SuperSize Me?

Something that I have contemplated a lot over the years has to do with our apparent natural inclination to continuously desire (and do) what is not best for us...then we say something like, "I was born that way." Or, "That's just the way I am".

I am not talking about natural God-Given personality traits and abilities (or lack of them); we are born with those sorts of things. I am talking about doing things that are bad for us and then claiming somehow that we can't change, because that's just who we are.

And, when someone tries to help us, we get defensive and sometimes mad…and call that person 'judgmental', 'intolerant', or 'holier-than-thou'. (I tend to simply ignore those trying to help me)…and they are trying to help us stop hurting ourselves!!

We have all done it.

I know I have, and still do somewhat from time to time. None of us want anyone telling us what to do or 'how to run our lives'. But that's another blog for another day.

What I keep wondering about is how we get this way. I know that we are all born in sin. We don't have to be taught to do wrong. We are naturally drawn to certain ways of living that God has stated are clearly wrong; or, to things that we know in our heart are not best for us. Profanity, homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, over drinking, over eating, pornography, stealing, lying, manipulation, gossip…and the list goes on and on…………and on. We are all guilty in many areas.

So, how do we get to the point that we actually defend our sin and demand that others 'accept us for who we are'? How do we get to the place where we justify the very things that are destroying us?
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In the meantime, back at the Jordan house…Kaley and Elijah rented the documentary, Supersize Me…it was quite interesting. As an experiment to explore the effects on one's physical and psychological well-being, Morgan Spurlock chose to eat nothing but fast food (McDonalds) for one month. His rules were simple:

-He must fully eat three McDonald's meals per day
-He must sample every item on the McDonald's menu at least once over the course of the 30 days
-He must only ingest items on the menu. Including bottled water.
-Any and all outside consumption of food is prohibited.
-He must eat a McDonald's salad every tenth meal
-He must "Super Size"" his meal whenever, and only when, the option is offered to him.
-He must only walk 5,000 steps per day.

Before the experiment, Spurlock, age 32 at the time the movie was filmed in 2003, ate a varied diet but always ate vegan evening meals…since his girlfriend is a vegan chef. Overall, he was healthy. At 6 feet 2 inches tall, he weighed 185.5 lbs.

After thirty days, he gained 24.5 lbs. He also experienced mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver problems. It took Spurlock fourteen months to lose the weight he gained.

But what really got me was this: In the beginning, his body reacted negativly to this change…to the point that he threw up (on the third day, I think). But, after a while, he actually began to crave it! This unhealthy lifestyle even became his comfort at times, both physically and psychologically. And even though his own body tried to tell him along the way that this was a bad thing, he chose to coninue on through the warnings…to the point of seemingly needing it.

As I was contemplating this, I realized that is similar to what we do regarding sin. At some point, we make a choice to continue in our sin or unhealthy lifestyle. We choose to push through all the warnings signs and eventually become the thing that we have chosen! And then say, "Well, that's just who I am."

It was at this point, I heard something. I will say that it was from God, but I don't know for sure what that voice sounds like anymore. But, I think I can at least say it was based on Godly concepts…

Tim, what or who do you want to be? It is your choice. You become your choices. Choose sin and ungoldy paths, you will become an ungodly person. Be apathetic, and choose to live in the gray areas of life, you will become a lukewarm person. Choose to follow Jesus and the Godly path, and you will become a Godly person. It is all your own personal choice, and you are soley responsible for this.

So Tim, don't blame others, the world, circumstances, and life events for what you have become. Don't claim that you can't change…the fact is, you choose not to. Make Godly choices throughout each day, and you will begin to change to a more Godly person. It's not always easy, but it's simple.

Faith

I believe a good Bible teacher not only teaches Truth, but opens doors for others to find Truth on their own. The teaching concerning Faith on Sunday mornings at the church we are attending…good stuff.
I have been working from 2:15 p.m.-12:45 a.m.; and, I worked Saturday night. When Krista woke me up Sunday, I was very slow moving and thought about sleeping in…but I am glad I went to church…even with the cobwebs in my brain.

The one thought that keeps coming to mind as I meditate on Hebrews 11, is that Faith is not something we ‘work up’ to receive stuff for ourselves. I have often heard people say something like, “If have I have enough faith, I will receive ____________” It’s mostly self-serving.

However, Faith is given so that we can do for others…it is actually given to us for works-“faith without works is dead”. While our Faith may allow us to receive from God, the focus of Faith should not be serving self, but serving others. There is so much more and I am glad that I have been taking notes…but for now…

I have been reading the first part of Hebrews 11, and I find it interesting that each one listed, acted on their faith…(you should definitely read the whole chapter, as the Faith of several of these heroes is explained.)

It leaves me doing an evaluation concerning my faith…does it propel me into proper action?

The following is an excerpt from Hebrews 11…notice the connection--By Faith, someone did something towards (or for) another, and at times the results are mentioned. Then, check out what Faith-filled people received at the end of the chapter…not exactly a life of prosperity.

2 For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand…
4 ¶ By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice...
5 By faith Enoch was taken away….he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him,….
7 By faith Noah,…moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household,…
8 By faith Abraham obeyed…And he went out…not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents….
10 for he waited…

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age…

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac,…
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped….
22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.
24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,
26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 ¶ And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:
33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.
36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented––
38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.