This book is a primer that compares and contrasts Dispensationalism with Covenant Theology. The author does an admiral job of presenting the material without overly favoring either side of the debate. While I suspect he is dispensational as his explanations of that system seemed more in depth, it is actually not readily apparent in the material (heck, I may even be wrong in my suspicions). This short book will provide the reader with an introduction to the two systems and does a fine job doing so. I did find myself wishing he had gone slightly more in depth, however, that may have been outside the goal of this little work.
For all those interested in the debate and may be striving to formulate their own theological lens, this book should aid in the process.
Last year I wrote a series of posts sharing my experience when I first began taking the medication Mounjaro. I was prescribed this medicine for my Type 2 Diabetes, and It along with similar medications like Ozempic, Wegovi, and Zepbound have become all the rage. Because of their popularity, I thought sharing my experience would be beneficial. I’ve now been on the medicine for a year, having titrated from the starter dose of 2.5 mgs up to 12.5, and thought this would be a good time to provide yet another update.
Honestly, there’s not much to report, other than the medicine continues to be a Godsend for me. The side-effects are virtually nonexistent. There are no stomach issues for me, no constipation, and virtually nothing that could be considered negative. Meanwhile, the medicine continues to work. How so? My daily calorie intake hovers each day from between 1400-2000 calories. I rarely eat more than 2,000 because as I approach that much food for the day I feel very full – uncomfortably so. My portions are naturally restrained and I have the ability to control myself. There is no food noise and while I do get cravings for certain foods from time to time, I rarely overeat. That’s all mounjaro. Prior to the medicine, I could easily eat two to three times an appropriate amount of food in one sitting and controlling my food intake involved much more white-knuckled restraint. Now, it comes easier to me.
My weight has settled in at between 210-215 lbs. It’s a good weight for my 6’2″ frame and I feel good here. I’ve basically stopped losing weight and I’m starting to feel like my “set-point” has started to reset. Prior to the medication, my weight would naturally gravitate back to 270 lbs and fight to stay there. I feel like it has started to settle in at 215 now and I am happy with that. Last month, I had a full slate of blood work and tests completed and all were stellar. Most notably, my A1C was 5.1 which isn’t even pre-diabetic levels.
The only possible negative impact I have noticed that may be associated with mounjaro is my endurance, or rather my lack of endurance. I run long distance for fun and am currently training to work my way back up to 30+ plus mile runs. Currently I feel good up to around seven miles and then my body tanks. Basically, I hit a brick wall. I can’t help but wonder if things are working different now that I’m on mounjaro …. so I’ll be experimenting with the amount of calories I take in on long runs to try and work my way through it.
The main frustration with my experience now remains to be access to the medication. Will the pharmacies have it when I need it? It continues to be touch and go with the supply and that is a constant source of frustration and worry. I have no desire to go off this medication and will continue to take it as long as I can find it and my insurance pays for it, so I am praying those issues get worked out.
I continue to see mounjaro as a miracle medication. I am thankful for it.
The Method of Christian Theology: A Basic Introduction, RhyneR. Putman, 2021, B&H Academic: Intended as an introduction to Christian theology, this book provides an excellent overview of the ins and outs of theology. Putman covers a wide array of subjects that will help the Christian understand the practical application of theology and why it’s important to the student of Scripture. This work will help the reader put religious experience in the right perspective in relation to Scriptural truth. Additionally, the reader will begin to associate right belief with right practice. I especially enjoyed Putman’s treatment of expository preaching as well as sections dedicated to writing theological papers and sermons. Honestly, I wish this little book had existed when I was in school as it serves as a great primer for writing academic papers.
For a student of God’s Word, I highly recommend this book. It is accessible for the average reader and will greatly enhance an honest study of Scripture.
I thought I was about to read a book about ultra runner Sally McRae’s exploits training and hitting the trails. I was so wrong. What I got was a memoir of McRae’s childhood of trauma and abuse. McRae’s story Is both transparent and heartbreaking, yet ultimately it is a study of thriving over mere survival. McRae’s faith, learned from her mother, is always present throughout her story. If that faith is her anchor, running serves as her sails.
I was touched by the author’s honesty and believe this book would be beneficial for anyone who is dealing with the memories of childhood abuse. Great book.
The older I get, the less patience I have for fiction. If a story fails to grab my attention in the first few pages, I cast it aside with zero regret. Life is too short to read bad fiction. The Devil Won’t Keep US Apart by first time author Shane T. Clark managed to keep my attention to the very end. Part mystery and part thriller, The Devil Won’t Keep US Apart is at its best when exploring the complex relationships within the story. The characters are engaging, believable, and draw the reader in. As the story unfolded, I found myself actively trying to solve the mystery, yet never quite figured it out. This is a great effort by a first time author and I look forward to reading more from Shane T. Clark.
Word of warning to sensitive readers, there are some intense scenes within the pages of this story and some foul language, but nothing that felt too gratuitous.
I have now spent three full months on the diabetes medication Mounjaro. I have settled in on the 5.0 mg dose for the last two months and have no interest in titrating up in dosage unless I stop seeing its benefits. At this point, nearly all negative side effects have vanished. I did have some moderate nausea in week 10, after injecting the medicine into my thigh, but had no issues the following week after returning to my normal belly injections.
I am still steadily losing weight, having lost over 35 lbs since starting the medication. While Mounjaro has been a tremendous tool to help me make progress, I have also tightened up my diet and increased my running and hiking miles. My calorie intake is consistently around 1300-1400 per day. I also eat very low amounts of processed sugar and consume a “lowish” amount of carbs.
