New Beginnings monthly newsletter for May 2010

(Volume 44) May 2010

Inside This Issue:

Welcome

Who is New Beginnings

What’s New-

May 2010 Feature Article-

Encouragement from Queen-

Monthly Fitness Tips-

Excerpt from The Fitness Angel's Monthly Physical Fitness Article

Team News/Prayer Requests and Praise Reports

What Have you Been Reading?

Book Recommendation

Your Recommendations Related to the Monthly Topic

Upcoming Events-

Reminders-Church Link

Word of Encouragement

New Beginnings Scripture for January

Our Mission Statement

Welcome-

Welcome to the New Beginnings Holistic Fitness Ministries family. We consider it a privilege to support your fitness efforts. We welcome your suggestions and ideas, so please let us know if there is anything we can do to make your experience with the monthly newsletter, website, weekly messages or message board more beneficial. We can be contacted at contactus@mynewtemple.org. It is our prayer to bring you words of encouragement and inspiration to motivate you to become fit physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. This is your New Beginning and we want to make it an awesome experience for you. As you begin this new adventure we are praying for you.

Who are we?

New Beginnings is a fitness ministry established in 2003 to offer a holistic approach to fitness that includes mind, body and spirit. A fitness ministry also serves to help people help themselves through physical and spiritual exercise. At New Beginnings we believe good health is a gift from God and can be obtained by following biblical principles as we lead a balanced life physically, mentally, spiritually and relationally.

What’s New?

Don’t miss the weekly New Beginnings Life Group Conference Call!

When: Every Thursday

7pm Phoenix, AZ time (7pm PST, 9pm CST, 10pm EST)

Your Quality Conference Call Telephone Dial In Number: 712-432-6060

Participant Sign In Conference ID: 9234730

(This is a very important weekly event, so invite your friends and family)
(Weekly conference calls are a service provided by New Beginnings Holistic Fitness Ministries, Inc. Topics will determined weekly with the intent to move us to a new level of fitness, of mind, body and spirit.)

mynbfitnesscommunity.com

Monthly Feature Article-

Don’t Miss It!

By Angela Willingham

I’m not talking about a sale at Macy’s. I’m talking about a visit from the King Himself.

The other day we were just beginning our weekly Life Group when there was a knock at the door. When we answered it was one of the neighbors. She was inviting us to a gathering that same night at her house. She lived across the street from our Life Group meeting. None of us had ever met this woman even though we had been living in the neighborhood for almost eight years. She said she had a Bishop from Ghana coming to her home and he wanted to pray for people. She was going door to door just like I would assume people did in bible times or even in Africa to invite people from the neighborhood to a house meeting.

Remember we were starting our small group lesson and we already had a plan for our group for the evening. We went ahead with the session we had planned for the night. When we were almost finished there was another ring of the bell. The lady was back. This time she wanted to let us know the bishop had arrived. The time was now 8:30pm, one hour and 20 minutes after she first came to the door. The second arrival was at the approximate time that we would have been concluding our session. One of the ladies in the group said, “He rang the bell twice”, speaking of the Lord.

Just to give you a little background, over the previous month or so our group had been teaching, learning and meditating on trusting God. Was this a God ordained interruption? Was there something that the Lord had to say to us through this man of God from Ghana, who just happened to end up in Laveen, AZ on the very night we were having our small group? As the group leader the home we were in was mine. From the day it was purchased it was deemed to be a house that would be set apart for God’s glory. But this particular night was even more significant because we were not supposed to be meeting. My company was having the annual President’s dinner that night and normally, I would have been in attendance and not at home to receive the invitation. This year my name was left off the guest list. Many people thought that was odd including me. Some thought I should say something, but I felt a peace about the entire situation. That was my life group night anyway.

We finished our session, prayed and walked across the street. By then it was 8:45pm. Late by most people’s standards, especially to be going some place to start a bible study on a weeknight, but on time for the invitation. Interestingly, God had seen fit to allow us to finish the planned session, but the truth is that an interruption from God is not always that nice. Sometimes He will interrupt in the middle of what you are doing. He might decide to interrupt your life with a new assignment, an unexpected baby, a financial situation, etc. Because your life belongs to Him, He has the right to interrupt it anyway He wants to, whenever He wants to. Remember we had been studying and praying about trusting God so this was all a trust situation for us.

