Need a Fresh IPod Mix to keep your legs-a-movin??

Here are some jams that are surly kickin my tail:

Whether you need new tunes to workout to or just need a play list makeover I hope you enjoy it!

Some are new and some are not, regardless, its some good music!

30 Seconds to Mars:  This is War

30 Seconds to Mars:  A Call to Arms

30 Seconds to Mars:  Night Of The Hunter

30 Seconds to Mars:  Oblivion

30 Seconds to Mars:  Closer to the edge

La Roux:  Bulletproof

Cage the elephant:  aint no rest for the wicked

Cage the elephant:  In one ear

Cage the elephant:  Back against the wall

Phoenix:  Lisztomania

Phoenix: On fire

Phoenix: Summer Days

Sleigh Bells:  Rill Rill

Sleigh bells: Tell ‘em

Metric:  Help Im alive

Metric: Gimme Sympathy

The Black Keys: Tighten Up

The Black Keys: Strange times

The Black Keys:  I got mine

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And by dating, I mean Internet dating, or Internet man shopping or whatever you want to call it.

Actually, I do not think it deserves a title as “dating”  more like “browsing” or “shopping.”

I have tried it all… plenty of fish.com

match.com and christian mingle.com

oh! and christian cafe.com…

oh wait an eharmony… am I missing anything? ugh?!

(not all at once obviously, i do not have the time to keep up– just tried them over the last few years and most recently really tried using christian mingle as my one and all )

and they are all terrible.

And by terrible, I don’t mean they couldn’t work for you…

I just mean that they are terrible for me.

(DISCLAIMER: if you love Jesus and also love internet dating this by no means is to make you feel like you are doing something wrong… this is merely a lesson I learned and what feels right for me )

I loved the idea of meeting new guys and possibly finding someone to go on a date with or something but I just don’t like what it does to me.  I lead a very bus life and I am constantly traveling, so I have a hard time meeting new prospects

I know the Lord has promised a man that He would provide a woman to complete him.  Just look to Adam and Eve.  But sometimes I wonder, has He created a man just for me?

So….Just in case… I thought I would help God along and market myself out on the web in hopes that the man that God created for me would stumble upon me and magically everything would work out to my plan…

pretty funny huh? "Help God " "My plan" ha ha ha....

I tried it…I gave my full effort and these are all the things why I think it is not for me.

1.  I turn into a carnal man hunter.

The searching….yes, us women search too.  And we search photos and if someone catches our eye, we give them a chance and read thier profile…. well not really read… but go look at their other pictures…

I do not like what comes over me.  I suddenly become a magazine editor and begin searching for americas next cover model to hot guy magazine.  Whats wrong with that you ask? everything?

I left those ideas a long time ago.  In my B.C. life.  That, to define how beautful I am, my ability to attarct an equally or better looking guy.. pfft.

I know that  “The King is enthralled by MY beauty. –Psalm 45:11″ not necessitated by a man.  And that the most attractive thing about a man is not his smile, or his blue eyes or his perfect wavy blonde hair — that its His heart and passion for seeking Jesus that is most attractive.

Therefore, if internet dating sites operated in a way to only display such characteristics, and not faces or bodies, than maybe it could work for me.  But since it makes me feel carnal and a man eater I just quit.

2.  Hoping for a smile or a wink or a message….. but never responding…

Its like checking your email.  Who has looked at me today?  Who has sent me a wink or a smile or a nudge?  Or a card or some message?  FOr what purpose?

Not to acknowledge them as a human being and thank them for reaching out (even thought you roll your eyes because you think, “seriously? you think you have a chance?”)  Uck.  It makes me feel slimy.

Attention, I don;t need it.  And treating those men who have hopes of a reply back like fleas… oh its surly not Christ like.

I don’t like the ego it creates….   or on the opposite side of the spectrum…  when I reach out and get denied how it stings my heart and makes me feel like I am in junior high.

Uck. I dont like it.

3. The fact that I am trying to do this on my own.

Seriously.  What am I thinking?  Internet dating isnt just a short term of finding a new friend, or go on a date… if you think that, you are delusional.  We are all on a quest to find that one person that God has made especially for us.

So, the fact that i doubt that my Mighty God must need some help hooking me up with him… bahhh its just ridiculous when you think about it?

