Weight Loss: My Journey

In the summer of 2011 when I cam home from the summer trips, I jumped on the scale and saw 212#'s and I gasped. The 212#'s on my 5'9 body was really beginning to show and to take a toll on this almost 40 year old. I decided that I needed to do something but nothing drastic because I was in no mood to really get in shape, so I wanted to squeeze under the 200# mark.

Christmas of 2011, we were at my in-laws and my kids were doing Wii fit and playing games on the balancing board. My daughter asked me if I wanted to play and I said sure. I jumped on and because it was te Wii Fit, it asked if I wanted to create the character/program. My wight, 199#'s. I was happy, I was under 200. My daughter gasped though.

On the gasp and New Years resolution knocking, I decided to do something about my weight. Here is a picture of  me a few days ago with my boys at the pool.

My current weigh is 163#'s. I dropped the 36 pounds in three months and have remained the same weight the last two months. I only got on the scale at the end of the month - yes, just one weigh in a month. I was happy with the 14, 13, and 9 pound weigh loss to get me to 163.

I never had a goal weight. Instead it was more, let my body lose the weight and let my body choose where I am going to be stable and I think it will be around 165. Now, i love math and did some numbers and there is a small (very small) part of me that wants to lose 4 pounds. Not so much to squeeze under 160 and be at 159 but if I did go to 159, that would be a 53# weight loss or from a % standpoint - 25% of my body weight is gone - I would have lost 1/4 of myself.

I am not sure if I had a picture last summer of me with my shirt off, I was too much ashamed. At June, it will be 6 months. Maybe, I can take the approach the first 6 months was lose it and the next 6 months is build it. So, in July, I could start working out and building muscle ?? I will need help with that.

212 Never Again (I pray)

They Said What ?

 

 

 Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking about my life and the ministry that I have been involved in over the last five years. The last two years have been vastly different than the previous three. There is a newer song out by Sidewalk Prophets called "Live Like That" and it has my mind racing even more with the questions about ministry, life and purpose. Below in the quotes are the words of the song and then below the words are some thoughts that I am wrestling with.

Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I'm only just a memory
When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of those
Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true

People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that


I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You

If love is who I am
Then this is where I'll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back

I want to live like that
I want to live like that

If I died (maybe morbid to think about) a few years ago while in Wooster, I think that I would have been missed there much more than if I would die here today in Fishers (not that I am planning on dying). The reason that I say that is fairly simple; I do believe.

In Wooster, I was involved and connected to the community. In Lawrence/Fishers, I was not really connected. In Wooster, I was involved in numerous aspects of life. Here is a small sampling:

- weekly route with Meals on Wheels
- weekly volunteer at the free medical clinic
- participant in the interfaith partnership
- board of directors with ending poverty in Wayne county
- serving meals at dz
- advocate for health insurance for the uninsured (kinda ironic now)

Those are just a few of the things and that was me personally, not including the aspects that we were involved in with the church or the schools.

In Fishers and Lawrence, the volunteerism has really not occurred. Now, I was active in trying to get us (CTS) into the city and we partnered with Meet Me Under The Bridge (serving the homeless), Men's Shelter (serving the men there) and the Women's & Children Shelter (hosting fellowship nights).

But it has not been the same.

Now, in the song, I believe that I have constantly showed loved and in my work (currently stocking shelves), I try to live this out there and with my co-workers. But, there is always that but in my life ....

I want to make sure that when I am gone and people are talking that they say, he was a man of love and he made a difference in our community.

I have no idea where my job search will land me and what my next step will be, but whether it be here, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota or Hong Kong; I want to show the community love and grace.

Intergenerational Ministry

In many of my interviews, I have been happy to see many churches talking about inter-generational ministries. For most, it is a dream and a goal for them; many have not moved in that direction, because they are not sure how or they are affraid that if they do; they will lose families because it will not be as "attractional".

This morning, I received an article from churchleaders via my email that tackles the subject. I want to encourage you to go over there and read the article: Bridge The Gap. Kurt Johnson shares some practical advice on how we can build a bridge between the two cultures and then make the bridge smaller.

Far too long, in my opinion, we have built silos and are proud of them. But, I believe silos are very dangerous to church life. However, if you are going to attempt to tear the silos down; be prepared that there will be many that will not appreciate seeing the silos come down. The main reason, if you do ministry via silos; you can measure success a little easier and the end results (numbers) can come faster.

The Last Two Weeks

The last two weekends, we have been out of town visiting and interviewing with potential churches. Mother's Day weekend, we were in Iowa City, Iowa and this past weekend we were in Springfield, Illinois. In between those two, during the week, I was in Madison, Wisconsin looking at a church community and interviewing.

All three of the churches are vastly different from each other but each one of them is caring out the vision that God has called them to. It is great to see churches being involved in the ministry and seeing the differences that they are making in the community.

I am going back out to Iowa City this weekend to meet more individuals. With it being Mother's Day, I met the fewest people there. Also, during that time, I am giving a presentation to them on the Orange Philosophy and why it means so much to me.

All three visits and interviews went well; however, I am not sure if any of them will offer. We will see. i should know from all three of them within the next 7 days and for us as a family to decide which direction we feel would be the best bet for our family.

More Later

The Ministry Search

Over the last two and a half months, I have been searching for a new ministry position. It has been quite a journey. If everything goes well, I think that it will end by the end of the month; but there is definitely not a certainty that will occur.

