walking looking back

End of the year, looking back some good times and some disappointments. Looking to the new year we really can expect the same things. Eating healthy and learning to cook and enjoy what I eat is a plus. Walking after recovering from injuries was a plus. Using physical therapy and healing is an encouragement. Getting one of my eyes clear again helps me to enjoy beautiful things. Seeing a few good movies and reading a few books proved to worthwhile. Enjoying my grand kids and seeing one of them grow close to the Lord was cool.
Working on my walk with Jesus studies has been a real constant for me. This year I hope to put it on line. Walking and experiencing the Life of Jesus as he once walked on earth has been a definite plus. Working through an anxiety disorder is no fun but I am glad there are people who helped.
We can expect good with the bad. Sounds like an Irish proverb. One of the most disturbing things for me is battling "dog days" as Churchill described them. Walking again has been a help. Suffering still is used by God to move us forward. I don't like it but it is true never the less. Keep walking!

Christmas shootout - and winter activitiy

Merry Christmas fellow walkers,
This time of the year steps can be added through shopping, shoveling and indoor walks. Clearing the drive and side walks can give me over 4,000 steps. Use a step converter to use regular work and play activities to your daily total. At 58 I shovel with breaks if the snow is a heavy wet snow. Walking regularly helps me do work but I give myself more time to do the task. It is the same with cutting the grass. I cut a while then take a break with cool water or favorite cold beverage. I may read a book in the shade or enjoy looking and relaxing on the porch. Shoveling is no different, with outerwear I can enjoy a hot drink or cold drink and enjoy looking at a new snow. having bird feeders in the yard always give me something to relax and watch. Walking from where I left my task to my porch or kitchen table is more steps to add to my day. If I have been doing my aerobic walking my work times can be somewhat aerobic as well. But if the work is hard I let my walks and workouts be for my heart and work in the yard winter and summer I give my self more time and take needed breaks.
Using shores like shoveling as an activity for health gives me a good perspective on the work. We don't need to work at a pace that puts us at risk. There may come a day where such activity is unwise and work should be less stressful and less taxing. I believe activity can be healthful for many years to come. As always follow medical advise and stay walking and resistant training and stretching so that daily activity can be done for years to come.
At the Christmas dinner I ate a meal that was delicious but moderation and surrounding my plate with veggies made me feel better and less sluggish than if I over eat. I write about the meal now but at the party I made no big deal about it and enjoyed family and friends. Eating healthy and enjoying the meal and not being a bore about diet is something I am finding has its own value. It is like going through a major medical experience and sharing the experience. People really don't want to know the details. I write about these things in the blog and I am learning hopefully to write these thing to encourage the reader and myself that holidays can be enjoyed and still be healthy and keep us on track with weight loss and daily health.
Liam my new grand son is doing well. My four other grand kids and I had our traditional Nerf gun shoot out. The kids enjoy taking their best shot at me and colorful Hawaiian shirts. We must have shot at each other for over an hour. They hit me more than I hit them and with each hit they roared in laughter. We have protective eye gear and we have to shoot at a distance across the room. Our next shootout will be at Easter. Keep walking!

take control

Can we renew our health? As we age this can be a challenging question. A few years back I learned from Dr. Larrimore, Dr. Ken Cooper and others health improves as we take responsibility for it. Health probably doesn't improve unless we are willing to control of key decisions. Am I will willing to change my diet? Am I willing to move and exercise? Am I willing to get the facts about my health and choose care that will improve my health? Am I willing to tackle bad habits? Resolutions are popular this time of year? We make them and break them.
I have resolved to eat better with a three quarter plate and 5 to 9 servings of fruits and veggies. I have resolve to get more active and walk everyday. I have taken steps to seek medical advise which has improved my health numbers.
But I need to make new adjustments, this year I have improved my eye sight, but more work needs to be done. I need to lose more weight.
Lately I have worked on strength and stretching both seem to help my battle with anxiety at night.
There will be new battles but we need to be in the middle fighting and the one making decisions. Walking is always a good move.

grandchildren motivate walk

Well today included in my 10000 steps was a visit to the hospital where I enjoyed my grandson Liam. Why walk? One motivation for us older guys is to spend some time with our grandchildren while they grow up. There is a hope that walking may help me to that a little longer and maybe better. With my other grandchildren I have camped, fished, swam with ocean life, played disc golf, hiked and been active. This little guy my hope is many years where I am on the move. It is a hope and an act of faith but with each walk I know there is abundant research it helps. My days are in the Lord's hands but we know walking, diet, and good health choices extend the quality of life and maybe some days as well.

