Building Spiritual Muscle
It's a pretty exciting day around here, because something I labored over has finally come to fruition. My latest book, Intentional Walk, has finally been published by Judson Press, and should be available through www.judsonpress.com, my own site, www.hughpoland.com, or your local bookstore.
Lest you think this is simply a cheap commercial (well, part of it is!) I've go to admit, there's a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to writing a book, but it's worth it. The joy of seeing someone "get it" with regard to a spiritual truth that you've written about is pretty exciting. I feel like it's been a "birthing process" of sort, it goes from idea to inspiration to hard work to panic, and then "push push push" and it's finally out. (Sorry, was that too much information?)
And I have a feeling that anything worthwhile is the same. I'm currently taking a 3-day-a-week fitness boot camp at my church. I don't mind telling you, I'm a whimp. Right now there are parts of me that we won't go into that have never been sore in my life. Well, they are now! The class meets at 5:30 a.m., so I can't say I'm having much fun being there.
But I'm hoping I'll be satisfied with the end result once the class is over. I'm also hoping I'll have the discipline & courage to continue what I learn.
Paul reminded Timothy, "For physical training is of some value. But godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both this life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) There is some value to exercise of the body. There is even greater value to exercising your spirit. And I find that the muscles that I build spiritually aren't developed in easy times. I develop them by doing hard things, being around ornery people, learning to love and forgive my enemies, being patient with others, training myself to BICHOK (it's a writer's acronym--anyone know what it means?)
I have such a long way to go as a writer. I have even farther to go as a Christ-follower, a husband, and a dad. Here's hoping that you'll see fit to run alongside of me, train with me, be patient when I stumble, and encourage me along the way. I sure want to do the same for you!
Lest you think this is simply a cheap commercial (well, part of it is!) I've go to admit, there's a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to writing a book, but it's worth it. The joy of seeing someone "get it" with regard to a spiritual truth that you've written about is pretty exciting. I feel like it's been a "birthing process" of sort, it goes from idea to inspiration to hard work to panic, and then "push push push" and it's finally out. (Sorry, was that too much information?)
And I have a feeling that anything worthwhile is the same. I'm currently taking a 3-day-a-week fitness boot camp at my church. I don't mind telling you, I'm a whimp. Right now there are parts of me that we won't go into that have never been sore in my life. Well, they are now! The class meets at 5:30 a.m., so I can't say I'm having much fun being there.
But I'm hoping I'll be satisfied with the end result once the class is over. I'm also hoping I'll have the discipline & courage to continue what I learn.
Paul reminded Timothy, "For physical training is of some value. But godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both this life and the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) There is some value to exercise of the body. There is even greater value to exercising your spirit. And I find that the muscles that I build spiritually aren't developed in easy times. I develop them by doing hard things, being around ornery people, learning to love and forgive my enemies, being patient with others, training myself to BICHOK (it's a writer's acronym--anyone know what it means?)
I have such a long way to go as a writer. I have even farther to go as a Christ-follower, a husband, and a dad. Here's hoping that you'll see fit to run alongside of me, train with me, be patient when I stumble, and encourage me along the way. I sure want to do the same for you!
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