Archive for May, 2007
I Was Fat, Now I’m Not–Part Two May 31, 2007
I am often asked, “So how did you lose your weight?” Here are a few things that worked for me.
- Talk to your doctor. I had a doctor tell me when I was 14 that I was so huge that the fat in my body was taking over my liver…and that if it didn’t do something that my liver was going to shut down. THIS CREATED URGENCY!!!
- Exercise! I have read so many things that say that Americans do NOT get enough exercise!!! I do some sort of exercise at least six days a week.
- When I am in the gym I do very little socializing…I am there for a purpose…to exercise. I have seen people spend two hours in the gym and not do anything except talk. This does not help!
- (I actually use the gym membership that I have–this helps!)
- Lucretia and I budget for a gym membership. We figured we can pay a few hundred dollars now–or several thousands when our bodies begin to rebel against years of abuse and neglect.
- If you don’t know what to do in a gym–ask…or…maybe hire a personal trainer.
- Find a workout partner and MAKE each other work out!!!
- Understand that exercise actually gives you energy…so when you are tired–go anyway…I always feel better when I leave the gym.
- Understand that “temple maintenance” IS a spiritual issue…we are called to be good stewards of the body God has given us. (This HIT me hard in 1995…I lost weight, went to college and put it all back on…and then realized that I was dishonoring God by neglecting my body!)
- Eight months ago I lost five pounds in five weeks…I continued eating the way I had been…and I didn’t really exercise any more than I had been. What did I do? I basically stopped drinking sweet tea. (This about killed me!!!)
- Think about it…I would drink 4-5 glasses of sweet tea per meal…this is around 600-800 calories twice a day…NOT GOOD!!!
- Stop using TONS of dressing on your salad!!! It does no good to get a salad and then put two packs of dressing on it.
- Cut back on fried foods…this was also hard for me…I am a preacher–I love fried chicken!!!
- Make “better bad choices.” You do NOT have to eat bean sprouts for the rest of your life. I eat pretty much anything I want within reason. BUT you will discover that as you get healthier you actually want less “bad stuff.”
- When on a diet–have one day a week where you reward yourself…eat whatever you want. (Saturday’s are mine and Lucretia’s Sonic day…we split a large order of onion rings!!!) :-)
- Don’t feel like you have to clean your plate…once you are full–STOP EATING!
- Drink A LOT of water.
- STOP DRINKING SOFT DRINKS!!! These are PURE sugar…and they go straight to the gut.
- Start NOW…I talk to so many people who say, “I am going to start next week…” and next week NEVER arrives!!!
- Establish “mini-goals.” If you want to lose fifty pounds–get there 10 pounds at a time…and when you lose 10 pounds–reward yourself with a treat…ONE treat. :-)
- Buy a pair of jeans that you want to fit into…and then try them on once a month until you get there.
Those are some things that work for me. I love food…specifically dessert. AND guess what–I eat dessert pretty much whenever I want. I just don’t eat half of a cake. Folks–it is not feast or famine when it comes to this issue…it is really all about your lifestyle. We can choose to be healthy or choose to abuse…what’s it going to be? It is a spiritual issue!
Let me be VERY clear here…this IS a struggle still with me…I battle image issues and can remember the names I was called as a kid. There are days when I do not want to go to the gym…and I want to eat a double whopper with cheese…but I can’t…I won’t…I’ve came too far.
You can do this!!! Philippians 4:13 is true!!! Go for it!!!
I Was Fat, Now I’m Not–Part One May 30, 2007
I have been paying a lot of attention to the issues that the church seems to be hyper focused on lately. Some are obsessed with music styles, others with the environment and yet others with certain brands of theology.
However, I think it is sad when I watch Christians who will obsess about issues that MAY be important…but choose to ignore an issue that is often right in front of us–that being the issue of obesity and abusing the body by abusing food.
Like it or not–we are commanded by God in I Corinthians 6:19-20 to be good stewards of our body, which is becoming an ever increasing challenge in our super-sized culture. Temptations are all around us…and for some reason the church has chosen to remain silent on this issue.
Why?
I’ve been in churches that have no problem at all going off on…oh, I don’t know, pick a sin…let’s say the abuse of alcohol. You will hear pastors and church members SCREAM about “the devils brew” and make swiping statements about who all who choose to partake of “that stuff.” I have heard self-righteous Christians proclaim, “Alcohol has never touched my lips” when it is also obvious that a treadmill has never touched their legs.
I know, I know–people have yelled at me about this before, “But Perry, it’s different…people DIE from abusing alcohol…they have car wrecks and such.” AND I agree…I have seen firsthand what alcohol abuse can do to someone. Trust me–I do not need a lecture here.