In the photo with Liam is his dad, their birthdays are the same.

Keep walking!

watching sports and walking

Yesterday we took a Sunday Stroll before the Bear game. Walking from the Library to the bridge offers a beautiful view over the prairie and small woods at the park. At the bridge we can enjoy a little stream that is always pleasant to look at. There was a pair of Mallard ducks and a deer to view. The walked added 4500 steps to my daily count which at the end of the day was over 8000.
Today I will have steps at school and Barb and I will take an in home walk with resistant bands that will move all parts of our body. Each day we can select a different program and with resistance or aerobic pace vary our workouts. With the sun setting sooner it is great to have Leslie Sansone's programs.
Reading Our Daily Bread this morning the writer reminded me to look at what God may do in my relationships today and situations today. Future and past concerns seem to get our focus of what we can control and experience today. I think it is time to get the word out on my blog and see who visits. I wanted to see how it works and practice for a while. Keep walking!

Walking in the Cold warms you up



Yosemani Falls

November chills are on us. Walkers today were saying we have to get used to the cold. Key for me is layers of clothes and covering the skin when the wind chills are felt. Walking a few minutes and the body warms up the cold is easy to deal with. Barb and I walked a 2 1/2 mile trail today. We viewed ducks on the ponds and clear blue skies. Did some nice stretching after the hike. Walking around the holidays are great for calorie burns and are great to spend time away from the couch and excess food.
Spent some time with my sister and family. As I am writing this blog I am experiencing another great benefit, I am sleepy. Walking helps this insomniac sleep. Isn't rest a blessing. When I was younger I rarely had to think about it but as I have gotten older sleep doesn't come as easy. A good walk and workout helps. keep walking.

happy Thanksgiving thanks a gift

Have you ever considered saying thanks as being a gift to give people for recognizing some good effort to you or someone else. We need to encourage one another with a thanks for something done for us or someone else. Affirming kindness simply builds bonds between people. Noticing the kindness in others may start a trend that beats gossiping hands down.
In the great books of Narnia, Lord of the Rings and even Harry Potter gifts are given the heroes to help them in time in need to give them hope in their quests against evil and darkness. Gifts given are a reminder of grace, hope, faith, and love. saying thanks and your welcome gives hope and encouragement and the memory of it may help someone the next time share kindness. We need kindness, the ability to help those in need in a world to often filled with the competitive battle to be an alpha dog. Share kindness and say thanks, a great gift this holiday season and beyond.
Walked a 2 and half mile walk at Pilcher Park with friends at church. It was a nice way to begin the day followed by a service of just saying thanks including our favorite songs. Had a nice time with family talking and laughing with them. Blessed seeing the boys growing up and becoming men. Ate one portion at the holiday meal and enjoyed the food. Didn't over eat but didn't draw attention to myself about eating healthy. I enjoyed the family banter. Walking always helps a holiday go better, try it. Keep walking!

Had 3 one miles walks during the day with allot of little walks in between. Took time for 20 push ups ans 100 crunches in various movements and 20 knee bend squats. In all added up to 13, 000 steps.
Visited a fundraiser for a child with leukemia, held the child's hand and met the mother. Proud of the heart of the people I work with to do such an event. Humbled by my limitations to contribute. I can pray but for some that sounds cheap. At the same time I am encourages by others contributions. The child's needs may well tax the resources of the parents, may they find the one with the cattle on a thousand hills.
Why work, walk and move, isn't part of why for the opportunity to give from what we work for. Keep walking

