2010 June

Reader Profile: Angie Ragan

June 16, 2010 By Prize 3 Comments

Angie & Jimmy Ragan

I am very honored to present today’s Reader Profile. When I started teaching the single’s class @ Trinity, she was one of my first friends. A fast and true friendship grew and I am still being blessed today by God putting her in my path. When we were single, we met at Starbuck’s for lunch (sometimes every day) and talked about the men in our lives. Looking back, that was such a happy time and the joy compounded because we shared it together. Then on New Year’s Day 2005, I was two steps away serving as the matron of honor as she married her groom. She’s an amazing woman and it’s a privilege to share my friend Angie with the readers of Prize31. Jennifer Riley

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What’s on your iPhone? I have a lot of medical apps on my iPhone. I also have a Bible app that I love because I can read scriptures anytime or anywhere.

Who is in your house? Jimmy (husband), Harrison (son) and our dogs Rocky, Lexi, and Harley

What’s on your shelves? Goodness! What’s not on my shelves?

How do you spend your day? I teach Medical Assistant students at Kaplan College, which includes writing lesson plans and case studies. Then I rush home for dinner arrangements and usually a baseball game or practice.

Teaching @ Kaplan College

What’s it like being a first time teacher? I am still learning the ropes, but enjoy every minute of it. I was nursing for a local internal medicine doctor and one of my former co-workers started teaching for Kaplan and told me I needed to teach. I got confirmation from God that this was His plan because I turned in an application on a Tuesday and started working there the next Monday. I work with students who are at a crucial transition time in their lives. Some are single parents trying to make a better life for their family or starting fresh after making mistakes with big repercussions. I have seen them grow and learn as students and have also been honored to see some of my students accepting Christ as their Savior.

The Outlaws

What’s it like to be a baseball mom? I love being a baseball mom. I love to see my son compete and his passion for baseball. I love that he’s growing plus I get to yell and that’s a great stress release. LOL! Harrison plays on the Outlaws, a traveling team, whose motto is “Bring Down the Thunder.” We travel about once a month for tournaments. He also played in the Southwest League, which ended in June.

How long have you attended Trinity? I’ve been at Trinity for just about 9 years now. I didn’t like the concept of a big church and I was looking for a church where I could learn. A friend talked me into visiting and I attended my first service on Pastor Carl’s first day as Senior Pastor. As he took the stage for the first time the audience applauded. The reason I came back was because Pastor Carl told a story about how weird it would be if on Palm Sunday the donkey thought the applause for him. I was really impressed with his humility. I ventured out and met a few of the leaders of the single’s group at the Young Professionals Group. At this lunch I met Terisa Clark and sine guy named Jimmy Ragan. He briefly talked to me. I then got involved in the singles group and met lifelong friends. And if you haven’t pieced it together, I met my husband Jimmy!

The theme this month on Prize31 is “In Shape.” What areas of life are you challenged to be “In Shape?” I’m trying to shape up my life in areas of loving myself the way Christ loves me and trusting the plans He has for me.

Filed Under: Prize Profiles

Good Vibrations by Jennifer Bell Riley

June 15, 2010 By Prize 3 Comments

A few weeks ago I woke up and couldn’t move. Excruciating pain in my back. No, I didn’t hurt myself exercising. I really have no idea what happened. Chris sees a chiropractor regularly, so I went to him for help.

Immediate relief and I was a fan. During one appointment, I noticed a sign on the promotional board about a special on the Vibration Therapy Trainer.

I picked up a brochure and here are a few of the benefits promised:

An hour workout in ten minutes (no sweat required)
Reduces body fat and cellulite (I was a candidate)
Recovery of muscle strength after surgery (Hey…I just had a C Section)
Reduction of pain and tension in lower back (that’s why I was there)
Builds bone density (now that I am 40, that’s becoming important, right?)

I was both intrigued and skeptical. It sounded too good to be true–ten minutes and all that benefit. I waited two weeks before I asked Dr. Helton about it. After a brief conversation, I bought the special.

The orientation was super short. I was basically asked how fast I wanted to vibrate. I was scared. What if I fell off the machine? After
being assured no one has fallen off, I got ready for take-off. After a fast ten minutes, my workout was complete.

I am not exaggerating when I tell you after two workouts I could already see a difference. After a week, jiggles in my abs and arms had less jiggle. I greeted my waist like a long lost friend. I could have a conversation with my husband about core strength. After 2 weeks, friends asked me if I lost weight. I could almost wear that dress Starr talked about earlier this month without looking four months pregnant.