There are still certain foods that have little appeal to me. Basically, anything with spice or intense flavor. I am relying on bland foods such as chicken, salmon, asparagus, nuts, and cheese. I did manage to eat some pizza on a work outing with no ill effects, and interestingly enough, I had no desire to continue eating it … which is a dramatic mental shift for me.
As of this writing my weight is 243 lbs. Down from 278 at the start of Mounjaro. My sugar levels have been pretty decent, though I have had some isolated highs and lows. Most surprising is that my blood pressure has improved. I did not expect that. I have set a goal weight of 220 … I was at that weight in 2021 when I completed the Fuzzy Fandango 50k trail run and my fitness level was far greater than it is right now. I’m hoping that with Mounjaro, I can recapture, and then sustain, that magic!
In this easy read, author Richard Gallegos details his journey from addiction to ultra running. In a memoir that is reminiscent of Mike Magnuson’s Heft on Wheels, Gallegos seemingly moved from one end of the spectrum to the other. His transformation is really quite astounding and should offer hope to anyone who feels too lost to find recovery. In reality, Gallegos seemed to channel his addictive personality for good, replaced a harmful addiction to drugs and alcohol with an addiction to ultra running. I was impressed as much with his transparency as I was his endurance. There is some foul language, and some gory depictions from his career as an EMT. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the world of ultra running and/or recovery. I found it on Amazon for my kindle and at the time of this writing, it is free for those with a Kindle Unlimited account.
The Dying 2 Self Podcast returns for the second season absolutely no asked for! In this episode, I will discuss in great detail my experience with the Optavia Weight Loss Program and introduce the new Youtube Channel. I’ll also reveal what I’ve been up to since the first season.
Just a short post to update my progress on Mounjaro …
On Saturday, April 8th, I took my 8 weekly shot of Mounjaro. At this point, the side effects as far as nausea and constipation have mostly waned. I am still experiencing appetite suppression and there are certain foods (even some that I once loved) that nearly turn my stomach at the thought of consuming. These foods are mostly high sugar and processed carb-laden foods. Pizza, burgers, chips, and candy have zero appeal to me at the moment. Which astounds me due to my legendary snacking ability!
Progress
So far, just over seven weeks in, I have lost a total of 24.1 lbs on Mounjaro. I have also begun monitoring my blood sugar and blood pressure more consistently. Through the use of a Libre 2 Constant Glucose Monitor, I have been able to keep a close watch on my sugar and over the last week or so my numbers have been phenomenal. I have also started seeing some better blood pressure readings as of late. Having read some good things about Mounjaro’s impact on BP, I’m hoping this trend continues.
Moving Forward
The good news is my insurance company finally delivered the approval for me to continue my Mounjaro regimen. Being Type 2 Diabetic, I had sincerely hoped and prayed this would finally happen and for the next year at least it appears I am covered.
For my third month on the medication, I will continue on the 5.0 dose. My plan is to remain on 5.0 for as long as I am having results.
I am blessed to be on this medication and it continues to give me the edge when it comes to my relationship with food. Mounjaro this far continues to be a miracle drug.
As He prepared His disciples for the cross, Jesus instructed them on how to honor God with their lives. In Chapter 13 of John’s Gospel, Jesus commands them to love another, just as I have loved you … [in fact] by this everyone will know you are that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:31-3531 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.” 33 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’” 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In Bible study this week, I asked the group to describe how Jesus had demonstrated love to His disciples and there were several responses … but they all boiled down to one thing: Jesus loved His disciples sacrificially. That is, He continually put their needs ahead of His own in humility … even to the point of giving His life on the cross.
And then He tells them in verse 34 to love one another in the same way.
Can you imagine loving your fellow Christians in the same way Jesus loves you? This verse makes me wonder if Jesus is speaking metaphorically. Certainly He doesn’t actually mean we are supposed to give our lives for one another does He?
Jesus repeats this command in John Chapter 15, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12-13). In all honesty, there are not too many people I would willingly, without question, lay down my life for. My wife, kids, or grandkids? I sure hope so. My dogs? Probably. But beyond that I’m not so sure. I’ve often said that this is one of the reasons we need to honor our military, law enforcement, and first responders as they willingly lay down their lives for others. This kind of sacrificial love takes courage … maybe this is why I’m going Jesus is speaking metaphorically in these passages. But then it occurred to me who the immediate audience was for these words. Jesus is speaking to all believers, but He speaking first to His disciples …. and these men He spoke to would all, with the exception of John, sacrifice their lives for their faith in Jesus. Jesus wasn’t just speaking in hyperbole, He was preparing the Apostles for not only His death but also for their own.
I certainly hope and pray I am never asked to lay down my life in brutal manner. But I find it remarkable what Jesus does here. He tells the Apostles, “By this they will know you are mine, but your love for one another”. And in turn, they gave their lives for their faith. Apologist and author Lee Strobel says, “People will not die for their religious beliefs if they know that their religious beliefs are false.” His argument is that the apostles were all in a position to know if they resurrection was true or not and, based on their martyrdom, we know they each one of them expressed their belief in and their love for Jesus in the manner of their deaths. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
The kind of love modeled by Jesus and mimicked by the Apostles is rare. So rare that the Apostle Paul wrote, “6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).
This all might leave you wondering …. why would Peter die for the Church? Why would Phillip or Thomas or Paul die for the Church?
Why? Based on our passage, they answer has got to be love. The Apostles gave their life for their love for the Church and for their love of Christ. Jesus said it is by this love that we would know they were His. And their sacrifice points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God demonstrates His one love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
As believers, we may not be asked to give our very life, but we will be asked to sacrifice for others. We will be asked to put others needs ahead of our own. We will be asked to give of our time, resources, and talents …. and in a small way, when we show this sacrificial love for others, everyone will know we belong to Jesus. And we point them to the cross.
DYING 2 SELF 