Turning Real… Be The Authentic YOU!

I AM NOT WHO I THINK I AM

Apr 4th 2012

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Today somebody, not you, but somebody you know probably didn’t speak to somebody else they were near, because, well let’s just say “we don’t get along”. Truth is, much of the time it’s because of this: “I am not who I think I am. I am who I think YOU THINK I am”. It’s ok, I have time if you want to go back and read that line again.

Humming********

You done yet? Good. Did that digest ok? You see, it goes like this: if I don’t think you like me, I probably won’t want to like you. But If I think you do like me, then I will probably like you.
Sometimes we both will think the other doesn’t like us and neither of us have a chance. Lol.
Truth is the enemy loves this. The less friends we have the better. You see a friendship is a gift from God. God is the source of all love. Without Him, there is none. There is no light, no love, no truth, no friends.
One time I heard someone express he didn’t think he was going to make it to heaven, but that was ok. Because he was going to be partying in hell with his friends. Na. Not gonna happen. No party, no friends. Oh might be people you know, but there will be no love because God will not be there. It will be fire and damnation forever. The biggest gamble in life is to not accept Jesus and Savior and follow Him throughout the rest of our life. Actually it’s not a gamble. It’s a sure thing. You are reading this NOT by accident. It might be the last chance you have before you die suddenly. Better not keep putting this off. 660.651.0817

Holy Spirit, Salvation, Truth
Mar 15th 2012

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A Fictional, and Truest Story You’ll Ever Read

By Mark Morgan

YOU AND I TAKE A SHUTTLE JAUNT TO MARS. We find a very well-progressed colony of people, with whom we can communicate, but who’s ways are not like ours. In fact they walk on their hands not their feet. (Now stay with me)…

These people want to be our friend and try to get us to walk on our hands all the time. You explain that is not normal. “You are supposed to walk on your feet” you explain. “You see that’s the way God made you. And besides, we are just visiting Mars anyway”. So we continue our visit walking on our feet while so many others are walking on their hands. We did, however find some people walking on their feet on Mars. But it was a clear majority walking on their hands. How strange. But they seem nice. People seem very comfortable walking on their hands. It has become a way of life. But you know if they just take time to understand, it would make their lives so much more meaningful to walk on their feet.

But some have confessed it seems so foreign and backwards to them to walk on their feet. You say to me “You know Mark, time is growing closer for us to go home”. I look at the date on my watch and agree. So we lived the remaining our days on Mars trying to help our friends to see that walking on their feet would be much easier. After all that is the they were created- to walk on their feet.

Then slowly, some came around. They caught on. They realized walking on their feet was much better. Then they helped some of their friends to start walking on their feet. Admittedly they were a little self conscious because their planet walked on their hands mostly.

You see while we are visitors on Mars in this tale, the truth is we are all visitors on earth. Some of us think when our bodies die, we do too. (You know WE ARE NOT OUR BODIES. We are the spirit INSIDE the body. And while these old bodies decay or get too damaged for whatever reason, we, meaning OUR SPIRITS LIVE ETERNALLY. I’ll come back to that in a moment.

Now the folks walking on their hands, are like people on earth trying to live life their own way and not the way God had intended them to. You see we were made in God’s image. But we are not Him. In His best-seller written by a lot of forgiven sinners back in the day, we learn we were made to worship Him. Not ourselves or others or money or anything else. It’s when we worship anything or anybody but God alone, our world gets very weird. Weirder than an entire colony walking on their hands! So here we are in real life… sometimes thinking we were pretty hot stuff.

God made a perfect world for us to live in and man messed it up. But you know what? He still loves us. Oh don’t think you get a pass to heaven because He loves you. Nope. He has standards. High Standards.[1] One Sin and you miss it. OUR SPIRIT IS DOOMED TO HELL AND DAMNATION FOR ETERNITY. Except he made a fire escape. God decided to enact a plan. Since man messed things up good the first time by listening to the enemy and not obeying Him, His Mercy was coupled with Grace. Here’s what He did:

HE DECIDED TO COME TO EARTH IN SOME SPECIAL CLOTHES. He dressed himself in the form of man. Actually He entered as a baby and was even born by making an obedient virgin pregnant. (Wow is THAT a whole story unto itself. As me and I’ll share.) Anyway, long story made short, HE CAME TO EARTH TO SHOW HOW NATURAL IT IS TO WALK ON OUR FEET. Oops I mean walk according to our Heavenly Father’s will. In other words…

Now let me interject this: It’s His world and we are his kids. We should treat Him with respect and dignity and love and talk to Him and listen to Him, every day. He is our “goto guy”. He is our God and we worship him and no one else or nothing else. Not even ourselves.

