Your Circle of Influence

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the gift of "Free Will." With free will we are able to make our own choices, but those choices dictate the circumstances we face tomorrow. While on my mission trip to Cuba last month, it was clear to me that not everyone can exercise this gift freely. So free will is not something we should take lightly. 

                                                           Cuba Mission Trip 2015

Each day we must make conscious decisions. Choosing your friends and those people you allow into your inner circle is one of those important decisions. This choice, as simple as it may sound, can have a great impact on your life. The people you allow into your inner circle can make you or break you. The right people can have a positive impact on your life whereas the opposite can prevent you from becoming the person God created you to be. 

I've learned that less sometimes is actually more, and what surrounds you creates your world! So take a look around....... How are you exercising your gift of Free Will?

Love,

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission

Matthew 7:17 (KJV) ~ Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Plan, Prepare and Expect

When was the last time you prepared a vision board? Have you ever prepared one? If you haven't, I encourage you to do so.

I went into 2015 with intention and expectation. Knowing that I had a lot I wanted to accomplish this year prompted me to create a vision board. We've heard it said time and time again... "Those who plan, prosper." So why don't we plan? I believe that oftentimes we do plan, we just lack execution. We get "busy" and next thing you know another year has past. I refuse to allow that to happen to me this year! My vision board serves not only as a reminder of my goals, but it's also a form of motivation. Half of my board is full of affirmations and Bible verses, while the other half paints a clear picture of what I want to accomplish. 

One of the goals I set myself this year was to improve my weightlifting skills and my overall performance as an athlete. I've been doing CrossFit for almost 4 years now. In January I took an Olympic Weightlifting Certification Seminar.  At this seminar I met Jim Krebs who is now my weightlifting coach and nutrition counselor. Jim has only been training me for about a month but I can already see major improvements in my technique, form, and my overall athletic performance. He clearly was an answer to one of my prayers. I look forward to continuing this journey with him. He's an amazing coach! 

                                                                        Jim Krebs a/k/a KrebStrong

 

I share this because I want you to plan, prepare, and prosper this year! :) Figure out what your priorities are. If you don't know what you're working towards, other things become priority. Stay focused and determined and don't let life get in the way! 

                                                                          My 2015 Vision Board

Love,

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission 

Psalms 20:4 ~ May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

The Little Train That Could

"I could" live in the past and allow those things to hold me back or "I could" leave those things behind and move forward towards the destiny God has set for my life. It's my decision.... And I've decided that I'm jumping on "the little train that could." I could live in regret, but I won't! I could live in defeat, but I'm not! I could, however, live with expectation knowing that God has a GREAT plan for my life and all I have to do is take purposeful steps. 

Too often we allow our past to dictate our future. By doing so we're letting life pass us by. Make the decision today to jump on "the little train that could" and see where it leads you. I have a feeling you'll enjoy the ride! :) 

Love,

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission  

2 Timothy 1:7 ~ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Happy New Year

I love celebrating the new year! A new year resembles a new beginning. The old has gone and made a way for better things. It doesn't matter what you did or did not do last year. This year is not meant for you to have a do-over, it's meant for you to have a fresh start! I thank God because His mercy is new everyday. He's not concerned with what you did yesterday. He wants to meet you exactly where you are today, and He wants to take you places you've never been before. He wants you to have a fresh start! God wants you to be whole or as I like to call it, Fit - Mind, Body & Spirit! :) He didn't create us for mediocrity. He created us for greatness! 

We each have a unique fingerprint. Do you think that's a coincidence? Absolutely Not! God designed us a certain way for a reason. We are all gifted in different ways. Give yourself the opportunity to discover who God created you to be. Stretch yourself in ways you never thought you could. Challenge your mind and your body. It's in the midst of those challenges that you begin discovering your true potential. And guess what? It's never ending! :) Every day is a new day and with each day comes new opportunities and adventures. Embrace the journey! 

May the best of your days be the rest of your days. Wishing everyone a Happy & Prosperous New Year.... Cheers to 2015! :-)

Love,

An Athlete On A Mission 

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

Merry Christmas

God's way of gauging success is very different than our way. God is not concerned about the career you have, the title you hold, or the possessions you own. He's simply concerned about YOU! God wants to know you and he wants your life to bear fruit. He doesn't call us to be busy, he wants us to be fruitful. Living a fruitful life pleases God. 

Unfortunately, there are many hurting people in the world. People that live without a purpose,  people that can't seem to find their way or feel like they've lost their way. The good news is "there is a way" and his name is Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! By choosing to follow Jesus you choose life and your life takes on an entirely different meaning.  Your path becomes brighter and your eyes are open to matters you may have been insensitive about in the past. 

This holiday season I pray that you are able to find "the way".... and the true meaning of Christmas! :-)  

 Love, 

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission 

Isaiah 9:6 ~ For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

A Purpose-Filled Life

According to Dr. Myles Munroe, the greatest tragedy in life is not death, it's life without a purpose. Every human was created by God to live life with meaning and purpose. We were not created just to make a living. We were created for more! But until we discover our purpose, we will never be fulfilled. He further goes on to explain that the source of all human behavior lies in these 5 questions...
1) Who am I? (Identity)
2) Where am I from? (Source)
3) Why am I here? (Purpose)
4) What can I do? (Potential)
5) Where am I going? (Destiny)


Do you know why you are here? The most important question in life is "Why"? Why = Purpose. We were not born as an experiment. God does nothing without a purpose and knowing our purpose begins by knowing our creator. Wanting to know our creator is the beginning of a purpose-filled life. Do you know your creator? 

Love,

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission

Proverbs 19:21 ~ Many are the plans in a mans heart, but it is the Lord's purposes that prevail. 

Photo Credit: Cristhina Danies

Who Is A Missionary?

Meet Lacy Beach, a 19 year old Southern Belle from North Carolina. Lacy and I met while studying at the Miami Leadership Institute (MLI). From the first day I met her, I knew she was different. This girl loved God and Loved People. It was evident to me that she had a huge calling on her life. Though she never thought she'd be leaving her Southern way of life to move to a fast paced city like Miami, she did. She knew that's where The Lord wanted her to go. It was a tough decision to make, but she was ready. Ready to grow and learn outside of daily Sweet Tea, a slow-paced culture, quaint coffee shops, her big backyard, and the closeness of family. Her time for more had come!

Fast forward a year, Lacy Beach took another leap of faith and traveled to Cambodia. While in Cambodia, Lacy has been working alongside Cambodian Care (a non-profit organization) building a school in the slums called "Light of Future School." The children that will attend this school have never had an opportunity to receive an education. But now they do! And they are so excited about starting school that they have helped build the school themselves (see pictures below); over 200 children will begin school this month. All of this is possible thanks to the vision and leadership of Cambodian Care along with Lacy Beach's obedience to God's calling on her life. 

You may not be called to a different state or country like Lacy Beach, but God surely has a calling on your life. He may be calling you to do something for your community or to support a local cause. Just be open to what God wants to do in your life. We all have a mission field; yours may be right in front of you. It could be a friend, a family member, or a neighbor in need. Do not miss out on those opportunities God places before you. Strive to be a people builder because how you make others feel says a lot about you.

So the question is, "who is a missionary?" You, Me, Us. We are missionaries! God doesn't call the qualified; he qualifies the called. 

 Love,

Jeanette, An Athlete On A Mission 

Proverbs 16:3 ~ Commit to The Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.