I cringe every time I read a blog with someone calling themselves fat. Or they post a progress picture with comments like "yuck, I hate my this or that." Being disgusted with yourself is often necessary to provide the initial motivation to take corrective action, but after getting started on your fitness journey, self-loathing quickly becomes a ball and chain that will slow your progress. Positive change is an inside-out job. You have to change how you feel on the inside before you start seeing changes on the outside. Changing on the inside requires faith. If you cannot affirm your faith with your thoughts and words, at the very least hold your tongue and don't affirm your doubts. 

Doubts are like the wind. You cannot stop them from coming, but you don't have to invite them in, make them a sandwich, and give them a cold beverage. Doubts come and if you let them, they will also go like the wind. It is by entertaining doubts with your thoughts, that you move out of faith and into disbelief. I had the opportunity to practice this when I got on the scale this morning and weighed 200.6 pounds. Having done seven competitions this year, it seems like I have been in pre-contest mode all year. I have grown quite used to being constantly lean. It was messing with my mind to see the lack of definition in the mirror this morning. Even though I know that a little time of not being so lean is necessary for me to get leaner than I ever have been before. I don't know how I know that. I just do. I have to keep reminding myself that the photo below is just a temporary state. A necessary moment in time on the road to the goal.

This physical world we live in has all the characteristics of a fog that surrounds us. We can see it, touch it, but everything in this physical world changes with time just like a mist suspended in the air. Living is like driving on a road covered by a heavy fog.

There are two times of people in this world. The most common is a scientist. The scientist uses his high beams in an attempt to see clearly. If you have ever used your high beams while trying to drive a car in the fog you know that the lights are reflected off the fog and you actually see less. The scientist stoops down to examine, explain, and reason. Such a person is forever limited by his understanding and the natural principles of this world. 

The worshiper is the second type of person. The worshiper uses his low beams. He kneels down not to examine or explain, but to praise. It is only by looking beyond the fog, beyond the creation, that you can see the Creator.

Here is the truth written in Colossians 1:16 "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." That's pretty black and white. The only question is what you choose to do with that truth. The scientist would agree with Thomas (John 20:24-25), and say unless I can see his hands and put my finger in the nail holes I will not believe. Like the people who laughed at Noah, their destruction will come upon them unexpectedly in the upcoming flood of judgement (Matthew 24:38-39). Blessed is the worshiper, who sees with more than just his natural eyes (John 20:26-29). The worshiper looks and exclaims with reverend wonder, my Lord and my God! 

My desire is to be less of a scientist and to become a more perfect worshiper of God. This statement will seem silly to a scientist. To be less of a scientist would seem absurd, and to be "more perfect" is a contradiction in terms. How could perfect become more perfect? To the scientist for something to become more perfect, it could not have already been perfect in it's former state. Such will always be a stumbling block for those who can only see with their eyes. Deep is the well of the living God, and for those who have tasted those waters, the thought of becoming a more perfect worshiper of God sets the heart ablaze with joy!

Daily Grind Monday December 17, 2012

Warm-up

--Standing Drills #1

--Ropa Dope 10 Spot

--Indian Clubs 10 Spot

Superset (10 sets of 10 reps each)

--Incline Barbell Bench Press 135 pounds

--Seated Row 200 pounds 

Spin Bike 30 minutes (Steady moderated pace. It was like eating spicy food. The burn start out slow and increased steadily as I continued.)

Total Workout Time: 1 hour, 42 minutes

Workout Quality: A1. Physically strong and mentally focused. Easily transcended the mere physical effort.