Proverbs – Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others! (Proverbs 10 – 31)

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: deskofbrian.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

 

Proverbs – Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others! (Proverbs 10 – 31)

As we wade deeper into the book of Proverbs we see that wisdom is the “make or break” issue of real life. In fact, as you read through the parenting manual for Solomon’s sons, you can see how this is true. How many people – perhaps even you – have been damaged and wrecked by the issues we have already studied?

As we transition to a compilation of wise sayings by Solomon and others, we discover some incredibly valuable nuggets for every-day, real life. Some are diagnostic (you can discern the truth about yourself or another), some are exemplary (you can learn a lot before you make that decision or choice) and even others are prescriptive (you should take these to heart like the medicine your doctor issues to you).  Among them, don’t miss these …

  • The fear of the Lord prolongs your life! (Proverbs 10:27)
  • You can tell a lot about a person’s character by their expectations! (Proverbs 11:23)
  • The definition of stupidity! (Proverbs 12:1)
  • The cause of depression! (Proverbs 12:25)
  • Those closest to me determine my level of success! (Proverbs 13:20)
  • Happiness is gained when we are merciful to the real poor! (Proverbs 14:21)
  • The spirit of a person is broken when the words you speak are perverse and when there is sorrow in the heart! (Proverbs 15:4, 13)
  • The trials of life are God’s examinations of our hearts! (Proverbs 17:3)
  • Selfishness is demonstrated by isolation! (Proverbs 18:1)
  • The secret to getting into the presence of famous people! (Proverbs 18:16)
  • Too much sleep leads to poverty! (Proverbs 20:13)
  • Riches, honor and life are gained by humility and the fear of the Lord! (Proverbs 22:4)
  • Gluttony and drunkenness are the same sins leading to the same end in life: poverty! (Proverbs 23:19-21)
  • “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small!” (Proverbs 24:10)
  • How to allow God to pour out His wrath on your enemy! (Proverbs 24:17-18)
  • Backbiters can be seen by their angry countenance! (Proverbs 25:23)
  • How to receive mercy from God! (Proverbs 28:13-14)
  • “The leech has two daughters – Give and Give!” (Proverbs 30:15)

In each of these chapters, we realize a central truth: True faith lives out God’s wisdom in real life situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

 

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

 

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Proverbs – God's Real Life Instruction Manual For Raising Children!

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: http://www.squidoo.com

 

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

 

Proverbs – God’s Real Life Instruction Manual For Raising Children!

 

Venturing into the book of Proverbs is so much different than anything we have read so far on our journey through the Bible. Wisdom is the issue and pithy sayings are the delivery vehicle for that real life instruction.

 

The book can easily be broken into three pieces as follows:

 

  • A Parenting Manual from Solomon (Proverbs 1-9)
  • Real Life Lessons from Solomon and Others (Proverbs 10 – 31:9)
  • Becoming a Virtuous Wife (Proverbs 31:10-31)

 

We will speak of each of these sections in more detail in the days to come. For the moment, let’s explore the Parenting Manual of Solomon as he raised his son, Rehoboam. Solomon sought to teach Rehoboam 10 key ideas through these small sayings. Here they are …

 

  • Beware the enticements against your parent’s instruction in order to avoid personal injury or worse. (Proverbs 1)
  • Understand the encouragements and punishments of wisdom in order to enjoy ease and security. (Proverbs 1)
  • Grasp the value and purpose of wisdom for stability and security. (Proverbs 2)
  • Enjoy the benefits of wisdom that lead to abundant happiness. (Proverbs 3)
  • Give attention to the sayings of wisdom for they are your life. (Proverbs 4)
  • Avoid the perils of adultery and immorality to prevent your total ruin. (Proverbs 5
  • Hate the foolishness of expecting something you haven’t worked for lest you find yourself destitute. (Proverbs 6)
  • Apply the words of wisdom in order to avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs 7)
  • Thrive with the companions of wisdom, enjoying the favor of the Lord. (Proverbs 8 )
  • Contrast the end results of the wise and foolish to enjoy a long life. (Proverbs 9)

 

Deep and meaty, these sayings show us that: Real life can be abundant when we choose to live by the experiences and life-lessons of those who have gone before us.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

 

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

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When All Seems Lost! (Psalm 74:18-23)

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: medicaltipsinfo.blogspot.com

 

You probably know the feeling – life was supposed to turn out differently, but it didn’t. You thought God would rescue you, but he hasn’t. You know the dire hopelessness as God has stopped speaking and no one seems to be able to tell you how long the situation will continue. Friends and family without Christ scoff at the idea that there is a God who cares when they talk with you about your situation and they revile God’s name constantly in your presence.

