5/18/10

Nothing is Impossible


When I was first inspired to start Trinity Fitness in the Fall of 1998, I did so with the intent to encourage and help people become more fit physically, mentally, and spiritually. Since that time and more specifically in the last few years, I have experienced that for myself first-hand. Physically, I train and eat better than ever before. I am stronger and more fit than I was in my early 20's and I definitely eat better which has resulted in a more healthy lifestyle.

Spiritually, I have been on a journey and back. Just in the past few years, I have gone through what I consider the toughest years of my life. Besides the normal stresses of everyday life that included job transitions and family additions, I was battling a unseen force that was making me feel bad physically. After years of tests and procedures I was finally diagnosed with Celiac disease in the summer of 2009. I immediately adopted a wheat and gluten free way of life. For those of you who are not familiar with that diet, it basically takes out any and everything that has flour in it. I even had to travel with my own toaster so that I wouldn't cross-contaminate my food with restricted food. It definitely put a strain on me and my family although it is a better way to eat.

I made the following comment from a post back in October saying, "I have been diagnosed with IBS, Celiac disease, and have had my gallbladder removed with horrible side effects. I am no longer able to eat anything I want and that will be the case for the rest of my life." Well, apparently God didn't agree with my blog post that day. The Bible says in Luke 18:27 that "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

In March I went back to my doctor and he wanted to do some additional tests on me that would include more specific tests for Celiac disease. I had to reintroduce wheat and gluten back into my diet for the test to be accurate. I noticed that I was not having any side effects. I took my tests and received word that I had no trace of Celiac disease. What tested positive last year came back negative this year. Celiac disease can only be managed through diet and is considered incurable and untreatable. I guess the doctors forgot about the ultimate physician who is not limited with man made medicines and prognosis.

I know many may try to dismiss my healing as this or that but I am going to give credit where credit is due. For the last year I have had to live under the umbrella of Celiac disease and now I don't for the "Son" has come out and the rain has stopped.

5/3/10

Why Exercise...Because I Can!


Ecclesiastes 11:9 - Young man, it's wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

Do you love to exercise? When you are breathing hard and sweating, are you thankful? Believe it or not, I am. I consider it a blessing and very satisfying to sweat. Sounds crazy I know but there is a good reason for it. I have no intentions of taking my ability to be active for granted. If you would like to get a better understanding of what the title of this article means, I want you to take a trip with me to a couple of different places.

The first place is a children’s hospital. This is a place filled with children who would love to do nothing more than to play. These are children who hope for the chance to do those things that most of us tend to avoid... you know, race up a flight of stairs, take the dog for a walk, or even help mow the lawn. They would love to have the chance to run at the park or exercise with the other children in a P.E. class at school. Yet, most are still happy to be alive. They have some of the most beautiful smiles you'll ever see; a smile that can make you forget that you are in a hospital and believe, if only for a second, that you are at an amusement park.

The second place I want you to visit with me is the nursing home just down the street. It is filled with people whose only chance at the fountain of youth will be in their memories. Some of these people have no regrets. As a matter of fact, some senior citizens are still going strong, determined to make the most of their lives. Others may have many regrets that stem from the uncertainty of what could have been. Some may be haunted with the thought of “If I were only 25 again, I would do things differently.” Whether you talk to a person with no regrets or a person with many, you can bet that their advice will be the same.

Seize the day!
Run like there is no tomorrow!
The future is now!

These are only a couple of examples that can inspire through their message. Time shows no partiality. It is constantly chasing each and every person. So my suggestion is to make the most of every moment.

Why?

Because I can!