So let me continue. His name was Jesus… God, in man-skin. He knew we could relate to Him as a person, because we could see he was like us, except unblemished… unblemished because HE WAS GOD.

Now it looks at first like Jesus came to earth to show us the way. And He did, but it was far more than that[2]. Stay with me… see, people got mad at him because they themselves became jealous that he was perfect. They were also mad at him because He said He was the King of kings. They didn’t believe it even though profits for hundreds of years pointed to this day when a savior would be here. Compared to Jesus, their sin was more visible. That made them mad and they got a mob together and were going to kill Him.

Now at this point Jesus had a choice. Remember he was God- in man-skin. So should he trump them and zap them dead as a door nail… and then He could finish living to an old age on earth? Or should he do something extra special for us?

He took the most painful route because of this truth: Showing us how to live on earth wasn’t good enough for God. There is NOTHING WE CAN DO once we have ever told a lie, stolen anything- ever, or ANY sin- just one time! Remember I told you God has high standards? This is what I’m talkin’ about Willis!

He decided even though He himself was perfect he would TAKE OUR PUNISHMENT and allow the mob to kill him in the most slow and tortuous, painful death. AND HE DID IT FOR YOU[3] and me! He did. And He said if we would just claim this forgiveness by doing these five things God would see our sin as never happened. Here are the five things: #1Have faith[4]. #2 Try not to sin anymore (repentance[5]), #3 Confessing[6] our sins publicly and #4 Die to ourselves by baptism. Immersed baptism[7]. And #5 Be faithful[8] till death. This offer of salvation is free[9] but not unconditional[10]. One must develop a faith and dependence on God that will be life changing[11].

He will help our lives to change because when you have done these things, His Holy Spirit will come into your body. He will live in you, and as long as you let Him, He will help your life to change over time.

Meanwhile after Jesus died on the cross, He arose the third day! He proved it by showing Himself to people. And He said He was going to make a MANSION just for us! No remember the part of this text that is not true is people are on Mars walking on their hands. That was to show how weird our world REALLY is when looking through the truth lens. We see people thinking they are so smart, but in reality they are not walking in truth at all.

God loves you so much dear friend, He sent His one and only Son to die for you. Will you not accept this gift of eternal life?

660.651-0817. I’ll help you find Him. Call me.

[1] Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

[2] Yet to all who receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

[3] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

[4] John 8:24 -1 Jn. 3:23; He. 11:6; Ro. 5:8

[5] Luke 13:3; Ac. 17:30,31; 2 Pe. 3:9; Lk. 15:17,18

[6] Rom 10:9; Mt. 10:32,33 Ro. 10:10; Mt. 16:14-17

[7] Acts 2:38; 8:36-39; Gal. 3:26,27; Ac. 22:16; 1 Pe. 3:21; Rom. 6:1-4

[8] Rev 2:10; Mt. 10:22; 1 Cor. 15:2 Romans 10:9

[9] Eph. 2:8-10),

[10] Phil. 2:12; Mt. 7:21; Rev. 22:14

[11] Rom. 12:1-2

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Have you stepped into the capsule?

Nov 21st 2010

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If you were alive on October 13^th, 2010 you probably couldn’t have NOT known the story behind this image. After 69 days, 33 Chilean miners were rescued from a collapsed mine. Barely over two months doesn’t seem like a long time to us, as long as we are not over 2,000 feet below the earth’s surface with no escape. They had fear. Well-founded fear. What if they could not be rescued? They would obviously perish. With no food or water sources, their destiny was clear… unless there was a way to be saved.

So as you know, people who could, stepped up. They sacrificed many hours of sleep. An American company made a special drill bit that would be able to drill the hard rock and maybe somehow create a way to get the miners out, one by one.

And as we know the happy ending saw that plan fulfilled. NASA used a steel capsule. Big enough to hold one man, sturdy enough to make the 2050 foot journey and back, 33 times at least.

