I want to share with you my story and the reason for some very important changes in my life. I want to say right off the bat that I am not telling this story to boast or to offend anyone, but rather to help someone who maybe is struggling with their physical body.
I was born with a genetic condition called Spastic Paraplegia. This condition is not always genetic, but my great grandmother, grandfather had it and my mom and daughter both have it. All it means is that it is the deterioration of the muscles as you get older. I realize everyone's muscles deteriorate, but ours just do it a little faster then everyone else’s.
As a kid I never really let it bother me too much, I would play and run with all my friends as if there was nothing wrong and at that age it was a little less of an issue. I just got fired a little faster then the rest of the gang and I had no balance, so I couldn’t play ice hockey like I wanted to. That did not stop us from playing road hockey and in the winter there really wasn’t much difference than being on the ice. Sure was fun.
In 1992 I was in Bible School and there was a guy who claimed that God no longer healed or did miracles. I do not believe that. An evangelist was home visiting his family and was asked to preach a revival while he was home. He is well known for being used in the Gifts of the Spirit. I went one night to the revival to prove to this guy that God does indeed still heal and do the miraculous. God did not disappoint. I noticed a difference in how I walked the next day. I can’t explain it but I do not believe I received a full healing, but I do claim that I received a partial healing to the point that I was walking much different than I did before.
As time went on, unfortunately I did not take care of my body like I should have. I allowed myself to begin gaining weight. When I got married in 1995 I weighed in at about 210. This did not help me with my legs and being able to get around well.
Let me stop and just say for a minute that if you are asking Jesus for a healing in your body, He is more than able to do it, but if you are not willing to change your bad habits, He may not be willing to heal just to see you go back to doing the same thing again. This is why on a couple of occasions He told people He ministered to, to go and sin no more. One of these occasions was someone He had healed.
In 2013, we moved to Nashville, TN. When we left Minnesota I weighed about 230 pounds. After living here for two years I weighed 235 pounds. Yes, the food in the South is awesome.
In 2015, my mom began having a hard time breathing and I was concerned about her so Bonnie and I made a trip home to see her. Mom was about to turn 70 years old. I saw a lady who had congestive heart failure but also couldn’t move or get around very well on her own. As I watched this, I realized that in just another 28 years I could be in the same situation if I did not change my ways.
So, in the fall of 2015 I began the process changing some very had habits. I started walking more and trying, though not very successfully, eating better. In the summer of 2016 I had gotten down to 188 pounds.
Now comes the extremely hard problem. I gained about 24 pounds back. What I realized is that it is not really that hard to lose weight once you make up you mind to do it. It is more difficult to keep it off. You have to have a determination. So, I am now back down under 200 and plan on getting down to 180.
So, here are some take aways
1. God has given you a body and He expects you to treat it well and be faithful with it. For my Apostolic friends, as much as outward appearance is Holy worship to God, so is being healthy and taking care of your body.
2. You have to have a point that is a wake up call to you to get the weight off and be healthier.
3. You have to do more than just exercise, you have to eat right or eat less. You may have a favorite food, but you don’t have to be gluttonous about eating it. Have small amounts and savor it.
I am sure there are more, but these are the ones I have come up with so far.
I will be posting pictures on Facebook for the friends I have on there to see.
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
A Biblical Way to be Successful at Work
I think everyone at some point wants to be Successful. We strive to do what we can to get to the next level. I have worked in organizations in which those who would go out and drink and party with supervisors and managers seem to be able to get the promotion's and next levels, and it seems as though those who didn't were looked over for the job that they were qualified for.
David even saw this same thing happening and had some questions:
Psalms 73:2-12 KJV
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
http://bible.com/1/psa.73.2-12.KJV
Psalms 94:3-7 KJV
Lord , how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O Lord , and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
http://bible.com/1/psa.94.3-7.KJV
It is easy to get discouraged at work when you are doing all the right things and it seems as though you can't get ahead. So, the question is, what can you do to get ahead without giving up your convictions? There is an answer to this question in the Bible.
