Spiritual

I just returned from spending five days with my sister. On September 30, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This was a definite wake up call for her. When she found the lump, she knew in her spirit that it was more than just a cyst.  This discovery started her on a much-needed path toward health and wellness. She immediately started making changes. Her eating became healthier by cutting out sugar and processed food and choosing food in the simplest form.  She also increased her exercise by hiking and incorporating hills to increase cardio and stamina. As a result of these changes, she lost almost 25 pounds from the time of diagnosis to the date of surgery (5 weeks). The benefits of these simple changes resulted in excellent blood work and much-needed strength and stamina for post-surgery recovery. After a double mastectomy, there is diminished strength in the upper body

What is one word that sets First Place for Health apart from other wellness and weight-loss programs? In a recent meeting with First Place for Health leaders, I asked that very question. The answers were all really good: community, accountability, freedom, non-judgmental, balance, faith, truth, and love. All of these words are correct but can be wrapped in two other words: Jesus Christ. FP4H is a Christ-centered wellness program. Jesus said it himself, “the son of man came to seek and to save those who are lost.”  And wow, are we lost. Lost in hopelessness, lost in guilt and shame, and lost in defeat. We cannot find our way to a healthy lifestyle, much more to an abundant life!   Through Christ, we have strength, peace, rest, wisdom, comfort, healing, joy, forgiveness, and POWER! Because in Christ:   ·      We can choose to live free from shame and guilt, even

Feeling a bit glum these days? It feels like COVID 19 affects every part of our person, body, soul, mind and spirit! I’m coming up with my personal checklist to make sure I am not falling into a dangerous mind set. So dangerous that I revert back to old habits like thinking food will get me out of the pit! Check out these ideas: Go outside – Studies show stepping outside into the sunshine can have a positive affect of your mood. Vitamin D is also known as the sunshine vitamin. You get it naturally when directly exposed to the sun. It has lots of benefits like aiding in absorption of calcium, boosting your immune systems, and helping grown healthy bones and teeth. Stretch – Stand up and touch your toes. I have to do this several times a to keep my hamstrings from tightening up and keeping my artificial

I remember the day I knew I was different. Actually, my mother pointed it out to me with the comment, “What’s wrong with you?” Growing up with four sisters, I could be quite selfish with my stuff. I started working my first job at 14 and had my own money to buy clothes. Of course, my sisters borrowed my stuff all the time and would “ruin” it somehow. But not really. I was just selfish. After I came to Christ the fall of my senior year in high school, the transformation miracle started. My mom noticed that I no longer cared if my sisters took my stuff.  And thus the comment, “What’s wrong with you?” It was just her way. It really would have been more accurate to say, “What’s right with you?”  What the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 is an absolute truth. In Christ, we are new

After four, yes, four hours in the recovery room following my total knee replacement, I finally was wheeled into my room. It would have been so easy just to let the medication do its thing and lull me to sleep. But it was the noises coming from the other side of the curtain of my semi-private room that kept me awake. Heartfelt sobbing. Okay, now I have a choice, just ignore it and go to sleep, or say something. My tired body says to me, “Don’t say anything, Vicki! You need to rest. You need to be quiet.” I finally gave in and speak through the curtain, “Can I help you?” A young voice speaks back through the curtain. “I have no one to come and pick me up. I have no phone and no shoes. May I use your phone?” I say, “sure, can you come over here because

To quote my friend Maggie Rowe, “this week has been the hardest year of my life!” Actually, now it’s been more than a month for some of us. Are you struggling with this “social separation” thrust upon us by Covid-19? My friend, you are not alone. Since I work from home, my daily work schedule has not really been interrupted that much. But I have discovered some surprising things about myself. These discoveries have caused me to be a bit more cautious during this time and a bit more contemplative of the spiritual applications.  Discovery Number One: I am way more productive when I cannot leave and go wherever I want. Because of my Rheumatoid Arthritis, I am at the doctor every four to six weeks. And it takes up time. My appointments now have been virtual. Before, when I traveled to Charleston going to the doctor, I might as

Ever wonder where the name “First Place” came from? It started with the faithful folks at Houston’s First Baptist coming together to create a Christ centered weight loss program. They wanted a scripture verse to represent the biblical precepts of the program. The scripture from Matthew 6:33 fits perfectly. Jesus was sharing with his disciples on a hillside on the edge of the Sea of Galilee, probably near Capernaum. Those folks were worried about so many things like what they would eat, how they would clothe their families, and provide shelter. Jesus knew this, and Jesus said, “seek first” the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things would be added to you as well. We worry about some of the very same things. Food can be thought consuming and worrisome. Jesus said seeking Him first would be the way to successfully navigate through life. His promises are