iBelin

PRESS

// October 7th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Discipline

Press your way to the vision God has given you.

You may not feel like pursuing what God has for you but do not ever give into that feeling. Your enemy’s strategy is to weary you since he cannot defeat you.

So, PRESS! keep moving through lethargy, tiredness, fear, insecurity. Press through in faith to do what is in your heart to do.

God may not change the way you feel but you must press! Press through the mess and the obstacles whether they are real or illusions. Remember, not feeling like it is no excuse.

Know that it won’t be easy but the struggle to press your way is where your strength comes from.

The Endless Climb

// April 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Discipline

Kairos Community, the church I serve as pastor, is going through Bootcamp led by Reginald A. Lewis, Certified Personal Trainer and Founder of the ‘Fit and Fly Nation.’ It will take place on Saturdays in May at a cost of one non-perishable food item to be donated to the Second Harvent Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Email me or leave a comment if you want to know more.

This is a guest post is by Reginald Lewis:

The Endless Climb
When it comes to fat loss and fitness, it can seem like you are climbing an endless Mountain. Or maybe I should say endless blubbery Mountain.

The path can be long, uphill, and not well marked. Not to mention the pain that’s involved. But you don’t have to do it alone.

Find a guide.

I have in my life a few mentors for various aspects of business and personal life. I may have everything together when it comes down to maintianing a healthy lifestyle, but when it comes to other aspects of my life I admit I can’t always do it alone.

God/My Pastor : Spritual Guidance
Financial Advisor: Financial Guidance
My Parents: Relationship Advice (they have been married for over 27 years)

Get the point?

Think of your trainer as someone who is mentoring you in leading a healthier and more active lifestyle.

Laziness
I know a lot of lazy people.

People who would rather spend the day planted on their couch than anywhere else.

People who choose take-out over home cooked, every night of the week.

People who would rather have a root canal than go do a workout.

Sure, I know that we all have our occasional lazy day on the couch, but lately it seems that more and more people are turning laziness into a career.

What about you?  Do the following describe you:

You are habitually inactive.

You’d rather be a passive observer than an active participant.

You’re a master excuse-maker.

You find shortcuts in order to avoid the long haul.

If that’s you, don’t get down on yourself. There are many legitimate causes of laziness. Here are just a few…

Sleep Deprivation: When you’re short on sleep it’s easy to become unmotivated, which quickly turns into laziness. Get a minimum of eight hours of sleep each night in order to maintain enough energy to get you through the day. Some experts even say that ten hours of sleep each night is what you need to function at your best.

Caffeine Abuse: Starting your day with a jolt of java may help with your initial alertness, but the dip in energy that takes place a few hours later could be the reason that you become lazy later in the day. Avoid the rush and crash of caffeine and instead rely on your steady supply of natural energy.

Bad Habit: At some point being lazy simply becomes a habit. If every night after work you head straight to the couch, it soon becomes automatic and not a conscious decision.

Breaking the habit of laziness is actually quite easy. Simply take yourself off of autopilot and make the conscious decision to do something productive instead – like heading to the gym rather than the couch. Inactivity: If your job keeps you in a chair for hours at a time, and you don’t exercise when off the clock, then your body is just accustomed to inactivity.

It’s time to wake up your under-used muscles and to reacquaint yourself with the joy of motion.

A simple way to get back into the swing of things is to go on a 30 to 60 minute walk either before work or after you return home. Once you’ve broken yourself in with consistent walks, contact me to get started on a fitness program that will quickly get your body back into great shape.

Laziness begins when you ignore that little nagging voice in your head. You know, the one that reminds you when you should take action on something rather than sit by and let the opportunity slip away.

Is today the day that you will kick laziness to the curb?

Is today the day that you will take action toward achieving your goals?

Is today the day that you will listen to that little voice of reason?

Imagine Your Ideal You
What does the ‘ideal you’ look like?

How does the ‘ideal you’ spend their time?

Who would the ‘ideal you’ spend time with?

What would the ‘ideal you’ accomplish?

The distance between you and your ‘ideal you’ is created by laziness.

When faced with decisions, big or small, do what your ‘ideal you’ would do, rather than taking the easy way out.

Go Outside and Walk!

