May 22, 2013

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The Benefits of Pilates

January 7, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Benefits of Pilates

What areas of the body benefit most from a Pilate’s workout?  Google gathered statistics of the most popular Internet exercises searched in 2012. The list below is the result of those findings and it just so happens that each of the items listed below are also focus areas from a Pilates workout.  Here is Google’s list of the top 10:

  1. Abs
  2. Shoulders
  3. Chest
  4. Lower Back
  5. Triceps
  6. Neck
  7. Biceps
  8. Hamstrings
  9. Calves
  10. Glutes

Then there is an added bonus, Pilates also works the quads.  Basically it works all the major muscles in your body.  Why the sudden interest you may ask?  My wife has been given the opportunity to teach “mat” Pilates at church and so I watch her study each night in preparation for the next morning’s wellness program.   In my 30 year marriage I have found whatever gets my wife’s attention, gets mine as well.  After all, marriage is about love, respect, cleaving, and becoming one flesh.  At least that is what the designer of marriage has to say on the topic in Ephesians 5:25, 5:31, 5:33 / Genesis 2:24.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/01/04/top-10-google-searches-most-popular-exercises/

 

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2012: A Look Back

December 31, 2012 By Leave a Comment

2012-A Look Back

* NASA’s “Curiosity” rover lands on Mars  * London hosts summer Olympics

* Hurricane Sandy devastates the East Coast  * New York Giants win Super Bowl

* President Obama is re-elected  * U.S. dominates the final medal count in summer Olympics

* Colorado wild fires consume over 200,000 acres  * Los Angeles Kings win Stanley Cup

* Adele voted AP Entertainer of the Year  * Michael Phelps becomes most decorated Olympian

* “Fifty Shades of Grey” dominates publishing  * San Francisco Giants win World Series         

* 65 confirmed tornadoes occur in a single outbreak from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast

* Academy Award for “Best Picture” – The Artist  * Israeli/Palestinian war re-ignites

* Anti-American sentiment runs rapid across the Middle-East leaving a wake of death

* Prince William and Kate Middleton are expecting their first child

* Album of the Year “Life Is Good” by rapper Nas  * Syrian Civil War kills tens of thousands

* Approximately 100 million Christian Bibles were either distributed or sold

IN MEMORY

* Neil Armstrong  * General Norman Schwarzkopf  * Dick Clark  * Davy Jones  * Andy Griffith  * Whitney Houston

* Jack Klugman * Richard Dawson  * Ernest Borgnine  * Phillys Diler  * Rodney King  * Larry Hagman

* Vidal Sassoon  * Junior Seau  *Frank Pastore

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Mayan Mayhem by Mayhew

December 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With the Mayan calendar ending this Friday, it is rumored people around the world are grappling with doomsday phobias and fears of global destruction.  Star gazers and religious zealots are using this fear to bolster support for their theories of impending doom do to planetary collisions or “end of days” type of catastrophes such as explosions, earthquakes, and floods.

Despite the fact NASA has assured us there is no scientific evidence indicating the world will end on December 21st, studies have shown that 10% of the people questioned about a worldwide destruction believe the world will end in 2012, according to Yahoo! News’ “Who Knew?”.  Well Yahoo, I know one thing for sure…God knows.  I think we would be wise to adhere to Matthew Chapter 6, Verse 34:

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

See you Friday…I think :)

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2012 Summer Olympics: Closing Ceremony

August 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Photo By Dave Catchpole

I watched the closing ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics with mixed emotions.  My first emotion was, “Whew…now I can get back to getting a decent night’s sleep.”  The problem was I became addicted to watching the “games”.  How addicted?  When I would finally decide to turn out the lights for slumber, I would spend the next hour attempting to chase the awesome images of the past three hours out of my sleep deprived mind.

The next emotion was sorrow because I truly do enjoy watching these elite athletes compete against each other in the name of “global brotherhood”.  Where else can we see the USA, Russia, Turkey, Britain, Iran, Afghanistan…in heated competition, with pride and egos at stake, without the destruction of mankind? 

The Olympics have a way of allowing the world to compete on an equal playing field and in the end; we shake hands, pat each other on the back, and say, “See you in four years”.  I think our global leaders could take a lesson from these young athletes.  Still, I guess it is easy for me to feel this way when America did so well this time around.  Here was the latest medal count as of this writing:

  • United States =      46/Gold                29/Silver              29/Bronze           Total/104
  • China =                    38/Gold                27/Silver              22/Bronze           Total/87
  • Russia =                   29/Gold                16/Silver              19/Bronze           Total/64

(I just raised my hand and asked for a “high five”…)

To see all the countries and their medal count, visit the website below.  Thank you London and thank you Great Britain for an outstanding job!  See you in four years…

http://sport.uk.msn.com/olympics-2012/medal-table.aspx

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2012 Olympics: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Performance Required

July 27, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today marks the “Opening Day Ceremony” for the 2012 Olympics.  As most of us are aware, the Olympics are not just about peak physical performance but mental and spiritual as well.  As far as the spiritual aspect goes, there is an organization this year attempting to help each athlete reach their potential.  The Bible Society will be offering free Bibles to all 2012 Olympic Game athletes.  The Bible Society will provide the Olympians a Bible when they visit the Olympic Village Religious Services Center in London.  Here is what a representative from the Bible Society had to say:

“There will be more than 3,000 copies made available, which will be of a commemorative English-language edition. 1,000 additional Bibles will be published in a host of other languages with the help of various national Bible Societies around the world.”

