What kind of aroma are you leaving behind?

My beautiful sister-in-law, Tiffany, enjoys

writing and I loved this little devotion 

she wrote up and texted to me.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV

  

    "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance of death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ."  

Think of an aroma. 

Has there ever been a time where someone walked by 

and the smell of their perfume was just amazing!? 

Even after they were gone the sweet smell 

lingered in a pleasant way. 

It smelled so good that you wanted to run after them and 

ask what kind of perfume is that!? 

Where did you get it!? Wow it smells so good!

To think we are called to be as an aroma of Christ. 

That wherever we go we are to speak 

of the saving grace we received through Christ. 

To think that the fruits of the spirit 

should be so apparent and present in our lives 

that wherever we go we leave an aroma of Christ.

Not in a way to make a profit or to benefit ourselves 

but that it is so natural that it flows from us 

and we leave an impact wherever we go. 

That we would allow Christ to speak through us 

wherever we go.

Where's your water?

  

It can be hard to drink enough water, especially 

if you are a coffee or soda drinker 

or you just don't like water.  

I've always liked good clean water, but today I made 

myself some herbal berry tea over ice with lemon and a 

few drops of monk fruit to sweeten.  Yummy! 

Another fun drink we do is carbonated water over 

ice, 1/2 lemon (squeezed), and a few drops of 

stevia or monk fruit. We like to throw in a few 

frozen berries too.

Are there any fun ways you make water 

into something special?

Personal Challenge #1

Spiritual Discipline #1

Make quiet time in the Word and 

Prayer a priority, every day!

~ Just You, the Lord, and your Bible. 

~ Try to do this in the morning, but be flexible about the time.

~ Start with 15 minutes if this is something new for you. 

~ Find a special chair or place you go to every morning.

~ If you find it hard to pray in the morning, 

pray through the Lord's prayer or a Psalm, 

stopping after each phrase and 

reflecting on what is means to you.

~ Sometimes writing down your prayers 

and/or meditations are helpful.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you." 

Matthew 6:33

" Be still and know that I AM GOD;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:10

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1

"Be diligent to present yourself approved of God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the Word of Truth." 

2 Timothy 3:15

"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him."

Psalm 62:1

Health Discipline #1

Drink at least 8 cups of water a day.

~ Drink a cup or two first thing in the morning 

to wake up your system. 

~ Drinking half your weight in ounces is the goal.

*But be sure to listen to your body and don't over drink! Drinking too much at once (more than a couple cups) can mess up your electrolytes.

~ Take a big water bottle or quart jar with you wherever you go.

~ Try it hot with raw honey and lemon for a morning tea.

~ Herbal teas, broth, and other unsweetened decaffeinated drinks count. Add a bit of raw 

honey, monk fruit, stevia, fresh mint, 

or pieces of fruit to sweeten and add flavor.

~ I've also read that drinking a cup or two right before bed is healthy for the heart.

Physical Discipline #1

Get your heart rate up, several times, 

every day!

~ 10-40 kettle bell swings 2-4 times a day.

Video tutorial if you need one.

*This is an excellent exercise for those who have adrenal fatigue, as it is short burst of 

intense exercise. This is good for everyone! 

If you feel drained after working out or taking 

a really long walk it's likely your body 

isn't liking what you are doing. 

Try small sessions (that means 30 

seconds for extreme cases). 

~ Don't have a kettle bell or other weight to use? 

Do walking lunges, squats, or just turn on some happy music and dance, jog in place or do 

jumping jacks! Shoot for 2-4 short 

sessions throughout the day.

Walking Lunges video tutorial

Show a Little Bit of Love and Kindness Song

Victory in Jesus - Guy Penrod

Are you Washed/I'll Fly Away

What a Day that will be - Instrumental

Joy Song - Jonny Diaz

Peace Like a River - Kids

Fruits of the Spirit - Kids

Happiest Girl in the Whole USA

Remember, this is not a competition! It is your own challenge to push yourself in each of these areas. 

Comment below for accountability, to 

encourage each other, and offer tips.

Love to you all! ♡

Staying Well Tip:  

At the first sign of a sore throat or 

cold try the following -

Sip 1-2 ounces of straight apple cider vinegar 

(with the mother) 

and/or

Gargle 1/4 tsp. salt in 1/4 cup hot water 

until all of it is used up. 

Welcome to my blog & happy spring!

    

    Thank you for joining me in my first attempt to connect, encourage and challenge you all through modern technology. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not savvy in this department, but I keep coming back to this idea, especially after talking with someone who is struggling and needs encouragement.

     

     My goal is to start a series of 2-week challenges for myself, as well as any of you who would like to join me, focusing on Spiritual discipline and healthy lifestyle changes. Don't worry! These are going to be little bites of change, and each one of our changes will look different because we are all unique people at different places in our journey. We should never compare ourselves and measure our worth, or how well we are doing, against another. God loves each one of us right now, just like we are! But He also loves us too much to let us stay where we are in certain areas. We all know what those areas are and if we don't yet, He will gently show us in His timing. Let's not ignore His gentle prodding but instead embrace it with joy!

     In addition to new biweekly challenges, I plan to post occasional recipes, exercises, mini devotions, and other helpful tips. And, hopefully, they won't all be from me! 

     So, if you are up for a personal challenge, comment below :)

     ~ Loretta

*Photo credit: Natasha Ann Photography 

** Disclaimer: No post or blog comment should be considered health advice.  You are responsible for consulting a medical professional before trying any new diet, remedy, exercise, or anything mentioned in this blog or any related forum.