Don't Give Satan An Advil

What is your name?

When you were born did your parents give you a name worthy of who you are, or have you had to make yourself worthy of the name your parents gave you? In his story "Romeo and Juliet", Shakespeare writes, What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet. So does your name really even matter? Well, it depends on who knows it.

My parents named me John Boyd Gardner. If you just leave it at that then some people may not think it is a very spectacular name... (seeing as how it has been my name for over 36 years I am pretty partial to it though). I am not famous so I do not have a famous name. My name does not jump out at people because it is not an unusual or trendy name. My name is a good, solid name. But even though I am not famous there are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people who know my name just because we have crossed paths at some point in my life. Some people will hear my name and think fond thoughts, some will think not so fond thoughts, and some people will think "Who? Oh, I kinda remember that guy." Regardless of what people think when they hear my name, I have made some sort of impression on many people.

But I wonder what sort of impression I have made on the devil over the years. In Acts chapter 19 the seven sons of Sceva were trying to cast out demons "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches." They knew that there was something to the name of Jesus, and even threw in Paul's name for good measure, kinda like a name-dropper would do. There was a problem with that though... one particular evil spirit had no idea who these seven guys were. See, all of hell knew Jesus because, well, He's Jesus, and they all knew Paul because he had been one of their top humans until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus and started doing battle against the army of hell. But, when these seven no-name sons of the Jewish chief priest, Sceva, came along, the evil spirit said "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man with the evil spirit jumped on the brothers and put a whoopin' on 'em that EVERYONE around would remember for a long time.

So, do evil spirits know MY name? Am I known among the army of hell? Does Satan have to work overtime because I am on the job? I like what Dave Earley says in his book, "The 21 Most Dangerous Questions of the Bible",... I don't claim the amazing authority of the Lord Jesus Christ or the apostle Paul. But I believe I can live a positively dangerous life. I hope to live so completely for God's kingdom that I am known by those in the kingdom of darkness. I want to give hell a headache.

What about you? Does the devil need an Advil? Does hell know your name?

Is It Really Worth The Effort?

Okay, so, after 2 1/2 weeks of going to the gym there is no change to the scale. I have not lost a blessed ounce... but I have not gained any either, so I guess that is a good thing. But is it really worth waking up at 5:15AM, getting up at 5:30AM, and out the door at 5:50AM to go pick up Nick and meet Leo at the gym, walk for 35 minutes (and go nowhere), ride a bike for 15 or 20 minutes (and go nowhere), and do some stretching, arm and ab work?

Yes. It's worth it.

You see, I get to listen to some good praise and worship music, enjoy the fellowship and encouragement of two men of God, improve my overall health, sleep better at night, have more energy, and take care of the Temple. Do I wish the scale was showing a 12 pound loss? Yes. But watching the scale can be a big discouragement when you're trying to get healthy (I am not on the Biggest Loser here). It's not ultimately about losing weight anyway. It's about glorifying God. I know that if I do the things that need to be done in order to be healthy (working out and eating right), then the weight will follow... and God will get the glory!!

So, if you are thinking about getting healthy for Christ, my word of advice to you is:
THROW AWAY YOUR SCALE and work at being healthy before you worry about losing the weight.

Words Of Wisdom

Words Of Wisdom for September 14, 2009...

Do what God says!!!

Flab vs Fab

For those who are in-the-know, Pinto's food is some of the best... ever. (Her fried chicken blows the Colonel out of the water.) But I am thinking that at times her cooking is too good. Over the busy summer months, when teams were here and I was on the go most of the time, I managed to gain 10 pounds. Yes, 10 pounds. So the net loss for my first year here wound up being 30 lbs.

So, on Saturday, I met Pastor Leo Hall (Bethel United Church) at Fitness Physique and started getting my exercise on. Saturday, Monday, Tuesday (with Nick), and again this morning, I road the bike, walked on the treadmill, worked on the seated row and the seated ab machine (I am not gonna get on the floor if I don't have to), and did some stretching exercises. I already can tell I have more energy and am sleeping better at night after only a few days of working out. I will go again in the morning and probably Saturday AM, and at least 3 or 4 times a week after.

