Fast Finish

We have entered the final week of another year.  Many things have taken place in the last 12 months some good and some not so good. 

In closing out the year it is typically a good idea to take a look back at the events that have brought us to this point.  It is from these memories and moments that we can do some of our best learning. 

Looking through this year there have been several meaningful items to shape this year.  Topping the list for me is the Saturday night in February when we received a call from Olivia, who was on a church youth trip in Conway, AR, stating she was ready and needed to be baptized and then just a few minutes later to see the video of that blessed event.  That was a proud parent moment for sure.  Other items included the ongoing health struggles for my dad, the opportunity to teach the young adults at Center Hill Church of Christ for a quarter over the summer, changes to my role at Total Life Healthcare which allowed me to become more focused and productive, the Super Summer Slim Down event at St Bernards, and the establishment of this blog in the late summer.

Looking back is great, and looking ahead brings excitement.  I know the Lord and that he has plans for me, just as he stated in Jeremiah 29:11.  I believe 2016 will be a fantastic opportunity to build on my 3 F's of Faith, Family, and Fitness.  My theme this year has been With God we will. . .

As we bring this year to a close I believe that with God we have done much and will continue to grow, proper and share.  Look in next week to see where we will be going and if a new theme has been established.

Boundaries

Words have meanings, spaces have perimeters, and games/competitions have rules..  Each of these serve as forms of boundaries.  Boundaries are for our benefit and are to be respected, if not enforced.

God set the example of boundaries in the Garden with Adam and Eve.  He also let us know there are consequences when these boundaries are breached as He booted them from the Garden when they sinned and crossed that boundary.

In our modern fully connected world, an age "ruled" by boundless ideologies such as secular humanism, atheism, and moral relativism it is increasingly difficult to define and thus enforce boundaries in our personal lives.  When we do seek to have boundaries for our time or behaviors we are often ridiculed or castigated.

Though we face those who would usurp our time or seek to take or destroy our property, it is imperative that we draw up, adhere to, and respect not only our boundaries but those of others.  Work is important in our lives, but we cannot let it wedge it's influence into every waking second of our lives, likewise with school, sports, and entertainment.  Each of these hold a place but our life should be built around our faith with all other aspects integrated in a secondary way.

Your challenge as we look to close out this year in the next two weeks is to look at the boundaries in your life and secure them.  At the same time look at the boundaries of others and respect those that you may not unduly encroach upon them.  With God we will. . . Have healthy boundaries.

An Invitation to Pray

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer." 
John Wooden.

As someone who is a recovering sports junkie it is hard not to use references from sports, because it held such a large part of my mind for so many years.  One of the most intriguing figures in sports is the humble little man who won so many championships with his UCLA Bruins basketball teams in the 60's and 70's.  Though I do not have memories of those teams they are the stuff of legend, with several of the stars from those teams being prominent sports figures for many years during my youth.

In recent years I read a biography about Coach Wooden and was thoroughly impressed with his faith, attention to detail, preparation, and absolute desire to develop character in his players.  We would all Do Well to follow his example in this way. 

How do we live our lives?  Do we truly live by our faith, or do we float along with the currents of life (a dangerous thing) going wherever those currents lead.  Jesus our Lord said that he has gone to prepare us a place.  Maybe, just maybe, we need to be preparing to go.  I don't always see it on my life, and if you are honest with yourself, I imagine you don't always see it in your own life.

In the quote above from the coach it says "that type of faith cannot be acquired without prayer."  How is your prayer life today?  Join with me this week in making prayer a priority.  The stresses and strains we put upon ourselves, particlarly during the holidays, can drag us down.  Don't succumb to the wayward currents and drift along, grab hold to the lifeboat of prayer and follow Paul's admonition to the Thessalonians, "pray without ceasing."  Keep in mind, "with God we will. . . Live by Faith."

