Weight Loss in Romania
Posted by James MacDonald on May 28, 2007 09:50 PM | Comments (14)Well, I am back from a wonderful trip to the eastern European country of Romania. My second son Landon and I went together and had an amazing time. Though we were treated to constant hospitality and strong pressure to eat, eat, eat. I am happy to report that I didn't gain any weight. I didn't lose mind you, I'm still at 221, but I did not gain and for me that is a real 'road victory.' I'm back in Chicago now and back on the plan to get my weight down into the single 200's before Luke and Kristen's wedding in five weeks. Keep praying for me. How are you doing, those of you who have taken the challenge???? Here's some more exciting info on Romania . . .
Romania was a Communist dictatorship until 1989 when Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena were shot by a firing squad after a secret military tribunal found them both guilty of genocide and undermining the national economy. A stunned reaction from the public gave way to scenes of delight and a public outpouring of celebration on the streets. (You can view his trial and execution on youtube.)
Touring the lavish government building he built, one of the largest and most ornate buildings in the world, while his people literally starved to death was a strong testament to his blindness and cruelty.
While these headlines seem very far away in western minds, they are very real and influential in Romania today.
Landon and I were greatly blessed to preach last Saturday evening at an evangelistic event in a public auditorium in Irad, Romania. There was standing room only, but the best standing were those who got to their feet at the end of the message to publicly profess their faith in Christ. 
On Sunday a.m. we preached to hundreds over two services at Metanoia, our Harvest Bible Fellowship Church plant in Irad. We were warmly hosted by the church and its elders and considered it a great privilege to minister God's Word to them.
After a Monday of site-seeing, including the famous Dracula castle, we made our way to Sinniea, a lovely little city that hosted a pastors conference for more than 400 Romanian pastors. Cristian Barbosa, the pastor of Metanoia, was the main organizer and host of the event. I was amazed at the hunger and humility I saw in the pastors and it was a great joy to preach God's Word and encourage such a dedicated group of His followers. The worship was contemporary and heartfelt and the passion for God's Word was evident even through the awkwardness of translation. Many hearts were touched, and we came home grateful to God for the thrill of being used in this way. Our respect for Cristian and his wife Anne deepened for their tireless efforts for Christ and His kingdom in this challenging, but beautiful part of the world. 
I have been pondering a few questions since I got home:
> Why does it always seem that people who have been through more have a greater or more obvious beauty of spirit?
> Why does it seem like people who have little are more grateful for what they 'do' have?
> Why is it that most places in the world I preach are hungrier for and more committed to God's Word than the churches I have been to in America?
> How is it that they can do so much with so little, and we seem at times to do so little with so much?
If I thought the answers to these questions were easy, I would answer them. Right now I am just thinking them through, and expressing my gratitude to God for the privilege of traveling around the world to preach and teach His Word.
james
Comments
Posted by: Dan | May 29, 2007 11:24 AM
Thanks for a great report from Romania, James. You are right, these are hard questions and the answers are even harder to come up with.
Dan
Posted by: Al | May 29, 2007 02:56 PM
Hi James,
I'm a listener of Walk in the Word, and I thought I'd share some weight loss tips that I was taught. I joined a study at the University of Minnesota a little over a year ago and was able to go from 270 to 205. I'm a 6'2", 47 year old male. You said you'd like to lose most of the weight in 5 weeks, and that's doable since the fastest loss comes at the beginning of a program. I just checked my log, and I lost 30 lbs in the first 5 weeks. Here's some tips that I think will help you. It takes 12 calories to maintain 1 lb of weight. If your goal weight is 200 lbs, it's simply 12x200 or 2,400 calories/day. If you drop that by 500 calories to 1,900/day, you'll lose weight pretty quickly. If you add some exercise, you'll melt away (it's all in the numbers..hard exercise burns 10 calories/minute, moderate 7.5 cal/min, & easy 5 cal/min). When you count calories, you have to count everything..everything..that goes into your mouth. We counted calories for 8 weeks, and it was a drag, but it opened my eyes to what a true serving size really was..I was pretty clueless. The people in the study that have been the most successful in losing and keeping the weight off, share two things...1) weigh themselves every day, 2) get 60 minutes of exercise every day. I crammed too much info into this post, and left off a lot of details, but I hope you can sort through it and get something useful. Blessings to you..Al
Posted by: Trey | May 30, 2007 08:23 AM
James -
I struggle with your questions, too. It reminds me of Paul's words in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 4 and his challenge to the Corinthians regarding their wealth.
Considering what even the "poorest" American has today compared to the "rich" Corinthians...I wonder what Paul would say to us...to me.
I believe the answers to your questions lay in our belief that we don’t “need†God, like those of the persecuted and/or poor Churches of the world like Romania.