I kept thinking it was too good to be true. It was really one of those things I didn’t believe until I tried it. And I kept thinking I
sure wish there was a quick 10-minute workout to shape up my spiritual life.

There is. It’s called Daily Devotion. If I asked each of you what you call a Daily Devotion your answers would differentiate: prayer, music, journaling, solitude, reading the Bible, etc. (Now that I think about it….this should be a theme for Prize31.com blog posts!)

As part of the monthly special, I drive across town 5 days a week for my 10-minute session. Sometimes I drag both of my kids with me. I am dedicated. And I realized that if I would put the same time and effort into my Daily Devotion, I would see a tune up in my spiritual life.

My Daily Devotion has changed from time to time. I think that is what makes it exciting for me. In some seasons, prayer quenches a
parched soul. In other seasons, it’s music and in other seasons it’s in-depth scripture study. Right now I am old schooling it. Hello Oswald Chambers. It’s been a while!

Blogger Profile:

What’s not in my closet: maternity and transition clothes

What’s something I never thought I’d be able to do: make good rice. But after watching a little PBS show called America’s Test Kitchen, I am the master of rice pilaf. I usually change it up by adding cilantro and lime zest when it’s cooked or adding Spanish seasoning. Who knew cooking rice was so scientific?

Filed Under: Jennifer Bell Riley

Horses on the Beach by Pat Stanton

June 14, 2010 By Prize 1 Comment

When we approach the subject of getting in shape, don’t you think that we are looking for our bodies to be born again? Aren’t we all looking for an instant supernatural fix or change? (Sorry – it probably won’t happen.) The body transformation normally works from your will and by the renewing of your mind. Most of the time, we have to have a strong motivation to make a significant change. If you are going to be in a wedding party or your class reunion is near, you will have new energy and devotion in losing a few pounds!

Do you ever wonder what the Lord thinks about our bodies? He gives us great words in Romans 12:1, “…present your bodies a living sacrifice.” We are taught here that we are to bring ourselves to God. We are to be wholly the Lord’s as were the former sacrifices.

When my husband and I were in Ireland a few years ago, we watched a fascinating example of horse training. As we looked out from our hotel balcony over the Irish Sea, we were pleasantly surprised to see horses on the beach. Early every morning we would see a few horses pulling small carriages. We deducted that the trotting on the sand and pulling a small load was good exercise and training.

Well, I would love a beach for an early run, but I will have to settle for my dog and I going for a nice walk in the country. Actually, I wanted to walk in the mall this afternoon, but I was reminded that this article was due – so, there goes my good intention to be in better physical shape! Sometimes in our lamenting to the Lord about our shape, hair, or how the body performs, don’t you think that the Lord just smiles? He is probably wanting to remind us of Job 4:19 when He said we were houses of clay.

Or He is thinking about 2 Corinthians 4:7 when He says that we are earthen vessels (clay pots with maybe a few cracks). No, now, He did not call us crack pots! The Lord desires that we become strong in our spirit, soul, and body. He is the savior of the body and declares that we are more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image (1 Corinthians 6:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18b).

Filed Under: Pat Stanton

You Never Know…by Deana Duncan

June 11, 2010 By Prize 3 Comments

Sweat pours from my brow. My thighs burn. My stomach clenches. My mind goes blank. Words don’t make sense. I get confused. I panic. Is this what they call electrolyte shock?

Nah.

It’s just the Russian Techno.

Yes, our friendly neighborhood fitness sadist named Lana has once again pushed me out of my comfort zone.

So why (other than the 800 calories that go sayonara per session) do I punish my body every Friday morning? Simple, I remember a phrase that the sister of spin shouted out at us:

You never know what your body can do until you ask of it.

Now, I think Lana meant it to inspire/shame us into keeping that dial on level 10 to finish that last big climb on our bikes, but I took that thought to heart in all areas of my life.

Hey girls, are you ready to ask your body to do something new? Are you ready to ask something new of your mind? Are you ready to “Get Fit?”

So, here is the deal.

This fall, the heart is for women to get fit–emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually.

There are some great classes/groups currently meeting (Simply You) and new ones planned for this fall to help you dig deep in the word (spiritual fitness)

However, there are two areas….

We need teachers/leaders/group facilitators (you choose the name you are comfortable with) to help women get fit physically and intellectually.

Luke 19:11-26 instructs us with the parable of the talents. Essentially, when God has blessed you with a special skill, he wants you to use it to bless others and further His Kingdom.

You may be sitting there saying, “How does being a Facebook Fanatic further his kingdom?” Ahhh…where do I even start?

Did you know there are some women (uuuhhmm, like my mom) who really want to do it (to keep up with grandkids, kids, friends, etc.) and don’t know how to get started. Or, once they start, they don’t know how to load a profile pic? Crazy, huh?