Renew hope

I was looking at John 1:1-9 tonight and I couple of notes I like to share. One, If you look at verse 1 you see the Lord and his disciples walking. Taking into account walking around mountains and natural curves of the roads and landscape the trip traveled was allot of miles for a walk. Such a trip from Galilee to Jerusalem would take days. Jesus and his disciples were fit and in their thirties. They were people used to walking in a land with hills and small mountains.
Two, When Jesus asked the man with a condition that left him powerless to walk on his own in verse 6b, "Do you what to get well?", two observations I like to make: first, people who have lifetime sickness have long lost hope that they will get better. New technology and advances can often restore hope. This man hoping for superstition of an angel stirring the water would heal him. His failure to move shows how pathetic his condition was. Secondly, Jesus wanted the man to get his focus off the pool and unto Him. Jesus would do the healing and not superstition. At no time does the Lord achknoledge the superstition of verse 4. Third the healing was done without the man having faith. When the healing took place so did the rehab as he was able to walk.
Thank God for medicine and doctors, nurses and tecks who use their skills and knowledge to restore our health. Sometimes we are healed and often we are helped to cope with conditions so that we can live our lives. Hope returns and we move forward.
Walking helps my arthritus and my health in so many ways. Sometimes healing other times relief to keep moving forward. Hope renewed with each walk. Today I walked indoors with an inhome walking program. Keep walking!

walks in the Bible

Cooler temps can be great for a walk. Walked 3 miles today and with layered clothes I was set for the November weather. I noticed today less people on the trail, it rained in the morning. With clothes to break the wind I was quite comfortable. Bitter cold may be another story but temperatures in the 30's and 40's can be just right for walking. The key is dressing for it.
My pace today was fast and a real boost for energy and health.
Earlier I went to a men's prayer breakfast and ate a great breakfast without over eating. Shared thoughts on Luke 7:11-17. One point of interest for the blog is the 25 mile walk Jesus took to get to Nain where the miracle took place. The miracle is a great story of compassion and restoration of life but little do we consider the walk involved. For many of us a walk from the Sea of Galilee to Nain would involve moving up and down some inclines and would be a challenge. How many of us would have lagged behind and missed the whole miracle?
My 3 mile walk doesn't even come close but it was still very good for me.
Keep walking

pedometer walking

In my studies in walks with Jesus I used a bible mapper to calculate distances. About 25 miles from Capernaum to Nain. Jesus after an all day walk would have walked in the town about the time people were buried.. read the account yourself from Luke's gospel in Luke 7:11-17. A 35 mile walk would for most of us be a journeyed remembered.
I walked today 13300 steps. Roughly 6 1/2 miles. Far short of the 25 miles walked by Jesus. I know it is possible other cities were reached over a few days but the context doesn't seem to suggest that. My walk was a 20 minute aerobic walk with short walks through out the day.
In God's plan many of us He will take home at death but for some it will be the rapture of 1 Thess. 4;13-18. For most it will be absent from the body and present with the Lord. In a day where death is postponed in thought and ignored, it is good for us to reconsider the words of the Bible that gives us the revelation beyond death. Science and human philosophy won't give us any such hope.
For the widow Jesus returned the Son to life, can He give you hope of eternal life? Keep walking!

Walking at Work

Walking at work I am lucky to have such a wonderful; building to walk in. Built in 4 or 5 different times over the last 110 years it is a perfect place to walk lots of steps. At work you can find ways on the job to increase steps and before you know it you can walk thousands of steps.
Urban walkers can walk more than their suburban cousins. Keep walking

walking lifestyle

Another beautiful fall day. Walked over 11000 steps. This week I walked most days. My walk today started slow but I was soon at an aerobic pace for about 40 minutes. Today there were many couples walking the trail, most middle age and older. Many seniors on the trail who were walking a good pace.
One man i greeted on thee trail with a great day for a walk, respond "not many days left." I took the meaning first as winter is soon coming but I also thought maybe he was thinking of his age and not many left. It was probably the former but if he was thinking of father time what a great way to seize the day.
Walking, living and not sitting around and rust is a better way to age.
Being the Lord's day walking was part of my time of worship. Most Sunday walks I purposely walk longer but slower, today I picked up my pace. Enjoyed the colors of the day and some deer near the trail. Walking and sharing my thoughts I hope will encourage others. One man who studies with me walking with Jesus has lost 57 lbs and walks up to three miles a day. He used weight watchers and has learned to eat smaller portions. When he reaches his goal he will have to learn to maintain weight but walking is part of his success. My weight loss is slower and I have revisited my diet and I think I need to make adjustments. I suppose we all want to lose quickly. What i have learned is to make changes that are fitting daily habits and life style. Keep walking

