Update on BrotherJim

12/03/2010

I have been on Bloop on and off for many years, actually since the beginning. I have been involved in some of the Drama, been the source of some of the drama and left Bloop because I was sick of all this Drama. So you might be asking a simple question, why then would you come back to this community and open yourself up for more of the same? That is a good question. Hopefully the answer is that I will not participate in the Drama that can occur and instead just share my life here on Bloop as I believe I have matured not only in my personal life, but also in my faith and my discipleship in the LORD.

So what is new with BrotherJim. The first and most obvious think that has changed in my life is I have gotten serious about being more healthy, making better decisions, and losing some weight. Last year I lost a total of 68 pounds using the TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY PROGRAM. We meet weekly to encourage one another, weigh in, and get some much need therapy concerning healthy eating, exercise and other life lessons. Soon I will post my entire story, but for now I will just hit the highlights. The end result of my weight loss is I went from a Size 44 pants to a 34, and from a XXL shirt to a Large. I have ran 3 10K races, finishing them all within the TOP 30-40% of all runners and have hiked 7 high peaks in the Adirondack Mountains, and took a recent trip to Yosemite National Park hiking the Panoramic Trial and Yosemite Falls trail.

I was honored by TOPS as the International Division 3 Second Place Winner for weight loss and they flew me to Nova Scotia to receive my award from the President of TOPS. I was elected leader to our local TOPS chapter and have achieved my KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly) status one year ago achieving my weight loss goal.

I presently am attending Oasis Christian Fellowship here in Rochester New York. I am involved in several ministries including "The Gauntlet" a men's Bible Study where like Iron sharpens Iron we lift one another up in teaching, prayer and fellowship. I am also involved in "The Hallway Ministry" where I play guitar and my daughter and I sing Praise and Worship songs to greet and inspire the brothers and sisters as they arrive for morning services. Finally, I am also involved in a music outreach at Hope Chapel leading music to a new and developing church.

I also am involved in another outreach not affiliated with Oasis Christian Fellowship teaching and leading worship for a wonderful group of Assisted Living Adults. It is really wonderful to see how God has put our group together and leadership where to be honest I don't even see their so called handicaps and only see the loving Christians they are. It always inspires me that I go there to minister to them and very often it is I who am ministered to by the love, faith, and genuine concern for others.

I guess that is a pretty good update to start. Hope someone reads this. My old hands can't deal with useless typing. BTW...if you read this and you are involved in management. Could I get my old name back please if possible.