There are a few reasons I decided to start going to the gym...
1. Walking in the evenings is boring (but I haven't since December, so never mind)
2. There is someone who will keep me accountable
3. To lose the weight I have gained
4. To reach my goal weight
5. To look FABULOUS when I go home for my visit in November
6. To be more healthy and have more energy
7. To improve my witness by taking care of the Temple

Have you ever sat in church and listened to a fat pastor preach a message about sins of the flesh... while at the same time wondering why he doesn't apply his message to himself and his gluttony. Being overweight and in the ministry is not new, it's not uncommon, but it is not God's best and He is not glorified by it.

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19-20 (NKJV)

Hurricane Hurricane Stay Away

The Atlantic Hurricane Season 2K9 is coming upon the halfway point... so far so good. There have been 3 named storms (one hurricane) as of today, but there has been no effect here in Jamaica. That is a great thing. But, since there are still 3 months left in the season, the chance is still there for a storm to stop by and say "Hello". Well, the invitation is not open and it would most definitely be an intrusion. So, stay away storms... please.

SLOW DOWN!!!

Okay, so, yesterday I drove Jamie to MoBay so she could "go foreign" til the end of September, while Nick and Jody took our final team of the summer to Ocho Rios and then to MoBay to spend the night before leaving today for home. The drive to MoBay is one I have made now MANY times, and I pretty much know where all of the areas are where cops hang out. Plus, I am usually very aware of my speed, but yesterday all of the right ingredients came together for a pot of "Are You Serious" stew.

Let me just say that sometimes...
talking + driving = not paying attention
not paying attention + driving = speeding
speeding + cop = ticket

72 kmh in a 50 kmh zone.... I could see the 80 kmh sign from where the cop was parked, 2 stone throws away. I never thought I would ever get a speeding ticket for driving the equivalent of 45mph on the open highway. On the up side, both officers were very polite.

Maybe I will just ride while Jamie drives to the airport next time and I will drive the car back...
Well, maybe I will just slow down... that sounds like a better idea (sorry Jamie).



(Paid that ticket this morning, Aug. 24... $5,000... Jamaican that is.)

A Bit Behind

Ever have good intentions of doing something? Of starting something new and sticking with it? Like, maybe, uh, posting blogs... Well, I thought I would post at least once a week when I first started, but it has been 2 weeks now and I don't even know if I feel like posting this one. We'll see how I feel once I get it written.

My birthday was AWESOME with my parents and church team coming in. They brought me Dr. Pepper, Dove Dark Chocolate, beef jerky, deer jerky, movies, cards, a book and other stuff. Even without the gifts it was one of my best ever b-days!!!!

The week that followed was full of God working through the Dover team at the worksite and at VBS, getting work done, but more importantly building relationships with each other and the Jamaican people. I got to spend time with Mom and Dad (just having them make the trip was blessing enough). Dad had a tough time as the week went on but he made it through and did really good helping with crafts at VBS. The kids really liked him. The house that was built was finished on Wednesday morning and dedicated that afternoon so the team working on the house could be a part of the last day of VBS on Thursday. What made the week even better was to hear words of compliment from our Jamaican staff concerning the Dover team. I had no doubt that they would be a good team, but Pinto tells it like it is and she told me a number of times how much she enjoyed them... so, GO DOVER!!!! You passed the Pinto test.


Dad, Mom, Me.

This past week we had visitors from Muncie. Jody, Jodi, and Evelyn Kress joined us for a few days. Jody is the new Director of Operations at CSI and came to see what CSI Jamaica is all about. They flew home Thursday. It was nice to have them with us.

Nick and I will be headed to MoBay in the AM to pick up the team from Grove City. They will be doing a VBS and a house, and will be our last team for the summer. That is just crazy. It has flown by... and at the same time it feels like a long journey through the last few months. God has done some really great things this summer and will again next week I am sure.

Santa Claus UMC is coming October 10-17, we are praying for Marggy Hensley and The Black Family as they all prepare to join us in the coming months, and the CSI Staff Retreat is November 12-15.

So, that is what's been going on since my last post, and a small bit of what's coming up. Guess I will go ahead and post it.

Until Next Time!!!

Oh, by the way, I will be celebrating one year on the mission field on Sunday.