Let’s revisit the Titus 2:4 principle–the older women training the younger women–and taking it for a spin. Now, let’s have the more “experienced” in one area lead the less experienced. In the process both will grow and connect in new ways.

So, where can you fit in?

Here are a few group suggestions. However, as this is God led, if He has placed something in your heart, please contact us with the idea. This is His fall.

Fitness Class (early mornings or late evening)
Book Club
Gourmet Cooking Club
Gardening Club
Crafts
Technology Club

If you are like me, you are jumping up and down. Imagine, learning something new in a group of girls who love the Lord. Hey, invite someone who doesn’t know the Lord to one of these groups and let those talents rock His Kingdom.

So what now? Interested in putting a group together or interested in a group–contact Deanna at dee@cjduncan.com or Meredith at 806.792.3363.

Let’s Get Fit!

Filed Under: Deanna Duncan

Can you make it for the long haul? by Anne Zachary

June 10, 2010 By Prize 12 Comments

Are you familiar with the scriptures that make an analogy between our Christian walk and a race?

Here’s a great example:

Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs,

but only one person gets the prize?

So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training.

They do it to win a prize that will fade away,

but we do it for an eternal prize.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.

Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT)

I grew up competing in sports and have always heard this scripture and the others like it. And honestly, I never really gave them too much serious thought in that context. Just the sports world trying to grab a scripture or two somewhat relevant to competing was my thinking.

Until just recently.

I am coming out of a season where I was earnestly trying to hear God’s call on my life for this point in time. I could feel things stirring and was really looking for some specific answers. After months of seeking and searching and right on the heels of finding, my husband experiences his own growth spurt in his relationship with God. And I’m right along side him for the ride. Exhilarating!

But you know how a roller coaster ride goes…. tick ….tick…tick to the top and then what happens? You crash down the descent. And that’s where I found myself.

Plum tuckered out.

I was going through my days trying to figure out why I felt so exhausted? I wasn’t sick. I was getting good sleep at night. Why was I dragging? And then it hit me. Spiritually, it was like I had just finished a long race. And that’s when all those scriptures I mentioned starting coming to mind.

If I want to run the race and run it well, I need to develop my spiritual endurance.

Now that I have a pretty specific direction for the future, I can’t imagine things staying slow and calm. I want to be prepared to go the distance.

But what does developing spiritual endurance look like exactly?

So far, for me, it means being very purposeful with my prayer time and my time in the Word. It’s got to happen. Gatorade for the soul. Time with God is spent not just in seeking and asking but in listening and praising. Reading about what God has done and what He says He will do.

And like the scripture above says, “run with a purpose in my step.” What am I doing with my time? Does it serve a purpose? It may be something good, but is it what God wants me to be doing. Some of those good but not the best things are like sprinting way too early before the finish line. You use up your energy so when you really need it you don’t have any left to give.

That’s what I’ve figured out so far, but would love to know how you train for the race?

What does developing spiritual endurance look like to you?

Filed Under: Anne Zachary

Here I Am Again by Annette White

June 9, 2010 By Prize 4 Comments

Ugg! Well, here I am AGAIN! Three pounds heavier! Amazingly, it only took ONE Weekend to gain it! Three measly days!!!

This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that on average it takes me 3 MONTHS to lose 3 messily pounds! Now what’s WRONG this picture!!!

Every time I attend my exercise class I purposely read the little poster stuck on the back wall. “Gain 4 lbs of muscle and lose 3 inches! This is suppose to be my motivation???? But HONESTLY I just want to lose my 3 messily pounds FAST and not add an additional 4 pounds of MUSCLE to the 20 pounds of weight I still need to lose! Can’t anybody in this age of endless knowledge figure out a healthy, natural and CHEAP way to lose 3 messily pounds of fat FIRST along with the extra 20 and then build the 4 pounds of muscle????

And I’ve noticed when I gain weight the fat kinda spreads Evenly and Smoothly like icing on a cake! But when I begin to build muscle and finally lose some fat…. what gets left is CHUNKY Fat! Chunky fat on my hips! Chunky fat on my thighs! Chunky fat under my arms! And OH lets not leave out the Big Chunks of fat on my tummy!!

But I can’t deny the benefits of exercise! I’ve noticed that I can actually step up into and step down out of my Tahoe now without having to grab a side handle to HOIST me up and lower me down! STRONGER LEGS!!! I can carry a LOT more grocery bags full of food! At the same time I can lift them up and over as I squeeze between the vehicles and various standing objects on my way to the kitchen! STRONGER ARMS!! And I can actually bend over, stretch and reach for something, All At The Same Time, without loosing my balance! STRONGER TUMMY!!!