BUT I would argue that being overweight and even obese is just as bad…people are oblivious to the fact that they are literally eating themselves to death.
I will say this…and this may cause some of you to quit linking me…but pastors are the worse at this. They would never have a beer with a church member–but they don’t mind hitting the buffet. They will YELL at a church member about smoking while all the while pounding cheeseburger after cheeseburger. It’s hypocrisy in its worse form.
I was there…I have fought this battle…at one point in my life I weighed over 300 pounds. I was a fat slob!!! I was lazy! I ABUSED my body! And I had to come face to face with the facts that I HAD to do something about it. (More about the specifics tomorrow.)
Folks–this IS a problem…consider that
- 127 million people in the US are overweight
- 60 million people in the US are obese
- 80% of type II diabetes are related to obesity
- 70% of cardiovascular disease are related to obesity
- Obesity costs Americans around $117 BILLION dollars every year
- Here are more stats if you are interested
We need to wake up!!! Like it or not this is a spiritual issue. The Apostle Paul tells us that one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 is SELF CONTROL!!! I think its sad when Christians who have self control have lost control in front of the fridge, therefore proclaiming to the world that God cares nothing about our health.
I know this is HARD for some people to read…because it means facing your problem and then doing something about it. I was there…I faced my problem HEAD ON…the road wasn’t easy…but through PRAYER AND HARD WORK I am continually overcoming the temptation to overeat and neglect my body…and you can as well. The same God who delivered me can and will deliver you!!!
Tomorrow I will hit some specifics as to how I personally fought this battle…
Five Healthy Questions I Must Ask As A Pastor May 29, 2007
#1 – How’s My Walk With God?
There is a danger in what a pastor does…and I have seen too many pastors get so focused on growing the church that they neglect seeking Jesus.
When I am asked about how I prepare messages I often talk about “the overflow.” The majority of what I teach at NewSpring comes straight out of what God teaches me. And I have learned that if God isn’t doing something fresh in the pastor–then He probably isn’t doing anything fresh in the church either.
My #1 responsibility in life is to seek Jesus…to read His word, to pay attention to His Holy Spirit…and none of this happens without me making time…and guarding it with pit bull intensity.
ALSO…I am WAY over my head. As I often say…this is the largest church I have ever attended and the only church I have ever been the pastor of…and I am desperate for God’s wisdom because I do not want to screw this thing up!!! I have found that in my times with God that He rebukes, encourages and directs me. I NEED THIS.
#2 – How’s My Family?
I recently read in the April 9th issue of Time magazine that 80% of pastors wives said that they wish their husbands would choose another profession! DANG!!!
One of the realities that a pastor must face is that the church is the only mistress that he can commit adultery with and not be looked down upon. The church will cheer the hard working pastor, the one who is at every meeting and does it all…and then that same church will throw stones at the one they hailed as a hero when his marriage falls apart OR his kids become hellions.
Pastors, you are the ONLY ONE who can love YOUR wife like CHRIST loves church!!! AND you are the one GOD has called to raise your kids.
I once heard a pastor say that his calling is the ministry…and that God will supernaturally make up the lack of time that he cannot spend with his wife and kids…and I seriously wanted to punch this guy…in the throat!!! This is NOTHING more that a man who is so caught up in needing to feel needed that he REFUSES to embrace Biblical responsibility.
I often ask Lucretia, “Do you feel like you are getting my leftovers.” AND…she is VERY honest with me. There are times when I am encouraged by her response…and then there are times I am challenged to make some changes.
#3 – Am I Taking Risks?
Pastors, we are NOT called to play it safe! One of the things we are called to do is ADVANCE God’s kingdom…and that means we will always be heading into unknown territory.
Two weeks ago our senior management team had a meeting in which we began to discuss what we think NewSpring will look like in 2010. This was one of the most exciting and frightening meetings I have ever been in. We have some HUGE dreams…but in order for them to be accomplished it is going to take us making some DIVES of faith.
Do not be deceived…do not think that the larger the church gets that the easier it is to take risks. From a human point of view–there is much more to lose when you get larger; however, from the God point of view…we have nothing to lose…we said it was all God in the beginning…and guess what–IT STILL IS!
Besides…the people we admire in the Bible…Jesus, Paul, Abraham, Moses…ALL of Hebrews 11…ALL of them were risk takers.
#4 – Am I Letting Anyone (or Anything) Rob Me Of My Joy?
The Bible says in Nehemiah 8:10 that the joy of the Lord is our strength…so many of us pastors lack strength NOT because God isn’t good–but because we have allowed circumstances or people to rob us of our joy.
I am in the process of learning how to deal with this because up until about a month ago I was GUILTY. However, I have taken some steps recently that have set me free in this area.
