it's #WHYIVASA

I’ve been thinking a lot about my VASA journey lately.

Originally I signed up for the basic membership, but it didn’t take me long to figure out that I didn’t know enough about any of the machines for that membership to do me any good (especially when I could go to the Dojo where my son teaches and use their treadmill and weight machines for free-still not knowing enough about them)

So early on I signed up for a personal trainer figuring I could have someone show me what I should be doing and keep me semi accountable. The price was more than I really wanted to pay, but at the same time I had recently retired, and also encountered some significant health issues. Getting active would give me something to do in retirement as well as address the health concerns. There was just one problem: I would meet with Nate on Wednesday, but when I went back to the gym on Thursday I would have forgotten what all the initials and strange terms in my folder meant. And there were no pictures! I had so many questions that I’m sure Nate and Kalen thought that I was a lost cause.

One day Nate suggested that I come to his TEAM training class—I had no idea what he was talking about, but hey, it was included in the price of my (personal trainer) membership, so I decided to give it a shot. I won’t go so far as to say that I was the biggest klutz in the class, but I never found anyone who seemed to have as much trouble as I did. Little by little though, the movements became easier, and I sort of knew what was going on.

Fast forward a few months to the end of my 6 month contract, and the beginning of a new program called VASA FIT. (No personal trainer, but unlimited access to the TEAM classes. And here I had to make a choice. I loved working out with Nate, and then with Courtney after Nate got promoted, but finances was a concern, so I opted for the VASA FIT, after all by this time I was at the gym several times a week doing TEAM training anyway, and the higher price plan only got me one more session a week.

Don’t get me wrong, I think having a personal trainer was a very good thing for me. After all, if I was paying for it, I was going to use it; and the commitment, in my case was necessary. WHY? You ask. Because after a month I wasn’t seeing any results. I went to my session once a week, did a breathe class, and a torque class, but I hadn’t seen much of a weight loss, I didn’t notice that I was any stronger, (or any less clumsy). I didn’t really know anybody at the gym, and each day it was a struggle to force myself to go.

If I had waited to join VASA until the memberships were month to month, I probably would have left after the first month, I’m glad I stayed around long enough to see the difference. And now I hear that there are a lot of people just like me. Gym membership seems like a good idea until they realize that you have to do more than write a check once a month if you want to see results. you actually have to go into the gym and work out. Stick around for a while longer than you might, and really apply yourself.

If you have a trainer, (and VASA Fitness has some of the best) you owe it to yourself to try some of the TEAM classes. Great instructors make even the sweatiest of sessions a fun time; and then there are the friends you make with the other people who have fitness goals like yours. And when you pay for a Trainer, TEAM classes are included in your membership. WIN-WIN situation!

AND LOOK AT ME NOW:

If you have the basic membership (or pay the little bit extra to be able to use the pool and other amenities) you seriously should consider talking to one of the fitness counselors about what you would have to do to try a class, (and then when you love it, upgrade your membership)

Don’t leave 5 minutes before the miracle happens! I owe so much to some really great trainers at the Clinton location. ( and a couple who have transferred to other VASA locations. It's amazing what VASA can do for you if you are willing to apply yourself.
#WHYIVASA

withing, faithing, adulting--a users guide

Kids! They don’t come with an instruction manual, and even if they did, every few years it seems like they have become a totally new person, a new model, and a new manual is needed. Kara Powell and Steven Argue have done a pretty good job of consolidating some of those manuals to help parents as they navigate the everchanging waters of toddler to adulthood. It would be easier if every child were the same, grew the same way, met the same milestones, had the same questions and issues at the same time and matured on a schedule. Easier but nowhere near as much fun.

                Since I parent only one child, I wasn’t quite as aware of how different siblings can be, (I’m one of 4 so should have known!) so this book was an enjoyable read. Growing With: Every Parent’s Guide to Helping Teenagers and Young Adults Thrive in Their Faith, Family and Future. (Baker Books, 2019) has as a central premise that parents to journey alongside their children through the different stages of maturing, stages that they call “learners” “explorers” and “focusers”.  And as the child’s role changes, so does that of the parent, as we shift from “teacher” to “guide” to “resource”.

                One of the things that most impressed me about this book, is how they use common words in a new way: nouns such as adult and faith become the verbs adulting and faithing.  Even the preposition ‘with’ becomes a verb, as we learn about ‘withing’.

