Jan 30, 2014 | Living Well
It would be totally negligent to not include weight in my resolution challenge. Almost everyone I am around would like to lose at least five pounds. I am no different. Our body metabolism slows, we become more sedentary, and we eat in restaurants more often as we grow older. So the weight creeps onto our bodies.
Weight obsession is the American way. The media indoctrinates us about how we should look while at the same time it tantalizes us with visual images of tasty tidbits and beverages. We are inundated with advice about staying healthy as we are encouraged to sit for hours in front of the television or computer. Mixed messages abound.
Over the years I have allowed a few extra pounds of fat to take residence on my body. They must go. In the past, a minor medical issue made it difficult, not impossible, to lose weight, but that issue has been eliminated. I must take a dose of self-control to solve the problem. To eat right, to control the quantity and frequency of special treats, and to take a daily walk should make accomplishing the goal possible.
Will my self-control last long enough to melt away the unwanted pounds? Will yours?
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
Resolved Day 30: I will lose my excess pounds of fat.
Jan 29, 2014 | Living Well
I feel so blessed. I live such a comfortable life that I have to plan an exercise activity to keep by body healthy. For most of history, planning exercise would have been a laughable matter. People exercised by doing their daily activities and chores. Modern machinery has taken much of the physical labor out of everyday existence.
In the home we have vacuum sweepers, mixers, washing machines and dryers. Our cars are used if we need to travel more than a block. Backhoes, cranes, and tractors perform many tasks done by hand fifty years ago.
We are to be good stewards of all God has entrusted to us. One of the things he has given us is our bodies, so it stands to reason that we are to take good care of our physical bodies. This means we should endeavor to get adequate exercise.
My preferred exercise is walking. It is especially pleasant when my surroundings are beautiful. I love witnessing God’s beauty as I breathe in fresh outdoor air.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-2, 5
Resolved Day 29: I will exercise at least 30 minutes today.
Jan 28, 2014 | Living Well
Eating right should not be so hard. Wonderful, healthy, flavorful food is abundant and affordable. But so is the junk food, and the junk food is attractively displayed close to the checkout stand. The television commercials make my mouth water. How can I resist?
We have so many enticing restaurants. Much of the fare is healthy, but many less health-friendly items abound. My choice as an appetizer the last time I ate out with my husband was an example—deep-fried bloomin’ onion. My favorite food, ice cream, is in season year around for me.
Eating the less healthy foods is okay once in a while for a special treat. But if eaten too often, I start feeling crumby. I know consuming fried food and most packaged snacks are detrimental to good health.
God gave the Israelites many dietary regulations. Daniel, without the help of modern science knew that it was important to eat healthy.
Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel 1:12b
It seems that God wants us to not idolize food. It is to be used to nourish our bodies and to be enjoyed at gatherings.
Their end is destruction; their god is their belly. Philippians 3:19a
Resolved Day 28: I will eat a healthy diet today.
Jan 27, 2014 | Living Well
We were robbed. My husband had parked our utility trailer in front of our house. He was planning to use it to transport our lawnmowers to the dealership for their regular winter maintenance. Like he always does when he parks it in front of our house, he installed an antitheft device on the hitch. That device was ineffective.
I think of our home in a small Kansas town as relatively safe. Yes, we lock our doors when we are not home, but the trailer had to have been stolen while we slept. I liked our trailer, and it was a handy item to own. However, I must say that I did not really value it until it was gone. I wonder how many other things I own that a thief might like to have.
Our first response was disbelief. Then came anger. The theft was reported to the local policeman who told us that it is very unlikely that we will get it back. We understand.
This incident pointed my husband and I to the Lord. It emphasized how temporary the things of this world are. We are to be good stewards of the material blessings God has given, but our main focus is to be on the things that are not of this world. They are eternal. This theft, even though it was an inconvenience, was a blessing because God opened our eyes to see Him more clearly.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Resolved Day 27: I will give thanks to God in all circumstances today.
Jan 26, 2014 | Living Well
You may have played the game of gossip. The participants form a line. The first person whispers a message to the second person who whispers it to the third person, and so on until the tidbit reaches the last person. The last person then states the message he received, which is usually considerably different than the original. This is a parlor game designed to teach young people about the evil of gossip. However, too many church-going adults engage in a similar game of misinformation.
How many people do you know who go to church but never read a Bible? They rely on the pastor to give them the message. Have you ever been to a church service where the pastor presented a message that was a social missive not based on what Scripture actually says? If the Bible was read, it was treated as a warm-up or only recited as a traditional liturgy. Do you know if what is being taught in your church is biblically accurate or a misrepresentation of the original teaching authorized by God?
Many of the modern Sunday School stories are idealized versions and contain many inaccuracies even though the basic content is somewhat intact. I challenge you to read the biblical passages from which the lessons are extracted. Read the context of the verses on which your pastor bases his message. Do this even if your pastor is diligent about teaching God’s Word. Know what God actually says – not what others say he says.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Resolved Day 26: Today I will read and meditate on a Bible passage that I have seldom read.
Jan 25, 2014 | Living Well
Who do they think they are? Asking me to donate my money! Sadly this has been my attitude too often when I think I am being pressured to give money to a cause others think is worthy.
The actual giving is not the issue. It is my attitude. I like to think I have a healthy perspective about my money. However, I must admit that when asked to contribute, my internal selfishness kicks in as a first response.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. 1 Timothy 6:10a
Of course I tithe, help support missionaries, and donate to local church projects. Many exemplary projects need money, so I try to be selective and contribute to those that mean the most to me.
Therein lies the problem. I am sure you noticed the “I”, “me”, and “my” in the above comments. It is not my money. It is God’s. My first response should be to ask God for guidance as to how he wants me to spend the money he has entrusted to me. He will guide me to give or not give. God will show me how much he wants contributed to a specific project.
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24
Resolved Day 25: I will send some money to a missionary as a surprise appreciation gift.
