Story. What's Yours?

What if the Bible is all a story?  Would it change how you act?  I believe that the way Jesus lived and how He treated others was a great way of living to emulate.   It shouldn't matter.  But it does for many people.  If heaven is the only reason you are good, I'd check your motives.  I'd love if all people could be kind to one another just because it's the right thing to do.

Back to story.  I've been watching the show "Arrow".  It almost lost me in season 4.  But quickly brought me back in as long as avoided paying close attention to all the quirky fight scenes.  The only character I really can connect to is Oliver Queen.  Imagine that.   He's overcoming all the darkness of things in his past.  Trying to find hope for the future.  I often wonder if everything in the show when he needs to be the Green Arrow is a narrative for what's going on in the battle of his mind.  That who Oliver is outside of the Green Arrow is the real story, all the scenes in which he is the Green Arrow takes place inside his mind.  I'm sure that's not what the writers had in mind.  But it would make a great story.

Oliver Queen said in one of the final episodes of Season 4 that the reason he often blames himself for things is because it at least gives him a reason for why things happened.  He didn't take credit for the good things nearly as much as he took responsibility for all the bad things that happened.

So many times we need to find a reason for things that happen.  We like to have an answer.  Sometimes there isn't one.  Sometimes things just happen.  We do our best and whatever happens happens.

This little factoid just blew my mind.
I might right about this tomorrow. 

Anyway, back to story. A good story is something we can connect with.  There are so many movies and tv shows out there right now with good guys and bad guys. Why?  Probably because so many of us struggle with an inner voice bad guy and watching the good guys win gives us a little hope that we can win too.

The concept of a good story has been really fascinating to me as of lately.  I think the Bible tells a remarkable story.  Almost too good of a story.  The good guys win in the end.  Just like every other good story out there.  So either all of history used the bible as an example of what makes a good story, or a good story has been implanted in our brains for as long as we can remember.  Did the writers of the bible need to motivate others to press on and let the goodness win?  Did they know what elements made a great story?  Was it a true story? Or simply based on a true story?  Does it matter?

Fight for what you believe to be good.

Getting Late and I'm Coming Up Empty

I'm a little over 300 days into writing everyday.  300 days of waking up at 5:30am to do some writing.  Granted, a handful of those days I wrote something the night before.  But I still woke up and did some finishing touches and published it.

 I started this as an outlet.  I found myself getting way to deep on so many Facebook posts and it didn't take long for a conversation to turn into a heated discussion and sometimes an argument.  I didn't like that.  I never want those.  I truly don't think people would talk like that in person if they knew each other.  But when you encounter someone on Facebook who you don't know who has an opposing viewpoint, it's kinda like you get to talk to someone that doesn't exist.  I don't believe we were designed to have purely digital relationships.

or not believe....

Let me try to explain my thought better.  When you read something by someone you don't know on Facebook who presents something you don't agree with, you can choose to ignore or challenge.  I think though, that this person on the other end, isn't really recognized in our brain as a person.  It's a digital interaction with a computer screen that doesn't really have feelings.  So it's kind of like an unrestricted conversation.  However, that's not really what's happening.  There are people on both ends of that conversation that have a story and a reason for believing what they do.   And if that conversation gets personal, it opens up the door for you to self reflect and give voice to all your insecurities.  

Back to my blog.  I write everyday to dump all the stuff out of my head here so it doesn't come up in everyday conversation.  Not everyone goes deep as I go.  I take stuff way deep.  I take thoughts, ideas and situations to places no man has ever seen before.  If I do that in everyday conversation, both real or digital, it doesn't always go well.  So I leave many of them here.  I still post them in case anyone wants to engage.

But I've gotten to the point where I don't think I need to write everyday.  But I want to get up and write anyway.  It's kind of a habit now.

I think I need a life coach.  Not like a rah rah motivational speech person.  But someone to actually coach me at life.  I'm 34.  This is something that should have been started at 14...unfortunately, that didn't happen.  But now that I'm finally starting to get a handle (or so it seems) I actually feel like I can do something other than just maintain and try not to screw things up.  That I can actually live up to the potential other people see in me.

Just End It, or Don't.

