New BLOG address

My Blog has found a new address -- http://greggwbarbour.blogspot.com

Visit my updated page and start following me there!  This one will be deleted soon!

Blessings,

Pastor Gregg <><

Transformation

In February of 2011, I realized that something in my life had to change.  I had become stagnant, lazy, and tired.  I never had energy, and endured constant heartburn even if I wasn't eating spicy foods (which I love).  I got a little "twinspiration" when my brother told me he was going to start P90X.  I thought, "I have always been the skinny twin, and there's no way he's going to lose weight without me!"  I weighed in at a whopping 230 lbs.--the heaviest I'd ever been.  Those first few days were tough--fighting soreness, fatigue, and the desire to just give up after not seeing the six pack in 2 weeks.  I pressed through with the motivation and accountability of my brother and my wife who was doing the program with me.  I lost about 15 lbs, and I was hooked.  I did it again, and then graduated to Insanity, and then back to P90X, and then to P90X2.  All in all, I've lost almost 50 lbs, and am in the best shape of my life.  I'm here to tell you that P90X, Insanity, and P90X2 works.  I'm currently doing a P90X/RevAbs hybrid, and hoping that this is the phase that helps me to say good-bye to that spare tire and hello to my six pack abs that I never saw in those first two weeks of P90X.  


I was looking through old pictures and was amazed at the transformation.  Not only in my looks, but my life as well.  I have energy to run around with the kids, play basketball on a rec team with guys 10 years younger than me, and I haven't had a single heartburn in almost a year.  I was using Prevacid, and other OTC drugs for this and haven't had to take a single pill since I changed my life.  I'm also using Shakeology to help with the weight loss, energy, and overall health.  You gotta get on board if you are looking for a change!  I loved it so much that I decided to become a coach.  Visit my page at www.beachbodycoach.com/pastorgregg42 for more information!

The Power Of Encouragement

I have never been a person who describes myself as having the gift of "encouragement."  Though, I often try to encourage people, it just doesn't come as naturally to me as to other people.  I am often struck, however, by the power of a positive encouraging word in someone's life.  

I have been watching shows like American Idol, and the Voice, where people receive honest feedback, are often let down by harsh truths, or even feel left out because they weren't part of something they've been dreaming about their entire lives.  One of the coaches on the Voice, after not hitting the button to turn his chair around, told the girl she was "pitchy," and then he said, "but, you're beautiful, so congratulations on that."  I thought it was funny at first...I even laughed out loud.  As I thought about that a little more, there were a couple of things that struck me.  1. He realized that he didn't want to completely crush her feelings by telling her the truth, so he stuck in a compliment, an encouragement.  It probably would have felt like throwing a dagger, to just end his comment with "sorry we didn't pick you, it was pitchy."  I completely understand that.  2. How often are our "encouragements" superficial?  "You're beautiful." "Great hair." "Nice hat."  Now I get that we want to comment on people's style, their look, but why can't we be more genuine with our encouragement?  "I really like your hat" doesn't go as far as, "Wow!  I'm really intrigued by your style."  Or something that comments beyond the normal, everyday encouragement, and speaks of something deep within a person.

  I'm always struck whenever I receive an encouragement that I never expected, or from someone that I never expected.  I got a facebook message tonight from an old friend that went to elementary school with me.  We also shared a workplace in high school, but I never would have expected to receive an encouragement from someone that I don't really interact with on a daily basis.  It was wild, and it really meant a lot!  Sure, he could have said a number of different things and I would have been happy, but he also spoke to something in my life at the moment that I needed to hear it, in the midst of some of my own insecurities and weaknesses.  

  A well timed encouragement can go a long way--it may not even matter if it's about someone's look, style, hair-do, or singing voice--but if it's genuine, and more so, if it's lead by God (you just get that feeling that you have to tell them) then it may very well make all the difference in the world.  

  Thanks, friend, for a well timed, God-lead, encouragement.