Reflections on my first 60 years heading into a New Year.
I have grown in many areas of my life. Intellectually with two degrees from college, licenses in financial services, author, speaker, hubby, Dad and Pops (Grandpa). I've been a youth pastor, hospice chaplain, part time pastor and call center customer service rep. I've parked cars,work in food service, fueled, cleaned and towed aircraft, and sales of all sorts.
Spiritually, I gave my heart to Christ at age 19. It's been a great journey and I've learned much from trial, temptation, and triumphs in Christ.
Physically, I've grown too much and there lies the problem. I have always been big and now its' what's called morbidly obese. What are some the the symptoms
- Cannot walk more than 25 feet without getting winded
- Knees that ache continually
- Unhealthy sleep pattern
- Meds for heart, blood pressure, fluid retention
- Limited mobility to walk places with my wife...children..grandchildren
- Inability to walk into hospitals or nursing homes to make ministry visits to pray with and encourage people
- For over 6 months I have to sit on a chair at floor level to preach my weekly messages at church
- My shoulders are sore from the effort to stand up
- My right elbow aches from using a cane to walk with for over 2 years
- Getting tired just performing normal activities, showering, shaving, brushing my teeth
- Having to watch my wife and daughters take out the trash because I can barely walk to the end of the driveway with the use of a cane much less having something in my hands
- Out of control spending with financial pressure from too much food and drinks from drive through windows
- And more...
Something's gotta change. Actually, SOMEONE, I have to change.
This won't be my first attempt, but I am going to do things differently this time.
Here's how.
Spiritual basis- Romans 12:1-2 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Prayer and accountability partners. This will help me stay humble and bathing in the grace of God in Jesus Christ.
James 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
I believe there is victory in vulnerability. 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
I know there may be trauma in transparency, but in Christ there is no condemnation.
Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, no condemnation now in Christ Jesus,because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
My heart's desire is that not only will I be transformed, but that others will respond to God's grace and let Him make them new from the inside out.
I am joining a 60 day Trim Up challenge with Plexus to help me begin the physical and mental part of this process.
Also, in addition to using some of their products to help. most of my prayer partners I have enlisted are fellow Ambassadors in the company who are also believers.
When Sara Marble messaged me that she believed in me and I should do this.. it was the nudge I needed.
What to expect in this blog in the coming days
- Updates on my progress in pictures, descriptions and tale of the tape and scale
- Open, honest, transparent sharing of my heart- good, bad, happy, sad, spiritual
- Calls to pray for one another in the process.
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