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Ash Wednesday Isn’t Really Just About Sacrificing Something

September 21, 2015 by Kenney Myers

We spent some time this Sunday discussing Ash Wednesday in church and a new realization occurred to me (well our pastor pretty much hit me up beside the head with it). Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent) is about a lot more than just sacrificing something you enjoy doing, eating, drinking, etc. You see growing up that was all that it was about for me. I gave up soda one year for instance and you know it was a real struggle for me but I felt like I really accomplished something. Through the years I have given up other things but always thinking that Lent was bout sacrificing like what God did for us when he sent his son to die on the cross. I never really fully appreciated what the season was about. You see, it is about sacrifice but it’s also about sacrificing something so that you spend more time with God. That’s something that I totally missed for all of these years.

Here’s a cool video by the skit guys on fasting (which is mostly related):

We know that as Christians we aren’t supposed to make a big display out of fasting or during lent whatever we are giving up. It says in Matthew 6:16-18:

“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

So it seems from this passage that regardless of whether it is for Lent or just a general fast, we aren’t supposed to make a big deal out of it telling everyone what we are up to like it’s the latest diet craze. This is about inward reflection as is Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. This year I’m not planning on giving up something for the sake of giving it up. Instead I am going to try to be more purposeful about setting aside time to reflect on how to make God and Jesus more a part of my daily life. I’m not sure what that actually means or how I will determine my success or failure but then again that’s also not the point. It’s about doing the best we can to be better Christians in spite of the craziness going on around us (much of which we create ourselves).

27 Blogs Explaining the Benefits of Drinking Enough Water for Your Body

September 20, 2015 by Kenney Myers

You’ve probably heard that you should drink water, but how much is enough? Can you drink too much? The information regarding water intake varies, with some suggestions saying you should drink eight glasses of water a day and others suggesting two liters a day for women. If you keep in mind that your body is made up of at least 50% water, you will want to make water your beverage of choice as often as you can. One trick to drink more water is to keep a glass of water by you at all times and use a straw. If you think about it, keeping your body hydrated can only help all of your organs function better. You can read more about that in some of the posts below. One of the side effects of drinking your recommended daily allowance of water is that you look younger and better. To learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about water, check out these 27 blogs.

Weight Loss

Drinking water and losing weight has been a hotly debated topic. These nine blog posts will explain in detail what the debate is about, but the short story is that drinking water alone will probably not cause you to lose weight. However, drinking water before and after meals can help you feel fuller and cause you to eat less. If you drink water your organs will work better and rid your body of harmful toxins that could be causing you to retain water. Also, by drinking water you are activating the fiber that you should also be eating if you are trying to lose weight, which will help you shed some weight. So while drinking water doesn’t make you lose weight by itself, it certainly can be a very helpful tool in your weight loss journey. Read more about the science of this in these nine blog articles.

Organ Function

Many of the organs in your body are made up of mostly water. If you don’t drink enough water, your organs will try to steal water from your hair and skin to get the water they need to work. If they still can’t get enough water, they won’t work to their full potential. Water will help improve your immune system because it allows your body to fight off illness as long as you are properly hydrated. If you get frequent headaches, the solution may be as simple as drinking more water. The brain is made up of nearly 90% water and if you are constantly dehydrated you will be tired and slow thinking. Combine that with being more prone to headaches and you can see why drinking water is so important for organ function.

Appearance

When you consider that dehydration causes your organs to steal moisture from your skin, hair, and fingernails, you can see why getting enough water might help you look better. Your skin will be more supple and radiant, your hair will be shinier and fuller and your nails will grow longer and be less brittle. One of these blog articles even calls water the fountain of youth. For more information on how drinking water can help improve your appearance, check out these nine blog entries.

10 Kens Famous for Their TV Appearances

September 19, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Streaming video online may be the wave of the future, but it hasn’t quite replaced the television just yet. Chances are, you still spend quite a bit of time relaxing in front of the TV, even if you’re a fan of online video and Internet entertainment. When it comes to TV talent, there seems to be a surfeit of gifted stars named Ken. These are 10 Kens who share not only an exceptional first name, but also the experience of making it a household name after appearing on television.

