Another somewhat silly post...well, maybe not.

So, I've been making a very concerted effort to exercise everyday. I had been doing Taebo, but wanted a change and the only other tapes I have are by Richard Simmons. So for the last couple of days, that's what I've been doing.

I don't do them too often...not because of who he is or how he dresses (though I have issues with that)...I can't do them too often because at some point I always start to cry.

It's crazy I know, but true. I'll be there following along with the DiscoSweat or something, trying not to laugh when he attempts to dance, ignoring the shaved legs and his use of the word "sparkle" and suddenly I am choked up. It is usually just after he says "You're doing it!" or "I'm snapping for yoooou!"

It makes no sense to me. The man is ridiculous...he wears spangled tanks, short shorts and has the white man's equivalent of an afro...how I can cry rather than laugh is beyond me!

And as I typed that I heard "man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."

I don't know where he is with the Lord...from what I can surmise about his life, I would tend to think he has "god on his terms" (which may or may not involve the gospel). Nevertheless, God made him...died for him...and is using him (right where he is and right where I am) to get me (and countless others) up and moving.

Though I do tend to cry as I exercise with Richard, I still do enjoy his workouts more than any others I've ever done. Maybe it is just because I know he knows what its like to be fat or because I can tell he genuinely wants to help people. I don't know...but maybe the next time I get choked up I won't worry so much about why and be thankful that by God's grace I'm "doing it!" and that Richard even cares to snap for me.

And, perhaps, pray for him?

Sure beats stopping altogether...or laughing at him, right? Because if you think about it...really think about it...it really is the opposite of funny!

He is a fellow New Orleanian...here we peddle vain traditions and self-indulgence and tend not to see how they contradict the gospel. In fact it is only by God's grace that ANY see the truth. Perhaps that is where he is and thinks he is ok...or perhaps he is in Christ and just hasn't been conformed into His image yet. Only God knows the hearts of men...only the Shepherd knows his sheep...and only the sheep hear His voice. I guess that is a good place to start praying...that Richard would hear the voice of God, whether it be for the first time or not. That he would hear His voice and become conformed, either by surrendering his life and being born again OR by repenting and walking in truth with the Lord.