But would it work? Would there be another cave-in in the process? Would the capsule hold up? Would the men be able to make the journey?

Well we know the men all got out to see their families and resume their lives again.

But let’s back the story up and do a re-take of “what if’s”.

What if the not all the men were willing to take the chance to go up the small shaft in this small capsule, which in the process could trigger an avalanche along the way? What if of the 33 men 20 of them were not willing to trust? If they just wanted food and drink sent down until there was a better way of escape? What if after 13 men saved… 20 men refused to take the chance? They just couldn’t do it. After all, they knew what they had gotten used to in the 69 days in the mine after the collapse. They just wouldn’t do it. No way am I doing that!

Well isn’t that just silly? After all why wouldn’t they just put fourth some trust in the people who sacrificed so much of themselves and resources to save them?

I agree. Why wouldn’t they? The same is true for our friends at work, and our friends in our social groups and on facebook. And… dare I say the same is true for you? Because friend whether you know it or not, you are doomed. You are doomed to hell and damnation forever, without a decision to trust in the one who made the ultimate sacrifice. God sent His only Son, a perfect sinless son to die for you. He took the blame for YOUR sin and mine. Something we can do no more than a miner saving himself!

This blog entry is not a “poetic little tale” to read and then to go about your normal life. This is ONE MORE opportunity. One of a limited number, before it is too late. It is an opportunity to step into the capsule. The capsule that will save you from eternal hell and damnation is the one who paid the price for you. Jesus Christ. He is the only way out. He is the only way to the Father. He is the only way to Heaven.

Make your decision today, before it is too late. This may be your last chance. YOU DON’T KNOW when your life on earth is over. But know dear friend, that sure as you are reading this, you are an eternal being. YOU will never die. Your body will, but you will not. You will spend eternity with God or without Him. Trust Him today. Follow me and I’ll share the plan. And by the way if you would like to talk to me, call me. 660.651.0817. I am your friend.

This way… http://turningreal.com/?page_id=163

Holy Spirit, Salvation, Spirit-Led Life

capsule, eternity, Plan, trust

Oct 17th 2010

By: admin

Take up your cross and follow me!!!

Copied with permission by Author Kim Ridgway, Moberly MO.

They are ALIVE and well! You see that on every newspaper and news article on the internet. The 33 miners are safe and alive. But can you imagine what they were thinking in that deep dark mine (pit). Did they at one time—lose hope, fail to be patient, be dis-obedient towards others/themselves, and were they selfish with their rations? Does any of this sound familiar? Does it resonate with anyone?

They may have felt all of those things, but they were brought out of the depths of darkness and into the light!!!! DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

I know, lots of questions, but I thought of all of these yesterday and this morning hearing of their miraculous rescue. But everyday when we choose Jesus to help us throughout our day, we are Rescued…Unfortunately, some weeks I need to be rescued every morning. There are times I slip down in the darkness; whether it’s my thoughts or a circumstance I’ve put myself in…and I have to climb right back out..and with whose help do I get to do that with? Jesus!!!

Lukewarm people love those who will love them in return, conditionally, or with strings attached…The medics put themselves out there yesterday, WITHOUT STRINGS…They CHOSE to go down into that darkness and bring those men up. They GAVE UP everything to do that, because they could’ve lost their lives along with those men if something awful would’ve happened. So, to go with last night’s lesson…They don’t sound like they were very lukewarm! Now, are they like that with the rest of their lives, we won’t know that, but just seeing someone make such a sacrifice for others…Would I do that? Could I, sitting here typing this and thinking about it, YES, but WOULD I?

2 Corinthians 13: 5…Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, it is thrown out…..Luke 14; 34-35

I Soooooo have to work on just laying everything at his feet. I fall short of this daily. Francis said Jesus asks for everything, but we try to give Him less…My own opinion…there is no TRY to give him less, I just refuse not to. That slaps me in the face with I think of that. Page 81 where he says…”You would ruin manure”. Well, that just made me feel like manure.

Our group work last night was very convicting…On a scale from 1-10, how lukewarm are you? I’m glad you didn’t ask that last night Regina , I was convicted enough!

