Let me prepare you. This is a blog in regards to gluttony. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. You might want to wait it out and read this after. 

As someone who has 20 plus years of experience in fitness industry, I would say that 80% of those inside these health clubs rarely change aside from weight gain. You see, you can workout all day long but weight loss or getting into better shape is mainly a product of the food we put into our bodies. Yes, there is genetics and health issues that certainly play a part as well, but for the most part, nutrition is the key. I would also confess to always being genetically thin and 'falling into' the gym business as a career....plenty of advantages from the get go. Not sure if I have the 'voice' for this blog but here it goes.....

I've had two very interesting jobs. I spent 20 plus years managing health clubs helping others physically then the last 5 years as a Connections Pastor here at Fellowship Church, helping others spiritually. Interestingly enough, I have yet to 'conquer' either. They both take a lot of discipline and passion. Years ago, I'd often run into people at the supermarket and hear the reasons why there was Doritos and Pepsi in their carriage ("oh, it's for the kids."), now I hear why they haven't been to church in a while ("the kids, etc")   

Physical and spiritual health will change your life. They truly coincide. When you really grab hold of one, it can really affect the other. When I eat better and exercise I have more energy to read Scripture and spend more time with God (without falling asleep!) When I am spending more time with God I learn the value of health, my body being a temple and how being healthy gives me more years to do His work and more years to have with my family. 

Here's the problem: We live in a country where food is everywhere. It's advertised on TV far too often, all of us have a fast food place within minutes of our house, and it's even at our jobs (there always seems to be a birthday cake to celebrate!) Ever try to eat good at a work function? 

Scripture really does have a lot to say about eating, or overeating (gluttony). 

Proverbs 23:2 and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.                                      No other sin says to “put a knife to your throat”

Proverbs 23:20-21 NCV Don’t drink too much wine or eat too much food. Those who drink and eat too much become poor. They sleep too much and end up wearing rags.

Most people have heard the term gluttony before and are certainly aware of the dangers that come along with it health wise. When we overindulge in anything, it can be dangerous. I know people that work too much, exercise too much and serve too much! 

We live in a country that has made overeating way too accessible. Most meals at restaurants today can feed 2-3 people. We have supersize options and many of the drinks we order have more calories than some of the food! 

If your Thanksgiving Day is anything like ours, the cooking and prep take forever and the eating part takes about 10 minutes. We eat far more than what we're comfortable with eating, then we fall into a food coma and blame the tryptophan. 

I read a fascinating book recently where the author interviewed hundreds of older people in their 70's and up. They had so many thoughts on health. They often said that it's not dying we should worry about, it's chronic disease. One couple said if they did it all over again, they would watch what they ate and exercise because for the last 15 years the wife was taking care of her ailing husband dealing with diabetes and lung cancer from a life a overeating and smoking. Can you imagine being in a wheelchair on oxygen for 15 plus years because of a love for french fries and cigarettes? We often have to remember that when you're ailing, others ail with you. Someone has to take care of you. Spouse, parents or even children sometimes pay the price for a life of carefree intake. 

I've learned in my life that everything I take in affects me in some capacity. For me, sugar makes me tired, too many carbs makes me want to take a nap and salty foods make me want more salty foods. When I am not eating very well, I am not as productive. This goes for my walk with God. Try reading your Bible after a large breakfast! 

"We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. " 1 Corinthians 10:5  Sometimes food can be a proud obstacle. 

Our appetites are always threatening to take over our lives, and satisfying them becomes our obsession. 

Satan has hijacked God’s good gift of food to try to destroy us. In fact, I believe satan's plan was to keep this gluttony thing hush hush. The less people know the better. We certainly don't talk about it at any church! Gluttony feels like the 'accepted sin' in church.

My challenge though is to be aware, knowing the ease of overeating. Most of us are emotional eaters. We eat to celebrate and we eat when we're down. Clearly God gave us the gift of taste and the variety of foods to eat for a reason, so let's hold tight to the truth of Scripture and celebrate God’s goodness through His gift of food without abusing or overindulging. It's not easy!         

Clearly, we have all been fooled into seeking lasting comfort and fulfillment in temporal pleasures that will never satisfy. (Money, sex, food and drink) Like any of these, our appetites have been targeted by our enemy in an effort to thwart God’s good plan. Satan will use whatever tool he can to distract people from seeking satisfaction in God, and if money, sex, or power don’t hold any sway over you, then French Fries or chocolate milk shakes just might.  God promises us not just a taste of His goodness, but that we will find complete satisfaction in Him. 

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35 . 

