So, I have always been a quitter. I have no will-power...never have. And my track record from long ago shows me as a guy who runs when things get too hard. That was BC...but it's funny; some things don't just "magically" change when we get born again. I have wondered about this on and off for years and have had to accept that "His ways are NOT my ways". Here is an example of what I mean: I was instantly set free of drugs and alcohol almost 18 years ago. I mean TOTALLY free, after years of being an alcoholic & drug addict...instantly...no withdrawal, no cravings...just Jesus...he wrecked and rearranged my life...and yet....I wasn't set free from tobacco. I don't understand. Please don't get me wrong; I'm not blaming God for my tobacco jones...I have used all types of justifications...maybe it's just the "hook" that keeps me aware of my need for Him. Well, that's just plain ludicrous...I assure you...my need for Him & His grace goes MUCH deeper than my addiction to smokeless tobacco & I am keenly aware of my deep sense of need.
Here's another one: I get set free, but others don't. Now I'm not talking about "emotional decision salvations"; I am talking about folks who get radically transformed by a divine encounter with Jesus, who pursue Him for the rest of their days....and yet...they may daily have to battle addiction...It becomes a big deal for them not to go use crack or meth or whatever. I know some of my brothers who are a bit more reformed than me will question if they are really born again, and that is certanly a question that must be considered and trembled over by them and those who love them...but...I also fear it may be the reformed mans easy answer for not having an answer; one of those gray areas that we just don't have full understanding on...and it's not comfortable.
But alas, this post has gotten way off track from what I intended to write. & weeks ago we strated the Medifast diet...I did great til Superbowl Sunday & then ate some junk food, with the full intention of getting back on the program the next day...that has been weeks ago and I'm not there yet. I'm struggling...I have re-started multiple times...and I do pretty good til late in the day, I get hungry, or I crave something, and I say screw it...and eat what I want...I wish I had never quit. It seems that God had given me a grace the first time...it really was easy...and now it's not. Isn't that just like me? Like us?
We want it easy...we want an easy life, easy job, easy school, easy God...I mean c'mon...a God who demands something...anything...of us...well that's jsut not fair. The world demands enough of us....can't we be the ones to demand of our Santa-Claus God? After all, an easy life is our RIGHT, isn't it? Just bless me Lord...thats what your there for, right?
God have mercy on us...on ME...we are so screwed up and I am the chief of screw-up thinkers. We have no right to easy...in fact, if we are true followers of Jesus, I would say we have no rights at all...we have become slaves...
So today, I take the hard road...I am trying once again to get back on the extreme personal makeover plan. I have repented and I am relying on His grace...just for today...to not quit...He never quit on me. I'd love some feedback from ya'll....
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Dreaded Re-Start
Well, it's Monday & today I am facing the dreaded re-start. I didn't have a good weekend, as far as the diet goes, but my taste-buds had a field day. So today, I am back on the plan. It will take 2-3 days for my body to go back into ketosis (the fat burning stage), which is what makes this program so successful.
Melanie stayed strong throughout the weekend, so I am really proud off her. We discovered that the weekends are going to be the hardest time for me, so we decided to take a proactive step: On Saturday & Sundays we will switch to a 4-2 plan, rather than 5-1. This simply means that on the weekends we will eat 4 Medifast meal replacements and 2 lean & green meals.
I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers today...I am determined to be healthy & happy.
Melanie stayed strong throughout the weekend, so I am really proud off her. We discovered that the weekends are going to be the hardest time for me, so we decided to take a proactive step: On Saturday & Sundays we will switch to a 4-2 plan, rather than 5-1. This simply means that on the weekends we will eat 4 Medifast meal replacements and 2 lean & green meals.
I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers today...I am determined to be healthy & happy.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Extreme Personal Makeover
Written January 22, 2010
The extreme personal makeover is underway in our household. Thats right folks...I ain't talking New Years resolutions, I'm talking serious changes. Here's the story....
One week ago, Melanie & I started the Medifast diet. It has been a pretty interesting week. Here are the highlights: I lost 13 lbs & Melanie lost 9 lbs...thats right, in ONE week. We are pretty stoked, though we have a long way to go. The Medifast plan isn't cheap, but when compared to what we were spending on groceries AND eating fast-food ALL the time, it is less expensive...and, of course, the health benefits are priceless. The cool thing about Medifast is it's EASY...no thinking about what I have to eat or planning way ahead...just grab a bar, or shake, or soup...and go. We eat 1 "lean & green" meal per day, which keeps you from feeling deprived. It is awesome...if you need to lose a lot of weight, you way want to consider Medifast. I will do some seperate posts with health benefits & other postive effects.
