Fit Bit ( Walk by faith not by sight)

Fit Bit (Walk by Faith not by Sight)

Merry Christmas!   Walk by faith not by sight.  Many years ago the Shepard’s saw a star on high.  They walked by faith and not by sight.  Can you imagine that type of faith?  Is that the faith you feel filled with this Christmas season?  Do you trust in the Lord with all your heart and mind and go boldly in the direction He leads you?

Today I m reminded of Faith because it is the Winter solstice.  Dec 21^st is my second favorite day of the year.  My favorite day of the year is June 21^st the Summer solstice, the longest day of the year.  I love the Sunshine.  I love long days in the light.  I spend six months looking forward to both of these days.   Today is the shortest day of the year for Sunshine.  Tomorrow the days start getting longer.  I look forward to the longer days of light.

Faith is like that.  I look forward to the promises of God.  I know that there are days of darkness.  I also know by faith that there are days of lots of light ahead.

 God says in His word;

Philippians 4:8[Full Chapter]

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

So today, the day of the least amount of Sunshine in the year,  I will chose to think about the days of the most.  Isn’t it cool that we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus on the days of the least amount of sunlight?  I believe this helps us focus on the true light He has brought to our dark world.  Today, as you are preparing to celebrate His light, be filled with it too.  Continually remember to walk by faith and not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7 [Full Chapter]

For we live by faith, not by sight.

Merry Christmas!

Kimberly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRP8d7hhpoQ

Son Shine Wellness for 2019

Son Shine Wellness St. John’s

Son Shine Wellness is a program designed to inspire Women to mentor women in spreading His Son Shine.

We’ll kick off a 6-week test program Jan 5, 2019.  At St John’s Lutheran Church, Sparta, WI.   All are welcome please bring your friends!

Saturday mornings from 8-9:30am

8:00-8:40am   Dance party to inspirational praise and worship music. This is a fun, happy, moving time, for all ages and abilities. (Girls from 7^th grade to women over 100)

8:40-9;00 Light snack and short presentation

9:00-9:20 Small group discussions

9:20-9:30 Large group wrap up

Let’s be a part of spreading His Son’s Shine in 2019!!!

Please contact Kimberly Mathews to sign up or if you have any questions.

Kimberly Mathews 

608-487-4879  (call or text)

kimberlyamathews@gmail.com

Be fit, be blessed and Merry Christmas,

Kimberly

This is a program motivated by my dear Daughter Erin Mathews who was so very good at spreading His Son’s Shine while she was here on earth.  There is no cost to this program.  A free will offering will be accepted, monies will be used to cover basic administration costs any remainder will be used to fund a scholarship program set up in Erin’s memory for a PA student exhibiting qualities similar to those she held. 

If you are not in the Sparta area and would like to get something like this started in your community, please contact me too. I am confidant God can work something out!!

Fit Bit ( TRUST)

Fit Bit (Trust)

Today to be Fit,  TRUST

Jeremiah 17:7-8

 “ Blessed is the man (woman) who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.

He (she) is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream.

For its leaves remain green.

And it is not anxious in the year of draught,

For it does not cease to bear fruit.”

To do the very best with each and every day, my cornerstone of wellness has to be Jesus.  I need to TRUST Him in all things.  When I waiver in my trust, I get anxious, fearful and trembled.  In that condition it is very difficult to bear fruit.  It’s difficult to spread love when living in fear and anxiety.  Jesus gave us one new command, that we should love others as He has loved us.  

Today for my health and wellness I will start with TRUST.

1.     I trust that Jesus loves me and loves the ones I love even more then I do.

2.     I trust that He knows my every need and will meet my needs.

3.     I trust He will not give me more then I can handle through Him.

4.     I trust that I can do all things through Jesus Christ whom strengthens me.

Today, be encouraged to start your wellness with TRUST.  Go spread His love.

Be fit and be blessed,

Kimberly

My Lovely Daughter in Law Erin wrote this the day before she had her Pulmonary Embolism, which took her earthly life.

TRUST

Scary moments of life, death and the unsure in-between

In the late dark nights of 50% decisions

In the short breaths of panic

In the waiting, not-peace not action time

Erin Ione Mathews

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_aVFVveJNs&start_radio=1&list=RDn_aVFVveJNs

Fit Bit ( Thankful in Grief)

Fit Bit   (Thankful in Grief)

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

Colossians 2:6-7

Thankful in grief is easier to write about if you’re not in the middle of walking it.  A couple weeks ago, I was feeling pretty bullet proof. I remember thinking of how good things were going in my life regardless of some things that were difficult.  Nov. 4^th it was easier to be thankful in everything and sincerely smile.   Today, in the after math of my beautiful new daughter in laws passing its very hard to sincerely smile and this nauseousness in my gut, just won’t to leave.  I felt very angry on Thanksgiving.  I didn’t really want to be around other people so I wouldn’t infest the holiday.  I spent a lot of time walking and listening to the bible on tape and praise music.  This did truly help me.  It’s hard to understand why my new daughter was taken up to heaven, when her birth family, my son and I had so many hopes and dreams for all of our lives with her.  Many people go through this.  I now understand how difficult it is to walk this grief.  The only thing that eases my grief is to remember she is in Heaven.  She is even more beautiful now then she was here.  My grief is eased when I thank God that she was in our lives in the first place.  I’m thankful her wonderful family is embracing my son.  I am thankful Jesus died for each and every one of us so that death has lost its sting.  I am thankful she is not dead but alive in Christ. 