How to Do Well

Last week we looked at establishing goals for the coming year.  This not necessarily an easy process but it is necessary to success.  I hope that you have considered a few goals, or at least begun rolling a few ideas around in your head.

Once you put them on paper, or onto an electronic planner you are not finished.  There is a next step that many people will skip which the most successful will not, and that is to develop a strategy of how they will achieve those goals.  This again will take some time, and to be optimal may force us to confront changes in our daily actions and thought processes.  This is why most New Year Resolutions don't last through the end of the first month as we fail to confront these changes and develop these strategies.

You and I can make 2016 highly successful for ourselves if we will commit now to Do Well.  This involves the types of preparation we have discussed the past couple of weeks, along with a plan for tracking of our progress and course correction when we deviate.  It is my hope that you each have gained something from this discussion and are better prepared remembering that"With God we will. . . Do Well!"

Do Well

 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ - Luke 19:17 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke19:17&version=ESV

In our busy world it seems like we are in a never-ending quest to do more.  The verse above shows that our Lord is about excellence as he tells the servant "well done".  Please note he did not say all done, rather "well done".

As 2015 enters it's final month in just a couple of days it is important to look ahead to how we will live in 2016.  By starting now you can have your goals/plans in place and ready to begin on Day 1 of the new year.  Who couldn't use a head start?

First, we must do a self assessment.  This requires painful honesty and reflection.  This is typically the most painful part of the process since most of us struggle with self image in some way or another.

Once we have established where we are we need to determine where we want to go.  This is where we set those goals for next year.  I recommend breaking those into four sections: Faith, Family/Friends, Finance, and Fitness.  You may choose to add your work related goals as another option, but for me work is something that should not define me, but is inextricably linked to each of the others.  As you look at each of these areas do a little brainstorming and put down those things that come to mind.  Then look those things over and determine which items will have the greatest impact on your well-being.  My suggestion here is to limit yourself to about 3 goals in each area.

Now that you have begun the process we will look at next steps in next week's edition of "Workout Your Faith".  Keep I mind that "with God we will. . . Do Well!"

Thanksgiving

In the coming week our nation celebrates a day of Thanksgiving.  On this day we collectively show our gratitude to God for his blessings and mercy.

As Americans we have much to be thankful for, and as Christians oh so much more.  I pray that as we enjoy this day that we not forget those in some special positions that secure for us these freedoms, or who put themselves in dangerous positions on a daily basis to serve and protect.

These are our military, intelligence services, law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.  Each of these hold fast to the idealism of the America our founding fathers envisioned, and protect the public interest not for glory, but with a  mission to serve.

We each have many things to be thankful for, but don't overlook these important members of our community and the families who share them with us each day.

Gratitude is good for the spirit and vital to our nation.  Please join me in saluting these folks for a job a well done, and asking God's continued blessing on them all.

With God we will. . . Be Grateful!

Dealing With Negativity in News

The world it seems is on fire.  Sin is running rampant and Satan has a stronghold over so much of what is happening.  It is disheartening to follow the news especially when we see events such as happened in Paris this week.

My suggestion is to first limit how much news you consume.  That is difficult medicine as a recovering news and weather junkie, but it will help.  The 24 hour access to news is a two edged sword bringing us much information while not truly allowing us to digest it all and seek understanding.

Next make sure you replace that news time with additional time in God's word and communicating with Him in prayer.  This will reduce our anxieties related to all that is happening around us.

Finally seek opportunities to serve.  When we take our an inward motivation and turn it into positive action we feel better about ourselves, and more importantly can have a positive impact on others.  It is through service that we touch the hearts of others, and if enough of us come together as servants we can make a difference.  With God we will. . . Overcome all the negative news.

Healthy Holidays

We are coming into a favorite time of year for many with Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all in the next 50 days or so.  At the heart of how we celebrate is often FOOD, and lots of it.  Many of our favorites are not favored by the healthy foods police, and for good reason.  All this food everywhere we turn is a temptation that is hard to resist.  Causing most people to pack on the pounds during this season, fueling everyone's favorite New Year's resolutuon, to lose weight.

