BLeach

Too Much of a Good Thing

Yesterday began my second week of following the Weight Watchers online program. Leah and I signed up for the three month program, and plan to stick with it until our anniversary on January 19. I'm a little worried about Thanksgiving and Christmas myself!

I did lose four pounds last week, so that was encouraging. The iPhone app is amazing. And I love the fact that you keep track of points, because at times I forget what I'm doing and feel like I'm playing a game.

To be honest, I've enjoyed all the food that we've been able to eat. The biggest adjustment for me has been portion size. Now, almost every time I sit down for lunch or dinner, it's a smaller serving then I would have eaten before. At first I felt pretty hungry all the time, but I think my body is starting to adjust. I didn't used to think of myself as someone with an overeating problem, but now I'm realizing theirs a difference between feeling full and feeling satisfied.

The ironic thing is that indulgence doesn't necessarily lead to satisfaction. Actually, the opposite often occurs. The more we indulge in something, the more of it we want.

I've noticed one other benefit as well. Because I'm eating less, I'm eating more slowly and savoring each bite. I appreciate what I have when I know I can't just go back for seconds!

Now I'm wondering where else I can apply this principle in my life. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

I enjoy a television series more if I'm following a few rather than several.

Leah and I have only been to one movie since Gabby was born. The "diet" has made me really look forward to the next one.

One time I accidentally checked the repeat button in iTunes and didn't realize it until I had listened to the same song for an entire morning. I don't like that song anymore.

What about you?

Is there anything you might enjoy more if you experienced it less?

Psalty Kissed My Wife

It paid to surprise Leah by dressing up like everyone's favorite singing songbook on her 30th birthday!

Anything for My Wife

Great weekend!  Yesterday was the highlight as Leah turned 30!  The church was so encouraging to her in the morning.  And then last night we had a celebration at my parent's house.

The news is bound to get out, so I guess I'll get ahead of the story.  It's true.  Psalty the singing songbook made an appearance.  If you don't have any idea who Psalty is, don't worry about it.  (Feel free to ignore the rest of this post).

Psatly came back from the future, where he's made quite a comeback.  In fact, he told us that last week he was the opening act at the VMA Awards.  Apparently, he's good friends with our daughter Gabriella.  So he utilized the latest in time travel technology to visit Leah's party and read a letter that 25 year old Gabriella had written.

Leah loved it.  And at the end of the presentation, she even got a kiss from Psalty--on the lips!  Scandalous!  I'll see if we can get the video posted later today.

Nothing beats pleasing the people you love the most!  Leah, I love you.  Happy birthday!

Love Your Kids by Loving Your Wife

Hope you enjoyed a great Father's Day weekend! I admit, I was hoping to welcome Gabriella into the world, but she seems to have a mind of her own:)

I did have opportunity to pray for dad's in our church while reflecting on becoming a father. Just thought I'd share one thought that's been challenging me.

We love our kids best by loving our wives.

Leah and I know it's possible for a marriage to be reduced to the single goal of providing a good life for the kids. The irony is that if we neglect building a great marriage, we're automatically limited in the amount of blessing we can pass on to our kids.

I'll make it even more specific for pastors. Jesus commands us to love our wives like He loves the Church. Interestingly enough, he never commands us to love our churches like He loves the Church.

The Church is His bride--not ours.

As fathers, we all have the privilege of selflessly serving our own brides. As we do, we give our kids something far more valuable than toys, square feet, or a college education.

I can't wait to start putting this into practice any day now! Thanks for your all your emails and calls. We appreciate the prayers!

Where's the Thin Pastor?

Had a funny interchange with someone yesterday that I haven't seen in awhile.  I opened a graduation open house with prayer.  Afterward, one of the graduates relatives asked me, "Are you the pastor of the church?" After responding that I was, she said, "I didn't realize they had a new pastor."  I replied, "They don't.  I've actually been the pastor since the church started."  At which point she said...

"Then where's the thin pastor?"

I laughed.

Marriage has been good to me.