HE LOVES US THIS MUCH!!! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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“My knees and yours”

Aug 26th 2010

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Status Report: Knee- Healing but painful. Especially since I had to test myself this afternoon and go to work and climb the staircase to the 2nd floor. I felt the need to prove to myself I can still make my living starting next week. (BTW I made it just fine. In fact once up there, I was tempted to look down at my shirt to see if there was an “S” on it.

My employer, manager and coworkers have been so good to me. Especially Elvina, who has done this time as she has countless times in the past 14+ years. What a Christian Sister she is, helping me with my work load while I am out.

Anyway, a Vicaden and an ice pack was waiting for me when I got home. I hate those vic meds but Tylenol has been doing the job much of the time more and more. And of course that is a good thing!

Now for the Life Upgrade: I am going to be ready to get back into the pool at the Y in 2 weeks (When it re-opens from time-consuming major repairs). I have learned how imperative exercise is not only to the obvious, the body, but to the mindset. I clearly see why I have never succeeded long-term until now.

For those prayer warriors out there, please don’t stop. This is where I continue to need your knees. God has honored your prayers with His help and guidance. My life depends on His help. But then again so does yours, huh? God is so good, isn’t He? ###

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How’s the “decline”?

Aug 18th 2010

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Today at work, a friend asked me how the decline is going. I was confused what he was referring to for a minute until he said he was talking about my life change. As I told him that I was staying the same weight, kind of holding my own while the YMCA pool is still down for Massive Repairs, I realized I owe my friends an update. So there it is. I am managing my intake well, lower calories, minimal fat and maximum fiber. But without exercise, I am stalled. However I am getting my knee repaired Friday (double torn meniscus) so by the time I resume normal daily activity, the pool should be reopened! Then I pick up where I left off. I appreciate my friend and all of the rest of you who are genuinely concerned about seeing me successful. I will owe you m,y life- literally. God is good isn’t He?

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I Can’t do this.

Jul 10th 2010

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The path to my goal isn’t cleared out. In other words it isn’t easy. But I knew that. You see, I’ve been me a good number of years and I know how the path has been in the past. It was never easy. That’s why I would quit. I’ve said many time’s “I cannot do this”. And I was right. I cannot. But my Faith wasn’t as strong then as it is today. Because of other Faith building events in my life, I now know although I can’t do this thing, with God’s help all things are possible*. No don’t tune out. don’t stop reading because you think Mark is starting to preach again. I am not. I am an everyday person like you who works at a job through out the week. Married, 3 Sons, 1½ dogs** and 2 cats. But life is hard. Sheryl and I have plenty to complain about as well. But I refuse to enumerate them because I have learned to not focus on the negatives. Anything I focus on gets bigger. So I choose to focus on the positives.

I have no idea how God will get the rest of this weight off of me. But I don’t worry about it. I live an intentional life now. I choose not to be a victim. I choose to surrender my life everyday to the man who created me and His Son who died for me. As I do that He paves the way. Not without roadblocks though. He chooses to leave some of those in the way. I think it’s because He wants me to always feel I need Him. Boy have I learned that in life! Every hour I need Him. (Somebody aught to write a song about that).

I went to Wally-world last night to buy some groceries and I always see friends there. I saw Ken, with whom I worship, and he said he is “following me on Facebook”. He followed that up with the reminder he is praying for me. That’s a wow you guys. It overwhelms me a bit till I remember who is doing all of this stuff. Then I relax. Then I saw Jen, another Spiritual sibling who I visited at length twice in two separate parts of the store. (Why are all the people I know so chatty anyway?? ) Just kidding Jen, but she referred to my public Face Book declaration to become gain my life back, as “jumping off”. WOW. I walked away more than overwhelmed, (no fault of yours Jenny), but I actually had that feeling in my down-sized gut that I would have as if I just jumped off a cliff. Like I am in a very unsafe area. But then remembered I had my bungee-God suspending me as I am landing to my goal. I felt better then.

So what’s my point? OK, here it is… It’s time for you to jump too. Not necessarily publicly live your life on Face Book, but it’s time for you to start giving some of your problems to God. He can handle it. He is waiting for you to give them to Him. He has more than one bungee. You can trust Him. See this is the same God that made Pikes Peak that Sheryl and I climbed (on four wheels) last year. He made the Grand Canyon. Oh and that moon you like to kiss your sweetie under? He made that too. That’s a big wow. Especially when you understand to some degree how much He loves you. He is CRAZY about you! He is not mad at you. He wants you to just talk to Him. He has time to listen.