Asaph understood what you feel. After the Temple of Solomon has been destroyed he penned this prayer in Psalm 74 to appeal to God. He was desperate as well. His prayer is a great example to all of us when all seems lost.

When all seems lost, in prayer appeal to …

  • God’s reputation (the enemy scoffs at God’s name) v. 18
  • God’s people (the psalmist calls them “your dove” and “your poor”) v. 19
  • God’s covenant (“have regard for your covenant”) v. 20
  • God’s poor (called “downtrodden” and “poor and needy”) v. 21
  • God’s cause (“Arise, O God, defend your cause”) v. 22
  • God’s enemies (“Don’t forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you”) v. 23

Perhaps you need a little help to “flesh out” how you would pray this prayer. Let me give you a real-life example to consider:

Dear Lord, you know we have been unemployed for a long time and finances are gone. All seems lost, and even our friends say, “Our prayers don’t seem to be working.” Your reputation is at stake. Remember us, your children by faith. Have regard for the covenant with Jesus. You have said You would “never leave us or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). We are nearly at the end of ourselves, without resources and in need. Arise, Lord, defend your cause in our lives. Don’t allow your enemies to laugh at You and claim your inability or non-existence. Rescue us quickly Lord, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If all seems lost, cry out to Jesus for his help and don’t stop trusting. In reality, he is moving the pieces of life around and soon he will rescue you! And if he doesn’t, your reward in eternity will be great!

 

That’s my take, and I would love to hear yours. Please feel free to comment below.

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Psalms: God is the center of life and the central joy of life! (Book 5)

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: foundationsforfreedom.net

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Psalms: God is the center of life and the central joy of life! (Book 5)

The Psalms are, in reality, the words to the praise and worship songs of the long ago nation of Israel. We are asking you to imagine these lyrics as the power point slides or the song sheets handed out to those who come to sing praise to God each weekend.

Book 5 – Psalms 107-150 wrap this collection of worship songs up with the strong vocalization of God’s worth. From a several more songs from King David (Psalm 108-110; 138-145), to a series of songs pilgrims would sing on the way up the mountain road to Jerusalem to the longest psalm about the glories of the words of the King of kings (Psalm 119), to five “Hallelujah” (Literally: Praise God!) psalms (Psalm 146-150), Book 5 leaves the reader / worshipper with little doubt that God is the center of life and the central joy of life as well.

Praise is transforming! For the people of Israel, humiliated and downcast over the conquest of their nation and their internment in a foreign land, these songs of worship sought to lift and focus them on the greatness of God’s steadfast love. As these words sank deep into the DNA of these discouraged peoples, the strong encouragement to their return to the will and words of God as a lifestyle would be felt. A turn around – literally, turning back – to an intimate, real and passionate relationship with God would be the intended result of these praise songs.

As you read, be sure not to miss …

  • The call to seek God when in distress and to thank him when he delivers, as in Psalm 107.
  • The certainty of the coming of Messiah (the World-Wide Ruling King, a descendant of David), as in Psalm 110.
  • The futility of idols and the faithfulness of God, as expressed in Psalm 115.
  • The value and practicality of a life lived in harmony with the words of God as revealed in the Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy), as in Psalm 119.
  • The joy of entering into God’s presence at the Temple by singing as you traveled up the mountains to Jerusalem as expressed in Psalms 120-134.
  • The mercy of God, which endures forever, as repeated after every line of the song in Psalm 136.
  • The unfathomable knowledge of humanity by God concerning our every movement, thought or work, as in Psalm 139.
  • The happiness of God which surrounds those who have been delivered by this all-powerful God, as in Psalm 144.
  • The praise of God through every means possible so that God’s name and fame may be known by all, as in Psalm 150.

