Who am I? Why am I here and What should I be doing?

That question has been asked many times. One time it was asked by the running mate for Ross Perot who seemed to be a bit overwhelmed by the national debate. There is no shame in asking that question.

Who ARE you? Only you can answer that question. You know YOU better then anyone on the planet. I always am amused at those who want to go out and find themselves when all they had to do is to set down and think about who they were and what they were about. What do you like? What drives you? What is your passion?

What ever that is that you love, do it with all your might! Don't limit yourself! I see people all the time that say, only if I could or should or would! Sometimes the only thing that is stopping us is our fears. What is there to be afraid of but fear itself?

Again, I will step up on my box and give my little sermon. Fear is the true enemy. Fear is a tool that Satan uses to minimize us, to control us, to manipulate and to make us powerless.

In Ephesians chapter six, the Apostle Paul who is writing to the Church of Ephesus, which was an old soldier writing to old soldier's, told them to "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."

A lot of times we are confused by the King James language but if you break it down it becomes very simple. He states to put on the WHOLE armour of God. What is that? Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, Sword of the Spirit with is the Word of God.

Did you notice that the enemy is NOT people? That's the reason that I know that it is wrong to have a "Jihad" or a Holy War against people! The war is against the Powers of Darkness!

You know as well as I do that every day we war against those Powers whether you believe it or not!
Who told you that Monday was the worst day of the week? The day is what YOU make it! If your day started out like crap it doesn't have to end like that!

I'm telling you that you have the power to stand up and be anybody that you want to be! Now what is that? What are you supposed to be doing on this planet? It's not watching TV! You are suppose to be doing something! What is it? We all have a calling to do something with our lives. If you think that you were born just to be mediocre then you are sadly mistaken.
The Bible has much to say about our calling.

• Romans 11:29 KJV

  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
  Read Romans 11 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• 1 Corinthians 1:26 KJV

  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
  Read 1 Corinthians 1 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• 1 Corinthians 7:20 KJV

  Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called .
  Read 1 Corinthians 7 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• Ephesians 1:18 KJV

  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened ; that ye may know what is the hope of hiscalling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
  Read Ephesians 1 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• Ephesians 4:4 KJV

  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
  Read Ephesians 4 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• Philippians 3:14 KJV

  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
  Read Philippians 3 | View in parallel | Compare Translations| Interlinear view

• 2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV

  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
  
  
  Incredibly the Holy Spirit worked thru the Apostle Paul to the letters wrote to the Churches in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Phillipi, and Thessalonica where he told them of their calling and their gifts.
  
  
  What kind of talent or gifts to you possess?
  Music, composition, negotiation, understanding, Art? What is your passion?
  
  
  Whatever it is you must do it with all of your might. You must be the best! You have been chosen!
  Now here is the one thing to remember. You are called to do something good, great and some thing that helps your fellow man. 
  Yes, what ever we do for God is powerful but with great Power comes great responsibility! If you do it for your glory, you will fall. If you do it for God's glory he will lift you to greatness unto the stars!
  
  
  Grasp your destiny! Be fearless! Enjoy your life! We are just in training for the next realm!

Some times you just have to do the right thing.

About a week ago, Sonia (my wonderful wife) and I was doing a little retail therapy and she always likes to go to Petsmart to look at the kitties. I took her there and we wondered thru the aisles and came to the kitty section.
I noticed that in the middle of the store there were some dogs. These were larger dogs. All mutts of course but were letting themselves be known at the customers going by. While Sonia looked at the cats, I meandered over to see the dogs.

Back in 2009, I had lost my two babies. Yes, I called my dogs my babies. I had Butterscotch since 1995. She was a beautiful golden retriever mix and then about a year or so later we found Oreo. She was a Bird Dog mixed with Beagle. She looked like a rather large dog on little short legs. They became friends and closer then sisters. Maybe more like lesbian lovers.

I remember one afternoon I was working in the garden pruning the roses, when I heard the little three year old boy from next door holler across the fence. "Mr. Ray, Mr. Ray what are those dogs doing?" I looked over and Oh my God! They were humping each other! I calmly told him that they were just playing leap frog and that because Oreo was so fat that she got stuck. It must have made sense to him because he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away with a confused look upon his face.

