Skinny Genes 2: Putting it all in Perspective

Skinny Genes Part 2: Putting it in Perspective

After nearly two weeks of “Upgrading” my body, I have learned that I have had to upgrade a few more things to match, specifically, my prayer life. Prayer, fasting, and consecration have to go along with the physical fitness piece. To consecrate is to devote or dedicate to some purpose (Dictionary.com). A purpose-filled life means that each aspect/activity of my life serves some purpose. So what has the purpose of my upgrade been?

Truth be told, I really want to be better able to play with my son who is nearly three years old. But even greater than that is the desire to be in the best shape possible for ministry. See, my life is a ministry. I have come to the point where I realize that even my body and how I care for it are a representation of Christ. I am not saying nor will I ever say that people who don’t appear physically fit in my “plank-filled” eye misrepresent Christ. But what I am saying is that it is very important to take care of the vessel that houses your soul and His Spirit. My service to God will suffer if I do not take time to care for myself.

Caring for self looks different to everyone. Some need to lose weight, some need to lower cholesterol, some need to lower blood pressure, some need to stop drinking or smoking, and some need to STOP participating in risky sexual behavior. ALL need to eat healthily, and ALL need to incorporate some physical activity in their lives! Physical fitness can lead to a longer LIFE.

As for exercise, it is not needful or even desirable to put in long hours at the gym. A basic level of physical fitness can be attained in as little as 30 minutes, three or four times a week. More would be needful to attain even more beneficial levels, but about six hours a week is really the most that is needed for general fitness purposes. A physician needs to be consulted before beginning a fitness program. It may be a surprise to find out that most of us are NOT generally FIT.
However, since Christians know that God is with them, they sometimes feel it is unnecessary to make needed lifestyle changes to help prevent such diseases saying that, "God will protect me." But Satan tempted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God, by telling Him to jump off the temple. Jesus refused, despite knowing that God would save Him, saying, "It is written again, 'You shall not tempt the LORD your God.'" (Matthew 4:5-7) To engage in unhealthy practices while claiming God as your protector is tempting Him.

Paul said, "But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection ..." (1Corinthians 9:27). The key word here is "discipline." Starting and maintaining a proper diet and exercise program involves more than anything else, discipline and caring enough for yourself (again, "...as you love yourself") to take care of yourself. What I have learned is a lesson in discipline.

Although following a proper diet and exercise program is important, during the last two weeks I have learned that obsessing over my program is not healthy either. In regards to diet, Paul wrote, "for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17). The key is balance. Balance between not caring about my body at all and obsessing over it.

Below is a link to the ABCs of fitness—a creative way to view your health with scriptural references. You can also find out about Athletics Plus Fitness Group sponsored by SOLiD Projects, LLC with a link below. Just click the SERVICES tab.

Love you!!
Tiffaney K. Draper, CEO and Founder
Designer Genes, LLC
designergenesllc@gmail.com
404-200-7911

http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=1118221

www.solidprojectsonline.com

Skinny Genes

What makes a person healthy? Is it the standards set forth by ideal weight calculators? If that were the case, my 4’11” 112 lb frame would be overweight, since I am supposed to be 97.5 lbs. Hmmm? A nearly 28 year old woman with a child at 98 lbs is healthy? Questionable. One thing is true for me, when I was 130+ lbs, I really felt unhealthy. It wasn’t just about the numbers on the scale. It was about the deep breaths necessary to climb one flight of stairs and the wind I struggled to catch while chasing my 2 year old around the backyard.

I sought an answer in the BMI (Body Mass Index). This calculation indicated that I am at or below maximum healthy weight and that my maximum healthy weight is 123.33. After reading this, I became even more confused. How am I overweight but still healthy?

Upon further investigation, I found this statistic:
One variable BMI fails to consider is lean body mass. It is possible for a healthy, muscular individual with very low body fat to be classified obese using the BMI formula. If you are a trained athlete, your weight based on your measured percent body fat would be a better indicator of what you should weigh.

At this point, I decided to seek God’s opinion on the matter. Psalm 139 tells me clearly, (v 13-16) “you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. “ This should serve as assurance that “I am ok just the way that I am,” but am I? Isn’t that what I hear the sisters preaching? Haven’t I been told enough by people who are amazed that I am even exercising?

What about my 5’8” sister who weighs 195 lbs and complains about the muffin top she can’t get rid of with all her efforts, and the mother who is 5’7” and 175 lbs but has legs to die for and hardly any fat in that region? Are sisters who are “big-boned” free from having to work out? What about the sisters who are tall and thin? Do they need to workout at all? Is physical activity only for the “obviously” obese and overweight?

