May 2008
Why We Need People

I have had a lot of traveling opportunities speaking for First Place 4 Health.  While taking a travel journey can be an exciting time to see new places, it can also be a lonely time.  Traveling by myself is not much fun.  I am a team person – no doubt about it.  I am energized by others.  My very best day is the day I spend with my First Place 4 Health class.  Studies show that being in community with others does have a positive effect on reaching our wellness goals.  

Every one of us is on a spiritual journey.  Life has been viewed as a journey by many cultures and philosophers throughout history.  Different from my own personal and professional traveling, which is usually by myself, God never intended for us to journey alone.  No matter how independent we may think ourselves, we need people.  People make a difference.  We, as believers, need at least two of the three following relationships in our lives:

A close friend to open our heart to…Having a close friend that we can be gut level honest with can make all the difference on the journey.  A close friend will lovingly hold you accountable and love you regardless.   

A group of believers to relate to... This is your First Place 4 Health class.  Being involved in a small group benefits us in several ways, including combating isolation – there is strength in numbers!  A small group also provides support and coping techniques in addition to bringing hope when we hear and witness the success of others.

A community of believers to belong to… There is something to be said for a national organization.  It gives us a great sense of belonging to something BIG!  First Place 4 Health is an international ministry with over a million members.  That’s a big community.  When you join a First Place 4 Health class, you become a member of a very large family.

Of course the ideal environment would be to experience all three of these relationships.

On Friday and Saturday, July 25-26, we are gathering this large group of brothers and sisters for a family reunion.  Your journey will take you to Houston, Texas.  If you have the opportunity, don’t travel by yourself; bring a close friend.  Besides having the opportunity for training with the new First Place 4 Health materials, vital connections will be made and genuine community will be experienced.  You will have the opportunity to relate to others on all three levels of the relationships I mentioned above.

Hebrews 10:25 says, Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hope you are making your plans to meet me, along with the rest of the First Place 4 Health staff, in Houston.  Information and a registration form are available here.   

See you in July, my friends,

Vicki Heath
heathvicki@hotmail.com