by natalie horne
Body, mind and soul. They are undeniably interconnected and their conditions are dependent on one another. A healthy body is not a requirement for faith and intimacy with God, but I’ve found in my experience that when I care for the basic needs of my body, my spiritual life flourishes. What we eat, whether or not we exercise, and what we do in our free time can all help or hinder our relationship with the Lord. I can say with confidence from a God-given place of wholeness in Christ, there is a very real tie between my physical wellness and the state of my soul.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
WM Blog: Mission Self-Forgetfulness
I just read our latest Wonderfully Made blog post by Allie Marie Smith called “Mission Self-Forgetfulness,” and I wanted to share the link as well as the essence of her mission.
She says, “The most beautiful and emotionally healthy people I know are the most self-forgetful.” So, on June 1st she will begin a journey toward a “less of me, more of You” lifestyle. How, you ask? Here are her top 5 challenges to herself (and to you, if you dare):
- Log off of FB. ”While being an excellent way to network and keep in touch with people, Facebook is more often than not a total time-waster for me, rather than a vehicle to network and connect with people I care about. To make sure I don’t give in, I’m having Kayla change my password.”
- Execute the Art of Snail Mail. “I’m super excited about this one. Partly because I get to shop for really cute stationary (see, I told you I’m vain!). But mostly because this challenge will motivate me to tell important people in my life how much I appreciate them and value their presence in my life. To really challenge myself I’m going to write 30 notes to 30 different people in my life - one for each day in the month.”
- Avoid the Mirror. “Since I can remember, the mirror has served as a place I turn to for a reflection of my value. And it’s probably the greatest thing reminds me of myself more than anything else. Of course this means little or no makeup and messy hair!”
- Practice the Art of Gentle Interrogation. “For socially awkward-prone people like myself, the art of asking people questions is invaluable. I like Mary Kay’s famous quote “Pretend like everyone you meet has a sign around their neck that says ‘make me feel important.’” Asking questions and engaging in active listening is one of the most effective ways to do this, while also forgetting about yourself. We all want to be heard.”
- Give A Stranger a Shopping Spree. “The first weekend of June, I’m attending the Hungry for Hope Conference (Sponsored by Remuda Ranch & FINDINGbalance). I’ve been asked to be on an Author’s panel and as my close friends know, anytime I speak, I feel like I have to have a brand new, impeccable outfit so I “look the part.” Instead of giving in to this temptation, I’m going to refrain from this unnecessary indulgence and instead take a young, homeless women on a $50 shopping spree (all my budget will allow) to the store of her choice.”
She will share her experience on the Wonderfully Made blog starting on June 1st, so keep your eyes open for that!
