Gretchen Hutter Lopez!!!!!
Gretchen, please contact Jen Alessi at jalessi@flywheelsports.com or 704-281-4578 once you have set up your account at http://north-carolina.flywheelsports.com/.
Thanks to everyone who entered! Remember, your first class at FlyWheel is FREE! Come Fly or Pulse with me soon.
Oh y’all! I’m so excited to be partnering with FlyWheel Sports to give my wonderful readers an opportunity to experience my obsession-nation workout combo – FlyWheel and FlyBarre, just in time for Mother’s Day. It’s the perfect workout for mom (and you!)
Before I get to the contest rules lemme tell you WHY you should join my workout craze…
From the Website: FlyWheel is the experience crafted by Ruth Zukerman, the legendary instructor and driving force behind the New York indoor cycling phenomenon. An experience that lasts 45 or 60 minutes and includes climbs and descents, while working arms with weighted bars. It’s an amazing escape that challenges your body and relaxes your mind. Our studios offer stadium-style seating, making every seat in the house a good one.
FlyBarre is a total body sculpting class that blends the best of light weight training, dance, and core 
strengthening exercises. Using small intense interval exercises choreographed to immersive and inspiring music, FlyBarre quickly reshapes the body for lean, strong, and elongated muscles.
From this gal: I started spinning to lose weight about 3 years ago and have kept participating in classes because I love the bike (and love keeping off weight). I walked into a FlyBarre class once with a free pass and instantly felt a connection with it. Every inch of the hour class pushes me. Yet, every exercise is doable.
When I started combining FlyWheel and FlyBarre my body showed major improvements that I didn’t know I could get. I feel more fit. I’ve lost inches around my thighs, butt, hips, and abs. And, I really enjoy the classes. Working out doesn’t work if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing.
Another great benefit for me with both FlyWheel and FlyBarre is the ability to RESERVE my bike or mat online. I don’t have to wait in line to get a pass an hour before the class actually starts. Plus, all the equipment (shoes, towels, balls, mats, ect.) are provided for me. Can I tell you I LOVE not cleaning up after I leave that darn bike? It’s like a little bit of pampering for this busy gal.
Contest Rules: So, how can you enter to win 4 classes (2 FlyWheel and 2 FlyBarre)? Go like the FlyWheel Charlotte page on Facebook and then comment Arden Elizabeth sent you ( and feel free to tag me!) The winner will be randomly selected by FlyWheel Charlotte Sunday afternoon and announced on its page Sunday and on Lipstick Monday.
Oh, I hope you’ll enter. And, if you’ve never done a FlyWheel or FlyBarre class please go register right now. The first class is FREE!
Can y’all give me a minute to vent? (I’m guessing if you’re reading this you’re saying, “Sure. Go ahead.”) I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired and I’m so over everything.
Today everything came together into one big dramatic moment when I actually texted a few friends, “Please pray for Jesus to take this wheel.” WHAT THA? Honey, when we start quoting country songs you know stuff is REAL BAD!
In all honesty, I knew the best thing was to call it a day but I had back-to-back meetings so no break was in my near future. I put on my lipstick and kept it moving…
Until I finally arrived back at my house this evening. On my drive home I committed to myself tonight would be free; work, stress, drama free. At this moment I’m playing my iPhone until the battery dies so no one can get to me for a bit. I fixed a little dinner and have been sitting on my porch while it cooks. I’m taking some time to chill the heck out so I don’t actually commit the whole murder thing.
I’m telling y’all this because we all get to our breaking points. We all feel overwhelmed and under-appreciated. And there are times that we can’t stop everything we’re doing at that breaking point moment. Life has to continue for a short time.
Did you catch the end of that sentence? A short time. To me, that’s the critical phrase and thought when we’re hanging on to the end of our rope and really thinking about letting go. We HAVE to know a pause is coming… and frankly we’re allowed to hit pause in our lives.
So, if you’re up to your ears in stress and you can’t yoga pose your way out of the situation for a few hours or a few days, I get that. I’m right there with you holding your favorite pink lipstick to help you get through it.
