Last month I set the distance 2 to zero on the 1st and then checked it last night. I rode a total of 145.04 miles in June. I hope to increase that this month. Though, the fact that I’m going to be gone to
In any case the increased activity has really helped my mood. I feel pretty darn good when I ride and get that blood circulating. At the same time my weight has gone from 205 pounds when I began riding again down to 193 today, a nice slow reduction that I think is sustainable. I’m also using the Shangri-la diet that entails taking flavorless calories an hour away from meals. This is supposed to lower the bodies “set point” so that you are not so hungry. That seems to actually work for me, and it doesn't try to turn me into a vegetarian eating no fat or a carnivore eating nothing but animal flesh! I can eat what I feel like eating, the difference is that I simply feel like eating less of it than I did before. Pretty cool. Check out this link if you want to learn more about it. The book Seth Roberts wrote takes a couple of hours to read and the thing is beyond simple.
The only glitch in my life is financial. I am so very broke that it’s quite worrying. This is due to past extravagance and way too much credit and to the lack of a promised raise at the start of the year that I was really counting on to get ahead. Now I’ve been promised a raise in the next few weeks that should help, if it ever happens that is. Otherwise I’m going to find it impossible to continue to juggle debts and things are going to start hitting the floor with a resounding and distressing thud.
¶ 7/01/2006 09:08:00 AM 0 Comments
It is the perfect day to be looking toward the Lord! Our feet are often snared by waywardness. Like a net, our sins lay a trap for us. Into what have you stumbled, dear Christian? Into what have you rushed headstrong and foolish? You and I should know the Way better.
The Psalmist teaches us to pray, “Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions.” Indeed! If the Lord does not look away from such things, who can stand? And so, it is fitting that we pray to the Lord on a day like this, as we anticipate the feasting tomorrow.
There is a way in which the Christian may look to the Lord and be confident. There is a way for the Lord to turn Himself and look in our direction so that poor sinners need not be afraid.
In the Lord’s mercy, He remembers us. For His goodness’ sake, He leads us in His way. And what is the Lord’s mercy? What is the Lord’s goodness? What is the way of life and peace with our heavenly Father?
The answer to that, dear Baptized, is what allows you to look to the Lord in hope. It is what allows the Lord to look at you and smile to think that He will have you at His Table. The answer is Jesus – crucified in place of people like ourselves – and risen now in glory, to give His Gifts to rescue us from sin.
The Lord is not blind to your desperate need. He sees your affliction. He knows your anguish. Look how He raises it before our eyes in the image of His murdered Son! The Father turned away from Jesus, so that He might always now, in mercy, look in our direction.
With Jesus between us and our ever and all-seeing Father, we have peace. We have Jesus. In Him, our Father keeps His eyes on us. In Christ, we are the Apple of His eye, and He is looking past our sins, not holding even one of them against us.
Remember that, dear Christian, as you walk the Way. Remember that as you avoid the sin that so easily entangles. And when you do not? Look to the Lord of Mercy Who has given you His Son. Because of Him, He turns toward you in mercy and will fill you full of it tomorrow!
“Keep my soul, and deliver me; Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.” (Psalm. 25:20)
Daily Readings
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
Galatians 3:23-4:11
Matthew 15:1-20 ¶ 7/01/2006 08:29:00 AM 0 Comments
