Oh, My Aching Back!

This is where it hurts. Constantly. I'm not sure what I did, but boy, I did it well! It's been about 3 weeks now. After a visit to the doctor, I'm, pilled up, exercises loaded up, and heat pads in place. The first day, I couldn't take a step without immense pain. My wife had to help me walk up the stairs to bed. 

This whole thing has given me greater compassion for those in chronic pain or who are bedridden. And it's helped me to think about eternal things- when bodies will no longer ache, tears will no longer be shed, and death will be a thing of the past. Thank you, Jesus!

Wayne's World (of Fitness!)

 

Today, I'd like to introduce to you my good friend Wayne.  

Not only is he a great guy, but he is quite knowledgeable in the area of fitness. As you read his article (below), I think you'll discover fitness can be fun as well as rewarding. Enjoy!            

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Wayne's Fitness Tips and Tricks

May 2014  Volume 3,

Issue 5

For Runners: The Joy of Running

         We all learned to run shortly after we learned to walk, and we loved it!  So why do some of us stop running?  Several reasons: cars, the internet, raising a family, and desk jobs.  Then, if we try to resume running, it hurts!  And, as adults, we tend to sabotage the joy of running by setting goals.

         How can we rediscover the joy of running?  First, make goals much less of a priority.  When you go for a run, try leaving your watch at home.  I met a woman recently who has done the Pike's Peak marathon 17 times.  She trains from home on a five mile loop “although I'm not sure it's exactly five miles because I've never really measured it”, she told me.  She doesn't know what her normal running pace is because she doesn't time her runs.

         Second, run playfully.  Stop and enjoy the scenery if you are running a trail.  Pick your training runs by what sounds like fun, instead of by how long it is.  Break out of your routine by running someplace new and different.

         Finally, find a different way to get in some miles.  Take a hike instead of a run.  Or ride your bike, especially if you haven't ridden one in a while.  Rollerskate or rollerblade or try skateboarding.  These different self-powered modes of locomotion will also work leg muscles you don't use as much when you run, and that's a good thing, too!

         If you run, you know that you feel better after the post-workout shower, food tastes better, and you sleep better.  You manage stress better.  Like toddlers, you know the pure joy of simply running...

Everything In Moderation...

         I am going to do something this issue that I haven't done before, and I apologize ahead of time: I'm going to indulge in some sarcasm...

         Recently, my wife called me into her home office, “Would you like to see something really depressing?”  That should have been my first clue to run the other way!  She had pulled up on article on the internet entitled, “The Worst 20 Things You Can Eat And Why”.  (If you like being depressed, here is the link: http://healthyliving.msn.com/nutrition/the-20-worst-things-you-can-eat-and-why#21 )  Her parting comment was, “Doesn't that just take all the fun out of eating??”  By the way, for some reason, bananas didn't make the list!  (See the March newsletter...)

         So here's the sarcasm: “Wayne's List of 8 ½ Things You Should Not Eat And Why”...

         1. Rocks.  Although high in essential minerals, rocks are extremely difficult to chew and digest.

         2. Lumber.  High in fiber, and low in fat, but there is a very high risk of getting splinters.  In extreme emergencies, the cambium layer of trees, just beneath the bark, can be eaten.  (True!)

         3. Air.  There is absolutely no nutrition in air.

         4. Bricks.  (See “Rocks” above)

         5. Automobiles.  Full of artificial ingredients, and gasoline is toxic.

         6. Bugs.  People in other cultures actually do eat bugs, but in this country, habitual bug-eating will cause you to lose all your friends.  Besides, the furry, leggy, squirmy ones tend to stick in your throat...

         7. Aliens.  Never ever, under any circumstances should you eat an alien!  If you've seen the movies, you know what happens, and it's not pretty.

         8 ½.  Elephants.  Even half an elephant has way more calories than you'd need in an entire year.

Seriously, here's a simple guide to healthy eating:

         1. Don't eat too much junk food.  A little bit of fast food occasionally is okay.  McDonald's for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is not okay.

         2. Everything in moderation!  Water is essential, but too much can literally kill you.

         3. “Variety is the spice of life.”  Eating a wide variety of foods pretty much guarantees you will get all of the nutrients you need.  If you feel you need to, take vitamins and/or protein supplements.

         4. Personally, I would avoid restaurants as much as possible.  My wife and I stopped going out almost completely when the recession hit.  Now that we go out occasionally, I am shocked at the size of the portions!  I almost always take half of my food home to eat later.

         5. Eat your bananas!

Sarcopenia

         As we age, we tend to lose muscle mass, and the fitness industry even has a term to remind us of our unavoidable physical decline: sarcopenia.

