Health is a Lifestyle

Over the past 3 years, my health has been all over the place. No, I haven't "let myself go" too much and gained a lot of weight, but I have lost sight of what it means to be healthy. Over the past 3 weeks I have returned to the gym to run, bike and lift weights. Health is a lifestyle. I'm learning this more and more as I am getting older. It is much more than a diet, or counting calories or even exercise.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Food: I love eating junk food. Over the past year I have tried to cut out a lot of coke, cookies, candy and other wonderful tasting food! One reason I have started replacing junk food is because of how it started to affect my health and fitness. I have learned that simply drinking more water and eating protein enriched foods help me feel better. One reason I have begun taking my health more seriously is due to being diagnosed with crohn's disease. Food plays a big role in how we feel whether the doctors tell us they do or not! I have had doctors tell me that I could eat whatever I want! Not really good advice there doc!

Exercise: If we are honest, most people do not exercise. I have made a commitment to workout (run, bike, weights) every week because I want to be in good health. I realized how quickly I lost my desire to exercise when the "busyness" of being in full-time ministry begun. Exercise is a conscious decision to do it even when we do not feel like it. It has been a blast to go and workout with my wife! We have committed together to encourage each other to go to the gym and push ourselves to be in good health. The goal is overall health, not to be overly indulged in drawing attention to self (like some of the "steroid guys" in the gym).

Mental Health: Stress definitely does not help improve our health! For those out there that are in the ministry, you know that stress is an ongoing struggle to manage. To be honest, this is an area of my life I struggle. I tend to "over-think" situations and it leads to stress and worry. I have begun to journal again on a regular basis. Journaling creates an opportunity to lay out my heart to God. I have found that I must continually surrender my finances, desires, struggles and prayers to God. The key is continually!

"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." Proverbs 14:30 (NLT).

^"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Health is important because our mission on earth is important! To glorify God with our lives and help others come to know Christ!

Legacy: Faithful to the call of God

 

Legacy is a word that I do not usually hear on a regular basis. As I talk with students, the words I usually hear is 'abandonment, divorce, cheating, abuse, and pain.' What is going to be the result of a generation that is basically over 40% of students do not have a Father in their life? Many say that it will be catastrophic. I believe that through the grace of Christ we can see students who have not seen a legacy of faith in God overcome it! I am already encouraged by stories of students learning to love their parents despite the pain and pray for their salvation. That is a legacy in the making!

[gallery order="DESC" columns="2"] My father has already shown me what it means to be faithful to the call of God. He raised me and my three brothers, Jeff, Jordan and Justin to be focused upon the gospel of Christ. Many times growing up I was frustrated at why being a pastor's son was so difficult. We had expectations from people in the church that were hard to live up too. I remember telling myself I would not want to be in the ministry due to dealing with mean people within the church. The ironic part is that I'm serving in the ministry! God has a great sense of humor. What I learned from My Dad (and continue too) that "success" is not about being a well-known speaker, writer or pastor. It is being faithful to loving people enough to share the life changing gospel of Christ. My Dad has a living legacy that has impacted a multitude of people. He has been faithful in the little things! - Sharing the gospel outside of church (and sermons) - Being faithful to my Mom - Walking the talk - Investing in his family (integrity - children will know if you are the real deal or not).

I'm grateful for my Father's ongoing encouragement to me. I realize that I'm blessed beyond what I deserve. The legacy that he has shown me is a direct result of the life changing love of Christ.

Know and Live

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Tim 3:16-17 NLT)

The Bible is the best selling book of all time. It is probably also one of the least read book by people who attend church. We live in generation that is completely distracted with blackberry's, droids, iphones, game systems, TV, youtube, and much more! How does a time alone with God fit into our busy lives?

One of the most important needs that we have as followers of Christ is to spend time daily with our Creator. The Bible is living and active and is not meant for the bookshelf!  If the only time you open the Bible is at church, you are starving spiritually! I have heard statements like this in the church, “I’m wanting to change but reading the Bible is too hard.” or my all-time favorite, “I am switching churches because I am not being fed spiritually!” Newsflash! A follower of Christ is responsible for their own spiritual feeding of God's Word! Where in the Bible does it say that church leaders are the only way a person is to receive spiritual growth? It is your personal relationship with God, so make it personal!

D.L. Moody said: “The scriptures were not given for our information but our transformation.”

How to have a time alone with God:

1.    Have a specific time: Best time? Some are morning people and some are more awake in the evening. The important fact is to have your TAG time when you are at your best! The “I will do it when I have time” approach never happens!

2.    Have a specific place: Quiet, private, consistent. Find a place that is free from distractions (Turn TV off, silence the cell phone).

3.    Use a good process: Start by asking God to speak to you. Spend approximately equal time in prayer and Bible study.

SOAP Bible Study Method (Wayne Cordeiro started this S.O.A.P Method, New Hope Community Church).

S – Scripture: Read the scripture of the passage of scripture. Write down the verse that impacts you in your journal or a verse that “sticks out to you” from a longer passage. Do not just skim it but meditate and think about each word of the verse(s). It is important to let scripture interpret scripture as you read. Read until you hear from the Lord. "Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path." (Psalms 119:105 NLT)

O – Observe: Ask the questions about the background of the scripture. Who was the author? Who was the author writing to? How would I explain the scripture to another person? Write out the verse in your own words to try to understand it further. The Holy Spirit illuminates our heart to interpret God’s Word. Context is important! Interpret a passage in the light of its context. Context is the portions of scripture surrounding the passage being studied, both before and after it.

A – Apply: How do you live out what the verse(s) in your personal life? Be specific. Memorize specific verses that stick out to you! (Proverbs 7:1-3, Psalm 119:11). It is not a matter of if we can memorize but of becoming disciplined to do it. We all have memorized song lyrics and movie quotes! Deposit God's Word in your life to become more like Christ! Make it personal! Ask the question, "How can I make this verse(s) a part of my life today?"

P – Prayer

Write down specific prayer requests about your personal needs. Keep your prayer requests written down in a journal to go back to in the future. Meditate on the verse(s), read and reread. Meditate on it throughout the day as you apply it to your life! "I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees." Psalm 119:48 (NLT).

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:1-8

I encourage you to spend time daily in God's Word. Pursue Christ and know His heart and live it each day!