Month: November 2019

“In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!” (Hebrews 5:12, NIV).

I posed the question to friends: “When did church stop trying to disturb the comfortable?” It stems from a quote from a popular/unpopular pastor (depending on your perspective) what said that a good sermon should “comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” I am struggling to find a church that truly challenges me to grow. Personally, I find that many (if not, most) churches preach to the “unchurched” and “new believers” and neglect the spiritual maturation of their congregants. (I use the small “s” versus the capital “S” because I see a difference between the personal Jesus and the Universal Christ.) I don’t go to church to be entertained. I go to be convicted and to have my convictions upheld. I go to be disturbed. I don’t go because I am good and righteous. I go because I am quite the opposite.

I received a range of comments from my friends. One that most stuck out was from my nephew, Chris, who simply said: “Maybe you have to challenge yourself after a point.” He is right. I am complaining that the teachers are only providing spiritual milk when I desire solid food. Chris reminded me that maybe I just need to learn to cook my own steak. Moreover, I have to invite people to the barbeque. I don’t need to invite those who will make me comfortable. Rather, I need to invite those who make me uncomfortable. Maybe this is why Jesus was accused of associating with an unsavory lot—as an example to me.

I have tended to avoid religious posts out of concerns of offending. My question to myself is: “Who am I afraid of offending?”

I write most often to myself. If I can benefit others along the way, that is good. I do, however, need to accept a challenge to “comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” So, if I find myself disturbed or others find what I write disturbing, I have served a Purpose. I believe Spiritual well-centeredness is the Universal Christ—a Christ who transcends the religion that bears his name and the Jesus in whom he resided. If I want to be disturbed, it isn’t going to happen in church. I have to seek it out for myself among the disturbed.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!

A friend suggested this topic for my blog. Honestly, I had no idea what it was. Sleep hygiene? It sounds like clean sheets, clean pajamas, or washing and brushing the teeth before bedtime. Apparently, not.

Sleep hygiene, according to the National Sleep Foundation, “is a variety of different practices and habits that are necessary to have a good nighttime sleep quality and full daytime alertness. Sleep is important. We should be getting 7-8 hours a night (six, according to Arnold Schwarzenegger—“sleep faster”). Sleep is essential to exercise recovery (i.e., adequate physical adaptation) and being productive during the day. It is crucial for physical and mental health.

The National Sleep Foundation suggests that good sleep hygiene includes:¹

–Limiting daytime naps to 30 minutes.

–Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine close to bedtime.

–Exercise.

–Steering clear of food that can be disruptive (e.g. spicy, rich, citrus, etc.) right before sleep.

–Ensuring adequate exposure to natural light to help maintain a healthy sleep-wake cycle.

–Establishing a regular nightly routine and bedtime.

–Making sure that the sleep environment is pleasant.

Don’t neglect your sleep. Exercise is important. The stimulus for growth starts in the gym, of course, but the adaptation occurs outside the gym. A healthy diet is essential, as well, and can contribute to a healthy sleep. Limiting stress can help, too. Make sleep hygiene part of your growth plan.

Be your best today; be better tomorrow.

Carpe momento!

¹https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-hygiene