Butterscotch and Oreo was my buddies, my confidants and my babies. I enjoyed playing with them. I would throw a ball across the yard and because Butterscotch was so fast she would run out and get the ball. She was like my wide receiver. Then Oreo was more like my linebacker. She would attack Butterscotch who would just give the ball to Oreo and then Oreo would trot back to me and give me the ball, as if to say, "Look Daddy, I got the ball!"

In 2009 my Butterscotch died of old age and two weeks later Oreo died of a broken heart. It was a sad year for me because as they say, "It comes in threes." My Father, Dr. Elmo Peters died of complications to a stroke. It was a tough year.

I didn't know if I could have another dog or not. I had mourned the loss of two wonderful dogs and the passing of my Father.

I looked down and saw one dog to the left that was more like a slobber cannon because every time he barked slobber shot out three feet. No, that was just messy. I looked to the right and that dog was like on a speed ball and barking like crazy.
In the middle was this BullMastiff/ Labrador mix who was just sitting there looking at me like, "If you are not going to take me, just shoot me and get me out of my misery." I put my hand down into the cage and the beautiful brindled dog sniffed and started licking my hand. Sonia, came up beside me and looked at us. Sonia then said, "I think this dog likes you." I closed my eyes and said with a low voice, "Damn."

We filled out the paper work and paid $50 dollars. I took the dog out to the van while Sonia purchased a kennel and some other things to take care of the dog. Chew toys, food, snacks all of the regular things that you would get. I opened the back door of the van. I put the kennel in and opened the door. Surprisingly, the dog got into the kennel with no fuss at all.

We brought the dog home with no whimpering or barking or anything. We pulled up to the house and into the garage. I opened the door to the van and took the dog out of the kennel. We walked back to the back yard and opened the gate. We walked thru and closed the gate. I then unleashed the dog and let him free into the back yard. He trotted around as though he knew that this was home. Not a shelter or a foster home but home.
Soon Sonia opened the back door and he walked in. I went with him as he wondered thru the house. I told him what he couldn't touch with a loud AAAA! He looked at me as though he understood. To this day he has not touched those things. He has not chewed up any thing. He has not used the restroom in the house. Amazing since he is only 11 months old.
I think maybe he is the most intelligent dog that I have had to date.
I love him and he loves me. In fact, he is sitting in HIS chair in the office behind me watching me write this piece.
Had I not bought him, he probably would have went to a family that would not have understood him the way that I do. He has become what dogs are famous for .... my best friend.

Escape the Fat-Free Diet Trap

Today, supermarket shelves are packed with foods that call to dieters with the words “FAT FREE.” But as conscientious weight watchers load their shopping carts with fat-free foods week after week, many discover this alarming fact: Their weight is going up! Getting fat on fat-freeSince the fat-free craze began in recent years, statistics show we’ve actually grown fatter rather than thinner. Although we’ve been taught to think of fat as the culprit in the weight-loss battle, it isn’t the only one. That’s because a food that’s fat free isn’t necessarily calorie free. Many fat-free foods are actually very high in sugar and carbohydrate calories. And these calories, when eaten in excess, convert into the one thing we’ve been taught to avoid: fat! Lose the fat from your body, not your dietIronically, to burn fat and lose weight, you need a certain amount of “good fat.” That’s why Herbalife Weight-Management Programs stresses the importance of a well-balanced diet that includes enough good fats—like those found in fish and olive oil—along with Herbalife’s highly nutritious meal replacement shakes and snacks. By avoiding the fat-free craze and giving your body the complete nourishment it needs with Herbalife’s Cellular Nutrition supplements and weight-management products, you’ll steadily lose weight and feel healthier as you do it. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. www.sphealthnutrition.com

Catching you up on my journey.