One of mentors did this priir to meeting His current soulmate and wife…

Praying.

Praying for her, that God would be pruning her, and preparing her heart for his own, and that she would safely find him on Gods time and in the meantime that God would be preparing his heart for that time they would come together.

Not seeking her out on a website or marketing himself all over the place.   Just trusting that the Lord would provide what He promised.

So that’s why I quit.

I deleted my Christian Mingle account today.

I retire from the internet dating meat market scene.

I must have gotten lonely or distracted by that dirty satan…

But I hold on to His promises and pray for that man God is shaping for me

The LORD your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17

He delights in me. I just love that don;t you?

So here is a little help with loneliness my single Christian friends….

Scripture tells us about Jesus: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

Wanting to be married is not a temptation, but loneliness can be. Jesus was tempted by loneliness, so he does know what you’re going through.

We single people need hope, and there is no better source of hope than God. He never tires of listening to you. In fact, his greatest desire is that you keep up a constant conversation with him throughout your day.

When you do that, your loneliness will begin to lift, as mine did. God will show you how to love other people, and how to accept their love in return.

With God’s encouragement and guidance, we singles can live the Christian life.

He never intended for us to do it on our own.

Bless you this day!

XoXo

Melissa

FEEDBACK BELOW:

What is your experience with Internet Dating– good and bad?

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On a mission today…

Ever thought you were over something?  or what someone did or did not do for/to you?  Well, I thought I had forgiven it– but something brought the situation back to a head and I am just laying it completely before the Lord… again…

This is a great article I found that gave me some insight… thought it may help you today!~

Forgiving others often starts as a decision of surrender-an act of our will. This surrender invites God to begin working in our lives in a deeper level, allowing God to heal us. We can ask God to enlighten us with the understanding that we need to fully forgive from our hearts. We simply need to make the choice to be open to forgiveness and reconciliation.

Remember, forgiveness does not justify the deed or the person, it does not provide God’s forgiveness for their actions, because only God can do that. While nothing can undo the past, we can do something about the condition of our own present and future. Forgiving others makes a way for our own healing to begin.

We have a divine example for forgiving others! God knew that man needed forgiveness, so He sent His Son Jesus to deliver all of mankind from the eternal consequences of their sins (1 John 4:9-10). Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Jesus not only had the power to forgive, but to grant us the ability to forgive others just as we have been forgiven.

–Quoted from All About God.com

So now what?

Now that you are reconciled with God and your heart is healing, does God call us to reconcile with the accuser/oppressor/situation?

Where in the word does it say what we do for our brother or sister that has inflicted pain or wrong-doings?

Is it enough that we mend our hearts with the grace of God without having to orchestrate a “meeting”  of forgiveness, or have certain words be said?

Or can we rely on the grace that was provided for today and to have confidence/peace to cross that bridge when it comes?  That when the day comes to cross the path of the one we have forgiven, that we are so full of Christs love, His understanding, our healed heart and our forgiven soul that the only thing present is the beacon of Christs love that will penetrate that situation.  Showing the other person what forgivness looks like through the eyes of Christ.

What do you think?

Does God call us to make amends with the those who we must forgive?  Or to make amends with Him only?

Give me your feedback brothers & sisters!

Resting In Him,

Melissa

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Hello All!

As you may know, I now work for Skechers Fitness Group and I am now a “Shape-Ups” expert!  Helping the Midwest learn all about shape ups.

I will share tons of great info about shape-ups that I have learned, but I think it will be more valuable to you if I share my own personal experiences with them.

I have been traveling the US the last few weeks and one of my stops was working the LA marathon.  We had a Skechers Shape booth at the pre and post race expo.

I snapped this with my BB while we were setting up..dont mind our mess in progress!

Have you ever stood on concrete for a long period of time?  How about parking lot concrete?  for hours at a time? 3 days in row?

How do your feet feel at the end of the day?  your heels on fire?  your lower calves feel like bricks?  the ball of your feet it utter discomfort? your back locked up?

Well, I of course wore my shape-ups during this event where we spent hours on end standing on a concrete parking lot surface..on an incline no less…and at the end of each day I was pooped!  Not from pain, but from working my muscles all day. (and all i was doing was standing!)

The sheer comfort of the shoes provided so much cushion that I went home every night with no foot and ankle pain.

