work out

Hello my fellow belly rubbers,

Yea, did we put on the feedbag this weekend or what? Whew, I mean!.... walks around the block before hand and afterward couldn't quite calm down the need to undo the top button of the pants and get some breathing room. hahahaha. I pray that everyone had a wonderful weekend spending time with family and friends.

Black Friday is behind us and that brings us to today, which has been labled Cyber Monday. Wasn't familiar with that one until this year. This time of year we also start to think about resolutions, we start to ponder areas in our life that we desire to change, improve or eliminate. Getting in shape or working out will probably cross the minds of many over the holidays as we step back up to more feeding troughs in the name of celebrating Christmas. Last chance "work out"! Yea for the Biggest Loser fans, you know those words. The day before the big weigh in. Has the work you put in on the treadmill offset what you put in our mouth (foot not included, although low calorie when done)?

What is it about working out that sets off the various emotions? I mean even in the body of Christ we can take these two words that are in scripture and run with them. Let's take a look together. Go get your Bible........uh what? oh, you left it over there by the refrigerator, next to the leftover pecan pie....what? Yes the pecan pie juice will stain your pages, that's ok, grab it and come on.....hey on your way back will bring me a piece of that pound cake (yea, i know smarty pants, it's called pound for a reason)

Ok now that we have our appetite built up and fingers adequately licked, lets turn to the book of Phillipians. God is using Paul to coach us up. Flip over to chapter 2. Go ahead and read the chapter and we will come back and chew on God's word instead of this cake. You ready? Good.

Since we are talking about working out, jump down to verse 12

Phillipians 2:12 (NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (emphasis on work out mine)

Ok so for those that have walked into a gym, workout facility, spa, whatever the place you intentionally visited with your mind set on working out, you understand the fear and trembling hahaha. Focus on what the verse does not say. The verse does not say work for. Here's a question "why do you go to the gym to work out?" Yea, the work out brings about an outcome that is good FOR me. We go in looking and feeling like sluggo and come out a few weeks later feeling like Captain and or Ms America. Look at verse 13 with me....v13 for it is God who works in you to will and act according to his good purpose. Man o man what a motor to have indwelled in us (those of us that have said yes to Jesus). I can hear the t.v. announcers now

God's love in this person is: more powerful than a locomotive: able to leap tall buildings: we have the technology we can rebuild him, has no need to fear underdog...is strong to the finish cause i eats me spinach;

You get the idea. When we forgive each other in the name of Jesus Christ we are working out our salvation, when we help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ we are working out our salvation; when we allow ourselves to be helped by our brothers and sisters in Christ we are working out our salvation.

Have a you had a good work out lately?

out on a limb

Happy post candy grabbing night!

Did everyone get their duffle bags filled up with their favorite candy? Yea, Michael and Madison came home and spilled out their spoils from the evening, like a pirate breaking open that long lost treasure chest! Arrrrrgggghhhh yea matey, off with thee hand that touches me reeses cup.....ARRRRGGGhhhhh...

Speaking of arrrrgghhhh.....i know that some of us have said, thought, murmered, whispered, yelled something worse when we are betrayed. Ah you know that statement that has flown out of our mouths AT someone, or out of someone's mouth AT us.

"I CAN'T believe YOU did that, what were you thinking? You couldn't have been thinking. Do you know what i did to get you that position? I went out on a limb for you man."...blah blah blah blah blaaaah

I know just typing those words brings back some vicious thoughts. I'm sure that most of us at one time or another have "gone out on a limb" for someone, or have had someone "go out on a limb" for us. Like when i was first married, bullet proof, had a real job and went to borrow some money to buy our first car. I've got to get what? a co-signor.....well i never!?...don't you know who i am?....uh my name is mike bivins, THAT'S WHO i am (and we immediately start to shrink down to umpa loompa size) uh deb, uh we need to call my daddy or you dad and have them "go out on a limb" for us.

Some limbs are more treacherous than others. Ever been asked to write a letter of recommendation for someone you barely know? Or need someone to write one for you and your mind is scanning the files to determine who is "safe". Other limbs are sturdy, like the one, when we walk into an area of known expertise when someone asks for your input. Chest out, feathers spreadout, YES, I'll help you minions. Your mind is now going back to when someone cut the limb out from underneath you and when we have done the same, giving us insight to the various limbs. There is one limb that does not, has not, will not fail!

John 12:32 (NLT) And when I am lifted up on the cross, I will draw everyone to myself

Luke 23:34 (NLT) Jesus said "Father forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing.....

Look what my/our redeemer did and gave from the limb He went out on.

2 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT) Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in Him and have God's power--the power we use in dealing with you.

Did everyone see that? WE TOO are weak (no one had to tell us that one hahaha) but we live in Him and have God's power.......HOLY SPIRIT within us...that's the engine to continue to go out on limbs for each other...Galatians 6:10 (you'll have to go look that one up) Happy reading!