Is there a strategy for minimizing our risk, without compromising our enjoyment?  Yes, and it is one we should be employing 24/7/365.  It goes something like this, we can't have it all, choose wisely and in smaller portions. 

Secondly drink more water, hydration is a wonderful thing for the body and a well timed glass of H2O, approximately 30 minutes before meal time can give us that fuller feeling quicker.   

Third, it's activity, we must be diligent to PLAN activity to coincide with our intake, burn those calories and promote better nutritional absorption by getting moving.

Finally incorporate a good sleep routine into your schedule.  When we fail to sleep adequately our body and mind becomes fatigued and those bodily functions don't fire off as they should making the burn come slower and the pounds stack up more quickly.

It is my sincere wish that each of you enjoys the happiest of holiday seasons.  With a little thought we can win these battles, and with God we can win the war.

Woodlawn

In an era where faith-based movies have come out of the shadows we have been blessed to have several high quality films over the past several years.  The most recent of these is "Woodlawn"' which takes us back to the early seventies and examines the power of God working through people to break down racial barriers that had separated, victimized, and discouraged people.

In this film first time actor Caleb Castille portrays former NFL player Tony Nathan as he makes his way through high school in racially divided Birmingham.  Nathan was a dynamic talent who may have gone unnoticed if not for the events depicted in this film.

We all need to be lifted up and yet recognize the inappropriate barriers that our attitudes create, and this film walks that difficult line.  In the end we know that in God is all power and all hope.  If we will seek after His teachings, then we can make a difference just as this group of high schoolers forever changed America's most racially divided city at the time.  I encourage you all to see this movie it is inspiring, insightful, and entertaining.

Remember that with God we will. . . make a difference.

Reflection

Time for reflection seems to get pushed aside in our busy lives.  Reflection however is a vital part of growth.  By looking back we can see the progress we have made or ground we have lost relative to our goals and dreams.

Reflection also gives us perspective, a word I have used a number of times in previous writings.  When we gain a different perspective on things all of a sudden the light bulb goes off in our mind and we often reach greater understanding.  For those of us who are Christians we can read a passage of Scripture many times over and then, out of nowhere, we read it and find more meaning.

I was fortunate to spend the early part of this past week in Philadelphia, the birthplace of our nation.  Being in the room and on the grounds of what we call Independence Hall was incredible.  There is an energy there because we know what came from that meeting place.  Though those men held varying views on faith, often at bitter odds, they persisted and put the founding of this republic into God's hands as is evident in our founding documents.

Take a little time this week to reflect on you life, the scriptures, and the founding of our nation.  You will recognize that  God was, is, and will be present and available seeking to bless us.

Keep the faith, remember that with God we will. . .grow in understanding.

Persistence

Yesterday's college football slate included one of the best games we are likely to see this season between the Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans.  Around 110,000 people were treated to a slugfest between two mighty behemoths of the college football landscape.  In the end there was a great lesson to be learned, even if you know nothing about football.

This heavyweight matchup was tight throughout with Michigan's Wolverines holding the advantage throughout the game.  With just under 2 minutes remaining the Spartans looked to be finished having given the ball back to the maize and blue and holding only one timeout to stop the clock.  As it happened they fought through to the final play which will go down in the annals of football history as one of the most unlikely endings of all time.  With 10 second left Michigan was set to punt the ball away which would have run out the clock.  Fate however stepped in as the Michigan punter muffed the snap fumbling into the hands of a Spartan defender who returned it for the game winning score as time expired.

The lesson here is persistence, seeing our efforts through to the end.  This is the way we should all work and live especially as Christians.  We will be engaged in many battles with a difficult enemy but if we will persist, in the end we can know victory.  With God we will. . . Persist.

Good Times

This morning I have to write about something we watched on TV last night. 

