Fit for Faith

Hello fellow Human Beings,

A few weeks ago a very dear friend of mine paid me a lovely compliment, He said 'Alex, you look knackered, absolutely worn out'. I was most humbled if not enthused at his honesty, and to be fair he wasn't wrong, after all this Vicar, Work and Family scenario really does stretch ones stamina and ability to multitask and multitask a bit more.

So after being mentally stimulated by the above comment, I jumped at the opportunity to purchase at a very reasonable cost, a exercise cycle and a Cross Trainer, whatever one of those things was. After all we had just sold on a metal framed bunk bed, which had filled a very small space for many years. I had the idea to turn it into a study room and space for prayer, whilst my good ladies intentions was a music come play room for the children. As it stands now it is a Gymnasium with my new Cross Trainer taking up almost as much space as the Bunk Bed. It has been in site for about a week now and the early signs have been encouraging, I put on a vest with my dog walking track suit bottoms and have already completed a number of high intensity workouts. The first one was a solid fifteen minutes, and mainly involved a light stroll whilst trying to establish what my pulse rate was and pressing lots of buttons to try and make my calorie count move quicker. I got off and enjoyed a cuppa with two sugars and three possibly four chocolate bourbons. On disembarking from the shower I can't deny having a brief look at my naked torso in the bathroom mirror to see if any weight had literally dropped off me, It hadn't.
I am now up to my third session, I can now do twenty minutes without too much effort although,  I have now got to the point where my wobbly legs and sweaty nose are showing the signs of possibly over doing it somewhat.
Meanwhile I have turned my attentions to diet, and my new healthy options have included, Tea with only two sugars, Tomato Soup (one of my five a day) 2 satsumas daily, Baked Beans for fiber and a Sainsburys' Fruit loaf, as a special treat and the occasional tin of  Basics' peach slices.
I thought about going for a run and having a bounce on the trampoline but I have to take things slowly, I can't let myself become a thorough bread athlete too quickly.
I am having a few niggles, my ankle is slightly inflamed my hamstring feels particularly tight, my back feels a little stiff, I have a minor inflammation in my right eye and my daily movements have been slightly unreliable. So when the girls suggested swimming today, I thought why not, so off we went. The last time I entered a public swimming environment was in forty degree heat in beautiful sunny Turkey, and so to bare my chest at Pendle Wavelengths  in Nelson was not quite as picturesque although there was a number of rather large individuals that made me recall the stunning mountains that surrounded our resort last summer.
I didn't so much swim but walk around the pool whilst my girls used me as an extension to the apparatus supplied by the leisure center. My knees became launch pads, and my arms were put to good use as I threw my girls around the pool as we waited for the wave machine to be activated.
The wave machine was indeed activated and after nearly drowning in the shallow end and being crushed to death by slightly overweight parents and their loved ones I decided it was time to get out and get home for a brew and a biscuit.
So a brew and a biscuit or three it was, before I headed off my for my daily walk of prayer and solitude.
It's been a nice day and as I normally don't see anyone on my stroll down the farm path I usually just burst into a spontaneous chat with Jesus, but today it wasn't to be as I slipped and some horse manure and aggravated my sport injuries which I,m sure I heard the cows in the field all laughing at! This meant the walk was shorter than expected, prayer was abandoned and I returned gingerly to the safety of my settee with a cup of tea, a Twix finger and episode of Songs of Praise whilst waiting for the Sunday lunch chocolate gateux to defrost.

However after all this physical activity I do write this blog, mentally refreshed and very positive about the months that lie ahead. I was lucky enough to attend a very special service yesterday at Blackburn Cathedral,
It was the Bishop of Blackburn's final service and I must tell you it was a joy to behold.
There was lots of pomp and ceremony, lots of folk in dog collars who I believe may have been clergy, lots of of men in feathers, and the star of the show, Bishop Nicholas. Among all the ceremonial requirements the most wonderful thing was the humility and selflessness from a man that has and continues to devote his life to God. Totally inspiring and I left the Cathedral with a bright mind, if missing a spring in my step knowing that Gods work had only just started.
And this morning I was lucky enough to celebrate the Eucharist with a man who has served the Lord as a Priest for the last fifty years. Blimey do I feel like a novice? But wow what a sermon, Without Jesus, we are nothing was the message, It was truly moving and highly inspirational.
I may never get the six pack back that I had last summer (ha ha) I may never have muscles like Fatima Whitbred, I may have to muster up some enthusiasm to do some proper physical exercise but I make this vow today and that is to keep developing spiritually, keep working for Jesus Christ, keep doing his work, where he wants me to do it. Today two men through their devotion to God have given me a great mental and spiritual workout and they shall both be remembered in Prayer for some considerable time.

Until next time
May you all find the love of Jesus.
Alextheanglican.