Day 5: I lost it all

Day 5 was the first day of me being over my sickness. I still have the head cold and am stuffed up but I felt like a million bucks. I worked out with Ab Ripper X! And you kind of have to grunt when you say it so it sounds better. I must confess, I hate the guy who instructs the videos. What a tool! I mean I can't stand the sound of his voice and every time I see the video I can't help but think that I am going to have to watch him annoy me again tomorrow!

The reading was interesting because it was very repetitive. It was all about the Tabernacle and instructions on how to build it. I am not sure if it is just the section I am reading or Moses's writing that I am having trouble with. I feel like he could just say, "refer back to Tabernacle dimensions in previous chapter" rather than explaining them all over again. The story seems to drag on for chapters and chapters but, this reading also described Moses seeing God. This is an amazing event in the Bible because it is the first time since the Garden of Eden that God has shown his actual person to anyone (save for Abraham when the strangers came and told him Sara was going to have a child but most believe that was an angel). It says that Moses's face shone and he had to wear a veil to cover his face! I mean how great a God do I serve that one look at his face would kill a man?

I am noticing that I am getting a lot of support from friends and family through this journey. I appreciate all the encouraging words and I don't expect people to read this blog everyday but I do enjoy the comments that are left. They give me energy and encouragement.

So for day 5 I accomplished the following:

No Drinking
No Smoking
P90X Diet and Exercise
No Lying
No Dating

Changes:

I am noticing some very good results. I have already lost weight. I am at 210 pounds. That is down from 234 a few months ago and down from 214 at the beginning of this challenge. My goal is to reach 180 by the summer. I feel like that is an attainable goal. I have also noticed that things don't seem to bother me nearly as much as they used to. I mean, when I wake up and pray that God takes my life into His hands, there really can't be much to complain about. He has me covered. I had to lose everything to gain that perspective.

My dear friend Tony Pacini shared this with me and I was very encouraged by it. It comes from an African Christian, it was his last testament before being martyred for his faith. 

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made - I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean in His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and I labor with power.

My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions are few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And, when he comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.... my banner will be clear!"