Spiritual Fitness

This week's focus book(s) to read is: 1 & 2 TIMOTHY

I re-learned something recently that I already knew intuitively. Fasting is a great spiritual discipline, but a lousy way to lose weight (in the long run). Many of you already know, just less than a couple of weeks ago I completed a 40-day fast, whereas I only drank water, juice, broth, and a lot of yukky tea and some other distasteful things. And I lost 30 pounds in the process. But here's the kicker: since I started eating again, I've gained much of it back already... yep, I'm growing the gut again.  :-(  Oh well, that's because fasting as a diet is a really lousy, rather unhealthy way of shedding weight. During the famine you lose weight (though not at first, since your body goes in to starvation mode)... but eventually it comes off. However, during the feast you gain it back again in a great big hurry! 

I firmly believe that losing weight is more about paying close attention to eating a balanced diet (less carbs in my case)... moderating the portions (listening to my body)... EXERCISE... and frankly, giving my health/vanity over to God (recognizing it first and foremost as a spiritual battle). All of those things are key if I ever want to lose the gut once and for all (and perhaps live longer too).

Want to know the truth? I kinda do the same thing with Daily Bread too... that is, I have a feast or famine approach to chewing on the words of Holy Scripture. I might go a few days without reading a word... then spend several hours immersing myself in seeking what God has to say to me through the stories of His people. Why am I like that? Why do I starve myself for awhile, only to piggishly slop around in it later? Wouldn't a more mature approach be to marinate my soul (to continue the food analogy) in the Word daily... tuning my ear to God's Spirit, and seeking to know the will of God through an intentional, disciplined time of prayer?

⁶ If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. ⁷ Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. ¹⁰This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Man, I really do want to get into shape. I want to look better, feel better, and live life more fully by getting into good physical condition. But more than that... much, much more than that - I want to train myself for godliness - and consequently, teach others how to receive the, "promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." I am not a perfect person... far from it. But God has called me to grow and mature in my faith, and passionately encourage others to bear down, to breathe deeply, and discipline themselves to do the necessary hard work so they can walk in the narrow path... the path of holiness... the Way of our Lord and our salvation... the resurrected life.


Thank you, Cole, for constantly and continually reminding me of my need to feed on the Words of God daily... and spend enough time in prayer to really and truly hear what He wants to whisper into my ear. You indeed are my Timothy, as well as my son.

PHILIPPIANS - Working Out Our Salvation

This week's focus book to read is PHILIPPIANS (NLT)


There's a passage in chapter two that has always kind of jumped out at me. At first sight, verses 12 and 13 seem to throw a curveball at us "by faith alone" kind of believers.

¹² Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Wait a minute. Work out my salvation with fear and trembling? What's there to work out, Jesus? Ahem, I seem to remember the little detail in the four gospel accounts that YOU worked out our salvation already! I mean, you died on the cross for us, right? You paid the price for our salvation, correct? It's not something we could earn on our own... we're not capable of bringing about our own salvation... are you with me so far? SALVATION AIN'T POSSIBLE APART FROM GOD... so how in the world are we supposed to "work out our salvation"? And, for that matter, why the fear and trembling? Didn't Jesus absorb the punishment for the sins of mankind on that same cross (hence, "salvaging" us from God's garbage heap)? What's to fear?


Well... I learned this amazing phrase in seminary that helps to explain this kind of situation. Yes/and. (Wait... I can hear you asking: you went to seminary for the better part of a decade to learn that?) Yep, but rest assured, I learned a couple of other tidbits too.  :-)  Anyway, yes/and. YES, our High Priest (Jesus) stepped into our world and took our place on the altar of death... shedding his priestly robes and becoming the sacrificial lamb on the cross. Yes, in so doing, he did indeed bring about our salvation. That is God's gracious act in this covenant relationship. AND, we Christians - having accepted the gift of life, now are called to fulfill our part of the bargain... by living our lives by faith, seeking to reflect the nature and character - a.k.a. love - of our Lord and Savior. As it says in Matthew 5:48 (The Message), "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."


Exactly... you've been given the gift of salvation... now live like it. Act like it. Believe it. Let that eternal fact saturate your soul. Work it our in your life each and every day. And, while you're at it... do it with fear and trembling. No, not the kind of fear you experience when you watch Saw IV... that's carnal fear. The kind of fear (and trembling) this passage is getting at is the kind that comes from being overwhelmed by the presence of something... or someone that make you draw back in total awe. Like if you met the President or something (hmmmm... perhaps Sarah Palin is a better example if meeting the current president wouldn't get your adrenaline pumping)! You get the idea, right? God is big, He's powerful, He's awesome, He's holy... and because of that, mere humans couldn't help but shrink in His presence. He may be GOOD, but I guarantee you... He ain't safe. He's GOD for goodness sake! If the thought of encountering Him someday (and we all will) doesn't bring about a sense of fear and trembling... then you are what the Palmists would call a fool. An Englishman might call you a bloody fool. But I would just call you very, very brave... or maybe just plain stupid.


Anyway, you gotta admit... this whole thing is a yes/and situation. You and I are saved and salvaged, brothas and sistas who embrace the cross... so let's respond to and confirm the covenant by doing what we ought... by working out our salvation with fear and trembling!