No matter the depths of despair and difficulty, this volume of praise songs causes us to understand: God is able and willing to deliver us from any and all of our most dire circumstances if we will but draw close to him and trust his steadfast love.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.


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Transformed! Interviews Mike Slaughter about "Change the World!"

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We are so pleased you have returned to the Transformed podcast.

In today’s episode, we explore how we can recover the message and mission of Jesus, and thus, Change the World.

Matt’s guest today is Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg and the spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations.

When Mike arrived at Ginghamsburg Church in 1979, worship attendance hovered at 90 with 118 members and an annual budget of $27,000. Now, 4000 attendees on average worship weekly at Ginghamsburg and the multi-million dollar budget helps resource a faith community committed to serving the poor, lost and disenfranchised.

Today Matt and Mike talk about the church becoming a mission outpost, living out Christ’s ideals in today’s world. As they do, they will explore Mike’s book, Change the World.

You can also learn more about Mike by clicking this link.

You can also learn more about Mike’s ministry by clicking this link.

Matt wants you to pick up a copy of Mike’s book, Change the World. This resource will rock your world and help you rethink the message and mission of Jesus as it related to reaching your community in your generation.

Posted in Becoming Like Jesus, Book Reviews, christian life, Church Health, Discipleship, faith, God's will, Interviews, Missional, Multi-ethnic / Urban, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trusting God With the Things That Matter Most?

Posted on July 13, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:25–34, ESV)

I sometimes wonder if we really believe Jesus. I mean come on, isn’t it a bit hypocritical of me when I trust God for my eternal destiny through the substitutionary death of Jesus, but cant trust Jesus with my financial situation today?

Think about it with me for a moment, which is of more value – money or my eternal life? Of course, for many, the theological answer to this question is “my eternal life.” Yet, if we are honest, the operational answer for many of us is, “my financial life.”

Over the past weeks Melodee and I have watched as people who truly seek the kingdom of God first have sowed fresh vitality into our lives through generous gifts. While God is preparing our next full-time ministry, finances have exhausted themselves. Our prayer partners have not only prayed; they have showered us with their sacrifices to meet our financial shortfall.

In the past 16 months since our last fulltime ministry, we have learned what it means to focus Biblically on money. We use the following 5 principles, whether we have much or little.

M – Make Jesus master of our finances.

Since everything we have belongs to God, following the leadership of Jesus when it comes to the resources he has given us only makes sense. When we have had need, he has supplied through the Body of Christ. When others have had need, he had supplied their needs through our excess.

O – Only spend the money we have.

While many find this confusing, the Bible is clear that we are to “owe no one anything.” (Romans 13:8) Therefore, if we don’t have it, we don’t spend it.

N – Never use credit cards unless we have the money to pay for it now. (There are perks to using credit cards correctly.)

This is an important corollary to the previous point. We use our credit cards for the perks. However, we don’t use them if we don’t have the money to pay for the items when we buy them.

E – Exude generosity.

A woman in a dollar store this past month asked if we would buy her a bag of chips and a soda. She was hungry. She even handed us all of her money – about nine cents – which we refused. Such a small gesture could have been met with resistance, since we were about out of money ourselves. However, this kindness was met by an unexpected check in the mailbox when we returned home!

Y – Yield to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to give.

When a friend’s financial situation grew dark last year, God simply told us to give him $500 to help. We did without consideration, because we knew it was the Holy Spirit prompting us.

These simple principles have helped us in our financial troubles. While money is not what matters most in our lives, it is clear that God desires us to trust him with our financial resources.

We would love to hear from you about your financial journey with Christ in the center. Please take a few minutes and comment below!

<<<>>>

For daily insights into the Christian life, leadership and the Bible, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

<<<>>>

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.


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What Does Jesus Want Me to Do?

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: smallbiztrends.com

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” ” (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV)

Have you ever wondered what on earth you are here for? Often such a thought comes when we are “in between” things. If you are unemployed, or moving to a new place or city, or looking for the right church family you may experience this kind of question.

Jesus was clear that EVERYONE is responsible for one key task – to reach our world in our generation. This means we are to make disciples where we are! How does this look, practically?