I did feel some muscle tightness in my hamstrings, butt and saddle bag area  (ugh! I hate that area!) like you would feel after a kickboxing class or doing a ton of squats.  I seriously felt that I had worked out all day.  It was crazy!

I was really tired each day but so excited that this Shape Up shoe got tons of great feedback at the event and it kicked my butt while I stood all day.  I wouldn’t recommend when you get them to stand on your feet for 8 hours or walk a marathon…rather work up, wearing them 20-45 minutes a day until you can use them for longer periods of time.

The question I got the most at the event is “Do they work?”   and I can answer with out question…”Oh yes they do!”

Now get to steppin’ and visit www.myshapeups.com to share your stories and questions!

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I am too tired this evening to write about everything that is going on in much detail….

Things have been moving and spinning and I have neglected to write it down to share…

Things, like….

I am moving in 2 weeks to Columbus for a sweet new job….

Leaving a 4.5 yr career in Lima that is so bittersweet and wrapped in a weird transition…

How stoked I am to be encountering the Lord on a new level…

How my last “silly” blog was misinterpreted and how it helped me be accountable to taking the time to write with clear defined ideas instead of being a lazy writer and hope everyone assuredly knows my heart….

The test of faith, restoration, listening to the Lord, how close I am with the Lord and how strong/bold I am feeling…

My dealings with a stirring in my spirit to combat the Prosperity Gospel and fight for Truth–praying for those who hold idols of success that is un-biblical….

My battle with getting back in to shape to run some races and frustrations of losing weight… the healthy way…

My deliverance of self hatred and an eating disorder that has held me in bondage for more than 8 years-God is so good, I am His Beloved…

And so much more….be looking out for more as I share this new season of my life with you and share the struggles that I have overcome by the eternal grace of God!!

God Bless you tonight and always!!

XoXo

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Ahh!!!

I can not sleep.
Too much mountain dew, late sunday nap and a late workout. A combo for no sleepy.

Instead of counting sheep…I decided to countdown the dumbest and craziest facebook groups that my facebook friends have joined recently.

DISCLAIMER: If you belong to these groups, this by no means is a reflection of how I feel about you. I still love you. You are great…these groups however are ridiculous/hilarious/frightening.

Proving anyone can market anything and rally a herd of of any follower you want to create.

9. Join to get a “That’s What She Said” Button! – TAKES 30 SECONDS Group

Seriously people, is this really necessary?  245k people think that this group is rather cool.   I on the other hand,  think that adding more sexual innuendo to our daily life is obnoxious.  Boo for this group & idea.

8.  CHANGE FACEBOOK BACK TO NORMAL!! Group

Seriously people….all 2 million of you.  Do you think by joining this group that somehow Facebook would magically revert thousands of dollars on programming upgrades just because you joined this group?  Sorry, life is about change and progression.  Embrace it and stop joining groups just to complain about things that will never happen.

7.  If your name starts with A, B, C, D, E, J, K, L, M, S, T then you’re cool!!

Goodness.  If my coolness factor was completely based upon the group I belonged  to and worse yet, the letter my name starts with I would be so depressed.

Those 947k people are cool.  Thankfully I have Jesus and my name begins with and M so I am definitely in the clear.

6.   Ann Curry is Hot!

Are you kidding me facebook world?  Seriously now….Meridith is much hotter. jk

5.  I hate pretending I like a present when I actually hate it

Listen here you ungrateful jacks.  You know what I am getting you for your next gift?  Yep you guessed it, your very own Facebook group called, “I am a spoiled brat.”

4. 1,000,000 Members By 10/10/10!!!

What the crap for?  I guess it doesn’t matter because 734k people don;t care “why” either.  I sure would like to add 1 million people to my companies list by 10/10  I guess I should just be more blunt about it.

3. People Against Cookie Monster Eating Vegetables

I agree.  Veggie Monster just doesn’t have that great of an appeal!

2.  aura will name her baby Megatron if 100,000 people join this group!

Congratulations!  101,150 have helped another child live a life of getting beat up at school.  I am so sorry baby Megatron.

1.  I read the group name, I laugh, I join, I never look at it again.

I rest my case…and so does .5 million people.

Facbook groups are entertaining to say the least.

But if positioned really well…could be the fastest, free-est (is that a word?) way to build your list!!!