Very good.

Stick to your Notes

On Sunday, while preaching about the importance of mutual submission in relationships, a metaphor popped into my mind.  So I went with it...

My wedding was a crucifixion!

As soon as I said it I realized the analogy has its limitations:)  So I quickly added, "Except it was happier, and less bloody!"

Fortunately, our church shared a good laugh and my understanding wife has a terrific sense of humor.

Here was my point. Some men want their wives to submit, but they don't want to die.

Marriage will beat the selfishness out of you. The day you get married is the day you die to yourself and choose to live for someone else. It's a beautiful exchange that ultimately leads to surprising satisfaction.

Submission is actually freeing. To submit to God, a spouse, the scriptures, or a small group is to be freed from the awful burden of always needing things to go your way. Seriously, I'm convinced self-absorbed people are the most miserable people on the planet! If your happiness is tied to getting your own way, you're bound for a life of constant disappointment. Some people are still angry today because thirteen years ago one thing didn't go their way.

Imagine being freed from that burden by finding joy in yielding to others.

Help Me Catch Some Foxes

 

Had a great time this morning preparing for my message this Sunday.  We're getting into chapter 2 of Song of Songs, where the poet compares the marriage relationship to a vineyard.  Like a vineyard, a marriage also takes care, cultivation, pruning, watering, investing, and careful attention to detail if it's going to blossom.  So the Song gives this advice:

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards.

These little foxes would sneak their way into the vineyard undetected where they'd gnaw on roots, eat fruit, and create destruction. 

So here's my question as I prepare for Sunday. 

What foxes have you had to catch while cultivating your marriage?

Leave me a comment and I may even quote you on Sunday!

2 Years Ago...

I met the mother of my baby at a Chinese restaurant in Pittsburgh!  Today is our personalized holiday: Valeversary (the combination of Valentines Day and the day we met).

The last two years have been a whirlwind.  Long phone calls.  Rendezvous in Cleveland.  Frequent trips down the Ohio Turnpike.  Engagement.  Wedding.  Marriage.  Pregnant.  It's been amazing, and I'm so appreciative to Jesus for his blessing.

Because of a last minute change of plans that I'll blog about tomorrow, Leah's parents visited this weekend.  It was great to celebrate with them!

How I'm Praying for my Daughter

Leah and I had a great date night on Thursday.  We went out for some whole wheat pasta (thanks to the Daniel's fast) and I surprised her with a game I made up that I creatively call "12 Questions for Date Night."  The questions were designed to get to know her better.  Here's one that prompted some great conversation.

How should we be praying for our little girl?

It was a great question to think through, and here's some of what I've got so far:

• I'm praying for her healthy development in the womb.
• I'm praying that she will be born without complications.
• I'm praying that she will develop quickly (crawling, thinking, walking, talking, etc).
• I'm praying that she will decide to follow Jesus very early in her life.
• I'm praying that she will have her mother's amazing personality.
• I'm praying that she will always know that she is beautiful.
• I'm praying that she will be a leader (by having a vision for life that will inspire and initiate growth from people around her).
• I'm praying that she will love and serve the local church.
• I'm praying that she will quickly discover her identity in Christ.
• I'm praying that she will love to play basketball.
• I'm praying for her future husband (God help him).

How else can I be praying?

Another Good Reason to Work on Your Marriage

There's this temptation I have to fight.  It's to invest so much energy into creative planning for ministry that the right side of my brain (or is it the left) is too tired to plan creative moments for my marriage. 

So Monday night I decided to switch it up by dedicating a few hours to some creative planning for my first wedding anniversary later this month.  After planning a big surprise for Leah, I woke up Tuesday morning feeling especially creative in my sermon prep.

I think there's a principle there.  Creativity trickles down the priority line.  If we give our best to the most important things, there will be plenty left over for everything God has called us to do.

So, if you feel like you're experiencing creative drainage at work, switch things up and start working creatively on your marriage.

Just one more good reason to make your marriage sizzle!