As you know, I'm really trying to lose weight.  Yesterday I decided to REALLY start getting after it.  I had a banana for breakfast, a bowl of soup for lunch and a few pretzels during the afternoon.  After our greeters meeting I had a piece of ham with some lettuce.  I was expecting to lose two or three pounds with eating so little.  I lost one stinking pound.  Can you believe it?  Went to bed hungry and lost one pound!  The problem is this, I want to lose all this extra weight today when it has taken years of undisciplined eating habits to get where I am.  I don't want to work at it day in and day out.  I'm great about dieting through the week but want to eat everything during the weekend and still lose a ton of weight.

The same is oh so true with people and their walk with Christ.  We have all these undisciplined habits that have caused so much pain in our lives during our pre-Jesus days.  When we do finally give Christ control of our lives we expect to be super spiritual within the first week.  Every single Jesus loving person must realize it takes work to become the man or woman of God that Jesus Christ expects.  We can't read our Bible for an hour one day and think were the next Apostle Paul.  It takes steady work.  It takes hanging in there during the weekends.  It takes a love for Jesus that most people don't understand.

I love the way scripture says it:

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

So, the question for the day is simple, how are you doing in your race?  Your race with Christ and whatever struggles you have in life?
Hang in there, run your race with perseverance and don't let the world bring you down.

Some random thoughts:
* Had a friend in the ministry contact me yesterday about some real problems.  Heart goes out to guys who deal with that crap. 
* So thankful 5 Point allows me to lead and be me.  And that is saying a lot.
* I will weigh 280 by September 13th.  Start of American Jesus series.
* God has surrounded with with several men I love and trust dearly.  They can say what they think and we can disagree.  Love and appreciate every one of them.
* Met with my pastor coach today.  He makes me think and I love it.
* Going to New Spring in the morning with Dwain.  Attending the One conference with him.  Should be a lot of fun.
* Just finished Sundays message before lunch.  Really struggled with it.  God must have some BIG plans.
* You want to get here early because Tim and the band are doing some things we've never tried.  PROMISE. 
* Football season is almost here. Praise the Lord!
* Had a good time with the greeters last night.  Shared a vision and tried to help all of them understand why we do what we do.
* Deb and I are having dinner at Capri's with another couple tonight.  Really looking forward to it.  Then no kids at home. 
* Have you ever thought about if your hated because of Jesus?

Matthew 24:9
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

I wonder if were not hated because of Jesus due to the fact we don't do anything to cause it?