* Matt 19:26

** I claim half of my Grandpuppy.

PS: Progress report: No scales this week as pool has been closed for several days for repair. I am still on my live-it, but with little exercise. But my number 2 pills are still working. TMI? Sorry bout that. LOL

I should be back in the pool Monday. It’s the only time I take a bath. ………

…I take showers.

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Phone home ET

Jun 28th 2010

By: admin

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So what is up with the Morgan family anyway? In the last two months they turned off the TV, or at least put the Dish Network on “vacation mode” for the summer, renovating the house with some major projects like a new laundry room, new deck, new French doors on the back of the house and new roof thanks to the Easter hail storm. Plus Papa and Mama bear are getting up at 4:30 AM most days to go to the YMCA and walk in the pool. Papa is going back in the evenings to work out again! So have they lost their ever lovin’ mind or what?

Well, here’s the rest of the story: I was facilitating Financial Peace University this spring. This is another area God changed in our life three years ago. Finances. Through this course. So much so, I have dedicated myself to passing it forward by helping others see financial change in their lives. Anyway, I was asking week after week my class if they had enough. Passionately I would ask “Have you had enough of the financial worries in your life that you are ready to say NO MORE. I am fed up to my eyeballs with this kind of life and now it’s time to do something about it. I heard myself challenging these peers of mine in the tone of Howard Beale, the character played in the movie “Network” where he says “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”

I think it helped motivate some, but as the 13 week class ended, I started hearing myself say “Self”, (that’s what I usually call myself), “What about you? Have you had enough of the life you are living? Are you tired of dragging around more than 400 pounds everywhere you go? Morgan, are you going to let God deal with the REST of your life? Your body? Or are you going to continue to look back at the many times you failed at diets, only to put on more then you lost? Do you serve a God big enough to straighten out your relationship with your kids, your finances, and many other areas of your life but you don’t think He’s big enough to change your health??? How Big is your God Mark?”

Well, in my ministry, I encourage people by telling them what a BIG God we serve. He’s HUGE and He cares so much about you. I like to quote Dave Ramsey when he says “God isn’t mad at you. He just want you to phone home.” It always gets a chuckle, but I really believe that is God’s attitude. Jesus paid the price, of our sin. That’s why He isn’t mad at us. But He does want a daily relationship with you. So now I was feeling that if I would not be willing to trust God with 100% of my life, my credibility is severely compromised when it comes to my witness for what Jesus Christ has done in my life. So realizing this, it now becomes about my Savior not me. That changes things.

“So- how big is He Mark?” I didn’t answer. So the next Thursday I fervently pushed my friends to live life intentionally. Take control of your life. Do things you haven’t done before. Stop doing some of the things you have always done. MAKE CHANGE happen. Then as the next to the last session wound up, I walked out to my truck thinking “Mark it’s time”. But then I was remind of the countless failures I had “under my belt”, pun intended. I knew, and I KNEW that I KNEW He, my God who changed every other part of my life wanted to change this part. But would I trust Him?

Sunday, May 2 at Church… The entire sermon about sin. We are urged to take the post-it out of the bulletin and wright the first letter of sin (s) you wish God to help you with, and place it on the cross. I did. My letter was G. For gluttony. I gave it to Jesus.

Sunday night… My phone rings and it’s Duane. A gem of a friend. I have appreciated this guy since I met him years ago. He said he was wanting to see if he, a buddy of his and me would become a biggest loser group at the Y. We could encourage each other. “Oh boy Lord. I know this is Duane, but it’s really Jesus with skin. In other words, the Holy Spirit had been on me big time only hours before and now it’s time to give my answer. Yes or no? I said “I don’t know Duane. I am not sure I am ready”. I don’t know what Duane said but I knew I was at the fork in the road. Time to put up or shut up. I knew I couldn’t shut up, so I put up. I said ok. I then called Jerry, a very close friend of mine and asked him to join us. He said he would give his answer the next day. He did and it was the right answer too.

