A monthly message from Fred Lynch. Fred is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
February 2007
It's the 2nd month of the year and I'm sure everybody's in full swing and running at top speed, but it's my prayer that everyone out there is pursuing tip top health while you're 'doin' your thang'. Although February is widely recognized as Black History Month (which I hope that you take advantage of this time and teach your kids the truth about Black History and its inestimable contribution to America and the world) this is also National Children's Health Month and I'd like to encourage you this month to focus on the very important issue of promoting a healthy lifestyle with your teens. You're probably saying, "Before I get them in shape I have to get myself in shape!" I know you've been thinking about it, looking into it and maybe even giving it the good ol' 'college try' every now and then; but this is a serious issue that shouldn't just get patronized out of your weekly routine, but deserves your critical attention. As leaders we must model what it looks like for a teen to take the upkeep of God's Temple seriously. This month we're going to talk about helping students take better care of their outer vessel so they can really enjoy the abundant life that Jesus has promised them.
The truth is we must model a better way as disciplined followers of Christ.
M.U.D. Reality (Here's what's up)
In the Church we often hide behind the high priority that we place upon our spiritual upkeep and fail to address negative habits 'of the flesh' that drag us down and causes us to be less effective. I'm not talking about smoking and drinking, I'm talking about discipline issues with our diet and exercise. Look at the average American Christian's diet and if he/she's eating, its junky food (you know the drill: high in fat, high in salt, low in fiber, no veggies, and French fries don't count as a vegetable!) and it's usually in excess. I know that's why they named that place "Church's" cause they knew who to market too! As far as exercise is concerned, we're not concerned. We are a culture full of stress, business and activity yet we'd rather pay to watch someone run around instead of get up and exercise our own bodies. The truth is we must model a better way as disciplined followers of Christ. We have to be careful not to find ourselves as God's representatives completely captivated by our idleness and ruled by our appetite.
M.U.D. Battle (Here's why)
Sure bodily exercise has much less profit in comparison to righteousness, yet if you want to compare the benefits of exercise and healthy eating with the objective of discipline you're no longer comparing apples to oranges. Look at the Old Testament laws concerning diet and it still casts an obvious shadow onto the New Testament reality that we strive to live. God cares about our temples and has given us precepts that can direct us towards having a healthy vibrant life. No I'm not pointing us back to the O.T. rules, but there are many precepts found in the scriptures where we can glean new and fresh ideas that will help us model and transfer truths that will help our kids live the life that God designed them to live.
M.U.D. Tip (Here's how)
Face it.
Sunday Morning January 21st I get a call from a dear young friend who was in the first youth group that I had the privilege to Pastor. He tells me that one of his closest friends (Tony, 34 who was also part of that youth ministry 17 years ago...I know, I'm getting old) was in the hospital from a heart attack. We hear it time and time again but never take it serious till it hits home. But if we face the facts before the facts of our unhealthy lifestyle come home to roost, we have a greater chance of success. If you're overweight, just face it. No please don't torture yourself by adopting the false Hollywood standard of weight because we know that's just as unhealthy. If you're out of shape, just face it. I'd venture to say everyone out here knows pretty much what they need to do, the issue is that we must face the reality of our unhealthy state before we can get better.
Figure it.
Now that you've faced it, the next thing is to figure out the proper action steps to turn your life around. Jesus said, "No man begins a great venture without first sitting down and counting up the cost (Luke 14:28). This is a big move, but I caution you to start out by taking baby steps. Set mini goals so you don't burn yourself out and get discouraged; but make sure that you increase the intensity within your plan. One of the most important things to remember in figuring it all out is to celebrate each small victory. Pat yourself on the back and get that dust off ya shoulder! Plan your work then work your plan.
Fix it.
If you've faced your giant, and figured out how to bring him down, all that's left is to stick to your plan and watch the victory come to you. I know that sounds so easy and it's much more detail involved, but the formula is valid only if you stick with it until it works. Another way to help fix this severe problem [*close to 1.8 million African-American children in the U.S. do not have health insurance.] is to make healthy choices a part of your youth ministry routine. Add healthy snacks to the small group or around the youth room, talk about these issue and give your teens time to face it, figure it and fix it. Finally add some type of exercise to your activities for youth ministry, move around more; be bold and do a marathon instead of our usual weekly 'chair-a-thon'. The time is now to help teens take control of their health before we have anymore of our kids battling heart disease and high blood pressure. See ya next time in the M.U.D.
FREDDIE FREEBIE:
I have a cool web link that I'd like to share with you this month. Dr. Leonard Lopez is a homeopathic-naturopathic physician. He has been a tremendous influence on my whole family in the area of health and fitness. Dr. Lopez is a sought-after Christian Doctor who writes a weekly column with the Christian Broadcast Network. Go to his site and take an online health quiz, download some great articles and get some great information on some cool fundraising ideas that include nutrition and health. You can find him at www.drlenlopez.com or you can listen to him weekly at www.oneplace.com. Just type in dr. Len Lopez and check out his weekly show.
Sharing the gospel from 'Street to Street',
Fred Lynch III
GodStyle Productions
Fred Lynch is the founder of GodStyle Productions, a ministry committed to changing youth culture. For more information on Fred, visit his website or check out his latest project, The Epic (the gospel of John translated into rap).