No. Physical fitness is a lifestyle. It is not predicated on a scale reading or an index that could in no way give an accurate depiction of all the different types of bodies that make up God’s kingdom. Do I believe in health? Yes. I think physical health goes hand in hand with spiritual health. I Timothy 4:7-8 , “train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” In essence, God says that physical training has value. What does that mean? For my life, I want to be in the best physical shape to work for Him, but I should not neglect the spiritual things He is trying to convey through my WHOLE life. Does that mean that I will have the perfect dimensions or fit within some parameters for healthiness? That is up for discussion.

Come on out to discuss weight, service, diet, and, of course, relationships! I know a few women who would love to talk about being “skinny fat,” the stigma of being “big-boned,” and those who believe that their health is just in their “genes.” If we are true believers, we know that we are over-comers by default. God wants our best!

Let’s Talk! Starting August 9, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Join my Facebook Group Designer Genes, LLC to RSVP or email me for info.
Tiffaney K. Draper, Founder
Designergenesllc@gmail.com
404-200-7911


Healthy lifestyle tips:

Physical activity is good for your heart and blood vessels and it helps you control your weight. It makes you feel like a totally different person. You don’t have to run marathons or be an Olympic athlete to benefit from physical activity. However, it is important to take the first step and make that commitment to better physical health.

Many people often start exercising without seeing a doctor…not good! Always consult with a physician before beginning any new exercise regime. This is especially true, if you have a history of heart disease or have had a heart attack, are taking high blood pressure medication or have had a stroke.

Once you have committed to make this lifestyle change, don’t worry about getting off track. If this happens, try to identify the particular trigger or stumbling block that temporary derailed your efforts. By doing this, you can develop a plan of action as to how to avoid these pit falls next time. Listen, everyone slips and falls at one time or another. Remember you are making lifestyle changes! It’s a long-term process. You must celebrate your successes and treat yourself with a non-food treat to acknowledge your accomplishments.

In 1995, the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the American Health Foundation issued new guidelines that defines healthy weight as a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 25. In a recent study, 59% of Americans exceeded this weight.

There are many adverse health effects that accompany obesity, the most common being high blood pressure, but including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and an increased risk of death from all causes.

http://www.healthdiscovery.net
http://blackwomenshealth.com

God's Truth vs Satan's lies Girlfriends in GOD

June 4, 2009
The Enemy's Lies
Sharon Jaynes
Today's Truth

"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10 NIV emphasis added).

Friend To Friend
"Now the serpent..." The great deceiver clothed himself as a serpent and slithered up to Eve with a game plan to destroy God's prized possession. He didn't come with a sword or a gun, or even a knife for his attack. He simply wielded lies. The serpent knew Adam and Eve would not buy into a radical flamboyant denial of God, so he slithered into the garden with a twist and a turn of the truth. He began by causing Eve to doubt... "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" (Genesis 3:1).

Satan knew exactly what God had said. He was simply trying to confuse Eve. Perhaps he was evaluating just how well she knew the truth. He found out.

"We may eat fruit from the tress in the garden," Eve replied, "but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die" (Genesis 3:3).
Bingo. She didn't know the truth that well after all. First, God never mentioned not touching the fruit. That seems like a pretty good idea, but it was not what God said.

Second, Satan denied God and lied about the consequences of her disobedience when he said, "You will not surely die." (3:4). He didn't even try to disguise the deception. He told a flat-out lie.

Finally, he told her she could be like God. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). In other words, "God doesn't know what He's talking about. He's holding out on you. You don't need Him. You can be your own god."

Eve rejected the truth and believed the lie. She believed that she could be like God...in control of her own life. "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her."

As she sunk her teeth into the forbidden fruit of deception and the lie slid down her delicate throat, the temptation settled in her soul and fermented into shame and condemnation. Her husband, who chose the woman over God, also felt the sickening rot of sin settle in his very soul. Suddenly, shame and fear entered the world, and Adam and Eve hid from God like wayward children.

All temptation is an attempt to get us to live our lives independent of God. Satan is not very creative, but he is very effective, and he has been lying to us ever since he lied to Eve. Why? Because it works.

Every one of his lies springs from the idea that happiness is just a decision away. Satan wants you to believe God is holding out on you. You can be like God. You can be your own god. Rather than being thankful for what we do have, he points out what we don't have. Think about it. Eve had at her disposal every tree in the garden except one. Every tree. That is a smorgasbord of goodness! Rather than being thankful, she bought the lie that the one thing she couldn't have was the one thing that would make her happy. I would be happy if... Is any of this sounding familiar to you? It should. Satan uses the same tactics with us that he used with Eve.

Eve believed the enemy's lie over God's truth. His plan worked, but what the serpent did not know was that God's amazing plan of forgiveness and grace was about to unfold. Satan did not win the battle for man's soul in the garden. Jesus Christ won the war on Calvary's Cross. When Jesus said, "It is finished," and then breathed his last, He made a way for all mankind to regain all that Adam and Eve had lost.

