Category Archives: Health/Well-being
New Year’s Accountability
January 5, 2016OK, it’s that time of the year folks. New Year’s resolutions. Ugh. I totally get it on one level, but I’d like to trump that thinking with a different set of logic.
Resolutions have as much power as the UN General Assembly, or Congress it seems these days. Nada.
Here’s what I think and so does a guy who I really respect. Alan Weiss outlined these points in a recent “memo” and I’m giving him all the credit.
How about New Year’s Accountability? This is much more powerful if you follow the logic.
The 90 Day Discipleship Challenge – Work out your body & your spirit
April 4, 2015Are you looking to get in shape, physically and spiritually? Are you looking to increase your ability to disciple or be discipled? We’ve developed just the thing with our newest tool system, fashioned to provide an outlet for spiritual and physical training. It’s called the 90 Day Discipleship Challenge and it was recently created by our founder, Joseph W. Sharp. Aimed at provoking holistic discipline, both in the area of spiritual and physical growth, this three month challenge will leave you famished for still more of His presence and for a hearty meal to fuel your next workout!
Challenge Categories- Because we are all triune beings, made up of body, soul and spirit, each 1/3 of our very being needs to be cultivated in accordance with He who created us. This tool system grooms each facet of the triune human make-up, leaving no compartment untouched in this three month journey. Straining toward the goal, whether it’s your hamstrings or heartstrings becomes the name of the game!
The Basics – Just like your old grade school curriculum, the 90 Day Discipleship course comes with certain core classes. These core subjects are known as “musts” in our syllabus and they involve bodily tasks like daily workout regimens and fasting and spiritual components like scripture reading and sharing your testimony with a friend or a stranger.
Good Tidings & Great Joy
December 22, 2014“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” LUKE 2:10
The “reason for the season” is much much more than a fairy tale or, as Karl puts it nicely, [see below] a “feel good tradition.” This is the greatest love story that has ever been told. It’s timeless and hopeful. It’s the best news out there and it’s not exclusive. It doesn’t discriminate or keep a tally of past offenses, it doesn’t look to impose it’s will or prove that it’s right. This ‘thing’ that we as Christians rally around every December is actually a person. It’s Jesus, or Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’ He reunited us with our Creator and made us clean in His sight. The prospect of being righteous and holy in the eyes of our Father is now a reality if we choose to make it real in our lives.
If you haven’t already, take a step of faith this Christmas and seek to know Him who was crucified. Not just to have knowledge about Him, but to actually know Him, to be accustomed to His ways. If you’ve never invited Him into your life please consider doing so in your own words. If the time is right and you’re ready for freedom, ask that He forgive you of your sins and to take over the reins of your life.
If you have particular questions about Christmas or Christ, we’d be happy to talk to you. Just Email us!
The Quail Just Kept Coming?
May 30, 2014I was listening to my favorite Bible teacher the other day speaking about the people of Israel and their complaint against the daily supply of manna; requesting of God meat to satisfy them. All the while, grumbling about how tired they were of wandering in the wilderness and eating the same food. Can you imagine they even suggested they’d be better off back in Egypt?
It struck me that all that complaining about God’s perfect provision resulted in a swarm of quail. Quail in the morning, quail in the afternoon and quail at night. Quail coming out of their nostrils. Then He struck them down with a plague due to their obsession.
So what’s that got to do with our behavior as Christians? Think about it. God knows what’s best for us yet we continue to ask for what we believe is better. The crazy thing is, He’ll actually give us what we want. Then we realize just how destructive our choices can be when deciding to ignore God’s perfect plan for our lives. Be careful what you ask for. You actually may get it. Then what happens when it virtually destroys us?
Traveling Wisdom Found at the Cove and the Beautiful South
March 1, 2014
Do you know about God or do you really know God? Recently, I traveled through WV and NC and I reflected on just that question.
Before we get too far into the question above, I wanted to share some morsels that I gleaned as I traveled through the beautiful south with my wife, Jen, best friend Michael, and his wife Nicole.
Recently, I heard a story of a very healthy and fit woman who was 39 who simply died of a massive heart attack. My wife baby-sat her children in the past. It was a sad reminder of how precious life is, and we should NEVER take life for granted.
I realized that way too many couples don’t allow themselves enough time to get away and re-charge their batteries. They allow the pressures of family and life in general to give them reasons why they can’t reserve valuable, quality time. If it has been too long for you and your spouse since you have taken a getaway (even if it’s a long weekend), I challenge you to spend time planning your next excursion today.
2013 – Things to STOP Doing and Power Walking!
December 28, 2012
Do you do New Year’s Resolutions? Did you ever create a list of things to “stop” doing in your new year?
I have always been someone that is goal-oriented with foresight to apply the future to the current. It’s no surprise that my career and life is focused on helping people to plan goals, walk into their future with greater confidence, and to take action on their dreams.
Recently, I went through my process of reviewing the past year, looking at my dreams and the brutal facts of my 2012, so that I could assess where change is needed for 2013. Though I created 54 resolutions in 10 areas of life, what I seek to share with you today is two new insights that remain vivid in my mind.