My Mission

Jesus is clear – I am an “army of one” to reach the people around me in my lifetime. If I am married, we are a team. If I have a family we are a bigger team. However I slice it, my mission is to reach my world in my generation.

My Jerusalem

But,  the world is huge – where do I start? In my community – my Jerusalem! We start where we are. When we have won everyone around us, we move on!

My Neighborhood

Who am I supposed to start with? I start with my neighborhood! That is where God planted me. That is where God wants me to start!

My Neighbors

Who do I speak with? My neighbors! For me, that is Steve, Kevin, Jean Claude, Marcy, etc. God put me in proximity to these people so that I can demonstrate the love and leadership of Jesus through intentional acts of kindness. In essence, we do life together in my neighborhood! That’s the springboard for my mission – to introduce them to Jesus!

My Responsibility

The bottom line is this: God placed me in my neighborhood to touch the lives of the people who live here with the sacrificial love of Jesus. To do less would be to walk in rebellion to the command of Jesus of making disciples. I can use any and all the excuses I can think of, but, when I stand before Jesus they will all wash away and all that will be left is the solid reality of what I have done and why.

It’s your mission, your Jerusalem, your neighborhood, your neighbors, and your responsibility. Will you follow Jesus and love them to him?

That’s how I see it. I would love to hear from you and hear how you have taken responsibility for your world in your generation! Add a comment below, please!

<<<>>>

For daily insights into the Christian life, leadership and the Bible, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

<<<>>>

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.

Posted in christian life, Discipleship, faith, God's will, Leadership Blog, Missional | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Psalms: God Has Always Been on the Throne and He Still Reigns! (Book 4)

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: gracewalkministries.blogspot.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Psalms: God has always been on the throne and He still reigns! (Book 4)

We continue to state that the Psalms are, in reality, the words to the praise and worship songs of the long ago nation of Israel. We are asking you to imagine these lyrics as the power point slides or the song sheets handed out to those who come to sing praise to God each weekend.

Vibrant worship demonstrates our faith in the existence and involvement of our compassionate Lord God.

As we move into Book 4, Psalms 90-106 scream out the truth, “God has always been on the throne and He still reigns!” Hope begins to break forth into a blazing sunrise as the worshipper responds to this age-old truth: God is King – period. Consider this as the theme of this passage …

“Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him? O Lord God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O Lord, with your faithfulness all around you?” (Psalm 89:5–8, ESV)

This book, Psalms 90-106, reverberates with the triumph and power of our Almighty God …

  • Consider this statement by Moses expressing the eternality of God in Psalm 90:

“For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. ” (Psalm 90:4, ESV)

  • Hear the strength of the Psalmist’s conviction concerning the rule of God in Psalm 93:

“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. ” (Psalm 93:1–2, ESV)

  • Listen at the Psalmist declares that there are no other gods above our God, who is King above all gods in Psalm 95:

“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. ” (Psalm 95:1–3, ESV)

  • Rejoice in the reality that our God saves us from eternal destruction and real life’s situations with the Psalmist in Psalm 98:

“Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. ” (Psalm 98:1–3, ESV)

  • Worship God as the Creator of the universe as described by the Psalmist in Psalm 104:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire. He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. ” (Psalm 104:1–6, ESV)

Psalm by psalm, verse by verse, these worship songs provide the reader with an inescapable conclusion: God is the mighty creator of the universe, intimately involved in the lives of his children and worthy of their praise for his protection and provision.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

© 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

======

Host a Reaching Your Community In Your Generation Seminar!

The world around us changes approximately every 18 months! Such change brings great challenges to our mission. Eagles In Leadership has designed a weekend to help you energize your congregation or organization to fulfill the Great Commission in your community. You can bring this weekend to your church or organization!

The weekend revolves around four key messages:

  • Help! My Community Is Changing!
  • What’s Your Dream for Your Church? (And How Do You Reach It?)
  • Healthy Churches Grow!
  • Reaching Your Community In Your Generation! (It’s All About the Mission!)

You can learn more here.


