(Volume 40) September 2009
Inside This Issue:
Welcome
Who is New Beginnings
What’s New-
September 2009 Feature Article-
Monthly Fitness Tips-
Monthly Physical Fitness Article-
Monthly Devotional-
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 September
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?
Check out the new fitness site that belongs to New Beginnings
www.mynbfitnesscommunity.com
All of our fitness information is moving to this new site so watch for the weight loss watch, the biggest loser challenge for those who want to lose 100 pounds or more and check out Benita Moore. She lost 55 pounds by just walking, something that we can all do.
Monthly Feature Article-
We Are All Responsible-Stop The Molestation Part 3
By Angela Willingham
This article is for those of us who were not abused and were not abusers, but we know someone who has been. Maybe we don’t know anyone. Maybe we have been blessed not to know anyone that has been abused or abused, but the question we have to ask ourselves is, what is our responsibility? As the family and/or the community, what are we supposed to do to provide support and encouragement to the abused and to get the abuser the help he or she needs?
Even if it has not affected us personally, we have all seen the articles on the news or in the papers about molestation. We can no longer ignore it and act like it is not happening. We have seen the large sums of money being paid out to settle the situation or provide some type of restitution or recompense. Does that really work? Are those who were involved really okay? Does money solve the whole problem? Does money bring healing and restoration to the situation or the people involved? I would say, no, it does not.
The truth is as family and community we have a much bigger job to do. We have not done all that we could to support and protect the victims or to help the abuser get the help they need to turn their lives around. The truth is that most of the time our eyes have been closed. We have looked the other way and pretended as though it was not happening. The truth is we have been in denial, acting as though it was not really happening, or it was happening in somebody else’s family, but not ours. The truth is we are finding out more and more every day about situations in families that no one ever talked about, but they were there. Does it really matter whose family it is happening in? Isn’t the real issue that it is happening at all?
The mother who ignored the fact that her husband or live in boyfriend was a little too attentive to the child. She knew he was not in bed with her at night and their sex life was or was not what she thought it should be, but she was afraid to question, because he was the sole breadwinner or provider for the family. Then when she was told by her own child what was happening, she again ignored it because she was in denial and accused the child of lying, not making any effort to even check into the situation. Where is a child to go when your own mother will not believe you? Where do you go when you feel the weight of the family’s existence is on your shoulders, because if you tell, the abuser will be taken out of the house along with the only source of income? Everyone will be mad at you if you tell. How many children have kept the secret because they were afraid of how people would look at them or blame them?
The truth is the act is wrong. The abuser is wrong and our denial as a community and society is wrong and is just making it worse. It is not the child’s fault. As a society we have made it very difficult for the victim to find the support they need by our denial. It is time for that to change it is time to turn it around. It is time to stop worrying about what might happen if we deal with it in the best interest of everyone involved. It is time to stop ignoring the fact that Uncle Joe is too familiar with the young girls in the family. Everyone knows what is going on and no one will say anything, because that is just Uncle Joe. The family’s denial has resulted in the molestation of multiple young girls and or boys. Everyone’s silence has caused the children to be victimized. Uncle Joe needs help and someone will have to have the boldness to speak up to ensure that he gets the help he needs. It’s time to say, ENOUGH! STOP, THE MOLESTATION! Uncle Joe, is a molester and he needs help, he needs to be stopped period. Stop allowing young people to sit on his lap and just looking away. Stop, whispering about it in the other room and address it. Stop trying to keep your kids away from him when you know that there are other family members that have no idea what is going on. You have to stand up with all the boldness in you and say, enough, I will not tolerate this any longer.
As families and as a community our response has to be one of protection for our young people and a desire to see those that are guilty of this atrocity against them dealt with. Yes, God can change them, but our first response has to be to stop them. Not sitting back making excuses for their bad behavior, not laughing and joking about it and not whispering about it. It must be dealt with and it starts with each one of us. Lives are being ruined and destroyed by our silence and denial.
The molester needs
- confrontation, not denial
- support and encouragement to get the help they need, not denial
- responsibility and accountability, not denial
- counseling and education, not denial
The victim needs
- our love and support, not denial
- encouragement that they did nothing wrong, not denial
- protection from being victimized, not denial
As a community we have a big job ahead of us and it will require, boldness in dealing with the tough issues, but we all have a responsibility to deal with it. Family members, family friends, church members, parents, spouses, school teachers and administrators, we all have to do our part. The bible is clear in 2 Timothy 1:7: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. That means we can no longer be afraid of dealing with the tough issues. The lives of our children, families and communities are depending on us to deal with these things and not to operate from a place of denial. Yes, it will be hard and sometimes you may have to betray someone’s confidence to get them the help they need. I want you to think about it. If you were the victim, would you want someone to do something? If the victim were your child, would you want someone to do something? If you have experienced this as either the victim or one of your children was the victim, was the situation handled correctly? Do you wish that you or someone else involved had done something differently? We can’t go back, but we can move forward, so I want to encourage you today to deal with these situations and don’t deny them any longer. Your speaking up may keep another child from being victimized.
