ETC: Everyday Thoughts Collected - Latest Comments in Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:48:31 -0000

He's one of my favorite worship leaders. I've actually never heard him live. With worship leaders like Jason Upton. There is almost always something missing on a CD even if it's recorded live. I especially like some of what he has to say. I think he has a way of ministering the father's heart.

But I have to say, I'm not one of those who judge people who listen to secular music.

I went through a period of time where I had to distance myself from secular music and secular TV programming only because of what I was watching and listening to. Not that it was bad or anything, it just didn't help me.

Just prior to entering the Living Waters program a few years ago I sat watching the L-Word. I actually had never sat through an entire episode of the show but it had been while watching part of one episode where I asked myself the question, how badly do I want to change?

It was like this.... it had been over 10 years since I had come to believe that healing and freedom from homosexuality was possible. I honestly have to credit the fact that I was exposed to Exodus and Love Won Out very early in life. Prior to making any choices I always knew of an alternative to embracing a lesbian identity. But I walked through some pretty extreme discouragement having experienced no real change in the amount of time where I expected to have had some kind of change.

But then the thought came to mind that perhaps I hadn't really been as committed as I previously thought.

And so I applied to become a Participant of Living Waters. And I stopped watching TV and listening to secular music for 1 year. And I grew out of touch with secular music and TV.

And eventually I came to believe that my journey is less about changing my sexual orientation and more about being a disciple of Jesus Christ whereby change no matter how big or small is a by-product of being in a relationship with Jesus. It's been 15 years since I've been on this particular journey. I don't regret the decision that I've made. I don't know if things would have been different had I been able to get the support that I have today much earlier. But for the most part I've been on my own, reading books by authors I don't know, learning from authors and speakers I don't know.

The turning point was when I went to an Exodus Conference in Toronto a number of years ago. During a lunch hour I once sat with folks like Sy Rogers, and Pat Lawrence, the Director of Exodus Global Alliance and her family. As well as a few others who shared their testimony during that conference. That was a turning point because I could see very real people who no doubt have experienced a real journey with Jesus with real change in their lives. If I'm going to believe what a person says, if I'm going to place any weight behind what a person teaches then I want to see that person walk out and live what they are teaching. When I had lunch with these folk during an Exodus conference I could tell these people were walking out and living what they were teaching.

Sometimes we need to make sacrifices to get to where we really want to get to. And for me, I grew out of touch with secular music which that really doesn't bother me. Honestly, I didn't even know that Fergie existed until I read through your blog post.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:48:31 -0000

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Randy — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:55 -0000

I like Jason Upton. He did a great job ministering at our conference a few years ago.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:13:59 -0000

Wondering if my comment had been thought of as being spam!

Anyways, I had a good laugh at the comments on this blog posting. ...my humps/my humps.......uh .....

I'm kinda out of touch with secular music these days. I listen to soaking type worship more often. Kinda like Jason Upton. It's kinda not even close to Fergie.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

RThomasETC — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:55 -0000

I like Jason Upton. He did a great job ministering at our conference a few years ago.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:13:59 -0000

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Randy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:53:43 -0000

::: laughing ::: I totally forgot about that song. Ok... fair enough.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Fay — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:35:47 -0000

I can sum it up in 10 words: my humps/my humps/my humps/my lovely lady lumps.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Randy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:19:59 -0000

oh and I am very glad to have brought a smile to your face!

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Randy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:19:29 -0000

Why do people hate Fergie? That's a somewhat serious question. I am personally tired of pop princesses. And like them all, she isn't a good role model. But she is odd so that is why if she flashes across the tv screen I listen.

Back to the point. I have heard serious artists (like you) and serious music lovers (like you) really trounce Fergie. So, why is that?

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Randy — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:12:48 -0000

I know, iPods are definitely revolutionary in their impact on modern entertainment.

And yes, I know about the eating right too. But I have yo-yo'd because of bad eating AND legalism. For me, eating was (still a struggle) very much like the sin and law dynamic instead of abiding in grace dynamic. So, I am taking what I have learned over the past few years and implementing it in ways that I can truly live with it. The bad/good thing about legalism is, if I do it right, it has immediate impact but it doesn't bring joy or really last. I started hating it when whole lunch conversations would turn into discussions about what the rules of the diet was instead of fellowshipping with friends.

I have been doing a personal "grace" approach to eating and I have lost about 15 pounds in six weeks. BUT, I am back on the same level of weight training I was on when I dropped off the gym radar last summer. As a matter of fact, I have only weighed myself twice during that time. And I am very cool with that. I know I am losing weight, eating much better and enjoying it.

Congrats on the new bike! ... now get to da' gym. :)

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Fay — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:38:54 -0000

Yeah, we can't be friends anymore. You listen to Fergie. I'll pray for you though. Really, really pray. Maybe even fast. :)

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Jay Schlosser — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:09:50 -0000

Im laughing sooo out loud!

We are so much alike. Its amazing. I love to eat. Mary J is my favorite. Just Fine is cool - but "Stay Down"..... wow! That song! Actually - that whole album. (I bought it for "Just Fine") My iPod is glued to my body. It amazes me that you can listen to Mary J, watch Micheal's Billie Jean music video, listen to Dave Ramsey talk about money advise, and look at your entire photo collection all on the same device.

Ive learned that it really does work if you add working out to eating right. Carbs are really bad for guys like us- sweets - sugar - donuts - lots of bread - lots of ice cream - all that fun stuff! Best are eggs, oatmeal, Cheerios, chicken breasts, TUNA, (yes I know) ...... and salad. Do that 5-6 times a day in small portions with regular work outs and .... POOF! It does get better. Oh - I just bought a brand new cross trainer bike that is soooo cool! It set me back over 400 which is alot for a bike!!! But sooo worth it. Cardio on the go that doesnt make u feel like a hamster is way more fun!

I look forward to the day when Chirst returns and our new bodies arrive and POW - my six pack is finally fun to FLEX! :)

Until then......

I need to get to the gym .....and be workng on my fitness. :)

Jay

2 Cor. 5:17

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:53:43 -0000

::: laughing ::: I totally forgot about that song. Ok... fair enough.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

fayola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:35:47 -0000

I can sum it up in 10 words: my humps/my humps/my humps/my lovely lady lumps.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:19:59 -0000

oh and I am very glad to have brought a smile to your face!

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:19:29 -0000

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

RThomasETC — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:12:48 -0000

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

fayola — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:38:54 -0000

Yeah, we can't be friends anymore. You listen to Fergie. I'll pray for you though. Really, really pray. Maybe even fast. :)

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Jay Schlosser — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:09:50 -0000

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:07:52 -0000

As far as personal security while trying to live a healthy well balanced life.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 23:07:11 -0000

That's so true!

I find the same to be true for me.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:07:52 -0000

As far as personal security while trying to live a healthy well balanced life.

Re: Running With The Big Dogs At The Gym

Janey — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:07:11 -0000

That's so true!

I find the same to be true for me.