Sticking up for the fat man

Sometimes You Can't Win.

I was exploring the net and I came across an opinion of somebody who was coming down on fat people doing a workout at a gym or doing aerobics. It was stated it is a waste of time for fat people to work out for they will just pig out anyway.

Heavy people get that way for a number of reasons. I am one of them so I will include myself. We over eat. We are too sedimentary. As we age our metabolism slows down. Genetics could be a factor. We may be trying to meet some emotional need by eating. There are lots of ideas how we got fat. At some point if you are like me you realize you need to change.

It seems to me if you lose 100 lbs. you are successful. If you lose 25, 35, 40 lbs. like me you are still in the battle.

I have seen people take off a lot of weight only to put it back on. "It ain't easy." If it was easy there would not be 60% percent of the people with weight problems.



Is this what you see when you see fat people
 exercizing? We are hard on ourselves.

For many of us we would like to be thinner because we would look better. Our bodies would work better at so many different levels. The older I get the more I embrace weight loss for how I feel and increased health benefits. Whatever the motivation weight-loss is a good idea. Most overweight people I know I have tried many ways to lose weight but was unable to keep at it. Disappointment and discouragement rules too many times. We get in an all or nothing mentality. It has to happen yesterday!

I am motivated to take up the value of moving for us who are overweight. Walking, strength training and flexibility are our allies in our fight for better health. Is it a waste of time? No! We benefit from moving. It is good to sweat. Burning calories and getting the blood to move is what we need. One right behavior will lead to other changes. I don't have all the answers, but lifestyle changes will win the day. I am working with my doctors to change a medicine that will help me lose weight. Yes I have lost 35-40 lbs., but I am ready to lose another 20 lbs. I will still be the fat man walking, but I am moving. If I lose 5 lbs., that's OK. If I lose 5 lbs. a year, that is OK. Our average is that we gain 5 lbs. a year. We don't have to lose all of it today. Hang in there all of us who are less than perfect. God loves us more than our extra pounds. If you are walking, running, working out that is so cool. You are so worth it, I can't shout it loud enough. Keep walking

Spring is coming - laugh at getting older

"Look at the birds in the sky:"


Springtime possible location of Sermon

"Think about how the flowers  of the field grow; Quotes from the Net Bible" We can deduce the Spring time when this sermon was given on the North shore of Galilee.
Jesus simply pointed to these objects as illustrations of His sermon, people would have looked and would have had a visual image in their mind.


Blue bells in forests like I would see

Spring time is coming. We all live in different locations and this happens at different times. But where ever who live, watch for the signs of spring. Send me a picture of the first signs of spring where you live.
The birds and the flower are naturally provided for by God and if God cares for them, how much more does He care for us?
You know He cares for us when we get older. I have experienced already how people begin to treat you when you get older. We are either wiser or dumber, the vote is still out. We tend to get away with some behaviors we would not have gotten away with. We can break more rules, you know the silly rules that have long lost their value or are out of date. rules of respect and love are still in. God's thoughts on rules have application. But their are a lot of rules made up at work or church that don't make sense. Old people help us by their simple defiance about such things. Refreshing.

Charles Swindell shares these thought about

How to Know You’re Getting Older

• Everything hurts! and what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work!
• You feel like the night before, and you haven’t been anywhere!
• You sit in a rocking chair and you can’t get it going!
• Your knees buckle and your belt won’t!
• Dialing long distance wears you out!
• Your fortune teller offers to read your face!
• The little gray haired lady you help across the street is your wife!
• You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there!
• You wake up in the morning and your water bed has sprung a leak, and you realize you don’t have a water bed!
• When you watch a pretty girl go by, your pace-maker makes the garage door go up!
• When you know all the answers, and no one asks you the questions!
• When you decide to procrastinate, but never get around to it!

Strengthening Our Grip, p. 128

I am now getting close to 1600 hits. A growing trend in the blog is about half of those who visit me are from outside the US. I hope you are able to translate the blog into your own language.

Ich hoffe, dass Sie den Blog in Ihrer eigenen Sprache übersetzen können.

Я надеюсь, что вы способны перевести блог на вашем родном языке.

I used the Microsoft translator found in the review tab. Send me a comment in your native tongue. Probably or translating programs miss something but I think it is great we can get some idea of what we are saying.

