Battlefields and Burial Grounds

Yesterday my wife, daughter, and I spent a good portion of our morning at Shiloh National Military Park, a place like several others in our country, where you can feel the history.  It was once a Civil War battleground, and is now a cemetery, and reminder of the dark days of our past.  Considering that it is a place shrouded in the chaos of war, it is now one of the most serene places I have ever visited.  It is hard to imagine the intensity of the fight as brother fought with brother during the Civil War, in beautiful locations such as this sprinkled across our vast and varied landscape. 

These memorial grounds where the dead of battle are buried and forever entombed have many lessons to teach us, if we are willing to seek them out.  Today I feel the need for us to consider the battles that surround us.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

but against principalities, against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness

in the heavenly places."

Ephesians 6:12

My question is what, or more importantly who, are we burying in today's battleground?  While there is most definitely a spiritual war taking place are we recognizing the walking wounded?  The battle call is real, and we must recognize that what we are seeing is on a far greater scale than the great conflict between the states.  

When we walk the paths of our daily lives it is easy to overlook those that may be struggling in their battles.  The signs may not be obvious, but they are present.  As soldiers in the Army of the Lord, Christians, we must train daily to understand the enemy's strengths, and weaknesses as well as our own.  By recognizing these we can construct a battle plan, and we can escape with Christ's victory in tact.

In the noisy, smoke-filled battlefields of war brave soldiers would risk their lives to charge onto the battlefield in an effort to recover or save their fellow fighters.  When is the last time we have done that on the spiritual battlefield?  The risks we are willing to take seem minuscule, partly due to the nature of the modern spiritual battlefield.  They are risks we must take.  The kingdom of God needs more brave souls who are willing to do more, fight harder, and risk it all for their brothers and sisters who are wounded and dying in the battle.

So what does this take?  Effort, plain and simple.  If we will dedicate ourselves to putting effort into our walk of faith, it will surely grow.  No one planted a garden and then failed to tend it and expected a bountiful harvest, the expectation included effort.  Such is the battlefield of life.  Unless we get our priorities aligned properly, our battlefields will grow darker, and the light of His Word will become a dim glimmer in the distance as we face the cold realities of the harsh battlefield. 

Get familiar with Ephesians 6:13-20.  This passage talks about the "whole armor of God", and is a wise starting point to understand how we fight in both the offensive and defensive postures of this spiritual warfare.  Take a look, be engaged in the battle, not just letting it happen around you.  Together with God, we know that in the end we have victory, but we can also win in these skirmishes and rescue others from the battlefield attending to their needs.

I ask you to consider these things, and Make Today GREAT! 

Lofty Expectations

The expectations conundrum is one of life's more difficult dilemmas.  How do we balance our desire to succeed against the realities of a competitive world, and the unexpected challenges that it may throw our way?  This is a big part of learning and ultimately succeeding at whatever we endeavor to accomplish.

Most, if not all, of us like to set goals and achieve them, whether formal or informal in nature.  If you are a regular reader of "Workout Your Faith", then you know that I speak often about goals and the way we go about setting them, and/or achieving them.  Today I want to look primarily at the dirty dark side of the situation, when we don't live up to our expectations.  How do we handle it?  What comes next?  Did I fail?  These are a few of the questions I need to look into with you, so that we can all come out better on the other side.

As I write I have just completed a week that has shown two variations in how this works, one from my own experience and the other from observing my daughter.  The difference is stark, and one must consider the difference in age and maturity level between a 48 (soon to be) 49 year old, and that of a 16 year old, but I find it illustrative nonetheless.

In my corporate position we have been involved for months with an audit of our financial records by a contractor for the federal government.  This is not an audit because of any criminal wrongdoing, but a part of the growing oversight to determine that government dollars are being used in the most appropriate manner possible (remember that budget deficit and national debt stuff).  This past Monday when I returned to the office we had finally received the draft report from the auditors that will be given to the agency with whom we are contracted to begin the next phase of the audit process, the error correction phase.

