Fitness is My Platform, What is Yours?

Another thought last night had me up, I think I need to just wake up and blog at 2 am but then again the 6:30am workout probably wouldn’t get done, whew! Talk about the benefits of a fitness partner (well maybe I’m the only one talking about that) that’s another story well maybe not, today was a great workout thanks to my husband and P90X3 partner we are in the last weeks of our 90 days and going strong. I’m thankful he got me up today to get it done early, MMX is no joke but a great kick in the booty.

OK back to my thoughts in the middle of the night.  “With Knowledge comes great responsibility”

As a Christians I know the great commission and my mission is to spread the Goods news of Great joy to everyone. The question is do I do it? Everyday am I looking to reach others for Christ or am I on a little personal mission to reach the ones I think I might want to spend a minute or 2 talking to? Jesus didn’t come to save those that He felt were worth His time he came to talk to love to save all of us, to reach the ends of the earth and pick us up at our lowest points.

I so desire to reach out and talk, love and encourage everyone and the most comfortable way I do that is through fitness and health.

I was talking to my accountability partner and we both feel the calling to fill the role of health and fitness consultants and coaches and that God has placed that on our hearts and together we can make a difference, not just in this world but for God’s kingdom, we were given a body and mind to choose to live a life worthy of praise and it’s my mission and goal to share my knowledge of Jesus Christ in and through fitness. I choose to take the responsibility to not only change bodies and lives but hearts, to stop and not pre-judge others, but look for every opportunity to speak the words of truth. Yes, I do believe fitness is my platform and yes I do believe He has great things planned for those that do His will and live for His purpose to further His kingdom filled with truth and grace. I would love to have you join me if you feel this is your calling or this is something you’d like to do. I’m shy when it comes to getting out there but I’m working on it and I do know that I can do all things when I place His ways before my own.

Joy for fitness,

Glorifying God in faith, family, fitness and food 

Whole Wheat Cinnamon Muffins - A Joy For Fitness recipe

Good morning!

It's breakfast time again and since we've had some relaxing mornings at home I've been experimenting with new healthier recipes. I didn't say these where calorie, sugar or fat free just a little healthier. I believe anything homemade always taste better and is better for you, just my thoughts. So, here you go tell me what your family thinks of this new take on Cinnamon Rolls.

Recipe: 
2 cups of Quick mix - Recipe below
1 egg
1/3 c. honey
1/2 c. plain almond milk
mix in 1/2 the cinnamon mix (save the remaining to top muffins before baking)

Cinnamon mix - mix together
2 tbsp. softened butter
1/4 c. cinnamon
1/4 c. Florida Cane sugar or your choice of organic sugars

Icing - mix together
1/4 c. power sugar
2 tsp. Almond milk
a few drops of vanilla


Quick Mix - in a large bowl mix together
5 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 c. baking power
3 tbsp. organic sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter (I put it in the food processor before adding to mix)

*once mixed store in freezer in an airtight container.

 Heat oven to 400 degrees bake for 15-18 minutes makes 8 square muffins
top with icing a serve

Please share your thoughts and or changes to this recipe, Thank you and Enjoy!

Free 30 day Fitness Challenge

Looking ahead to "wedding season" I'm sure I'm not the only one with invitations arriving in the mail and well let's face it we want to feel and look great in our little black dresses and sun dresses, so I though I would offer a FREE 30 day challenge. I want to give you a change to give yourself 5-10 minutes a day to improve your fitness and feel great. I will coach you while keeping you accountable during the next 30 days. Just trust me you won't regret the time you've given to yourself. You deserve a few minute to feel great! Invite a friend or two fitness challenges are more fun with a little competition. Message me @ https://www.facebook.com/JoyBracerofitness to get signed-up and started on your 30 days. 

Faith of a Few Close Friends

 While driving in the car my children and I listen to the daily Pursue Journal bible App, the other day’s verses were from Mark 2:1-12 and it just made me think about what kind of friends are we and what kind of friends do we have?

Another thought came to mind about friends and who we surround ourselves with and that is they say “you are the average of the 5 people you surround yourself with”. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or bad thing, so I made it my focus these past few days to really ask myself whom do I want to surround myself with and whom do I want to be the average of? Well my answer was I don’t want to be average at all.

I have also been singing the song from Steve and Annie Chapman “Faith of a Few Close Friends”  

“They took that man to Jesus, he had to faith of his own but when Jesus saw the faith of a few close friends He said take of your bed and go home”

This man in the parable was paralyzed he had no hope, but he had friends and I not sure these “friends” were even friends at all according to our definition, but they had FAITH in Jesus and that is all they needed to befriend this man. They were so determined to get this man to the feet of Jesus that they first got the man to the rooftop then they bore a hole in the root and lowered this man down into the house where Jesus was. It was nothing the man did but their act of faith that Jesus saw and he says in verse  5 “When Jesus saw their faith” (emphasis mine) the faith of a few close friends doing what their heart’s told them to do changed this man’s life forever. The physical healing was an outward sign of the power of Jesus but the internal healing is was what truly changed this man’s life.

This has caused me to ask myself am I a friend that has the faith to have someone’s life changed forever or am I the one that needs to be healed? I think there are moments in our lives where we have been in both positions but my mission is to be the friend that has the faith from here on out why? Because that Faith will and can change lives. I have had my life changed by accepting the Grace so freely offered from Jesus that I would be selfish not to share that with others to make it a priority to look for the person(s)in need and take them to Jesus and sit down at His feet.  

The story behind the song I mention above is when we see a need from our close friends or a stranger we stop and we need to be Kingdom minded and take them to Jesus through prayer, stop and carry that person’s bed and place them at the feet of Jesus. At times the hurt and pain is so much that we need someone to do the actions for us and for that Jesus told this man because of Their faith your sins are forgiven take of your bed and go home. Verse 5 and 11. Take your friends to Jesus and share your faith for it is truly all we have and the only mission we are given that matters.

This week I encourage you to reevaluate the people in your life and surround yourself with individuals that are lifting you up in faith and allowing you to lift them up as well, for this world will soon fade and the things that matter are so much greater than today will ever have. Increase your sense of Wonder of How Great Our God Really is and with that surrender your faith and your friends to Him. 

Blessings,

Joy For Fitness – Glorifying God in Faith, Family, Fitness & Food.