Shine

Our Daily Bread
I like science fiction movies a lot.  There is one called The Fifth Element that has a girl that represents the ultimate weapon against evil.  Sounds cool, right?  The ultimate weapon has one weakness -- she needs love to function!

I mention this because of the devotional. It talks about how we should shine the love of God every single day to every single person we can.  Wow!  What a charge to action!  What does this have to do with the movie?   What if we thought of every person as the ultimate weapon against evil that can only function if we offer our Christian love to power each one?  How powerful would our lives be?  Giving the love we receive from the ultimate source of love to others.  Amazing stuff!

Lord, thank you for your unlimited love.  Please help us show it to others!

Wellness Wednesday
Last week we talked about setting goals.  I am going to share my goals this week and how I am adjusting them as the year goes on.

Goal 1: Lose 85 pounds by December 31, 2012.
Goal 2: Eat better (smaller portions, better choices, less calories, better snacks)
Goal 3: Workout 3 - 5 times per week: cardio, walking, Bowflex, crossfit, tennis, recumbent bike, etc.
Goal 4: Relax.  Do not schedule stuff every night of the week.  Leave at least two nights per week open for Duane time.

Goal 1:  I have lost 34 pounds so far.  A better measure of my progress is probably in my clothes sizes.  I dropped from 40-42 paints to 36-38 pants!  I have reduced my girth as well.  I changed my goal from 85 pounds to 55 pounds by year end.  This is reasonable and achievable!

Goal 2: I reduced most of my meals by 25-50%.  I make better dietary choices like reducing most fast food and processed food from my diet most days.  A friend uses the saying "When I eat like crap, I feel like crap" to remind himself about it!  I also eat snacks most of the time now instead of treats.  Snacks have less calories and nutritional value when compared to treats.

Goal 3:  I have averaging about 4 days a week.  There have been some weeks that I only exercise two or three times.  Variety is good!

Goal 4:  I did a great job of scheduling for this Fall when I am usually the busiest.  Now to focus on the relaxing...

So what are your goals?  Do you have goals that you need to adjust?  What is next?  Write them down!

I forgot to do a secret last week!  Secret number 19 is:
Age is not to be feared.

Wow, this is an interesting one.  Some folks think that being young is also associated with happiness!  That is not what the research says.  There are different challenges in old age.  There are also different blessings!

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13