Each one of us has to stand up, declare that this has gone on long enough and take responsibility to stop the molestation.
Scripture:
2 Timothy 1:7:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline
For further discussion contact contactus@mynewtemple.org or write to us on the message board http://mynewtemple.org/aMessages.html
Monthly Article For The Family-
Dealing With Suicide-Answering Questions
By Kimberley A. McNeil
A few weeks ago, on our way home from church, my daughter interrupted our lighthearted conversation to ask why did God allow my friend to take his life. Since we had spoken about this a few days following notification of his death, I was a bit taken by the question. Additionally, in my mind, I was wondering, how did we go from shopping to suicide? As I looked at the seriousness in her face, I knew that our first conversation (which was very biblical) really did not answer her questions.
One of the things I have learned over the years with my children is to ask a few questions before I give an answer. This allows me not only to help gage where they are, but also allows me to pray to use God’s words. As my daughter answered, I realized that although my daughter understood why my friend felt like taking his life; she did not understand why God allowed it, especially since He had such great things in store for my friend’s future. She also wanted to know why
As I thought about and prayed on how to answer her question without being too preachy, the Lord reminded me of the time when my daughter cut her hair. The story is as follows. My daughter had one of those Barbie styling heads that you could cut the hair, pull it, and it would “magically” grow back. Although her father and I told her not to cut her hair because it would not grow back so quickly, she did it anyway. After spending hours in the bathroom attempting to pull her hair back out, she finally resolved that it was not going to come back (at least that day), that Barbie was stupid, and she would never play with the styling head again.
As we laughed and reminisced, the Lord allowed me to apply this memory to her question. “Sid,” I began, our desire was never for you to cut your hair. We did not give you the styling head with the intention of you cutting your hair. I asked her if she remembered what she did to get the scissors (which at that time we kept in a cupboard over the refrigerator for safety purposes) to cut her hair. As she laughed at the memory, of sneaking downstairs in the middle of the night, climbing on the counters and the refrigerator to get to the scissors, I reminded her of how determination to cut her hair drove her to take drastic measures to obtain her goal. All that she could see at the time was cutting her hair. There was no thought about what she would give up (i.e. being able to wear some of the beautiful hair bows and barrettes that she had). The sole focus was on what she wanted (which was cutting her hair).
As we changed directions, I reminded her that God had a perfect plan for my friend’s life. However, my friend got so caught up in grief he could no longer see God’s will for his life. Because his desire became so great, he could no longer see life for what it was, enjoying the blessings that God gave him or see the ministry that God had for him. Thus, he made a plan to end his life and go to heaven. Because God is the perfect parent, He attempted to protect (and hinder) my friend from executing his choice, however my friend’s determination ultimately prevailed. Thus, once he started the process of ending his life; nature took its course, which resulted in his death.
“So God allowed nature to take its course?” my daughter asked.
“Yes, God permitted nature to take its course.” I responded.
“So why does God allow some people who attempt suicide to live, and others die?”
“I can’t speak for God on that one,” I replied. “All I can tell you is that when we choose to do what is outside of God’s perfect will for our lives, we permit nature to step in and run its course. What that looks like is different for every individual.
Because she still didn’t understand this, I used something familiar to her. Since my daughter’s ultimate goal is to practice medicine, she takes classes related to the human body. One of the classes she took last year was a nutrition class. I reminded her how different types of vitamins and minerals affect different types of people differently.
After my daughter nodded in approval and gave some examples, I shared with her how it is kind of the same concept with how God’s permissive will works out in our lives. Things can turn out differently based upon a number of variables. In the case of suicide, two people may utilize the same method; however, one may live due to calling 911 immediately after taking action and be saved, while the other did not call for assistance, thus their life ended.
As we continued talking, I emphasized how important it is to stay in God’s perfect will for our lives, as it can sometimes be a matter of life and death. We never know what the natural outcome of our situation will be when we choose to be outside of God’s perfect will for our lives. I also reminded her how important it is not to be so caught up in what we want that we miss God’s warnings and/or roadblocks. And finally, that when God wants you to be home with Him in heaven, he will make that happen. But until that time, we must focus and do what He called us to do.