// April 15th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Discipline

Yeah, that’s right! I’m telling you, not asking! Go outside and walk!

Listen, I have been one of the most sedentary people on the face of the earth in my lifetime. A lover of TV and snacks galore, I fell victim to bad moods, sluggishness and lethargy. But then, I found this amazing place: Outside! It’s free and no reservations necessary. What’s more, you can go there whenever you like. Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night impinges on the hours of operation Outside! It’s always open and available.

Going outside for a walk is the answer to many a malady:

• Feeling tired? Go outside and walk!
• Mind a little cloudy? Go outside and walk!
• Mood a bit low? Go outside and walk!
• Pants too tight? Go outside and walk!
• Bored? Go outside and walk!
• Out of sorts? Go outside and walk!
• Sluggish bowels…? Go outside and walk!
• Not sure how to tackle an assignment? Go outside and walk!
• Feeling lonely? Go outside and walk!
• A little too dependent on the evening beer, wine or liquor? Go outside and walk!
• Not feeling sexy? Go outside and walk!
• Difficulty sleeping? Go outside and walk!

Going outside for a walk is perfect for making a good day great:

• Clothing fits perfectly? Keep it that way: Go outside and walk!
• Feeling sexy? Flaunt it: Go outside and walk!
• Just had a wonderful meal? Go outside and walk!
• Got something to celebrate? Go outside and walk!
• Want a really cool way to spend time with family? Go outside and walk!
• In love? Go outside and walk (holding pinky fingers)!
• In like? Go outside and walk (listening and laughing a lot)!
• Want to be in love? Go outside and walk!
• Want to do something wonderful for yourself? Go outside and walk!

Go outside and walk! There are mucho blessings for your body, mind and soul when you go outside and walk!

Blessed to Be a Blessing

// April 9th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Discipline, Homelessness, hunger

Spending time mumbling, grumbling and complaining about what you don’t have is the biggest joy and peace killer in the world. Why? because when you are focused on what you don’t have you are not enjoying and thanking God for what you do have…

You are blessed! If you are alive, you are blessed. Hey! for that matter, if you are reading this, you are blessed. So give up the mumbling, grumbling and complaining and exchange these for love, gratitude and service.

Seriously, complaining people are miserable and no fun to be around. Moreover, when you help someone else, you boost your value in your own mind and you polish off some of the “patina” on your self-image.

Want to know who I’m using my blessings to bless? Click here! BUT NOT BEFORE YOU LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW (I am sooooo serious)!!!

Weakness Exposed

// February 11th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Discipline, fasting, prayer

I’m writing this after returning from the gym. Worked out with my trainer today @FitandFly. Because I’ve been working out fairly consistently for a couple months now, certain exercises have become easier, more comfortable and less dreaded.

Today, I was introduced to different exercises that I hate. They are difficult and, because I am still developing my core strength, I was very awkward and ugly doing them. These exercises exposed my weaknesses.

• When your weaknesses are exposed, it’s hard to look cool.
• When your weaknesses are exposed, you will lose your balance.
• When your weaknesses are exposed, you will be tempted to give up.
• When your weaknesses are exposed, you might become frustrated.
• When your weaknesses are exposed, you will try to compensate for your weakness some other way.

As in the gym, so it is in life…

You will have gained a certain poise in handling the regular challenges of the days and then, all of a sudden life, will introduce new and unexpected challenges that expose your weaknesses. You will be awkward, lose balance, compensate in someway and even want to throw in the towel.

But, as in the gym, so it is in life.. the only way to gain strength is for our weaknesses to be exposed. The only thing that helps with this is discipline and consistency and tenacity. I could give up and retreat to the computer, the library, the bakery, the sofa… or I can stick with it, face the challenges and get strong in my weak areas. I’m choosing everyday to stick with it.

So, no matter how you look while you are facing the challenges of life, face them! Face them and never give up. You will eventually gain the strength for which the challenges are designed and carry them with grace and poise. Every challenge you face prepares you for the next.

Fasting and Prayer are like going to the gym. They will expose your weaknesses, but when you face the challenge, you will gain unimaginable strength. Are you up for the challenge?

(CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE READY FOR THE CHALLENGE)

(CLICK HERE IF YOU STILL NEED CONVINCING…)

10 Reasons I Don’t Watch Reality Shows

// February 4th, 2010 // 6 Comments » // Discipline

10. While I’m watching, I’m watching another person’s ‘reality’ and not creating my own.

9. The people on the shows very rarely exhibit behavior I’d want to emulate. Remember, ‘Garbage In, Garbage Out.’

8. I hope my own life and pursuits are more interesting to me than the ‘life’ of someone I do not know.

7. I like to keep drama to a minimum.

6. I prefer to watch people with actual talent on smart sitcoms like ‘Golden Girls’ or ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ or ‘Frazier.’ (Good writing! Let’s demand it!)

5. TV execs don’t have to work hard enough for their audiences anymore – just cameras, fabricated situations and folk willing to ‘play the fool.’

4. My personal goals require high inspiration and clear focus.

3. I try to live by Psalm 101. If its worth is questionable, I let it go.

2. I don’t want my brain turning into soup.

1. Finally, they are not reality.

Agree? Disagree? Tell me how u really feel in the comments below:

Change is Hard Work

// February 3rd, 2010 // 6 Comments » // Discipline, fasting, prayer

I’m borrowing from my friend @Katellington who said truly in a tweet to me this morning: Change is hard work. There’s no getting around this – change IS hard work!

It’s easy to remain stuck in a life that is displeasing to you.
It’s easy to allow complaints to be the major content of your conversation.
It’s easy to blame others.
It’s easy to wish.
It’s easy to spend hours “could-a, would-a and should-a-ing.”
It’s easy to talk a good game.
It’s easy to criticize.
It’s easy to lay in the bed looking up and hoping something will happen.
It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself.
It’s easy to sigh and whine and hang your head.
It’s easy to just let “it” happen.
It’s easy to live in fear.
It’s easy to live of life of regret.
It’s easy to lay on the sofa and watch TV.
It’s easy to be miserable.
These things demand nothing of you. Change, on the other hand, it hard work!

Change requires you to think differently, to see differently and to BE DIFFERENT
Change requires you to talk to yourself; and
Change requires you to get up and do something.
Change means more than having vision. Change means writing the vision out clearly, making a plan and executing that plan.
Change requires FOCUS.
Change means movement.
Change requires discipline.
Change requires determination, tenacity, sticktoitiveness!
Change requires a constant pressing on.
Change requires you to tell some people “NO!”
Change requires a “No matter what” attitude.
Change requires being alone until God opens your heart to those who will go with you.
Change requires filters on your ears to keep out negativity.
Change is hard work!

If you need a change, consider joining me on the Lenten Daniel Fast 010: a Journey to the Heart of God. Let me know you’re interested in a change in the comment section below and I’ll email you about the “Journey to the Heart of God.” After you’ve left a comment, click here to read about the Daniel Fast.

Sitting at the Feet of the Elders

// February 2nd, 2010 // 8 Comments » // Discipline, Faith, Lessons From Leontyne, family, storytelling

Every once in a while you have to stop and consciously admit you do not know it all and sit humbly before someone who knows more, has seen more and has done more than you. This experience is to get not only information but also inspiration.

Taking the time to listen deeply to the stories of how s/he made it to where s/he is is an invaluable use of your time. So, listen to the successes and to the failures and feast on each and every detail. Hearing about the failures and mistakes of someone who has been blessed with success gives you what you need to get up and keep pressing through your own failures. The success stories challenge you to strive to enjoy the same. Sitting at the feet of the elders challenges you to work harder and smarter.

Arrogant folk cannot sit still long enough or see the value of listening to folk who, perhaps, do not have the education or the “talents” they have. These people are foolish. Shun these people!

Put yourself in the company of people who inspire you – who know more than you. Then, work to cultivate genuine, mutual relationships with them that are enriching. Get rid of the lazy, “slovenly” and “slouchy” people around you. They are energy drainers. Moreover, you are known by the company you keep.

Whenever you feel like you are just going through the motions or that you are putting out a lot without getting a lot of returns, come out from among them and sit at the feet of the elders in your life… and be refreshed and renewed.

