Often times when we talk about fitness, we immediately think of the physical body. However, have you ever considered a mental training program? (and I don't mean imagine you are working out)
Consider the 3 main components of an effective exercise program: Training, Nutrition, Rest. Are you currently using these components with your Intellect?
How are you training your mind? Are you making a conscience effort to pursue wisdom, knowledge and common sense? Proverbs tells us over and over again to seek wisdom daily.
What are you feeding(nutrition) your mind? Are you feasting on all of garbage of todays' culture like jerry springer, maury povich etc. etc? Or are you "taking every thought captive" like the bible prescribes?
Finally, are you actively seeking to rest your mind? Can you find time to let your mind relax and recharge for tomorrow? Can you find peace when you lie down at night? Or is your mind constantly spinning about all of lifes troubles?
Answer these questions honestly and consider if you are glorifying God with your Intellectual fitness.
Post your comments below.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
All you have
Have you ever had that deep desire to give something all that you have? I can remember growing up and always being drawn to movies like Braveheart and Gladiator. In these movies, the main characters become so passionate about their purpose and cause that they end up giving their lives for it. I remember always being fired up as William Wallace (Mel Gibson) yells "Freeeeeedommmm" in his dying breath. I was ready to change the world.
However, without fail, life would happen. I'd be busy doing this or distracted doing that and it wouldn't be long until I completely forgot the excitement of the idea of giving my all for something.
You have to wonder why we hesitate to give everything we have for a purpose. For most it's fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure and even fear of success has sabotaged me many times over the years. However, something has finally started to click...thankfully.
Earlier when I said, "Without fail, life would happen," that was my biggest mistake. I was trying to pursue my passions and purpose outside of life when really this life is my passion and purpose. I'm a husband to a wonderful wife, a father to two beautiful children, a son to two amazing parents, a brother to a great sister, a friend to some unbelievable people, a business owner and church goer. God has given me many, many opportunities to give all I have for Him through life. These are not distractions to my purpose, these are my purpose.
What about you? What's your purpose(s)? Have you given all you have to those purpose(s)? Why not? What's holding you back?
Make today the day!
However, without fail, life would happen. I'd be busy doing this or distracted doing that and it wouldn't be long until I completely forgot the excitement of the idea of giving my all for something.
You have to wonder why we hesitate to give everything we have for a purpose. For most it's fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure and even fear of success has sabotaged me many times over the years. However, something has finally started to click...thankfully.
Earlier when I said, "Without fail, life would happen," that was my biggest mistake. I was trying to pursue my passions and purpose outside of life when really this life is my passion and purpose. I'm a husband to a wonderful wife, a father to two beautiful children, a son to two amazing parents, a brother to a great sister, a friend to some unbelievable people, a business owner and church goer. God has given me many, many opportunities to give all I have for Him through life. These are not distractions to my purpose, these are my purpose.
What about you? What's your purpose(s)? Have you given all you have to those purpose(s)? Why not? What's holding you back?
Make today the day!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Exercise as Worship?
So often we get caught in the mindset that exercise is just a way to look good or lose a few pounds or even help lower cholesterol, blood pressure etc. Although proper exercise, nutrition and rest can do all these things, I believe that exercise serves a far greater purpose than that.
Upon realizing that God is the God of all of my being (not just spiritual things but all of me including my physical health) I began to view exercise in a whole new light. Is it possible that as I perform my squats and lunges and push ups that not only is He concerned about these things, but that He is actually delighted? In fact, I believe we are bringing God much pleasure and glory as we lift, run and sweat in the gym. I'll even go as far to say that in scope of living a proper physical life, Exercise is an active sens of worshipping our Lord through being a good steward of the body He so intricately designed.
As you think about this new idea, how does it change your view of exercise? How does it change your motivation to exercise? What about eating properly and getting the right amount of rest? Can these things also be acts of worships? I look forward to your thoughts.
Upon realizing that God is the God of all of my being (not just spiritual things but all of me including my physical health) I began to view exercise in a whole new light. Is it possible that as I perform my squats and lunges and push ups that not only is He concerned about these things, but that He is actually delighted? In fact, I believe we are bringing God much pleasure and glory as we lift, run and sweat in the gym. I'll even go as far to say that in scope of living a proper physical life, Exercise is an active sens of worshipping our Lord through being a good steward of the body He so intricately designed.
As you think about this new idea, how does it change your view of exercise? How does it change your motivation to exercise? What about eating properly and getting the right amount of rest? Can these things also be acts of worships? I look forward to your thoughts.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
6 one way, 1/2 dozen the other
In the last post we asked the question, which part of your physical life do you have the most problems with: Exercise, Nutrition and Rest. For most people, the answer will be, "all three". It's not uncommon to find that some days exercise comes easily and on others you'd rather do anything at all except workout. The same holds true for eating properly and getting enough sleep. Some days it seems easy to eat the right things and the next day you'd do anything for a plate of cookies and milk.
It's important to realize that although we are striving for perfection in our quest to glorify God with our bodies, it is impossible to reach our goal. We are imperfect humans, living in an imperfect world and there will be times where we fall short of always glorifying Him. Without this failure, we wouldn't really need Him.
However, the beauty is that in our weakness, He is strong. So on those days where you don't feel like working out, ask Him for help. Ask Him to help you with your nutrition decision making. He will give us the strength and discipline we need to glorify Him...if we ask Him for it.
What do you think?
