36. Questions?

Sometimes things feel hopeless, and sad. Occasionally, it’s for seriously obvious reasons. Other times things are going phenomenal and life feels like it can’t get much better. Other times life is pretty good, meh or okay. Wherever my demeanor is, typically it’s useful to journal, challenge and question myself. If life is good the questions challenge me to get to great. If life’s not-so-good, the questions get me to turn right back around. The main point is to be 100% honest with and hold yourself accountable. Positive  change doesn’t happen and stick unless you use brutal honest accountability. Here are some sample questions:

What do I wish I had more time to do?

What am I doing too much?

Who do I need to make time for?

Who do I need to spend less time with?

What decisions lead to this point?

What can/did I learn from this mistake?

How can I kick this up a notch?

Who is helping me stay accountable?

Am I being honest with myself?

What is the worst that can happen?

Can I live with that?

What is the best that can happen?

Is it worth the effort?

Come to think of it though, maybe most questions could be unnecessary, if I only asked this one question more often:

Jesus, what do you think would be the best plan?

35. Pizza and Lent

I haven’t ever followed through with anything that I have given up for Lent. Until this year, so far anyway…

I’ve been working to lose some weight and redefine my body this year. I keep a detailed food journal. I realized that I ate pizza too much. It represent everything that is awesome in food. Like clockwork I have been offered pizza several times a week ever since I made the decision, and it has been a challenge to stay “clean.”

Every time I deny myself the cheesy incredible food it helps me remember how small of a sacrifice I am making compared to what Jesus did and makes me ever so much more grateful for everything He has done.

34. Zombelievable

 

I HAD a dream! A few days ago I had an extremely realistic post zombie apocalypse scenario dream.  Here are some things that really stuck out in my mind.

1. I woke up 2 times through out the night with vivid memories of the dream and then when  I fell back asleep the dream seemed to pick up seamlessly.
2. There were multiple instances when we kept digging through floors of sky-scrapers to escape the hordes viscous, brain-hankering, frenzied post-dead beings.
3. The main furniture on every floor were rows and rows of bunk-beds.
4. No matter what material the floor was made of, we were able to dig through with relative ease using a basic garden shovel.
5. The leader of the group was a woman in her 50s or 60s, and she was the main digger.
6. Every single person (zombies are not people) in my dream worked together, fought together, shared everything and showed genuine love and respect for one another. I remember being genuinely in awe of how selfless everyone was behaving, considering how bleak the situation seemed at the time.
7. I finally woke up and don’t know how the story finally ended. However with the focus on teamwork I assume everyone survived, using my daytime brain.

Do you interpret dreams? If so what do decipher from this? Have you ever had an uplifting dream that started out as a nightmare? If so feel free to explain in the comment section.

33. Dale of the Second Chance

New Years resolutions are useless. I have made them and they have been tossed aside and forgotten.  This year I’m trying something new, instead of resolutions, I am working on forming awesome habits and setting achievable, crafty, lofty, artistic, real goals.

So in 2012:

1. I will be one hundred percent honest in everything, especially to myself and to God. (if you need to know anything you can email any question to daledemsich(at symbol)gmail(period)com or ask in the comment section below)

2. I want to rekindle my discipleship with one of the most amazing humans I know, Mo.

3. I will save up for and purchase a vehicle.

4. I am going to keep up with health and fitness goals.

5. I am going to get my associates degree and put my self into position to get my bachelor’s degree from WSU.

6. I want to read on average 1 book per week this year.

7 . I will find a job that allows me to be a linchpin. (even if it means I become an entrepreneur and open my own place of business)

8. I will volunteer, love, and help as many people as possible.

9.  I will learn to play the guitar and write uplifting songs.

10. I will be steadfast in my daily devotions, including; writing in my journal, prayer-life, reading the Word, living the Word, and worship.

Essentially I am done living with hidden sin in my life. In order for me to achieve what I am meant to do, there is only one way. I am incredibly thankful that by God’s grace alone, I am forgiven and capable to have this year of second chances, and look forward to making the best of twenty-twelve.

What goals can I encourage you through this year?

32. There’s No Place Like Hope For the Holidays

Today was a special day for Real Church, we had our annual Christmas outreach, Joy to the D.  In addition to the free toy store, kids crafts, and other festivities at the Hamtown campus, we also got to sponsor some families in need out in the city of Detroit.  We had the opportunity to pour love and joy into hundreds of families.  It is amazing how much was accomplished through the hard work and collaboration  just a few bakers dozens worth of people.  This season just remember that true Joy comes from helping others, loving others and being grateful for the smallest of blessings.

31. Shipping Time

I have been slacking on post updates, this is about to change. Big stories coming soon.

30. Hey Fat @$$!

Recently when I look in the mirror, my closet or my dresser, I become depressed. I am unhappy with how I look, how my clothes (don’t) fit, and it drags me down. I have been on a fat-kid/ average body type roller-coaster  more or less my entire life. I love food, terrible food, over-processed food, fast food, any food really. Food is necessary, I have been completely mistreating it though. I have had enough.

This week I started a new training program. It is called the couch to 5k. (I dig it, feel free to Google it if your interested.) Earlier today I was out running and a truck full of young “adults” slowed down next to me and yelled, “Hey fat-ass” and other rude remarks, before laughing and driving away.  I had immediate flashbacks to when I was a kid in grade school, and other times in my life I have had weight problems and was made fun of . I became sad. Then I snapped out of it and started to pray to forgive the mockers. Then I shut up. – It’s the only way to hear back from God. He revealed some awesome real absolute truths. Then a peace spread over me.

Yes I am overweight.
Yes I love (terrible) food.
Yes I am very imperfect.
Despite all that, He let me know that He still loves me anyway, He wants me to be happy and He still has huge plans for me.

I am going to continue to run, and healthier eating habits. I am even more incredibly inspired, not because of random mockers, but because God has a plan for me, wants me to be happy, and I believe  Him.

When has forgiving someone ever directly lead to you getting an awesome message from God? Do you know of any good healthy food recipes?