When we arrived at the neighbor’s house the bishop’s wife and his two assistants met us. The woman that invited us was not there. A few minutes later her brother and sister in law arrived. Then the bishop came down and introduced himself to each person that was present personally. The Bishop began to teach a lesson from Genesis 11:31-12:2. He focused on delays, taking the wrong people with you on your journey and carrying to much baggage and the fact that the only thing that can stop you from reaching and walking in your God ordained destiny is you. He also told us to press through the frustration. The bishop declared, the greater the frustration the greater the blessing.

Abraham was called, yet he checked to see who else wanted to go. Was it fear that caused him to check or did he just want to make sure somebody else was able to get some of his promised blessing? Who are we carrying along that God did not tell us to take, because we are scared to go alone? Fear means we are not trusting God completely. Taking that other person will not help, it will just send a message to God that we really don’t want to send.
What issues are we still carrying from the past that we should have let go of along time ago in order to reach the place God has for us? Those issues will only hinder us in our new position and situation. Jealousy, anger, bad attitudes, old hurts being rehearsed over and over again in your head, reminders from the enemy of the stuff that the person did to you before, old pain and stuff that is so dead it is stinking, that’s the stuff we can’t take into our Canaan, not if we want to be successful in the place God has for us.
The group stopped in Haran even though God had told them to go to Canaan. Where are we, have we stopped short of our God ordained destination? Have we placed our own situation on delay because we chose not to follow all of the instructions? I heard the Lord clearly on some things and I did not do them because I was afraid and because I did not want to experience any more rejection.
In your attempts to reach the place where God is calling or has purposed you there will be some disappointments and frustrations along the way. Press through them. Don’t give up. Listen for God’s direction as it relates to what you are supposed to do next and then do it.

The truth is that we are all a lot like Abraham if we are willing to admit it. We have all at some point or another started out on a journey and for whatever reason missed the mark, come up short. Well okay, let me not speak for everyone else, let me speak for myself. I have. I have given up along the way. I have said over and over again, this is too hard, I don’t want to do it.

That’s me being real with you. This ministry thing is difficult. It is difficult knowing the who, the what, the when and the where. Sometimes God is silent and you don’t know what to do. Go back to the last instruction, make sure you followed it and then sit still and wait for further instructions and stop complaining. Trust me, complaining does not help. Sometimes your destiny seems right there and other times it seems like you are on a rollercoaster, but keep going. It won’t just happen you are going to have to put forth some effort and the enemy is not going to let you have your destiny easily.

That night I thought about all of the things we could have allowed to cause us to miss our appointment with destiny and when I say it was an appointment with destiny, that is what I mean. The Bishop had a word from the Lord for each one of those that was in attendance, it was a real, right on time, relevant word. I can only share what God spoke to me through the Bishop. He said you have been trusting God for something for a very long time. That was true. He prayed against hindrances and he prayed that whatever God had for me was big. I have heard all of that before, but the bishop did not know any of that, we had just met. He did not know I was a minister or that I was called to ministry. In the natural he did not know anything about New Beginnings, but in the spirit he did, because God told him. As we were leaving the house I told our hostess about the ministry and she said I have a business, guess what the name of it is? I said I have no idea. Here business is named New Beginnings Home Medical Supplies. I do not believe that there are any accidents in the kingdom. God knew exactly what He was doing. Could we have missed this God ordained appointment? Yes, we could have.

We could have been too tired, it was after 8:30pm on a week night.
I could have forced an invitation to the president’s dinner, because I felt I was justified instead of doing what the bible says and trusting God and allowing my gifts to make room for me.
We could have said we had already had our life group and prayer time and saw no need for another session.
We could have gotten caught up in the fact that we did not know these people and the woman that came to the door did not look like us. The truth is many people are still missing out on the blessings of God because of cultural background and race. I am so glad we are past all of that in our circle.
We could have had a religious focus instead of a kingdom focus and missed everything.
Been tied to our schedules.

