I turned 43 this summer! 

In many ways I still feel 23 BUT the spattering of grey hairs and the fine wrinkles that are slowly appearing remind me that I AM getting older J  So why would I reveal my age in a public environment when it is something, as women, that we generally don’t speak of past the age of 30-something?  Revealing my age ties in with the purpose of this article – to show how we can be enslaved to different behaviors for large periods of our lives without realizing how long it has been or even at what initial age we began exhibiting the behavior. 

Ok, slow down, you might be thinking.  What in the world are you talking about?  I am talking about a subject that, I do believe, is a major issue in the lives of many women – eating disorders.

In the summer of 2010 – 3 years ago to date – God began an incredible work in my life which he completed this summer on Wednesday 31^st of July.  The journey began while I was teaching a Bible Study entitled Embracing the Uncluttered Life at the local church we were attending.  The third week was an in-depth look at the physical clutter in our lives, with specific emphasis on diet and exercise.  I commented to my husband during the week of preparation that I was expecting it to be the easiest of the sessions. I had been involved in competitive sport from the young age of 5 and always had an interest in diet and how it affects the human body in terms of health and strength.  Well, was I in for an awakening – it was the toughest session to prepare AND to teach because God revealed to me a very deep obsession with my physical appearance (specifically in the area of my weight) and an even deeper obsession with competition (in the area of sport) because of a deep-rooted insecurity to prove my worth as a person.   As I spent time searching His Word for material to teach the ladies, he brought to the surface an unwillingness on my part to admit that I had been enslaved to various forms of weight control – bingeing, purging, fat burners, and heavy strength training.  All of these things had given me a strong, slim body BUT had left me with an emptiness and heaviness within my spirit that He began to peel away.  It was an exhausting time, but, as He is faithful in finishing what He begins in our lives, it was also the beginning of a journey to freedom.

Jump with me to this summer.  Recently, God sovereignly acted in my life so that I “stumbled upon” Beth Moore’s Breaking Free Bible Study.  In this study, Beth asks the reader to identify any strongholds that need tearing down.  Needless to say, God showed me how dieting and body image had been in my life as a stronghold for over 20 years, and that it finally needed to be laid to rest. 

This is my journal entry from the day that I believe God finally set me free from the insecurities that led to a lifetime of mistreating my body through excessive exercise and eating disorders . . . 

“Father, I am not sure when I began overeating but I do remember the nickname that I was given as a child:  “FATS”.  I hated being called this.  It was and still is a derogatory remark that did nothing to encourage me or to allow me to see myself as beautiful.  It hurt me terribly.  Father, right now I want to offer up forgiveness to those who gave this name to me and I want to ask Your forgiveness for believing this lie.  This image of being fat has infiltrated my mind and been the root cause of so many struggles with my weight over the years.”

It is hard to admit that we have ANY form of eating disorder, for they come in various forms and disguises.  But my heart’s cry is that if you are reading this article and your heart is stirred because of it, that you will seriously ask God to show You if there is anything within your eating or exercise that could be seen as obsessive or destructive.  If He shows you anything that needs dealing with, don’t wait 20 years as I did.  Deal with it today and then believe His Word when he says,

“For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I know that full well.”  (Psalm 139:13-14)

And then remember, EXTERNAL beauty will fade with age but INTERNAL beauty remains forever!

Happy Monday SEBTS ladies! 

If you've been reading our blog recently, you've probably noticed an event we've been promoting...
it's this Saturday's

Self-Defense Class

 

with Nathan Brown.

As much as we hate to admit it, facts are facts girls; knowing basic self-defense techniques is important for women of any age, living anywhere.  This is why we like to offer a FREE...yes, I said FREE...self-defense class each year for our SEBTS gals.

This year is no exception.  To help promote this event, we've thrown together a little homemade video demonstrating the importance of self-defense for SEBTS women!  Now, even though our scenarios might be a little "far out there," you still get the point.  Every girl needs to be prepared!  

Enjoy the video...and we hope to see you Saturday!!