Walk with the Fat Man: Thanks Harvey about work and life

Walk with the Fat Man: Thanks Harvey about work and life:  James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey 1950 I don't really know how it happened, but I have embraced each day at work to enjoy doi...

Thanks Harvey about work and life



James Stewart as Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey 1950

I don't really know how it happened, but I have embraced each day at work to enjoy doing what I do. There is an art to it and a skill and I see the difference everyday. A big thanks to those I work with, ...take a step back and see the wonderful things you do everyday. For those of you who are movie buffs I feel a little like Elwood P. Dowd. Rather liberating. I haven't lost my marbles...
I wrote those words on Face book yesterday, Stewart's performance was brilliant. There was a remake of the film but why? It fell flat in comparison to the earlier performance. James Stewart did Harvey first on stage. Elwood once was a driven man. Then he made friends with a 6 foot pooka. He became a kind man but given to drink and conversation. His aunt wants him to come back to the real world, but she really likes the kinder and gentler version. The movie works because it is just that a movie. The theme of becoming a likable gal or guy appeals to many of us. I worked with a man who was kind to all he met. He always made you feel better about what ever you were doing and it was easy to go the way he was going. I don't think a day goes by where his influence on me isn't felt in some way. Thanks Ken .
For years I battled how I felt about my job. In time I felt trapped and what was worse I did little to change my circumstance. I blamed others and myself for being in a place I hated yet was good at. Battling insomnia and anxiety I sunk into a depression. These things were not apparent to others except my family. It was my son who insisted I seek treatment because the great dad he knew, he wanted back. My analytical thinking became repetitive and circular.
Treating the anxiety, depression, anger and post traumatic stress lifted me to a place of mental and emotional health. I have worked hard at resolving what I could and accepting medicine to help my moods and chemical balance in my brain. In the area of work I knew I needed my job. I also knew if I am going to make changes I had to take responsibility for the changes. I chose to quit blaming others, I threw out my defeated thinking as lies and began to reconstruct a better foundation of my worth and value at my job. I refused to go to bed with negative thinking about work and at work I sought ways to be in the moment of work. What has resulted is a whole new experience for me in life. It is not just work that has changed but also at home. In my blog I have tried to be honest about these things, but I know sometimes it can be too much information.
My son and I worked out with weights. With him spotting for me I was surprised how much I was lifting. Not quite as much when I was younger but pretty good. My work outs this year have paid off. He got his old man back. That is another great theme in movies, Field of Dreams comes to mind. How many of us would love a game of catch with our dads. Why do we walk? To life! Keep walking

Roads still to walk

Here is a road I didn't travel

There are lots of trails I haven't walked on. There are places I haven't traveled. But in some way I can see and experience these places through travels by friends. Most days I walk the trails of Rock Run or Pilcher Park. I visited one site where the person wrote so beautifully of walks done all over the world. I was impressed with the art of writting.
I have over the years traveled to many places that covered four continants. I love the internet that can take me many places in seconds. Lord willing I may have a few journeys to travel and discover the wonder and beauty of living on this planet. I have seen bad things and I know that there is plenty of hurt.
When I lived in Africa, I lived in a rain forest. Each day I woke up to a tropical heat in rainy season or dry season. I wish I could take you on some of the walks I did there. I walked in the night as well. The stars, I miss seeing them.  There was the most beautiful things there and the most painful things there. One event followed the next. I may have played a football (soccor) barefoot and looking down the road and seeing a lady dying from a snake bite coming to us for help.
We did what we could, we set up a clinic, ran a school, fed the children, shared good news, and somehow tried to help people and lift their burdens a little. When it comes to helping people, do you do enough? For me I feel I could have done more, but then I look back and I can see I did what I could.  Like walking, I am not ready to quit or retire. I may one day not work like I do today, but I still think I can do what I can.
A thirty minute walk, does wonders for the body. each day I do it I feel myself getting back into the swing of things. Each walk is just a little bit easier. I feel energized. Would I like to walk through a

medieval town? You bet! Travels can be planned for but we need to live each day. I am doing some of best work with kids this year. Could I do more, probably yes, but when I look back...keep walking

Chasing the ideal

Day 6 Luke 4:1-13, Chasing the Ideal, Phil. 3:13, 14; 1 Thess. 5:18

Engeti an oasis in the Wilderness

Wayne Styles writes, “That’s important to remember as we follow God’s plan for our lives. Even in the midst of His will for us, there will be snakes. Temptation will come. Finding the ideal doesn’t mean finding utopia. Our career won’t make life all we want it to be. Neither will a husband, or a family, or a house, or a church. That’s the lie of the devil echoing from Eden.
That’s the futility of chasing the ideal.”