Trey
Posted by: Carol | May 30, 2007 08:53 AM
Congratulations on your "victory". Trips/vacations are difficult and not showing a gain is a huge success. It's only by His strength!
I've been staying on track with my healthy eating. I don't weigh every week so I don't have any numbers to report.
Posted by: sharon | May 30, 2007 03:04 PM
A freaky thing happened over the weekend that got me thinking. Some lady, who claimed to be from our family doctors office called my 24 year old daughter and told her that my biopsy came back positive and I had cancer. She said she was very concerned I hadn't told anyone so she decided to break doctor/patient confidentiality. I haven't been to the doctors since November. Needless to say, it isn't true and my doctors office is horrified. There is no such woman by that name and either this woman was trying to hurt me and my daughter or the reputation of my doctor. I began to think, "if the cancer diagnosis was true, would I be ready to meet Jesus and ready to have those books opened. It scared me. Not the idea of cancer but not being as ready as I thought. I can't explain where I am at right now but it's not on my knees. I am, however, pretty sure that this heart heaviness is that awesome, amazing Spirit of God pressing in. What does it take to completely surrender and stay there? Without going through what so many others have had to go through why is it so hard to live a grateful life? Maybe the people in those other countries have had to come to the end of themselves and completely rely on the mighty arm of the Lord while people like me haven't gotten there yet. The crisis. I thank God, our Father, that no matter how I am feeling now I know where to turn. I am glad I read your blog on Romania and the questions you pose. I needed to ask these questions of myself.
Thank you brother.
sharon
Posted by: Heather | May 30, 2007 03:18 PM
Congrats on staying even! Sometimes, that is such a victory. I was down 1 pound last week and even this week, so I am also counting that as a positive because of the Memorial Day weekend! Let's keep up the good work.
Posted by: traci | May 31, 2007 09:52 PM
funny, you ask a question that is so important and has so much depth yet we would rather speak about your weight loss. Sad, this world that we live in called America.
I lived in Mexico for 8 year and I must say that I learned more over there then I ever did here in my entire life.
My sister in law and her family make a average of $14,ooo a year. A year. Not a month. She has 4 children. She just turned 65 and married her husband when she was 14. Last year she buried her son. He was her oldest and all his life struggled with drinking. She buried him just days after his 43 birthday. I see everything that she goes thru and talk to her almost everyday. I would trade my life for her's in a minute. She is so closse to her 3 daughters. She has such a wonderful relationship with her husband. They are the best of friends. And the best thing is this James, her walk with the Lord puts me to shame. I go to Harvest. I know your teachings. Here is something, she came up from Mexico to come hear you speak after her son died. She has more faith in the Lord then anyone I have ever met. Sometimes they dont have food to eat. They will eat beans and bread. Yet, she thanks the Lord. They dont have money for bills. But she praises the Lord for the love of her family. They dont have a stone for her son's grave. But she thanks the Lord everyday that she goes to his grave that she had her son. Today they put fresh dirt there to mark the year anniversary of his death. She thanked the Lord for the dirt.
At Christmas she put a little tree there that someone stole. She prayed for them.......I could go on and on, but I think you got the point. I have a son from her brother. I had him when I was 17. Never married. My family never accepted him because he is half Mexican. Twice a year we travel down there to see his family. Never once have they made me feel that I am not a part of that family anymore. I can truly say that after all theses years (my son is 25) I have learned more from them and from being there then I have ever learned anywhere else.
I love the Lord with all my heart and thank him for my son, my health, and for the simple things like water that not everyone has.
I thank the Lord for my health. Even though it has failed me, I can go to a dr and get med's and have choices!
I thank the Lord for my church and my leaders. Even though I do not always agree with them I have choices and I have the right to attend Harvest and to also pray in the open and to worship publicly.
I thank the Lord for my job. Being a single women that I can go to work and support myself and my son. That I live in a country that I am allowed to do that.
I have so little. But I have so much. I have a sister in law that has shown me that through all these years, that she has always loved me. No matter what color I am. She always prays for me. No matter what sin I have done. She always, always, goes to church and thanks the Lord for everything good that he has provided for her. She is never with anger, bitterness or hatred towards anyone or anything.
My prayer. Ha. Is that one day, I can grow up to be just like her. She always says this," If it isn't a kingdom issue and it does not glorifly the Lord that we should not be involved in it. Simple!"
Yes, it is. She lives her life simple. For the Lord. Not for people. Not to people please. Not to show off. Not to show boat. Just to glorify the Lord in all she does.
WOW.
She cried when she came to Harvest. Funny. Harvest would cry if they met her!
Posted by: Don | June 1, 2007 02:28 PM
I too have been in countries other then our own. I've been going to Ndola, Zambia since the year of 2000 and quite frankly, it brings tears to my eyes just thinking about their situation there. At the same time despite the obvious depair there is an unbelievable sense of "I am my brother's keeper" attitude. Also the remarkable joy in spite of suffering is undeniable while going from house to house and bringing the word of God.