When we are truly leaning on God, trusting Him and seeking Him daily, we won't have to find our fulfillment in temporal pleasures

Proverbs 25:28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. Practice self-control. Call sin what it is. Repent.

I cannot finish this blog with that. It's the holidays. Enjoy them. As Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 5:18:  "Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life." To an extent.....

Have you ever prepared Thanksgiving dinner for a houseful of people?  20 people?  30 maybe?  Can you imagine shopping and putting together Thanksgiving food for 1,000 families? That would be quite a challenge, but that is exactly what Fellowship Church and the Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project (MCTP) has done for the last several years!

     Though challenging, it is quite rewarding as well. During a time when all we hear in the news is negative, it’s refreshing to see something so great happen right here in our own community and we are so thankful that FC can be a part of it!

     The Middletown Community Thanksgiving Project Committee has been working for months behind the scenes contacting companies and organizations that are able to donate food to go in the baskets.  In the next 2 weeks that food will begin arriving and taking over the atrium at our church.  If you haven’t been at FC the Sunday before Thanksgiving in the past…. you’ll want to be there this year.  It’s something you can’t imagine until you see it.

   In addition to this project providing the baskets of food to 1,000 families here locally, we here at Fellowship Church, have seen God do amazing things in other ways. We have several people in our church that are here because of the Thanksgiving project.  They came in past years to volunteer or to receive a basket and were so impressed with the love and generosity here that they knew it was a place they wanted to be each Sunday. 

    It is awesome to see the love of Christ our FCers have for others.  When people come to FC on November 21st to pick up their baskets they will be greeted by a friendly parking team, a short line and a team of volunteers who will wish them a Happy Thanksgiving and personally carry the baskets to their cars.  The volunteers (and there are a lot of them) all have an attitude of joy as they are able to serve others in their community and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

So are you ready to prepare Thanksgiving for over 1,000 families? Can you help with the challenge?  Bring a pie…or two… or three, to FC on Sunday November 19th.  Pies must be store bought (not frozen) and have an expiration date of Thanksgiving or later. Be a part of something special and help us help others!

Want to get involved by serving? Click here and make a difference!

GUEST BLOGGER: Vinnie Marotta

I grew up in a Catholic family. By that I mean that my parents professed to be Catholic, sent my brother and I to church each Sunday and CCD each Tuesday. The problem is that somewhere around 4th or 5th grade, I realized that there was no God. He didn’t exist. I didn’t believe that there was no God, I KNEW IT. I could refute all of the arguments for His existence. I learned all about evolution, and the Big Bang theory, and it fit perfectly together. God didn’t exist because, he didn’t need to exist. The Universe worked just fine without Him. And I went on for years and years living without Him. Except, I didn’t. I spent my whole life searching for… something. All of the usual things, drugs, drink, sex, whatever vice you could imagine, I’ve tried it. But, it wasn't only bad stuff. I volunteered at the food pantry, submerged myself in work, went back to school, ran for public office, I tried everything I could think of to make life mean something. But it didn’t. It wasn’t a depression kind of “life has no meaning”, it was just that there was always something missing, something unfulfilled in me. And as much as I tried to chase it, I couldn’t find it. 

People have stories of hardship, and a tough life, mine was fine. No horrifying tragedies, childhood trauma, my life was fine. Just empty. I met a friend of a friend at a party and spent the whole night talking about God and her church. My mind wasn’t changed, and I still knew that I knew too much about the universe to believe in God, but I agreed to come to church with her that next Sunday. And I went the following Sunday. And I kept going. You see, the people I saw at church had something. I didn’t know what it was but I knew that I wanted it. I listened, I read, I thought about it but it still didn’t make sense to believe in God, even though I was wishing that I did. Then one day, I just did. Suddenly, God made sense. Could the world have happened accidentally? Sure. Could God have made it happen? Also… sure. Then it hit me that either way, there wasn’t proof. You had to have faith in something. And it was my choice in where I put my faith. I chose God.

Something clicked. I wasn’t empty anymore. I wasn’t trying to fill that void in me with a whole bunch of other stuff. You see, I had a God-sized hole, and I was trying to fill it with anything but God. And that just doesn't work. What happened, what I figured out, is that God is so enormous that nothing else will ever begin to fill that hole and you’ll always be searching. What I figured out, what I found, was the thing that all of those people in church had. God.

I wasn’t searching anymore, I was found. I wasn’t running after anything, I was running TO something. God, filled the empty, lonely, dark places in me with love and joy and wonder. He never gave up on me and He'll never give up on you.

