Starting New

Hello
So this is my first time ever blogging, but I thought that I would try something new.  I am hoping to try posting everyday, but realistically I will probably be posting every week.  I will talk about my new weight loss endeavor, and hopefully be giving you updates on my weight loss (since I currently don't have a scale that may be a little hard).  My goal weight loss is at least 20 lbs. (for now) with my total weight loss goal being about 70 lbs.  I am 5'6 and weigh 220 lbs. (there now everyone knows) and I never feel good.  I am really out of shape and I need to get back into shape.  I used to play volleyball and softball, and I was at least somewhat fit, but I have been out of high school now for three years, and I have lost all of my stamina.  I am going to try really hard to stick with my workout and eating routine, but I know that I will not be able to do it without some encouragement from others, and help from God.

One other thing that my roommate and I have started is reading a chapter out of the Bible everyday.  We usually read these as night, then we write down what we each thought from the chapter, and then we share it with each other.  I would also like to share that with you.  Since we read at night, I will post what I got from the chapter the day after I have read it.  Please feel free to let me know what you think, and what you have learned from this chapter, if you have read it.

Today will be the third day that my roommate and I will be doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred.  It has been intense so far, but I know that it is only going to get harder.  I want to be able to go all the way through the workout this time.  We have also started trying to eat healthier...so far so good.  We are simply trying to eat less of the foods that we normally eat, and eating some healthier foods when we snack.  We are also trying to cut back on the soda, which is really easy when you don't have any in your house, and have no money to go and buy any.  I also have to work today at 3 and won't get off till probably around 10 so I will be eating there, and nothing there is even close to healthy, so I don't want to eat a lot.

Last night my roommate and I (her name is Tish so I will call her that from now on) read Matthew 2.  We have decided to start studying the book of Matthew.  Matthew 2 is about the wise men coming to visit the baby Jesus, and about Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fleeing to Egypt because Herod wants to kill Jesus.  I have a study bible so I do have some notes from there.  When this chapter talks about the wise men, wise men referred to priests and experts in mysteries in Persia and Babylon, but by this time period it applied to a wide range of people whose practices included astrology, dream interpretation, study of sacred writings, the pursuit of wisdom, and magic.  It is amazing that these wise men, who were not followers of God to the point that they practiced magic, still chose to come all the way to Bethlehem (about 900 miles) to worship Christ.  This just shows the power that God has.  Also, when Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt, they continue to show their faith and trust in God, when they listed to the dreams that god sends them, and flee.
I guess I will talk about Matthew 1 too.  Matthew 1 talks about Jesus' genealogy and the birth of Jesus.  The inclusion of 5 women in Jesus' genealogy - Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary - is unusual, since descent was usually traced through men as the head of the family.  Rahab and Ruth were Gentiles, and Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba were women of questionable character.  The lineage is comprised of men, women, adulterers, prostitutes, heroes, and Gentiles - and Jesus will be Savior of all.  The name "Jesus" specifies what he does ("God saves"), while the messianic title "Immanuel" specifies who he is ("God with us").  The birth of Jesus is nothing short of a miracle.  No woman has ever been pregnant without sleeping with a man before Mary, and now woman ever will be again (unless God so chooses).  The fact that Mary didn't question the angel that came to her, and Joseph didn't question the angel that came to him, shows that they both have extreme faith and trust in God.

That is what I have for the first two chapters of Matthew.  I hope you find my notes helpful and enlightening.  The only way to gain understanding of what the Bible says is to read it, and pray that God will give you the understanding.  I cannot give you the answers, but I will certainly try to help.

I think that is all I have for my first ever blog.  I am sorry if it is kind of long, I am unsure of what a good blog length is supposed to be since this is my first time ever blogging.

Thanks.