GOALS: Aim + Miss = Success? Yeah, sort of.

Never apologize for setting goals. ever. I'm a goal setter...I aim at targets...and I miss the target most of the time. (all you have to do is look at my new year goals, summertime goals, etc.) Even when I miss the target, I never lose site of the target. I just grab another arrow and aim again.

I'd like to hit the target with more frequency, but for today I'm simply reminding myself and possibly you that the most important thing is staying focused on the target - not hitting it, because if you do stay focused, you will eventually hit it.

Make sure your targets are legit, God-inspired targets...and then keep firing away. Eventually, you'll see the changes come to pass...and as you keep aiming you'll become better at hitting it more often.

Set goals, go for it...regroup, and stick with it.

Summertime Goals: UPDATE

Ok, two weeks in to my summertime goals, and it's time to reflect and reassess. I've got good news, and I've got bad news.

The good news is that at two weeks in I'm actively pursuing growth in the "health" and "spiritual" focal points.

• I've joined Weight Watchers, and have truly kept to the program...My second weigh in will be today, so I'll see how much weight I've lost after one week. [UPDATE: I lost two pounds!] The program is really helping me stay focused on what is important to me which is healthy living. It allows me to eat anything (like the Papa Murphy's Cowboy Pizza I had Saturday night), but forces me to put it all in perspective and stay within healthy boundaries. I like it.
• My marathon training is in full swing, and after my 14 mile run on Saturday, I'm really getting back in the groove.
  
• I've been reading the Bible like crazy, and it's been a joy to really feed my spirit in the Word and choose to read rather than other less important things.

The bad news is that I haven't "met" all the standards I set two weeks ago

• I didn't purchase the P90X. I thought I had it purchased via Craigslist but it fell through. After looking at my summer schedule, I just don't know how I can follow the "hour a day, everyday" requirement AND be gone for weeks at a time (dreamcenter, vacation, summer camp, etc.) AND continue to get all my miles in for marathon training. So, I'm going to let that goal go and start the P90X in the Fall.
• Despite my huge increase in Bible reading, I missed a couple days and that puts me over 30 chapters behind! Wow! But thankfully I missed the latter half of Numbers and the first part of Deuteronomy, so I'm just picking up where I should be, and will try and get those chapters in on vacation.

I'll set some other goals later this week that will have to do with date nights, marriage & parenting books, and other "family" related goals. I really am looking forward to growing in my marriage with Jenn this summer.

Stay tuned!

Summertime Goals Part 2: SPIRITUAL (if there is such a thing)

It's Summertime, and that is a great time to set goals. June 1 - August 28 is 90 days and that's a perfect timeframe to really focus. Last post was about health (and infomercials), this one is about spiritual goals.

I'm not sure I'm in full theological agreement with Rob Bell, but he coined a phrase that I really agree with: "Everything Is Spiritual" meaning there shouldn't be such a thing as the "spiritual" part of life, the "family" part of life, the "work" part of life, etc.. When living life as a true follower of Christ, everything we do is spiritual:

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

Colossians 3:17,23 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him...And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men"

Now that I've set a theological stance that "everything is spiritual" I'm going to break that mold and set some "spiritual goals" for the summer! (p.s. Even Rob Bell has what they call "spiritual practices" so I guess if he can break the phrase, to clarify a point, I can too!)

Goal #1: Read through the entire Bible in 90 days. I'm going to openly confess that I'm not sure I've ever read through the Bible in a year...but that's not going to keep me from trying to do it in 90 days. Personally, I could care less if you read a verse a day, a chapter a day, etc...it really doesn't matter. Everyday there are people out there that read the Bible that don't have an ounce of God's heart in them. Reading alone doesn't change anything - but feeding on the Word of God for revelation and relationship with Jesus does - and that's my summertime plan. It's about 12 pages a day, which is a lot - but I really want to spend this summer with my Bible open, and so it's a goal I have made.

Goal #2: Coming Soon

Summertime Goals Part 1: HEALTH (Infomercials Abound)

Ok, I admit it. I'm a sucker for infomercials. Years ago when I was close to 300 pounds I bought multiple infomercial gadgets such as the ab cruncher, as well as "The Great North American Slim Down Challenge" with Larry North! Ahhh, those were the days. The sad thing is that the only thing that got slimmer was my wallet.

Then one day I decide to just start living healthy, eating right, exercising, etc. and Wah-La! 115 pounds later I had a story that people wanted to know about!

The problem is that all that weight loss happened years ago now - and after trying to lose 10 pounds since November, I've succumed to the fact that I don't have the drive and discipline to just get it done on my own. So, despite my horrible track record, I'm going back to Infomercial Land in search of some discipline and drive that will get me to the place of health that I know I need to have to fulfill everything God has called me to be and do.

Beginning June 1, 2009 I'll be busting out the P90X. According to them I'm going to "get absolutely ripped in just 90 days...hmm. I'd actually just prefer to not jiggle when I go running. You have no idea how much jiggle can take place on a 20 mile long run while training this summer for the Portland Marathon!

When I lost all my wieght the one thing I didn't do is put on muscle - and 4 years later I'm still lacking in the "ripped" category.

Fitness: CHECK
Food: Uh. Yeah, that's the true beast.

To get my mind back on track for what is healthy, what is appropriate portions, and what "well-balanced" looks like, I'll be joining Weight Watchers this Summer. I've never done it before, but I'm looking forward to the accountability and fresh approach to healthy living. As a Christ-follower I'm also excited to have a chance to meet new people in the weekly meetings and hopefully build relationships with people in an effort to spread some love to people who need it!

So there you go:
- Portland Marathon (30-40 miles a week)
- P90X (1 hour a day)
- Weight Watchers Momentum Program

Summer health awaits!

Next Blog - Summertime Goals Part 2: SPIRITUAL