As it turned out, Duane had a messed up foot so he has been unable to join us in the pool, because of Doctors orders. His friend hasn’t started yet, but I am sure he will. So my sweetie, Jerry and I joined Larry, a lifelong friend who had already been pool walking. The four of us in the morning were burning calories as we visited, solving the world’s problems. *smile* . Jerry’s sweetie joins us all in the evenings. It’s so much fun. I feel guilty for not feeling a lot of pain while I’m working out.

So May 3^rd became the first day of the rest of my life, thanks to my loving savior who simply made me hear my own words of encouragement and turned it around on me. Isn’t God good?

The final Thursday, people came up on graduation night telling of how their lives had been changed. I am so moved by this night of each session. It is the major payoff off for me. And it’s not even about me. But only that I had a part in it. I was able to help others trust God to change their financial lives. I was also able to help people see Jesus. And then maybe somebody will give Him one more try. And let Him change their lives, like He did mine. Or- most of mine. After all up until Sunday night, I had a barricade around my physical life, that was for some reason “off limits” to Him. Maybe because, “I knew best”. Maybe I knew “that was TOO MUCH for Him”? How ridiculous is that?

Starting in January, my sweetheart Sheryl lost 40 pounds because of a testimony her friends Shannon and Jill gave. This in turn absolutely worked in concert, to inspire me forward. See God at work here? With a life change of understanding the relationship between calories, fat and fiber, I would learn the new weight-watcher way of living. And with the pool walking activity that multiplies your effort, I would burn the fat off the big carcass of mine, (I say with my tongue in my cheek), one day at a time, one pound at a time. But it’s easy this time because I can’t lose this battle. Why? It’s not me doing it. You see, I was right. I can’t lose this weight. But with God all things are possible. He inspires me through scripture and through people.

So what about the Dish Network and the remodeling? The Dish Network idea was to inspire our habits to change. After all, TV has always been fattening for us. Plus it’s a huge way the enemy gets his influence in. And, given the fact of the on-going projects, we really didn’t need the TV anyway. Maybe I’d find more time to call somebody in the evening and check on them. A chance to get out of myself more and turn the spotlight on other people.

And speaking of people… somewhere along the line I knew I had to do this new life building process different. I had to do it in front of people. In front of my friends, in front of everybody. This would become the accountability aspect of my project. I decided to use Facebook and my blog, (turningreal.com) to detail my progress (or lack thereof if I decided to limit God to what He would do). So now every time I post my weekly status change, I immediately get response pouring in from people who cared all along, but didn’t know what to say. I love my friends.

Ultimately it’s not about the praise I get from people, but the praise my God gets from people. All of this is to His glory. He is behind every bit of this change in my life, and He gets all the credit. Let Him change yours. And phone home ET.

The rest of this story will continue to be lived out. I bet my life God wins. What do you think?

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The Cave People by Max Lucado

Jun 5th 2010

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He came to the world that was his own, but his own people did not accept him.John 1:11LONG AGO, OR maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern.The cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long they wailed. It was all they did. It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the cave were mournful, but the people didn’t know it, for they had never known joy. The spirit in the cave was death, but the people didn’t know it, for they had never known life.But then, one day, they heard a different voice. “I have heard your cries,” it announced. “I have felt your chill and seen your darkness. I have come to help.”The cave people grew quiet. They had never heard this voice. Hope sounded strange to their ears. “How can we know you have come to help?”"Trust me,” he answered. “I have what you need.”The cave people peered through the darkness at the figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking more.”What are you doing?” one cried, nervous.The stranger didn’t answer.”What are you making?” one shouted even louder.Still no response.”Tell us!” demanded a third.The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the voices. “I have what you need.” With that he turned to the pile at his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern.The cave people turned away in fear. “Put it out!” they cried. “It hurts to see it.”"Light always hurts before it helps,” he answered. “Step closer. The pain will soon pass.”"Not I,” declared a voice.”Nor I,” agreed a second.”Only a fool would risk exposing his eyes to such light.”The stranger stood next to the fire. “Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold? Don’t consult your fears. Take a step of faith.”For a long time no one spoke. The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next to the fire. “It’s warm here,” he invited.”He’s right,” one from behind him announced. “It’s warmer.” The stranger turned and saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. “I can open my eyes now,” she proclaimed. “I can see.”"Come closer,” invited the fire builder.She did. She stepped into the ring of light. “It’s so warm!” She extended her hands and sighed as her chill began to pass.”Come, everyone! Feel the warmth,” she invited.”Silence, woman!” cried one of the cave dwellers. “Dare you lead us into your folly? Leave us. Leave us and take your light with you.”She turned to the stranger. “Why won’t they come?”"They choose the chill, for though it’s cold, it’s what they know. They’d rather be cold than change.”"And live in the dark?”"And live in the dark.”The now-warm woman stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man.”Will you leave the fire?” he asked.She paused, then answered, “I cannot. I cannot bear the cold.” Then she spoke again. “But nor can I bear the thought of my people in darkness.”"You don’t have to,” he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick. “Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it.”And so she took the small flame and stepped into the shadows.From A Gentle ThunderCopyright (Thomas Nelson, 1995) Max Lucado

