So why am I thinking about covetousness? Is God trying to make me aware of sin in my life? Haven't brought any to the surface but I will keep checking.
I looked up "covet" in an old dictionary (does anyone use books anymore) and found "to want passionately (esp., something that another person has); long for with envy."
Generally, I've thought of this as wanting the house, the car, the money someone else has. I've always associated it with wanting things. But I'm thinking a little differently today.
The grandkids and I went to bed about 10 PM Friday night but I was wide awake at 2:30 so I turned on the TV and found lots of infomercials for P90X and Total Gym and some ab thing and pills to take away your fat just like liposuction but without the surgery. That is what started me thinking about covetousness.
Healthy eating and proper exercise are necessary to have a healthy body but weight loss is a $60 billion industry in America. I think part of the reason we put so much money into this industry is covetousness. We covet the washboard abs we see in the commercials and the skinny bodies of the women in bikinis. So I have begun to think of coveting as applying to things that are more intangible like appearance.
Maybe we covet someone's ability to sing beautifully or paint a picture or live on a budget when we spend every penny BEFORE we get it.
I've decided that just because I don't want "stuff", I can still harbor covetousness in my heart over the intangibles.
(Another reason we pour so much money into weight loss is because we are a lazy people who like the idea of taking a pill or only spending "10 minutes a day" or "no dieting" rather than making the lifestyle changes we need to make.)
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Monday, January 17, 2011
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Wii Fit Plus
It has been so hot recently that I have not wanted to go for walks. So I decided to drop a small bundle of cash on a Wii Fit Plus.
This has been the most fun! I had gotten so tired of the bowling and golf and pool and other games that I had here. Now I am doing yoga and riding a bicycle and jogging and riding a segway. I was concerned about the cost but I think it is going to be a well used addition to my entertainment and fitness library of stuff.
When I retire in a month and a half and the weather, hopefully, is much cooler, I will be able to walk outside AND do some fun exercises inside. After 46 years of employment I will be able to set my own schedule. I won't be pushed for time anymore! WooHoo!!
This has been the most fun! I had gotten so tired of the bowling and golf and pool and other games that I had here. Now I am doing yoga and riding a bicycle and jogging and riding a segway. I was concerned about the cost but I think it is going to be a well used addition to my entertainment and fitness library of stuff.
When I retire in a month and a half and the weather, hopefully, is much cooler, I will be able to walk outside AND do some fun exercises inside. After 46 years of employment I will be able to set my own schedule. I won't be pushed for time anymore! WooHoo!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Who Touched Me?
There is a story in the Gospels about a woman who had suffered from a "discharge of blood" for 12 years. During this time she had gone to many doctors and no one was able to heal her even though she had spent a lot of money. Basically, that means she had an incurable disease.
As the crowds pressed in around Jesus, this woman - who was trying to remain unseen (possibly because of the type of illness she had) - believed with all her heart that just touching the fringe of Jesus' garment would be enough to heal her. And she was right!
Jesus immediately knew something had happened and asked, "Who touched Me?" The disciples seemed to think this was a pretty silly question to ask because of all the people trying to get close to Jesus. But Jesus knew this touch was different. The woman confessed what she had done - and why - and Jesus blessed her for her faith
What about me when I try to "touch" Jesus? Is my reaching out to Him superficial? Am I seeking Him with pure motives? Do I really believe He has the power and the desire to do what is best for me...to bring HIM glory?! Would Jesus look at my faith and bless me?
This woman was a "nobody" in her day but she reached out to Jesus and her life was changed forever. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is still in the business of changing lives for all eternity.
As the crowds pressed in around Jesus, this woman - who was trying to remain unseen (possibly because of the type of illness she had) - believed with all her heart that just touching the fringe of Jesus' garment would be enough to heal her. And she was right!
Jesus immediately knew something had happened and asked, "Who touched Me?" The disciples seemed to think this was a pretty silly question to ask because of all the people trying to get close to Jesus. But Jesus knew this touch was different. The woman confessed what she had done - and why - and Jesus blessed her for her faith
What about me when I try to "touch" Jesus? Is my reaching out to Him superficial? Am I seeking Him with pure motives? Do I really believe He has the power and the desire to do what is best for me...to bring HIM glory?! Would Jesus look at my faith and bless me?
This woman was a "nobody" in her day but she reached out to Jesus and her life was changed forever. Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today and forever, is still in the business of changing lives for all eternity.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Prayer and Action
In the book of Nehemiah we are told the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the exiles returned from Babylon and Persia. The Jews were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who was later defeated by the Persians.
The people were allowed to go back home at 3 separate times. Nehemiah was in the last group to go. He was the cup bearer (aka wine taster/poison control) to King Artaxeres. Nehemiah had always been cheerful but one day he was really sad because he had gotten word that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the gates had been burned. When King Artaxeres noticed Nehemiah's distress he asked the cause and then allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding project.
As the people were working there were those who opposed them fiercely. They tried to discourage the Jews every way they new how. When that didn't work, they planned to fight them. Nehemiah had been praying and telling the people to be courageous but when he learned of the planned battle the Bible tells us in Nehemiah 4:9 that they prayed and then set up a guard. Later we learn that half the men worked on the walls and half were dressed and ready for battle.
