Days 30, 31 and 32

I was on vacation with my wife, away from children, away from the big city, away from life as we know it. And fortunately, away from a computer and internet too, so I wasn't able to post for a few days. I did workout, though, all days. Still staying off my ankle but I did upper body exercises every day.

I also had great quiet times with God, spending lots of time reading and reflecting on what he's teaching me right now. Exciting times.

Day 29

Still recovering from my ankle twist, but I'm walking pretty well today. I did 100 push-ups today for my workout, and weigh 162.4 pounds this morning. I've been enjoying studying daily writings from John Eldredge, and the Bible verses that coincide. They've really got me thinking.

Have been good about eating vegetables, and not cheating on my diet. I had a great salad (chipotle lime shrimp) today, and didn't eat too many desserts.

Day 28

My ankle is still a little messed up from the fall, but it's getting much better. I don't think I'll jog for probably another week or so, but I can walk almost without a limp today. Tonight I did 100 push-ups, and was convicted of how easily I justify my sins, by reading Romans 8 and some stuff from John Eldredge. Romans 8:9 in particular smacked me upside the head.

It's so easy to justify our sins; so easy to create a reason why it's okay, or to do it "just this once". But I need to remember that I am controlled not by my sinful nature, but by the Spirit of God. I think by praying it over tonight, slowing down when it comes to making the decision to justify, and remembering that the Spirit dwells within me, I can get the upper hand on this pretty quick.

I am thankful that I am forgiven for all past, present and future sins, because of the price Jesus paid on the cross for me.

Day 27

I didn't post yesterday, but I did exercise. I was running around my neighborhood and I twisted my ankle pretty bad. I had to walk a half an hour to get home, but made it. So, I got exercise yesterday, but none today since I am resting. So I won't count today since I am resting my ankle. Plus it's Christmas and I have better things to do. I'll do upper body tomorrow and for the next few days until I'm back feeling good.

Day 26

I got up before my family this morning to spend time with God. I was reading more from Philippians, still stuck on what I read yesterday about my self-centeredness and lack of concern for others (in some areas - my wife's sitting right here telling me I'm not generally self-centered. That was nice to hear). I saw the Blind Side yesterday (great movie, by the way) and I know that reading about serving one's self before others, right after seeing that movie, has a greater impact. Please pray for me that I will learn to sacrifice more for others.

I had a good workout this evening. My legs are burning! I did 30 lb. bicep curls (3X10), 30 sit-ups, 100 squats. I need to get back into running. I was good with my diet today. I ate very little junk food, and ate a salad my wife made for dinner.

Day 25

Today I went golfing. For the third time ever. I didn't keep score. If I had, it would not have been pretty. I had a great time, though, and can hit the ball pretty hard, or I can hit it much softer and it will go somewhat in the direction I choose. So, that way my workout for the day, and although I didn't sweat (it was kind of chilly outside) it counts because I got to use some different muscles than I'm used to, and walked some.

Philippians 3:17-19 hit me today, especially the part that said, "their God is their stomach". Read it to get the context, but it hit me because my thoughts are often so engrossed in what my next meal will consist of, or where I'm going to get a cookie, that I'm not thinking of how I can serve others, or provide for the most basic needs of those around me. How selfish I am! I need to be thinking of the needs of others rather than how I can satisfy my own desires (I can't call them needs, as there is really very little that I am truly in need of). How do I get to that point? Lord, change me on the inside. Change how I think, how I operate at the most basic levels. Please create in me a heart that is not seeking how to please myself, but how to please others first.

One of the points of this 100 day commitment was to make a sacrifice, but as I have sacrificed some foods, I have only replaced them with an ever stronger urge for others that I am allowed. God, change my heart! Help me yearn for others, not for myself.

Day 24

This morning I weighed 160.2 pounds. Back up to where I started before I was sick. It's amazing it took only a couple of days of not eating (stomach flu) to lose about 4 pounds, then it took a couple of weeks to put it back on.

I did 100 sit-ups today, and 100 push-ups: 2 sets of 35 and 1 set of 30.

I stole this quote (paraphrased) from something I was reading today:

The process of our Christian walk rests entirely on our ability to see life from the basis of the question, "What's God got to do with it?".

Psalm 131

"My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty..."

Proverbs 6:16-19

"There are six things the Lord hates, seven things that are detestable to him:

-haughty eyes,
-a lying tongue,
-hands that shed innocent blood,
-a heart that devises wicked schemes,
-feet that are quick to rush into evil,
-a false witness who pours out lies,
-and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers."

It is incredible how much power our eyes have over our bodies. Our eyes have the power, if we allow them, to control what we think, which can, if we allow it, translate to what we say and do.