Jan 12, 2010

The act of worship

I am pretty sure my Jesus was in on my workout session today. I had no special lighting or ambience. In fact, all I really had was a praise CD, an open heart, and a willingness to obey. "It is rising up, all around, it's the anthem of the Lord's renown" the earth truly is full of His glory. I realized that it was up to me whether or not I choose to enter into it. Our God is holy and He is a jealous lover. He will not be reduced to second thought, second place, or even second on the to-do list. There I stood in my living room doing all sorts of aerobic excersizes, and adding lunges (where one would not think an added lunge would be necessary). As I excersized, I sang loud, I sang off key, and I sang from my heart. It was 5:00 in the evening, I had worked all day and quite honestly thought of my God very little up until that point. But it was there, in my living room, admist the songs, that my heart began to worship and every thought became captive to His praises. Perspective began to change. "Beautiful Jesus, how may I bless your heart?" was beginning to sound radically different from the prayers I prayed yesterday. It was in my living room I realized that all I do should really be an act of worship. When I wash those pots and pans as an act of humility (without my usual grumpy attitude) to serve my family, I am giving glory to my Maker. And if for more than just an evening, I would awake to the thought of how I could bless my beautiful Jesus, my life would in turn become, an act of worship.

Jan 10, 2010

Biggest Loser Rogersville Edition

The Ugly Truth... I have gained about a few pounds each year for the last seven years. This gradual progression has led to my 40 pound weight gain. I have excersized sporaticly and popcorn dieted over the years with little success. Actually, let's be brutally honest, NO success. 10 days ago, I began my Biggest Loser workouts with the Wii. I have done 30 minutes a day with some exciting results. After a week of faithfully working out, I have lost 4 pounds! Now 4 pounds may not seem monumental, but it is to me. In my 28 years gracing planet earth, I have never intentionally lost weight. Success! This is the beginning of a new chapter of my life. One that has me eating healthier and excersing regularly. First and foremost, because I only have one body. This one body is all I have to serve God and love people with. If I abuse it, there is no second chance. Secondly, I am tired of buying new jeans. For once, I want to simply need new clothes because the current ones are just too big! Right now my goal is 2 pounds a week. If I am successful, I will be at my healthy goal weight by July. Even if the weight doesn't come off that quickly I am committing to continue trying until it does. This journey is both physical, spritual and emotional and I will need all the support I can get. One tip I have learned so far, if you are craving chocolate, fat-free chocolate pudding only has 80 calories and tastes wonderful. Another tip I have learned is to drink flavored unsweetened tea. Not only does tea have 0 calories but green and black teas are full of anti-oxidents. So, flavored teas can be good for the waist and for your health. Enjoy your day!