To those that have known me for some time, know that I have been an obese person almost all of my life. I made a decision to be healthy and thinner in the future. Not because that people treat me different but just because of the fact that I'm tired of being fat! Now there are many names for what I am. Some say fluffy, obese, big bone, chubby, but I say fat. I'm being honest with myself! For the first time in my life, I am taking responsibility for my weight.
I have had doctor's in the past that has told me that I needed to lose weight and exercise. I agreed with them but when I ask for a diet or a exercise regimen there seemed to be a lot of confusion as well as hemming and hawing about what I should do. When I asked to speak to a nutritionist I was told that would cost me thousands of dollars in which I couldn't afford.

I have finally found something that works! I use this in conjunction with learning about portion size as well as what to eat and what NOT to eat. I never go hungry and when I need something to munch on or drink I have something nutritious to snack on! The really cool thing is that it taste so good! What is not to like?

If you don't like Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, Wild Berry, Cookies and Cream, Caffe Latte, or Pino Colada then you will hate this life style change.
In the morning instead of having coffee, I drink a glass of Lift Off that comes either in orange or lime to get my head working in the right direction and to give me plenty of energy while my hot water is boiling for my Tea.

The Tea come in three flavors of Raspberry, Peach or Regular. This has natural herbs in it to help me with digestion as well as helping me with cleansing my system!

After I finish that I take my vitamins and supplements that help me increase my metabolism, attack and flush my fat cells as well as keep my cravings at bay!

I then have a choice to make. Do I want my healthy colorful meal for breakfast? Lunch? or Dinner?

I'm going to be having anywhere from 3 to 4 protein shakes in a day, plus, 10-15 glasses of water that may include the hot or cold tea as well as mango or raspberry protein drink thru out the day.

What I'm doing is cranking up the protein, nutrients, minerals in my body and staying low on calories, carbs and junk!

I have been doing this now for about 4 months. In about 3.5 months I have gone from 386 pounds to 339 pounds and I feel very energetic and strong. I have lost 7 points on my BMI and I have lost over 27.5 inches on my body!

Yes I have 125 more pounds to go but I feel confident that I can do it!
If you would like to know how I did it just check out this great site where you can see other testimonials as well as register for FREE Health Assessment! They really can help you with your struggle to lose weight and maintain to keep it off!


www.sphealthnutrition.com

Here are some of my pictures so that you can see my progress. I'll have more to show you as I progress.

Come and get skinny with me!

www.rspetersonlinewellness.com

Epidemic of the 21st Century: Overweight, Sick Kids!

Fact: Children who watch TV while eating are twice as likely to eat "junk" food as opposed to fruits and vegetables.

Sadly, today's sedentary lifestyle for children is raising their risk of obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and other disorders. Discover how you can help reverse this alarming trend…

Shocking health realities

Today's parents are having their children’s pediatrician tell them that their 11-year-old son has Type 2 diabetes, or that their 16-year-old daughter has osteoporosis. The out-of-control lifestyles created by adults over the past 40 years has led to a 50% increase in the diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes—the kind of obesity-related diabetes once known as "adult onset" because it wasn’t usually diagnosed until age 50 or older.

Making wellness a family affair

We can reverse these trends if we start making eating healthy foods and increasing physical activity important to our children. Here are guidelines for dealing with overweight children:

• Have the child examined by a medical doctor to make sure he or she won’t have issues with losing weight.
• Children can begin their day with a Multivites vitamin tablet and a Kid Shake made with nonfat or soy milk.

Stopping the epidemic

Choose to set the example by picking up an apple instead of an ice-cream bar. Stop smoking. Turn off the television or computer—and instead, shoot some hoops with your children or go for a walk. Be sure to take your dog on your walks so that you won't have a fat dog at risk for diabetes and heart disease. (Yes, they develop the same diseases as humans!)

Let's make the 21st century the century of wellness, family values and a better quality of life. Let's start today.

You can come to my new web site to order some of these great products to help your children.

www.rspetersonlinewellness.com

MultiVites

Overview MultiVites fruit-flavored chewable multivitamins provide 100% Daily Value of key nutrients to meet growing kids’ daily needs. Fun sports shapes keep kids coming back for more. Key Benefits 100% of key nutrients. No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners! Herbs and botanicals, including soothing chamomile, ginger (which aids digestion"), plus rosehips and acerola–two powerful antioxidants. Kids love the TASTE!

