This week i've been reading in Luke 4 where Jesus is tested in the wilderness. For 40 days he didn't eat anything, so he was hungry & tired and that is when Satan tempted him with temporary pleasures.
Now, you may have a hard time believing in Satan, but the reality is there is good and evil in our world. Just look at the child molestation cases at Penn State & Syracuse and tell me there is not an evil spirit at work in some people so they can get the pleasures they want and try to get away with it. You don't have to be weird to believe in Satan, it's stupid to deny the existence of evil spirits when we have very clear examples of them all around us.
Now that you can not dismiss this reality let me get to how this relates to us. Have you ever noticed that when you are tired, hungry & feeling weak that you're more willing to give in on things that you know are not right? I wish i could take back some of the things i've said to my wife in those moments. I've made some pretty poor decisions over the years in times when i was feeling weak and desperate.
As i prepare to start my year of Interferon this coming Monday where my side effect can be: tired, moody & loss of appetite (most people are betting i don't lose my appetite :), if my energy level gets knocked a little some people think that would be nice to keep up, and moody, i'm never moody, lol)
I think it's wise to ask you to pray for me and my family as i begin my Interferon treatments. The first round is 5 days a week for 4 weeks. This first month is the most intense, and less than 1/2 of the people stick with the shots 3 days a week for the whole year after that. It's a long journey. So it's important that we prepare well.
I was told hydration will be HUGE. I have to drink 1/2 my body weight in ounces, that will be 90 ounces a day! I may not eat, but i'll be floating! When i went skiing in Denver i was told to hydrate for 3-4days ahead because of the altitude, i did and didn't get sick. So i started today, so if you see me with my water bottle heading to the restroom i'm just conditioning for the long haul.
We also need to fill ourselves with:
REST: Do you know anyone who is at there best when they feel so responsible that they can't take time to rest enough? Do you really think you're getting ahead when you run so fast you're worn out? Learn to quit being responsible for everything, God is in control even when you're sleeping, so prepare by getting adequate rest.
HEALTHY FOOD: Water tastes better when you don't drink pop & coffee all the time! :) Stop eating junky food and eat your veggies & lean meats & fruits & almonds & other healthy snacks & junky food doesn't taste as good & it doesn't have the same power over you when you see it. You feel better, have more energy & can do more.
MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS: people who fill us up emotionally. Here's my order:
1st God, he made you and this world & is in charge whether you believe it or act like he is, it's the most important relationship we can invest in every day. His words from the Bible are truth & will always guide our steps well, Jesus overcame every temptation with the truth & power of God's word (check it out yourself in Luke 4!)
2nd is your spouse if you are married, soul mates are God's love in human form, make sure to plan regular times each week to talk, have sex :) & do fun activities together. The best relationships invest in each other daily! It has a compounding effect on your joy level!
3rd is kids if you have them, they are a gift from God, even if they frustrate you! Priceless & will cost you like Mastercard says, but SOOO worth it! Tell them & show them every day how special they are!
4th is friends (2nd if you're single), it fills the soul to shoot hoops with the guys or go shopping with the girls (not for me!) We need people we don't have to impress & that we can laugh with!
Make sure each week includes all of these relationships & activities! (but use cash instead of Mastercard, stuff isn't priceless (just creates the bondage of debt), relationships are priceless)
That's my plan, what's yours?
Before i start my treatments, i'll be flying to Charlotte this weekend to perform my cousin's wedding, she opened up her life to Christ a little over a year ago when Dyan & I were down in North Carolina speaking at a Youth Convention. Dyan had a significant impact on her one night talking during a communion time! She's 35 if you were wondering, not 18!:)
Merry Christmas!
Fred
PS
Have you heard the news that my Buckeyes got Urban Meyer as their new Football coach? He won 2 National Championships at Florida, but he's a born & bread Buckeye! Since the Colts are having such a tough year, i thot i'd give you something to get excited about! And did you catch the #2 ranked Buckeyes thrash #4 Duke the other night by over 20pts!!! :)
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