Moving forward - walking preventing sudden death

A crowed day and an opportunity for in home walk. I did a two mile walk using a program from Leslie Sansone. It was easy to do and I got a real workout. No treadmill or equipment, I just moved the coffee table and I was on my way. These walks include moving allot of muscle groups not normally used in outdoor walks. Barb joined me for the second mile. These walks are great for bad weather days and late walking when it would not be safe to walk at night. If the weather is extreme to cold or hot you can get that heart healthy walk in. Walking not only helps the heart it also helps every part of our bodies and even helps us sleep.
Dale will be waked on Monday. It is hard to lose a friend and particularly when with better medical treatment and diet and exercise the death could have been prevented. Are you at risk? See a doctor, get the medicine, eat better and walk. Doing the right things beats a heart attack. Give your self a fighting chance and take the right steps. You may fear what the doctor may tell you, but knowing your situation and doing what you can is better than ignoring it. maybe you knew someone who did the right things and they still died suddenly. I know we don't have all the information and answers, we are human with a lifespan of 50 to a 100. Eating fruits and vegetables and less fatty foods, 3/4 plate, once you get used to it you will feel better.
I always feel better after a walk. If my journey is improved by walking and eating right, why not? Keep walking!

Loss of friend - don't lose hope

The day started out with a brisk walk and a good day at work. Over 14,000 steps walked. I had a good time creating material for my walk with Jesus program and then I heard a long time friend passed away from a heart attack. Dale was a good friend, we had many adventures together. I once saved him from drowning. Dale had a good voice and a tender heart to the Lord. He was a big encouragement to me. He had mental difficulties later in life and had many struggles, but I never lost the fond memories we had together in our 20's. I often wished I could of helped him later but I couldn't. Our human limitations are ever so apparent when illnesses can not be cured.
Why do we walk? One reason is to give us a chance against heat disease and sudden death. We can not always control the tragedies in our lives but walking regularly gives us a hope to prevent heart disease, diabetes and fight cancer. For people like Dale I hope to soon put my walking program on line to encourage people to walk. In my studies on the walks of Jesus my students comprise of interesting people. May I be able to encourage many who see little hope of change and be renewed. Keep walking, thanks Dale for the "Little Robin".

Sleep a blessing

Earlier in the day Barb and I went for a walk, we walked nearly 4 miles. A wonderful fall day now with many leaves fallen the coolness reminds us winter is on the way.
Sleep restores the body, "for so he gives His beloved sleep" Psalm 127:2. Tired from the cares of the day and stress, sleep restores our body. I woke up a few minutes ago and as I write, the four hours I slept uninterrupted. I read this Psalm. It is part of the ascent Psalms the Jews would have recited on their holy trips to Jerusalem. Jesus as a boy would have meditated on this Psalm on the trail from Nazareth to Jerusalem. Walking thinking on Scripture. next time on the walking trail take a verse with you to meditate on as you walk. Walking has help me as I have deal with battles of insomnia. Well I am back to bed for a few more hours of rest. Keep walking!

my doctor and walking

It was another beautiful fall day. It has been rather windy the past couple of days but on my walk the wind gave me a sweat free day. I know I sweated but the wind helped evaporate the sweat. I also took a brief walk on my lunch hour. In total I walked 15000 + steps today. I also used a resistance workout. On the walk Barb and I noticed animals preparing for winter. A squirrel was working on the nest, a bird in the brush busy. Winter is coming and we are planning our winter walks both indoors and out.
A friend of mine has lost 60 lbs lately and has encouraged me to again check my portions, they could be smaller. My portions are smaller than 5 years ago but I think I can improve my intake to reach weight goals. The good news today was I ate less than I used.
In my health journey besides my personal doctor, Dr. RW Shubert, Dr. Ken Cooper and his staff have been a real encouragement to me in my quest for better health. His combination of aerobics, strength training and stretching is right on for those of us getting older and want to improve the quality of life and even the longevity of life. One area I would like him write on more is his faith and its impact on his health. Health to me includes more than a workout but other interests as well. In my relationships, the arts, hobbies, and joy in life and the Lord. Check Cooper out on the web.
My son the other day encouraged me with some wise counsel. He has turned into a wise man as he moves into a new career. It is such a blessing to talk with your kids as adults and have adult conversations, I hope I have many years their equal before they become my caretaker.
Keep walking!