Let's Pray
Dear God, help me to recognize Satan's lies as soon as they come into my mind. I have tried being in control of my own life and seen the terrible results. I know that true peace and joy comes from obeying You in all areas of my life. Help me to see through the enemy's lies that tell me anything other than the truth of Your Word.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn (JOURNAL THIS)
Have you been focusing on what you don't have rather than what you do have? Begin to praise him in advance for whatever is missing in your life.

Where do you think your discontentment comes from?

Today, make a list of God's blessings in your life.

GOD IS BIG!!!
Tiffaney K. Draper, Founder Designer Genes, LLC

Transition--BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Designer Genes, LLC is relocating to Atlanta (finally) on June 12. After much prayer and fasting, God has instructed me to change the business from a women-focused business to a people-focused business!! He has given me 5 years with a focus on women, and my heart will be there, but we all know HIS Will has to prevail!!

I am asking that everyone attached to this group and its ministry pray for my son and me. If you cannot find the words to say, I have attached some prayer points on which I would like to focus.

Love you all!!
Thanks for believing in our ministry!!
GOD is BIG!!

PRAYERS:
•Ask God to strengthen us as we get settled in Atlanta.
•Ask God to grant us favor through Designer Genes and SOL Foundation. May God give us a renewed sense of vision and passion, as well as courage to lead others as God leads us.
•Ask God to bless my son, Giovanni, who’s going to spend the summer in Texas with grandma. First time he will spend so much time without mommy.
•Ask God to give us wisdom (knowing what’s right) and courage (doing what’s right, even when it’s hard).
•Ask God to bless our walks with God, including our daily time with God. May God give us listening hearts so that we may discern God’s yearning for ourselves, our family, and for the communities God calls us to lead.

PROVERBS 14:23
Empowering PEOPLE to take care of their FAITH, FAMILY, FITNESS, and FINANCES using His blueprint.

Tiffaney K. Draper, Founder
designergenesllc@gmail.com
http://designergenesllc.blogspot.com
404-200-7911

Meeting God in the Middle (Kirby Patterson)

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

We need to renew our spirit in Him everyday. We can't depend on Sunday sermons alone. We have to make the effort daily, because things happen daily. If we wait to be renewed only on Sundays, we will be so drained from the weeks events that we just ask God, "Man, just give me a miracle. Make it better so I can make it another week." But my question to you is, how can we converse with our closests friends everyday, socialize with people everyday, but are too tired to talk to the one we need most? The one that is ensured to be there EVERDAY. And we use the excuse, "God knows my heart. I'll talk to Him tomorrow." He feels neglected, just like we do when someone we care about doesn't communicate with us. How would you feel if He never came through for you? Didn't answer your prayers? Decided to take a break? But we take Him for granted, "Oh, it's God, He will be there tomorrow so I will just talk to Him tomorrow." That's where "Meeting God in the Middle" comes from. God can bring you to Him, but it's up to you to push to make the relationship stronger.

"Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD? Who can declare all His praise?" Psalm 106:1-2

There isn't enough time in a day to tell God how much and why we love Him. So why don't we try to tell Him a little bit everyday? He's so incredible! It's amazing how there are so many people praying to God for help, but He still has time for us. Yes, it is hard to trust a being that we can't see. But when we do, we realize that He is more than just our friend, because friendships end everyday. He keeps His promises. So why do we put more effort into people that aren't ensured to be there for us the next day? We take for granted what God does for us. Just to be among the living is a blessing. Don't take it for granted that you are here. It could've been you. Be thankful and fulfill your mission. It's a blessing for someone to look past where we are, our past and even the things we will do in our future, and sees where we will ultimately be.

We are striving for success, money, fame... desperate for it even. Let's be DESPERATE FOR GOD! Ask Him to take you, use you and change you. We should long to worship Him. Wake up every morning searching for Him, because if we do this, everything our heart desires will be granted to us. Stay strong! Don't let materialistic things take the place of the Almighty. Let's live in DESPERATION...for God!!

Thoughts

Sometimes prayer is not so easy. We ask, we seek, we wait, we hope, and we yearn to hear from God. Yet, many times, what we ask for does not come to pass and our prayers seem to be spoken into the void. But, that can be quite good. Have there ever been prayers that you are glad were not answered? Sometimes our short sightedness causes us to pray outside the will of God, and that is the problem. What would be a good prayer? We must primarily ask for #1God's will to be accomplished, not ours. This means that we must enter prayer by faith and accept, in advance, that what we are requesting may not be answered the way we hope it will. We must look to God as the wise counselor, the all-knowing Lord who loves us deeply and who hears our prayers, but has a divine plan and purpose (Jeremiah 29:11)for His creation that God will carry out. Therefore, we must not only pray for others, for forgiveness, for healing, etc., but we must also pray that we are moved into the will of God in every area of our lives so that our prayers might more accurately reflect the will of God.