It seems in many ways I have been chasing some kind of life that is always ahead of me. Goal setting and reaching goals are a part of life. When I competed I would work on weaknesses for that when I played I played better. When I worked with kids at camp, church or school I worked on skills that helped the kids better. I worked on my house to improve the quality of life in the house. There was always something to do. All these things are worthy, but tasks to be ideal I have discovered we never obtain perfection. In fact in the middle of all that there are always problems.

We can seek a utopia and things like winning the lottery, inheriting a fortune. I actually don’t know about an inheritance. But at 60 these wishes come up empty. In the TV show Bluebloods the grandfather and father of the Reagan clan said, “The hardest day at work was easier than being a parent of a teenager.” Parenting is hard work and it doesn’t end when the child is 20.

Temptation doesn’t end after we trust Christ or put Him in the center of our lives. In many ways temptations become more complicated. I have been married 36 years and had many wonderful moments and a good life. But there are temptations and trials that like my old house come at the least convenient times. Jesus was in the wilderness for the purpose facing the devil. He would return to attack again at an opportune time. In Jesus’ ministry we see hundreds of times when He was interrupted, problems hit Him from all sides, disciples often didn’t get His teaching, He was attacked by Biblical experts, and Demons came from everywhere. Far from ideal settings Jesus responds in balance and brilliant ways. 

All of which brings us back to where we are. Paul said in Philippians 3, “¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Utopias won’t come in this life time. We learn that from the very rich and the very poor. But it is healthy to move to the goal of pleasing the Lord in the things of our life. Deal with each difficulty, setback, pest, trial, and temptation one at a time. 1 Thessalonians 5: ^{18 “}in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I take we are to live in the moment with the confidence of how the Lord has worked in our life He will continue to do so.

When a kid has a problem at school I am thankful I am there with my experience and skill to help. That child is the reason I have a job. In a utopia I don’t have a job. As I have worked in the class I see the difference, the class is more enjoyable, kids are learning better, and there is a thanks for my being there. Tomorrow may bring a problem but then that gives me something to do. Keep walking!
Faith is depending on Him through the experience of our life – Live the moment of it.

From an upcoming book Devotions for a Walker by Bill Reeves

walking with the Rat Pack

The cool cat from the Rat Pack

What a beautiful day for a walk. Sunny clear skies, cool but very nice for walking. I was able to walk my 30 minutes and I worked on landing my right foot as best I could. My Cerebral Palsy has taken a toll being just a little out of alignment. My goal this year is to have as many 30 minute walks as I can. After the walk I stretched and later I will stretch again.

Working out with weights in about an hour. Moving and working my body helps me deal with what comes with CP and getting older. With stretching tomorrow I will feel better. I may be able to have another walk.

Under the hood I am sweating.

I would like to tell you I have no problems and each day I am stronger and feel better. But it seems likely I will have stress on the ankle joint to deal with. Moving stretching applying physical therapy I hope will keep me moving. I will let you know from time to time my progress. The nice thing is I have options. I can bike every other day. With my total gym I can work my joints with less stress. I can also consider swimming. Any walking plan can have cross training. Exercise has lots of freedom. Walking at home is easier on the joints than outdoors but the total effect is better on the trail with creation and fresh air.

Next day - Walked again 35 minutes, another beautiful day, spent time moving the ankle joint before the walk. Stretched out after. Cool

As we get older it makes more sense that we have things to deal with. I have had to deal with pain most of the time if I wanted to play sports or do what everybody else did. I don't like pain but it is not new to me either. Physical therapy has both helped muscle strain and arthritis. Depression and anxiety medicine has helped my sleep. Somethings like my ankle joint is chronic. One thing I know is to continue to move is my one ally. I am still walking, playing Frisbee, doing my yard work at nearly 60. If I didn't move I believe the tightness in my CP would have put me back in a wheelchair, like I was as a kid. Pain would be multiplied and the joy of walking a memory.

What are you dealing with? How does walking help you. Post it. Keep walking

Walk with the Fat Man: Funny bone

Walk with the Fat Man: Funny bone:   Andy of Mayberry Have you ever watched the Andy Griffen Show? The town of Mayberry was filled with people who were funny. H...

