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Bible Christian God Health Scripture

Drinking & Smoking

Nearly 6 months ago I celebrated 10 years of sobriety. I quit drinking alcohol during the middle of a 14-day transatlantic cruise on the Carnival Freedom (its maiden voyage to the U.S.A. from Europe). I drank for about 22 years. I was mostly a binge drinker in that I could go days, weeks, and even months without drinking a drop of alcohol, but then I’d make up for it all at once – usually while on vacation somewhere. I asked God for His help – His intervention in this area of my life. He came through for me – just as He always does.

In a few days – on the 22ND of April – I’ll mark 10 years of being smoke-free. I quit smoking after over 30 years. I smoked cigarettes from age 11 to almost age 41. I tried quitting a few times previously, but it didn’t work out for me. Quitting smoking was far more difficult than quitting drinking. Yet again I asked God for His help, and I relied on Him in freeing me from yet another addiction. Yet again He was wildly successful. He is always successful. He never lets me down. His promises are genuine. His miracles are abundant.

I quit drinking 14 months into my salvation, and I quit smoking 20 months into my salvation. God said, “Come as you are”, and I did. Whatever addictions you may have. Ask God for His intervention. Believe that He will free you from those chains.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit – who lives in you and was given to you by God ?  You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT)

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Animals Astronomy God Health Home Life Travel Weather

The Major’s Walk-A-Thon

Time: 6:45 AM – 7:34 AM
Sky: Clear
Temperature: 60°F
Dewpoint: 55°F
Relative Humidity: 85%
Winds: Calm
Barometric Pressure: 30.18 Rising

On this cool and crisp 60°F Saturday morning in the middle of March of 2011 I embarked in the dark and I emerged in the light. I went on my first organized morning walk around my neighbourhood since the second day of January (11 weeks ago). It ultimately became my longest walk ever recorded over the past 39 months of these seasonal walks – 49.1 minutes / 2.6 miles.

It was a very peaceful and quiet walk at the dawn of a new day. Along the way of this twilight journey there was the dude that was walking his two cute little dogs, the stray dark brown feline that was minding his own bid-niz, the duck family (momma, poppa, sista, brotha), the stray large canine wandering around alone, and the mysterious drunk or drugged driver in the old beat-up white car that nearly ran me over – twice. Other than that it was just God and I have a relevant conversation with each other as I prayed to Him about everything that was on my mind at the time. He listened to me. I listened to Him. I trust. I believe.

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Astronomy Blogging Health Home Music Travel Weather

The Major’s Walk-A-Thon

Time: 6:07 AM – 6:51 AM
Sky: Mostly Clear
Temperature: 61°F / 16°C
Dewpoint: 61°F / 16°C
Relative Humidity: 100%
Winds: E 6 MPH
Barometric Pressure: 30.15 Rising

Sunrise occurred at 7:08 AM, so this 1ST walk of 2011 began a full hour and a minute beforehand. It began between what is known as astronomical twilight and nautical twilight. It ended during civil twilight. It was the twilight of a brand new day in this very young year of 2011.

As is usually the case my neighbourhood of the past 15½-years was peaceful and quiet at twilight. The serenity was overwhelming on this Sunday morning. As Switchfoot‘s lyrics suggest – This is home. Now I’m finally where I belong – where I belong. Yeah this is home. I’ve been searching for a place of my own.
Now I’ve found it. Maybe this is home. Yeah this is home.

This was a 43½-minute / 2.3-mile walk, so that brings me to a little over 13 miles – or just about halfway to my goal of a marathon (26.2-miles) of walking during this winter season.

Categories
Astronomy Blogging Health Home Travel Weather

The Major’s Walk-A-Thon

Time: 4:52 PM – 5:37 PM
Sky: Mostly Clear
Temperature: 76°F
Dewpoint: 63°F
Relative Humidity: 64%
Winds: S 12 MPH
Barometric Pressure: 29.85 Rising

Here are my walking thoughts in 15 words or less:

– Late yesterday afternoon I went on a vigorous 45-minute / 2.4-mile walk.
– It’s my longest walk of this young winter season thus far.
– I’ve now walked 10.7 miles towards my goal of a 26.2-mile marathon.
– I’ve enjoyed walking all around my brother’s MASSIVE neighbourhood.
– It’s continuous sidewalks all throughout it, and that makes walking safer.
– Before crossing the streets look both ways or else you could get run over.
– My brother’s neighbours are speed demons, so get out of their way !
– They’ve got to rush home to cook Dinner for the kids.
– Local sunset occurred at 5:21 PM, but dusk arrived before that.
– The sun disappeared behind the surrounding landscape earlier.
– This unusual North Texas heatwave continued, as the mercury hit 80°F.
– This unusual North Texas heatwave comes to a grinding halt soon.
– Temperatures will plummet for Thanksgiving Day (and night).
– When I depart from DFW on Friday night temps. will be in the low-40s.
– When I arrive at MIA late on Friday night it will be in the mid-70s.
– I’m looking forward to the consistent heat and humidity of South Florida.
– I’m especially looking forward to the reunification of me and my bed.
– I thought that this 2.4-mile walk would help me sleep better last night.
– It didn’t, so the only cure to a good night’s sleep is my bed back home.
– My next blog post will be on Saturday night for an all-new ‘Retro’.
– Maybe I’ll walk around my own neighbourhood on Sunday morning.
– These walks are dedicated to the memory of my Dad – William Lesley Day.