So many of you have left Facebook. You're tired of the political rants, the negativity, the strong opinions, and your friend who checks in no matter where they are (eating at McDonalds, drinking coffee at Starbucks, resting at home). Troy Aikman, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Super Bowl Champion, MVP, etc (I'm clearly a Cowboy fan) said that Social media is "a race to the bottom." It's clearly all about us. I've learned too late in life that the more we focus on ourselves, the less satisfied we feel. And the more we’re consumed with the things of this earth, the more we feel empty on the inside. Some sociologists point to technology and social media as significant factors in our constant unhappiness.

What was once a tool to use to get in touch with friends and family from far away has turned into a tool to actually lessen your influence, a tool to share opinions without a relationship and a tool to sometimes actually depress others. 

As seen in the last year or so, many people have gotten rid of Facebook. They're tired of waking up to mindless banter. They thought the best way to address this is to rid of it. But here's my challenge to you: Don't. Don't delete your Facebook account on account of other's Facebook usage. Change the game. 

What the world needs now, more than ever, is positivity, hope and love. This is possible on Social Media. I've had mornings where I saw great encouraging quotes, funny family pics or birthday or anniversary wishes that changed my day. As a Christian, I believe we can use this as a tool to share the hope we have in Christ but......we have to be careful here. I will never 'shove my faith down someone's throat.' Jesus, Himself, never pushed Himself on anyone. He loved them as they've never been loved before (He died for them!) and He constantly met them where they were. No sinner was too lost for Christ. Everyone He encountered left different. He never judged anyone to come to Him, He loved them enough for them to want to come to Him. We should follow that example. 

So that's my challenge, post on Social Media through the eyes of Christ.

Would He like what you're posting? Is your post pushing people to Him or away? Is your life outside of Facebook one that would draw someone to read your posts? 

Rick Warren said, "If the whole world needs Jesus, then you must share the Good News. To keep it a secret would be criminal. If you knew the cure for Alzheimer’s or AIDS or cancer and you didn’t share it, that would be criminal. But we have something even better than a cure for disease. We know the cure for the human heart and the deepest needs of mankind. They need a Savior. They need forgiveness. They need their past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in Heaven. We cannot hold it back. We have to share it."

 

Is your marriage everything you imagined it would be? Does it scare you or excite you when you see the remainder of your future with this particular person? You don't have to answer that here.

My wife and I spend a lot of time with other couples. We do premarital counseling and run couple's groups. We also have many married couples as close friends.  We've seen the good and the bad. I ask a lot of questions. I'm fascinated by relationships and how they work - or don't. 

The biggest thing I've seen is based on the 'reap what you sow' principle. Most of the time, our outward expectation doesn't match our inward effort. I've learned that when we don't like what we're getting out of our relationship we need to check what we're putting into our relationship. Many of us spend so little time with each other and wonder why it's not working. Our priorities have become work, money, TV, video games, hobbies, other friends or even our children (over our spouse). then we wonder what happened. 

Nothing works without effort. The things we care about the most need the most time put into them. It's been said, "Show me your calendar and I'll tell you what's most important in your life." Most of us need to schedule work, meals, and sleep. Some of us schedule important things like our quiet time with God (reading scripture and praying), time with the kids, or even exercise time (gym or home), Then the schedule becomes fuzzy. What is the next priority? What's most important? If you're married, I would highly recommend putting your spouse here. The kids will understand. In fact, when they get older they'll appreciate it and use it as an example for them when they get married. 

I hate seeing marriages fall apart. Too many of them do. Based on the conversations I've had, many of them stem from a lack of time together or a lack of effort.

I see a future with my wife and I'm excited about it. I see us in rocking chairs in our sun room reading and I can't wait (may not be so appealing to some of you). But I know I have to do my part. Time + effort = benefits. 

When is the last time you and your spouse spent quality time together? Went on a date? Got away? Schedule it today and reap the benefits.

GUEST BLOGGER: Josh Vescovi

Josh had the opportunity to serve News Release Basketball. This organization travels mainly throughout Europe to run basketball camps and to play against professional and club teams all while sharing the GOOD NEWS of JESUS CHRIST. Based out of the USA, their mission is to present the good news of Jesus Christ and develop disciples of our Lord by building Christ-centered relationships using the sport of basketball. 

Ring ring, goes the alarm clock at 6:45am on Friday July, 21 2017. I slowly wake rubbing my eyes. Today's the day I leave to go to Denver for training camp with News Release Basketball before we head to Germany for a few weeks on a missions trip. I feel a little nervous, as I hate flying and having to fly alone only makes things even worse. But there's too much to do to get ready to think about my nerves too much. I get dressed and sprint for the door to make a final deposit at the bank ATM before heading off. We get into the car and I am super excited! As we get to the airport and I say my goodbyes to my wife, boys, and mother. I get to the terminal, snag a picture of the plane, send out a massive text and try to rest a little before boarding. 