Some of you likely remember the 70's TV show "Good Times" and it's iconic character JJ.  The show is set in a Chicago ghetto and revolves around the daily life of the Evans family and their neighbors.  The family consists of father James, mother Florida, eldest son JJ, daughter Thelma, and youngest son Michael.

In the episode Angie and I came across last night Michael was having difficulty with a neighborhood bully.  This was causing differing concerns and responses from the parents.  Finally James had directed Michael to "take a stand" against the bully in hopes that the bullying would come to an end.

Later that day Michael was late getting home and Florida was getting quite concerned, as only a mom can.  Then Michael came in and had not a scratch upon him and the rest of the family was stunned.  They asked what had happened that he had not been touched?  He said you can ask him, the bully, because he had invited him to spend the weekend with them in their home.

As the story progressed James told them they needed to study so Michael sat down  and the bully initially sat with him.  However he grew weary of it quickly and tried to get out of it, even demeaning Michael for it.  At this point as he was becoming increasingly belligerent James took control of the situation by taking his belt off and carrying the youngster to his bedroom to administer a good old fashioned spanking.

When this was done the whole family went on to explain how this worked, that some could whip the devil out of you out of concern and caring.  This was difficult for the young man to understand as it was obviously a new concept.

For us it served as a clear reminder that we must be diligent in discipline with our children and that we also have a responsibility, God-given, to aid in pointing others in the right way.  Today James would likely have been brought up on child abuse charges, when in reality he was heroically filling a void in the life of this child.  Let's work together to bring up a better generation, with God we will.

Fit and Faithful

Science tells us that exercise is great for our bodies and also when practiced consistently will also boost our mood.  With this I concur.  I have found setting up a regular routine of exercise has been quite beneficial.  The exercise has aided me in controlling my diabetes and given me a good deal more energy.  My morning walks also tend to improve my outlook and leads me to greater productivity in the workday.

This leads to a critical question for us as Christians, do we exercise our faith?  Much like the discipline we use in our health, fitness, or exercise programs an active faith is vital to a healthy faith.

The book of James tells us, "faith without works is dead."  With these thoughts in mind I urge us to engage the disciplines of faith regularly.  Prayer, Bible study, service, and church attendance are all important to the growth and health of our spiritual lives.

When we combine healthier living with greater spiritual discipline we will reap many benefits not only now but into eternity.  Let's all take a look at where we stand in both of these areas and make a concerted effort to begin a regimen of self improvement in both areas.  With God we will. . . Make a difference for eternity.

A Faithful Response

Yesterday was another day where our nation was devastated by another campus shooting, a story that has become all too common over the past several years.  This episode was followed by a photo opportunity for the President of the United States to come before the people with a message of gun control.

I too have a sadness for these victims and their families but do not believe that gun control laws are effective or even constitutional in many cases.  The problem is of the human heart.  As the Bible tells us we are a fallen people, fallen to sin.  In this country we have devastated  our morality, diminished our faith, and dealt a death blow to the traditional family. 

When will someone have the courage to say enough is enough?  We CANNOT continue in this way.  We MUST reclaim the spiritual foundations this country was founded upon.  The Founding Fathers were absolutely not perfect men, but most, if not all, had a profound respect for God.  Until we firm up the institution that is the home, the foundation of a thriving civilization, and move away from humanism, atheism, and selfish moral relativism we will not see progress.

We as Christians have to take the lead in our homes, and band together within our churches, to start this spiritual renewal.  Let us clean up these two great and God-given bodies, recognizing our shortcomings, and setting our houses in order that we might be able to stand like Joshua saying, "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."  Unless or until we see this type of spiritual renewal, situations like we saw yesterday will continue to be prominent in the news.

"Choose you this day who you will serve."  Remember to put yourselves in His hands,  because with God we will. . . Make a difference.