Health a gift? - smile at life

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news brings health to the bones." Prov. 15:30
When I am walking the halls of the school I work at I try to give a kind look to the kids I pass. Do you remember Mick Dundee in the streets of New York attempting to say to all the passer-Byers "Good day, Mate" he was a bit overwhelmed. I pass hundreds of kids everyday and it very easy to see faces without really noticing or making contact. Kids often draw attention to themselves with negative behavior. It would be very easy to look authoritative and down at the kids. I try to be different as often as I can and smile, laugh with, or turn the negative into a positive by being polite or good natured. It could be possible that I was the first adult to show a gentle, kind, smile that day. There are times when I have to intervene but if I choose a kind word, thought, smile I prefer. As long as I am getting many of my daily steps in transit why not give a cheerful look. Sometimes I am lost in thought and my natural look may not be so cheerful but if I am conscious of showing a kind face it is more fun to walk crowded halls. Keep walking!

stay positve

In October walking is at its best. Cooler temperatures, seasonal colors, bright fall days all make fall the favorite time of year for many walkers. Since I have been back walking recovered from injuries I am getting back into aerobic shape. I can feel pace picking up and my gate longer. The days I Frisbee golf my throws have improved and I can handle the uneven terrain better.
I work at a large school and steps are easy to accumulate through out the day.

Last night I went through a series of strengthening exercises and I have been stretching and increasing my flexibility a little at a time. This kind of exersise can add steps to our day. All this leads to less pain.

Barb worked with a great guy who just passed away from an asthma attack at the age of 61. His work for the handicap was exceptional. He was telling her of an article he read where happy people and grumpy people die at about the same age. The next day he died. Sudden death can hit any one of us.

There have been lots of studies that report a positive attitude improves our health both in quality of life and length of life. Articles can always be found that seem to contradict one another. Living a healthy life style makes a difference but people who live healthy can have problems and even experience sudden death. In baseball one can hit 250 and another can hit 300. Both players can win a game but all things considered we would take the 300 hitter over the 250 hitter. Health is like this, a person can smoke and live to 85 but we know it is better for us not to smoke. I know my quality of life improves as I walk, use resistance exercise and stretch. I am more likely to add a year or two to my life doing these things since my early fifties but regardless of my outcome my journey is better.

What I do today is what counts and it is what I have control of. Seize the day, Keep walking!

Frisbe golf

One of my easy ways to pick up steps is a round of Frisbee golf. One of my many rehabs to my body is working on my shoulder and neck pain from to many falls. It was encouraging with improved strength and flexibility to see better throws with the Frisbee. While I enjoy the walk it is also nice to improve with a game. Give disc golf a try and keep walking.
In my studies in the Life of Christ I have focused on viewing his life as an eyewitness walking with him. One thing I have noticed was the great distances people walked to be helped by him or in some cases go against him as some of the religious leaders traveled from Jerusalem to Galilee. There is no doubt about it, people of the Bible were walkers. They may not have thought of it as a two mile aerobic walk or 10,000 steps but they did these things and more. I was reading an article from AARP on walking and if you walk 10,000 steps any way you can in your day it is like a 30 minute workout.
Aches and pains may come as we age but don't give up.

This is the day

When I was a kid we called a day like today Indian summer, today we call it global warming but what ever we call today's wonderful fall day it was a day to get outside. A visit with neighbors, mowing the grass and yard work is a natural way to get moving. Before I know it I have walked 7000 steps. A few other shores inside and out and I reached 10,000 steps. One of the benefits of walking is the ability to do yard work. Good for the heart and health.

