Back in November I injured myself in the gym, lifting a little more weight than most people my age would ever think about trying to lift. Six months, two cortisone shots and some light therapy later, I’ve basically recovered, but I’ve avoided the gym. I tell myself that I don’t have time or that I might hurt myself or that I’ll get around to it tomorrow. Actually, I’m writing this note from the pastor because I’ve convinced myself that it is more important this morning to write this letter to you than it is to go to the gym where someone might see me lifting light "baby" weights instead of the "he-man" weights that I used to lift. We will do anything to get out of doing things that we feel will make us feel discomfort.

The strange thing is that if I can convince myself to return to the gym before this morning is over, I will be glad I did. I will feel better about myself. I will have done something that the doctors and physical trainers will say is good for me. (I’ll let you know if I actually make it up there before the morning is out. As for right now, well, I need to write this letter from the pastor.)

It’s hard to get into something that’s good for us again, once you’ve moved yourself away from the habit. It’s the same with all good habits. Something happens mentally, like "writer’s block," which is usually the fear of sitting down to a computer and beginning a process that won’t immediately result in the standards we have set for ourselves. After being away from the writing habit for a while, I hate sitting down to produce what will inevitably be a terrible draft. But once I’m into the world being produced by the writing, I start looking forward to returning again and again to that world. We find that writer’s block, like physical exercise block was a product of our own mind, limiting ourselves.

We can also face "spiritual blocks." They’re also mostly products of our own mind, though some would give credit for such blocks to the devil. But we’ll say things like, "I’ll get to more directed prayer—tomorrow."

"I’ll find the book that jump-starts my devotional life and get into a real study of the scripture when my schedule lightens up." "I’ll join a prayer group someday, but not now; after all, I’d hate to join a group and have them hear me say "baby" prayers when they're really in to He-man intercessions."

We’ll use any sort of nonsense to avoid those things that doctors and physical trainers and spiritual leaders tell us are good for us. And yet, once we decide to take action and return to the activity, be it exercise, diet or even church, we find that it doesn’t take long at all to grow comfortable practicing those disciplines that make us healthier people.

Well, so far, I’ve done my reading and I’ve spent an hour with the prayer group. Once I send this letter to Lynn, our newsletter editor, my intention, my full intention, is to head up to the gym. 

Hopefully I won’t get distracted in the next few minutes or talk myself out of it. I do have other important things to do. I think I really need to work on the Bible Study. That’s more important, isn’t it? Of course it is. Nevertheless, if I don’t go to the gym now, I may never go. Will I get there? I’ll let you know.

 See you Sunday.

 Pastor Hoard 



Announcements

We continue our study of the Book of Revelation with additional lessons extending through May 22. The lesson topics, led by our video professor, Craig K. Keoster, include:

May 1: Antichrist and the Millennium

May 8: Revelation's Place in the Christian Bible

May 15: The Apocalypse and Spiritual Life 

May 22: The Key to the Meaning of History

 As we continue studying the book with its vivid sense of struggle between God and evil, we see more and more clearly that the Revelation offers a compelling vision of hope instead of doom for each of us in Jesus Christ. Our meeting times are Wednesdays at 6:15 p.m.

Oconee County Relay for Life

May 18, 2013

North Oconee High School

SCHEDULE

11 AM – 12PM Survivor Reception

12 PM: Opening Ceremony

12:15 PM: Survivor Lap/Caregiver Lap

12:30-1:30 PM: Team Purple Passion Lap

1:30 PM: The fun begins. Games, activities and musical entertainment will be provided throughout the day! There is something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate Relay!

9:00 PM: Luminary Lap