         Is loss of muscle inevitable?  Probably, but it can be slowed considerably through exercise, especially resistance training, and proper amounts of dietary protein.  Here are some suggestions for maintaining/gaining muscle mass:

         1. Lift weights.  Just one day a week of resistance exercise will help you maintain muscle mass.  Even 90-year-olds have tripled their strength in 10 weeks by lifting! Basic guideline: three sets, 5-10 reps on each set.  If you can do more than 10 reps, use heavier weights.

         2. Keep track of your protein intake.  If you are exercising without adequate protein, you will not get stronger because your muscles cannot rebuild themselves. Basic guideline: at least ½ gram of protein per pound of body weight daily.

         3. Include some aerobics/cardio/endurance exercise to balance out the strength training.  Basic guideline: 30-45 minutes of cardio at least three times per week.

         4. Finally, do some isometrics.  Full-body muscle tension builds strength and keeps muscle groups balanced, and you don't need a gym or equipment to do isometrics.  Basic guideline: 5 minutes of isometrics three times a day.

Quote of the Month

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

-Confucius

Yours for better fitness,

Wayne

my.trainer.wayne@gmail.com

720-628-2009 (voice/text)

Some of my favorite places on the 'net:

General fitness:

                       

                        Snap Fitness: www.snapfitness.com/gyms

                        Livestrong: www.livestrong.com

                        Wayne's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WaynesFitnessTipsAndTricks

Nutrition:

                        Susan Drake's nutrition: www.I8Gr8.com

                        Food and exercise journaling: www.myfitnesspal.com

                                                                           www.livestrong.com/myplate/

                        Information on glycemic index: www.glycemicindex.com

                        Good eating: www.yesiwantcake.com

                                                www.hungrygirl.com

Running websites:

                        My free race website: www.wayneruns.weebly.com

                        Shoes, running gear: www.roadrunnersports.com   

                                                            www.runnersroost.com

                                                            www.boulderrunningcompany.com

                        Racing calendar: www.racingunderground.com

                        Marathon training: www.jeffgalloway.com            

Disappointment Again

Disappointment sets in again! One blow after another, and I just wonder what in the world is going on. When I don't let people off the hook by confronting them about their lies about me, somehow they become the victim. When I encourage people to hang in there, somehow I'm the one being idealistic, naive, or not acknowledging their feelings. When I "run away from it all" for an hour at the gym, I'm disappointed in myself. What in the world is going on? Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me that although people may fail me and I may fail myself, that you never give up on me and are always there. I know I can trust you in spite of what I see my circumstances to be. It's the living out of my life that shows my faith in you is not in vain. I've not always understood what you've allowed, but if I've given it all time, you have never been a disappointment to me. 

Perfect Abs Among the Scars

Perfect abs. What guy doesn't want them? I certainly do, but I can't. Is it laziness? No. Is it lack of results regardless of how hard I work? No. Eating the wrong foods? Well, even though that's true, it's not the reason. Due to some botched surgery years ago when I was a child, I have a very deep, long, and ugly scar- and not even close to a straight line at that- just underneath my belly button, leaving lumps when it would have been smooth. It's a scar that I really hate. It always reminds me of being less than perfect, a somewhat embarrassing mark on a less than perfect man, less than perfect life. 

I guess its also a sign of survival. We all have scars. Some are obvious for the world to see. Some are hidden. Some are not even physical but emotional or mental. I have those, too. But I am encouraged! I've been reading through the Gospel of Mark. Reading how Jesus came and healed. Jesus healed the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. Doctors couldn't help her, and she'd spent all her money. In just touching the hem of his clothes, she was healed in an instant- and she knew it.

When he asks the crowd, "Who touched my clothes?", the woman came to him, admitting it was her. I love his response to the poor, frightened, woman who had encountered the One True God in the flesh: "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." What a wonderful, merciful, God who sent His Son not just to pay the price for our sins but also to give us peace and free us from our suffering! 

Most people who encountered Jesus and were healed went on to tell many people about Him and about the glories of a God who is personal, powerful, and active. And I guess that includes me as well. His love has covered over my sin, given me forgiveness,  hope, a future, and brought healing to the wounds and sin of others against me in my life! 

On a good day, my scars now remind me of what I have survived- both those easy to see scars and those stamped on my heart and mind. They remind me of His goodness, His mercy, His love, in a world gone crazy. How can I not tell others about Him with joy?

Unexpected

He was always so cool, so together, so settled. Therefore, I was so surprised I do not even know what to say. When you think someone has it all together and you find out, they may not, it's just a shock. I walked up to the front doors of my gym to find this note. One of my trainers had passed away. He was fairly young, much younger than I. Never expected this. What happened?