But, don’t keep going at it forever. Be planning a reprieve in your schedule for breath and rejuvenation. Kick your feet up and soak in the peace from your Creator. If He’s not stressed why should we be?
I took a picture the other day while out riding my bike. I have to pay VERY close attention to what I’m doing on my rides because well… I’m not big on a wreck. But, as I coasted downhill I looked up and caught the bluest sky and greenest trees swirled together into a breathtaking view.
I took it knowing I wanted to share it with y’all. I wanted to remind you that no matter what’s in front of us if we look up we’ll be assured God remains in control of everything.
Today though… Today I saw yet again how much terrible evil exists in this world while watching the news unfold about the Boston Marathon tragedy. I can say a lot of things and express way too many opinions about the mess of this world. And, on most occasions I would.
Right now, Jesus’s are the only Words worth sharing. Meditate on them as you gaze on the perfection He’ll give each of us if we’ll take our eyes off this world and just look up.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Like a lot of you, I’ve been watching The Bible on The History Channel. As I watch this series and continue to try to grow in my own faith during this season of life, I’m drawn more and more to David. I’m enamored with the heart of a young shepherd who grew into the heartbeat of a nation as a warrior and then king.
But, y’all, David, was no kind of saint and I struggle with the not-so-lovely aspects of him too. David was slutty! He used his position to get lots of women. I mean lots. Bathsheba gets the bad rap but I’d guess she wasn’t the first wife David took. And, as crummy as he treated women, at least the ladies got some attention. Most of his kiddos got very little guidance from him. Check out the stories of Absalom or Amnon and Tamar.
So, WHY IN THE WORLD, would God send His own Son to redeem the world through the line of such a corrupt man? Why not through Jonathan, Saul’s son, who seemingly did a better job of honoring his own family than David did? Or, why not pull a Noah, and just start all over again?
The more I study life of David, the more I see the aching he had for the Lord.
David didn’t seek God’s hands; David sought God’s heart.
David also gave his heart to God.
I see more and more God wants my heart; not my hands.
For a long time I’ve really struggled with my relationship with God because I couldn’t see that He was active in my life. I didn’t see prayer requests getting answered. I didn’t feel His presence in my life. Honestly, I believed in Jesus but I didn’t feel like He wanted much to do with me.
Man… that’s hard to admit and an even harder place to be.
After admitting my flawed relationship with the Lord and remembering David being described as “a man after God’s own heart” I started to study the shepherd turned king again.
As I read his Psalms and talked with my counselor specifically about the Bathsheba story, I started to realize David’s actions had no real bearing on how much God loved Him and how rooted David was in his knowledge of God’s love.
Toward the end of The Bible part 2, Nathan tells David, “Even though you are weak, God loves you,” and God hit me with such clarity: What can separate me from the love of God? Romans 8:35-39 assures me, not a dang thing!
Look, I know for some of you, this is easy peasy to accept. You’re the beautiful people who have the pure heart I want and am working to have. But, I’m a questioner. I’m a seeker. I’m not naturally trusting. So, I continue to sit at the foot of the cross and ask tough questions.
But, I also sit at that same messy cross and accept His love.
I allow the God of the universe to be my lover; to fill me as no person on Earth can ever fill me. And, like David, I’m striving to become a (wo)man after God’s own heart. Because though I am weak, He still loves me.
This won’t be my most coherent blog post. I’m flustered and frustrated. And instead of taking the time to give you a polished post I wanna be raw with you a moment… Really raw.
I want to make an impact in this world. I want to matter. I want someone to look at me and realize if I wasn’t here that the world would be worse off. Somehow something would never happen again because Arden Elizabeth was not here to do it.
I attended a panel recently full of folks who seem to have a lot of the same skills as me but they’re recognized as leaders in their field. In my mind, none of them have more talent than me or are better than me at their skills. So, what makes them panel worthy and not me? I coulda taught that panel.
And while I’m thinking I should be up there running ish the “Christian” me kicks in… I start thinking God needs to be pushing my work and my impact forward already. I’ve got a lot to offer to His world. He’s lucky to have me. Dang, if I was on that panel I’d be talking about my work for the LORD and getting new people on His team.
