Evidence For God...Christ In Us

At a certain point in our walk with Christ, the evidence for God becomes clarified and more certain for us because we ourselves become part of the evidence as we experience the transformation of our own hearts, and the likeness of Christ is formed in us. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory…”2Cor.3:18

Push Up Project, Day 8

I’m on my quest to work my way up to doing 100 non-stop push-ups.  My deadline is April 30^th.  I’m on Day 8 of my 75 day countdown.

Every time I tell people about this project, they are very encouraging.  I’m getting wonderful support.  Today at the restaurant where I hang out and do some of my reading and writing, I mentioned my project to Mary, one of the cashiers.  She said, “That’s great!  Here have a free cookie.”

Support.

Tonight, after supper at my sister’s house, she mentioned dessert.  And I said, “No, I better not, I’m training to do those push-ups.”

She said, “That’s great!  Here…” and she handed me a piece of my brother-in-law Paul’s birthday cake.

Support.

When I got home, later this evening, I petted Jasper on the head while I was sitting at the computer typing this note.  He said, “That’s great!” And he brought me a package of Twinkies from the kitchen.  (Actually, he brought 2 packages, but he ate one, himself.)

Support.

Today is the day of the week when the work-out that Paul created involves “squat thrusts”—or sometimes they’re called “burpees”.  After last week, I thought this particular exercise would be just a little bit easier this week.  You know, the legs get stronger, the muscles have begun the adaptation process, and the movement gets easier, right?

Nope.

I did the first set of squat thrusts this morning and it was very hard.  It almost felt harder this week than last week.  In fact, I hate to say this…it PAINS me to say this…it bothers me more than you will ever know to say this…but after that first set of squat thrusts….I felt old.

You say, "Wow, that's interesting, because you know what?  You LOOK old, too, Dan!"

Knock it off, wise guys.

But you know what?  I got warmed up and the blood started pumping and my resolve grew stronger.  And by the second and third set of squat thrusts…well…I felt even older.  Squat thrusts are not any easy exercise.  Have I mentioned that already?

But here’s what I did.  (Cue the “Rocky” theme song music.)  Since the squat thrusts were the hardest exercise, I did more sets of them.  Really.  I did.  I did 4 sets of 13 reps.  And then I did 3 sets of 15 reps.  Was it hard?  Yes.  But I figured, “Oh yeah?  I will be tougher than the squat thrusts!  I will beat them, they will NOT beat me!!!  Squat thrusts?  You will bow to my willpower and my discipline and MY SUPERIOR RESOLVE!!!!!!”

There I am, can you close your eyes and see it?  I’m standing at the top of the stairs, like Rocky, pumping my fists in the air as I jump up and down in slow motion, and the theme music reaches its inspiring climax!

By the way, does anyone out there have some crutches I could borrow?

Time Alone With God

Over and over again, we hear wise people refer to the importance of time alone with God. Constant hurry and busyness distract us and occupy us in ways that prevent us from thinking deeply and worse, prevent us from noticing inner promptings from God. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

What If We Discovered Why "Happy" People Are Happy?

Review of:  "Positivity", Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph.D.


There is an area of research and investigation in the field of psychology that is called the “positive psychology movement”.  For many years, psychologists studied what was wrong with people.  They investigated aberrant behavior and psychological disorders.  You might say they studied those who were emotionally unhealthy.  That’s what seemed to make the most sense to those working in the field.  But somewhere along the way someone asked a pretty good question: “Hey, what if we studied healthy people?  What if we investigated those who were emotionally healthy and happy and well adjusted?”

Seems like a pretty good idea, doesn’t it?

The basic thought is: instead of just trying to figure out what’s wrong with people who are emotionally unhealthy, maybe there would be value in trying to figure out what’s right with people who are emotionally healthy.  Maybe that information would be really helpful to us.  In fact, it might even be more helpful!

Thus began the positive psychology movement.  (Well, its beginnings were probably a little more complicated than that, but you get the picture.)  One of the pioneers of the movement was Martin Seligman who published the oft-cited, best-selling, “Learned Optimism”.  Barbara L. Fredrickson is now considered to be one of the leading researchers in this movement and she presents many of the interesting and helpful results of her research in “Positivity”.

A person might be tempted to think that this is pop psychology by untrained lay persons who tell lots of “feel-good” stories and encourage people to say “I’m feeling fantastic” all day long.  That’s not the case.  This is not about having a “Positive Mental Attitude”, Matt Foley style.  This book is reporting findings of legitimate academic research from leading universities and credible scientists.

Fredrickson has identified ten key forms of positivity which she explains in the book, as well as giving advice for how to apply them to your life.  The ten forms of positivity are:  joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe and love.

The results of positivity are genuinely important and helpful…sometimes in surprising ways.  The information in this book is presented in an interesting way and it will be of great benefit to those who read it.

Dan Marler

Oak Lawn, IL

Do You Have Something Worth Living For?

“Voice of the Martyrs…contends that more Christ-followers have been killed for their faith in the last century than all previous centuries combined.” [Lucado]  When I read something like this, I wonder about the level of my commitment to Christ. Then I think about a comment I read years ago: “If you do not have something worth dying for, you probably do not have anything worth living for.”

Would "Evidence For God" Look Like The Life of Jesus?

What would “evidence” for the reality of God look like? We sometimes like to think evidence for God would look like some explosive display of power. But if God wanted us to love Him and accept Him and believe in Him without our being coerced into it, I’m more convinced all the time that genuine evidence for the reality of God would look like the life of Jesus.

