EXERCISE NAKED
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Hello fellow Exercisers...or Exerciser Wannabes...Here it is March 25th, 2008.. a long way from January 1st, 2008. We...along with a multiplicity of other well meaning human beings...have made resolutions to get into shape. We are gonna change our ways...we are gonna quit overeating...we are gonna start working out...we are gonna join the YMCA, or some other health club...and really, really, really...fulfill our promise to ourselves.
Back in the 60's I would read my comic books...and want to order the stuff that was on the back pages. You could order pills that you could water and grow sea monkeys...you could order magic kits where you would be able to amaze your friends and neighbors as you put your finger in a miniature guillotine and NOT chop off your finger. You could order X-RAY glasses with promises of seen through clothing and you hand to see your bones. I actually ordered these glasses...and guess what...they did not work. You could also order exercise equipments and programs that would take a 98# weakling...and turn you into a real MAN...with bulging muscles...and a leopard loin cloth.
Now days you can get BowFlex...Total Gyms...Thigh Masters...Tummy Tuckers...Nordic Tracks...and many other pieces of equipment that end up as the clothes hanger that you always wanted. I really get inspired when I see Chuck Norris demonstrating the Total Gym...but that inspiration...does not turn into perspiration....and I end up in condemnation.
The Bible has a solution for my flabby body...and for my flabby spiritual life... BUT...I will get the same results that I get with a Total Gym...or if I use the Bible for my spiritual life.
It won't WORK...unless I WORK IT.
"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit...but godliness is profitable for ALL THINGS...since it holds promise for THE PRESENT LIFE...and also for...THE LIFE TO COME."
(I Timothy 4: 7,8)
We play the game of Life...we eat Life cereal...we read Life magazine...we even believe that it really is a WONDERFUL LIFE...but we limit ourselves to the FINITE LIFE. The life that Jesus spoke about that He would gives us was ABUNDANT LIFE. "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have LIFE...and might have it ABUNDANTLY." (John10:10)
In Paul's encouragement to Timothy...to discipline himself for a purpose...with the purpose being life...he indicated that this discipline would be PROFITABLE.. of BENEFIT...for two time frames of our lives....(1) THE PRESENT LIFE
(2) THE LIFE TO COME. This life would not be coming by OSMOSIS...it would not happen just because we believe it...it would not drop on us like a ton of bricks....but would happen in conjunction with us...putting our faith in action.
James says that..."FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. (James 2:14-17) Paul encourages us to WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION. (Philippians 2:12-13)They are not talking about hammering out a new way to save ourselves...that has been done already...ONCE for ALL...and that would be the D.B.R. nothing more...nothing less. "He saved us NOT on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness...but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) "For by GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD; NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS... that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
NOTE: Whenever you try to justify your sinful life...by doing something good (aka good works)...you are trying to change yourself from the outside...and you can't do it. Every time you give money to the poor...build a house for the homeless...sacrifice your time, money, etc.. you are doing like the green minded people...who think it is alright to live life to the energy depleting fullest...and then paying Al Gore carbon offsets to ease your ecologically depleted conscience. NOTE TO THE NOTE: Doing good deeds is not a bad thing...especially for those who receive the benefit of your actions...but don't think that it puts you one inch closer to God loving you anymore or any less...or that you can BUY YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN...while you LIVE LIKE HELL ON EARTH.
Now...that we see that we are not WORKING OUR WAY IN with our DISCIPLINING OF OURSELVES FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS...why do we need to DISCIPLINE ourselves...and HOW do we do it.
The word DISCIPLINE...means (1) to exercise (2) to train (3) to practice naked!
This is in reference to the way that the original Greek Olympic Games were practiced for and ran. They removed articles of clothing that would entangle their movement in their practice. In Hebrews 5:14...we see that we exercise (practice naked)...to have our senses trained to discern good and evil.
This exercise...disciplining...training...practicing naked and unencumbered... is done by REASON OF USE. Use it...or lose it. This Christian walk is not some stagnanat...atrophied...lazy thing. As we step up to the place in grace and mercy...we flex our working muscles to grow stronger.
