Eating consciously

I know that I love to eat. Always have, probably always will. I mentioned in my last post that I have gone 65 plus days without caffeinated beverages (I know that there is caffeine in chocolate and other things, but negligible at best). Now, my latest venture is cutting out fried foods. Let me tell you, its not the easiest thing in the world to do.

When you're used to a certain lifestyle, and you grow complacent in your eating styles, trying to cut things out of your diet is complicated. I never realized how many fried things I enjoyed eating. Chicken strips and fries are probably the hardest, plus, a lot of my favorite items at Mexican restaurants are deep fried as well. (is there such a thing as shallow fried food, and if so, is it healthier?)

Since last week when I made the post, I have eaten so much more consciously than ever before. Case in point -- yesterday, I had some Senior Sunday interviews to conduct almost immediately after church. I didn't have much time for a typical "Sunday Dinner", so Kristen and I got in the car to go grab something quick. Well, its literally impossible to grab something quick that is also rather healthy. We ended up at Sonic, buying salads. I got the Sante Fe Grilled Chicken Salad, and Kristen got a regular grilled chicken salad.

All Sonic salads come with a, get this, an onion ring. There, sitting on top of your healthy salad, is a greasy deep fried onion ring. I really wanted to eat it, and I even left it in my salad bowl, until I had a massive craving to eat it. Then, I took it out of my salad and put it on Kristen's plate and said "Eat it if you want, or throw it away, but I can't have it in front of me anymore."

I have found that the choices of eating is a complicated one. However, for the first time in 5 years, I'm eating better, and starting to feel better as well.

65 Days

On February 19th, I consumed my last known caffeinated beverage. Since then I've had about one headache, and I typically feel much better. My goal is to slowly start phasing out carbonated beverages altogether. Right now, the only thing I drink carbonation wise is Diet Sprite (or similar). I decided not to even drink the Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper, even though it was a temptation.

I chose to do this because I had to start teaching myself that I didn't need to be dependent on something like that. I have amazingly been able to have self control over the dark colas and caffeinated beverages, but I've lost a little more control on other things. I tend to overeat more, but i'm not really sure why.

Eventually, my willpower is going to have to take another step. The transparency of putting your life on a blog has a highly motivating effect on accomplishing a task.

So my next mission, will be considerably more challenging. I have decided to give up fried food. The reason this is more daunting is the fact that there are a lot of things you eat that you might not realize are fried. Therefore, it will be a lot harder to enforce this on myself. The main things I'm targeting are:

1. French Fries
2. Fried Chicken Fingers/ etc.
3. Basically anything at Cracker Barrell (sorry mom, I know you work for them, but that's all they really have to eat).

To add on to the fried food ban, I'm going to limit my fast food intake to times when it was basically intended for -- when I'm in a hurry.

Pray for me as I continue to stay off the caffeine, and as I try to kick the fried food/fast food habit.

Kristen and Ladybug at 34 Weeks.

Here's Kristen and Ladybug by the flowers in front of our house at 34 weeks. We think the baby is going to be two weeks early. What do you guys think? Vote in our poll! Also, don't you just love Kristen's new haircut?

*EDIT* I forgot to mention at her 34 Week check up that Kristen's uterus was measuring at 36. Kristen is sure that means we'll be early.

On talking to God, and letting Him talk back

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Does anyone else think that talking to God is a rather difficult thing? Prayer in and of itself is a very simple thing. The problem is letting God talk back to you. How often do we pray, and then immediately take back control of the things we've just handed over to God?

I believe we treat prayer way to casually now. Prayer used to be a communication tool between God and His people. Now, it seems to be more of a one way street, with us talking to God, but not being willing to listen for Him to talk back.

How often do you think that God is telling is those great and unsearchable things that we don't know, but we just aren't listening to Him? God simply asks us to call to Him, and He will answer.

So is our problem in calling, or listening? Often, I feel like I'm calling out to God selfishly. My prayers too often begin with requests, wishes, needs, instead of calling out to my Heavenly Father. When I finish my prayers, my attitude rarely reflects that of having believed in what I prayed for.