Pastors, we OFTEN let critics drive us…and we will have hundreds and thousands who love us…three who hate us…and we will yell at the ones who love us because of the ones who hate us. I know…I did it!!!
Please remember something that Craig Groeschel told me, “Perry–the NORMAL people are not thinking about you.” THAT comment rocked me…normal people do not have attack blogs that do nothing except for spew venom in the name of Jesus. Normal people who did not attend your church do not care what songs you sang this past Sunday. Normal people who do not attend your church do not care what you wear.
AND…normal people are not obsessed with every point in your message on Monday…they are more concerned with getting the kids ready for school and getting themselves ready for work. SO…stop letting the weirdoes with a blog and an anonymous e-mail account control you!!!
#5 – Am I Faithful?
I am discovering more and more than I have one goal in life–to stand before God one day and be found faithful. To have loved one woman all my life…faithful. To have taught my children how to fear Him…faithful. AND…to have led NewSpring the way He led me to lead it.
I will not stand before God and answer, “Were you traditional or contemporary, emergent or emerging, missional or attractional?” I personally think that God could care less about the STUPID labels that we desire to place on everyone and everything.
The question that we must ask as a pastor is, “Am I being completely faithful to who God has called me to be and what He has called me to do?”
This means that we need to learn all we can from everyone–but try to imitate no one because, if we merely imitate then we can NOT be doing what God wants.
There are some questions I often ask myself…they keep me on track…hope they helped.
To All Of Our Vets…THANK YOU!!! May 28, 2007
Today is Memorial Day!!! For many of us that means the lake, hot dogs and a really bad case of sunburn. However, for so many people this day means a whole lot more.
If you are a veteran of our armed services…OR if you are currently serving our country–I would personally like to say “thank you.” Because of your willingness to serve I am able to enjoy SO many freedoms that I often take for granted.
Right now in our country there is definitely NOT a shortage of opinions regarding our military. I see it on the news nearly every evening. AND…I have got to go on record and say that it bothers me when people protest our military and speak out against our soldiers. Our troops are following orders…and because they are willing to do so our freedom is protected–even our freedom to speak out against them.
I am not trying to make this political at all; however, I have been passionate about this since one of my best friends returned from a year in Iraq. I asked him about what was being said on the news and about the morale of the troops…and his response to me was awesome, “Perry, a soldier knows the potential price he or she may have to pay–that’s what make them special.”
SO…once again…to all who are serving our country…or have served…thank you!!!
Sunday Night’s Thoughts… May 27, 2007
So here goes…and then I am going to bed!
- I didn’t speak today–but Brad Cooper, our high school pastor, did an incredible job. It made me think back to my very first sermon…it was eight minutes long!!! Way to go Brad, you did an excellent job.
- It was 17 years ago today that I met Jesus–I would never have thought He would have blessed me the way that He has…EVERY GOOD THING in my life is the result of knowing Him.
- I can’t wait to speak next Sunday…we are going to be continuing the series with a two part message on a passage of Scripture that has often been misunderstood…and EVERYONE is familiar with it.
- Still no signs of Herman…BUT…a female turkey was seen this week in my backyard–MAYBE Herman will show up again now!!!
- This past Wednesday and Thursday I hosted a pastor’s round table with 10 other guys who I really admire, it was an awesome time and I felt that Jesus used those two days to stretch all of us. I LOVE these environments!
- Steven came down today for our 9:15 worship service…and then we went out for lunch. I LOVE this guy–and I believe that he is one of the best young leaders I have ever met.
- The fact that I am going to be a dad is more real today than ever before–HOLY COW!!! Please pray for ‘Cretia and Charisse.
- Is NASCAR really a sport?
- Why did the Braves get HAMMERED today?
- I said this on Friday…but have seen it over and over again…as Christians we are called to give our VERY BEST to the Lord–IN EVERYTHING. And so…that means the church should be offering Him our very best as well–IN EVERYTHING.
- John 2:5 is one of THE best verses in Scripture…and I am TRYING to apply this daily.
- I had lunch with my pastor on Friday, the guy who was serving at the church where I received Christ in 1990. He has been in the ministry for 42 years…and I sat for two hours and asked him questions as to how I can set myself up to finish well…I don’t want to just go hard for awhile and flame out…I want to make it for the long haul…and God used this man to both encourage and challenge me. More on this later…
- I loved this post by Tony
- And then check out this post on his blog if you think you might be interested in working at NewSpring.
I hope you have a great day!!! Check back later this week as I will be hitting a subject that MOST PASTORS won’t touch…it will get tense around here…BUT…I promise, what the Lord has put on my heart NEEDS to be said…can’t wait!!!
