Fitness and 1 Timothy 4: 1-10

For the past week I've been reading The Fat Belly Diet-Diabetes by Liz Vaccariello and working on the physical flabiness that continues to increase each school year. It seems summer time is for exercising and losing weight while the school year is just plain survival---especially in the winter months of Kansas. The last month of school is usually crammed-packed full of activities and events, along with closing out the school year. This year was no different, though the stress was better tolerated than most years (maybe because I didn't have a SENIOR graduating this year). I lived on caffeine and junk food. During the course of this school year, I re-gained the 15 pounds I'd lost last summer plus another 10 pounds on top of that. I out grew my "skinny clothes" and my regular "fat clothes" and now need the next size up. Needless to say, the physical fitness needs a MAJOR INTERVENTION!

However, there was another area that I've pondered this week as I walked the quiet early morning streets of our city. There was a nagging sense of something BIG that needed to be done or needed to happen. As I listened to friends share their lives with me I continued to question how to pinpoint that THING. I went to bed last night grappling with the right words to express the hunger and longing to understand this BIG something---something to do with the way our world and the Church are limping through life trying to make sense of things on our own. This morning I woke up with a prayer on my heart and a yearning for the BODY of CHRIST to really BE REAL...to be fervent and passionate and truly modeling what we say we believe. Instead it seems so many people go to church as a part of their social life...to check it off their weekend agenda with no real change ever coming to their hearts.

Several weeks ago my son asked a thought provoking question: "WHY do you go to church? Why do other people go?" His point was that many go because they are made to go by their parents or they think it's the "right thing"...that they SHOULD go. Some go to just look spiritual. Some go to practice and play church. However, some go really seeking God.

Then during the sermon today, my Pastor began to challenge me to Spiritual Fitness...It's not about a list of do's and don'ts. It's not about abstaining and legalistic listing of rules. It's about HEARTS CHANGED---TRANSFORMED! Spiritual Fitness means being disciplined about spending time with God in His Word. It's about fervent, life altering prayers. It's about SEEKING THE ONE TRUE GOD who is THE WAY, TRUTH and LIFE (John 14:6) and learning from HIM...DAILY!

I was so pumped and energized as I visited with friends about what God is doing in their lives right now. I was encouraged to DIG DEEPER this week and GROW in Christ---not just talk about it, but really DIG! One friend challenged me to prayer and fasting with her. At first, I was (and am )a bit reticent. I instantly thought of excuses as to why I can't or shouldn't fast. ME---- not eat---for a day????? I've got health issues and I have to take my meds...with food! But then I began to ponder if this might be one way to grow this ---to fast and pray specifically for THE BODY and the BURDENS that are causing the Church to limp. I realized I wanted and might be willing to give it a try...for 1 meal one day. That, in and of itself, is GROWTH. :-)

This week I challenge anyone reading this to ask God HOW he wants YOU to GROW in Him and what HE wants to change in you. I look forward to GROWING IN JESUS!
For His Glory,
Kathy

Summer, Summer, Summer Time

As a lover of words, summer is filled with my own personal READ-A-THONS! I cheer when the summer storms come and we can't go to the lake...more time to curl up with another book and READ! So many titles...I feel like a little kid at Christmas!
Stay tuned for summer book reviews along with life in the home of a teacher celebrating 25 years of marriage to my high school sweetie and our 7 kids.
Until next time...