                The authors, both on staff at Fuller University, each have 3 children with whom they ‘with’ on a regular basis, and it’s obvious that their knowledge of the subject comes from personal experience as well as research, and years of study, writing, teaching and lecturing.

                If you’re looking for the quick and easy answer, this may not be the book for you. If you’re willing to dig deep into the book, take time to digest it, and then apply it in your own family, you may have found the answers to your questions about dealing with teens and young adults.

                I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of their bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review.

                5/5

Heading towards Transformation

Sometimes we all get to the point where we don’t like ourselves very much. Usually with good cause, I mean after all, we’re sinners and steeped in sin. I’m not talking about self-loathing, or utter disgust. Rather, I’m referring to those moments when we realize that we’re not as happy as we could be with the way we are, and hopefully, realize that there is something to be done about it.

                And Whitney Capps, in her book Sick of Me: from Transparency to Transformation (B&H Books, 2019) does a pretty good job of addressing the issue, and pointing the reader to a possible solution.  And yes, there is a solution. It’s not a get rich quick scheme, it probably won’t happen overnight, and it’s definitely a process, but there is a solution.

                Early in the book Capps writes that she went to lunch with a friend and confessed “I’m sick of me.” The friend finally responded with “...stop telling me about you. Tell me about Jesus.” And that seems to be the key. Put God first, put Jesus first, stop fueling your own desire to be above all.

                I probably don’t fit the profile of the target audience; the more I read, the more I thought that this book was written for women (although the symptoms and the cure are similar or the same for men as they are for women).  The chatty, conversational way that Capps writes about the issues with being a wife and mother make this book one that women will probably relate to more than men will.

                One additional comment: some people, but not me, might find her frequent use of ‘Y’all’ cute or clever. Even though Capps lives in the south, and I mentioned that her style of writing is conversational, the ‘Y’all’s just seemed contrived and out of place. 

                It was an enjoyable read, and I’m sure that many of the women who attend events of Proverbs 31 Ministries where Capps is a speaker will appreciate and learn from the book.

                I received a copy of the book from the publisher as part of their bloggers program,

                4/5

We all need grace!

Sometimes I wonder about the thought processes of authors and publishers.  I mean most adult books are probably not anything that a child would enjoy, or learn from, but the opposite isn’t always true.  Some books, marketed for children, should be read by adults because of the important lessons they teach.  

GraceFull: Growing a Heart That Cares for Our Neighbors by Ms Dorena Williamson (B&H Kids, 209) is definitely one of those books. Although it’s billed as appropriate for pre-school through 3^rd grade, or kids 4-8 years old. I was fascinated by it, and kept thinking how better our world would be if politicians could only learn some of the basic concepts of enjoying the grace that God showers on each of us, and then showering grace on others to the same degree.

This is a story of a church which practices loving others, and a story of a little girl who shares with a friend in need. It’s also a reminder that regardless of ethnic background, or national origin, people are worthy of love. And with the growing number of homeless people in our communities, what a wonderful reminder that although there are some resources available, at times there is still a need for individuals and faith communities to step up and offer a hand up.

And if the story line isn’t compelling enough, the beautiful illustrations by Geneva B make this book one that you’ll want in your child’s library. It will delight the child, and the adult who reads it to their ‘little’.  I loved it on a number of levels. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of their blogger program, I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

5/5   definitely an A+ book

Prayer influences the circles of your marriage

I’m a big fan of Mark Batterson’s book The Circle Maker, and have enjoyed his other books based on the “circle” theme, including Praying Circles around your Children; so I was interested in another praying circles book.

Joel and Nina Schmidgall have defined several circles of influence in a marriage, and done an admirable job of explaining each of those circles: Vision, Romance, War, Dance, Support, Storm and Legacy in their book Praying Circles around Your Marriage. (Zondervan, 2019). Since the authors are both marriage counselors, they collectively bring a wealth of information about the subject.  And then they add in the importance of prayer, so what’s not to like?

They discuss each of the circles in layman’s terms, and share a lot of how each of the circles, coupled with prayer, has played out in their own marriage.