Kids Shakes

Overview Herbalife Kids™ Shakes provide essential nutrition including protein, fiber and 100% of key nutrients to meet growing kids’ daily needs. Because they taste great, kids will ask for one every day—that’s the start of healthy eating habits they’ll rely on as they grow older. Three great flavors! Vanilla, Strawberry and Chocolate! Key Benefits 100% of key nutrients plus protein and fiber. No artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners! Herbs and botanicals, including soothing chamomile, ginger (which aids digestion"), plus rosehips and acerola–two powerful antioxidants. Quick to make and easy to take on the go. Kids love the TASTE!

Coming into Civitavecchia then on to Roma!

Don't feel bad if the name of the town is hard to say. No one get's it right but it is a wonderful little port where you can catch a bus to Rome. It is about an hour and a half to Rome. Beautiful landscapes but the Architecture is simply amazing.

Yes, there is a pyramid in Rome. 

This is a part of the wall that surrounds Rome.

Yes there is a lot of statues and monuments that hale the deeds of Generals, Soldiers, Hero's and of Rulers of Rome from Eon's gone by.

Do you remember the movie Ben Hur? This is the supposed place that those chariot races took place! So  NO Nascar did NOT start with moonshiners but Chariots, and I can prove it! So NASCAR did NOT start in 1948 but somewhere in 10 BC.

I can just here the announcer saying now, "Here they come out of turn number 3 with their 2 horse power Chariots! I hope that they don't trade any paint as the pull five wide at the end of the Turn!"

That Chevrolet Chariot is looking good with those modified spokes and Julius four spoke wheels!" The inspectors had to check this year to make sure there was no problems with the intake or the exhaust.

This building, Ladies, is called the Wedding Cake.

Yes, this is a part of the coliseum. The arches are huge.

The Arch of Triumph.

If you look at the arches to the left you can see how small the people are in comparison to the Arches.

Just one of the many Aquaducts that is left standing around Rome.

One of the small restaurants that we ate while in Rome. By the way Italians never eat Pasta for supper, because they feel that it is too heavy. Usually it's pizza. Go figure. When they do eat, they bring a large water first. Then Champaign, Then salad, then bread, then pasta, then chicken and vegetables, then wine, then the desert, usually Tiramisu. Then we have Lemoncello! This is a small liquor that is about 30% alcohol!

This fortress is just in case that the Vatican should be over run they can protect the Pope here.

The dome of St. Peters Basilica. 

Somebody has the big head around here!

Here is the beginning of the Cardinal Museum. Until just a few years ago, the public wasn't allowed to view this hall. Pope Paul allowed this to happen.

I couldn't help it. I just had to pet this old Wolf. Team Jacob! Woof!

Believe it or not this is probably the only sculpture of a muscular Christ in the World.

No, we are NOT in Vegas. These are all Tapestry's here in the Vatican.

The Gate leading out of the Museum into the square of St. Peter.

Stepping into St. Peters

Jesus and his apostles.

Looking up at the dome in the Basilica.

This is actually a mummified body of a Pope from the 10th Century. Eww!

The Swiss Guard.

Saint Peters Square.

After seeing the Statue of David I was very confident as a man. They Call me MISTER PETERS!

Now this is a bath tub! Made of Alabaster. 

We had a great time. If you are wondering, we did go thru the Sistine Chapel but you are not allowed to talk or talk on your cell or take pictures of the ceiling because it is copyrighted by a Chinese Company. Police are every where to keep you from breaking the rules.

As I said, I am NOT a religious man yet I am spiritual. There were somethings that interested me, some concerned me and others just annoyed me to see how silly people act. 

Over all I did enjoy the excursion and the trip. I do advise you to be careful and watchful because the pick pockets are everywhere! Do NOT try to drive there. The lines on the streets, the police officers and the traffic lights are simply for decoration. Take a bus or a authorized cab. BonJourno. 

Next Stop Port of Naples!