I am looking forward to a day when ya'll might call me "Slim".
Yes, I know its a long way off, but I've been called so many other things in my 57 years on this planet that I'm excited about the prospect! LOL!
I looked at Weight Watchers idea of my "healthy weight" of 174 pounds; a total loss of 137 pounds. WOW! That's a whole 'nuther person I'm walking around!
In six weeks I've lost 23.8 pounds for an average of about 4 pounds per weeks. If I can maintain this rate, I will reach 174 pounds in about 28 more weeks, the first week of September, just before my eldest daughter turns 18. I would love to give her the birthday gift of a streamlined Dad!
Even if I only average 2 pounds per week loss, by next April, at the age of 58, I will be in much better shape than I was at 48 and maybe even 38! What a delightful thought!
Two things must happen for me to reach that goal.
I must stay focused on continuing my path to a "healthy eater" lifestyle and I must incorporate regular, meaningful exercise.
I know that some of you might think that I should just stay watchful of the short term goal; 5#, 10#, 20#, 30#, etc., and there's wisdom in that, but, I'm a dreamer!
I can already see myself running and jumping again, chasing kites, dancing the night away, shooting hoops, having all the fun of a stronger, enjoyable body. I get a big smile just thinking about it!
Yep, I'll surely trip up a few times on the way, but I'll make more positive steps than negative, I'm thinking.
God didn't me here to watch my feet disappear, He put me here to walk for Him, and walk with enthusiasm again I shall! It's going to be a fun journey!
You're all gonna be with me at the end and we'll all celebrate together!
See ya,
Steve
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
frantic times balanced by graceful blessings
Yesterday was a strange day for my family.
The annual Dad and Daughter Dance was in the works for the evening and I had taken off work, looking forward to spending a special evening with Beka and Rachel.
Around 3:00 pm, I was woken by the frantic ringing of my phone (yes, it can ring frantically), hearing first Jan's personal ring tone, followed immediately by my Mother-in-law's. From a sleepy state I knew something was wrong by the sequence of calls and leapt from bed to respond.
Calling the last number missed on the phone, I got Rachel, in a tearful panic, telling me that Beka was having a seizure and I needed to get over there. Confirming that they had called 911, I was quickly dressed and out the door, racing to the house.
I arrived seconds ahead of the EMT's, met at the door by two of Jan's young sewing students, to find Jan cradling Beka on the floor; Rachel and Nan fearfully standing by. The house was rapidly filling with emergency workers (eight in all!) and I took Rachel to one room to console her, then alternated between rooms, watching over Beka and Jan, consoling Rachel and Nana, dancing and joking for the two students, and praying through it all.
After the EMT's had evaluated Beka, ran their tests, and let us know it was not a seizure, but a combination of stress, hyperventilation and possible over stimulation from meds we began to relax and let the intensely stressfull event settle.
Putting Beka to bed, we decided to wait a while to see who, if anyone, was going to the dance, eventually deciding that Rachel and I would go and Beka would stay home and rest.
Rachel and I had an absolutely marvelous time at the dance, dancing almost every song, and it was for me, a memory I will cherish forever. Rachel was like another person, closely attached, less than ever a giggly little girl and so much more a sensitive young woman on the brink of stepping into young adulthood. Perhaps led by the emotional intensity of the afternoon, Rachel was relaxing in her daddy's arms, feeling safe and letting fear and anxiety fade away.
I like to think that God had stepped in, a continuance of answered prayer, restoring Beka, comforting Rachel, Jan and Nana, bringing peace to the family. I like to think that our Father in heaven always knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I like to think that because I know it to be true.
He is a faithful Father, ever true and always, always, exactly on time.
"So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." ~ Matthew 6:8
The annual Dad and Daughter Dance was in the works for the evening and I had taken off work, looking forward to spending a special evening with Beka and Rachel.
Around 3:00 pm, I was woken by the frantic ringing of my phone (yes, it can ring frantically), hearing first Jan's personal ring tone, followed immediately by my Mother-in-law's. From a sleepy state I knew something was wrong by the sequence of calls and leapt from bed to respond.
Calling the last number missed on the phone, I got Rachel, in a tearful panic, telling me that Beka was having a seizure and I needed to get over there. Confirming that they had called 911, I was quickly dressed and out the door, racing to the house.
I arrived seconds ahead of the EMT's, met at the door by two of Jan's young sewing students, to find Jan cradling Beka on the floor; Rachel and Nan fearfully standing by. The house was rapidly filling with emergency workers (eight in all!) and I took Rachel to one room to console her, then alternated between rooms, watching over Beka and Jan, consoling Rachel and Nana, dancing and joking for the two students, and praying through it all.
After the EMT's had evaluated Beka, ran their tests, and let us know it was not a seizure, but a combination of stress, hyperventilation and possible over stimulation from meds we began to relax and let the intensely stressfull event settle.
Putting Beka to bed, we decided to wait a while to see who, if anyone, was going to the dance, eventually deciding that Rachel and I would go and Beka would stay home and rest.
Rachel and I had an absolutely marvelous time at the dance, dancing almost every song, and it was for me, a memory I will cherish forever. Rachel was like another person, closely attached, less than ever a giggly little girl and so much more a sensitive young woman on the brink of stepping into young adulthood. Perhaps led by the emotional intensity of the afternoon, Rachel was relaxing in her daddy's arms, feeling safe and letting fear and anxiety fade away.
I like to think that God had stepped in, a continuance of answered prayer, restoring Beka, comforting Rachel, Jan and Nana, bringing peace to the family. I like to think that our Father in heaven always knows exactly what we need and when we need it. I like to think that because I know it to be true.
He is a faithful Father, ever true and always, always, exactly on time.
"So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." ~ Matthew 6:8
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
rightly dividing the word
Stand To Reason's Greg Koukl brings to us a brief essay on scriptural understanding.
"We need to look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that says, “All Scripture is inspired by God…” That word for Scripture is “graphe” in the Greek, which means “writing”. Notice what it is that is inspired. Paul is telling Timothy that it is the writings that are inspired, that is, the words. That’s why we are told to attend to the “Words” and not to try to attend to some “spiritual” impulse or sense that we are getting while we are reading the words. Therefore, if you cannot justify your interpretation from the words themselves then your interpretation is NOT from the Holy Spirit. Period."
Rightly Dividing the Word
William Lane Craig sheds light on a few points of biblical inerrancy in a response to one of his Reasonable Faith readers.
Subject: Inerrancy and the Resurrection
"We need to look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that says, “All Scripture is inspired by God…” That word for Scripture is “graphe” in the Greek, which means “writing”. Notice what it is that is inspired. Paul is telling Timothy that it is the writings that are inspired, that is, the words. That’s why we are told to attend to the “Words” and not to try to attend to some “spiritual” impulse or sense that we are getting while we are reading the words. Therefore, if you cannot justify your interpretation from the words themselves then your interpretation is NOT from the Holy Spirit. Period."
Rightly Dividing the Word
William Lane Craig sheds light on a few points of biblical inerrancy in a response to one of his Reasonable Faith readers.
Subject: Inerrancy and the Resurrection
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