Don't get all alarmed or anything.  But you know....these are my thoughts.  I can't escape them.

Ever since the possibility of a Trump presidency arose, I wondered what America would look like.  And no, it's not just Trump.  But any change to the America we live in.   Like what if another country invaded us like in Red Dawn.  Or times got really tough.  Like a huge war or another Great Depression.  Or if we have a civil war and entire towns and cities get destroyed, kinda like what's happening right now in Aleppo.

I wonder what I'd do. How would I respond?  Would I be strong enough?  Would I want to kill another human if it came down to it to extend my life and the lives of others a few more years?

Or....would I just commit suicide?  Or form a group and consider mass suicide.  Seriously though, if things got really bad, who cares?   Easy now...this is a hypothetical.  I imagine lots of soldiers reading this calling me a selfish pussy with no backbone unwilling to fight for the future of America.  Relax.  Hear this imaginary situation out.....Fighting back against a threat is in the very fiber of my being.  Even if I'm the threat.

If our country got to where to that point, how do we know any type of fighting or pushback would change anything in the future?  We wouldn't.  If wars and fighting worked, how much more have to happen till there isn't any?  Till someone stops fighting back.  Forever.  There will always be fighting and wars.

Wait..this isn't a pro/against war blog.  This is about would suicide be a fair approach?  I say if you really have nothing to live for and the future doesn't look good, I'm not going to force you to stay alive.  

But during a conversation I was having with someone two days ago, he asked about the potentials for all the things that would happen in the future.   If you are afraid of dying because of all the things you'll miss out on, what are you waiting for?  Why are you not doing them now?  We only have this one life (as far as anyone knows).  If you aren't doing things now that truly make you happy, or have a goal to get to that point.....what are you doing?

Daniel Fasts and Bug Off, Mate.

I'm just getting some stuff off my chest.  And I'm really struggling with posting this.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because I know a few people might think I'm an asshole for having an opinion about stuff.  Or maybe I'm even wrong about stuff.  But if everyone that was wrong about stuff kept their mouth shut, this world would be awfully quiet.  Everything "could" be wrong.  But there could be short term advantages to some things that might not be good in the long run.  This doesn't make them bad.  This just means they are a stepping stone to something better.  So this daniel fast thing...even though I rip it pretty good, it is a stepping stone to something else.

Couple things. Nah.  Just one.  I had a friend bring up the Daniel Fast yesterday.  I had actually looked into this in the not so distant past.  I've even done something similar to this.  What is this you ask?  Here is the Danial Fast.   And here is the food list.  Note the bible verse at the top.    I basically replied that you don't need to do any special daniel diet to accomplish a closer relationship with God.  I admire people that want to "sacrifice" and "deny" certain things in order to deepen that relationship.  I just have a problem with using the Daniel Fast to do it.  While it may work.... I'm not saying it doesn't.  I do have some concerns.

First, I am aware it's not a fast.  It's not really even a partial fast like they claim.  It's just restricting the consumption of certain foods.  Which is fine.  But there really isn't a any rhyme or reason to their food choices.  Remember that bible verse at the top of the food list?  Daniel says in the book of Daniel that he won't consume "pleasant" foods.  But fruit is on the list?  Fruit is a luxury.  The kings and their people ate fruit.  But you can eat fruit, even fruit juice, which is nothing but sugar and none of the fiber.  But VERY pleasant to the tongue.  And nut butters?  You can eat nut butters?  Have you tried macadamia nuts?  Or even macadamia nut butter?  And you can have an unlimited quantity?  SERIOUSLY?  

There are no restrictions on the amount of foods you can eat on this plan.  So many of the foods on the "can eat" list trigger your appetite.  And there are no restrictions on the amount of things you can eat. There are foods on the do not eat list that are healthy for you.  But just because a food is healthy or good for you, doesn't mean it's an all you can eat buffet.  Even some of the foods on the "safe to eat" list when eaten in large amounts with each other, are not healthy for you.  

If you want to really experience a fast to grow spiritually and deny yourself pleasures, eat real food.  Don't buy anything from inside of the grocery store, except for maybe nuts.  And anything that's on the outside that has more than 2 or 3 ingredients, leave it alone.  And limit yourself to certain amounts.  

