Mick’s up with Accountability

As we look at our stress levels and attitude toward each day’s events, let’s also look at who we hang around.

Dave Ramsey says in his lessons in Financial Peace University:  If you want to be rich, talk to rich people, and do what rich people do.

Why don’t we look at that for our health and wellness, too.  Doesn’t it make sense to seek out people you want to be like?  I’m not saying you should be judgmental and snobbish.  We certainly are placed in people’s lives to make a difference, for the glory of God.  However, you can’t constantly give without refueling… and how you refuel is important.  We can view this in a spiritual sense as well as in a health sense.

Think about it.  If weight loss is your goal, but you are regularly joining in get-togethers with friends who eat out constantly… and not healthily… then isn’t that going to have a negative impact on your health?

That’s why it’s always helpful to have an accountability partner… again, spiritual and wellness.  You know how difficult it is to “diet” and cook healthy meals at home, when the rest of the family is still eating the same stuff you are all familiar with… the stuff that you now realize is keeping you from being fit.  It’s not easy stepping out of that comfort zone with your family… so you can imagine it seems almost impossible to make the necessary changes without the support of your family.

Bring somebody along on the journey with you.

I explained this concept to my 8-year-old daughter last month.  After spending time with friends, I asked her if she noticed how addicting the munchies seemed to be to those we were with.  She did.  I then pointed out what ingredients made up the munchies, and I asked her if she thought those were what we like to include in our foods.  She knows they are not.  I asked her if she thought the friends seem to be a healthy bunch.  She understood that they are not.  I then explained that, just because the munchies had the word “veggie” in the name, the friends thought they were healthy.  To them, healthy and tasty meant they should eat more!  By not paying attention to the ingredients, the friends got pulled into thinking they were eating something good for them, and they allowed themselves to get hooked on the taste.

The moral of the story is:  Just because the name sounds healthy, and just because your friends are eating it, does not mean the food is guaranteed to be a healthy choice.  As I’ve said before, look at the ingredients, and know what you’re looking out for!  If you’re hanging around people with similar health goals, you can help each other out, and you won’t get drawn to bad eating habits… at least not without facing your accountability partner.

Seek out an accountability partner today!

…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with No Fear

“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise.  We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road.  All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”

Martin Luther 

 

Do you participate in Halloween?  When we first became parents, we did not think it wise to get our kidderz mixed up with a celebration that alluded to evil.  I must admit, however, that we have allowed them to be included in it over the years.  We certainly have taught them the history behind it, and the reasons why we choose to “keep it clean” and not gory, etc., and we chose not to give in to fear.  In addition, we decided it is best to be a light in the darkness, and so we use this opportunity to hand out information about our church and our faith.  When else do people come to your door, asking you to give them whatever you feel like sharing with them?  This is awesome!

 

Why fear evil in the world, when we can stand up for the Truth?  Why hide away in a darkened house in fear, hoping for no visitors on Halloween, and be mistaken for a grumpy old outcast… when you can express the joy you truly feel, and share the love of Christ with neighbors you might not otherwise meet!?  We at our house think it’s fun!

 

Yes, there is a spiritual battle going on, and we do not always see the warfare.  It’s good to be aware, but it’s even better to know and trust a God who can protect you in the midst of it.  Do not fear!  A wonderful reminder in scripture was shared at our church on Sunday, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) 

 

Some historic elements to this time of year can be honored, like Vision Forum summarizes with remembering Reformation Day.  “It was 494 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his world-changing 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church.  These theses included rebukes to ungodly fear and superstition.  502 years ago, sometime near October 31, a baby named John Calvin was conceived who would dedicate his life to eradicating an ungodly fear of superstitious beliefs and proclaiming the gospel of grace.  His emphasis on reformation, revival, and the sufficiency of Scripture had such far-reaching implications for nations like the United States that he has been described by Christian and secular scholars alike as the true founding father of America.  The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day.  They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men.  It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used by God to liberate untold numbers of men and women.  But to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world.”

 
 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)