Well it’s time to leave for my exercise class! Time to work hard on gaining 4 more pounds of muscle before the 3 pounds of fat falls off. I know…. I know…. I should work more on not gaining 3 pounds in the First Place! Does that mean in addition to exercising I’ll have to watch what I eat???? Ugg!

Where am I going: Jazzercise Class

What is my favorite food: Vanilla Ice Cream!!

What am I eating for lunch: Tuna Salad and Celery

Filed Under: Past Authors

Junior High by Rachel Larsen

June 8, 2010 By Prize 5 Comments

Junior high, 1999.

I looked in the mirror and saw a chubby young girl with frizzy hair and glasses. I had never felt like the “pretty twin” and I was
pretty sure no one else saw me as pretty. I even once turned to contacts and braces were awaiting me a few months later. I couldn’t listen to another family member explain how “everyone is pretty in their own way,” I wanted to actually BE pretty.

My sister, however, had curly blonde hair, she was skinny, could look good in glitter makeup (the only kind your parents would let you sprinkle on at your age) and NO GLASSES. I have to admit, it didn’t help my situation that when I chose my first pair of glasses I picked frames with multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction symbols down the earpiece…

Nevertheless, I was jealous and upset, it seemed everyone overlooked me and friends always flocked to her.

If you know anything about twins, you know competition is inevitable. We never intend it to be that way, but if one is winning, the other must be losing. The first big tally on my scoreboard came at 6 years old, when I could do a cartwheel and she never could get it right (victory was mine!) This became my driving force: athleticism. Although I hadn’t lost my “baby fat”, I channeled any grief I felt into sports. Don’t get me wrong, because my sister is an incredible softball and volleyball player, but she definitely had to work harder to become great. Sports came more naturally for me, just like academics came easily for her. Oh
I didn’t mention that? She just graduated with her bachelor’s after 3 years of college and now is headed to Baylor’s law school on a full ride scholarship.

Are you on my side yet?

Feeling poor pitiful Rachel and her lot in life…or seventh grade?

Well, once I escaped middle school and entered high school, I lost the braces and fat, but kept the athleticism. It took me losing all of that to realize how selfish I had been. While I threw myself pity parties day after day, my sister had felt envious of me because I was constantly throwing in her face the one thing I had beat her in. Then she told me she also admired my artistic ability and compassion along with my athleticism. I saw that she never had wanted me to feel that way. We discovered we could both excel in sports, and academics. In fact, we helped our team in softball because we meshed so well together as leaders for the team.

It’s funny how things like this happen. At the time, I was devastated because I thought I looked goofy and everyone else was…cool. Even the most popular kid in school in 1999 probably looks back and says what a geek! why oh why did I ever wear
Jinco jeans? Did I really think knee high pink socks went with red gellies?

Today, I still find comfort in exercise. It has been a great remedy for grief, anger, and depression. Playing sports and exercising means so much to me because I blessed with it during a vital point of my childhood, and I find it comforting to know there is always something for me.

Sorry no picture of me in seventh grade, only a few exist and they will never be shown to anyone!

Filed Under: Rachel Larsen Flores

Gospel Zumba? by Tina Poulsen

June 7, 2010 By Prize 20 Comments

I know it’s a stretch, but hear me out.

I’ve been a faithful ZUMBAgal for a while now. Hands down, it’s my favorite way to break a soaking sweat & break into the next size down!

When I first started I for one, was reminded of my husband’s infamous dance floor grooves,

two, noticed how much better the girls with nightclub experience were catching on than I was, and

three, mid-step realized, that this jig was familiar to me…oh yes, all those CHURCH REVIVAL meetings!

(If you’ve done this class, you’re wondering where amongst the hip hop and pelvic thrusts did you find a move you’ve done appropriately in church? It was short, but it was there.)

Dan has come along with me a few times. This has significantly upped the # of spontaneous dances in our house-with and without music playing-much to the kids’ & Labrador’s delight.

This morning, I had the Israel Houghton station playing on Pandora, blasting through my Bose dock. And it started.

Again I say rejoice came on & before I knew it Carter & Lilah & I were dancing.

SO many of the ZUMBA steps fit the beat of these Gospel songs! (I know, my cheeseball is showing!)

At the end of one song Carter, 3 yrs old, waived his hands in the air & said

“We love you, JESUS! You heal our boo-boos!!”

LOVE IT!!!!!!

THIS is it!