Funny bone




Andy of Mayberry

Have you ever watched the Andy Griffen Show? The town of Mayberry was filled with people who were funny. Humor is a way of seeing things, and Andy in his own gentle way seemed to embrace life all around him. There are lots of characters in my life who are just real and not cut from the same mold. I have know people like Deputy Fife, barber Floyd, Earnest T. Bass, Aunt Bee, Otis Cambell and many others. People have blended in my life and I am the one who has benefited.

I have learned it is best to accept people for who they are. I think it is OK to insist on repect and love and to set bounderies with people who are hurtful or bitter. But as to our basic personality and make up we are who we are. Certainly we can be an influence in positive ways but everybody is unique and different. There are people I am closer to and like fine art, I have appreciated the how they tick and are put together. Being married for 36 years has taught me we change and we don't change. As I look back, today I am OK with that. Barb being different from me has only enriched my life.

Look around you today, maybe on your walk...arn't you glad people are different? Isn't it good to see the funny things we do and laugh about it together.

The other day kids in one class were doing a powerpoint on information read from an article. In about 15 minutes into their work I saw something amazing and made me laugh. There were 20 topics in the article to chose from powerpoint gives hundreds if not thousands of ways to design the presentation. The kids were given no instruction as to their design. We were helping them with information. When I looked at their screens every kid had chosen the same design. One kid in the class chose a design and everybody copied. I didn't hear it but I could see it. Talk about conformity. I had a good laugh.

Take time to enjoy the querks in life. There is to much conformity.  When I walk at Rock Run people just like me are caught up with the fresh air, the woods, prayrie, lakes and ponds. Regular walkers seem all to be in comfortable clothes and shoes. Runners seem to be more fashionable in their sportwear. Walkers smile and runners have a distant look on their face. Runners will nod as they recondnise you and walkers with greet you. Usuallly thinner if you run and if you are heavy, people will tell you to walk. They actually will do this. For myself regular people are sort of a comfort. There is a general support for each other. People who are taking pictures or bird watching love to talk about what they are doing, walkers and joggers are interested in keeping the walk or run going. Love the differences. Walkers and runners are leary of bikers. Keep walking

Longevity maybe

Seasonal change where ever we live can be cool

Longevity, I have read a lot about the subject. In less than two months I will be 60. When I read the local obituary notices one thing I have noticed is a lot of people my age and younger pass away. When you are 30, 40, 50 you look at the possibility of living to 90 or more. Thinking of 80 or 90 it seems a long time away. People who die at 30, 40 or 50 had something unusual happen to them. But at 60 it seems very possible that one could die. Longevity for what it is worth isn't that far away. Gloomy isn't it.

One thing that has fascinated me this year is to enjoy each day. I don't mean a walk into an ease of retirement, but to enjoy work and to enjoy the people and moments in your life. I put together a poster of wild life that can be enjoyed right in the city and county that I live in. In it are the many amazing species of migrating birds that I have seen with my own eyes. The deer and foxes and beavers that have crossed my path. I can enjoy daily walks on a trail not 5 miles from my house. I love the ocean and the mountains, but I can experience woodlands and rivers and lakes, prairies and all the animals that go with it.

The celebration of a life shared with Barb now 36 years. Looking back are many adventures. When does our life on this planet end and our eternal life with the Lord continue in heaven. I don't know that point in time for me or for you. What we have are good healthy choices today and tomorrow will come. I like this living in the moment. I like the priority of my relationship to the Lord and how He works in all areas of my life.

Moving in walking or exercise gets the blood pumping and oxygen and nutrients to all areas of my body. Eating good food in portions helps with the weight. Enjoying work and home living in the moment of my life keeps me strong emotionally and mentally. Bringing God into my life gives me balance and hope and much more. How long will I live? I am not sure, but I sure like living well.

I have enjoyed the contacts I have made with people on line. Pictures and experiences shared. I am looking forward to being with friends and family as often as I can. Each visit is special. I have renewed friendships I thought was lost. Each one is a miracle. We were made for friendship and fellowship. Talk about healthy, friendships make all the differences in the world. I'm in a text conversation with my oldest grandson as I finish up this blog. Isn't technology great.

It is your life...live it where you are and live it now. 60? what are you waiting for? Keep walking

Hard finished to one so beautiful

Singing from the 1992 Movie, made me fall in love with that voice.

