New Year, New Journey.

Happy 2013, y'all! You know what season it is. The season of regrets and resolutions. Around this time at the end of every single year, everybody looks at their regrets from that year. Based on their regrets, they make New Years' resolutions. Sound familiar? It does to me too.

In my eighteen years of experience, all sarcasm  intended, I have learned a thing of two. One of the many things I have learned is resolutions last, on average, about two weeks.

This sounds like the beginning of a motivational, set a goal and reach it, "you can do it!" type blog. Not really. Even though I believe that if I can set a goal, work my butt off and reach it, anyone can.

This is an introduction to a new journey. The journey from fan, to follower. I'm a fan of Alabama Crimson Tide football. I'm a fan of afternoon naps. I'm a fan of pizza rolls and music. I'm a fan of my job, working out, helping others and helping myself. I'm a fan of the car I drive, my friends, and my paycheck. Until the past few months, I have been a fan of Christ.

I was born and raised an Alabama fan. I bleed crimson and have a houndstooth heart. Roll Tide is an appropriate response for all situations. Bryant-Denny is the most beautiful place around. His real name was 'Bear'. I will have engagement pictures taken on the University of Alabama campus. That's just how it is. But anybody that loves the tradition and class of the Crimson Tide will agree with this, 1) we have terrible fans that give us all a bad name, 2) bandwagon fans. The group that has hitched a ride on the crimson and white fan bus is large. They found opportunity to have bragging rights. They found victory. And as any other great dynasty, it will soon diminish. The Nick Saban era will end, just as the Bear's did. It may be with a bang, or it may fizzle out; either way, victories and fans will both decrease at some point or another. Frankly, I'm kinda looking forward to losing some fans. It'll separate those with a love for the school from those with hype for the school... anyways, there's a point to all this.

Webster defines a fan as an "enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or performing art) usually as a spectator". What sticks out to me? Usually as a spectator. Christianity has become a spectator sport. We would much rather sit on the bench and cheer for Christ. We have believed, but we have not committed. We watch the game passionately, but we are not on the field taking the hard hits. Jesus has been sold to us, no, presented as something we deserve. This 'religion' has turned into "a gospel that cost them nothing and offered them everything."*

"My concern is that many of our churches in America have gone from being sanctuaries to become stadiums... The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren't actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them."*

I have sat on the bench. I've painted my face with my team colors, gave pep talks to the players, sat back, and enjoyed the game. I've been a cheerleader, a sore winner, and an enthusiastic fan. Fans are loud and proud when the seas are smooth, but bail at the first sight of a storm. Nuh-uh. No more. I've had things laid on my heart that I should have said and didn't because of what it may cost me, I'll have to answer for that one day. But lately I've asked, what's the point in living a life that is anything less than what we were called into? Christ has tons of fans, but few true followers.

"There is no way to follow Jesus without him interfering with your life."*

If you don't want your life to be interfered with, truly following Christ may not be what you're looking for. In my opinion, Christianity is belittles so because it is the only true, honest thing left on the planet. You can run from everything, but God. Can hide from everything, but Truth. You can be absolutely emotionless, until it comes to the love and forgiveness of the risen Savior. No masks. Nothing fake. Raw truth. Truth hurts. Truth is often rejected because it isn't what people want to hear. 

The town I've grown up in is full of fans. I don't think I've been a 100% fan, but I have certainly not been a 100% follower. In 2013, I'm not going to resolve to lose x numbers of pound or stick to a diet. This year, I'm going to be a follower.

*direct quotes from 'Not a Fan' by Kyle Idleman*
        I encourage everyone to check it out

Cookies, Candies, and Carbs! Oh my!

I'll start off by saying. Merry Christmas y'all! I wrote in my last blog that I would publish a blog to help you guys maintain weight during the holiday season. I know how difficult this is, especially when your grandmother, aunts, and momma's cooking skills all go into Christmas mode!

Here's a couple of general holiday rules:

1. Remember THE reason for Christmas!

        -Celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

2. Spend time with your family!

3. Laugh, a lot!

4. Have fun!

5. Proportions, proportions, proportions.

Most people tend to gain weight during the holiday season because they over eat! Myself included. This year try to cut a few calories out. One great way to do this is replace sweet tea or a soft drink with cold water! Many of our calories come from our beverages.

The Christmas meal is the best meal of the year, well behind the fourth of July of course! Skip the rolls and home made mac-n-cheese (that's my personal favorite, btw. This will be a challenge for myself) and replace them with green beans or any kind of vegetable you have. Next for the meat of the meal. Some families do turkey, some do ham, some do chicken. I definitely recommend baked chicken or turkey over ham. Chicken and turkey are lighter, less calorie meats when taken in at a normal serving size. Finally, the dessert. Everybody loves a piece of cake, couple of cookies, or some of mawmaw's pie! If you want a cookie, get ONE cookie. Get a very, very small serving of sweets and if you still have a sweet tooth, if your family is like mine, somebody brings a fruit bowl. Fruits and friends and food!

Now that we've discussed the food part, let's talk about the after food part. Get up and do something! You don't have to make yourself exercise because that really isn't fun when you're suppose to be relaxing. You can do little things to burn some extra calories.

-Help Clean Up!

-If a kid asks you to Just Dance or play some sort of game, do it!

-Laugh it up! (burns calories ya know)

-Get outside with the kids in your family!

-Don't take a to-go plate!

Christmas 2011!

 Of course I like to throw in some before pictures. Even though I'm not proud of who I was back then, spiritually and physically, I'm excited about how far I have come!

Almost one year to the day later, 35 lbs down!

Don't forget the TRUE reason for the Christmas season!

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given: and government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6