Good grief, A Mac! Get over yourself already!!!
(Are y’all as grossed out by me right now and I am?)
I’m noticing more and more I have a major issue with PRIDE. I am the center of my own world. I just wrote and deleted a whole bunch of sentences how being single makes it even harder to not be the center of my whole world. But, that’s an excuse. If I’m to surrender to the Man who conquered the cross that means leaving excuses behind and realizing my sin.
And, lawsy, I’m struggling with some pride right now. Let’s hope I’m not heading for a huge humbling experience.
How about y’all? Do you deal with pride issues? How do get out of the me and into the He?
You have overcome the world.
Took the keys from death and hell.
Joining Heaven we declare:
YOU’RE GREATER! GREATER!*
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus beat death as the sacrificial lamb for you, me, and every other person in this entire world. He hung His perfectly pure body and soul on a cross and raised His renewed body and soul three days later.
My head has understood that fact for 28 years.
Saturday, February 16, 2013 my heart began to comprehend what it actually means.
You have overcome the world.
Took the keys from death and hell.
Joining Heaven we declare:
YOU’RE GREATER! GREATER!
Lemme set the scene…
I sat in an auditorium with thousands of my closest friends semi-annoyed at the volunteer staff who refused to let our group save seats for our friends coming to meet us at church. My head space felt something like this: I get that you wanna fill in the front seats and all but SIMMER DOWN already. It’s three seats. For three friends. Who may or may not have ever been to this church before this day. STOP being rude. I’ll pray for you because again WE ARE AT CHURCH!!
Yep. I had an attitude of massive proportion. I took a minute to pray for a peaceful spirit and less sassy tongue.
The lights began to dim and the worship team took the stage. Praise music filled the room as I began to embrace my sweet time with the Lord; meditating on the cross and singing to my Savior on that cross. That ugly, awful, disgusting cross.
You have overcome the world.
Took the keys from death and hell.
Joining Heaven we declare:
YOU’RE GREATER! GREATER!
I’ve told y’all it’s hard for me at the foot of that cross. It hurts me. It creeps me out. It’s a torture device and MY SAVIOR hung there and died! Ugh. But, I’ve been aiming to keep my focus on that cross to get what it means. And as I focused on it I heard…
“Look!!” the Holy Spirit yelled, “Look at what I did for you already. Look what I’m still doing. Look what I’ve conquered!”
And y’all… what I saw continues to stir my soul and give me goosebumps days later as I write and rewrite this post…
I saw Jesus standing tall on the vertical bar of that cross, my cross, my punishment, clothed in the purest white robe. His robe blew gently in the wind as His face glowed with victory. Upon His head rested a crown of the purest gold and it sparkled in the sunlight. I saw myself on the ground below that cross and my face glowed too. My arms stretched for Him and He smiled down on me. He beamed. His eyes, His mouth, His everything showcased how much He’s in love with me.
You have overcome the world.
Took the keys from death and hell.
Joining Heaven we declare:
YOU’RE GREATER! GREATER!
Jesus overcame it all. He declared victory over my circumstances, my insecurities, my faithlessness, my sins. He took my impure heart and turned it into one readily available to love as He loves. He knows I have trust issues. He feels the walls I’ve built up around me. Yet, He can’t stand for me to stay in the slavery of the sinful me for one second longer.
Every ounce of my last few months led to my vision on a snowy Saturday night in February. I’ve sung so many songs. I’ve prayed so many prayers. I’ve sat in so many submissive positions. Basically, I’ve done everything I knew to do to see Jesus more. And though it’s been trying and exhausting, I got a glimpse of my next steps ahead of me.
Let me tell you… it’s going to be powerful.
You have overcome the world.
Took the keys from death and hell.
Joining Heaven we declare:
YOU’RE GREATER! GREATER!
*This is the bridge to Greater by Elevation Worship. It can be found on the Nothing is Wasted Worship album released February 19, 2013.