The report outlined the issues that the auditors found with our processes and systems, and how these few areas were deficient under the regulations.  As a matter of expectation none of the items were a tremendous surprise.  When you are a small organization and deal with the tremendous complexities of government regulation, it is not unusual to miss something or not fully understand the ramifications of seemingly small items.  My disappointment in the audit findings then was not tremendous.  Yes we all want a clean audit, no matter the field we are in, or who is doing the oversight, but we also realize these people are here to make us better.  It is when we adopt this attitude that we will succeed.  Those who oversee us and can in the proper context guide us to improvement are to be respected and followed.

In the church it might look like this:

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be

 submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 

"God resists the proud,

but gives grace to the humble."

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

I Peter 1:5-7

On the other end of the scale is the disappointment such as my daughter faced this week.  Olivia is a bright, talented, energetic, overachieving sophomore at a local high school.  Yesterday was the annual audition for the All-Region choir which she was a part of last year at the Jr. High level, and by the way when these choirs get together and sing it is a beautiful thing, especially to an old sports guy that missed the boat when it came to the arts back in my youth.  Unfortunately Friday rolled around and she was not feeling well, and yesterday morning early, even as we were rolling into the parking lot to catch the bus to the audition, she said, "I can't do it."  Then as we exited the car and walked to the door to notify the choir director there was a change of heart (less than two minutes from "I can't do it.")  So off she went knowing in her heart that she was not at her best.  Several hours later her number was called for the audition.  The time she had put in was being put to the test, and then the waiting would begin.  We picked her up and of course the first question we had was, "how did it go?"  The truthful response, "terrible".  It is understood from the viewpoint of a parent that it is difficult to perform at your highest levels when you do not feel well.  In the eyes of youth it may be known, but that knowledge doesn't cross the threshold of our mind to the emotional side.  So as the waiting persisted, and she started to feel a little better physically, her level of expectation (even though she termed her performance terrible) rose, and she fully expected to be named to one of the All-Region honor choirs.  Alas, the call came late last evening, and reality set in.  There would be no honor choir this year.  Yes we were, and continue to be, disappointed for her.  No it isn't easy consoling our kids in their disappointment.  However, we will see over the next several days what she is made of, in how she responds to the disappointment.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

so are the children of one's youth.

Psalm 127:4

Our job as parents will be to make sure her arrow remains on point, and aimed in the proper direction.  Her job will be to assess her preparation and performance, as well as the reality of her decision to perform in light of her illness.  We as parents are proud of her for showing commitment and sticktoitiveness in carrying on despite her illness, and yet we must help her temper her emotions and re-connect the realities of the situation to the emotions she has felt.

As we all set goals and seek success with the various aspects of our lives we must remember to keep the connections clear between the realities of the world and the emotions and desires of our heart.  Some have said,

"I never fail, as long as I learn from my failures"

I like that.  That is an attitude that will propel you forward.  Forward, with a few occasional steps back for perspective, is the direction we need to be heading.  A winning attitude will help us all to Make Today Great!

Faith

FAITH

What is Faith and why is it a must for our lives?  Hebrews 11:1-3 tells us:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.  By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things that are visible.”

I am struck by this first thought that faith is the substance of things hoped for.  Hope is what pushes people forward.  When we are hopeless we tend to isolate ourselves and dwell on negatives often to point of depression.  This biblical definition of faith pointing to hope is a great comfort.  As God’s people we need to remember that we have a great hope which should be evident in our lives and that is solidified by our faith.

Our faith is like many other areas of our life in that it will have its ups and its downs.  But when it is firmly rooted in biblical truths it will secure us from being overcome by the trials that we face.  Faith is something that we develop over time through observation, education, and intent.  No one creates a useful or abiding faith without intent.  In my own journey to a saving faith in Christ I remember having a conversation with a minister friend of mine in Jefferson City, MO who told me,

“I know that you will find what you need.

You have a good heart and are seeking the truth,

Just keep it up.”

He was right, I did find what I needed. One of the implications of his statement was that many do not seek after truth.  Without intent it is very unlikely anyone will stumble upon a meaningful faith, and without truth no faith can be meaningful.

So what about doubts?  Many people of faith will have doubts from time to time.  Occasional doubt is a good thing, in that when we don’t have doubts or insecurities it may indicate that we are becoming complacent or overconfident in our faith.  It has been said that “pride cometh before a fall,” and that very easily could be the state of our faith when we claim to have no doubts.  On the other side of things we cannot be in constant doubt, as this would indicate a very weak and passive faith.