Rocky Balboa...was a washed up bum...until...he had an opportunity to win the prize. He went into training...running...pushups...going a few rounds with sides of meat in a meat locker...listening to his Helper (Trainer) Mick...he GOT INTO SHAPE. The wizened old trainer Mick...told Rocky...that he had to "eat lightning and crap thunder." KABOOM!!!!!!
As I prepared for my Black Belt exam...I utilized upbeat music...like the Theme From Rocky...The Eye of The Tiger...etc. I also watched movies like Chariots of Fire to inspire.
Eric Liddle...a runner in the 1924 Olympics in Paris...and later to be a missionary to China...had his Olympic experience chronicled in the movie Chariots of Fire.
Some of Eric Liddle's quotes...are inspirational...for you if you want to begin to DISCIPLINE YOURSELF...in your spirit, soul, and body.
"I believe God made me for a PURPOSE...but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel HIS PLEASURE."
The secret to Eric Liddle's success...."The secret of my success over the 400 meters is that...I ran the first 200 as hard as I could...and then the second 200 (with God's help)...I ran it harder."
When you begin to take the first steps to practicing...training...disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness....YOU WILL NOT BE AT THE PEAK OF YOUR TRAINING. You may not be able to do 100 set ups...you may only be able to do 1 push up...you may only be able to walk 1/2 mile...BUT as you are faithful in the little things...he will give you more. The Law of Use...The Law of Reciprocity will kick in...and you will do more...and grow stronger in your faith and your walk with the Lord.
Start reading the Word...start praying...start listening for His voice...start obeying His voice...and you will GROW STRONG...and it will be very BENEFICIAL for you...right here on PLANET EARTH...and you will being storing up treasure for the LIFE TO COME.
Love and Persevering Kisses
Rodney "Balboa" Boyd
Hello fellow Exercisers...or Exerciser Wannabes...Here it is March 25th, 2008.. a long way from January 1st, 2008. We...along with a multiplicity of other well meaning human beings...have made resolutions to get into shape. We are gonna change our ways...we are gonna quit overeating...we are gonna start working out...we are gonna join the YMCA, or some other health club...and really, really, really...fulfill our promise to ourselves.Back in the 60's I would read my comic books...and want to order the stuff that was on the back pages. You could order pills that you could water and grow sea monkeys...you could order magic kits where you would be able to amaze your friends and neighbors as you put your finger in a miniature guillotine and NOT chop off your finger. You could order X-RAY glasses with promises of seen through clothing and you hand to see your bones. I actually ordered these glasses...and guess what...they did not work. You could also order exercise equipments and programs that would take a 98# weakling...and turn you into a real MAN...with bulging muscles...and a leopard loin cloth.
Now days you can get BowFlex...Total Gyms...Thigh Masters...Tummy Tuckers...Nordic Tracks...and many other pieces of equipment that end up as the clothes hanger that you always wanted. I really get inspired when I see Chuck Norris demonstrating the Total Gym...but that inspiration...does not turn into perspiration....and I end up in condemnation.
The Bible has a solution for my flabby body...and for my flabby spiritual life... BUT...I will get the same results that I get with a Total Gym...or if I use the Bible for my spiritual life.It won't WORK...unless I WORK IT.
"...discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit...but godliness is profitable for ALL THINGS...since it holds promise for THE PRESENT LIFE...and also for...THE LIFE TO COME."
(I Timothy 4: 7,8)
We play the game of Life...we eat Life cereal...we read Life magazine...we even believe that it really is a WONDERFUL LIFE...but we limit ourselves to the FINITE LIFE. The life that Jesus spoke about that He would gives us was ABUNDANT LIFE. "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I came that they might have LIFE...and might have it ABUNDANTLY." (John10:10)
In Paul's encouragement to Timothy...to discipline himself for a purpose...with the purpose being life...he indicated that this discipline would be PROFITABLE.. of BENEFIT...for two time frames of our lives....(1) THE PRESENT LIFE
(2) THE LIFE TO COME. This life would not be coming by OSMOSIS...it would not happen just because we believe it...it would not drop on us like a ton of bricks....but would happen in conjunction with us...putting our faith in action.