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My Health Plan Progress

May 31st 2010

By: admin

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Here is my Health Progress Report. I have made pretty significant progress to date, considering I am at my 28th day. My progress is encouraging me. I have been pool walking almost every day. It is the best way to exercise if other cardio is too much exertion for joints, heart,etc. or if you are likely not to continue because you dislike it. I love water and the pool walking is non-exerting. Even when I do a few jumping jacks in the water. It doesn’t kill me like it would otherwise.

My eating habits have changed. However I must say I do not feel the out of control appetite I am used to feeling, I think because I am eating lots of fruits and vegetables. The weight watchers plan says given my weight, I am given 44 points per day. (If you are interested There is an excel spreadsheet formula at: http://tucowsww.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2006/12/5/2551861.html. Or if you want to figure them yourself the formula along with lots of WW info is at http://www.healthyweightforum.org/eng/articles/weight_watchers_points/. But here is the nutshell version: Keep the calories and fat low, and dietary fiber high. That’s it. So I have been eating these foods and some I forget:
- Grape nuts with blackberries
- Shredded wheat (Not frosted) with berries (and all my milk is 2% by the way)
- McDonalds sausage biscuit
- McDonalds sausage McMuffin
- Jerod Subway sandwiches (6″)
- McDonalds southwest salad
- Blimpy Ultimate salad
- Tuna salad
- Salmon steaks
- Santa Fe Chicken fajitas with beans and rice and extra peppers & Onions (love ‘em)
- Lime Chicken wings and legs from Sam’s Club
Those are the things that come to mind. I am sure there are others I am not thinking of. In between meals my system is used to eating lots of salt and sugar. (That’s how to reverse this health plan). But I found some cheats that in MODERATION, are acceptable. Like cheese crackers, shelled peanuts, pretzels, Lays Kettle potato Chips- (SPARINGLY) special K bars, Vanilla wafers, Weight watcher frozen treats and sugar free ice cream sandwiches. Not on this list is M&M’s, “Fun-size” candy bars, (Its NOT fun), etc.

My mindset now calls all things outside my health plan CONTRA-BAN or POISON.

Yesterday was the first day I blew it. The family had a big get-to-gather at the farm and I consumed some deep fried fish, several hush puppies, 1/2 ear corn, 2 boiled potatoes, layered lettuce salad. It was good but blew the plan. But today is a new day and I am back into it. Those times will happen and I will not let it get me down or cause me to “guilt eat” and make it worse.

We also made another change in our home. A big one for us. Sheryl and I DISCONNECTED the Dish Network for the summer at least.Radical you say? Yes when it comes to my Fox news. What was I thinking? We are INTERRUPTING our habits. TV is fattening. So for now I will rely on KWIX-KRES-KIRK & KTCM radio for my news. I am not compelled to eat while listening to radio like I am with TV. Go figure.

Our Son’s eating habits are changing, and as you know Sheryl’s habits have already changed. Sugar and processed foods are considered CONTRA-BAN in the house. It’s all about supporting one another.

So Why am I telling you all of this? TWO reasons: 1) The selfish reason- I am on a public LIVEt. (Not DIEt). I am doing this before God and everybody. I have to gain my life back or I will lose it too early. So out with everything. 2) If I tell all as I go, it might encourage others with this same problem (to what ever degree). While reason #1 was selfish it enables me to have this, my ultimate goal: My mission is life is a ministry… to help other people see Jesus and His saving Grace. He is the one walking with me every second of every day. I give Him all of the glory.
Mind Body & Spirit
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