Posted in Bible Reading, Just Read It! | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weight Loss Thoughts on the Daniel Plan

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Art Work Credit: naturalhealthcarereviews.com

As many of you know, Melodee, Tabitha and I began the Daniel Plan on January 15 of this year through the ministry of our pastor, Rick Warren and Saddleback Church. On Saturday, July 9, 2011, I spoke with Pastor Rick and discovered that his weight loss and mine were about the same – he had lost 40 pounds and I have lost 41.5 pounds on the plan. Both of us had a month where we plateaued.

We have both learned several things about why we plateau and how to get losing again. Among the things I have learned are these …

I need to …

Choose Right

If I want to lose weight, I need to choose foods that will fuel my body without putting fat on my body. These foods include more vegetables that are darker in color and less processed foods. Avoiding the addictive compounds of sugar, salt and fat are necessary. (We use dark olive oil, grape seed oil and refined coconut oil for cooking – all in great moderation!) Avoiding ENTIRELY the use of High Fructose Corn Syrup is essential to effective weight loss. Bottom line: Choose foods that are good for your body!

Eat Less

Portion size is a big issue with weight loss and good health. Since the average portion size is ½ cup, almost EVERYTHING I used to eat was larger! If there is a place where the battle rages today, it is here. Portion size on vegetables is 1 cup and with red meat – which we eat about once a week – is about the size of the palm of your hand or a deck of playing cards. The bottom line: Most of America is addicted to food. Get help if you need to, but you need to stop eating so much if you want to be healthy.

Move More

This may seem like an obvious one, but trying to move more in our sedentary world of vehicle travel and social media is becoming very difficult. “Anything important gets scheduled” is the old maxim I use. Each morning, after my quiet time with the Lord, I run – yes, I said run. I started walking about 6 years ago. Then as the pounds began to come off this year, I started jogging some – two block jogging, two blocks walking. Now I am up to 4 miles! We also walk “as if we are late” as a family and park farther from the entrance of the store we shop in. Bottom line: Just get moving!

Sit Less

The reverse is also true: the less you sit, the more you lose. Since I write a lot, I am at my computer desk for long periods of time. Scheduling in intentional movement, getting up and walking somewhere, moving about instead of sitting for hours are all part of my new regimen. Bottom line: Again, get moving by having fun!

Sleep More

Sleep is essential to weight loss. Studies show that you need 7-8 hours of sleep a night in order to lose weight. So, now I schedule into my day a sleep period of 8+ hours and have found the results amazing. In fact, when I was plateaued, I wasn’t sleeping 8+ hours! Who would have known? Bottom line: Which is more important, your health or the latest monologue from your favorite late night comedian? (You can record those you know.)

Drink More

Water is essential to weight loss. A gallon a day is my goal and, on those days I don’t make my goal, my weight loss is hampered or non-existent. Simply having a glass of water instead of the other things you drink – especially soda with its high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweetener – drops weight. Bottom line: If you don’t like water, get a better brand or admit you are addicted to sugar and get help.

These are the strategies at the core of my weight loss. You can learn more about the Daniel Plan here. If you have comments or questions, simply reply in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you!

(c) 2011 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, All rights reserved.

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In Times of Transition and Change In The Church

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: relationship-economy.com

The process of transition from a sick church to a healthy church is not an easy process! And when it begins, at least 5 things are true:

In Times of Transition

1)      Things do not stay the same

While we all like the security of stability, changes happen when we reorient our faith community to the health regimen of the New Testament.

2)      People are not what they seemed

As we evaluate everything based on spiritual health, the people around us who have been pretending feel exposed and often demonstrate their immaturity in graphic ways.

3)      The Church is no longer about me

Growing up is what health is all about in the local church and the core of spiritual growth is becoming “others-centered” and setting aside our own personal agenda.

4)      God can no longer be distant

In a sick church, God needs not be close, or even present, if we are to read Jesus’ words in Revelation 2-3 accurately. All that changes when we seek the health and life of Jesus in our midst!

5)      Life’s purpose is no longer a theory

Singing a few songs and giving a few bucks in the offering was all right when I just had to say I believed. Now, I need to discover why I am alive and present and what my part in God’s bigger plan is … and that takes some honest soul searching and practical changing.

In other words, when things begin to change from sick to healthy in our church, change reveals a lot about what we thought was true, but was just a façade. We need to be prepared for that.

Those are my thoughts. I would love to hear yours! Please comment below.

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