My Journey To A Healthier Me

Ok so I have been a Yo-Yo dieter for as long as I can remember. That has been because I have always just tried the latest fad. This past fall I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic. Initially I was very careful about watching what I was eating but as time went by, I began slipping back into old habits, eating junk. I came to the realization that I needed to change. This past Monday I have begun a life journey towards a healthier me and I am going to be sharing that journey here. So ready or not here it go!

Angels in Disguise

Daniel and I were out visiting this evening and I got a flat tire. My lug-wrench would not work and we were out in the middle of nowhere. Up drove Harvey Smith. I never met this man before but he offered his help. When his lug-wrench wouldn't do the trick, he had us follow him to his shop behind his house. His friend Randy got the tire off and the spare on. They would not accept any money. Tonight, Harvey and Randy were my angels in disguise. When is the last time God sent one your way?

PrayForKate

I have been horrible about keeping this up but this is something I had to share. For me, last night started with a football game. About an hour later it evolved into something I'll never forget. I joined Carlos Whittaker, and hundreds of others in an online time of prayer for Kate McRae, a little girl diagnosed with a brain tumor. You can read more about her story HERE. We sang to God and prayed for each other. It was a sweet time of worship. Up top is a collage that Carlos put together of people's outstretched hands asking God to lay a hand of healing on Kate. So powerful! Years from now I won't remember who won the football game but I will never forget Kate McRae.

Los is going to pump, me up!

I'm a big tub of goo and I'm not going to take it anymore! Yes I am pumped! Times they are a changin' and papa's getting a brand new bag! No I am not going through withdrawals from all of the food on Thursday. It's just that I am joining the "30 Day Holiday Health Challenge" being led by Carlos Whittaker over at RagamuffinSoul.com Here is a little video explaining what it is all about:

Ragamuffin Soul 30 Day Holiday Health Challenge from Carlos Whittaker on Vimeo.

So what am I doing?

Physical: Drop 10 lbs.

(This will be a big challenge as my wife Janice and I are going on our 8 day cruise for our 15th wedding anniversary during this time)

Spiritual: Memorize the 2 weekly verses that Carlos provides for the group.

Relational: Make weekly one on one time with Janice, Benjamin and Sam!

So there it is. You want in? Go check it out!

How Are You Doing Today?

We have been doing "Back To School" shopping this weekend. (Taking advantage of the Tax Free Weekend here in SC). We were paying for some stuff and the guy behind the register asked:

"How are are doing today?"

"I am fantastic!", I replied.

The guy chuckled and said "That's the first time I have heard that today." He went on to share that most people say fine or ok. Let me ask you a question...

When you meet people and they ask how you are doing, what do you say? I had a stint where I said "I'm Tired". Was not aware I was doing it until someone called me out. I didn't realize that my response was having the effect it did. Since then, I have tried to be intentional about saying something positive when I am asked how I am doing. You never know what effect it can have on someone or what door may open for conversation to continue.


So... How are you doing today?

My Life In Song

Earlier this evening Anne Jackson of FlowerDust.net Twittered this question:

"If one song could sum up your life this far, what song would it be?"

At first I thought "How can I narrow it down to one song?" (no that is not a song title)

Then it hit me, "Still Haven't Found what I'm Looking for" by U2

I've loved U2 since their debut studio album "Boy" in 1980. I wore an "Under A Blood Red Sky" t-shirt till it was paper thin. I even had the opportunity to visit Windmill Lane Studio after high school graduation less than a month before they began recording “Joshua Tree”, the album on which you will find the song. Here are the Lyrics:

I have climbed highest mountains

I have run through the fields

Only to be with you

Only to be with you

I have run

I have crawled

I have scaled these city walls

These city walls

Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips

Felt the healing fingertips

It burned like a fire

This burning desire

I have spoke with the tongue of angels

I have held the hand of a devil

It was warm in the night

I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the Kingdom Come

When all the colors will bleed into one

Bleed into one

Well, yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds

And you loosened the chains

Carried the cross

Of all my shame

all my shame

You know I believe it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

There has always been debate over the meaning behind the lyrics of the song but this is what the song means to me:

There are times in my life when I have climbed and scaled after things I’d made my god. But I never found what I was looking for.

There are times I’ve run and crawled after things that were of God but not God Himself. I didn’t find what I was looking for.

There are times when I have felt the presence of God all over me, but at times I have also allowed sin to make me feel so far away.

I am free because Christ carried a cross and took away my sins. I know that a better future waits for me in heaven because I am a child of God. But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.

I want to be a Godly husband and father. I want to love my fellow man better than I do. I want to be bolder at sharing my faith. I want to spend more time in His Word. I want to know God deeper. I want to better understand His will for my life. I never want to think I’ve arrived. I never want to stop looking.

Here is the video from “Rattle and Hum”. This is probably my favorite recording. Enjoy!

Your Kids Are Never Too Old

This is my 11 year old Benjamin. Last night he asked me to come lay down with him for a little bit because his stomach was hurting. My initial reaction was "He is getting too old for this and I have too much to do." But then I realized that he is never too old to need his dad and I should never be too busy to meet His needs. Aren't you glad we are never too old to call on God and that He is never too busy to meet our needs?