Too often when we pray we are inactive in our waiting on God. Waiting is actually an active thing not passive. Nehemiah prayed for God's protection but armed the men for battle. When I pray for God's intervention in my life, I should also be active. If I am in the midst of financial distress, I should be cutting my expenses and living on a budget as I wait for God to help. If I need a job, I should let people know I am looking and send out some resumes or go back to school. If I need physical healing, I should see the doctor and take his advice and the prescribed medications.
God expects our faith to be in Him but at the same time He expects us to use the resources He puts around us. I heard a funny/sad story one time of a man caught in a flood. The rescue team comes by to take the man to safety but the man wouldn't leave. He said I've prayed and God will save me. A little later when the man has to go to the 2nd story of his house because the water is rising, a motor boat comes by but again the man won't leave. Finally the man is on the roof of the house and a helicopter comes but again he refuses to leave and dies in the flood. When he gets to heaven, he tells St Peter I thought God would save me when I prayed. St Peter replied, God sent you the rescue team, the motorboat and the helicopter...what more did you want?
God's remedy for my finances will not be the lottery or money falling from heaven. A new job will hardly be offered if I don't let people know I want one. God is the Great Physician but He gives doctors wisdom to be His instruments in the process of healing. I should pray fervently but also take action to prepare for battle.
The people were allowed to go back home at 3 separate times. Nehemiah was in the last group to go. He was the cup bearer (aka wine taster/poison control) to King Artaxeres. Nehemiah had always been cheerful but one day he was really sad because he had gotten word that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins and the gates had been burned. When King Artaxeres noticed Nehemiah's distress he asked the cause and then allowed Nehemiah to go back to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding project.
As the people were working there were those who opposed them fiercely. They tried to discourage the Jews every way they new how. When that didn't work, they planned to fight them. Nehemiah had been praying and telling the people to be courageous but when he learned of the planned battle the Bible tells us in Nehemiah 4:9 that they prayed and then set up a guard. Later we learn that half the men worked on the walls and half were dressed and ready for battle.
Too often when we pray we are inactive in our waiting on God. Waiting is actually an active thing not passive. Nehemiah prayed for God's protection but armed the men for battle. When I pray for God's intervention in my life, I should also be active. If I am in the midst of financial distress, I should be cutting my expenses and living on a budget as I wait for God to help. If I need a job, I should let people know I am looking and send out some resumes or go back to school. If I need physical healing, I should see the doctor and take his advice and the prescribed medications.
God expects our faith to be in Him but at the same time He expects us to use the resources He puts around us. I heard a funny/sad story one time of a man caught in a flood. The rescue team comes by to take the man to safety but the man wouldn't leave. He said I've prayed and God will save me. A little later when the man has to go to the 2nd story of his house because the water is rising, a motor boat comes by but again the man won't leave. Finally the man is on the roof of the house and a helicopter comes but again he refuses to leave and dies in the flood. When he gets to heaven, he tells St Peter I thought God would save me when I prayed. St Peter replied, God sent you the rescue team, the motorboat and the helicopter...what more did you want?
God's remedy for my finances will not be the lottery or money falling from heaven. A new job will hardly be offered if I don't let people know I want one. God is the Great Physician but He gives doctors wisdom to be His instruments in the process of healing. I should pray fervently but also take action to prepare for battle.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
The Malaria Capers
Donald, in my home group, gave me a book called The Malaria Capers. This was written almost 20 years ago by a scientist/researcher named Robert Desowitz who was involved in Africa and Asia in the study of malaria, kala azar and other diseases caused by parasites.
To be a "technical" writing, it is an interesting and easy read. The story traces the history of the pursuit of the source and transmission of malaria. Donald gave it to me because I have spoken several times of my desire to go to Kenya with our church as part of a missions team. I'm not sure if he was trying to give me knowledge, scare me, dissuade me or what but reading this has heightened my desire to go.
So much of the world lives in such abject poverty with unclean water and unsanitary homes and villages because of a lack of proper sewage. The life span in many third world countries is 50...if you make it past childhood.
Most of this story takes place in India or nearby regions, rather than Africa where I hope to go, but it just breaks my heart to read of the suffering and hopelessness that pervades the life of so many. I don't know how I can help or what I can do but I think I can do SOMETHING!
To be a "technical" writing, it is an interesting and easy read. The story traces the history of the pursuit of the source and transmission of malaria. Donald gave it to me because I have spoken several times of my desire to go to Kenya with our church as part of a missions team. I'm not sure if he was trying to give me knowledge, scare me, dissuade me or what but reading this has heightened my desire to go.
So much of the world lives in such abject poverty with unclean water and unsanitary homes and villages because of a lack of proper sewage. The life span in many third world countries is 50...if you make it past childhood.
Most of this story takes place in India or nearby regions, rather than Africa where I hope to go, but it just breaks my heart to read of the suffering and hopelessness that pervades the life of so many. I don't know how I can help or what I can do but I think I can do SOMETHING!
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