What The Lord Has Been Showing Me… May 25, 2007
I am on a journey through Scripture right now that is amazing. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12 that it is living and active…and I believe it!!! So here are a few things that God is showing me…I hope this will minister to you…
- When we do something in the name of the Lord–it should be awesome! I Chronicles 22:5
- Parents should want their kids to succeed…AND set them up for it. I Chronicles 22:11
- People who are careful to listen to God and have the courage to do what He says will do well in life. I Chronicles 22:13
- We can’t just sit around and expect God to “do it all.” We have to take action. I Chronicles 22:16
- My job is to pursue God’s heart and mind–not my own. I Chronicles 22:19
- As a father I want to encourage and challenge my family to seek the Lord. I Chronicles 28:9
- David challenges Solomon twice to “be strong” and do what God had called him to. Translation, following the Lord is NOT EASY…it takes strength!!! (I Chronicles 28:10 & I Chronicles 28:20)
- Generosity produces joy. I Chronicles 29:9
- I often need to remind myself of how flippin’ awesome God is!!! I Chronicles 29:11
- When we recognize that EVERYTHING is a gift from God–then giving is NEVER an issue. I Chronicles 29:14
- A parent should pray for their child. I Chronicles 29:19 (I want this for my daughter!!!)
Those are just a few things God is teaching me.
Forgiveness May 24, 2007
That very word stirs up emotions in all of us…doesn’t it?
I remember in the 4th grade I got sent to the principals office to get a spanking. (It was pretty normal, I would walk in and usually receive a greeting like Norm on Cheers.) A guy named Donnie and I had been cutting up…and the legalistic private school that I went to allowed no fun!!! (Ok, so I am sure it was something else…I just needed to try to play the “innocent” card.)
Donnie and I tried to be tough…and so after the paddling we both looked at each other and said, “That didn’t hurt.” That would not have been a problem except for the fact that we both walked back into the classroom and announced to everyone that it didn’t hurt!!!
BAD IDEA!!!
When Mrs. Nalley walked back into the room a boy on the front row named Roy raised his hand and then proceeded to inform Mrs. Nalley of what I said…and so that day I got a “two for one” special!!! All I remember is Mrs. Nalley looking at me–I think fire actually came out of her eyes–and she told me to get BACK up to the office!
As I walked by Roy’s desk all I could think about was hitting him in the face. I gave him the dirtiest look that I could…and tried to chase him down after school…but I was way too chunky back then and so I could not catch him!!!
For the rest of the year I literally daydreamed about how to hurt Roy…and I was always looking for opportunities to do so. Roy had hurt me…someone needed to make him pay–and that someone was going to be me!!! I literally HATED him because he had caused me some pain–he owed me!!!
The next year I went to public school…and I haven’t seen Roy since. I look back on this and laugh now…I was so focused on getting revenge…I wanted him to hurt because he hurt me…and because of that I wasted a lot of time.
How about you? Is there a “Roy” in your life? Is there someone who has caused you pain, someone who hurt you…and all you can think about is hurting them back? Seriously, is there someone you just hope you can see coming towards you on their knees one day, begging for forgiveness…and you just laugh at them? Is there someone who you actually want to see suffer?
If so…then you are a sick person. AND…if you claim to be a Christian then this is an attitude that you and I simply cannot have. One of the scariest passages in the Bible is Matthew 6:14-15, keep in mind that JESUS said this–not me!!! (Two other passages you can check out on this is I John 2:9-11 and Ephesians 4:25-32.)
We do this you know–have mental conversations with people–and we can see us winning and them losing and then us feeling better about ourselves…is that what a walk with Christ is all about?
We are called to forgive!!! I know the argument, “But Perry–they don’t deserve to be forgiven.” Neither did you!!! We don’t EARN God’s forgiveness…He gives it to us…it’s called GRACE…and just as we are quick to receive God’s grace–we need to be quick to extend it as well.
I know this is hard for many reading this right now. You have some serious situations in your past in which someone caused you some SERIOUS pain…but you can’t continue to hold onto to bitterness and anger…it’s killing your joy. Being mad at someone and expecting it to hurt THEM is the same as drinking poison and expecting it to kill someone else!!!
How do you let go of anger? It’s a daily decision! I have had people in my past that I have had to forgive…and the enemy will often bring that person back up in my mind–and so there are times when I literally have to say out loud, “That person does not owe me…I have forgiven them.”
As long as you feel like someone owes you something due to the pain in your past–you will always be frustrated and miserable in your walk with Christ…but just like Christ said in John 19:30, “It is finished,” we need to follow His example by saying the same thing about those who have hurt us–”It is finished, you don’t owe me anyone…I am letting the debt of wrongdoing go!!!”
Anyone you need to forgive?