The truth is that we do not know what you and I have already missed in our lives because it just wasn’t convenient. Bishop Ebenezer Sefah was in town for one night. In Hebrews 13:2, the bible says, 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! The bishop was an angel sent by God to test our trust and to bring a word from Him. If we had failed to walk across the street we would have missed being in the presence of the most high God. We would have missed the word that He had for each one of us. We would have had to answer to God for our lack of faith and being able to recognize His voice. I am grateful that we did not miss God on that Thursday night, but we practiced what He had been teaching us for the last several months which was to trust Him. I am grateful that we took the time for Bishop Sefah, because I believe we really were in the presence of God’s angel.

Be careful not to miss God because of your schedule or what you think is important. Seek Him and allow Him to direct you. It will not always make sense, but that does not mean it is not God. Listen for His voice and do what He tells you to do. Let Him interrupt your life, because it belongs to Him anyway.

God, thank You for teaching us about trust and thank You for trusting us with Your angel, Your chosen one. Thanks for the interruption.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:2:
2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

For further discussion contact Angela or write to us on the message board

Encouragement From Queen-

Life is My Canvas

By Queen Esther Lacey

Life is my canvas and I can write on it any way I feel.
I can always be in the valley, or I can be high on top of a hill
I can paint bright colors of yellow, soft pinks or different shades of blue
There are just no limits to what I can do.

I can paint the scars to remind myself that I can be healed after I have been hurt,
So that I am not paralyzed from pursuing any desire and quench any thirst.

On this canvas I can paint myself to be a great world leader, having nothing to hold me down.
Or I could be someone that makes an awesome impact on people I meet right here in town.

It doesn’t matter that the canvas may have some spots that are rough and some spots that are smooth.
What’s important is that I realize I hold the paintbrush so what goes on the canvas-I get to choose.

Monthly Fitness Tip-
Choose fast food wisely. If you must eat it, pick healthy low-cal options like Burger King’s veggie burger or grilled chicken ceasar salad. Hold the sauce or get the dressings on the side. Wendy’s salads (dressing on the side) or Subway’s veggie turkey sub (hold the dressing).

Join one of our new website communities mynbfitnesscommunity.com for free or .justlikemefitness.com for a small monthly fee.

Check out the New Beginnings Message Board for more tips that will benefit you under the Physical Fitness Category. If you would like to add your own tips and suggestions please feel free to do so. If you have forgotten your password submit a request to have it sent to you or reset through the message board sign-in screen.

As always we encourage you to see a physician before beginning any exercise program. Take the first step by getting up and doing something to take care of your most valuable resource, Your Health.

Monthly Physical Fitness Article-

Excerpt from Get Fit-Fitness Angel Newsletter

Will Your Vacation Make You Fat?

6 Vacation Tips to Keep You Fit

With summer vacation quickly approaching, you're probably planning your next getaway.

Whether you go on a cruise, an African safari or a low-key trip to the beach, warm summer days are the best time to get away from it all.

While the vacation may be a lot of fun, did you know that the average person gains almost a pound a day while on vacation? I had a client go on vacation and come back after 2 weeks 20 pounds heavier. Yes, I said 20 pounds. I know it sounds like a lot because it is. She went on a cruise, free food and drink and a lot of it. In 2 weeks she managed to undo all the work we had done over the previous months.

They erased what we had taken months to accomplish.

Between missed workouts, extra large restaurant meals, free food, free drinks and indulgent snacks, lazy vacation days will quickly lead to disaster and add inches to your waistline.

Vacation Tip #1: Make a Decision

Before you leave home, make the decision that you will NOT gain weight while on your trip.

This is the easiest step to take to make sure that you avoid weight gain, but it is also the most overlooked. Instead of leaving things to chance, harness the power of creative visualization that has been proven time and time again by go-getters such as Michael Jordan, Einstein, Napoleon and Andrew Carnegie.