It was nice to kick back with friends and enjoy the day. Today was a day in paradise right here in Joliet. I love to travel and as I get older I love tropical weather but it is nice to have day right in the backyard with no travel expense.

I am reminded of a Psalm we used to sing, (I still do) "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24. Today it was easy to think on the blessing of the day. In Illinois the weather will change and the Lord made those days too.

It helps me to look at yard work as an opportunity to move the ole bones to better health. Keep walking!

decline slowed down by walking

Had a check up two days ago and my blood work was excellent. I have had continued improvements for over four years now. Walking and diet has seemed to change my ways from developing diabetes. Walking continues to improve my circulation. Swelling in the feet is gone and all my health numbers have moved into a healthy range. There is plenty to improve on with weight goals to be met and conditioning, strength and flexibility improved with better range of motion. Why not improve? At 58 I have several years to build and improve muscle health. Dr. Cooper has shown older seniors than me can improve flexibility, strength and conditioning.

With CP I continue to fall from time to time. This problem is like a dark cloud over my life. Resistance training and diet to build strong bone has to continue if I am to hold off the negative results of falls. There is little sympathy when these falls are severe enough to miss work. Physical therapy keeps me going, falls don't happen on the trails but at home or work.

On the up side my improved eyesight has renewed my skills and work to help kids. It is so great to see I still am rejoicing.

The ups and downs of health gives me a better understanding of Hemingway's ' plight at the end of his life. Aches and pains that are chronic with decline of life is hard on the one who was active. We need to encourage each other and pray for grace as we battle in our lives. Teddy Roosevelt I understand declined very rapidly in his fifties. Having my few problems helps me understand there are "dog days" that Churchill went through in advancing years.

Us men need each other as we age. We most certainly need the Lord. Chronic pain, disappointment, loss can fuel many resentments. In the end they can only weigh us down and deepen a depression where we lose hope. Walking, plenty of water, resistance exercises for all our aching muscles and joints help us fight back and stay in life. I see the delight of the kids I am helping learning to succeed in school, I see others I help able to do a better job. I would miss this if I didn't go to therapy when it hurt to do so. I would miss this if I didn't take my walks. I would miss this if I didn't take in healthy food. I would miss this if I did not meet the Lord in the night watch. Damn the bad attitudes that I have and do the work the best I can for the Lord, myself and those who may benefit and see the many surprises along the way. I think CS Lewis captured this in writting of the book, Surprised by joy. Lewis was just a few years older than I am when he passed in his 60's. Smoking I am sure didn't help him. I am convince we all age different. Walking keeps up at our top as long as we are able. Keep walking

yard work adds steps

Today was a different day to reach my fitness goals. I reached 12,000 steps walking on the job, shopping and mowing the lawn. Before I retire I will do a light resistance program and core exercises with deep knee bends and push ups. No snacks after three portion meals with 7 servings of fruits and veggies.
Listening to good music and had a good quiet time. Earlier watching Rubicon and AMC series whose characters are quiet different. The writing is suburb. It is sad gifted people are used with little regard for their worth. I hope our intelligence community rises to a higher standard but I fear the series maybe closer to the truth.
Barb and I finished an audio book in the car.
At work I have really enjoyed several classes and younger teachers growing and doing an outstanding job. Their joy in teaching and developing their craft really encourages this old guy.
Health for me includes more than diet and exercise. Living and celebrating all the little things make health possible. Keep walking

walking rock run beautiful

Walking this weekend was beautiful. In the Meadows the wild daisies filled the grass lands. Deer walked out on to the trail. Seeing the birds and details of the marshes and Woods with my repaired eyes and 20-2o correction filled my senses. My walk was strong virtually pain free. Theologically I was going woo-woo or thanks God and medical people for helping me heal.

Walking with the fat man these days you will see a smile on my face and a twinkle in my eyes. You may be out there and not so lucky. My many aches and pains I have experienced this year may even be minor to what you may be going through. In my small way of identifying with you please don't give up. During the summer I continued my work of Walking with Jesus program even though I had my struggles with my own walk. Physically struggling we can work on the foods we eat, improving sleep, controlling pain or fighting disease. Maybe we need a rest so we can work on our own spiritual walk or life with our love ones. Health and life there is always something.