Whitney I have the faith of a child

I love to share with you stories of people finishing well. A life well lived is a gift from God. A life well lived is a mother fighting breast canser and doing all the right things but the disease wins. She fought the fight. Bravery is not seen on the battlefield only but in hospitals around the world there is untold bravery as people face the fights of their lives.

This beautiful person in voice and talent and I think she had lots to give was robbed of life through leaches who lived off of her insecurities and weaknesses like parasites and slowly to take away her voice and then her life. Drugs and alcohol can destroy our creative humanity. In the end no hero like Kevin Costner came to the rescue. Joe DiMaggio could not rescue Merilyn Monroe. In the end she died alone and helpless to the drugs and booze that destroyed her life.

In 1992 she gave me this wounderful movie performance. When she belted out "I will always love you" is what any man wants his love to sing to Him. Most of us do not have that voice. So thank Whitney for have that voice for us.

Whitney sang as a child gospel songs in church. I know many enjoyed the voice. I hope the songs got into her heart  and despite her hopelessness I hope once she strusted the Savior to save her. He doesn't forget, He knows His sheep. A child in church can do many things unseen by all but God, they can have faith in the Lord. We can have hope. Keep walking

Martin Dehahn of Radio Bible Class posted "That some of Whitney’s songs seemed to draw on a spirituality beyond the music might have something to do with her early years. According to an online encyclopedia: “At the age of 11, Houston began to follow in her mother’s footsteps and started performing as a soloist in the junior gospel choir at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where she also learned to play the piano. Her first solo performance in the church was “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”

The kosmos can be a dark place. We are fragile at best. Walking includes walking in His footsteps, “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”

Took time to workout to relax?

At night is when I have unwanted anxiety comes upon me. I can listen to gentle hymns of faith or easy listening music. I can put a relaxation CD on. I can read short passage from my Bible and focus on one affirming truth. I can read a favorite mystery writer. I can look at  pictures of friends and family. I can hold a good memory like a rock from an enjoyable time. Tonight. I was a little restless so I worked out with squats at push ups and crunches. Then I topped it with a band work out. Felt good. Now I am ready to relax, sleep awaits.

Moon sets Thanks Elaine for the Picture

Sometimes dealing with anxiety it helps to relax by physically moving the body. Most exercise should be done three hours before bed time. But sometimes it is good to stretch and work out the tension. Doing anything to distract anxious thought is good. The anxious thought I am talking about is not something rational but is something quite different. If I am worried about my relationships spiritually or otherwise I can deal with that. If it is something between the Lord and I, that to has a remedy. But anxiety that is a disorder and biological is a different matter.

So I keep my techniques to lesson the grip of my anxiety near by. Exercise helps me gain control and is positive. It is not my only strategy nor is it my first. Gently moving at night helps with my pain of my CP. As we age many more people may find exercise will ease the aches and pains we have as we get older. Do you have anxiety that robs you of your sleep or health. See a doctor and get help. Don't worry what others may think. Who cares about that when we can feel better. Keep walking

Books and Health

By the time I finished high school I believe I read 5 books, three I remember biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee and Pee Wee Reese. Really what kicked off reading for me was becoming a Christian and reading the Bible and related subjects. Wilber Smith a Christian apologist and Bible scholar had a personal library of 25,000 books of all subjects. He had a photographic memory and I was told by one of his students he would quote whole pages. Mortimer Adler also a lover of books, both gave the same advise I have followed for forty years, "Read a good author, read as many books that writer has written as you can." Good writers have become my friends.

Scofield Bible given to L.S. Chafer

One of those writers is C.S. Lewis. I read at the time every book I could find. I argued with him, I sat by a night light almost in conversation with the ideas he shared. He gave great advise in reguard to ancient and classical literture. "It is always better to read the author than read what others say about that author." They write clearer and better than scholars who write thousands of pages of confusing commentary.

When I worked in the Mental hospitals as a young man, I read Freud, Adler, Fromm, behaviorists, James and hundreds of people in that field, reading their books was always more interesting than the texbooks about their work. Freud for example was brillent and I loved to argue with him. Since it is my arguement I always won. Everybody today says how wrong he was but as time moves on fewer and fewer people actually read Freud himself. Most argue from second and third hand sourses. I think Freud was wrong on some pretty important issues but I loved reading his books and arguing with his intellect.