I just don't understand this Fast/Diet whatsoever.  To me, it seems like someone trying to find a "bible-based" diet and make another church program out of it.

Again.  If you want to do it to grow spiritually, I admire that.  I really do.  I want people to grow in their faith.  I just don't think this is a really well thought out plan of how to do it.  Mainly because I know a little bit more about food and what's good for you or not.

Anyway...had to get that off my chest.  My big beef for this daniel fast, it's no fast at all.  You have an unlimited amount of food to eat.  If you want to do a spiritual fast you really have to get rid of more food.  There are LOTS of comfort foods on this food list.

That being said.  If you do have a horrible diet, this probably isn't too bad of a place to start.  Not the best...but not bad.  But don't go into it for health reasons.  Remember, it's about growing spiritually.  I think you probably would be challenged on this diet if you ate nothing but junk until this point.  But it's not the best diet to sustain for the rest of your life.  But it will help you change some habits and you will probably lose weight.

If you want an eating plan that will really challenge you, stick with up to 150g of fat, 75g limit of protein and limit of 20g of net carbs per day for 3 days.  And the following 18 days, kick your fat limit to 75g per day.  NO SUGAR.  and get crazy and use no artificial sweetener.  This will challenge you.  But you'll be ok.  You're body will naturally produce ketones which are great for your brain and body.

But whatever, people are gonna do whatever they are gonna do.  And that's fine.  As long as you are happy with your choice and your going to commit to it.

Sometimes I feel like an asshole.  But whatever.  I know my intentions are good and I just want people to think about the decisions they make.  Sometimes I'm glad for my anxiety...it gives me a lot to write about.  But damn is it exhausting.  And a lot of times people assume I'm just trying to be an ass.  I'm really not.

You can be a loser too.

It's January 3rd.  Many people want a fresh start this new year.  Lot's of people want to lose weight.  And I'm here again to extend another invitation to those that want to experience the best weight loss plan ever that is doesn't require a subscription, membership to a gym, supplementation, shakes, wraps, pyramids, or workout videos.  I stand to gain absolutely nothing from you other than the sheer joy of watching you shed the extra pounds you know that you need to lose.  How do I know this?  Because you've told me and several others countless times.  You also tell yourself this every time you look in a mirror or see a picture of yourself.  You didn't realize how much extra weight you put on.  I know, I've been there.  A couple times.

Hard to do this without sounding like an infomercial.

What's the scariest thing about losing weight?  Is it a fear?  Do you not have the energy?  Do you think you lack the willpower?  Something is holding you back from not just starting...but continuing.

Tasteless are what most diets are.  That's why you still
have cravings.  They try to substitute real food when you just need
to eat real food.  

I used to hate diets.  I've done several.  They've all been calorie restrictive.  I didn't really watch what I ate as much as I tried to control how much of what I ate.  It was restrictive.  I hated that.  I got sick of eating salads, fruits, yogurt, lean meats and low fat foods.  I wanted substance.  And not only that, I had to work really hard at exercise.   Not gonna lie, it sucked and wasn't sustainable.  And anytime there was a birthday party, picnic or night out with friends I cheated.  I couldn't help myself.  And one cheat meal because two.  Two became a day and usually I was happy with the 10-15 pounds lost and tried to "maintain".   It doesn't work.  Because I was doing it wrong.  Some people can lose weight that way and create a lifestyle out of it, great!  It doesn't work for most people.  Because even the healthy low fat desserts?  Taste like cardboard.  Our bodies crave REAL food.

Does any of that sound familiar?

Change is hard.  Especially eating.  Because in 2017 America food isn't just for sustenance.  It's for entertaining and social activities.  Anything you do there is food involved.  Most people even keep snacks in their car.  There are snacks and food everywhere you look.  Change takes commitment.

I push fat adapted living/ketogenic eating so much because it works.  It's healthy.  And it's the only diet that I've been able to sustain and continue to lose weight and maintain weight without working out.  And no....lots of people are selling this keto o/s supplement.  YOU DON'T NEED IT.  Unless you have cancer or a neurological disease, it may help a little bit with that.  Other than that, it's a complete waste of money.  Your body will make ketones for free.