A Change of Perspective

As I write it is an early fall Saturday, my wife is having to work, and my daughter and I have been cleaning the house.  Now that we have finished cleaning I have settled in watching some college football and reading.  With at least 8 channels on our cable package currently showing games you would think I could find one that was remotely interesting.  Not happening.

I think this is a sign of growth, maturity, or both.  There was a time when it did not matter who was playing, I was going to be into it.  Now unlesss one of the few teams that I follow is involved it seems interest is lacking.  The reading is far more interesting. 

As I proposed in a previous writing I believe the library is one of the most under-appreciated assets in our communities.  What better course would our country, and our families be on if we introduced our kids to the library and  the church with as much enthusiasm as their first ball glove?  I was a youth athlete and have no doubt that the sports were a factor in forming me into the man I am today.  That being said, times have very much changed as families are putting everything they have, and often more, into supporting their young world beaters, while at the same time neglecting other areas that are even more vital to their future success.
Where do you and your family fit in this spectrum?  We all say we want what is best for our children, but do we truly consider the whole picture?  The odds are remote at best that our children will ever be professional athletes, they are only slightly better that they will be collegiate athletes earning scholarships, but eventually they will find themselves out in the realities of the world.  Those realities are not always pleasant and a deeply rooted faith in Christ and a well rounded perspective from their studies, and readings will provide a far better basis for success.

Consider now where you are, and where you want to be with your family.  Do you need to make some changes?  Remember that with God we will. . . succeed.

Overcoming Life's Struggles

Some weeks give us strength for the future while taking so much of our current  strength.  This was one of those weeks. 

In our church family we mourned the loss of a young mother and wife who lived her life with a distinct zeal.  In my professional life our office faced a week with Medicare and state health officials and the stress that brings.  These events on top of the everyday hustle and bustle have been quite draining.

Now I have spent the day with my wife wandering through stores and then attacking some small projects at home.  This has gotten my brain reenergized yet left me physically fatigued.  I so look forward to the possibilities of the coming week and the worship Sunday brings. 

God gives us insight for times like these throughout His word.  I call to mind passages like Ecclesiastes chapter 3 where Solomon tells us there is a season for everything under the sun.  We would do well to find and know several of these passages to comfort us and provide strength for what can be a difficult journey.  You and I will face good times and bad, aligning ourselves with God is the best way to prepare ourselves for all things.  Be strong, with God we will. . . OVERCOME.

Hope

What is hope?  The Bible tells us as Christians that we should be ready always to give an answer for the hope that lies within us.  Again I would ask what is hope?

Hope in the Biblical sense is not the innocent, anxious hope of a child coming up to their birthday or Christmas.  Hope for the Christian is a calm expectant desire, that is peaceful and reassuring.

When we enter into a relationship with Christ we have access to His immeasurable grace and the riches of Heaven.  Though we may be asked to live in a sinsick, deteriorating world we know there is more.  Because of this hope we carry on, we serve for the greater good, and we look to bring others into the fold.  It does not prevent us from messing up or making mistakes, but does point us in the right direction to right our course. 

Do you hold this hope within you?  If not does it sound more appealing than hopelessness and uncertainty?  Open your Bible, visit your local church or find a spiritual mentor to help you gain the Christian hope that helps us overcome the world.

Sleep and Life

How did you sleep last night? There are any among us who struggle in this area.  The Bible tells us in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know I am God. . ."  This is good medicine for our body, mind, and soul.  Some of us have physical difficulties that give us problems with our sleep, such as sleep apnea.  Others can't stop their minds from working on the problems of the day.  No matter the issue we must realize that a lack of quality sleep dulls our senses, fatigues our bodies, and taxes our systems.  Several recent studies indicate sleep deprivation can impact us similarly to, if not more so, than being under the influence of alcohol.
A couple of thoughts to help us out in this area are to take breaks during your day to clear your mind even if it is just for a few minutes.  This temporary decompression will tend to make us more productive and put us in the habit of letting go, thereby making it easier to do the same at bedtime.  Second many of us go about our daily business in a dehydrated or nearly dehydrated state.  Additional hydration throughout our day will help us feel better and in turn help us sleep better at night.
Finally, as Christians the calming effect of prayer is a must.  Not a trite repetition ran through out of habit, but a simple thank you to God for seeing you through the day along with a request for a good night of sleep to prepare you for service to Him in the day to come. 
Try these simple tips to see if you can improve your sleep quality.  If you sleep better you will have more energy for God, your family, friends and work.  Sleep better, feel better, with God we will. . .

