Over my lifetime, I have seen my parents own just about every piece of work-out equipment ever marketed on TV. Starting with one of these really small trampolines (they now call them urban rebounders!). Then, a stationary bike. Then, a treadmill. Then, the ab-roller. Then, the ThighMaster. Then, the Gazelle. And, the one they’ve had the longest has been the Total Gym.

I think each of these I thought of as amusement rides. I would come home and use it once (the first time I saw it) and thought “wierd…”. Especially because none of these devices were every really used.

A few years ago I was turning 30 years old. Six months prior, I freaked out and told myself I needed to be in shape when I turned 30. So, out I went and purchased this lovely home gym. It’s been four years, and I think I’ve used the thing maybe 20 times total. That’s not a good ratio.

This past weekend, while visiting my parents, I hopped onto the Total Gym. I don’t know what it was about this tryout. But, I really got into it. I love the versatility. I loved the continuous workout. And the up and down motion somehow makes you feel like you aren’t working out. It really is a good system.

So, today I posted my home gym for sale on Craigslist, and am actively looking for a Total Gym. I can’t wait!

If you are interested in the fine piece of equipment pictured above, please feel free to contact me. If you contact me via this blog, I’ll give it away for free.

**UPDATE** This item is now sold.

My buddy Jonathan Grubbs helped create this video. A great video made by a great guy, produced by a great organization, all for the purpose of publicizing a great message.

“…you either accept it, or reject it.”

I’ve been playing this song a lot lately.
Lifehouse - Easier To Be

You make it easier to be
Easier to be me
It’s hard to believe
You make it easy

I went to see Lifehouse in concert earlier this month, and really enjoyed the show. Before the concert, I never really got into Lifehouse much. I do like the song they have out now, “Whatever It Takes”. But, before that song, a few of their songs have been overplayed in my mind, and thus I kinda tuned them out.

But, I gotta say, after the concert I went out and purchased both their old and new album. The new album is really great, and substantially better than the first IMHO.

But Lifehouse is not really the point of this post. The other night at CharlotteOne Dave turned on the house lights and asked people in attendance to stand up and speak about what CharlotteOne has meant to them. I’m not a good public speaker, and I’m definitely not good at speaking on my feet, so I didn’t volunteer to speak. But, after thinking about it for a moment, I realize what this year has done for me.

About 9 months ago I was introduced to a group of Christian friends. Christian friends are ones that I never had much of in the past. I always seemed to have one foot in church life and one foot out. But, these past 9 months have been different. I now have more christian friends than I know what to do with. At first I found this so overwhelming. Being the new kid in the group, I was constantly getting questions about myself, my personal life, my friends, my struggles, and daily life issues. I didn’t know how to adjust to all of this genuine interest. But, over time I did, thankfully.

Looking back over the past years of my life and comparing them to the past few months, I must say that living a better christian life is an EASIER life than before. The support group, the community, the friendships, the mutual desires and aspirations, and the diversity among my new friends are all things that really make a life full. Never having this, you really are unaware of what you are missing. But, now having it, I can’t imagine living without it. It truly is an easier life. The stress is less. The frustrations are less. Your friends, your community, and your confidants are there to support you and most importanly are there to reinforce the great promises and blessing of our God. Thanks be to Him!

Lifehouse - Storm

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
water’s getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I’d see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

Who would have thought that my best and worst haircuts of my life are now far behind me? And tragically these are by far my favorite pictures of myself. Ha!