My wife and I both follow a Keto diet.  She's actually the one that introduced me to all the wonderful keto foods you can eat following this plan.  And when I say plan, there are some but you don't "need" an eating plan.  You just need to know what you can eat.  And it's a lot of options of things you can eat.  Things I'd never dreamed of eating on a diet.  It's hard to call this a diet.

And listen...I've heard people say, "But Jon gets good results because he goes crazy with whatever he decides to do."  If going crazy is choosing to make a change and committing to it, call me crazy.  I got good results by changing what I eat.  

And this is just the weight loss portion of cleaning up your diet.  There are so many other benefits that you'll learn along the way.  IT'S NOT HARD.  Trust me.  Tomorrow I'll tell you exactly what I did.

I Found a Gay Meme

A couple days ago I stumbled across this meme. I really wanted to use it in a blog ripping christians and pastors for being flaming hypocrites and assholes to people that sin differently than they do.  This is one of the things that drew me away from church.  It wasn't that they wanted to live a holy, sinless life.  It was that many wouldn't acknowledge the sins in their own life and chose to ridicule, criticize and condemn a certain people group.  No problem if the pastor watches porn and tells no one.  Speed on the highway?  No problem.  You can still serve.  Did you get divorced?  You can still play in the worship band.  But oh, you're gay?  Shit.  Can't have that.  Yes....many in church leadership say shit.  Get over it.

Let me also be clear.  I don't like to label things as "sin" or not.  I don't think sin means what anyone thinks it means.  The biggest sin though, if we were to label it, is ignoring or pushing away someone in need.  To not welcome all people into community with God, is the biggest sin of them all.  And many churches today are sin factories.  A few years ago I began praying fervently for the LGBT community.  I was the guy that told them all they were going to hell.  That they were perverted and unnatural.  I guess god wanted me to have a change of heart after all that prayer.  Because my attitude and heart changed.  I saw the way churches were treating an already oppressed and marginalized group....I saw the way I was treating them.  Ignoring and refusing to welcome all into the Kingdom of God without stipulations.

Do you believe God speaks to you?  If so, why wouldn't God speak to others too?  There is a reason the greatest Commandment is to love God and then love People.  To love apparently looks different for everyone.  But do you love people the way you love God?  Or do you tell God how you think He should act?  Do you tell God where he is welcome?  Do you tell God he needs to change or he can't be active in the church community?

Loving people doesn't mean behavior control.  It means caring for them, being a friend, listening, praying, and allowing God to work.  You do believe God works right?  I don't think many christians believe in a big God that can do all things.  Maybe that's because there isn't a big God that can do all things.

And about this "image" churches try to create.  When someone in a leadership/volunteer position "sins" they get booted apparently.  Often times it's secret and a lie is told.  I've seen this happen.  Like if a single women gets pregnant.  They can't have her singing on the choir.  They can't condone that.  True story by the way.  Or if an 18 and 16 year old in the youth worship band have sex and she gets pregnant, they clearly can't serve the lord anymore by using their talents.  You wouldn't want people thinking it was ok to do that and still be able to volunteer for the church.    This is just bullshit.  I'm sorry.  People make poor decisions.  It's possible to love God and still screw up, right?  So why punish them?  Why not show the incredible grace of Jesus and accept them and all their faults, and continue to love them unconditionally?   Let's cut the shame and guilt.

Just another day.

It's the first blog of 2017.  No.  It's not.  Not for me. It's just another one in a long string of consecutive posts.  I try not to write about the same thing over again.  But it's been about 300 days.  I might have to start doing that.  Maybe tomorrow.

What's your new years resolution?

Why?  Why did you pick that?  What is it about that one thing you want to change?  Unless the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change, you won't do anything about it.  I can assure you.

Creating a new habit is hard to do.  It requires commitment.  You can't cheat it.  You can't "kind of" make a change.  You have to go at it 100%.

So whatever your goals are, whatever you want to do.  Do it.

Lets hear some new years resolutions.  What do you want to do?  What are your plans to do it?  What goals do you have?  What junk do you want out of your life this year?  Tell us!

What resolutions have you succeeded with in the past?