to grow.
Abba, please help me to lay aside my agenda and everything else that I think I “should” be doing and devote my energy to glorifying you!
This week God reminded me that there is only one thing I need to focus on and that is bringing Him glory!! The song below was introduced to me in choir practice this week. It's been on my mind all week and I slowly take my eyes off of myself and my circumstances and focus on my Lord.
Two blogs post in one day! I know that it rarely happens, but I really wanted to show you my new haircut! Back in April I wrote a post about potential hairstyles and I just got around to deciding what to do with my hair.
I am writing a blog post with all the details and pictures, but I am posting it on my Newsham Flight Log blog. So after you watch the video come on over and check it out!!
P.S. This is my first video blog post, so be nice to me! I was tempted to redo it, but I want you to see the real me.
This morning, I want you to laugh with me! I want to give you just a glimpse of some of the most joyful times my family ever had.
What you must first understand is that the men in my family are always trying to get people to laugh. I even married a man who is just like Dad and brothers. Most of the time this annoys me, because if I am angry I just want to be left alone to pout! However, my Dad and brothers, Kyle and Jake, refuse to let me have my way. It's as if they make it their mission to get a smile out of me.
Growing up my family loved to laugh together. My brother Kyle was so funny that we could watch a silent movie with him and his fake commentary of the movie would have us on the floor laughing! Those were good times!!
This is me and my silly Dad the last time we were together in July 2009.
Hands down, my Dad's favorite comedian is Bill Cosby. My Dad owned Bill Cosby as Himself on DVD and he would watch that it over and over again! It never got too old for him. Dad loved that both he and Bill Cosby had five kids. Bill was a man that my Dad could relate to.
I think that most of my family would agree that our favorite part on that entire DVD was Billy Cosby's skit about the chocolate cake.
This skit would have us on the ground laughing so hard that we were crying, because as a family we could completely relate to what he was talking about!! He was describing our family!! We loved this skit so much that we would even quote Bill Cosby and sing, “Dad is great give us the chocolate cake!”.
There are times when I get really sad, because my parents are now divorced and our family has changed so much. However I am so thankful for memories like these that I will always cherish. Bill Cosby will always hold a special place in my heart, because he brought my family together through laughter.
Thanks Bill!
Here is a video of the skit I am taking about. I hope you enjoy watching it!
In honor of such an awesome day we are going to take a break from flashbacks and focus on hugging those you love!
My favorite person in the world to hug is Jon! What can I say? I am obsessed with hugging him.
What about you? Who do you love to hug? Jesus lead by example and I believe it was His desire that we love the unlovable. We should pray and be on the lookout to see who God would bring across our path that we can hug.
I'm not saying you have to hug every homeless man on your way home from work, though I am sure they would enjoy that. But look for someone who is down and having a hard time, that you might be able to encourage by just simply wrapping your arms around them. If you hug someone today, I want to hear about it!
This morning, when I got to work I opened an email titled, "Italian Hugs". Normally, I hate forwards, but I was curious about what was so special about this video. I think this video is great and am wondering if I should try doing this in my own town. Be sure to check it ouy!
If you want to learn more about hugs click here to visit Wikipedia.
There is one song that has been especially close to my heart this year. It was with me through the good times and bad. I have sung it to myself and sung aloud in the car while this song played on KLOVE. God has used this song so many times to comfort me, when I needed a reminder that I was safe in His arms. I am so thankful that God uses music in such a powerful way to minister to my soul.
Safe By, Phil Wickham
(Feat. Bart Millard)
Verse: To the one who's dreams are falling all apart And all you're left with is a tired and broken heart I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own but you're not all alone
Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet With a love so strong he'll never let you go oh you're not alone
Chorus: You will be safe in His arms You will be safe in His arms 'Cause the hands that hold the world are holding your heart This is the promise He made He will be with You always When everything is falling apart You will be safe in His arms
Verse 2: Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life Is the very same voice that calls you to rise So hear Him now He's calling you home You will never be alone
Bridge: These are the hands that built the mountains the hands that calm the seas These are the arms that hold the heavens they are holding you and me
These are hands that healed the leper Pulled the lame up to their feet These are the arms that were nailed to a cross to break our chains and set us free
