Don't just look it, be about it!

Recently, I've been talking about making changes to my diet, getting more sleep and exercising. I just have to tell this funny story about my experience having a Stress Echo-cardiogram done.

Last Friday, I had a Stress Echo done at my Cardiologist office. A Stress Echo test is what they do to determine how your heart beats before and after exertion. I had to do an echo-cardiogram (ultra sound of my heart) done first, run on the treadmill to get my heart rate high and then quickly do another echo. I didn't know what to expect, except that I would have to walk/run on a treadmill. "Oh, I can do that with no problem", I thought. So, I got on the treadmill.

The pace started off slow and steady. And then, it quickly sped up. My heart rate had to jump up to 164bpm. Starting with a heart rate of 94-100bpm, I knew I'd have to really work it to get to 164bpm. But again, I was so confident that I could do it. I'm not over-weight, so I assumed it would be no problem.

Clearly, I was wrong.

By the time I got up to 140bpm, I was huffing and puffing on that machine. I was losing my breath. I needed to stop. The nurse walked up to me and started to coach me.. "You can do it.. come on Kennisha." I looked at him and said, "Are you kidding me? You sure you don't need me to get to 140 instead of 164?" I was desperate for air. And to make matter's worse, the pace of the treadmill continued to increase and it even started to elevate as if I was running up a hill. This was not something I expected. By the time I reached 166bpm, I could have fallen on the floor in exhaustion.

I got off that treadmill completely disappointed in myself. You see, I am a big advocate for working-out and staying in shape. My love for the gym started when I was in high school. I would faithfully go to the French Riveria Spa with my mom. I used to run on the treadmill for 30 minutes, lift weights on my arms and legs and participate in a step and cardio-kickboxing class back to back. I worked out hard and was in the best shape ever. I continued this routine even after I moved to Atlanta where I joined Crunch Fitness gym. However, I haven't joined a gym yet in Texas. (My current mission).

This experience has shown me that I need do better than "look" like I'm healthy. I need to get back in shape.

There is a big misconception that because I have a petite and slim build that I am in shape. People used to look at me in the gym and question my point of being in there. I'd get the nastiest faces. Well, the truth is, just because I look like I'm in shape it doesn't mean I am.

This same principle can apply to any part of our lives- even spiritually. We can sit at work with a bible on our desk at work trying to look holier than thou, but have a heathen spirit in us. You know what I'm talking about.

My advice to you is don't just look it; be about it! 


If you need to make some adjustments to your life in order to be more Christ-like, then do it. Please don't use the I'm a babe in Christ excuse. If you really do want to grow closer to God, I advise you to put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11 says "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

It's time that you make the necessary changes for your personal, physical and spiritual growth. James 4: 8 says "Draw near to God and God will draw near to you".

Today, I encourage you to leave the mask at home and be real. If you truly desire a deeper relationship with God, then walk away from the things that you know are hindering your growth. Ask God to reveal what those things are to you. He will. And once he does, step away from them. One day you'll just get tired of wearing a mask. Besides, God can see behind it anyway.

Thank you for visiting my blog. I pray this blog has encourage you today. Feel free to forward this email to your friends and family! Have a blessed week!

Warmly,
Kennisha Hill | Founder, Marital Bliss Magazine
http://www.maritalblissonline.com | Subscribe Today!

Better now than later...

At 11:39PM last night, I made the decision to hop in my car and drive to the emergency room. This slight chest pain I was feeling was enough to make me get there just to exhaust all possibilities with a Cardiologist. You see, when I was 18 years old, I was diagnosed with a minor heart condition called Mitral Valve Prolapse; my Mitral Valve works a little harder than usual sometimes, which can cause shortness of breath and heart palpatations. But last night, I was experiencing chest pain. My husband stayed home with the kids who were sound asleep and I headed toward Lewisville Medical Center.

I sat there with a mindset to get in and find out exactly what was causing such discomfort. I had my own set of ideas. Last week I picked up my 2 year old son the wrong way and I believe I pulled a muscle. Although this is probably the cause, chest pain is something I'd rather not ignore, especially having been diagnosed with a slight heart condition before. So, I continued to wait.

Only five minutes after being in the ER, the nurse called me back. She sat me down and took my demographics, before taking my blood pressure. She then looked at the machine and asked, "Did you struggle with high blood pressure before?" I looked at the screen and the reading was alarming but not surprising. Almost a week ago I was just at my Cardiologist for the same reason and he also noticed how high my BP was. You see, after I had Kerissa (my 5 month old) my BP shot up through the roof. I had to stay an extra day in the hospital before being discharged. He ended up putting me on HBP meds to regulate it. It worked. But, I did not think it would be that high again. And, it was.