*Special thanks goes to Scott Jones whose last name was dropped in the credits :)

Register by emailing or calling Women's Life at womenslife@sebts.edu or 919.761.2340.
Childcare is FREE...children must be registered by this Thursday, 2.21.13.
Wear comfortable, modest clothes...and bring water!!

Happy Monday SEBTS ladies! We hope that you had a great weekend, and are ready to start another week.  Make sure you check out all that is going on this month for YOU below! 

There are several events this month which you can be a part of, so jump on in and get involved! 

Join us TONIGHT for our Connecting Point event, Project: Captive at 7pm in the Ledford Center. We will gather to learn about, pray for, and find ways to support the victims of sex-trafficking. The event will feature Kimberly Merida, a praise team from IDC, and a skype date with Save Our Sisters.  We'll also be painting our nails red to remember to pray for trafficking victims.  You can read more about the event here.

SEBTS and C@SE ladies, did you know that the Women's Axillary has a scholarship you can apply for?  Applications can be found here and are due March 4th.  Contact Amanda George at ageorge@sebts.edu for more info. 

Pow! Register today for the Self-Defense class, taught by Nathan Brown on Saturday, February 23 at 10am.  The class is free and childcare is provided. Yep, that's right, FREE! Register yourself and your children for childcare by contacting the Women's Life Office.  Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for more info on what to expect at this event!

 

Interested in taking classes through the Biblical Women's Institute?  Term 4 classes begin in March, which gives you plenty of time to register and prepare! Clink here for classes, and more information on registration. 

Enjoy a little b-ball action?  Come out this Spring and join in on the 2013 Women’s 3v3 Intramural Basketball season! Women’s intramural sports are a great way to get out and have some fun staying in shape through competition, all the while fellowshiping with other SEBTS ladies. Simply go to www.imleagues.com/sebts to create a profile and then either create a team, join a team, or sign up as a free agent so we can help you find a team to play with.  For more info contact email Intramurals at intramurals@sebts.edu.

Looking for a one-on-one mentoring relationship this year?  We are in the process of re-launching our Mentoring Program, and we are so excited to be able to offer this to our female students and wives.  For more info on the Mentoring Program please contact Carrie Gilliam at cgilliam@sebts.edu.  

College gals, mark your calendar for Monday, March 4th for a Girl's Night with Mrs. Akin.  The event will be at the home of Mrs. Akin, Magnolia Hill, from 7-9pm.  We'll have a special post about this in the next week or so...be on the look out.   Seriously, girls you do not want to miss this!

Finally, this month on the blog we are going to be talking about love...I mean what else would we talk about this month?  But before you think you've heard it all, check out our angle.  We are going to be discussing different types of ways we can love each other.  Get ready to hear from some amazing guest contributor's, such as Dr. Liederbach, Kittie Trail, and Andrea Allard.  

Hope you have a wonderful Monday! 

Let us know how we can serve you!

Did you know that Southeastern offers FREE ladies-only fitness classes?  Check out the info below to find more information. 

Dance India – Don’t Sweat It, Come Shake It!  It is time to shake off the calories to Bollywood-inspired music and dance, and get in shape with a little foreign flavor factor.  This class, led by Sheena Sam, is currently underway, meeting on Mondays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. 

Zumba® – Ditch the Workout, Join the Party^™!  This exciting, calorie-burning fitness program incorporates Latin-inspired dance and high-energy cardio, combining interval and resistance training.  This class, led by Kristen Bell, will meet on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. 

beginning this Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Both classes will be held in the Ledford Multi-Purpose Room #2 (third floor – door across from Women’s Life).  No dance experience necessary, just come ready to have fun, meet other ladies, and keep moving!  Classes are free and open to students, staff, and dependents.  
If you have any questions, please call Student Life at 919-761-2305.

Ladies, don't miss out on these FREE fitness classes!  For more information call 761-2305.

Hey ladies! If you are interested in staying active over the summer, SEBTS Student Life will be offering exercise classes through the break. The classes will also be a great opportunity to connect with other SEBTS ladies. You may even meet your next walking buddy! 
Check them out!