If I call to God, He will tell me great and unsearchable things. Question is, will I listen?

Sympathy and Prayers go out to...

The family of Steve Hawley, one of the most beloved teachers and coaches that has ever been. Steve's father, Roger Hawley, passed away. His funeral will be in St. Louis on Friday.

Coach Hawley (Steve) has probably impacted more lives than anyone I've ever known. His book - "What Then Is This Child Going To Be?" is a great book about being a teacher, and loving your students. There's even a mention of yours truly in the book, along with my good friend, Jason Bybee.

Coach Hawley always did "Auctions" to raise money for underprivileged families at Christmas time. During break at school once every couple of weeks, he would auction off autographed items from college and professional sports teams that the students would write letters to.

For every test he would give, he would have a list of top 4 songs. They would be "Top 4 songs about breaking up" or "Top 4 songs about girl's names"

I had the wonderful opportunity of not only being a student of Coach Hawley's, but also teaching with him in Houston at Westbury Christian School.

Coach Hawley, I'm sorry for your loss. I know you peruse this site from time to time. God bless you in your loss of your dad. We'll be praying for you.

Got it wrong...

America, you got it wrong. Michael Johns over Syesha or Kristy Lee? How can you send him home? I think he'll go on to a few albums. I'll miss you Michael.

I can't wait till Thursday....

...because of this:



My good friend Jason and I are going to Birmingham to see them in concert! They put on an awesome show. Its going to be awesome.

The fascinating thing about Jesus

Jesus is awesome. There's just no real way to get around it. You can try to find reasons not to love Him, but you won't be able to do so. You can try to deny Him, but one way or another, you're going to bow down before Him.

There's something fascinating about Jesus. His ability to teach, amid all the storms and trials he faced, and not bat an eye.

Many people doubted Him.

Many people opposed Him.

Many listened with an argument in hand.

Many listened questioning His authority.

Many wanted to trick Him.

Most heard, but did not listen.

When you read of the gentleman in Mark 10:17-22, you read about a guy who was even reverent as he opposed Jesus. Jesus made no apologies for what he requested of this man. He simply told him to sell whatever he owned and give it to the poor. The man could not do this. What's crazy to think about is that Jesus probably knew that the man would not be able to do so.

Jesus' ability to teach to people which He knew 99% of the time weren't going to listen, act, or care is amazing to me. Oftentimes, I feel as if the words I speak or teach fall on deaf ears. Often, I feel as if I could have said something better, something that pricked hearts a bit more, something that would have hit home, but Jesus made no such apologies. Jesus taught it like it was, and it was up to the listeners to grasp, accept, and listen.

Regardless of how much I want my teenagers, the people in our church, the people I preach and teach to, to just get it...I can't make them. Its up to them to get what they will out of mine and everyone else's teachings.

God, please open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us to understand that we don't know it all, and that there are so many things we need to still learn from you. Help us to understand that when people reject or disregard our teaching, that You already told us that they are not rejecting us, but they are rejecting Your Word.

American Idol Wrap Up Final 9

In lieu of my friend Jason, who always blogs the AI wrap up each week, I will fill in for him (he's finishing up a Grad class at Lipscomb).

Last night's theme was Dolly Parton songs, and in my opinion, the worst of the season. Dolly Parton was a great song writer, but her songs aren't the best for all types of singers.

BEST PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT: As much as I like David Cook, I have to go with David Archuleta's performance of "Smoky Mountain Memories" was amazing. His voice is really pure sounding. He's not my favorite, but last night, I think his performance was the best.

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE: In my opinion, Carly Smithson's rendition of "Here You Come Again" was wonderful. It was one of the first times I disagreed with Simon. She reminded me last night she was talented.

SONG I WOULD BUY TODAY: Its a toss up between David Cook's version of "Little Sparrow" or Michael John's version of "It's All Wrong, But It's All Right".

FORGETTABLE: Ramiele's "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" reminded me that she does not.

Bottom Three Prediction: Jason, Syesha, and Kristy Lee.

Going Home: Kristy Lee