Overall I would recommend this book to engaged or recently-married couples; however, I think the cover is slightly misleading. The authors are listed as the Schmidgalls, with Mark Batterson. I really struggled to find much of Batterson in this book other than some references to the authors’ relationship with him, and a few quotes from some of his other books. Then to top it off, when I went to a major etailer to look at info about the book, Mark Batteson is listed as the author.  I don’t regret reading the book, but might not have signed up for the launch (and had to purchase the Kindle version myself) if I had realized how little of Mark Batterson I would be getting.

4/5

new "DUMBO" movie releasing on March 29, 2019

Imagine the magic and colors of the circus.  The roar of the lions, the grace of trapeze artists, tumblers, jugglers….and our favorite flying elephant!  From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.

Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.

Synopsis: 

From Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo” expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.   “Dumbo” releases in theaters on March 29.

For additional information:  https://movies.disney.com/dumbo-2019

or click HERE for some behind the scenes info

"where are our priorities", or "whose life is more valuable?"

     As I was driving into work early this morning, I was listening to the radio in the car. As usual I had it on the news station.  One thing caught my attention, and frankly annoyed me more than just a little.
      There were two stories about death. One was, or seemed to be, a little longer than the other and it got me thinking.
      The first death was that of Luke Perry, an actor who was the object of many a teen aged girl's crush back when he starred in tv show from a few decades ago. He went on to act in films, and the story told about some of his roles, and then the glowing tributes from many of his co-stars over the years. The story also mentioned some charitable activity that he had been involved in, but for the most part it seemed like Hollywood paying tribute to one of it's own. 
      The second story concerned the aftermath of a tornado in Alabama this past weekend. There were a couple of eyewitness accounts to the damage, brief testimonies of huddling together, and some prayer. And the fact that there were 23 deaths, including 4 children, and the death toll might rise as they continue to dig out and sift through the rubble.
    Where were the glowing tributes? Where were the tweets to the world about how much these 23 people were loved and will be missed?
      And it seems that when a politician, an athlete, or an entertainer dies, it's big news. Most of the people who read the article, see the story on tv, or hear about it on the radio or a podcast didn't know the person except through the media, so why do we show so much interest in the story?
      Which leads me to my question, who gets to decide whose life is important enough to make the major news outlets, while the death, suffering, and financial costs due to a natural disaster, fire, or major accident get secondary coverage.
     Sometimes I wonder how we as Americans think.  If there is a catastrophe, we're quick to respond to appeals for financial help--which often doesn't all get to the victims anyway, and when it does, it often fills in until the insurance pays off, or a law suit is won and damages are awarded and collected. But sometimes our own neighbors are suffering financially at the time of a major event in their life, and there won't be a big insurance settlement or financial award after a trial. 
    Why does the suffering of one family tear at our heart strings, while that of another leaves us cold?
     Where are our priorities?
     Whose life is more valuable?

Here and Now

For many years I’ve been telling people that there is more to being a Christian than repeating a prayer, and then going out to ‘sin happily ever after’ because you’ve got your golden ticket, and are assured a place in heaven. I usually add that eternity with God starts at the moment of conversion, not at the moment of death.

I’m one of those weird people who read the whole book—which includes the preface, the introduction, the epilogue, and even the appendices. I read the preface of Robby Gallaty’s book Here and Now: Thriving in the Kingdom of Heaven Today (B&H Books, 2019) and thought that this would probably be a book that I would enjoy. Then I read the introduction, and started to get excited. This is a book that calls Christians, followers of Christ, to actually follow Christ.

There are three distinct sections to the book. First, Gallaty asks us to look at Jesus in the context of His earthly ministry (and by the way, Jesus was not a “blonde-haired, blue-eyed American Pastor”). Jesus was very much about the Kingdom of God, which he didn’t proclaim as something that began when you get to heaven. He was very much about make the Kingdom appear here on earth.

The second section is a vibrant reminder that the Kingdom is here, and that as we have God within us, we are in, but not of, the world. Christians are set apart to act as God's emissaries, to show the world what it is like to be in relationship with a covenantal God. (Sounds like the mandate of Israel—to show their neighboring pagan nations what life with God was all about).

And section three, “Kingdom Conduct” deals with living in a way that demonstrates that we are part of God's Kingdom come, the now but not yet part of the Christian life style. Christianity is definitely more than a set of rules and regulations, it’s not just spiritual disciplines: it’s a life style. It involves an eternity with God that starts now, not 5 seconds after we die.

I received a copy of this book through the publisher’s bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my opinions.

5/5