I get on the plane and for 4 hours the seat belt sign never comes off. Service was minimal. It was a rocky ride the entire time. But I really felt the Lord with me at all time, I was much calmer then I ever anticipated I would be. I watched a movie called Courageous and I felt as I was trying my best to be just that! (great movie by the way!). 

I land in Denver and am greeted by Steve Sorensen, the director of News Release Basketball in the baggage claim area. He walks up and and says "now there's a guy that looks just like his picture!" I was extremely happy I made it and was united with Steve after so many weeks of calls and emails. I knew it was finally time to do God's work. 

We got to his house where I would be staying for the next six days of training camp and was greeted by his wife Gunilla. She was extremely friendly and welcoming! Had a sandwich and relaxed a little before all the players arrived the next day. 

I must say every one I encountered had so much joy and love, you could see the Lord in them greatly. Training camp was amazing. It was a long six days filled from morning to evening but I wouldn't have it any other way. We learned so much about what NRB is all about and what to expect in Germany and how to conduct camps, and tell our stories about how we came to Christ.

Then Thursday July 27, 2017 finally came, it was time to share Jesus in Europe and our two men's teams and our one women's team were ready to go. Again, that flying thing for me is tough. But once again I felt peace, I knew the Lord was with me. I really never felt like He wasn't. I truly felt closer to Him thoughout this time then I ever have.

We had a slight layover in Atlanta before we headed on a 9 hour flight to Frankfurt, Germany where we would take a four hour train ride to Lorrach, Germany where our first camp was. 

When we arrived to Lorrach we were greeted by some of the camp helpers and organizers including a gentleman named Marian. Little did I know that fast forward a week and the tears were gonna be impossible to hold back, and leaving Marian was gonna be one of the toughest things I would have to do. Man I love that guy! He truly is a man of God. 

So we meet who our hosts are going to be and mine, Johannes and his wife Sabina and their three boys, turned out to be some of the greatest people I would ever meet. We spent many hours talking about anything and everything, (yes including Donald Trump) haha. 

So camp starts in Lorrach and we get to meet all the kids and German helpers, and once again the whole experience was just truly amazing. I felt like family the whole time and felt loved by everyone. We met the kids that would be in our small groups. Every day we would have this thing called Power Hour where we tell a story that relates to the Bible and talk about it afterwards. My group of girls were great. They were very much into the conversations. 

Yes, this was a basketball camp and we did a lot of basketball things but we also sang worship songs and did little Bible studies. Jesus was our mission, not basketball. That was just a bonus.

We also played several games against pro teams throughout the week. Sadly, we went 1-2 for the week and 2-3 overall while in Germany but hey.

After one amazing week in Lorrach and seeing many kids come to Christ, it was time to leave and go to Munich, Germany where our second camp would be. I cried so much. It was so hard leaving those people. I remember Steve was with us the last day of camp and our last game. I ran over to tell him that I want to be back next year. I told Steve I am very serious. He put me on the roster for next year. 

After another 4 hour train ride we arrived in Munich on Sunday July 30th, 2017.

We were met at the train station by a gentleman named Andy who brought us right over to a nightclub in Munich, yes a nightclub lol!  But it wasn't being used as a nightclub when we arrived. It was being used for the ICF celebration where we met Patrick, one of the camp orginizers who like Marian, became one of my favorite people. Such an amazing worship experience I could never forget.

We had a team dinner afterwards with some of the German helpers for this weeks camp at the Hard Rock Cafe. We then did a little sightseeing and headed to the CVJM hostel that we were gonna be staying at for the week.

Once again, meeting the people and kids at the camp was amazing, I could honestly type for months explaining and talking about how awesome these few weeks were. So many kids came to Christ. It truly was an amazing camp.

Zach Jones was the lead of this Munich camp. He is a former NBA player. He now holds camps and talks about his faith. It was great getting to know him and see Christ in him. 

I will also mention this, I injured my back a few days before and ended up having to get it checked at the hospital. This amazing lady there named Nina took very good care of me. She also will be missed but lucky for me she won't be missed for long. She is moving to Boston and studying at Harvard in September for almost a year!!

Well like I said, there is so so much more to say that I could go on for weeks but just know this: These few weeks were really great! I met so many amazing people and so many men and women of Christ. I was going on this trip to minister to people and yes that did happen a great deal but my heart was ministered and changed as well. I really felt God like I never did before. And it was awesome. I loved every second of it! 

See you next summer News Release, I love you guys!

