Category Archives: Faith

Fitness Week! – Fundamentals

Posted on by

I call this Fundamentals because what I’ve learned during my long 24 years of life thus far, is that fitness is not about all the gimmicks, quick-losing-but-not-healthy diets, or the soon-they’ll-say-it’s-bad-for-you fads, but it IS about changing up your lifestyle, attitude, and doing the little things to keep you movin’ and groovin‘!

You DON’T need all the fuss and buss of heavy machinery or contraption. My advice is to just go and get out there! God created this wonderful earth, let’s go and enjoy it!

—-

Here are my list of 5 small ways to be a little healthier:

1. Drink water. Period. (coffee is an exception 😉 )
2. Devote at least 20 minutes everyday devoted to movement at a speed that gets your heart racing.
3. Reach for the fruit.
4. Find an active activity that you like. (ex. hiking, rollerblading, sports, speed-walk-shopping….)
5. Lose the discouraging talk.

—–

In addition to those 5 ways, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Kenny — the super trainer. I first met him in Bible Study earlier this year and he has truly been such an inspiration — not only about fitness, but about faith as well. He is so energetic and encouraging that even though you’re sweating, groaning, hurting, and tired he will make you laugh and forget it all. Check out his YouTube Channel for encouraging words and that Kenny Smile.

So remember that Half-Dome trip I did this past summer? Well, little did you know, after a grueling 16-mile hike, my friend Kenny decided to make a work-out video on top of the mountain. Just proof that you can work out for 10 minutes, any time and anywhere. And yes, you may see a cameo of me. Just maybe.

Oh, and if you want to get tips on how to “Bring Sexy Back”….

 

Thanks for joining me during Fitness Week! 🙂

1. Fashion
2. Food
3. Fundamentals

P.S. I would love some feedback from you! Would you like to see more series or themed weeks on SWA?

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

{FF} What Are You Worth?

Posted on by

You’ve made some tough mistakes in the past. Are you worth loving? You’ve lost your job. Does that lower your value? You aren’t the most popular blogger. Does that mean you don’t matter?

We all have aspects of our lives that we base our worth and value in — success, money, popularity, beauty, athleticism, health, gifts and talents, etc. What happens when those things are gone? It is inevitable that you grow old and lose your “beauty”, it is inevitable that you eventually lose your ability to work, so does that mean it is inevitable that you become worthless? 

I’ve been reading the book “Searching for Significance” and it has made me more aware of some of the destructive thoughts that creep into my head. You really don’t realize how much damaging self-talk you do to yourself until you stop and think about it. I find myself constantly comparing myself to others in my appearance, my abilities, and my success — making my value dependent on my actions and the opinion of others. With that mentality, I continue to eagerly strive for perfection and acceptance while fearing the times of public failure and essentially the loss of my self-worth and significance. 

What I feel like I have forgotten, as do most people, is the fact that our worth is not in what we do or in what we look like.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

If it was so, again just like what I said previously, we are doomed then to become worthless. So then how can we prevent this from happening? What then can we say our identity lies in that is sustaining and healthy?

The only way we we never lose value is if our identity lies in Jesus Christ. 

Romans 8:38-39 says “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

We forget that we are loved unconditionally. We forget that Christ paid our price in death. We forget that He is calling us to live in Him and have an identity in Him that is complete.

Let us not forget. 

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” – Ephesians 1:4-7

—-

Have a blessed weekend!  

20140725-100500-36300967.jpg

{FF} The Good End of Busy

Posted on by

Screen Shot 2014-07-18 at 7.42.17 AMPhoto by Caitlyn DangVu

Let’s be real. Society now has become crazy busy. Whether you are a toddler or in your 50’s, I’m sure your schedule is packed. But the real question is what is your schedule packed with? Is it your job, family, social media, TV, extra-curricular activities, hobbies, etc? Is what you are doing building the Kingdom of God? 