Daniel Fast

// November 4th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // Discipline, fasting, prayer

The Daniel Fast is modeled after the spiritual practices of Daniel. Basically, the Daniel fast is to eat only what come from the ground that have not been refined or processed. The fast does not stand alone, it is a part of a larger spiritual practice that includes regular and consistent prayer.

In Daniel 10, we learn that Daniel received a revelation that he did not understand until he had fasted for 21 days. On the 24th day he had the vision of a man who explained the revelation to him. For 21 days Daniel “ate no choice food.” This practice probably goes back to when He, with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, came to live in Babylon and refused to eat the king’s food. He requested only vegetables and water. “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1:15-17).

Daniel exercised spiritual discipline by denying the body “pleasant food” so he could have deeper spiritual understanding. Daniel distinguished himself from among his peers because “an excellent spirit was in him.” It is this excellence of spirit we desire as we pursue a stronger relationship with God in fasting and prayer.

Daniel’s faithfulness in prayer is another demonstration of his commitment to spiritual discipline. In Daniel 6, where we learn about Daniel in the lions’ den, it is clear that Daniel was steadfast in prayer under the most difficult of circumstances. Though King Darius had signed an injunction that said whomever prayed to another besides himself would be thrown into the lions’ den, Daniel continued his practice of praying 3 times a day: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10).

During a Daniel Fast, we pray 3 times a day, like Daniel. I usually pray at 6 a.m. 12 noon and 6 p.m. In addition to fasting and prayer, we must also abstain from anything that would personally distract us from our purposes in the fast (e.g. television, internet, hanging out, idle conversations, gossip etc.). Isaiah 58 makes it clear that fasting does not absolve us from responsibilities of love, kindness and justice.

Remember, we eat these:
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains
• Nuts and Seeds
• Legumes (I call ‘em beans)
• Healthy Oils
• Water (some folk drink herbal teas without stimulants)
• Herbs, Spices, vinegar (some folk avoid this and use citrus juices with oils on their salads)
• Vegetable juice – take care with the acidity of tomato juice (this is a fruit, isn’t it?)
• Fruit juice in moderation – consider the sugar content and take care with the acidity in citrus. Consider restricting fruit juices altogether.
• Water
• Water
• Water

We don’t eat these:
• All refined and processed foods!
• White flour products
• White rice
• Dairy
• Meat, poultry and fish
• Sugar, honey etc.
• Bread
• Fried Foods
• Unhealthy Fats (the ones that turn solid)
• Anything other beverage than what you see above

What is Fasting? Click here.

Why Fast? Click here.

Click here for more on Fasting.

God is Speaking. Are We Listening?

// July 21st, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Discipline, prayer

Prayer is a conversation, right?  So, why are we doing so much of the talking?  Listening is an essential part of conversation.  It requires being quiet and allowing your conversation partner time to talk.  God wants that time with us.  Timeout for going into prayer with a list of complaints and demands!  I know for myself, had I spent more time listening in days gone by I would not have as much to complain about and demand today.

I am living through a very difficult challenge right now (details ain’t your business so keep it moving) about which I prayed and prayed.  I prayed for God to “work it out” and every time I thought I heard God saying “no” I prayed louder and longer (even threw some tongues in there for good measure).  Finally, I worked my way into the circumstance I wanted God to work out for me.  Today, that very circumstance has me in a headlock!  But, even though I’m in this headlock, I can still breathe.  Every time I inhale it’s grace and every exhale is mercy.

God is speaking.  Are we listening?

God is speaking to us concerning our families, His Church, our communities and this wonderful world over which He has given us stewardship.  Are we listening? Or, are we trying to talk over what God is saying because we want something else.  Hey! Let me tell you like Sophia told Celie, “Don’t exchange places with what I been through…” Let’s listen to God.

God’s Words are what we live on: our hope, our joy, our peace.  God is speaking to our hearts right now.  If we will just be still and quiet ourselves to listen, “wonderful Words of Life” will pour into our hearts and give to us all we need but often don’t have sense to ask for.

• Have you ever tried to outtalk God? Have you ever, like me, gotten into a mess because you would not listen?  Let me know I’m not the only one by leaving a comment below.

• If you are a good listener, tell us how you do it in the comment section below.  Don’t be stingy, share!

A Prayer Revival is on the horizon.  I am praying you will be a part of it.  Let me know if you will by making a comment below.