I am thankful that each of us has the opportunity to live even though we die;

1.     Know you are a sinner and need a savior.

2.     Believe Jesus died on the cross to free you from your sins

3.     Believe Jesus rose again from the grave.

Erin, as perfect as she seemed here on Earth, knew she was a sinner and trusted that Jesus paid the price for her sins on the cross and gave her His righteousness in exchange.  She believed He conquered the grave.  So, she does too.  I am thankful for that.

When I get shaky and feel hopelessness attacking, I look to the gospel and feel thankful.

Jesus is the only thing big enough to fill the hole, left by the passing of our Lovely Erin.

I hope you too take comfort in the Gospel.  It is truly the only way I know to be fit.

Be fit, be blessed and be thankful,

Kimberly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlHUKY3jBv0

John 11:25  “Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection and the life: WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE DIE, YET SHALL HE LIVE, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” “

Love the ones you have while you have them

Erin Ione Mathews (Dunlap)

Erin Mathews is a lovely lady that is showed her last act of love by donating her life saving organs for others.  Many cannot be described as lovely, yet this beautiful woman fits that description perfectly., Her new husband Ryan says she is “Nice, very, very nice.”  Her kindness is just the beginning of her exceptional presence.   One of her friends describes her as a super nice British lady with an amazing sense of humor and art for playfulness.  Her favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice.

She is truly lovely.

Not only is she Very, Very nice.  She has an amazing heart for Jesus.  This heart for the Lord is truly her most enduring quality.  She loves everyone with such a pure heart and makes all whom enter her presence feel welcome and loved.  She definitely spreads His love in all she does.   She truly walks in the Spirit.

When she is not walking or running you may find her dancing.  She loves to dance!!  She even has a special finger dance to “sleigh riding”.  She met her best dance partner, Ryan Mathews in April 2017.  They share an amazing love.  Their marriage is based on Jesus and their love is fascinating to watch.  They were just married September 8, 2018.  Today is their two-month anniversary.  The two are truly one, soul mates.  Both Erin and Ryan’s families have never seen either of them light up and smile as big as did once they met each other.  Both families noticed how happy they both became when they found each other.  This type of love is something many of us never experience.  We are all so thankful that they each have had that. 

Erin has passion for so many things, running, tennis, music, reading, teaching, playing the flute, hanging out with friends and family, playing cards and putting together jigsaw puzzles.  (Currently Erin and Ryan have their kitchen table covered with a 3000 piece Harry Potter puzzle.) Ryan shares so many of Erin’s passions.  Their, her main passion is spreading the love of Jesus Christ.  She is a member of Cornerstone church where she disciples young believers and works the music board and helps out in the nursery.   Erin’s friends and family are all such wonderful people.  It is truly a reflection of the amazingness of Erin.  She also had a huge passion for her work as Cardiology Physicians Assistant at Gunderson Lutheran Hospital.  She truly loved her colleagues and patients.

Erin was born Erin Ione Dunlap June 4, 1992.  Her Dad Shawn, Mom Michelle and sitters Molly and Morgan have always been a main source of her happiness. Molly’s husband Bryce also has become a part of this happiness team.  When you meet Erin’s’ family, its hard to imagine that anyone can really be that wonderful. They are all so very kind, loving and Christ centered that they make you feel at home where ever you are.  It is no surprise Erin turned out so Lovely.  Their secret is no secret their family is built on the Rock of Jesus Christ.  They love to play music and sing together. They, as Erin are beautiful.

John 3:16  “ For God so loved the world (Erin, you, all of us), that HE gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 11:25

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;

Erin Believed and Trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior, therefore we are confident she is in Heaven!

November 9,2018 at 0500 Erin gave her body to the transplant team of UW Madison.  Her liver, pancreas and kidneys will be used to give life to others.  Erin’s physical life here on earth will not be over.  The miracle from God, she will not die.  We will miss her here. She will be in Heaven where she will have no tears, pain or suffering.  To help each of us deal with missing her here.  We have to TRUST GOD. 

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

When we miss her, think on how blessed we are to have had here in our lives.  Be thankful, for her life.  Thank God for Erin, when you miss her, envision her happy and smiling in Heaven.  It will help, even though it will still be hard.  TRUST GOD.

We ALL Love you Erin and are so thankful you have been in our lives.  We just really wish you could have stayed a lot longer.  But it is better to have loved and lost then to never to have loved at all.  We know its not over, we will see you again in Heaven.  You will forever live on.  Thank you Erin for making such a beautiful Christ like impact in our hearts and on our lives.

Memorial services:

Sunday, November 11^th from 3-6pm Visitations and Celebration of Life at First Free Church 123 Mason St.  Onalaska, WI

.

Monday, November 12^th, 6pm Funeral service at First Free Church in the sanctuary.

There is plenty of room, please come.

Instead of Flowers please send your gifts to her new husband Ryan Mathews to help him pay for medical and funeral expenses and any type of memorial he thinks will honor Erins’ life the best. 

Ryan Mathews

2012 Charles Street

Lacrosse, WI, 54656

Please also send your prayers, to cover my son Ryan, with God’s strength and endurance to make it through is potentially devastating event.

Be fit, be blessed and enjoy every moment you can with your loved ones,

Kimberly