A New Personal Low

I'm excited to report that I reached a new low--I'm down to 221 pounds. That's 26 pounds from my peak weight of 247 just after Christmas. I have a goal of getting to 210 by June 1, 2008. According to what I've read that that's the top range of weight for my height. I'm 6'2".

What's my secret--well, 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting didn't hurt. Since the fast, Amberly and I have tried to cut out eating out as often, reduced sugars and breads, and made an increased effort to eat fruits and vegetables. Plus, I can count on one hand the number of Coke's with a lime have had in 2008. And, I can count on no hands the number of King Size Reese's Peanute Butter Cups I've eaten.

I've done 30-45 minutes of cardio five days a week since the start of the year (excluding the 21 Days of Fasting). I fasted exercise during that time.

If I can do it, you can do it, too.

Yesterday, I added weight training to my cardio workouts. I kind of feel it today. I may have to head to the chiropractor. :>)

Cool Websites for Church Planters

I've been collecting some cool websites for church planters--Here are some of the top sites:

www.vision360.org

www.newchurches.com

www.church-planting.net

www.churchplanting4me.com

www.brandingshed.com

www.churchplanters.com

There are so many more resources available to planters now than when we launched CLA--it makes you want to try it all over again!

Forward 2.08.08

We're in the final days of the 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting and my thought for today has to do with pressing on to the end. We've come so far and we have just a little bit to go. I am so proud of so many people who have tried fasting for the first time. It's exciting to hear the stories about what God is doing in their hearts and lives. Let's keep pushing forward and finish strong here at the end.

Let's come to church Sunday expecting a powerful service marked by God's presence. I'm going to talk about The Power of the Second Touch. This message is going to wrap up our Wonderfully Well, Blessed, and Highly Favored message series. It may be my favorite message of the entire series. You'll be able to purchase the complete series immediately after the service.

I can't wait to see you Sunday.

February Book of the Month

This month's Book of the Month in the Connections Resource Cener is Seven Pillars of Health by Don Colbert, MD. While it's not the primary focuse at all, there are health benefits to prayer and fasting.

I started working out again a couple of weeks before our fast. Since that time, I've lost 23 pounds--from 247 down to 224. Now, I want to keep living a healthier lifetyle and Colbert's book gives a 50 Day plan for that type of lifestyle. According to Colbert the seven pillars of health are:

1. Water

2. Sleep

3. Eat living food

4. Exercise

5. Detoxification

6. Nutritional Supplements

7. Reduce Stress

You'll be able to purchase the book this Sunday.

Forward 2.06.08

Super Tuesday has come and gone, but I'm lookign forward to Super Sunday. This Sunday is when we complete our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I am so much more excited about what God is going to do in our church and city becuase of our fast than I am about eating regular food again!

As we move forward, the three words that keep coming to my mind are release, reestore, and reward. Here's what I'm praying in regard to each of these three words today:

Release

• Release a hunger for your presence.
• Release a passion for worship.
• Release a desire for your life.
• Release salvation momentum.

Reward

• Restore the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.
• Restore the joy of salvation.
• Restore the hope of a future.
• Restore the vision for your church.

Reward

• Reward us with your presence.
• Reward us with your favor.
• Reward us with the vision becoming reality.
• Reward us with children who love and serve God.
• Reward us with the unity of the Spirit.

That's what I'm praying and fasting about today.

Forward 2.4.08

Here's the last idea about humility from James 4.6-10.

5. Be Real
He tells them to mournful, instead of joyful. That's seems crazy to a John 10.10 style of life. The problem is in the previous verses, he points out that they have this habit of being friends with the world more than they are with God.

It's not real humility to walk around like everything's great on the outside when everything's a wreck on the inside. Humility is admitting the situation and responding with the right attitude and actions.

So, let's pray that God reminds us to be real--that the inner life and the outer life are matched. The point isn't to be sad--the point is to be real. I'm all for "keeping it real" today.