Team Howard

Project 52 | Week 4

This week was even worst than last in terms of my consistency in the Bible. I still did all my reading, but in one or two days as opposed to a small bit every day. I've got to do better. There weren't any large themes that came to mind this week, but I will share with you some verses that got me thinking.

The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” ~Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

This verse is so familiar to me. Some versions say "be still" rather than "be silent." I've had to take this position a lot lately...at work, in my marriage, in relationships with friends. I hate to say that I like to win. Granted, I'm not a poor loser, I can take an "L," but I have to work hard at not competing and/fighting in all things. I'm not talking physical fights here, but just issues where I disagree or I want to prove my point. I don't have to. God will take care of it.

And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, ~ Exodus 15:25 (ESV)

See! The LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Remain each of you in his place; let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” ~ Exodus 16:29 (ESV)

The people of Israel ate the manna forty years, till they came to a habitable land. They ate the manna till they came to the border of the land of Canaan. ~ Exodus 16:35 (ESV)

The Lord will provide. I am amazed how after all the grumbling, that God consistently provided for the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt. He did just provide for a few days, or weeks, but for forty years, they sojourned and God provided food and water. I know I am all to often worried about finances and how next month will go. When I read Exodus and am reassured that if I am in the will of God, He will provide.

So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. ~ Exodus 17:11-13 (ESV)

We can't fight the Christian fight on our own. I love this story of when Amalek fights Israel. I can picture the fight change for a different side's advantage each time Moses hands are down or raised. When Aaron and Hur step in, I am reminded that the Christian life is not one to be lived in isolation. God made us for community. The sacrifice of His son is all about a relationship with His people. Community is essential to live Christian life.

Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good. “You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. ~ Exodus 18:17-18 (ESV)

So Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said. Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. ~ Exodus 18:24-26 (ESV)

My church has some guiding principles that drive everything we do. One of them is reproducing leaders and I see it straight from the word of God. Moses' father-in-law was wise to tell him to share the responsibility of leading the Israelites. In leadership at work and in ministry, I often try to take on more than I have to. God has put people in place with the same passions and I have to learn how to share responsibility.

And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” ~ Exodus 24:8 (ESV)

Now, some versons say that Moses "sprinkled" and others say "threw." Either way, I'm not to fond of being splattered with blood in order to acknowledge a covenant. I am so thankful that Jesus has served as the ultimate sacrifice and I don't have to find an offering to God other than my time and talents. Thank you Jesus for the blood of the perfect lamb of God.

I'm linking up with Angela @ Selfless Ambition and I hope you'll hop over there to see what God is doing in the lives of others or to share what God is revealing to you!

Big D Climb

If you've been following my Fitness Friday posts, you know that I've been hitting the stair climber pretty often to prepare for the Big D Climb! Well, the day finally arrived and I started my morning by slipping on my new Flip Belt and fueling my body with some Jamba Juice!

I plan to give a full review of the Flip Belt after I've used it a few times, but know that it kept all my things secure during the climb and I think I really like it. If you want to know more about it, check out FlipBelt.com.

I hardly ever drive downtown, but as I approached and saw the Fountain Place building, I began to get a little wary of my decision to climb 52 flights of stairs. I guess you can't tell that from the picture though.

Of course, Melanie and I had to get a few before pics!

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the climb was. Well, at the beginning, when we were trying to keep up with others, it was hard. We were sucking wind. Once we found our own pace, though, it was all good! There were water stops along the way, every 5 or 6 flights of stairs. That made the heat in the stairwell a little more bearable. And, of course, we needed a few more pictures at the top!

Had to get that picture in front of the 52! I was a little disappointed at the end. It was very anticlimactic. I expected this big cheering squad and a celebration, but we were greeted by like two people clapping saying good job and a whole slew of people just resting and waiting on teammates. Don't know what I expected, but that wasn't it.

Anyway, I'm really glad we took on this challenge.I really enjoyed it. In our goodie bag was this little sticker...

You know what it made me think of, right? One of those 13.1 half-marathon stickers...I'm not saying I want to run a half-marathon for the sticker, but the thought did cross my mind.

January Cara Box Reveal

So, this was my first time participating in the Cara Box Exchange organized by Kaitlyn @ Wifessionals! I had the opportunity to be paired up with two awesome women, Kayla @ A Momma's 15 Minute Time Out and Gayle @ Grace for Gayle!

{One} I had a blast getting to know Kayla and shopping for her! I absolutely love giving gifts. I think I enjoy giving more than receiving!

Want to see what I got her, head on over to Kayla's blog to find out!

{Two} I was looking forward to receiving a box from Gayle! And this weird thing happened...through our emails and blog stalking, we found out that we live in the same city. Crazy, right? So instead of mailing my Cara Box to me, Gayle and I met up for coffee at our local Starbucks! Super cool, right? Who can say that they met their Cara Box Match in person? I can!!!

This month's Cara Box theme was resolutions! If you read my resolutions post, you know that my two focuses for 2013 are spiritual and physical fitness! Gayle did an excellent job buying items that will be great for helping me achieve my 2013 goals!

I had been considering buying weight lifting gloves since I crossed the great divide and moved into weight lifting and not just cardio at the gym. I was so excited when I opened my box and found weight lifting gloves, a water bottle, a tennis ball for rolling out those pesky knots, Gatorade fuel, a scripture-filled journal, and heart-shaped sticky notes! Gayle also wrote a sweet note of encouragement that had me smiling from ear to ear!

Gayle, thanks for not making me feel like a stalker! So glad you wanted to meet in person. I truly enjoyed our two-hour coffee date! Someone sitting near would have thought we'd known each other forever. I am encouraged by your life and the struggles you've overcome. I appreciate you letting me into your life and I am inspired by your love for Jesus! I look forward to keeping in touch!

Kayla, thanks so much for being so open and honest with me. It is so obvious that you strive to live for God in all you do! I am thankful to know you and really enjoyed getting to know you this month and praying for you. Thanks for educating me on the Siesta Scripture Memorization Team, raw eating, and juicing!

Thanks again, Kayla and Gayle for making my first Cara Box Exchange unforgettable! Happy to have two new friends in the blogosphere (and in real life)! I had a great Cara Box experience and will probably participate again in the future. If you want to know more about the Cara Box Exchange and/or want to sign up, head over to Wifessionals!

Want to see more Cara Box Reveals for the month of January? Check out the link-up!

Fitness Friday | Week 5

That gym rat feeling has come and gone this week. Some days I was really pumped to go, and others I didn't feel like it so much! Monday, I lounged around most of the day since school was out. I finally got my hubby to join me at the gym. He was a bit camera shy!

I hit the weights this week, but made sure to follow-up each session with at least 15 minutes on the stair climber.

I'm preparing for my first event of 2013, which is this Saturday. I'm participating in the Big D Climb to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. What's the Big D Climb, you ask?! Well, it's 52 flights of stairs...crazy, right? So, that's why I've been on the stair climber every day this week. I think I'll take a break from it today to give my legs a rest for tomorrow.