Each and every day, we are faced with decisions in which we have the option to choose God’s perfect will or the permissive will for our lives. Although choosing the permissive will may seem like the right and natural choice, there is always a natural result that has to take its course. Although we may not see the end result, know that this choice not only affects us; but others as well. As much as we think we know how our choices will run their course, we never know how they will ultimately end. Natural choices result in natural ends while, operating in God’s perfect will results in supernatural ends. Remember, just because a choice ended for someone else the way we intend it to, there are variables, that we may not know about that affected the outcome. Thus, I encourage you to stay in God’s perfect will for your life. That way, you can never go wrong.
Note from New Beginnings-The truth is that we do not know why God does the things He does or allows the things He allows. Isaiah 55:9: 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
For further discussion contact Minister Kimberley McNeil at contactus@mynewtemple.org or write to us on the message board http://mynewtemple.org/aMessages.html
Monthly Fitness Tip-
Watch out for Empty Calories. Empty calories can be found in items such as salad dressings, coffee creamers, sauces on foods and other things that have no nutritional value but carry a calorie count. Don’t be fooled even the mints (hard candies) you use to freshen your breath can fall into this category. To many of these empty calories can sabotage your weight loss program. Just so you know, coffee in it’s natural state is black and somewhat bitter. If yours is naturally tan and sweet, you are dealing with empty calories.
Join one of our new website communities www.mynbfitnesscommunity.com for free or www.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. www.mynewtemple.org. 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
While the entire US is in an uproar about health care, there are things we can do personally to become healthier. It starts with each one of us setting boundaries and making good lifestyle choices. Check out the free preview of my new site and let me know what you think-
www.justlikemefitness.com
Your Fitness Angel
The Freedom of (Self-Imposed) Chains
Most of us are under the misconception that fit people work hard, spend most of their lives in the gym and are deprived in order to achieve their amazing bodies.
It’s Not True! Nothing could be farther from the truth.
I'll let you in on a little secret...It's not hard to get and stay fit. It's not about hard work and deprivation.
The only thing that they have that you don’t have is boundaries. You can become the best you that you can be. Not perfect and not like some one else. Your goal is to be the best you, you can be. Not a size 2, the best U.
Let me explain...
When you were a child your parents set boundaries around you. They were the authority on what was or wasn't acceptable behavior. You had to complete your chores before dinner. You had to finish your homework before going out to play. You had to eat all your vegetables before dessert. You remember.
If you failed to comply with these boundaries then you knew that there would be consequences.
As an adult you, and only you, are the authority on what is or isn't acceptable behavior. You are in the position to set boundaries around yourself. These boundaries serve as a framework of order around you - a rock of support in an otherwise chaotic world.
With self-imposed boundaries you can assure your success in anything...specifically with weight loss.
Your fitness boundaries have to be self-imposed—no one is going to do it for you. Don't look at this as a bad thing! Self-imposed boundaries are self-empowering. That means you do not feel as though there is anything you can't do, there are just things you have chosen not to do. Doesn't that sound better. You chose not to do them!
Let's face it, you've been living life without fitness boundaries and it is time to make some very necessary adjustments, if you want to lose the weight. Does this sound like you?
- You eat whatever you want, whenever you want it.
- You use any excuse to avoid exercise.
- You indulge whenever it feels good.
This is not Mission Impossible, again it is a choice. These are Your Fitness Boundaries if you choose to accept them.
Visit one of our new websites to see the newsletter in its entirety or to signup to get it sent to your personal e-mail address. www.mynbfitnesscommunity.com or www.justlikemefitness.com. (Newsletter dated September 1, 2009).
New Beginnings Team News-
Watch for the interview with Minister Kimberley McNeil in the December issue of Upscale Magazine, dealing with emotional eating. Joshlyn is working on her biggest loser challenge on the new site. Praise the Lord. Angela is back on her personal Weight Loss Challenge. Check it out at www.mynbfitnesscommunity.com Thank you for your prayers.
What Have You Been Reading?
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.
The Ministries’ Monthly Book Recommendation-From The New Beginnings Team
“His Woman, His Wife, His Widow” by Janice Jones- (Christian Fiction)
The author of His Woman, His Wife, His Widow is also the author of Still Standing. This is the recommendation from Dollie Heard. For those of you that don’t know she is not a big reader. She said this was a book she was unable to put down. She could see herself in it as a young woman. Things that happened in the book could have happened in your life. This book is full of life points that make it real to anyone who reads it.