I haven’t written in a while; not privately or publicly. My last post caused quite an uproar. I decided to hash through what sparked it. I began to realize everything happens for a reason, yet nothing happens singularly. Or, as our grandparents might say, If you play with fire you’re gonna get burned.
Why does my flesh yearn for rebellion when my Spirit screams for submission?
Because I’m a sinner among sinners.
I’m David. I’m Martha. I’m Paul.
I’m a woman after God’s own heart while refusing to sit at His feet and learn.
I’m slandering Christians because I stay chained to my legalism.
And that, my friends, means I’m living in defeat. I don’t want to live on the defeated side of life anymore. I want to live in victory. I want to embrace the cross and walk into God’s will. I want so much more than I’m living right now.
So, I asked for help. And I need you all to know that. I need every person reading this to know asking and receiving help is completely out of my character. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and admitting I need someone else makes me think I’ve failed. I feel like I’m not strong enough to do life on my own. I’m not worthy to be called a leader. I’ll never be one of those Proverbs 31 women.
And I’m completely right. I’m not meant to do life on my own, I’m no leader, and lawsy, I sure don’t get up when it’s still night! (Proverbs 31:15).
I need you all to know it’s okay to ask for help. It’s okay to realize there are some things in life only a third-party who has no relationship with you outside of his/her office AND has professional training can help you achieve. There’s no shame in seeking professional help. God ordains each of us for certain parts of life.
You aren’t losing when you ask for help.
For the first time in a long time I finally feel like I’m winning.
I did something today I haven’t done in years… I admitted to the Facebook world that I am (gulp) single.
I stared at those words for way too long for anyone who’s sane. I also contemplated all day what every person who saw it would think of me. I’m still a little queasy thinking of all the dating websites I’ll somehow get in my feed.
All in all, it’s CLEAR I need to learn to accept my current relationship status.
I mean, it’s FACEBOOK. I’m worried about a description on FACEBOOK.
As I pondered accepting being publicly single, I started realizing there’s a lot about who I am that I don’t accept. I believe some things (like how loud I can talk at times) should be corrected, not accepted. But, my tendency to be sensitive to people is something I should accept in myself, not work really hard to correct (and yes, I’ve been attempting to desensitize myself).
The more I stared at “Arden is single” and subsequently thought about that statement the more I realized … I’ve been working very hard to change who I am and it’s not working out for me. It’s about time I work hard to accept me and see where that path leads.
So, yes, I’m wearing the label “single” right now. And you know what, I’m pretty okay with it. After the last two months of so many dates and so many weird endings, I’m tired.
Confused.
A little cynical.
And, I realize I’m not sure if I’m ready for a relationship. I might be, but then again, will adding the label “in a relationship” change my inability to accept myself? Nope…
It’s time I spend some time growing into the woman I am and not try to be someone else’s woman. In 2013, I’m going to work very hard to accept the parts of me that won’t change no matter how much I want them to change. God made only one Arden Elizabeth. It’s time I do a better job of accepting His work.
What do you want to do with 2013? Do you have a word on your heart on which you can focus? Let me know and I can pray over your word while you pray over mine.
I’m a doer. If someone has a problem then I’m the gal to fix it. I want to help. I want to be in the mix of making life better. But there are times when my action-oriented lifestyle is exactly what I shouldn’t be doing.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
As I look back over the last few months I can see that I’ve stopped being still and gone back to doing doing doing again. It’s starting to catch up with me because my ability for patience is nil.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Why is it when I need to be still it’s so hard for me? Why can’t I simply trust the Lord to do the acting? His need for my actions isn’t pretty nonexistent. It’s a privilege to work for the Kingdom but it’s not a requirement.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
So, as I showered today, begging for direction and clarity, simple instructions were given to me:“Give a little space and mix it with grace”. For a gal who wants to act, stepping away from a situation feels inappropriate. But, when a word feels clear it’d be a sin not to obey it.
Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
He is God; my God. He’s all-powerful. He provides protection. He distributes mercy. He can do the acting. It’s time for me to be still.
Be still, and know that I am God…
Yahweh of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Selah Psalm 46:10-11
