But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD. – Joshua 24:15

Do we really believe and live this way?

Ludmilla IND from Deidox on Vimeo.

May God teach us to live in the embassy he has given us.

If you aren’t familiar with Deidox I urge you to visit the site. The producers create amazing short documentaries like the one above for use by individuals and pastors. Each one speaks volumes by itself.

We are the most connected generation in history.

Nothing escapes the ever present gaze of all of us.  The 24-hour news cycle constantly searches for new content and now we are “the media”. People are connected via:

• Email
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Text Messaging
• IM
• Blogs
• Just to name a few…

Connecting to be heard in a world full of noise.

But are we really misconnected?

Connect from The Veracity Project on Vimeo.

We are so concerned about being connected to everything and everyone except the God who made us.

We long to be heard and feel connected.

But He is the only one that will really listen.

1 I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.5 The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.7 The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.8 The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

Psalm 121 (NLT)

Don’t be misconnected.

Wasting time has become an art form.

Channel surfing.

Surfing the web.

Checking Facebook.

Letting time slip by.

We also do that in our relationship with God. Once we meet God and start a relationship we start wasting time.

But, it’s not new. The writer of the book of Hebrews was dealing with the same thing.

11 There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

Hebrews 5:11-14 (NLT)

Many people have been believers for years. However, their relationship with God hasn’t gone anywhere. It is the same as it was when they first started. There is no depth, no growth. As a result, these people cannot tell others about who God is because they really don’t know.  The writer calls them babies, unable to to eat solid food. A great analogy.

We have been given the greatest gift from God and we waste time staying where we start; unwilling to take steps of faith and grow in our relationship.

If we don’t know much about God, how can we tell others about Him.

I don’t want to be wasting time.

I have a new pal – a helper you might say.  I know he’s my new pal because his name says so. Who is it?

 

A big thank you to my friend Chris Whisonant for introducing us.  We seem to be hitting it off so well.

Who is My Fitness Pal? Well, simple – it’s a website (with corresponding apps for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry) that is helping me lose weight and get in better shape.  It seems like my metabolism just stopped when I turned 35 or so.  That, in combination with the everyday demands  of work, parenthood and other obligations led to some significant weight gain. The picture up in the right hand corner of my blog gives you an idea of where I started.  Bear in mind, we worked with how I was standing, facing, etc to minimize my weight (at least I did).

I have tried to lose weight before and posted that progress here. While I lost some, it came right back. The positive part of that last effort was that Charity:Water benefited since people (me, family and friends and readers) donated based on the amount of weight I lost.  The problem is that I always become discouraged and start making bad choices again and the weight comes right back. I believe this is where myfitnesspal will be different.

Using this site (and the app) I am given a calorie “budget” for each day. I log my food for each meal and snacks. As a result, I get to see exactly where I stand in real time. The site/app does all the calculations for me. What makes it even easier is the fact that their database is huge and includes almost anything you will be eating.  If it’s not in the database – add it! So far, I’ve lost some weight and plan to lose a good bit more. You can follow my progress by watching the badge in the right hand column.

So, why do I need your ideas?

How should I celebrate each pound lost? So, I’m going to let:

Should I donate $1 or more per pound lost to a charity or other group?

If so, which group? Samaritan’s Purse? Charity:Water? Love146? Is there another group you have in mind?

Should I donate a pound of food (ironic isn’t it?) to a local food bank?

Other ideas?

Tell me your ideas in the comments below.

My goal is to lose 20-25 pounds. Maybe we could do this together and make the impact larger.

If you end up using myfitnesspal, my ID is GsimmonsSC.

Many of you have seen the “No Fear” brand of lifestyle clothing. The point behind the brand is that the wearer will accomplish things with no fear. You might say it’s the ultimate power of positive thinking – especially considering that the majority of wearers are young, testosterone filled, energy drinking, caffeine laced men. You know…the ones featured on the latest viral video of the guy jumping from the roof to the kiddie pool on a BMX bike with no helmet (or brains).

I believe the marketing appeals to the part of us that is actually afraid. That part that walks more quickly down a dark street, whistles in the dark, locks the door of the car as soon as we get in, sees the caller ID but doesn’t answer the phone.

We all have fears. But, really, what are we afraid of.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

If God is with me, why am I afraid?