What is the most ridiculous facebook group you have seen and how many members do they have?

Honorable mentions: all for obvious reasons

POOP Group!!

insomnia group

CAN THIS PICKLE GET MORE ADDS THAN SNOOKI?

If Heidi Montag can sing, so can William Hung

I Have Also Slept With Tiger Woods

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Here there!

I hope your new years resolutions are still going strong!

Sometimes our workout plans need a little boost after we have been at it for awhile….

I myself am doing great with my Turbo Boxing Class and the training I am doing for the Triple Crown Race Series but I want faster results!!

messing around before boxing!

I definitely want to trim and  tone my legs, butt & thighs so I decided to kick my workout plan up a notch…

…by adding the ridiculously marketed new work out shoes by Skechers, the Shape-Up Shoes.

(I always want to spell it “sketchers”…..does anyone else?  anyways…)

I am sure you have seen them everywhere…superbowl commercials, in every magazine and all over the internet… (even an ad over there on my blog!)

So I said, “Hey! Why not?..I’ll try anything, well almost anything:) ”

I was slightly skeptical at first, as a fitness expert I said “get on a treadmill & do some cardio if you want to lose weight…what will a shoe do to help you lose weight?”

BUT..I am curious by nature….

So I ordered them online, (got $10 off whoo whoo)…got them in the mail today…and

As soon as I put them on, I could tell you that I am sold!

I could feel a deep stretch in my calves & butt..and I was engaging major muscle groups just walking around!

They are so soft and I feel like I am walking sand!  If only stilettos were this comfy!

MY BIG SECRET:  My posture is terrible!!!

…just call me the hunchback of notre dame…

(i blame it on my huge gravitational problem most women call breasts…gah!  they cause so much pain to my lower back and shoulders….and now you know more about me than you should… ..moving on…)

As soon as I put them on —-no hype— I seriously had all the pain go away in my lower back!  There was less pressure on my knees and I was standing straight!  I am stoked to see what else they can do!

The only negative thing, that I am already insecure of, is my big ol’feet!

I feel like Ronald Mc Donald most days.

They may make my size 9.5 feet look a lot bigger than they already are…

but I don’t care if it makes my back feel better and help my posture than I am ready to see what they can do!!

I will blog about them and let you know what kind of results I’m getting.

Since they are not to be used for high impact I will not be running in them, using them in bootcamp or kickboxing.

I will definitely be using them during my Turbo Boxing Class and the days I crosstrain and lift– I will keep you updated just in case you wanted the scoop about these shoes, too!!

If these shoes gets rid of my butt and cankles….yes I said cankles… than I will start a Cankle & Skecher Foundation or something….or at least a support group…ha!

Enjoy my shoe research and I hope this helps you and lights up your day!

Love&Hugs

-Melissa

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So I adore this new stump ring from Digby & Iona…

So……. I thought I would share its awesomeness with you…

I am thinking about purchasing this as a Valentines gift for myself.

It is the only ring I know of that actually has its own stop action movie:

Check it Out:

We are also having a fun ladies only party to celebrate Valentines Day!

What will you do to celebrate Valentines Day?

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The Associated Press
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A man pulled alive from a collapsed hotel managed to survive for 11 days by drinking cola and beer and eating cookies that he could reach from his small space.

“I wasn’t afraid because I knew they were searching and would come for me,” Wismond Exantus said Sunday while convalescing in a French field hospital tent.

The doctors said he would be OK after recovering from dehydration.

Exantus’ brother on Saturday was looking over the rubble pile of the Hotel Napoli, where Exantus worked as a cashier at a grocery store on the ground floor, when he heard a faint voice calling out. He ran for help and returned with an international team of rescuers, which after four hours’ work found Exantus wedged under concrete slabs.

Dozens of onlookers wearing masks against the stench of the city’s decaying bodies cheered when Exantus was carried out.

Exantus, 25, said he dove under a desk when the Haitian earthquake hit.

He lay on his back the entire time and survived by eating and drinking what was within reach.

“I would eat anything I found,” he said.

“It was God who was tucking me away in his arms. It gave me strength,” Exantus said.

Give Now.

The same God that provided protection and the means to live is the same God that wants to provide and protect YOU.  Will you let Him tuck you in His arms?

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