Faith is a building block for us to build upon with so many other positive attributes as is shown in 2 Peter 1:5-7,

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence,

Add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge,

To knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance,

To perseverance Godliness, to Godliness brotherly kindness,

To brotherly kindness love.”

This week examine your faith.  Where do you stand?  Do you have doubts?  Set your foundation in faith and add to it through prayer, study, and service.  In these things you will Do Well, and your faith will grow.  As your faith grows you will see a change in how you respond to trials and difficulties that come before you, and others will too.

Midweek Motivation #7

Midweek 

Motivation

#7

Success is the fruit of our past failures.  We must learn from our failures and even better from the failures of others.

Observe, Consider, Improve

www.workoutyourfaith.blogspot.com

Midweek Motivation #6

Earlier this week I was privileged to spend a couple of days watching a master at work.  Raynard Brown was a guest conductor working with the Arkansas Jr High Treble Honors Choir which convened in Little Rock.  This man set such a positive tone and shared tremendous insight with a group of about 50 students from across our fair state.  There needs to be more Raynard Browns positively impacting and shaping the lives of our young people.  How will you influence our youth?  To quote Mr. Brown, "it's not about you, it's up to you."  Do Well!

Monday Morsel #15

K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple and Serve

Reading

Apart from a deep, abiding faith in Jesus Christ and Jehovah God there are few things more fundamental to our success than reading.  Reading opens doors of thought that cannot be opened in any other way making for a most constructive way of passing our time.  There is a saying that says,

Leaders are Readers

and despite your field of endeavor this rings true.  Those who read fuel their minds and are more able to make the connections that may otherwise be missed between seemingly random events of everyday life.  Readers make the best teachers, preachers, and trainers.  Readers seem to adapt better to change, which may be a reflection of the amount of information they have stored in their minds.  In our ever-changing society this can be a great advantage.

On the softer side readers of poetry and fiction may be carried away to places far away, or just enough away from their current reality to provide a safe escape which can lower their stress from day to day difficulties.  A far safer alternative of escape than drugs, alcohol, porn, and the like.  Those of faith can also be reassured by their readings from scripture.  Every word of scripture is inspired by God and as is stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,

for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

that the man of God may be complete, 

thoroughly equipped for every good work."

From a practical standpoint one can gain insights on many useful subjects such as nutrition, health, and finances from a variety of readings.  Each of these subject areas and several other popular ones fill many shelves of libraries and bookstores as well as containing many e-titles to choose from.  With the right mindset there is something for anyone to read that can educate, inspire and enlighten.  My challenge to you is to build your personal library, take advantage of your local public library and connect with other ideas via on line sources such as websites, blogs, and the like that allow you to expand your knowledge in an area that interests you.  If you will choose to take a path to growing your reading list you will Do Well!

Next Week: Writing 

Monday Morsel #14

Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Washington, and the other founders were imperfect men with a vision.  Their vision came together to form the greatest experiment in governance ever contrived, yet today our society living abundantly under its success is ignoring, if not rewriting it in ways those men would find unfathomable.  Let's come together to restore the vision, and share further in the abundance.  God Bless America!

Road Trips, Restoration, and Renewal

Yesterday morning we sent off a group of around 30 members of our church family, including our daughter Olivia, to Texas to work with a small congregation there on outreach efforts this coming week.  This road trip for them will be of great value to them in growing their faith and aide the membership of their hosts to restore their spirit of service and renew their efforts to reach those who have not found, or who may have forgotten about Jesus.

After sending this group off on their week long journey to Texas, Angie and I took a little road trip of our own.  We set out on the highways and byways of North Central Arkansas and enjoyed the beauty of God's creation.  For those who may never have been to Arkansas they have missed out, as our state is full of beauty that in many cases can only come from God.  The photos I have included are from Blanchard Springs near the microscopically small town of Fifty Six, AR.  What a beautiful site to have right here in our backyard.