Visualize what it would be like to return home fitter than when you left.

Vacation Tip #2: Get Moving

It's easy to spend vacation days sprawled out by the pool, but the inactivity will quickly add up to extra pounds.

Choose to be active and you'll burn calories all day long while indulging in fewer unnecessary and unhealthy snacks. The following ideas will get you moving:

Go on a brisk walk each day of your trip. You'll see new sights while burning off excess calories. Do it before everyone else gets up.
Always take the stairs rather than the elevator. Talk about bonus calorie burning!
Go on a jog in the mornings before your daily activities, or jog in the evening after the day winds down.
If your hotel has a pool, swim a few laps each day. Swimming is a fun way to get in a full body workout. If they have a gym, use it, you are paying for it anyway, so get your monies worth.
If your trip takes you to a place of natural beauty then go on a hike. Even while hiking at a slow or moderate pace you'll burn plenty of calories.
Play some sports - beach volleyball, a game of hoops, Frisbee, or bike riding are all great ways to have fun while keeping fit.
If you are taking a cruise or an all inclusive vacation try to find out what is included. Check out the special classes, walk around the deck, do some dancing.

Visit one of our fitness websites to see the newsletter in its entirety or to signup to get it sent to your personal e-mail address.

New Beginnings Team News-

Welcome Coach Karen Vick our new weight loss coach on the MYNB Fitness Community Site.

karen karen

Coach Karen Vick

Karen Vick is a weight-loss success story. When she got married in 2005, she wore a size 16W wedding dress and recalls that it "fit like a glove." Since then, Karen has worked to drop 70 pounds, and she can help you with your weight-loss efforts. Karen achieved her goal safely in a year. That is why she is more than qualified to help you reach your goals. Check out her story and join the mynbfitnesscommunity.com website to get updates, suggestions and help from our new coach. You can also read her story under the Biggest Loser category.

Check out Minister Angela’s interview with Coach Karen.

Send your questions to the coach

Welcome Queen Esther Lacey-

queen Queen Esther Lacey is a 48 year old mother of two and grandmother of
two. Born and raised on the East Coast, but moved to the Valley of Sun,
Phoenix, AZ in 2001.

She felt the Lord’s presence in her life at the young age of 9 but not
until the last few years is she really looking into her purpose and calling
in life. She truly has a heart for the souls of women that have been hurt
to help them heal and return to their first love – our savior Jesus Christ.

She has a passion to encourage and she does it through writing. Sometimes
(many times actually) waking up in the middle of the night, the Lord will
place someone or something on her heart to write about.

Queen has turned what was once a passion and hobby into business Personal Expressions by Queen.

Testimonial-

My name is Teresa Johnson and I am from Portland, Oregon I sent an email out to all my friends and family after I heard the podcast on "The power of a praying wife" after that I have been hooked. I shared with my single friends about the talk with the ladies about preparing for marriage. I can't remember the exact name but you all hit in on the head truly when I decided I was a good thing then my good thing "my husband" came and what a blessing he is. But for me it was the power of a praying wife. You opened my eyes some much. I didn't see things but as the bible says "watch and pray" I now see. Satan will uses your girl friends your friends and anyone else that he can to stop what God has brought together but we are rooted in God.

What Have You Been Reading?

Note: If you have visited our website recently and tried to find what have you been reading topic on our message board you will find it is gone. Please accept our apologies as it was inadvertently deleted. We realize this was one of our most viewed topics and we are extremely sorry. We will be unable to restore it as our back up system would cause the entire site to go back several months. Please check our previous newsletters to find some of the books we have recommended. Again please accept our apologies for the deletion.

Minister Angela just read, What Happens When Women Walk In Faith by Lysa Terkeurst

Every Christian Woman Has a Dream!

Are you ready to take on the faith challenges it will take to see your dream come to pass? If so, join Lysa as she guides you through the five phases of living out your dream. You’ll learn to:

Embrace a new level of faith
Depend on God like never before
Believe God for great things
Come to the end of your abilities and accept God’s provision
Be prepared for miracles!