Our Times

How has our society come to this point?  Our news is filled with tragic and heartbreaking stories of innocent babies being slaughtered for profit, the constant drumbeat of discord between certain elements of the various ethnic groups, and the ever growing threat of those terrorists who seek to destroy the fabric of our society.

We are, according to The Bible, a fallen people.  We are in need of a redeemer, and we were given one in Jesus Christ.  Who will take up their cross and follow Him daily?  Until we, as those who have chosen to follow Him, add some depth to our faith we will struggle.  If we, of all nations and ethnicities, would look back to Genesis chapter 1 verse 26, "then God said, Let Us make man in our image, according to Our likeness. . .", and take it to heart I am convinced very little will change for the better.
May we each look at those around us and see past the flaws and the differences, and begin to see that image, that God - likeness in us all.  If we can begin to do this then perhaps we can begin to see a degree of restoration and healing within the land.
If not, then I believe we will further sink into very dark days much like those found in the book of Judges.
Choose Christ, choose a better tomorrow, get fit spiritually, physically, and relationally remembering "With God We Will. . ."

Well, Well, Well

A couple of times in the past,in different forums, I have discussed the parable of Jesus given in Matthew 25:14-30.  In this parable the master upon returning from his trip assesses the efforts of his servants in whom he had entrusted various portions of his property while he was away.  For the productive servants he praised their efforts by saying, "well done good and faithful servant. . . "

In my previous thoughts I have focused on the idea that what was said was not, 'all done. . .' but rather "well done".  The implication being that in our fast paced world we try to do it all and fail when we should be attempting to do things well, with a spirit of excellence.  I still find this to be true but want to take a different turn today.

Rather than focus on the task at hand I want to focus on our ability to perform the task.  Our ability to perform in this life is directly related to our wellness (fitness) which incorporates our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being (in no particular order).  These areas are interrelated and have significant impact on one another and together determine the limits of our ability to serve.  As I have recently written setting some goals is an important starting point.  I encourage you to look at your current situation and make a point to set some goals to propel you forward. 

First take care to grow your spiritual health and pray that God will guide you to grow in the other areas.  Then work on your physical well being, if the body is the temple of God then a little upkeep is in order.  We don't all have to be the super-ripped athlete with the fantastic figure.  However we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves.  We have been entrusted with our mind, body, and soul by the God of the universe, just as the men in the parable were entrusted with a portion of the master's fortune.  What will He find when He returns?  With God we will, live well!

The Second New Year

Personally I have had some struggles the last couple of weeks with keeping my routines and commitments to improving my fitness.  This must change.  In order to be effective in my service to God I need to maintain the best level of health that I can.
Today I look at the back to school season as a "second new year", a time to renew or update my commitments.  So here are a few things that I am looking at to closeout the remainder of the calendar year:
1) Continue my daily Bible reading to complete the reading of the full text this year.
2) Continue toward my goal of reading 30 books this year.
3) Improve my physical activity level further to increase my average daily steps above 10000 per day for the month of September
4) Lower my weight to under 200 pounds by end of year.
As you can see these goals relate to fitness on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels addressing the whole person.  I challenge you to take a look here at "the second new year", and set a few simple goals.  Even if you fail to achieve them you will have at least taken the first step to improvement, recognizing where you are now.  Join me on the journey, set your sights on improvement, and remember "with God we will."

