March 5th, 2010
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How do you start each day? I know a lot of people who wake up and run for the coffee pot. Then maybe they sit down and spend some time talking to God and reading His word. This is a daily routine for many who would feel out of whack if if they missed their coffee or their time with God.
It is no secret that I am not a morning person. I don’t drink coffee, but my body does like caffeine in the morning so I reach for the Mountain Dew. I have a goal to get up each morning early enough to work out and spend time with God before I leave for work, but I have been very unsuccessful at that. So unsuccessful that I shouldn’t even call it a goal, just something that I wish I could do.
I get with just enough time to get ready and go out the door to work. I typically listen to Christian music in the car and have tried praying and driving, but I get too distracted. So I spend a little time in prayer and reading scripture first thing when I get to work. Sometimes it can be difficult with other people around, but I get in early enough that its not usually a problem. I follow up my reading and prayer with some worship music on my mp3 player. I pick 1 or 2 songs and really just block out the rest of the world for a few minutes. Lately I have been stuck on Carlos Whittaker’s ‘We Will Worship You’. This really gets me focused for my day at work.
How do you start your day?
March 2nd, 2010
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February 24th, 2010
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I wanted to read ‘Where Is God’ by Dr. John Townsend because I have asked that question on more than one occasion in my life. This book addresses that question from many different perspectives. I often find myself asking that question when tragedies happen personally or even around the world. I am not questioning God’s existence so much as I am looking for how God is working in the current situation. But sometimes we are tempted to question God’s power and existence when we encounter difficult situations and blame him for what we feel is unfair.
This book was a slow read for me because it gave me a lot to think about. I often found myself backtracking a little to re-read something in order to make sure that I fully understood what I was reading. I found that I did not relate to all of the chapters in the book because I have not found myself in many of the situations that are discussed. As I began to read the book, I remember wondering if the book was going to convict me for asking where God is, but I quickly learned that it is not bad to ask that question. In fact, in many situations we should be asking that question in such a way that we would be seeking Him in our times of need. I struggle with my desire to be very independent. I don’t like to ask for help or directions if I think I can figure it out and can often spend a lot of energy and frustration before I give in and ask for help. But I learned that God wants me to ask for His help when I need it and He wants to help me.
I found myself very interested in chapter 10, ‘The God Who Connects You With Others.’ As a small group leader for adults and high school students, I get amped up about connecting with people in community. This chapter taught me more about how we need our little circles of community when we go through tough times. I also learned how God will send the right people into your life at the right time to help in your time of need. And taking it one step further, God will use your experience in past situations to help others who are in need.
I can see this book as one that I will hold onto knowing that I will probably reference it later for myself or for someone else that I know. It also may be one of those books that I keep giving away to people who need it. I feel it will be a good reference when I find myself asking such questions in difficult times.
You can find more information about the book at Thomas Nelson Publishing by clicking here.
February 23rd, 2010
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My perspective of God and His Kingdom has been slowly changing for a while. It is changing back to something familiar, but something that I seemed to have lost track of a while ago.
Somewhere along my journey, I started living for me again instead of living for God. I started thinking about my mission instead of God’s mission. I forgot that I am a servant to the Kingdom and not a King. My own ideas may be good, but they are not God’s so they will always fall short of what He has planned for me. I have been wasting my time on myself instead of paying attention to how I can better serve God’s Kingdom right where I am at. Instead of wondering or worrying about what is next, I should be looking at what is happening today. Do I really believe that God would put me in a job that did not serve some kind of purpose? I have been selfish in thinking that it somehow has to serve me. Maybe I am here now to serve someone else. I have totally not been attentive to any of that. How many people or opportunities have I missed to serve the Kingdom because I have been blind to my own selfish desires?
To modify a quote from Chris Farley in Tommy Boy – I SUCK as a Christian!
I have a feeling that I will continue to have to fight these feelings of rebelliousness and need for independence. But I consider it a small victory having identified this as an issue. I am so glad that I have Jesus because there is no way I could ever do this on my own.
Are you living for God today, or for yourself?
February 19th, 2010
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Current Weight – 276.4 lbs.
Previous Weight – 277 lbs.
Total Loss – .6 lbs.
Back on the loss side this week but not great. Actually I was worried that I was going to gain again because I did not do very well with my workouts. Some things are getting easier and others harder. My biggest struggle right now is controlling what I eat at times. Sometimes I feel like I am never full, but I know I have to stop eating and it can be difficult sometimes. It was definitely a lot easier when I was 16. Turning 31 on Sunday.
February 13th, 2010
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Here are my results for this week.
Current Weight – 277 lbs.
Previous Weight – 274.8 lbs.
Total Gain – 2.2 lbs.
I had another gaining week. Can I blame it on Super Bowl snacks? Ok, so I am not discouraged and will continue to stay on top of it. I can see a lot of ways to improve, but it is no easy task. I think though little by little as long as I stick with it, things will get better and the weight will keep coming off. Sorry for the late post. I have been a little busy the past couple of days.
February 10th, 2010
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