Thinking about how good God is & how blessed we are “when we come & when we go” and how “we are created to make His praise GLORIOUS” the dance just rose up! “When I think about the Lord…it makes me want to shout!“, “When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon my heart, I will dance like David danced“, etc.

Thanks to all my ZUMBAing, the moves weren’t half bad.

It got me thinking, I’ve got to bring this to church!

Surely someone somewhere has already started a Gospel Zumba class.

How about a weekday Gospel ZUMBA class while the other Bible studies are going on?

Talk about “I will bless the Lord at all times!”

I’m telling you, I get it now, if I hadn’t before:

“And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment”

[Later when Michal regarded his dancing with disgust, calling him shameless (v20) David replied]

“I was dancing before the Lord, who chose me above your father and all his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the Lord, so I celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” 2 Sam 6:14,21&22

I promise to post it here, if a Gospel Zumba becomes a reality locally! Until then, there are several gyms in town that offer classes.

Not ready to move it with the masses? Crank up some of the songs I linked to above (or in this post). It won’t be long before you break a sweat & break into the enemy’s camp right in your kitchen!

*photo: zumba.com

*adapted from original post date 8/3/09 detailgalblog.com

Filed Under: Tina Poulsen

Random Friday: The Ultimate Parent by Meredith Mitchell

June 4, 2010 By Prize 4 Comments

From the time that she was born, my daughter has wanted to be near me. Even now that she is almost 3 (gasp) her favorite place to be is still on my hip. “Momma, carry me,” is something that I hear several times a day. She wants Momma to be there when she eats. When it is time for bed, she wants Momma to sit with her while she falls asleep. Sometimes she doesn’t even want me to do anything, she just wants to be held by me. When she has a question, she follows Momma’s explanation. Her facial expressions are changed by my facial expression. Her attitude is changed by my attitude. She repeats what I say, and mimicks what I do.

Malayna daily teaches me 2 valuable lessons. #1. Whether we have children or not, we adults should really watch what we do and say, as there are impressionable eyes watching. Proverb22:6-“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”

#2. We should display innocence and be influenced by our Heavenly Father the way that a sweet child is influenced by a parent! Matthew 18:3-“And he said: ‘I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Everyday our focus should be on just being near Him. We want to allow our attitudes to be changed by His. We should think of Him when we eat, as we are falling asleep, when we wake up. We should turn to Him when we have questions, and allow ourselves to just be held by Him-the ultimate parent! In return, our reward will be great-we will be changed, and slowly, those around us will be changed.

Filed Under: Meredith Mitchell

Will You Meet With Me Early? by Laura Fulkerson

June 3, 2010 By Prize 5 Comments

I know that it is usually customary to think of whipping our physical bodies into shape when we refer to being “in shape”.

However, for some reason my mind goes to a man named John Hyde, or better known as “Praying Hyde”. For him, being in shape meant rising in the great while before the day to seek the Lord. He would pray for hours. His heart was to see a great multitude of souls won to the Kingdom.

When an athlete is training to compete in any sport, he begins a strict regiment of hardcore work out sessions. Usually he or she is up before daylight to run and get in a workout. They are careful to eat what is good for their bodies. Staying away from too much sugar and watching to make sure they get enough good fluids in their bodies is wise. For they know that eating food and drinking drinks that are not good for them can cause weakness and ineffectiveness in their bodies. They know the importance of rest and make sure they get enough sleep. An athlete will train hard, and push to get stronger and go a little further each time they workout.

In the same way, John Hyde got up early to pray. He pushed himself to pray longer and each time he would see souls won to the Kingdom, he would ask the Lord for more and more. He was careful to put good food, the Word of God, in his spirit. He listened carefully to the Holy Spirit, and made a commitment to not put anything unworthy or harmful into his spirit or before his eyes. He knew that by compromising his integrity as a Christian, it would only cause weakness and keep him from being effective in his prayer life and in his own life as a Christian. His heart wanted so desperately to see people won to Christ, that he was willing to push himself to be on his face before the Lord in prayer. He saw many hundreds of people come into the Kingdom as a result of his effective and fervent prayer and fasting.

For me, I love to walk and even work out a bit. I enjoy being active and it helps to stay in shape physically. However, I want to be more like Praying Hyde when it comes to being in shape. My heart is grieved more and more these days by the lack of passion for souls and for the Kingdom. The enemy is at work to destroy and many of us are out of shape and ineffective because we’ve been putting too many things into our spirits and before our eyes that have caused us to become dull and ineffective. I can only speak for myself, but my goal this summer is to get back in shape spiritually. My heart is crying out for more of Him and for people to come into His Presence, His Kingdom.

Filed Under: Laura Fulkerson