The First Institution

This has been a busy week with my family and that is what I want to discuss in today's writing.  Families, we all have them whether fabulous or greatly flawed.  God established the family early on when he joined Adam and Eve and blessed them with children. 

Even in these early beginnings the family did not always function in the best ways.  The free will we were given as a gift from God often has given way to opportunities to cause great harm.  The vision however, is that the family would be the cornerstone of our civilization.  The family provides a small self-governing unit that provides much needed structure in a fractured world. 

Despite the disappointments that are certain to arise, the family can, and should, be at the heart of much of our enjoyment as we journey through this life.  I am thankful for my family and the great love and peace that they add to my life. 

This week I hope that we would all take another look at our families and how they are a blessing to us.  Think for just a moment about what life would be like without the security and bond of the family unit.  Given that the family was the first institution given by God let's protect it, build it up, and honor it.  With God we will. . .

Reading: Power in Words

Life's Lessons
There are many lessons to be learned in this life.  Often we learn by the things we experience as we pass through,  and it has been said that "smart people learn from their mistakes and that really smart people learn from the mistakes of others."  There is plenty of truth in this statement and we would do well to grasp the magnitude of this concept in our lives.

Learning by our mistakes can be humbling, amusing, and can put us in awkward positions.  This is typically the most painful way to learn.  On the other hand, learning by the mistakes or experiences of others shields us from much of the pain of failure, and if those we are learning from are close to us it can still provide us with some uneasiness or distress.

Reading Life's Equalizer
In my professional life I have come into contact with the phrase, "readers are leaders" and believe this to be true.  Studies consistently show the benefits of reading.  It broadens our perspectives and allows us to gain new viewpoints from which to look at the various issues that arrive in our lives.  I must admit that growing up I was not much of a reader.  My baseball glove, basketball, and golf clubs were far more interesting to me at the time.  As I went through college this started to change.  I was never one to take classes year round, preferring to sit out the summer terms.  It was during this time that I determined that if I expected to keep my mind sharp, reading was the way to do it.  Upon finishing school and entering the full time workforce it took a few years before I became a consistent to avid reader.  Now I constantly read, trying always to have at least one book that I am reading, along with my commitment to Bible reading, and several blogs that I enjoy.

What to Read?
So now you may be asking the question, "what should I read?"  My suggestion is to begin each day with daily Bible reading.  This sets Christ as a priority and puts us in a positive frame of mind to start the day.  Beyond that, find subjects that interest you and start with those and then don't stick to a single subject but branch out.  With all the change in the world today the more we broaden our perspectives the better we will be able to deal with issues that arise.  I tend to lean toward non-fiction and biography, but weave in some fiction as well.  My personal favorite are the books of Andy Andrews who teaches tremendous life lessons through a folksy, down home fictional style.  "The Traveler's Gift", "The Noticer", and "The Noticer Returns" are among the best and most meaningful fictional reads I have encountered.  Mitch Albom is also worth looking at with two more fabulous books that also teach us everyday lessons, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "Tuesdays With Morrie".

Call to Action
We all know that physical exercise is good for the body, though we don't always live this way.  It is also true that mental exercise, such as reading is great for our mind.  Now I encourage you to make time for both.  We all have pockets of time that we use unproductively that we could gain a world of advantage from with only a slight tweak.  Take inventory, set a goal, and get started.  The most underutilized resource in many locales is the local public library.  These are great repositories of information and entertainment and, get this, at no cost!  If you live near me here is the contact information for two local libraries where you could begin your journey to a broader perspective:

Greene County Public Library

120 N. 12th Street

Paragould, AR 72450

870-236-8711

Jonesboro Public Library                                        315 W. Oak

Jonesboro, AR 72401

Phone: 870-935-5133

                                        

We can all enrich our lives and "With God We Will".