Not only did we visit the spring, but stopped by Lake Norfork, a man made reservoir, but nonetheless capturing the beauty of God's creation all around it,  Throughout the journey it was hills and curves, trees and pastures, streams and sunshine, so much to take in and absorb.  The beauty of it all awoke my heart and restored my soul in a way that could not occur just hanging around the house.

The other piece of this journey was just spending some quiet time alone with my lovely wife.  We don't do that enough any more.  We enjoyed one another's company, talked of various subjects, and enjoyed a whole lot of oldies music, primarily from the 50's and 60's.  Yes we are old souls, and yes we are proud of it.  Had we not have taken advantage of this time together, in this way, we likely would have stayed in the ruts and routines of laundry and yard work.  Such a day would have done little to thrill our souls or inspire us in any way.  I am thankful to God for allowing us to take such a road trip, and even more thankful for what it meant to us emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.

Enjoy the beauty of God's creation.  It doesn't take a grand trip to the Rocky or Smoky Mountains, a vacation at the beach, or hiking in the Grand Canyon to set our eyes on God and His vast creative powers.  There are elements of it visible in everyday life, and additional bursts of it all within a one day road trip of your home, I dare say wherever you might live.  To DO WELL this week I challenge you to get off the beaten path, out of your routine and to seek God in a simple yet special way. 

Monday Morsel #12

Control your time, when it escapes you it cannot be recovered.  This is a vital discipline no matter how you define success in your life.

A Full Life

In "Workout Your Faith" I have talked a lot about motivation and planning.  Today I want to make an attempt at linking the desires we have to be more fit in all aspects of our lives with our spiritual hearts.

The photo in today's piece was taken this past Friday night at the Relay for Life event in my hometown and includes two members of my church family who have survived cancer, and my daughter.  This couple lives today with joy and the most indomitable spirit I have likely ever seen.  Mr. Bill always has a laugh and a witty word for anyone that comes around.  Miss Glenda fights on with the gentleness and kindness of a southern debutante who has the inner warrior mentality to take on cancer and its multiple recurrences.  These two symbolize why my family chooses to Relay.

We all make choices and they put us into the places we are right now.  Yes I understand that there are things that are thrust upon us that we may not have desired or asked for, but the true measure of our character is how we respond.  That response will inevitably be more appropriate, though not always perfect, when we are prepared.  Preparation for the situations we are put into comes in many forms but ultimately comes down to a few simple things; faith, relationships, fitness and the study of others.

Faith as my writings would indicate is the cornerstone for all things.  Without my faith I would not only be lost in the spiritual sense, but lost on my life journey as well.  Faith grounds us and gives us a stability to know that God is with us and that we can face anything with Him.  

 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.    Philippians 4:12-13 NKJV from www.biblegateway.com

In the Christian belief this is joy.  We often want to think of joy in the same way as we think of happiness, but true joy is so much more.  It is summed up so well by the Apostle Paul in this verse.  Christian joy is what is characterized by Mr. Bill and Miss Glenda and the way they share that joy with others.  Are you taking care of your faith today?  It is the pathway to joy.

Relationships also play a huge role in how we respond to adversity.  It is far more difficult to face the troubles of this world when we walk alone.  God has instituted both marriage and His church as vehicles to form relationships that are sustaining and fruitful.  In the book of Genesis God created Eve as the help mate for Adam, and in the New Testament we are instructed to bear one another's burdens.  Today you may be floating along pretty much going it alone, but when darker more challenging times arise you will need to be connected to others.  Always be working on mutually beneficial relationships that will multiply your joy and gives you refuge in the storm.

Fitness is also vital to help us through the difficulties we face.  First if we have made fitness a priority it dramatically lowers our risk for many of the most common and debilitating diseases.  Note that I said lowers the risk, it does not provide complete immunity.  However, if we are faced with a disease or are injured in some way our ability to withstand it and to begin the fight are greatly enhanced if we have the physical strength of a fit body.  Another key in this is that fitness is mental, to gain or remain fit requires mental discipline.  When difficulties beset us then it is this sort of mental discipline that will be of tremendous importance in carrying out the treatment plans and enduring the various trials along the path to restoration.