I will try to post on my progress at least weekly, so feel free to follow me (us) on this journey to restoring our temples...
The extreme personal makeover is underway in our household. Thats right folks...I ain't talking New Years resolutions, I'm talking serious changes. Here's the story....
One week ago, Melanie & I started the Medifast diet. It has been a pretty interesting week. Here are the highlights: I lost 13 lbs & Melanie lost 9 lbs...thats right, in ONE week. We are pretty stoked, though we have a long way to go. The Medifast plan isn't cheap, but when compared to what we were spending on groceries AND eating fast-food ALL the time, it is less expensive...and, of course, the health benefits are priceless. The cool thing about Medifast is it's EASY...no thinking about what I have to eat or planning way ahead...just grab a bar, or shake, or soup...and go. We eat 1 "lean & green" meal per day, which keeps you from feeling deprived. It is awesome...if you need to lose a lot of weight, you way want to consider Medifast. I will do some seperate posts with health benefits & other postive effects.
I will try to post on my progress at least weekly, so feel free to follow me (us) on this journey to restoring our temples...
My Body, Your Temple: Intro to Our Extreme Personal Makeover
"Lord, come and make our bodies your temple. Holy Spirit, we give you control of our appetites. Give us grace to walk through this day satisfied with You."
This is our daily prayer...some form of this is also what we pray over our meals. It is our desperate cry...I have already proven I can't do this on my own or with "will-power". I have zero will power...I am weak & prone to totally give in to my fleshly desires...which is why I started this program weighing a whopping 346 pounds. I confessed that I had no control over my appetites...any of them, not just food...Slowly, I am letting go & giving my body to the Lord. This is an act of worship and of obedience. It's one thing to give my mind & heart to Him...I'm learning that it is quite another to give Him my body.
Some of you have wondered why now? What got us prompted to start this radical change process? We have talked about it for far too long & done nothing. Much of our motivation is family-oriented. We want to see our kids grow up. I want to be around to guide them in the ways of the Lord. I want to be able to run & play without chronic pain...but mostly, because it will bring honor and glory to Jesus. We can't make it without Him.
We hope this journal encourages & challenges you to go to a new level of wellness. To take a fearless look at who you are & who He is...and to give Him control of every area of your life.
Cheering For You,
WorshipMadly (Greg)
WorshipGladly (Melanie)
This is our daily prayer...some form of this is also what we pray over our meals. It is our desperate cry...I have already proven I can't do this on my own or with "will-power". I have zero will power...I am weak & prone to totally give in to my fleshly desires...which is why I started this program weighing a whopping 346 pounds. I confessed that I had no control over my appetites...any of them, not just food...Slowly, I am letting go & giving my body to the Lord. This is an act of worship and of obedience. It's one thing to give my mind & heart to Him...I'm learning that it is quite another to give Him my body.
Some of you have wondered why now? What got us prompted to start this radical change process? We have talked about it for far too long & done nothing. Much of our motivation is family-oriented. We want to see our kids grow up. I want to be around to guide them in the ways of the Lord. I want to be able to run & play without chronic pain...but mostly, because it will bring honor and glory to Jesus. We can't make it without Him.
We hope this journal encourages & challenges you to go to a new level of wellness. To take a fearless look at who you are & who He is...and to give Him control of every area of your life.
Cheering For You,
WorshipMadly (Greg)
WorshipGladly (Melanie)
The Benefits of Medifast
Written January 23rd, 2010
I am a Type-2 diabetic and I have to say, the Medifast diet has already been HUGELY beneficial to my health. After only one week. I am completely off my insulin (with my doctors blessing) and only taking oral medications. My blood sugars have come to normal range (fasting 120 or so) in just 1 week...WOW! I suspect that within a few months I will be off diabetes medications completely.
Another benefit I have already noticed is a HUGE increase in energy, which is especially important when you have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old...lol. I haven't been able to nap, which kinda sux...I was quite fond of napping, but I have so much energy on the Medifast, I just don't get that mid-afternoon "sinking spell" that has been so prevalent for years.
I'll keep you posted...
I am a Type-2 diabetic and I have to say, the Medifast diet has already been HUGELY beneficial to my health. After only one week. I am completely off my insulin (with my doctors blessing) and only taking oral medications. My blood sugars have come to normal range (fasting 120 or so) in just 1 week...WOW! I suspect that within a few months I will be off diabetes medications completely.
Another benefit I have already noticed is a HUGE increase in energy, which is especially important when you have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old...lol. I haven't been able to nap, which kinda sux...I was quite fond of napping, but I have so much energy on the Medifast, I just don't get that mid-afternoon "sinking spell" that has been so prevalent for years.
I'll keep you posted...
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