The letter on the door was one of those notes, kind of the "we regret to inform you type" that doesn't really tell you anything. Understandable. Respectful. Brief and to the point. But, I couldn't help but think about him. The shock of death and all. How one minute, someone's there and then gone, not to be seen on this earth ever again.

Years ago, the big question was "If you died tonight, do you know where you would go?" The variations included discussion on heaven or hell and why, who is Jesus, his sacrifice for our sins, and how our answer impacts our eternity. The stuff of philosophy classes and Sunday School class debates. In some circles, it was considered impolite, but I always thought that was just a nice way of acting as if the inevitable would never happen. Avoidance of life's most important question.

We all die. Sometimes it happens when we are ready, sometimes not. But we are all eternal beings, so life on earth is not the end, but it is only the beginning of a new existance. I would have liked to known his answer to the question, but now I'll never get the chance. But I can ask you. "Where will you go when you die? Why?" I'd love to hear your answers...

650lb Virgin Revisited

What ever happened to the "650 lb Virgin"? David Smith (above left) is the young man that was miraculously transformed by his hard work with the coaching of Chris Powell.

At the beginning of this amazing transformation, David was direly in need of help.

Even after his weight loss, surgeons had to work hard to remove excess skin. Beyond the total transformation, something great also occurred: a deep friendship and a new business "Reshape the Nation".

It is the epitome of the great American Success Story. For a nation in midst of struggles, confusion, and a loss of identity, the story of David Smith inspires us to be better than we are! It all just goes to show that changing our ways as well as our words can lead to a better future.

(Note: If you have the photo credits, please pass them on and I will post them! Thanks.)

The Disease of Terminal Niceness

The Christian Church in America is Dying From the Disease of Terminal Niceness! Let that statement sink in for a bit before you keep reading. How did we get there and so far away from Historic Christianity?

Let me throw some thoughts your way. First, “The Soft Gospel”. It says, "Come to Jesus and your life will become better." It's the Pathway to Prosperity, etc. It's a teaching that has taken hold in the United States for a few decades now. We have come to believe it is our God-given right to health and wealth. This mindset keeps us focused on our own needs- and ineffective in God's Kingdom! We don’t think about God’s priorities but our own! It is still “all about us”!

Let me say, Jesus didn't end of wealthy and healthy; neither did the Twelve Disciples, neither did the early New Testament church. Many were killed for their faith! Even today, true believers are not welcomed in our world. The latest martyrs- the medical team serving in Afghanistan- certainly didn't end up with a life on earth full of money and comfort.

This thought is no better than any other philosophy, reducing Jesus’ bloody sacrifice on the Cross- and His Resurrection- to nothing. It reduces Jesus to just another philosopher instead of the Creator God who will return to Judge all Creation. Following this thought pattern reduces the Christian to another self help group, and we can fall into the trap about talking about Jesus and thinking about Him, intellectualizing Him, without actually following Him into a life of self-sacrifice and death. Ultimately, the church and the Christian faith looks like what the world offers but from a different slant!

I read the Bible where Jesus said, “Whoever serves me must follow me.” (John 12:26). On the way to his crucifixion, he asks Peter “Will you really lay down your life for me?” (John 13:38) The same question holds true for us today!

The second reason the church has been infected by terminal niceness comes from another incomplete piece of theology. “It’s All By Grace” – Yes, that is true, and I am thankful for Amazing Grace- but it does not mean nothing is required of us! The Biblical book of James was written for a reason. Faith without works is dead!

Work is an expression of, and a response to, the grace given us, an outpouring of our gratefulness toward Him who gave all for us. Jesus himself set this example in motion! To be Christlike is to also engage in the work the Father gives us. For His purposes and for his glory. If we never work, we become spiritually fat, lazy, and dull! We remain self-focused and immature, useless in God's kingdom.

So, that begs the question- What Does Terminal Niceness Look Like? What are the symptoms?
1- We get Bored- and We look elsewhere for fulfillment! Be it entertainment, business, family, sports, money, leisure, outright sin, , etc. Why? "Soft Christianity" doesn’t fulfill because it has no depth, no challenge, so we look other places.

It used to be the Military appealed to patriotism to recruit. In the last few decades, when that no longer worked, they changed tactics and now appeal to a “Are You Man Enough?” approach. They realized we are designed by God to be about something bigger than ourselves! This is partially why we "come alive" on serving others- Missions Trips and Service Projects! We do what we are designed for!

2- We get Frustrated and Cynical!
As people in the church respond to lack of direction and clear purpose, frustration continues, and in response the church becomes focused on making people happy and being nice- reinforcing the cycle!

