Thursday, October 29, 2009

Lost 3 pounds this week.

Weight Watchers thinks I have lost 11.8 pounds so far. 3 pounds in the last week! Much better than last week!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

39 Articles of Religion

In the back of the Prayer Book of the Episcopal Church, in the "Historic Documents" section, you will find a copy of the "39 Articles of Religion." While these articles have no formal authority in the Episcopal Church, they do still have formal authority for many other places in the Anglican Communion. Given their historic role in the shaping of Anglicanism, I find the interest of some Anglicans in becoming Roman Catholic rather interesting.

Here are some excerpts to give you an idea of what I speak:

Article XIX. Of the Church
The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.
As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch have erred; so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.

Article XXII. Of Purgatory
The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping, and Adoration, as well of Images as of Reliques, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.

Article XXXVII.
...The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England…

Saying Bye to MySpace

I put up a My Space page a couple of years ago to promote the reform of the health insurance industry in Kentucky. Given the current political state and the role of reform of the health insurance industry nationally, I have deleted my site. If I have anything interesting to ad to the discussion, I will ad it here. If I come across any interesting links, I will add them here.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Unhappy on Bayly

I gained weight this week. :=(

I am 1.3 pounds heavier this week than I was last week. I didn't exceed my "points" and I dutifully recorded everything. I am told some weeks are like this--but it is discouraging.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Church Shopping

A fifth to a third of my parish is comprised of former Roman Catholics. Roman Catholics make very good Episcopalians. I have heard them tease "All the liturgy--none of the guilt" as though they were intoning a commercial for Anglicanism. Would that all my parishioners felt such pride and joy in being Episcopalian.

The former Roman Catholics in the parish I serve appreciate the Episcopal Church in ways that cradle Episcopalians sometimes take for granted. Those Roman Catholics who migrate to Canterbury come because they seek a place where their heart and their head can co-exist. The Roman Catholic Church ceased to be that place for them. They became convinced that women should be allowed to be priests, or that priests should be allowed to marry, or gay and lesbian persons should be treated with dignity and respect, or the use of contraception is not immoral, or that abortion should be a woman's choice even if it is always a tragic choice, or they are divorced and they don't want to have to pretend they were not married the first time in order to marry again, or....I could go on and on here--but you get the idea. Their convictions change and they don't want to pretend they believe other than the way they do and so they leave and in their exile they stumble across the Episcopal Church and find a new home. Call it Catholics on the Canterbury trail. Would that we all could better see ourselves as pilgrims.

Likewise, since Henry VIII made himself (rather than the Pope) the head of the Church in England, some Anglicans have crossed the Tiber and returned to Rome. The Anglicans (or Episcopalians as we call ourselves here in the States) have been too Protestant for the liking of some born Anglican and they have found themselves in Rome and at home. Would that all could find a place to call home.

News has come this week that the Vatican is making the journey to Rome easier for those Anglicans so inclined. Anglicans except Romans as properly baptized and confirmed and ordained. So, the transition has always been easy for those moving toward Canterbury. Historically, Rome has been less hospitable--but the rigidity has been part of the attraction and the lack thereof amongst Episcopalians part of the repulsion. This week the Pope made it a bit easier. Hospitality is a Christian virtue. Would that we all were more hospitable.

I am sympathetic with those who feel like refugees from the faith of their childhood. I left the religious tradition of my youth and as an adult did my own migrating. I understand why people leave and why they come--on an existential level. I also think it is unfortunate and tragic.

We are all poorer after we Church Shop. The cost is sometimes necessary--but it is still expensive. The places we leave are poorer for our going. Admittedly, the places to which we travel are enriched--but the new theological segregation makes us all poorer. It is not a zero sum game. The Church is richer when our diversity is visible on a local level. We are poorer when that diversity is hidden behind denominational labels. Would that we were richer, as well as hospitable.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Doing the Math

With regard to my goal of loosing 104 pounds in 52 weeks, I am on track. Two weeks down and ten pounds down. Fifty weeks to go. 94 pounds to go.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Week 2 a Success

I am pleased to inform you that I lost 5 pounds in the last week. I now have lost a total of 10 pounds since I started Weight Watchers. I have, however, one less point a day for week 3.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Traveling and Dieting

If I lose any weight this week it will surprise me. I haven't cheated--but I have used a lot of my allotted points! On a good note, I managed to drink all my water today.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Long Car Trips are Tough on the Diet

I only have 3 points left for the day and I haven't had dinner yet! Like the prodigal son, I squandered my resources (weight watcher points) in riotous living (fast food).

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Day 10 or so

Truth is, I have lost count. But the good news is that I have been very good. I have yet to exceed my allotment of Weight Watcher's points. I still can improve, however, on the quality of my spent points. I need more vegies in my diet and I still need to up the water intake. Oh well, tomorrow is another day! We will keep on keeping on.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Lost 5 Pounds this Week

I am pleased to inform you that I lost 5 pounds in my first week on Weight Watchers. 1 week down and 51 to go. 5 pounds down and 99 to go. Remember: my goal is 104 pounds in 52 weeks. All in all, a good start.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Day Five

Yesterday I managed to get all my water down my throat (thanks Crystal Light!). I learned I really need to change my "regular order" at my favorite oriental restaurant (I consumed way too many points at lunch).

Monday, October 5, 2009

Day Four

Gotta drink more water. I did really poorly on the water today. I still have not exceeded my allotment of points! And I played football tonight (played on the offensive line so I wouldn't have to run--I fall down when I try to run--its a brain thing).

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Day Three

So far so good. I haven't "cheated" on my diet. I have very faithfully recorded everything I have eaten and I have stayed under my allotment of Weight Watcher points. My children are a little concerned they will never get to eat at their favorite establishments again (they were trying to figure out how many points were in my usual Mexican meal). I went for a nice bicycle ride yesterday. If the weather is nice, I hope to do it again tomorrow.

I am supplementing my water drinking with crystal light. I haven't given up on just water, but a little flavor makes it a bit easier for me at this point.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Day One

One day down, 364 days to go. I was very good. I ate fewer points than I was allotted. I still, however, need to work on drinking more water and eating more vegetables. My children are not very excited about Dad's diet. But it will be good for them too.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Honoring the Body

Before I got sick and was out for a bit, I resolved to take better care of my body. I determined that I would reduce my Body Mass Index to below the recommended 25. I got sick, however, and gained more weight during my illness and recovery. Now that I am better, I find I have more weight than ever to lose. To help me reach my goal, I have joined Weight Watchers.

As I was sitting in the meeting tonight, I was mulling the movie Julia and Julie (or is it the other way around?). Like Julie, I am going to give myself a year to complete my goal. In my case, however, it is not recipes, but pounds. I am going to lose 104 pounds in 52 weeks.

I will keep you posted.