The final area is the study of others which may sound odd at first blush.  It is important to see how others who have gone before us have dealt with adversity, and with prosperity or abundance.  This gives us clues as to how to respond in any situation.  The Bible is a wonderful beginning point to show us the patience of Job, the ups and downs of David "a man after God's own heart", the quest for wisdom of Solomon, or the steadfast spirit of the Apostle Paul just to name a few.  The Bible is not the only place we can find these character studies, there are thousands upon thousands of books available at your local library, bookstore, or online marketplace that can give us great insight as well.

Reaching back up into the words above, building relationships and watching those around you is also a great way to learn.

It is my hope that you will take a look at these areas of your life and build them up so that you can move forward, and DO WELL!

MONDAY MORSEL #10

Seek the big picture solution.   Band-Aids must be removed and only deal with the symptom not the real problem.

Are You In Full Bloom?

This week's photo was taken at the Creation Museum just outside Cincinnati, OH.  I am not sure what type of plant this is but was impressed with its beauty.

We understand, on some level, the cycles of life that God has put in place in His creation.  Among the most magnificent is that of the plants and their seasonal changes particularly how they bloom.

We also face cycles in our lives.  Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes that "there is a time for everything under the sun."  He then went on to describe several of the ups and downs that we might face.

If we want to flower or bloom as so many of the beautiful plants then we need to cultivate habits in our lives just as we cultivate those plants in our care.

Plants are not immune from the elements, and require actions to be preserved in extreme conditions.  If, for example, you have planted a garden early in spring it is possible that a cold snap could damage or kill some of your tender young plants if you do not take the time to cover them.  We too face times where we need an added layer of protection, be it physical or spiritual.

Plants require water to survive, and so do we.  Hydration is a vital component to our health.  Increasing your hydration alone can pay dividends for us that will improve our "blooms".  Spiritually we are born of blood and water through baptism into Christ.

In a garden the plants will thrive when they are given proper fertilizers.  We too must be fed, the spritual food that is the Word of God, and the right physical food to nourish our bodies.  Without either of these we begin to flounder and lose our blooms.

Our plants when well maintained are strong and yet flexible.  We need to look at our physical abilities and ask are we strong and flexible?  If not we should take action to improve in these areas with specific forms of exercise.  Spiritually we must know the Word and be strong in it, while knowing it well enough to be flexible to respond to the multifaceted attacks that will come.

I am sure there are several other lessons available in looking at the beauty of the plant life around us, but today these leapt out at me for consideration.  I hope that each of you will Do Well in improving your bloom, perhaps it will put a smile on the face of someone you come into contact with in the future, just as this plant made me smile a couple of days ago.

Under Construction

Each of us are at varying stages of life.  Just as the photos with this post show homes in various stages of construction.

It is easy to make the assertion that we ouselves are under construction as well.  No matter our age, abilities, interests or desires we are involved in construction from birth to end of days.

Whether it is faith, fitness, finance or any other functional area of our life there are principles of construction that must be followed to end with the best results.  These are like the foundation of a home.  Without a firm foundation the house will not stand, a principle we teach our small children in the song, "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock." 

At the most basic foundational level is the plan or blueprint.  Without a vision for the finished product and an understanding of what is required to get there it will be near impossible to have the desired product in the end.

Once the plans are established comes execution.  This is how we follow or fail to follow the blueprint.  How closely we follow the blueprint will determine our eventual success or failure.  With our fitness for example, if we jump in too quickly and overexert ourselves we will face pain, if not injury, and our plans may become derailed.  The same applies to our financial lives, as well, to keep our budget on track means not making those impulse purchases that may put us in a bind.

In building a home you can't do much of the interior work until your construction is "in the dry" meaning the inside is safe from the elements that might otherwise do it harm.  Likewise as we progress we seek to make a difference on the inside this may mean aquiring additional knowledge in a particular area to allow for more detailed construction or renovation.

This concept also leads me to think about the quality of materials that we are using to build our lives.  There is a term GIGO in computer programming which means garbage in garbage out.  Choose the best materials that will stand the test of time when inputting knowledge to build your life upon.

When construction is occurring on a home often the homeowner will track the progress each day with the builder, noticing the sometimes subtlest of differences.  We too should adopt this practice in various areas of our life.  Progress made and witnessed is powerful reinforcement to continue.  The process we take to build a better life requires planning, great materials and constant progress checks.