As I read the book it seemed as though Lysa knew right where I was as a woman walking towards my dream. The awesome thing about Lysa is that she is real. She tells it like it is and does not sugar coat it or make it seem like she is super spiritual. She shares her real feelings and struggles which helps you to see that where you are is really not that crazy and that you are not the only one that has felt that way. This book really blessed me for where I was at the time in my life when I was reading it. I watched my faith grow in ways I would never have imagined.

If you have never read anything by Lysa Terkeurst please do, she is strongly recommended by this ministry. She is the author of Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed, another excellent read if you desire to be all that God has called you to be.

Many of you have read some awesome books that have really ministered to you, spiritually, emotionally, relationally or physically. Let us know what you have been reading by writing to us on the message board. Your recommendations might help someone else. Please let us know if you have read some good Christian fiction as well. Many of those books have awesome messages contained within them and we want to encourage people to grow spiritually any way they can.

Let us know what you have been reading by writing to us on the message board or sending us a message.

Book/Bible Study Blog

Feel free to write about books you have read or to comment on the ones the New Beginnings Team suggests by going to our message board.

Upcoming Events-

Watch for-

My NB Fitness Community ads in the Generation Health AZ Magazine. Generation Health is a Phoenix based magazine with a focus on health issues. Check it out and find articles about Phoenix visitors and residents, like Ali Vincent from “The Biggest Loser” and Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals.

A Relational Focus-Watch for upcoming podcasts and articles focused on our relationships, beginning with our relationship with God. If we get our relationship with God right our other relationships will also be better.

Physical Fitness-The story of Chris Davis who successfully lost 400 pounds and Sylvia who successfully lost 55.

Facebook-We have been making some awesome relationships on facebook. Watch for our facebook friends to become articles and podcasts on the New Beginnings website. We met a woman who is a minister. She ministers in mime. She was once addicted to drugs. We met another woman that was addicted to drugs and her children were taken away. Instead of complaining about them being taken away as most people do, she said her children were rescued. Minister Angela was blessed by the way she described the situation and is looking forward to interviewing her as well. Watch for all of the new and exciting things that God is doing.

If you have suggestions for upcoming articles or New Beginnings content please write to us.

New Beginnings Reminders-

The Fitness Angel’s Fitness Community and Newsletter-

You can create your own personal free account and sign up for the bi-monthly newsletter. Remember the newsletter is only a help to you if you open it so we encourage you to open it and read the articles that are included. If you have a spam filter on your e-mail account your copy of the newsletter may have been blocked.

Check your spam folder and then set up the Get Fit Newsletter in your mailbox so you can receive it bi-monthly uninterrupted. Remember it is free, so don’t keep it to yourself.

Church Link-

We have added a couple of churches to our church link. Please take the time to check it out and see if yours is there. If it is not already listed add it to our list by clicking the link below. Is there a church near you that does an outstanding job of promoting spiritual, emotional, relational and physical fitness? If you're looking for a church, check here to see if our members have recommended one near you. If you know of a church that should be on our list, please add it to our list.

If you want to ask for additional information or would like to have some one from our team contact you regarding the churches on our church link contact us.

Word of Encouragement-

Remember to show kindness to everyone that you meet. You never know who that person might be or who they might become. Maybe they don’t make you feel good or maybe they rub you the wrong way. Ask God to show you how to treat them and to actually do it through you if you are unable to do it yourself. Your future might be in that person’s hands, so don’t blow it.

New Beginnings Scripture for May 2010

Hebrews 13:2:
2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!

Our Mission Statement

Our Mission is to draw individuals to Jesus Christ through the Ministry of Holistic Fitness and to see the Body of Christ become fit in all areas by providing tools and information to empower you to succeed. New Beginnings is dedicated to helping you gain personal, spiritual, physical, mental and relational fitness by developing the courage and confidence necessary to set and achieve goals based on biblical principles. Most people encounter difficulty reaching goals, sticking with a diet or completing a task by trying to make an outward change without having made any inward spiritual changes. In other words, all improvements in your life begin with a change in your mind and spirit.