James says that..."FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD. (James 2:14-17) Paul encourages us to WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION. (Philippians 2:12-13)They are not talking about hammering out a new way to save ourselves...that has been done already...ONCE for ALL...and that would be the D.B.R. nothing more...nothing less. "He saved us NOT on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness...but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) "For by GRACE you have been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD; NOT AS A RESULT OF WORKS... that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)
NOTE: Whenever you try to justify your sinful life...by doing something good (aka good works)...you are trying to change yourself from the outside...and you can't do it. Every time you give money to the poor...build a house for the homeless...sacrifice your time, money, etc.. you are doing like the green minded people...who think it is alright to live life to the energy depleting fullest...and then paying Al Gore carbon offsets to ease your ecologically depleted conscience. NOTE TO THE NOTE: Doing good deeds is not a bad thing...especially for those who receive the benefit of your actions...but don't think that it puts you one inch closer to God loving you anymore or any less...or that you can BUY YOUR WAY INTO HEAVEN...while you LIVE LIKE HELL ON EARTH.
Now...that we see that we are not WORKING OUR WAY IN with our DISCIPLINING OF OURSELVES FOR THE PURPOSE OF GODLINESS...why do we need to DISCIPLINE ourselves...and HOW do we do it.The word DISCIPLINE...means (1) to exercise (2) to train (3) to practice naked!
This is in reference to the way that the original Greek Olympic Games were practiced for and ran. They removed articles of clothing that would entangle their movement in their practice. In Hebrews 5:14...we see that we exercise (practice naked)...to have our senses trained to discern good and evil.
This exercise...disciplining...training...practicing naked and unencumbered... is done by REASON OF USE. Use it...or lose it. This Christian walk is not some stagnanat...atrophied...lazy thing. As we step up to the place in grace and mercy...we flex our working muscles to grow stronger.
Rocky Balboa...was a washed up bum...until...he had an opportunity to win the prize. He went into training...running...pushups...going a few rounds with sides of meat in a meat locker...listening to his Helper (Trainer) Mick...he GOT INTO SHAPE. The wizened old trainer Mick...told Rocky...that he had to "eat lightning and crap thunder." KABOOM!!!!!!
As I prepared for my Black Belt exam...I utilized upbeat music...like the Theme From Rocky...The Eye of The Tiger...etc. I also watched movies like Chariots of Fire to inspire.Eric Liddle...a runner in the 1924 Olympics in Paris...and later to be a missionary to China...had his Olympic experience chronicled in the movie Chariots of Fire.
Some of Eric Liddle's quotes...are inspirational...for you if you want to begin to DISCIPLINE YOURSELF...in your spirit, soul, and body.
"I believe God made me for a PURPOSE...but he also made me fast. And when I run, I feel HIS PLEASURE."
The secret to Eric Liddle's success...."The secret of my success over the 400 meters is that...I ran the first 200 as hard as I could...and then the second 200 (with God's help)...I ran it harder."
When you begin to take the first steps to practicing...training...disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness....YOU WILL NOT BE AT THE PEAK OF YOUR TRAINING. You may not be able to do 100 set ups...you may only be able to do 1 push up...you may only be able to walk 1/2 mile...BUT as you are faithful in the little things...he will give you more. The Law of Use...The Law of Reciprocity will kick in...and you will do more...and grow stronger in your faith and your walk with the Lord.
Start reading the Word...start praying...start listening for His voice...start obeying His voice...and you will GROW STRONG...and it will be very BENEFICIAL for you...right here on PLANET EARTH...and you will being storing up treasure for the LIFE TO COME.
Love and Persevering Kisses
Rodney "Balboa" Boyd
Labels: Discipline Yourself, Exercise Naked, godliness, Olympic games
posted by Ruminatin' Rod at 7:23 AM
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