We Can't "Un-Say" Foolish Things

One of the key problems with saying really foolish things is that there’s no way to UN-say foolish things. We can apologize. We can try to explain. We can ask for forgiveness—and, often, if we ask, we receive it. But, ultimately, the foolish thing was said and, sadly, there’s no way to change that.  (Trust me on this one, it comes from the hard laboratory of firsthand experience.)

“EVERYTHING” About Jesus? Really? Well…Let’s Say "A LOT". And It’s Pretty Funny.

Review of:  Everything You Always Wanted To Know About God: The Jesus Edition


Eric Metaxas deals with the subject of apologetics in a light-hearted, witty, engaging manner.  He utilizes a question and answer format that gives the book a conversational feel.  It’s a fast-paced type of Q&A style that goes back and forth frequently and it helps the reading move along quickly.  A “Publishers Weekly” review describes Metaxas as a humor writer and some of the humor in the book almost borders on being silly.  I don’t mean that in a disparaging way, it’s funny.  Really.  But it’s right there on the edge, sometimes, where it’s almost downright silly.  I like it…but then again, sometimes I border on being silly, too.

I mention these issues regarding the overall tone of the book because I think of “apologetics” as a blend of theology, philosophy and history, and these are not subjects that one typically breezes through quickly when reading.  So, this approach to the subject would, presumably, be very effective for many people, but particularly, for those who have not done a lot of prior reading in this field of study.

This is the “Jesus Edition” of “Everything You Always Wanted To Know…” it is part of an “Everything You Always Wanted To Know…” series.  Admittedly, this is not a deep, scholarly treatment of the subject of Jesus—you can tell by looking at the cover of the book—but it’s substantive enough to be of value and to offer answers to genuine questions.  It even has some moments of profundity.

I know, I’ve suggested that this book can be both “silly” and “profound”.  Hey, I think it pulls it off.

From now on, when I’m dealing with people who ask me to recommend a book on the subject of “apologetics”—even though they may not actually know that “apologetics” is the word that describes what it is they are looking for—this is going to be one of the books I will recommend.

We Hang Out With "Immortals"

“You have never talked to a mere mortal…It is immortals who we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit.”--C.S. Lewis.  Lewis’ point is that there is never a person we encounter who is “insignificant”.  Everyone we know, everyone we meet, is a person of priceless value, an eternal soul, who Jesus died to save, and who is deeply, personally, and perfectly loved by God.

Coming To God On "His Terms"

Sometimes we want to come to God on “our terms” instead of “His terms”—our self will is strong. However, seeking God on our terms will tend to be disappointing and ineffective. It’s best if we come to God on “His terms”.  That requires us to come to him in humility and contrition and faith.

Trust God, Not Your "Stuff"

“Almost half the world—more than three billion people—live on less than $2.50 a day.” [Lucado] Compared to MOST of the world, everyone reading this post is probably rich. In fact, we are unimaginably rich in the eyes of many people. I know that’s hard for us to grasp. So, to rich people—that’s us—Jesus’ caution is: “trust in me, not your stuff.” And remember this: it’s not really ours, anyhow, it’s all God’s.

Push-Up Project: The New Workout Begins

Today, I began the workout program that Paul has laid out for me so that by April 30^th, I will be able to do 100 push-ups, non-stop.

After the workout, I told Nadia, “My legs are feeling it!”

She looked up from the computer and said, “What do you mean?  I thought you were working on push-ups?”

Well, Paul says the whole body has to be strengthened, even though push-ups, obviously involve, significant upper body conditioning.  You see, the arms and shoulders and chest are actually given assistance in the movement that’s involved in doing a push-up by a strong waist and torso and legs.  Apparently, our bodies are “whole units” and not just individual, unrelated parts.  Crazy, huh?

(I know.  There’s a 1 Corinthians 12 biblical teaching concept, regarding the importance of every part of the “body of Christ”, that is tied to the preceding paragraph.  Isn’t it neat how biblical concepts can be seen in so many aspects of life?)

Okay, that was one of my ministerial tangents.  Where was I?  Oh yes, so today, to begin working toward my push-up goal, I did lower body conditioning.  The workout included riding the stationary bike; lunges while holding dumbbells (“dumbbells” are exercise equipment, this is not a reference to any persons I know); squats; and burpees.

Do you remember what “burpees” are?  It’s an exercise that involves four movements.  1) From a standing position, squat down and touch the palms of the hands on the floor in front you; 2) now with your weight on your hands and a slight leap, thrust both legs, simultaneously, out behind you, at this point you will be in something like a push-up position; 3) with a slight leap, pull both legs, simultaneously, back into the squat position with your hands still on the floor; 4) now, straighten the knees and rise back up into a standing position.  That’s a burpee.

If you haven’t done burpees in a while, they’re not an easy exercise.  I did 4 sets of 12 burpees, today.  Then I immediately, jumped in the car, drove to Baskin Robbins and ate a banana split.  It seemed appropriate.  And, darn it, my legs feel better.

(Just kidding, Paul, no banana split was eaten.)

 

…But I did look at a picture of one, on-line.

One of the fun aspects of burpees, at my house, is that my proximity to the ground, while I’m doing this exercise, coupled with my legs churning vigorously, makes Jasper think that this is some type of “play” event that involves him.  But, eventually, he realizes that I’m not playing with him and he goes back to reading the newspaper.  (He’s gone back to “reading” as a hobby, he got tired of working on the Rubik’s Cube.)

Anyhow, I’m on my way to 100!!!  And I’m feeling stronger already!