Today I was reading in the book of 1 Kings where Rehoboam succeeded Solomon as king of Israel. Rehoboam had a choice to relieve the burden that his father had placed on Jeroboam and he got advice from two sets of counselors. The older guys that had advised Solomon said sure, ease their burden and they will be your servants for life. His buddies that ha grown up with him said, nah, you gotta show them who's boss (MAJOR paraphrasing). He went with his buddies instead of the advice from the elders. Thus the kingdom was rent in two. He made a pretty bad choice. (1 Kings Chapter 12).
The point? We have to be careful who we take our advice from. In life there are numerous pundits that spout off advice to tell you how you should proceed. Not every one of them has our best interest at heart and not every one of them has a clue about what what they are giving advice about. How do you choose who to listen to? (Careful - I may be one of those who knows not a thing about what he is talking about!)
Some things I try to do:
1) Pray - go to God first for guidance. It can come from a person being inspired by the Lord or from God's word directly. He should always be our first source.
2) Look at the track record of the advisor. - I have 2 people whose health and workout advice I listen to without question or reservation. One is a personal trainer with a proven track record of helping people reach their weight loss goals and the other is a personal fitness coach who has personally lost weight and gotten into shape and earns a living helping others do the same thing. I know they know what they are talking about because they live it and I can see the results. For spiritual advice, I look for those I know are well versed in God's word and who are living by the principles of the Lord. Praying the whole time is good too, because not everyone who professes to know the Lord give godly advice all the time.
3) Research - Looking back at history, we can see others that have been in the situation we are in and see what steps they took. Learning from history can help us keep from repeating mistakes that have already been made. As an example, I have a friend that didn't wait on the Lord to lead him to the wife he chose. His choice ended in divorce and custody battles and serves as a reminder to me to wait until God puts me together with Ms. Right and not to trust my first urge.
So there you have it, the thought for the day: Be careful who you choose to listen to for advice. Pray hard!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Sticking to your guns
How do you do it? How do you stick to your guns after that initial fervor to change a habit? No, really, I am asking how you do it because I seem to fail at this a lot. Here is my for instance... I am working on this journey to better health. I have embarked, taken positive steps in the right direction and yet, I keep goofing up.
Week one, I was at the gym for all three classes and did some walking besides that on my own. Last week, I made two of the classes and failed to do any of the extra work I needed to be doing. Three weeks in and I have gained back the 3 pounds that I lost in the first week. In my book, that counts as a FAIL.
Add to this the fact that I am trying to eat healthier foods in smaller portions and make sure that I drink a lot of water each day. In the first couple of weeks, I was doing okay with this or at least making progress. In the last week, I have been to buffets and bought and ate a whole pack of cookies. COOKIES!?! Um.. FAIL.
So, okay, I guess I am kinda begging for helpful advice or at the very least prayer. This journey that I am undertaking is almost as important to me as my journey to draw closer to Christ every day. If I don't lose weight, my joints and heart will begin to suffer. Not only that, but what single woman in her right mind would be interested in a guy who doesn't care about his weight and health? I would dearly love to be a husband and father one of these years, Lord willing, but doing what I need to do to get there is proving difficult. I am getting in my own way.
I could use the excuses that I was out with friends and that is just where we ended up or that healthier food costs a little more, but I know that the fault lies in me. There is some part of me that needs to be reconciled to a new way of thinking and looking at life. A new way of looking at exercise and a new way of approaching food. This is honestly becoming a real challenge for me. If you have ideas that I can employ on my limited budget, I am all ears. If you too are out of ideas, then just pray for me. Regardless of how hard this journey seems to be, I will walk on.
Blessings,
Stan
Week one, I was at the gym for all three classes and did some walking besides that on my own. Last week, I made two of the classes and failed to do any of the extra work I needed to be doing. Three weeks in and I have gained back the 3 pounds that I lost in the first week. In my book, that counts as a FAIL.