If you will adopt these practices, you will DO WELL in building a better life.

Where Are You Going

Earlier this year while returning home from a youth event in Conway, AR, my wife, Angie, snapped this shot of our church bus headed home.  As with most trips there is a great excitement and energy in the going, but it also ends with the quiet comfort of returning home.

In our lives we have many parts to the journey we are living.  There is faith, family, fitness/health, finance . . .  Many will say that we must keep a balance among these and other areas of our busy lives.  Over the past couple of years my thinking has changed on this.  I used to also believe in balancing, but have come to believe rather in integration.

When we seek balance we are actually living in dis-integration, separating our lives into distinct boxes of unrelated thought.  However if we strive for integration we recognize that we have one life, and that it all works best when it is all working together.  As Christians this is summed up very succinctly in Romans 8:28 (NASB) "and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  This screams out to me that integration is better than balance.

The life of integration then must center on God and be built upon His Word, and His will for our lives.  Everything else must then be structured around that faith.  We then can ask the question, how does this part of my life impact my relationship with God?  Each thing we do has an impact on every other part of our life as they are interdependent, thus integrated, and cannot effectively be fully separated.  Be it our finances, our health, or any other aspect of life.  In the end Solomon tells us in the final two verses of Ecclesiastes, "The conclusion when all has been heard is, fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden whether it is good or evil." (NASB)

This week look into your life and ask yourself, am I living an integrated or disintegrated life?  I pray that you are or will be living in an integrated way.  It is the basis to Do Well, and truly "head home".

Refresh Yourself

The photo attached comes from the Buffalo River near Yellville, AR.  For me this is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in our state which is full of many such places.

Why you may ask would I choose such a photo for this blog?  It comes down to one simple word, RELAX!  We go at a frenetic pace each and every day.  We chase after our goals with determination and, often wrecklees, abandon.  Goal chasing is not a bad thing, it is in fact a good thing.  We must keep it in perspective, and allow our mind and body some down time to process, recover, and repair itself.

The latter part of Psalm 46:10 is very familiar to many of us, "be still and know that I am God."  When is the last time you allowed yourself to be still?  In the Old Testament we are told of the Jewish people honoring the Sabbath, which was the seventh day, as a day of rest.  While we are no longer under the sabbath, but live under a new covenant, we are still to learn from the old law.  It is my belief that this is one area that we might all benefit from reexamining.

Science points to the importance of adequate sleep in our lives, and studies show the physical benefits of meditation and times of rest.  It's interesting that science seems to catch up with Biblical truth as time marches forward.  Can we learn to take downtime, to reclaim the times of refreshing, to clear our minds and commune with God?  If we will, and I am among the most needful in this area, I believe we will see a marked improvement in our outlook and our performance.

Take heed of the signs your body and mind are giving you.  Listen to that inner longing for rest.  This week set aside some sacred times of rest for your body, mind, and spirit.  If you do, I believe you will DO WELL!

MONDAY MORSEL #4

MONDAY MORSEL #4
April 25, 2016

Marriage is NOT a 50-50 proposition as many might say.  It is a 100-100 proposition with a man and woman each giving all they have under God's leadership.

www.workoutyourfaith.blogspot.com

Years Well Spent

Today marks my 23 years of marriage to my wonderful wife, Angie.  Without her who knows where or what I might be, and I doubt if any of it would be very good.

Over the years there have been many lessons to be learned through the gift that is marriage.  The first lesson we learned was that it is best for newlyweds to live away, a good distance away, from their families.  This time away allows the new couple to learn to lean on God and each other keeping both families at arm's length. 

Though in the beginning I was only a person of nominal faith it was the quiet strength of her faith that challenged me to grow my own.  That too was a good thing.  While living away, in Jefferson City, MO, we had the blessing to meet up with a minister who really touched my heart, and opened my mind to the quest for a deeper, more biblically sound faith.  This quest grew to a decision to follow Christ in December of 2003.

This decision was two and a half years after the most spiritually challenging time of our early marriage.  In 2001 our wonderful daughter Olivia was born two months premature and spent 6 weeks in the hospital at Little Rock.  We really didn't understand how this would work but with the love, support, and assistance of our families and friends and by God's grace we survived and thrived as a family.