Furthermore, we must ask the Lord to reveal to us anything that we are doing that prevents our prayers from being heard and prevents us from being in His will. We must seek forgiveness for our sins and conformity to God's purpose and plan. Then, our prayers will be more frequently answered. #2: Submission. When Jesus was praying in Luke 22:42, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked the Father, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done." Jesus did not want to go through the ordeal of the crucifixion and He asked the Father for a way out. His prayer was not answered the way Jesus requested. Nevertheless, He submitted His will to the will of the Father, and that is the key to prayer.
I must tell you that the words in this blog are meant as a part of my own personal healing in the hopes that I might help someone else. Until I submit to His will and learn from the situations He places me in, I will continue to experience the same cyclical and harmful life patterns.

We must learn to use the powerful tool we have: The Tongue. We need to be speaking those things that are not as though they were. I went back to my favorite (The Message Bible) and found this written: "We call Abraham "father" not because he got God's attention by living like a saint, but because God made something out of Abraham when he was a nobody. Isn't that what we've always read in Scripture, God saying to Abraham, "I set you up as father of many peoples"? Abraham was first named "father" and then became a father because he dared to trust God to do what only God could do: raise the dead to life, with a word make something out of nothing. When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn't do but on what God said he would do. And so he was made father of a multitude of peoples. God himself said to him, "You're going to have a big family, Abraham!" (Romans 4:17) I love that with a word, He can make something out of nothing. Is that a testimony or what? Even better, He gave me the same power! WHAT?!! YAY!

#3: Praise. God is awesome! We hear this, but do we KNOW this? I have experienced both sides of the spectrum, and I know that I have power to "speak those things." I am very careful with my heart now because of this very principle. Proverbs 4:23-27 tells us “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you (A PROMISE!!!). Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust (A COMMAND!!!).” #4:PURGE!!! Take inventory of your lives and hearts and leave anything behind that is outside of His will. Relationships especially will hinder progress--no matter what kind they are.

I love you all, and I can't stop thanking the Lord for allowing me to share with you!

25 Easy ways to find extra cash by Brooke Stephens

from the June 2009 Issue of Ebony Magazine

1. Brown Bag it--save the $5 to $12 for lunch

2. Buy Generics--try Costco or Sam's and save 25 cents by buying store brands

3. Use Coupons--coolsavings.com, coupons.com, smartsource.com (I love double coupons)

4. Garage Sales--clean out your closets and storage!!

5. "Stay-cation" vs vacation--skip this year's cruise and opt for a local attraction

6. Smoking--just quit! save $4 to $5 a day and live longer!

7. Barter--swap services like babysitting and haircuts

8. Library--It's free--books, movies, magazines, and newspapers

9. Water--get a filter and refill bottles at home instead of buying bottled water weekly

10. Regular gas--unless your car manufacturer insists, all cars are calibrated to run off regular

11. Manicures/Pedicures--do them at home once a week and go to the salon when they offer midweek discounts

12. Movie matinees--get there before 6pm--get 1/2 price

13. Dry cleaning--wash sweaters in Woolite and iron your own slacks

14. Cosmetics at the grocery store--yogurt for moisturizer, egg whites
for facial mask, Witch hazel for astringent and cucumbers or tea for nourishment

15. Phone bills--internet based services like Vonage, Skype, etc...can lower monthly bills by 25-40% CELL phone providers offer pay-as-you-go

16. Theater discounts--corporate discounts, unions, etc offer up to 50% or more discounts

17. Prescriptions--if there is no generic version of your medicine, check online for 30% savings

18. Balance Checkbook--avoid NSF (insufficient funds) charges

19. Unplug appliances, TVs, Cell phones, chargers, and computers--they draw electricity even when off

20. Lightbulbs--change to CFLs (compact flourescent lightbulbs) reduce energy costs up to 75%

21. Extended warranties--skip them on appliances...it's a gift to the retailer..most come with a one-year manufacturer warranty

22. Health clubs--employers may offer discount packages, try YMCA

23. Cable service--eliminate premium channels and save $40 a month (hey, you still have ESPN!)

24. Online bill paying--mailing dozoens of checks can cost lots in postage, so automate the recurring bills or go ONLINE!

25. ATMs--use your own bank's ATMs or get cash back at grocers or drug stores.

SMART MOVE!!--carry only cash you need daily!!

SMARTER MOVE!!---TITHE!!--Give 10% of your income to the church where you are being spiritually-fed. The tithe goes to bringing people into the KINGDOM. In my life, it is not optional! I am reaping the harvest of incorporating this in my life.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38)

Tiffaney K. Draper,
Founder and CEO
designergenesllc@gmail.com
http://designergenesllc.blogspot.com
404-200-7911