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Tag Archives: 2017

Is life a constant state of war?

08 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Church

≈ 1 Comment

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2017, Avengers, war

Recently I saw an ad for “Avengers: Infinity War.”

It’s the typical blockbuster movie with lots of special effects, big time actors, big budget, and sure to draw big crowds.

And I can’t help but think that it is so perfectly named – “Infinity War.”  Is this what our existence has devolved to?  A constant state of war.  Is this what is most important to us – killing and destruction.

The movie isn’t the cause of course.  Movies like this are merely symptoms of where we see ourselves.  They are expressions of our belief about the world.  This is no different than the dystopian books and movies that have popularity over the years.

Even our politics has taken on a similar tone.  And in some religious circles, the battle for what is right has taken a prominent position.

But for what purpose?  To what end?  When does the killing and destruction stop?  Would there be anything worth having if there is so much killing, death, and destruction.   Seems to be a picture of hell.

All too often these stories offer plenty of hopelessness.   While some might get excited at the prospect of an infinity war – a war that never ends, I am not one of those people.  A war without end is rather bleak…and rather boring frankly.

Something that sounds much more hopeful is the image of the lion and lamb coming together.  Does this mean that the church should be without conflict.  No, that’s impossible, and frankly not healthy either.

100,000 steps

09 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Health

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2017, exercise, fitbit, health, moving, running, walking

Ever since I received a fitbit for Father’s Day last year, I have worn it pretty much non-stop.  2016 was a rough year for me physically – I pulled my left hamstring…twice.  The second time caused me to be on crutches for about a month.  I took my time with recovery and eventually eased my way into walking and then short running distance.  Then, bam! I had plantar fasciitis in my left heel.  Ouch.  The only way to heal this is to rest the foot.  No running.  Eventually I felt well enough to run again in November.  All during this, I kept my fitbit on.  I watched as I had day of 1,000 steps.  Ugg.  I watched my weight go up too.  More ugg.  I’m the type of person who also gets a bit cranky if I don’t get a chance to exercise – it’s how I get my frustrations out of my system.

The holidays are a rough time to be healthy.  And this year was no exception.  Some more weight, less exercise, a cold that turned into a sinus infection and ear infection.  Down again.

Then I was finally healthy.  It only took 11 months to feel completely healthy, but it came.  It happened to be the end of the year too.  2017 started and so did I.  I’ve been going to the Y and doing my exercise routine, which includes running.  Right now, I’m planning on running outside again next week and slowly building my distance.

But the amazing thing for me was hitting a milestone.  Yesterday I looked at my seven day step total.  I was at 99,818 steps…for seven days.  It was about 9:30pm.  I so badly wanted to see 100,000 steps on the screen.  So I got up and walked around the house several times, until I hit and surpassed the magic number.

Now here’s the thing.  You might be sitting there thinking that either I’m crazy or that I should stop bragging.

Actually I tell you all this for a reason.  This is a personal accomplishment for me and gives me a signal that I’m headed in the right direction.  I’m feeling great, lost the holiday weight, and enjoy what I’m doing.

Does this mean everyone should make a goal of doing 100,000 steps in seven days?  Nope. This is my thing.  I want to encourage you to find your thing.  Do that thing that you really enjoy, that is actually good for you too.  Maybe it is taking a walk.  (I advise getting a dog, you’ll get plenty of steps in this way – trust me, I know from personal experience).  Maybe it’s running.  Maybe it’s swimming, or cycling, or just playing with your kids.  Only you know what that thing is that makes you feel alive and well.  Make this the year you suck it up and get moving. After about two to three weeks it becomes a habit and a commitment.

The commitment and habit turn into trust – trust of your body and of you.  You start to work as a team and you enjoy it.

True for exercise and health, but also true for many other things in live.  What’s your 100,000 steps that you want to celebrate?

Goals for 2017

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by laceduplutheran in Blog, Family, Health, Seminary

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

2017, career, family, goals, health, writing

We’re three days into the new year.  It’s time to declare my goals for the year.  Only, this year is a bit different.  I have goals, but the goals a bit different.  They are more like themes that will guide me.  Or maybe it’s the idea of setting up systems that will help me accomplish what I am setting out to accomplish.  To keep it simple, I’ll keep calling them goals.

I actually took some time over Christmas break and mapped out these goals through 2022.  Let’s get real for a moment.  Do I expect everything to go according to plan?  Of course not.  In fact I expect that there will be changes along the way.  Graduating in May and then being ordained, and starting ministry will definitely bring some changes – changes I can’t even foresee.  But that doesn’t mean I just sit around and wait.  Instead, I can try some things out, see how they work, and determine if they are something I will continue with.

So, here’s my goals, or themes, or systems, or whatever you want to call them for 2017:

Health – Run two half marathons in 2017.  I feel as though all of my injuries from 2016 have finally healed up.  I’ve been to the Y two days in a row, doing different workouts – running, cycling, lifting some weights.  I’ll be getting back to outdoor running soon.  The system here is that I created a schedule for myself, with what I’ll be doing each day.  Part of this is also eating healthier as well.  I want to weigh 165 lbs – which means as of yesterday, I will drop 14 pounds.  I’d really like to drop a pound a week, which means I eat considerably less and healthier.  I started this yesterday and already feel healthier.  I’m glad the holidays are over for one simple fact – better eating is easier now.

Career/calling – graduate in May and be ordained.  My last semester of seminary starts soon.  I’ve heard from the registrar that as long as I pass the classes I have signed up for, I will graduate in May.  After graduation – then it’s ordination.  I’m looking forward to seeing where God will be putting me to work.

Family – several things here.  Take a trip with the family for up to two weeks after graduation.  We’re looking at a few options of where this might be and I’m really excited about the possibilities.  I also want to play more games with them and spend open time with each one and as a group with nothing at all planned – just being present with them.  Also, I’m committed to cooking a nice meal once a week – my hope is that I find enough recipes that are unique and that I learn some things from this.

Writing – yes, writing gets it’s own section.  There’s a lot of things I want to write about.  I’ve actually created a schedule for writing.  This may be over the top, but I’ve got five different ideas that I want to write about.  Here’s the thing – I don’t expect that I’ll be writing about all five by the end of the year.  I do expect that I’ll be writing about three of them.  I’m not sure what they will lead to, and frankly, I don’t care.  I just want to write about these ideas.  The topics include church, politics, and prayer.  Also, I’ve been doing a bunch of social media stuff (twitter, blog, etc) that are all very focused.  I want to determine what I’m keeping and what I’m shedding and then some direction of where it might be taking me.  In other words, narrow in on a focus for this – probably in line with the topics I will be writing about.

That’s enough to focus on for the year.  What are your goals for 2017?

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laceduplutheran

laceduplutheran

I believe that God, church, and theology are approachable, enjoyable, and relevant for everyone. I write about this a lot because people need to hear it. So many people feel lost, hopeless, alone, and are searching for identity and meaning. I'm an ELCA Pastor (Lutheran) who has a background in politics, business, and the non-profit worlds. I take churchy theological ideas and words and communicate them in everyday language that people can understand, in ways that relate, and show that God, church, and theology matter a great deal. Oh, and it doesn't have to be boring either - mostly because it's the best news ever!

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