Since these times we have grown through other difficulties and struggles and known success on many varying levels.  The greatest of these successes has been receiving a phone call in February of 2015 informing us of Olivia's decision to follow Christ while attending a youth rally in Conway, AR.

With God on our side there is a bright future ahead.  This future is at the heart of my desire to achieve a higher level of fitness.  Fitness that will allow me to be there and enjoy the years to come with Angie and Olivia as well as those who God has not yet introduced to our lives.

Happy Anniversary to my lovely, warm, humble and oh so much more wife.  May there be many wonderful years to come as we continue to write our story, and may the example we set help others to see what is possible with God, a little patience, and the mutual attitudes of a servant.

May we and those around us Do Well!

Challenge Time!

As I write today I believe that many of us like to be challenged.  These challenges come in many forms and often serve as a motivation to a specific end.  Today I want to give that impetus that some of us need to move forward, a good All-American challenge.

The Bible uses the number 7 over and over again, as in the Hebrew culture of the day it represented perfection.  If we look at the calendar we are 7 weeks until the Memorial day weekend, the unofficial start of summer.  So here is the challenge. Over the next 7 weeks:

1)  Record in some fashion the amount of water you are consuming daily.  Then work to increase that number by 50% by the end of the challenge.  If this week you find you are taking in approximately 80 ounces per day strive for 120 by the end of the challenge.

2)  Many of us are using various forms of pedometers and activity trackers to provide much needed, and immediate feedback, track your steps and shoot for a 30% increase from week one to week 7.

3)  Select one food item that is a near and dear go-to for you and abstain during the challenge.  For me this is going to be fried catfish.  (Thankfully I just fed this craving yesterday.)

4)  Set a 7 week, realistic goal, then weigh in today and record that number.  Each day weigh in and compare.  Yes there will be ups and downs, but if you will follow through on your regular exercise, not only your daily step counts, and increase hydration you should begin to see results.  Complete transparency, I weighed in this morning on my home scale at 209 with a 7 week goal of 202.  That would be one pound per week which is doable if I will remain focused.

5)  Season it all with prayer.  Pray that God will direct you to make better decisions for your life.  Pray that as a healthier servant you would better see the opportunities before you to honor Him in serving others.

Bonus challenge:  Read the book "The Traveler's Gift"  by Andy Andrews.  This is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read, gently rocking our world's with great stories illustrating what the author Andy Andrews, calls the 7 Decisions for Success. 

I hope that several of you will take up the challenge and Do Well!

Power for Positive Change

Seeking change is a difficult thing, whether it is walking away from sin in our life or changing our habits to create a healthier lifestyle.  How do we deal with change when it is necessary, or sometimes thrust upon us?  That is the question for today.

In order to adopt change in our lives we must recognize the necessity for the change.  This is often our biggest challenge as the status quo has a lot of momentum behind it.  We must be able look beyond the here and now to the brighter future that positive change provides.  This will slow that momentum of the past.

Next we must truly be able to visualize the future we desire from the change.  When we can see it in our mind's eye, then we can begin to determine the course or courses of action to get there.  At this point motivation becomes a key factor, do we have the internal drive, an internal compass to guide us each step toward this true north?  If yes, then we are well on our way, if no, then we still have some work to do before we can plan and implement positive change.

Assuming we can see the brighter future, and have the right internal motivation then the steps along the way will become more clear.  In our Christian walk it is stated that, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  God's Word is a wonderful starting point for our journey and my recommendation as the proper lens to view all aspects of our life.

Within our journey to fitness, faithfulness, or an other worthy change we must recognize how to see the change and then be the change.  No, change will not come easy, but it will be rewarding.

Finally we must admit when we get off course, and turn back to the pathway of success.  For the Christian this is repentance and acceptance of God's grace.  When we step aside from the chosen path we cannot beat ourselves up, but rather course correct and give ouselves a bit of grace, just as God our Father give us grace.

If each of us would look inside, and follow these steps as the need for change arises in our lives, we would be much more likely to succeed.  Change your world for the better, Do Well.  Others are watching and your positive change can inspire others to be better as well.