Well, you gotta start someplace.
So I've decided to change tack on this blog to use it for purely personal reflection on my quest to get in shape and, Lord willing and the creek don't rise, compete in a triathlon in a year or so's time.
Taking inventory of why I decided to do it: Well, why not?
So I'm keeping a journal -- online -- as a way of thinking through what I'm doing and to allow myself to track my progress.
What's held me back in the past -- and holding me back now?
Laziness, for one thing. That's the biggest obstacle, but I think that itself is rooted in something deeper. I've never been very patient with myself, never been able to accept that there are things I'm not good at -- things I have to work harder at to have any hope of accomplishing well. And I've been reluctant throughout my life to embrace anything I couldn't pick up easily -- to willingly expose myself to failure or admit that ... well, I don't have all of the answers and can't do everything.
So this, to a certain extent, is an effort to address a personal shortcoming, to capitalize on a moment when things are going well with my career and life and do Something Big. Perhaps down the road, when the going gets tougher, I'll need clearer reasons, but for now, I'm doing it to get into shape -- and to see if I can't end up surprising myself and developing a healthier attitude toward competition and hard work, things I've generally shunned in the past.
More to come: Should be an interesting ride.
Taking inventory of why I decided to do it: Well, why not?
So I'm keeping a journal -- online -- as a way of thinking through what I'm doing and to allow myself to track my progress.
What's held me back in the past -- and holding me back now?
Laziness, for one thing. That's the biggest obstacle, but I think that itself is rooted in something deeper. I've never been very patient with myself, never been able to accept that there are things I'm not good at -- things I have to work harder at to have any hope of accomplishing well. And I've been reluctant throughout my life to embrace anything I couldn't pick up easily -- to willingly expose myself to failure or admit that ... well, I don't have all of the answers and can't do everything.
So this, to a certain extent, is an effort to address a personal shortcoming, to capitalize on a moment when things are going well with my career and life and do Something Big. Perhaps down the road, when the going gets tougher, I'll need clearer reasons, but for now, I'm doing it to get into shape -- and to see if I can't end up surprising myself and developing a healthier attitude toward competition and hard work, things I've generally shunned in the past.
More to come: Should be an interesting ride.
2 Comments:
I know exactly what you are talking about.
CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD?
What is the meaning of calling on the name of the Lord? Many assume that believing in Jesus and saying a form of a sinner's prayer constitutes, calling on the name of the Lord. The problem with that theory is none of the conversions under the New Covenant support that assumption. Not one time is anyone ever told to believe and say the sinner's prayer in order to be saved.
The apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost quoted the prophet Joel, Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)
The apostle Peter preached the first gospel sermon under the New Covenant. Peter did not tell the 3000 converts to believe and say the sinner's prayer.
Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. He preached Jesus as both Lord and Christ. When they heard this they asked Peter and the rest of the brethren what they should do?(Acts 2:22-37) Peter told them what to do. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(NKJV)
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost call on the name of the Lord and become saved?
1. They believed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ.
2. They believed that God raised Jesus from the grave.
3. They repented. Repentance is a change of heart. Repentance means to be converted so that God may forgive your sins. Repentance is to make the intellectual commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God. (Acts 3:19, Acts 2:38)
4. They were immersed in water (baptized) so that their sins could be forgiven.
How did the 3000 on the Day of Pentecost not call on the name of the Lord?
1. They did not say a sinner's prayer.
2. Not one person was asked to pray for forgiveness.
3. Not one single man was told to be baptized as a testimony of his faith.
4. No one was told that water baptism was a just an act of obedience.
5. No one was informed they were saved the very minute they believed.
6. Not one person was told that water baptism was not essential for the forgiveness of sins.
7. Not one person was told to be baptized so they could join a denominational church.
Jesus said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16"16) Jesus did not say he who believes and says a sinner's prayer shall be saved.
You ARE INVITED TO READ MY BLOG POSTINGS--Steve Finnell
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