Add to this the fact that I am trying to eat healthier foods in smaller portions and make sure that I drink a lot of water each day. In the first couple of weeks, I was doing okay with this or at least making progress. In the last week, I have been to buffets and bought and ate a whole pack of cookies. COOKIES!?! Um.. FAIL.
So, okay, I guess I am kinda begging for helpful advice or at the very least prayer. This journey that I am undertaking is almost as important to me as my journey to draw closer to Christ every day. If I don't lose weight, my joints and heart will begin to suffer. Not only that, but what single woman in her right mind would be interested in a guy who doesn't care about his weight and health? I would dearly love to be a husband and father one of these years, Lord willing, but doing what I need to do to get there is proving difficult. I am getting in my own way.
I could use the excuses that I was out with friends and that is just where we ended up or that healthier food costs a little more, but I know that the fault lies in me. There is some part of me that needs to be reconciled to a new way of thinking and looking at life. A new way of looking at exercise and a new way of approaching food. This is honestly becoming a real challenge for me. If you have ideas that I can employ on my limited budget, I am all ears. If you too are out of ideas, then just pray for me. Regardless of how hard this journey seems to be, I will walk on.
Blessings,
Stan
Take a breath
There has been a series of commercials that have aired in recent years regarding taking a pause to think before speaking or acting. I am not sure who it was that put these out, but I wanted to thank that person from the bottom of my heart. Many times in life, by speaking before taking a second to think through what was passing my lips, I have caused frustration, anger, hurt feelings and distrust in others. It sounds like a simple thing and it really is to simply take a deep breath before responding to whatever situation is in front of you.
Does it really cost you anything to take one good second to let what is about to pass your lips run through the filter of your mind? That one second delay may help save a relationship or keep open a door that otherwise might close for good.
Why is that important? Well, if you are a Christian and trying to follow the teachings of Jesus, we are advised to speak the truth in love. Yes we can be truthful with people, but by controlling the tone and choice of words, we can get across a point without making the other person so angry that any chance of them hearing from you about the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done for them goes right out of the window.
Truth is truth, but can be delivered with a hammer blow or with a handshake. Before you speak, breathe, and maybe even utter a short prayer regarding what you are about to say. You may be thankful for that extra second someday.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Reasons or excuses?
As I dragged my tired self into the gym at 1:30 am this morning, I was thinking of all the reasons I could use for not going. I was tired and a little sleepy. I had been awake for nearly sixteen hours. I still had to drive for about thirty minutes to get to my house and a workout would mean getting home after 3am. I shouldn't even have spent the money for this challenge because I am unemployed and $50 a month with a $100 down payment is kinda huge. Healthy food is more expensive than filler foods. All of these sound like good reasons for either skipping this session at the gym or not getting started at all.
WRONG!!
These are excuses. These are the enemy of progress. They all make sense and can be used as a crutch to lean upon as just cause for not making a start to do something different physically in my life. So, how do we get past these 'reasons'?
1. Bull through it. Keep your eyes on what your goal is and refuse to let anything stop you from going for it.
2. Reward yourself. As an example, if I make all 3 scheduled sessions at the gym, after the third session, I get to splurge on a smoothie.
3. Get accountable. Find a friend that knows what you are trying to do and let that person be your conscience regarding this goal. Knowing you have to face those who are standing with you on your goals makes it difficult to quit.
4. Think farther ahead than the moment you are in. Realize that if I fail to exercise now or eat healthier foods in better portions, later, I will have huge medical bills and it's going to be very difficult to attract a wife when I am grossly overweight and unhealthy. Not to mention that employers are not impressed with potential employees that don't take care of their health.
There are probably more ideas out there for breaking excuses and the hold they have on our lives. I am far from knowledgeable about them all, because I still find myself yielding to some. Basically, you just have to realize that you CAN do what you are trying to do. Remember what God's word tells us: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Note* This principle of breaking excuses can be applied to other parts of life than healthy living.
WRONG!!
These are excuses. These are the enemy of progress. They all make sense and can be used as a crutch to lean upon as just cause for not making a start to do something different physically in my life. So, how do we get past these 'reasons'?