A electronic and hard copy of over 10,000 books I have made up for time as a youth and so little reading. I think of myself as a student but you can't help but pick up a thing or two along the way. It is healthy to have friends. I have been fortunate to have hundreds at my bidding, just open the page. I have read a couple of hundred books an the Bible and health, fitness. Reading good authors and many gives balance and safety. Proverbs tells us "in the multiude of counselors there is safety." Reading good authors gives health. It is good for the brain and good ideas are discovered that help the help the body, mind, soul and spirit. Share with me books that have been your friends. I would love to hear from you. Keep walking

Winter walks and thank you Lord for safety

Out for a winter walk

The Rego sisters out for a walk near Mt. Rainer. The walk was a big part of their vacation together. Walking can be part of any get away we have. It will probably be one of the things we can afford and take back the memories of the scenery and interaction with God's creation. I find a daily walk helps us enjoy our restaurant experiences. It aids us to unwind from the stresses of flying or travel and walks like Deb and Donna took may motivate walking when we get back home so that we can have another walk about in our next vacation or outing.

If you are driving a long distant, use the rest stops or small towns to take a ten minute walk every couple of hours. I believe it will help the circulation and help relieve stress from driving.

I used my iPhone to time out 20 minutes on my walk today then I walked back. The walk back was part of the trail 2 or three minutes closer to the car. The last 5 or 6 minutes of the walk I slowed down. Walked a total of 38 minutes then did some stretching. I was walking fast enough to be breathing harder but not out of breathe. I enjoyed the cold air on my face and was warm because of the walk and layers I had on. I am wearing one of my favorite walking jackets. There is something about clothes with history. Last year we had the big snow falls. This year warmer. The trail melted the ice so I could walk on it.

Walked 20 minutes, 18 minutes back

Thanks to Blogger I have been able to improve the blog. I added a page to encourage you to walk. The links I have on fitness and health I hope you find helpful. For those of you who would like to see the land of the Bible or Bible study I have a link site with quality sites. A new page I have added may encourage you to move to a fitness walk.

An easy formula to have for a walk is 5 minutes of warm up walking. Then walk fast enough to hear your breathing without being out of breathe for 20 minutes. (Any discomfort out out of breathe slow down until normal breathing returns.) Finally walk slower to cool down for about 5 minutes. On my walk today I probably warmed up for 3 minutes and with out thinking I naturally got into a faster pace for about 31-32 minutes then had a 5 minute cool down walk where my breathing returned to normal. Muscles loose I had a good stretch.

The new page talks about a 12 week program recommended by Dr. Ken Cooper. In three months you can be aerobically fit.

This week two friends had close calls with traffic accidents. Both of these people I love and I am glad their lives were spared. Let me remind all of us to keep a good safety cushion from other cars we are traveling with and be mindful in bad weather drivers and walkers can do the unexpected. Thank you Lord for your traveling mercies. Keep walking

Shelters on a walk about



Believed to be the rock he found shelter

David Branon writes in the Daily Bread on January 27, 2012, "The story is told of a young preacher named Augustus Toplady, who was taking a walk through the English countryside when a sudden storm swept across the landscape. Toplady spotted a wide rock formation with an opening—a cleft—where he sought shelter until the storm passed... While there he found a playing card where he penned the hymn "Rock of Ages." in 1775."

What I found at work

It would be interesting to find songs written as a result of a walk. Look at the first few lines, "Rock of ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee;" I can see him walking probably using a walking stick and out in the elements a storm hits and he has to find cover. He finds a place somewhere between two rocks where there is some cover above. At 35 he is in a debate with the Wesley's and the song is part of that debate. I find it interesting that Charles Wesley penned similar words to the song some 30 years earlier. As Bugs Bunny would say, "Silly ain't we." Regardless of his motives the words reflect the metaphor in Psalms 18:2, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. " It is good to trust God in the storms of life.

This great hymn I find is always sung in parody in any movie or TV show I have seen. People sing it off key and they are usually pictured as bigots and judgemental. The melody we sing to was written in 1830. Maybe we need to hear it done a little different. The link below is of some kids who do a good job recording it and have a little fun as they sing it.
http://redemptionhill.com/rock-of-ages/

Today I worked on flexibility and walking indoors. Later I will have a strength workout. Stretching I think of taking long strides walking in an English countryside. I can picture Holmes and Watson walking the moors in the Hounds of the Baskervilles. Keep walking.