The highest reading very early this morning was 190/125. I began to grow scared. My pressure was never that high... and I'm assuming it was higher than high because of where I was- in the ER. Well, they were not going to let me go until my pressure dropped tremendously. After 12+ hours at the hospital, my blood pressure finally dropped to a passable reading. I was given a perscription and sent home.

While I was there, I made a big decision. I decided to nip this issue in the bud now instead of later. You see, I never struggled with HBP before and knew that Hypertension is something that absolutely can lead to stroke or heart attack. Although they did diagnose me with postpartum hypertension, I decided that this is something I would rather not ever see again. I began asking the nurse a series of questions. What can I do now to fix this? Exercise? Watch my salt in-take? Have low stress levels? This all came to my mind as early as last Friday at the Cardiologist. But early this morning, I really made my mind up.

The nurse began to tell me that people who have high blood pressure and ignore it for 20+ years are the ones who are more prone to a possible stroke or other heart complications. She said I'm too young and thin to have heart disease. I told her, "well if I need to be a vegetarian..." And, she said, "Now you don't have to take it that far... eat and enjoy your food."

I was a little surprised by her comment because you'd think a nurse would encourage you in your diet decisions, as long as they are healthy. Well, this nurse had quite a funny sense of humor. I continued to share with her that I am going to do what I need to do now take care of my body. It doesn't make any sense for me to just ignore this today and suffer with issues later. It's time to take action, today.

1Corinthians 6:19 says, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own..."

It's easy to pray and believe God for health and strength in our bodies. In fact, we should. However, it doesn't make sense to ask God for health and strength when we aren't doing what we can to take care of our temples. As the scripture reads above, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. God has trusted us with these bodies so we can take care of them, while we are here on earth. This means, we need to treat them well.

I've personally decided to start a work out regeme. I'm going to eat better, work out daily and make sure I'm getting plenty rest.

We are all busy with a lot going on. I truly believe we would operate more effectively with our bodies being in shape. God will honor our prayers for long life and good health if we do our part by taking care of ourselves. I'm agreeing with you in prayer for perfect health in your body. Do your part today too!


Thank you for visiting my blog. I pray this blog has encourage you today. Feel free to forward this email to your friends and family! Have a blessed week!

Warmly,
Kennisha Hill | Founder, Marital Bliss Magazine
http://www.maritalblissonline.com | Subscribe Today!

Just let it go!

A few weekend's ago, some of my good mommy friends and I had our annual Mommy Weekend Away. We had such an incredible time last year, we immediately thought to plan another one. It was certainly much needed because being away from our children (although my 4 month old was there) just to breathe and cloudless and crisp weather, made the weekend that much more beautiful. We talked, laughed, played Taboo and relaxed. Although this weekend was near perfect, I was hit with an unexpected blow of food poisoning.



Early that Saturday morning, I woke up to excruciating pain in my stomach. And moments later, I was running to the bathroom; vomiting uncontrollably. "Pregnancy?" I thought. "Lord knows that's not funny. I have a four month old!!!". I wrestled with that thought, although it could have been a possibility. But through the remainder of that morning, my body assured me that it was not pregnancy. Instead, the violent way my body was trying to empty whatever was coming against it was a sure sign of food poisoning. I was truly a mess.

That morning, I remember praying for relief; that whatever this thing is that's causing my body to react so violently, would just come out. I couldn't think of what I ate that could be causing such a reaction. Pizza? An insane amount of Nilla Waffers? Popcorn? Raising Canes? Everyone else ate those things too, but apparently, my body did not respond well to one of them. My body's response was to let it go.

After much prayer and a very tough three hours that morning, I was finally back to normal. Once the culprit was gone, I could enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Today, I wonder, what is it that you know your spirit is trying to get rid of, but that you try your hardest to hold on to?

Yes, there are things that we naturally love... but you've heard the saying. Not everything that you love is good for you. And, just like I had such a relief, you can have just the same. You see, the things that aren't good for us will only cause set-back to us spiritually. The more we engulf ourselves with ungodly things (i.e, demonically influenced music, movies, books..etc) we leave ourselves open to falling- especially if we sincerely want a relationship with the Lord and not just to be what I call a Sunday Seat-Warmer. God truly wants to build with you, but you've got to make some moves too.
 Today, I challenge you to examine what could be in the way of your growing relationship with God.

Romans 12:9 says, "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."

Prayer:

Father, today I ask that you would give me the strength to turn away from the things that are detrimental to my walk with you. Whatever those distractions are, I ask that you would reveal them to me so that I can be all that you have created me to be. Lead me and guide me by your Holy Spirit. This I ask,in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.