The Challenge

I myself am participating in the challenge I proposed - to filter every day "things" through the filter of Philippians 4:8.

Due to the busyness of life, I have found that working out on my lunch break is a good use of time.  However, I have also begun watching T.V. while working out...  Nothing bad - and even through filtering I would say that the shows I have viewed are OK.  But, I must admit...  I miss audio sermons.  I miss learning more about my Savior and Lord as I work out.  I miss my second devotional time.  My own blog convicted me!

I am picking my old habit back up.  I may read some while working out too - I am currently reading Transformational Discipleship: How People Really Grow by Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley, and Philip Nation - and I highly recommend this book.

I desire my entire life to be God-honoring - and especially my work out times.  I do not want to exercise merely for myself, but to glorify God in all that I do.  Listening to His Word proclaimed is a great way to do just that!  My Marvelous Mother listened to sermons while she worked out many moons ago.  She got me started on it too.  It is so refreshing to honor God as you take care of your body.

The first sermon series I listened to was on the book of Esther, by Stephen Davey.  I think I listened to it about four times in a row!  I had never listened to sermons outside of church before...  It was kind of an odd concept to me.  But I loved it!

During the summer of 2010, I was listening to Pastor Davey's series on the book of Ruth - entitled "And They Lived Happily Ever After."  I specifically remember running up and down the hills at home as I heard Pastor Davey expound on God's perfect "matchmaking skills."  What I did not realize at the time was that God was preparing my heart for the "perfect match" He had planned for me. 

I am a firm believer in the truths of James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. 

When we put ourselves in His Presence, God will draw us closer to Himself.  God "hides us in the shadow of His wings."  I personally like to be in God's Presence all the time - and especially when I am working out.  It keeps me focused on God - what He desires for my life, body and soul - and not on what I think I desire.  I want God's desires to be my desires - and what better way to find out His desires than by honoring Him during work outs (and every other moment of life)?