Yes, I too come back to the United States and the tears once again flow from my eyes. Realizing our hardened hearts, our lack of love, our in "need of nothing" attitude, and most of all our indifference toward to Word of God.
When I say "Our" I really mean mine. Isaiah was right when He said, "Woe to me! I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." (Is. 6:5).
Maybe the reflection we see is the Holy One opening our eyes wider then we could see while living in our own culture. It's Christ Holiness in one culture becoming a light to the areas of sinfulness of our own culture.
May God grant us His Grace and Mercy to respond to His Holy Spirit's leading.
Thanks
Don
P.S. If you need someone to go next time, count me in.
Posted by: Mike | June 2, 2007 10:47 PM
James,
Praise the Lord for your opportunity in Romania, God is at work,isn't He!
We as a church will have finished the "Downpour" curriculum as you read this. What a "Downpour" of God's blessings we experienced as God's people consistently studied and came prepared weekly for the Word. I thank the Lord for His faithfulness in our church.
Pastor Mike
Posted by: Felix | June 3, 2007 03:46 PM
Pastor MacDonald.
I don't claim to have any answers to your questions. However, I can share my past with you and hope it may shed some light on your questions. I grew up very poor. My brothers and I lost my dad to lukemia when I was 9 years old. Before he died, he taught me about God. After he passed away, there were times we had no food, and in some cases, nowhere to sleep. From my personal experiences, when I had to depend on God for everything, food, shelter and clothes, it heightened my senses to what really matters in life. It made me appreciate the little things some people take for granted. It brought me closer to God. God has literally pulled me from the ashes. I am so thankful for everything I have today, my job, home, wife, car, FOOD. However, I know how quickly these things can be taken away. Literally, they can be gone in a moment. One of my favorite verses is from Job. "The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." Sometimes, when I complain about food or the type of car I am driving, or just things in general, I remember the times when I had nothing but faith in God. Needless to say, I shut my mouth and stop complaining. I can't begin to say how much I love my God. Jesus rocks!
Posted by: Roger | June 3, 2007 04:47 PM
Pastor James,
God bless the righteous work you do in the name of Christ Jesus.
I am grateful for the positive changes Christ has worked in me through your word.
I am puzzled, though, by the invitation above to view the execution of a fellow human being.
Consider what has happened in our country since we began viewing violence on a screen before our eyes...
Gratuitous exposure to violence: leading us TO salvation...or AWAY from it?
Editor:
The just execution of a criminal is not gratuitous violence. It is the responsibility of government to avenge wrongdoing according to Romans 13:1ff. Just executions for pre-meditated and irrefutably proven murder should be public. The goal of making such executions public is to bring fear upon all who witness them. I believe strongly in capital punishment as a deterrent to crime and a biblical response to pre-meditated murder. God was honored and God's Word was upheld in the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu who slaughtered thousands of innocent people who were found in mass graves. For further study review the Walk in the Word message "What does the Bible say about Capital Punishment." Here's the link:
http://walkintheword.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WBS01
Posted by: IULIAN | June 4, 2007 03:55 PM
I am one of those more than "300" who was in Sinaia, Romania, a couple of weeks ago.
I was deeply moved by what I've heard in those magic days from God through you. But I am also very encourraged by the beautiful words (in that rhetorical style) you've posted about Romanian pastors.
May Lord bless you, your family and the ministries you are involved in.
IULIAN D.
Posted by: Roger | June 4, 2007 09:58 PM
The JUST EXECUTION of a criminal is not gratuitous violence.
Agreed.
But that's not the issue.
The issue is an unnecessary invitation to view graphic violence.
I've listened to Pastor James 's message on capital punishment and I whole-heartedly agree with him.
BUT, viewing any more violence than is absolutely necessary is... morbid.
Where does the Bible state we ought to SEEK OUT opportunities to WITNESS- even just -violence?
It's terrible about what happened to the people of Romania and justice was carried out and hopefully all who had to see it were filled with the fear of God.
But, for the rest of us...
No. Do not go to youtube to see a human being get killed. Instead, praise God that justice was carried out, and let us forget the evil man's name.
Posted by: Adrian Dreana | June 10, 2007 07:07 AM
Dear James,
I am one of the pastors who attended the conference in Sinaia, Romania and I was very moved by the way Holly Spirit spoke through you. Me and my wife brought with us to this event a family in their 40's and we worke with them for couple of year and are part of our team work. They have a teenage girl creating them many troubles and they are desperated. It is over 5 years since her mom never told her she loves her. After you shared your story she just bursted in tears for a long time, the next day bought a special gift for her daughter and when she got back home told her after 5 years that she loves her.
What a victory!!!!
Thanks again,
Adrian