A Body Like HIS

I just arrived at the office a few minutes ago. It wasn't because I overslept on a Monday, or from slothfulness. I was late because I had to have a talk with my doctor. Rather, my doctor wanted to have a talk with me. You see, my body seems to be falling apart, disentigrating before my very eyes, according to the good Doc. The way he put it, I may be on my last thirty or so years of life unless things begin to drastically change.

You see, the accumulated years of self-endulgence have finally caught up with me. Ice Cream (with loads of chocolate syrup, caramel chunks, and swirls of decadant delights), snickers bars, hamburgers, snickers bars, and Ice Cream, are making the piper begin to warm up his flute. Cholesteral, diabetes, a spare tire, and more are trumpeting their presence. If I don't change, someday I'm going to die!

It all adds up to a couple of facts that cannot be avoided. First, if I'm going to have any chance for survival, I must lose about forty pounds. (The doc had no diet pills to perscribe...bummer!) It means I must end my visits to the pot-luck desert bar at church and quit visiting McDonalds for breakfast, lunch, or supper. I must turn down cheesecake once and for all. Helpings must be measured, though old doc said I should enjoy anything I want on Sundays (notice the spelling wasn't sundae) since I'm a hardworking preacher that must find some type of reward. But no more frosty malts at Kauffman Stadium; no Oreos in the desk; no running to Sonic for a malt,...........ad infinitum. *sigh* The first fact is cruel!

The second fact is better. Philippians 3:30-21 says; "But our citizenship is inheaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Oh happy day!
Notice a couple of things: First, our citizenship is in heaven. That doesn't mean our eternity is in heaven, it just means our citizenship record--the Lamb's Book of Life--is there. We'll have a brief layover there, but just to pick up our new bodies and have a celebration. Also notice that our bodies will be like his glorious body. While enjoying the Ice Cream binges, I always reveled in the thought that I would be able to eat loads of Ice Cream for all eternity because my new body would never get fat---or diabetic. VIEWCHANGE!! Although the privious is true, the body will no longer succumb to the illicit cravings that master us while we're in this unglorified state. In other words, my new body won't get cholesteral-clogged, fat, or diabetic...because IWON'TBESTUFFINGMYFACEALLTHETIMEDEFYINGDEATHWITHEVERYMEAL! Wow! That was a mouthful...had to get that out!

What it all means is this: while still in this frail body, and in a world permeated by death, we must work-work-work to give every opportunity for life. It means taking care of our bodies while speaking life everywhere we go...the life of Christ and the gift he offers. Someday soon, the trump will sound and all this death will be stripped away. Formerly, I looked forward to shedding pounds in the twinkling of an eye. Presently, I set my sights on things above while I begin to torture my body by walkingjoggingbikeridingrunningstairsandpushingawayfromthedinnertablewithalotlessfoodinmybelly!

There you have it. So, help me out by not offering me the things that will kill me before my time...no more cookies or fudge at Christmas. Definitely no cheescake except on Sundays (Docs orders), and please hold me accountable.
With Incredible Love,
Pastor Jim