This story reveals the struggle inside each of us, where we want the "good" life quick and fast. It's a tale where the main characters Lindsay aka Nay Nay and Shaun meet, fall in love and believe the world is theirs to take. Lindsey battles between right and wrong, her Christianity and her love for her man. Shaun is one who believes he is the man. He provides for his woman and his children, thus he can do as he pleases. The only problem is how is he providing for his family? Is the way he earns his money really all that important as long as he provides for those he loves? Should Lindsey be concerned about her man's occupation or turn a blind eye?
This story is about the streets and all that happens when you choose the fast buck - rather than good ole fashion sweat and honesty. It's about drugs, baby momma drama, adultery, glitz & glamour, love, choices, falling from Grace and repentance. It demonstrates true friendship, dealing with the proverbial in-laws and God's will. Further, it shows its readers how vital it is to Listen to that inner voice and seek God's direction for our lives. Finally, the message illustrated is that even when we move from God and have to suffer the consequences of our choices, He is always near and waiting for our return, turning our "bad" into something good!
If you want to do some reading for fun- We have read books by Francine Rivers (Atonement Child), multiple books by Jacquelin Thomas, Victoria Christopher Murray, Terri Blackstock and many others. You can get many of these authors at your public library. They are excellent books and they all have a message that could be a blessing to you without being self-help books that tend to be boring too many. They deal with real life issues and you can actually see yourself or people that you know in the characters. Tell us about fiction books that you might be reading that might bless someone else.
Let us know what you have been reading by writing to us on the message board http://mynewtemple.org/aMessages.html or sending us a message at contactus@mynewtemple.org.
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-
Watch for the Sister Girl Chat-Sisters just hanging out talking about the things that are on their minds.
Watch for an interview with a Breast Cancer Survivor-We are looking forward to doing a joint interview with a Breast Cancer Survivor, who survived a double masectomy. How did she handle it, how did it affect her mentally, how did it affect her family? If you have a story you would like to share please write and let us know. If you have questions write to us at contactus@mynewtemple.org so we can get ready to ask your questions as well as our own.
Watch for the Why Do You Work Out Question to be answered-We were thinking it might be fun to get some snip-its from people in the park or at a gym to find out why they work out. Why do the personal trainers do what they do? What kind of satisfaction does a personal trainer get out of your success?
Watch for Health Tips-As part of our desire to help individuals become holistically fit we are presently working to incorporate health tips into our website. This information will assist by giving individuals basic information on such topics as diabetes and high blood pressure. These segments will be short but informative. These will be added to the new fitness websites.
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.
Divorce From the Male Perspective-What do you say when you think everything is okay and your wife comes home and asks for a divorce? What do you do? Normally this is the story we hear from women. We blame it on a man’s midlife crisis. This time we are going to hear it from the side of the man. The series will allow a man to share his feelings and struggles.
If you have suggestions for upcoming articles or New Beginnings content please write to us at contactus@mynewtemple.org.
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. www.mynbfitnesscommunity.com or the paid site www.justlikemefitness.com.
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 at churchlink@mynewtemple.org.
Currently on Women’s Faith Stories (WFS)-
We are collecting articles about women who have survived cancer. If you have a faith story you would like to share send it to us at contactus@womensfaithstories. Your story might be a blessing and an encouragement for someone else.
We are still collecting pictures and stories for our Women That Have Gone Before Us Quilt. In an effort to honor her grandmother who passed away on January 11, 2008, Angela has decided to create a quilt. If you would like to submit a picture and brief tribute on behalf of a woman that meant something to you and helped you get to where you are today send it to us at contactus@womensfaithstories.com. Include their birth date and date of death. Maybe it was your grandmother, a school teacher or a female family member. It does not matter who she was, we would just like to take this opportunity to honor them. Check out last month’s newsletter for more information.
Contact us if you have a woman’s faith story you would like to share for the Women’s Faith Stories Website www.womensfaithstories.com. Send your comments to us at contactus@womensfaithstories.com
Word of Encouragement-
Whatever is going on in your life may make no sense at all. But we continue to stress the importance of trusting the Lord. Realize that He knows what is best for you. You may be in a time of preparation for a task that only you can do. That type of tasks takes a special very special type of training and equipping Trust the Lord. Don’t take matters into your own hands. Don’t accept His permissive will, wait for His perfect will. The truth is that we do not know why God does the things He does or allows the things He allows. Isaiah 55:9: 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. He is God and we are not.
New Beginnings Scripture for September 2009
Isaiah 55:9:
9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
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.
New Beginnings Contact Information-
Mailing Address: 5130 W. Baseline #117, PMB# 224, Laveen, AZ 85339
Contact us at contactus@mynewtemple.org or on our message board http://mynewtemple.org/aMessages.html
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