In several instances, the Bible draws a line of similarity between the challenges we face in life and the challenges of successfully competing in various sporting events, such as track and field or boxing: 

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.  Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.   No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1Corinthans 9:24-27)

Let us remember to pray for all the Olympians as they represent their countries to the best of their abilities.  Let us also remember to pray for the Bible Society and their tremendous effort to reach those in need of a Savior.

 http://global.christianpost.com/news/bible-society-providing-free-bibles-at-2012-olympic-games-78294/

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3 Training Requirements

May 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Alex Morgan, a member of the U.S. National Soccer Team who is heading to the 2012 Olympics, gave 3 requirements for training like an Olympian.  In a recent interview, she stated that diet, motivation, and exercise are essential when training.

I find it interesting that even back in the days when Paul was writing certain portions of the Bible, he referenced sporting events as an example as to how we should conduct ourselves as Christians.  Here are 3 scriptures to support my point:

“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (2Timothy 2:5)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;” (2Timothy 4:7)

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win.” (1Cornithians 9:24)

Paul had a great understanding of the correlation between what it takes to keep our physical bodies in shape and what it takes to keep our spiritual life intact.  If Paul were alive today, I could see him being a huge fan of the Olympic games, the Dodgers…and maybe even the Angels.

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Chevy Camaro

March 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I have a problem.   It all started about three months ago while I was driving (crawling) on the freeway, heading home after a productive day at the office.  I glanced over to my left and that’s when everything went into slow motion. I’m not talking about slow motion from traffic congestion.  I’m talking “life is perfect at this given moment and nothing else matters” type of slow motion.

She was midnight blue with front and rear dark tinted windows (illegal, yes…but stunning to say the least).  The large diameter wheels and tires with the long hood and short rear deck made this awesome machine look like it’s ready to pounce the pavement.   Yet, its aerodynamic, clean, creased lines say in the best Barry White voice, “She’s definitely fast, but she looks much better moving slow.”   That was my first visual experience of a 2012 Chevy Camaro and I have not been able to get her out of my mind ever since.

Therefore, I have a problem.  The problem is not with the car.  It’s with my covetous heart.  I learned many years ago when I get into that mode, I need to step back.  Nothing other than God and family should sit so high on a pedestal.  I have discovered the best medicine for that type of desire is delayed gratification.

I also realized there is no real reason for me to own that car, except for a “mid-life crisis”.  I just checked the mirror…my shirt is still buttoned appropriately and I am not wearing a gold necklace with a large medallion…darn.   

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…And The Pursuit of Happiness

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

With most of us wanting to start the New Year off either equal or better than last year, we should first examine our motivation behind that goal.  If our motivation is pure, then we have a greater chance of success.  If our motivation is riddled with selfish reasons alone, then the chances are that 2012 may be a repeat of 2011…or even worse.

I think it is safe to say that the reason we set a goal like the one listed above is our innate desire for happiness. But will the pursuit of happiness lead to true fulfillment and joy?  There is no denying that when we are happy, the sky seems to be bluer, the flowers are more vibrant, the sun is warmer, the world looks like a better place to live. 

Some mental health experts believe the desire for happiness is a need for personal fulfillment.  If that is the case and personal fulfillment is the driving force, then we must be preoccupied with our own needs.  If we are preoccupied with our own needs, then the happiness we achieve will be short lived.  For mankind seems to always find a way to allow this happiness to be replaced with worry and the ever-consuming pace of life.

Author Randy Alcorn said it best in his book Deadline, “For those who pursue holiness can find both holiness and happiness, while those who pursue happiness can find neither”.

 

 

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New Laws 2012

January 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

No one is a stranger to the fact that any new, signed legislation that occurs throughout the year usually means a new law will go into effect sometime in January.  It’s been estimated that a combined 40,000 laws were passed throughout our nation in 2011.  So here are just a few of the new laws to take effect here in California:

  • Production, distribution, and sale of beer with added caffeine is prohibited.
  • Sale, trade, or distribution of shark fins, usually used for cooking, is prohibited in most circumstances.
  • Local governments will not be allowed to require private employers to use E-Verify to verify the legal immigration status of a potential employee.
  • Citizens will no longer be allowed to “open-carry” an unloaded handgun.  Violators pay $1,000.00 plus 6 months in jail as a misdemeanor.
  • Teaching material that reflects poorly on gays or particular religions will be prohibited.
  • Courts are now authorized to revoke a driver’s license for 10 years if a person is convicted of three or more DUI’s.
  • California’s Child Passenger Safety Seat law will now require children to ride in either a car seat or booster seat until the age of eight, or until they reach a height of 4 feet 9 inches.

For a more thorough and complete list of these and more new laws, you can visit:

http://www.californiality.com/2010/12/new-california-laws-2011.html

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New Year’s Resolution

December 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution?  Does anyone ever really keep their New Year’s Resolution?  What are the most common New Year’s Resolutions?  Want to know the answers?

According to statistics, 40% – 45% of Americans will make a New Year’s Resolution.  So odds are you don’t have a New Year’s Resolution.  That little bit of information comes with good and bad news.  The bad news is only 46% of those who make a New Year’s Resolution stay with it after six months.  The good news is those that make New Year’s Resolutions are more likely to eventually achieve their goal, even if they fail with the first few attempts.

The top three most common New Year’s Resolutions:  lose weight, exercise more, and stop smoking. 

I’m going out on a limb here, but I’m thinking that if someone were to quit smoking they could exercise more and more exercise would allow them to lose weight.  To all the hockey fans out there this would be known as a “Hat Trick”.  To all the thoroughbred racing fans out there this would be known as winning “The Triple Crown”.  To all the baseball fans out there this would be known as…well you get the idea.

Do you want to know what my New Year’s Resolution will be?  My New Year’s Resolution is to #mo-*yr&in^ tm%…sorry…there seems to be some technical difficulties.  Oh well… HAPPY NEW YEAR!

http://proactivechange.com/resolutions/statistics.htm

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