Maybe you move with assistance of a scooter or chair. Getting out in the fresh air can do a world of wonder.
Walking doesn't always have to be aerobic or fast paced. Movement is good at any pace. In time it may improve but you have got out side and breathed in outside air walking at any speed when you are healing is good.
I believe this the master physician still heals and as long as you live there is hope. Today I feel good and it encourages me to keep walking

Time to heal - Summer a time to heal

Over the Summer I took time to have eye surgery, tackled my ankle problems with physical therapy and had a great trip to the Caribbean. The result are positive I am back walking 10,000 steps a day and I have dropped weight. Until I reach my goals I have given up ice cream. I also drink a tea or eat a fruit for after dinner snacks. I am loosing 3 to 5 lbs a month.

We have setbacks and we battle giving up but if there is something we can do and learn that helps let's hang in there. The pain I experienced in my ankle has been greatly reduced and walking is fun again. With my new prescription I have 20-20 vision in my right eye. I was able to see wonderful things snorkeling. With the glasses it feels like a miracle.

Here I am working out on the cruise ship. Barb and I enjoyed the walks on the ship and the snorkeling in the warm waters of the Caribbean. The ice cream pledge came after the cruise. We met wonderful people from England and enjoyed the cruise experience.

amps and GPS

Walking in the woods may require directions or map or compass. It is easy to misread a map, compasses can be effect by nails ans other iron around and give misreadings and maps can be difficult to math with area walking. Many people work hard to mark trails and maps to prevent the walker from getting lost. Working with a compass takes practice. New devices such as GPS can really be helpful. Getting, run out of water, light running out can all be adventures not planned. In new more wilderness experiences walk with people who know the park.

Reading the Bible likewise it is easy to explore dead ends, rabbit chases, and follow in fro that is false. Key use trusted souse books such as Bible Atlases, dictionaries, commentaries ans study Bibles. When in doubt bring in some one with experience into your study. Should help.

Flexibility and walking

What is great to write tonight is that walking the last three days has helped me deal with pain and tightness associated with my Cerebral Palsy. Each day I have been able to walk longer and faster with greater flexibility. I have less pain tonight all because of the therapy associated with walking. Thank you Lord for Barb and walking.

I actually went to a physical therapist to get an update on how I can stretch. For us with CP it is a daily problem. At night my body is worn out by the stimulation firing in my nervous system. Stretching is a God send to relieve pain. Moving our bodies and getting the full range of motion is huge.

Walk in Rock Run - local daily walk

Barb and I will be walking today out at Rock Run a local trail near our home. Walking throughout the year we get to see the changes that occur. Walking outdoors away from cars is also a plus. We will walk two to three miles today in about 40 minutes.
I was reading Mark 2:9-13 today and noticed Jesus contact with people started with his walking along the Sea of Galilee. Walking was a way of life with Jesus and I am sure in his day he had no problem having a thirty minute walk and many walks each day. For him and his disciples walking had no modern notions of aerobics and such. They just did it.
Get out for a walk, who knows who you meet.

beginning of the walk

Four years ago with my wife's encouragement I began the habit of walking at least 30 minutes every day. I changed some of my eating habits and lost about 40 lbs.
I did a yearlong study on the Bible and health and I been learning, writing, teaching and looking at the gospels from the point of view of a walker who travels with Jesus and His band. I have got this crazy idea of taking daily walks not in the Holy Land but in local walking parks in my area. As I walk every day I read a portion of Scriptures following the life of Christ from Dwight Pentecost book the Words and Works of Jesus Christ and AT Robertson's Harmony of the Gospels. As I made my observations I started to dig into the gospels and many other sources. So far I have mapped out the first year of Christ's life. My studies should take me through the rest of His earthly life through the summer and fall, maybe longer.
I want to challenge myself to loose more weight and encourage others in walking with the Lord and walking.
I hope to share a devotional walk that you can experience right in your hometown that will help you improve your health and life with God. Blogging is new to me so in a way this is just the beginning, Come walk with the fat man!