I had a conversation with a friend the other day about the busyness. She said “You know…Satan is keeping himself busy trying to undo God’s work. So if we are going to be busy, let us be busy with the Lord’s work.” And how true is that? Satan is continuously finding ways to sneak in and cause destruction, doubt, depression, etc. (1 Peter 5:8) “But if we are constantly filling ourselves with God’s light as well as intentionally expelling His love towards others, Satan will have no room to enter.”

Now, I am not saying to work yourself into the ground volunteering for everything at church or continuously be on the go and not rest. I am saying to check yourself and make sure that your goal and priority in life is to further the Kingdom.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

I’ve just recently read the book “Crazy Busy” by Kevin DeYoung. In chapter 10, DeYoung mentions the story of Mary and Martha. Short version: Jesus came over to Mary and Martha’s house. Martha was busy cooking and preparing for Jesus’ visit, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Then Jesus calls Martha out and says “Martha, Martha, You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41 . 

I really like how DeYoung paraphrased it “Your busyness is not wrong. But it is not best.” He continues to say that the key word here is “distracted.” “Martha isn’t doing anything bad. She’s just being pulled away from what is better.“

I encourage you this next week to not be distracted by meaningless things, but point your eyes towards what is better and to utilize your time for the glory of God.

Have a great weekend! 🙂

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter // Pinterest // Shop

 

{FF} God’s Goodness Always Prevails

Posted on by

Screen Shot 2014-07-12 at 8.22.39 AM

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads struggling to make a decision where neither choice can be considered right or wrong, but it’s a question of which path you would like to take?

The past couple of months I have been trying to practice listening to the Lord’s voice and learning to discern between His voice, my voice, and the world’s voice. It’s definitely easier said than done. When I found myself at a crossroads, I began to stress and worry that I would make the “wrong” decision and forever be away from the Lord’s will for my life. Honestly when looking back, I regret wasting my time and energy worrying. I forgot that God’s goodness and purpose will always prevail in anything. I am not saying to not think through your decisions with the mentality “Anything I do, God can use for good” which is definitely true, but he also encourages having wisdom and discernment so don’t just go out on a whim and make random decisions left and right. 😛

There are such a thing as right and wrong choices, but for those choices that are neither and just a cause for growth and change, this is what I’ve learned and am trying to remember:

1. God’s purpose and will for your life will come through.
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21

2. God is good, so trust Him.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

3. God should be your goal. Make your decisions with that perspective.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33-34

I pray and hope that this encourages you throughout this next week. ❤

Have a wonderful weekend!

Faithful Fridays {FF} – Embracing Your God-given Gifts

Posted on by

It has definitely been on my heart lately to establish a blog that not only inspires outfits and fashion, but also one that inspires faithfulness. As I have recently reflected on my own life and walk with God, I’ve realized that I have slipped into the patterns of a lazy Christian where I regretfully became complacent with what I already “knew” about the Lord. I have too long been that hungry guy on the couch that is too lazy to make his own sandwich and waits for someone else to make it for him. And so this is my attempt to keep myself accountable in my own walk with the Lord. I pray that this step will not only help myself grow but you as well, whether you are a believer or not.

—–

Screen Shot 2014-07-04 at 5.27.30 PM

Growing up, I’ve always been the one to compare myself with others — from my outward appearance down to my personality traits and personal gifts. I developed this mentality that always yearned to be the best at everything and began to grow envious of those with gifts and talents that I did not possess. What I did not realize was that in doing so, I hindered my God-given gifts because I kept trying to be something I was not, as well as trying to steal the glory for myself. I wasted my time trying to do and be everything that I did not fully embrace, practice, and use the gifts that God gave me.  Below are four points that I hope will be remind and encourage you to embrace the beautiful gifts that God appointed specifically to you and to use it for His glory.

1. God gives different people different gifts.
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6 

2. Foster your gifts, use them, and develop them.
 “So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.” 1 Corinthians 14:12

3. Don’t be envious of others.
“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” 1 Corinthians 4:7 

 “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:7

4. Use these gifts for God’s glory, not your own.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:10-11

—

Have a blessed July 4th weekend!

BlogLovin’  //   Facebook   //   Instagram  // Twitter