1. Bull through it. Keep your eyes on what your goal is and refuse to let anything stop you from going for it.
2. Reward yourself. As an example, if I make all 3 scheduled sessions at the gym, after the third session, I get to splurge on a smoothie.
3. Get accountable. Find a friend that knows what you are trying to do and let that person be your conscience regarding this goal. Knowing you have to face those who are standing with you on your goals makes it difficult to quit.
4. Think farther ahead than the moment you are in. Realize that if I fail to exercise now or eat healthier foods in better portions, later, I will have huge medical bills and it's going to be very difficult to attract a wife when I am grossly overweight and unhealthy. Not to mention that employers are not impressed with potential employees that don't take care of their health.
There are probably more ideas out there for breaking excuses and the hold they have on our lives. I am far from knowledgeable about them all, because I still find myself yielding to some. Basically, you just have to realize that you CAN do what you are trying to do. Remember what God's word tells us: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
Note* This principle of breaking excuses can be applied to other parts of life than healthy living.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Temple
In reading God's word, there are many passages that at first glance don't have much relevance to how we live our lives today - or so it seems. I was reminded today of how relevant His word is for us while reading from 2 Chronicles about the building and dedication of God's temple by King Solomon. While reading, I asked of God to please show me what message I can get from my reading today that relates to how I walk with Him. This is what I got from the reading.
First of all, in the New Testament, the human body is referred to as the temple for God's Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Reading the description of how carefully and painstakingly decorated the temple was, I was convicted once again about how well am I caring for this fleshly temple that I call my body? Months and months will slip past without exercise and I am prone to partake of junk food at the drop of debit card. Physically, I am just now starting to try to prepare the temple to be a reflection of the One who dwells within.
It goes further though. Gold overlay was put up inside the temple of Solomon reflecting the pureness and holiness of the Lord. What images and literature am I overlaying in my mind? The bible plainly tells us to think on things that are pure, good, just.. How can God be honored and dwell within me if I foul His temple with garbage?
Finally, after the temple was completed, Solomon prayed to God and asked a blessing upon the temple and in essence, invited God to take residence. I find that I need to spend time in prayer. I need to communicate to my Lord that this is His temple and that I want Him to dwell within it and to be a blessing through it. If anyone reading this has not taken this step to accept Jesus' sacrifice and invite Him to be Lord of your life, there is no time like the present. Let His holy presence dwell within you.
When Solomon finished his prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the temple and was so overpowering that event he priests who were praising Him were overwhelmed and could not continue. Imagine the lives we could lead if we truly got ourselves out of the way and let God completely dwell in us! I want that! Even more so, I want that for you too.
First of all, in the New Testament, the human body is referred to as the temple for God's Holy Spirit to dwell within us. Reading the description of how carefully and painstakingly decorated the temple was, I was convicted once again about how well am I caring for this fleshly temple that I call my body? Months and months will slip past without exercise and I am prone to partake of junk food at the drop of debit card. Physically, I am just now starting to try to prepare the temple to be a reflection of the One who dwells within.
It goes further though. Gold overlay was put up inside the temple of Solomon reflecting the pureness and holiness of the Lord. What images and literature am I overlaying in my mind? The bible plainly tells us to think on things that are pure, good, just.. How can God be honored and dwell within me if I foul His temple with garbage?
Finally, after the temple was completed, Solomon prayed to God and asked a blessing upon the temple and in essence, invited God to take residence. I find that I need to spend time in prayer. I need to communicate to my Lord that this is His temple and that I want Him to dwell within it and to be a blessing through it. If anyone reading this has not taken this step to accept Jesus' sacrifice and invite Him to be Lord of your life, there is no time like the present. Let His holy presence dwell within you.
When Solomon finished his prayer, the glory of the Lord filled the temple and was so overpowering that event he priests who were praising Him were overwhelmed and could not continue. Imagine the lives we could lead if we truly got ourselves out of the way and let God completely dwell in us! I want that! Even more so, I want that for you too.
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