Getting Started

Small Steps
It has been said that where we are in our lives is the sum of all the decisions we have made.  I believe this to be quite accurate.  That being said we then must realize that whatever condition we find ourselves in spiritually, relationally, fitness/healthwise, etc. did not happen overnight.  If this condition did not come upon us quickly then it is likely that the solution will not either.  

How to Begin
Nike says "Just Do It", I'm not sure it is that simple.  We need to assess our current state to determine where we are versus where we want to be.  Yes, I am saying we must have a goal (or set of goals), but no it doesn't have to overwhelm us.  If you were going to drive your vehicle from Arkansas to Michigan you would want a roadmap (GPS for our more tech savvy/dependent friends), and you would likely have a pretty good idea of where you would want/need to stop along the way.  This is analagous to our goal-setting, know where you are going (long term goal) and setup some stops along the way (intermediate and short term goals).  This is where many of us often fail.  We too often setup this aggressive, elaborate goal, but it should be long term, and we think we can get there quickly when it really needs to be broken up with some positive milestones along the way to provide short-term wins that build momentum for us. 

Just a Suggestion
As a Christian I believe all my goals should support my walk with Christ.  My top goal is to make sure that I am "in the Word".  I read my Bible every day, among the first things I do most days.  I track this by recording in a journal my daily readings.  This provides clear guidance as to how I am doing with the process of daily reading.  The harder to measure portion is the effectiveness of the reading, though I can tell you that I seem to recognize and recall scriptures when they pop up in services, classes and general conversation much better than before beginning this program.  One of my next goals is to improve my physical well-being.  Since the diabetes diagnosis (and others) in 2012 I have had to bring this to the forefront.  The end results of uncontrolled diabetes are scary and I don't want to go there, plus I want to remain able, as I age, to enjoy my family as well as to serve God in a very active way.  The reality of type II diabetes was a catalyst for additional discipline in my life that has spilled over into so many other areas,  Though I had been introduced and reintroduced to the concept of tracking over the years it did not become real or necessary until facing this challenge.

In the most moving speech I have ever heard, Jim Valvano's speech at the ESPY awards in 1993 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuoVM9nm42E) he said the following, "Don't give up, don't ever give up."  This was said only a few weeks before his passing of cancer.  No we don't want to give up, but if we don't get started it is irrelevant.  Start your journey, to wherever you are heading with a little contemplation and a ladder of goals that are unified around the important things in your life.  Take the challenge and remember, "With God I will. . . "

Genesis

Why this Blog

Scripture opens with the book of beginnings, "Genesis".  With that thought in mind I want to share with you the beginnings for this blog.  I am an ordinary man, I come from a humble, hardworking family where I always had my needs met growing up, with a few extras.  In high school I was a good, not great, student, who could achieve at high levels without expending great effort while pursuing my athletic interests.  I went on and earned a  Bachelor's Degree in Finance from our local state university, and later married a wonderful Christian young lady.  Through her patience and some wonderful people who influenced me along the way I grew to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, far too late in life.  Along the way we had a daughter, now 14, who has brought much joy to our lives.  

In 2012 after gaining 80 some odd pounds in the 25 years since high school, I began to experience some health issues.  My years of snoring led me to a sleep study confirming I have severe sleep apnea.  A few months later some issues with my vision led to testing and diagnosis for diabetes, high cholesterol, and underactive thyroid.  Change was most definitely in order.  After absorbing the initial shock I determined that I must take control of my health or it would take control of me.  Working in a facility that provides healthcare to frail seniors I saw daily the results of health issues that had grown unchecked and it wasn't (still isn't) appealing.  

It has been quite a journey and now I want to share with others some of the lessons I have learned over the course of many years.  The Bible tells us in Philippians 2:12 ". . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."  I have drawn this blog's name from this verse and look forward to helping anyone who reads to improve their faith, fitness, finances and more.  Together we can walk this journey, learning from one another.  Join me in this mindset "With God I Will. . ."