The reason that I believe that this will be the month is the following:

On May 8th, I have an on-site interview with a church in Madison, Wisconsin area. On May 10th, I am receiving a phone call from a church in the Evansville, Indiana area on who they chose; their search process is finishing up this week. Then, I have an onsite interview (final candidates) with a church in the greater Cleveland area.

In addition to those, I have set interviews this coming Thursday with another church in the greater Cleveland area, plus a church in Springfield, Illinois. In addition to those, I have had interviews with churches in Denver, Colorado and another central Indiana church that have not "eliminated" me.

If we have multiple options, the decision will be hard and much discernment will have to occur. Not only are the churches in different areas of the country, they are different denominations and different ministry positions. That may seem a little odd, but when I entered into the search; I wanted to cast the net far and deep and really not "exclude" or "close" doors. I thought that this would allow God to show me the path that we as a family need to take.

During the process, I have shared bits and pieces on facebook, but I have not shared exact towns, churches or denominations; more of a personal choice and trying to be a little precautions. Individuals have asked me if I have ranked the churches. In a sense, yes, but that ranking is not firm. They shift and change a little with more information that comes to the table.

Location plays a part, salary and benefits play a part, ministry role plays a part, church staff plays a part, the senior pastor plays a big part and the children, youth, adults that I have met play into the equation as well.

Right now, I am looking forward to the interviews on Thursday and I think the telling week of May 6th where I will have two on-site final interviews and hear from a church on their decision.

Pittsburgh

One of the great things about the city ....

Primanti's .....

ESTJ

Recently, I retook my personality profile. As I am looking for a new ministry and working on some of my life plans, I thought that it would be a good idea. My results, I am an ESTJ. This is a slight change from 10 years ago when I was an ENTJ. The slight change as occurred (in my opinion) due to life circumstances and ministry positions that I have held over the last five years.

The quick summary: Fact-minded practical ORGANIZERS; assertive, analytical, systematic; push to get things done and working smoothly and efficiently. Having extraverted THINKING as their strongest mental process, they are at their best when they can take charge and set things in logical order.

Some things we value:

- results, doing, acting
- deciding quickly and logically
- task focused behavior
- categorizing aspects of life

That is a quick snapshot of an ESTJ and who I am. It is also interesting reading/researching the INFP which is the direct opposite of me. The direct opposite of me shows where my weaknessness lies.

Indianapolis Indians & Children International

This morning, I went to downtown Indianapolis and went to Victory Field. I had a meeting with a Sponsorship Sales Executives team member. I think that the meeting went well. I am not sure what exactly will come of it but I went down there to share with them a little bit about Children International and if there will be an opportunity that we can partner with one another.

Thus, I may be able to get information into the hands of individuals attending the ball game about child-sponsorship. Later next week, we will be back in communication to see what might be on the table. It may be as simple as passing out brochures at the gate about CI. It may be setting up a booth and having individuals see the children that are available for sponsorship. We also may partner with them and the other organizations for their faith night in August.

We may still be here at that time, so I may be there or I will pass it off to someone else. But, it was good going in and getting a foot in the door and letting them know about CI.

For baseball fans, at Faith night, Andre Dawson will be speaking.

Am I Invisible ?

Since I resigned from Christ The Savior, I have attended seven different churches. I believe that we have found our "home church" till we find our next step in ministry. However, it was an interesting experience visiting churches and I have thought about continuing the experiment. One of the reasons that I have thought about continuing the experiment is because the church that may be our home church has a Saturday night service. So, we can attend there as a family and on Sunday's, I can explore and do "research".

There was one Sunday in particular that was interesting. I went to three services at three different locations. I went to an 8:30, 10 and a 11:30 service. I am not going to name or oust the 10am service but when i went there, I must have been invisible. Now, let me tell you, I think that they knew i was there though. It was a smaller church (under 100), so it was not like I was hiding in the crowd.

No one greeted me at the door.

I stood in the gathering space wondering around, no one approached.

Ah, the coffee bar with folks 'working'. I went over there and struggle to get coffee, trying to make it known that I needed help. Not a word. Hmmmm, I will go into the "worship space".

No one there to say hi to me.

I sat down (10 minutes before service) and not a soul.

Ahhh greeting time, here it goes. Wow, did they greet and it was a long greeting time. However, I was not the one being greeted. If you are one of them, it is a loving place. I am just not sure how to become one of them.

Service was great, worship was excellent, sermon was relevant; it was just cold.

Lights back on, I exit and not a word. I don't even recall a smile or a head nod.

Nope, this is not the "home church".

What Is Sponsorship ?

Children International's mission is to help children living in dire poverty. Through the

generosity of contributors, we provide needy children with a variety of programs and services to meet their basic needs, enhance their self-esteem and raise their physical and educational levels in a meaningful, lasting way. Since 1936, Children International has been providing assistance to children and families struggling in terrible poverty. Today, through the Children International® Sponsorship Program,  we help children in 11 countries – Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia.  With your support, we can continue to help poor children grow up healthy and educated.  Here is a 2 1/2 minute video on "What Is Sponsorship"

Please go to my personal page, take a look at the children and sponsor one of them. You can choose the gender, age and country and begin to build that relationship with them TODAY. And today is my 40th birthday, that would be a really cool 40th birthday present for me; if you would sponsor a child.

Children International: Jeff's Page