There is a story in the Bible that helps us know what we can do to become successful. This story is found in Daniel 2.
Daniel 2:1-11 KJV
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, Lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.1-11.KJV
The king (supervisor/manager) has a situation comes up that he cannot find an answer for. The king calls a meeting of his employees asking for answers to the problem. They begin to explain the problem is too big for them to be able to come up with a solution. The king becomes so frustrated and angry because he cannot get an answer to the problem.
Now we have our scenario. What do you do to come up with a solution.
Daniel 2:14 KJV
Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.14.KJV
1. You have to use wisdom in how you answer the people you work with. You may not have an immediate answer, but if you use wisdom in discussing the issue. In other words don't be negative and talk bad about the king, but rather be positive and talk about solutions for the issue.
Daniel 2:17-19 KJV
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.17-19.KJV
2. It is time to ask God for help but also ask those you know have faith to pray about the situation. It is nice to have a support group to back you up with prayer.
Daniel 2:20-23 KJV
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.20-23.KJV
3. Once God reveals to you the answer, it is time to worship and praise the Lord for giving you the answer. By giving God the praise and honor for the answer, it frees you to understand that you did not come up with the answer yourself.
Daniel 2:28 KJV
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.28.KJV
4. Be bold when providing the solution, but give God the credit.
So, don't be afraid to ask God for help on your job. He does care that you are successful. He will give you the answers you need.
David even saw this same thing happening and had some questions:
Psalms 73:2-12 KJV
But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
http://bible.com/1/psa.73.2-12.KJV
Psalms 94:3-7 KJV
Lord , how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O Lord , and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The Lord shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
http://bible.com/1/psa.94.3-7.KJV
It is easy to get discouraged at work when you are doing all the right things and it seems as though you can't get ahead. So, the question is, what can you do to get ahead without giving up your convictions? There is an answer to this question in the Bible.
There is a story in the Bible that helps us know what we can do to become successful. This story is found in Daniel 2.
Daniel 2:1-11 KJV
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the astrologers, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, for to shew the king his dreams. So they came and stood before the king. And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream. Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. They answered again and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation of it. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me. But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof. The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, There is not a man upon the earth that can shew the king's matter: therefore there is no king, Lord, nor ruler, that asked such things at any magician, or astrologer, or Chaldean. And it is a rare thing that the king requireth, and there is none other that can shew it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.1-11.KJV
The king (supervisor/manager) has a situation comes up that he cannot find an answer for. The king calls a meeting of his employees asking for answers to the problem. They begin to explain the problem is too big for them to be able to come up with a solution. The king becomes so frustrated and angry because he cannot get an answer to the problem.
Now we have our scenario. What do you do to come up with a solution.
Daniel 2:14 KJV
Then Daniel answered with counsel and wisdom to Arioch the captain of the king's guard, which was gone forth to slay the wise men of Babylon:
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.14.KJV
1. You have to use wisdom in how you answer the people you work with. You may not have an immediate answer, but if you use wisdom in discussing the issue. In other words don't be negative and talk bad about the king, but rather be positive and talk about solutions for the issue.
Daniel 2:17-19 KJV
Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.17-19.KJV
2. It is time to ask God for help but also ask those you know have faith to pray about the situation. It is nice to have a support group to back you up with prayer.
Daniel 2:20-23 KJV
Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.20-23.KJV
3. Once God reveals to you the answer, it is time to worship and praise the Lord for giving you the answer. By giving God the praise and honor for the answer, it frees you to understand that you did not come up with the answer yourself.
Daniel 2:28 KJV
But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
http://bible.com/1/dan.2.28.KJV
4. Be bold when providing the solution, but give God the credit.
So, don't be afraid to ask God for help on your job. He does care that you are successful. He will give you the answers you need.
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