3- Other Symptoms

There are plenty! Here's a few.

• We rewrite the rules to justify our personal weaknesses.
• We are fearful to confront sin. Truth tellers become the problem.
• Iron no longer sharpens iron- We got stuck in our disfunction.
• We become insincere as everyone must start to look good and be content or risk not fitting in. • We segregate ourselves from the outside world or we begin accepting everything the world says as ok for Christians. We become useless salt.
• We begin to protect the status quo in the church. At the extreme, we defend it to the result where good is labeled evil, and evil is justified away.

The church's call to Holiness, living a life that pleases God, is not legalism or simple narrow-mindedness - it is asking the church to be the church, the believer to be a disciple, the challenge to live as we say we believe. If we carry the name of Jesus, we should live like him!

If we look at 2 Timothy, where the Apostle Paul addresses Timothy- who was young in the faith but set aside to pastor a church, we get our "job description" as a person who follows Jesus Christ. It's interesting to note that in this letter to Timothy, Paul is the one in prison, but he is encouraging the young pastor to stay the course!

“1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” (II Timothy 2:1-3)

Just some observations- We need to acknowledge God’s grace to live this life. Don’t rely on yourself. The Holy Spirit empowering us! Secondly, we as Jesus followers all have work to do, and Paul was encouraging young Timothy to endure hardship- knowing Timothy was working.

Some authors, like the popular Christian author John Eldridge, believe the church has been feminized. This may be why men are dropping out in record numbers, but I believe it is more than that. If it was just feminization, the drop out rate of college age students would be decreased by half!

I believe we have been rendered ineffective by being pacified. We have become pacifists- but God calls us to something different. He calls us to be active in our world, making it better becasue we are in it, contributing to it.

Paul compares being a Believer to being a soldier. But what are soldiers called to do? The job of a soldier is to: Defend, Protect, Free Prisoners, Advance Against and Break Down Enemy Strongholds

The book of I John tells us the whole world is under control of the Evil One, that is the devil. (I John 5:19-20). We know that he is like a roaring lion waiting to devour (I Peter 5:8). Yet, even without the Scriptures to remind us, we can see evil is winning battles in this world, although God has won the War. We are at war! Reality says “If you want to live in a nice world, go to Disneyland!”

Look at Jesus’ words about this battle: "12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." (Matthew 11:12- New American Standard version of the Bible). What does this mean? The best explanation from the commentators is this: “The Kingdom of God Belongs to Those Who Contend for It!” Who will win? Not the nice guys! Hear me, I'm not advocating aggression or a victim mentality; I'm advocating perseverance and remembering our priorities.

Further in 2 Timothy 2: 3-4: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer.” There's only two comments from Paul here. First, a reminder. Don’t get involved in civilian affairs In other words, remember your first priorities! And second, please your commanding officer – the bottom line! For the soldier, this priority remains job Number 1.

Obedience is required- full understanding of all the facts or circumstances is not necessary even if it is preferred. This is training in integrity, commitment, and perseverance. There's no excuses- you are in the military or you are not. Own what you signed up for! Soldiers train for battle, refined by their commander. Every person is under someone’s authority. Each has special skills which work together for the common good, and all of us in the battlefield of life must be able to rely on the other.

Sometimes, the Commanding Officer is blunt, direct and honest- preparing the platoon for things to come; not always liked but respected. He's not your Mamma! We need Him to keep us from getting lazy and getting off on the wrong track. We need Him to remind us what Our Mission is!

Churches and People can forget their true Mission! It's the Great Commandment, to love God and one another. And it's the Great Commission, to go out into the world, be it near of far, and share the good news that Jesus died for the sins of men to save them from an eternity in Hell.

What challenges do soldiers face? Plenty- we must "Fight the Good Fight of Faith!" It should be a joy and a delight to work with God. At the least, it is exciting to be obedient and see where that leads! The Lord will judge us for our deeds; He will forgive our sin, not our excuses!

We are human and we like to run from truth to justify ourselves. We let ourselves and others stay in sin and old unhealthy patterns- this is not good for the church and not good for us as individuals! We like having just enough Jesus to save us from Hell but this kind of shallow satisfaction isn’t enough to give us deep freedom and healing. Only full submission will do it!

Not only is the way to eternal life narrow, the path for a true follower of Christ is narrow. It’s a path that leads us to the cross as well! Choosing to die to our own desires and embrace His calling.

We stand at a crossroads every day. What will it be, our purposes or His? Obedience or sin? It's time we fight the disease of Terminal Niceness in our churches. Isn't it?