It's important to realize that although we are striving for perfection in our quest to glorify God with our bodies, it is impossible to reach our goal. We are imperfect humans, living in an imperfect world and there will be times where we fall short of always glorifying Him. Without this failure, we wouldn't really need Him.
However, the beauty is that in our weakness, He is strong. So on those days where you don't feel like working out, ask Him for help. Ask Him to help you with your nutrition decision making. He will give us the strength and discipline we need to glorify Him...if we ask Him for it.
What do you think?
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Have some PIES
Last night was a great start to our Faith, Fitness and Fasting program. I hope you are feeling good today and are excited about the next 6 weeks.
As I said in addition to working out together we are going to spend some time during this Lenten season really examining our current lifesytle and determining if we are Glorifying God with our bodies.
The term PIES refers to P(physical) I(intellectual) E(emotional) S(spiritual). You'll hear me mention this over the next few weeks. PIES really represents a lifestyle that we need to strive to live on a daily basis. Since this is a Faith, FITNESS class, we'll start with the P of pies
God has blessed us with an amazing body. As the bible says, "it has been knit together" by God in our mothers womb. The bible says we were "made in the image of God" and also, "fearfully and wonderfully" made. When we keep these phrases in mind, we begin to realize the importance of taking care of our physical bodies. Not to mention the fact that how we live our physical life will have a direct effect on our emotions, mental capacity and spiritual life.
There are 3 main areas that we will discuss in our physical life -
1. Exercise,
2. Nutrition
3. Rest
Before going any further, let's get a little discussion going. Of the above components, which do you struggle with the most? Why is it tough for you? Are you glorify God in all 3 of these areas?
Post your comments below. I can't wait to hear back from you.
As I said in addition to working out together we are going to spend some time during this Lenten season really examining our current lifesytle and determining if we are Glorifying God with our bodies.
The term PIES refers to P(physical) I(intellectual) E(emotional) S(spiritual). You'll hear me mention this over the next few weeks. PIES really represents a lifestyle that we need to strive to live on a daily basis. Since this is a Faith, FITNESS class, we'll start with the P of pies
God has blessed us with an amazing body. As the bible says, "it has been knit together" by God in our mothers womb. The bible says we were "made in the image of God" and also, "fearfully and wonderfully" made. When we keep these phrases in mind, we begin to realize the importance of taking care of our physical bodies. Not to mention the fact that how we live our physical life will have a direct effect on our emotions, mental capacity and spiritual life.
There are 3 main areas that we will discuss in our physical life -
1. Exercise,
2. Nutrition
3. Rest
Before going any further, let's get a little discussion going. Of the above components, which do you struggle with the most? Why is it tough for you? Are you glorify God in all 3 of these areas?
Post your comments below. I can't wait to hear back from you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Faith, Fitness and Fasting
Welcome to the virtual home of Faith, Fitness and Fasting. Over the course of the next 6 weeks, we will combine our time together at Transformation Training and Fitness with conversation online as we seek to find the answer to our main question this lenten season, "What does it mean to Glorify God with our bodies?"
Our 6 week course will feature weekly workouts on Monday nights at 6:30pm. Later, throughout the week we will look to the scriptures to help us make this Lenten season a truly "transformational" time.
We will also discuss the idea of fitness as an act of worship, adding more PIES to our lives, and the purpose of fasting in living a healthy lifestyle.
Please check this site regularly and join in the discussions by posting comments at the bottom of each new blog entry. Email me (Kirk) at mailbox@transformation-training.net with additional questions and comments.
I'm excited to walk with you on the journey. This is going to be a great 6 weeks!
Our 6 week course will feature weekly workouts on Monday nights at 6:30pm. Later, throughout the week we will look to the scriptures to help us make this Lenten season a truly "transformational" time.
We will also discuss the idea of fitness as an act of worship, adding more PIES to our lives, and the purpose of fasting in living a healthy lifestyle.
Please check this site regularly and join in the discussions by posting comments at the bottom of each new blog entry. Email me (Kirk) at mailbox@transformation-training.net with additional questions and comments.
I'm excited to walk with you on the journey. This is going to be a great 6 weeks!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Oops, I did it again
My mother-in -law makes exceptional chocolate chip cookies. Every time we go to see her, she always has a fresh bag full of them for us to take home and enjoy. They really are a nice treat and I have always been a sucker for chocolate chip cookies.
Obviously this type of snack doesn't it lend itself to my regular eating plan so I decided when she gives us cookies, I'll eat them as quickly as possible and use that as my "cheat" day. Needless to say, I eat a ton of cookies in a short amount of time, so it's not so "bad." Well, this morning I woke up with a terrible headache. I rested terribly and have felt a bit anxious all day. This happens to me every time I fall off the sugar wagon.
It just goes to prove that your diet can and will have a huge effect on your life. If you eat like crap, expect to feel that way too. Garbage in, garbage out (No offense mom)
Obviously this type of snack doesn't it lend itself to my regular eating plan so I decided when she gives us cookies, I'll eat them as quickly as possible and use that as my "cheat" day. Needless to say, I eat a ton of cookies in a short amount of time, so it's not so "bad." Well, this morning I woke up with a terrible headache. I rested terribly and have felt a bit anxious all day. This happens to me every time I fall off the sugar wagon.
It just goes to prove that your diet can and will have a huge effect on your life. If you eat like crap, expect to feel that way too. Garbage in, garbage out (No offense mom)
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