Marcia Haynes Cody Create Your Badge MY STORY My name is Marcia Haynes-Cody, and I am the founder of  Temple Under Construction Ministries.  The vessel that God  has chosen to spread the word of obtaining and maintaining a healthy body, and a lifestyle that pleases God (Romans 12.) I have earned an associates and bachelors degree in nursing, and have been a registered nurse since 1992.   I gave my life to Jesus Christ, and was baptized in water and by the Holy Spirit in 1994. I joined the "Sanctuary Choir" at the Apostolic Church Of God in Chicago, where I sang in the  alto section for 10 years. Unfortunately, when I quit smoking  in 1994, I gained 67 pounds over the course of 3 years. I tried every diet under the sun, and was able to lose on most of them, but could not keep it off. When I started walking  regularly was when the weight stayed off. I took what I had learned from various weight loss plans and really lost weight. When I stopped walking again I put the weight back on. Then, in 2002, I decided to put it in God's hands. That's when He revealed to me that the battle was not mine. That my body is the temple of God, and I should present it holy and acceptable unto Him. That is when I developed "T.H.E.  P.O.W.E.R.  O.F.  G.O.D." principles for healthy living and founded  Temple Under Construction Ministries.   In July 2004 I went to Bishop T.D. Jakes' Megafest. I was inspired to go forth with my ministry. I saw so many obese Christians there (even pastors and first ladys). Gastric bypass surgery is not the answer for saints of God. All we have to do is to tap into God's power, and stop trying to use our weak will power. I learned about how the body makes fat, breaks down fat molecules, and excretes fat. Now I can stop doing the things that make fat, and start doing the things that break down and excrete fat! I know it sounds too easy. There is nothing easy about this human body that God created, but once you learn the physiology you can make better choices. Knowledge + God's Power + Action = Victory! If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting! The battle of the bulge is not yours... it's the Lord's! I encourage everyone to acknowledge God in all your ways (including what you should be eating and drinking), and he will guide you.Proverbs 3:6. God also showed me that it's not about weight loss, it's about being healthy and using premium fuel for your body/temple instead of junk! The devil wants you fat so you don't have enough energy to praise God and go forth with your ministry, but he's a liar! I have chosen a multi-media approach.  TELEVISION:  I produced the television mini series, "Walking With Jesus" that aired on Chicago Cable Access Network Television Chanel 36, June and July 2005. The mini series "Your Body is a Temple" aired in November and December 2005. This television ministry brings P.I.E.S. (prayer, information, exercise and scriptures) into homes accross the country thanks to cable access networks. DVD:  The video "Your Body is a Temple" has easy exercise for all fitness levels (even couch potatoes) to great gospel music. READING MATERIAL:  I wrote "T.H.E. P.O.W.E.R. O.F. G.O.D." principles for healthy living,"Conquering the Spirit of Obesity," "Cut the C.R.A.P. and S.A.V.E.  Y.O.U.R.  L.I.F.E.! BOOKS:  Be Healthy! Devotional Wellness Journal. The Christian alternative to weight loss diets.", "The Three Little Kids: Healthy Choices or Consequences Series ( teaching children ages 3 to 11 the importance of a healthy lifestyle) and "Brave Beth Meets Mr. Weird" (a children's sexual abuse awareness book).