There was once a guy who owned a small trucking firm, and was looking to employ a new driver. Three drivers sat nervously outside his office as they were called in for their interview one by one. When the first guy came out, the other two checked with him, “What did he ask you?”. The man replied, “He only asked one question. How close could I safely drive one of his trucks near the edge of a cliff.” “What did you say?” “I said I could get one of his trucks to within 3 meters of the edge, but I don’t think my answer was good enough." The second man went in, and was asked the same question. He answered “I could get one of your trucks within one meter of the edge.” But apparently that wasn’t good enough either. Finally, the last driver went in. The boss looked at him and asked the question. The man replied, “If I were driving one of your trucks, I wouldn’t go anywhere near the edge of a cliff!” He got the job.

Isn't this some of us? We, as followers of Jesus Christ, continue to “drive so close to the edge." We are so confident in our ability to stop something before it gets out of hand. We continue to put ourselves in dangerous situations knowing that the possible outcomes can affect us for years to come. 

Proverbs 6:27-28 says. Can a man scoop a flame into his lap  and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?

• “I can have one more drink. I know my limit."
• "I'm ok to drive."
• "I can be alone with my girlfriend on a couch with the lights dim and nobody’s home and not do anything." 
• "I can afford to buy all these lotto tickets because when I win….”
• "It's only 2:00AM! We can stay out longer." (after 2AM decisions are usually not good ones)

None of the above is necessarily sin. but should we putting ourselves in these scenarios that can lead to it? 

Paul says in Romans 7:21, I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.

Sin has a way of sneaking up on us and controlling our thoughts. We are in a constant battle every day of our lives. Our surroundings (for the most part) will influence the easier decision. God will always influence you to make the correct decision, which is often the harder one. 

James 1:14-15  “but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Sounds dangerous. It is. Ask anyone who has been in any trouble at all and where it all started. Most will tell you a story of them “dipping their toe” into something they shouldn’t have and things escalated from there. 

James 4:7 says,”So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” I know it sounds dramatic but it’s so true. RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE, RESIST-FLEE. 

How do you resist? There's help. First and foremost, go to the One who, in the end, wins. Go to God who promises to love us, to guide us and give us victory. Then surround yourself with His army, like-minded people who are pursuing Christ daily, who will protect you from bad decisions and do anything they can to help you. Where do you find these people? Well, there's a bunch of places, some unexpected. The more predictable places are at church on Sundays or at a Growth Group during the week. This is where I found my "army." Check out our variety of Growth Groups we are offering starting in October here.

Are you driving near the edge today? Are you dipping your toe where it doesn't belong? Are you all alone or do you have an army at your disposable?  

Does anyone really ever have your full attention anymore? If I'm honest, I am rarely 100% involved in anything. I'm working on it but it's not easy! Some of you reading this are actually skimming through it and I'm ok with that. I get it.

We certainly live in an ADD world. It seems like everybody’s got Attention Deficit Disorder (some diagnosed by a doctor, some not yet diagnosed, but you know who I'm talking about) Our technology has left us constantly distracted which causes so many of us to no longer pay attention to the people around them.

How many people are sitting looking at their phone and texting when you enter a restaurant, your job, or even your home? Everyone's heads are always down, engrossed in these devices. (If you are currently with your head down reading this, please, at least, finish this blog.)

Several months ago, my wife and 2 children were driving when someone out of nowhere ran their car into us on the driver's side. The person would end up taking off. We were shocked. I never even thought to look at their license plate assuming for sure, they would pull over. No, they got right on the highway. We called the police and they stated how often this happens. (get license plates next time you're hit) But that's not the part of the story I want to share. My son who was 12 at the time (has since had a birthday) was so focused on his device in the backseat (driver's side) that 5 minutes after we were hit, he asked why we stopped. That scares me. (please do not bring this up to my son as not to embarrass him, just making a point). 

We, as a family, are putting more 'guardrails' on technology. For one, when we have company, we are not engrossed in anything other than our company. I'll say this for me....when someone is looking at their phone when I'm speaking, I feel disrespected. I'm sure it's not intentional but it really is how I feel. I'm sure some of you agree. 

Philippians 2:4, Pauls say, "Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Rick Warren says, "The greatest gift you can give somebody is your attention because your attention is your time.  You’re never going to get it back, and that’s why it is so precious when you give it."

Learning the lost art of paying attention is an act of love. It will transform your relationships and help you live a better and happier life.

In 30 years from now, we will all learn what restrictions we should have or should not have put on technology. 

Would you say you 'pay attention'? Are you a good listener? Has technology taken you away from others? We always love your feedback!