Ken James – An Australian actor whose career began in the 1960s, Ken James has done turns as the star of children’s shows, sitcoms and televised dramas. He also reinvented himself as a television chef, a stint that lasted more than a decade, regularly appeared on Good Morning Australia, and was actively involved in the marketing of a kitchen implement. In 2009, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but he’ll always be more famous for his television work than his battle with cancer.
Ken Wahl – Most popular for his role on the now-defunct CBS crime drama Wiseguy, Ken Wahl is something of an enigma himself. His true birth date remains something of a mystery to this day, as does his back story before reaching the big leagues of television fame. These days, he’s an outspoken animal activist and vocal supporter of disabled American military veterans.
Ken Lawson – While he’s worked as a rapper, Kenyatta “Ken” Lawson is most well-known for his work on sitcoms like In The House and The Parkers. He took a step back from acting in 2004 to pursue his musical career, but he definitely made his mark on the world of pop culture through his early days in television.
Ken Jeong – Ken Jeong began his career as a physician and professor at North Carolina A&T State University, graduating from high school at the prodigious age of 16. Working in medicine didn’t earn this famous Ken his notoriety, though. He made his television debut on The Big Easy as a doctor, and has since appeared on shows like Two and a Half Men, Boston Legal, Curb Your Enthusiasm and The Office. These days, you’ll see him staring as Senor Chang on the wildly popular sitcom Community.
Ken Jennings – It’s safe to say that Ken Jennings made his mark on television history when he set the records for both the longest winning streak on Jeopardy! and the most prize-money earnings in American history. A graduate of Brigham Young University and a computer scientist by trade, Ken Jennings has racked up millions of dollars by putting his super-powered knowledge of trivia to work on television game shows.
Ken Dodd – As a chart-topping singer/songwriter and comedian, Ken Dodd is famous for many things. His unique hairstyle, buck teeth and affection for feather dusters have all attributed to his fame, but his run of successful British television shows has put him on the global map of fame.
Ken Maynard – A beloved stuntman and actor whose movies still run on television decades after his death, Ken Maynard had the role of “cowboy” down to a science. He appeared in more than 90 films over the span of his career, but his struggles with addiction brought his run to an early end. A mysterious benefactor, widely believed to be Gene Autry, supported him through a quarter-century without work before he passed away of stomach cancer in 1973.
Ken Kercheval – There was a time when it seemed like the sudsy prime time hit Dallas was the only show on television, and this man was at the center of the action from day one. Ken Kercheval and his Dallas costar Larry Hagman were the only two original cast members to stay throughout the entire run of the show, reprising his role in reunion specials and the 2012 reboot of the show.
Ken Seeley – Climbing from the depths of addiction to reclaim sobriety is no mean feat. Doing so only to find yourself at the top of the entertainment world as a leading interventionist on the Emmy-winning A&E hit show Intervention is an even higher level of achievement. Seeley even received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2011, and continues his work in television as an addiction specialist.
Kenny Wormald – A dancer and choreographer who has worked with superstars like Justin Timberlake, this Ken is no stranger to the small-screen limelight. Starring in reality programming before making the jump to made-for-television movies with the film Center Stage: Turn it Up, Kenny Wormald was also the male lead in the 2011 reboot of the 1980s dance classic Footloose.

10 iPhone Apps to Help You Track Your Favorite Team’s Stats

September 18, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Keeping up with the demands of a busy professional life and a balanced personal life can be a challenge, and may not leave you with enough time to watch all of your favorite teams compete in their respective sports. These 10 iPhone apps can help you track scores and achievements when you’re not able to tune into live events and allow you to watch your favorite teams compete while you’re on the go!

MLB.com At Bat – From Spring Training to the World Series, the Major League Baseball season is long and sometimes arduous. Get your off-season fix while you’re waiting for the new season to begin, including archives of classic games filled with historic moments in baseball. When the season begins, MLB.com At Bat keeps you up to date on all the movers and shakers in pro baseball, with Gameday Audio, video highlights, news and live look-ins. Never miss the results of a big game again!
theScore Mobile – This free app has been named one of Apple’s Amazing Apps for iPhone 5 and is a member of the App Store Essentials Hall of Fame. Whether you’re following all of your favorite teams as a fan or monitoring the performance of your fantasy players, this app delivers all the scoring and statistical information you need to stay on top of each and every game.
Ultimate Fight Fan: Top MMA, Strikeforce & Ultimate Fighting news & videos – If you like your sports a bit more on the full-contact side, the free Ultimate Fight Fan is the app for you. Keep up with your favorite fighters’ win/loss stats and match information. The app grants access to the official UFC Facebook wall and MMA News, along with headlines, upcoming fight card, match recaps and promotional videos to keep you pumped for the next fight.
Pro Football Insider – The NFL fan is in a league all of its own, which is why this free pro football-dedicated app is a must have for any die-hard supporter. Quick access to stats, standings and schedules keeps you up to date on the teams you support, while integrated Twitter feeds allow you to see what your favorite players, experts and analysts are saying about the big game.
FOX Sports Mobile – If you are a multi-sport fan supporting lots of teams across several leagues, this free app may streamline your approach to stats and standings tracking. With support for motorsports, MMA, boxing, soccer, tennis, golf, NHL, NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s NCAA Basketball, MLB, NFL and NCAA football, Fox Sports Mobile keeps you in the loop at all times. Users can also access information from exclusive analysts and FOX Sports writers.
ESPN College Football – College football lies somewhere between sport and religion for devotees, which is why this free app offers year-round press updates, highlights and full coverage. When the season starts, stay informed as the big plays happen with scoring alerts and keep an eye on your customizable scoreboards to make sure that you’re always in the NCAA Football loop.
ESPN Fantasy Football 2012 – If your favorite football team is a fantasy team, then this is the app for you. With push notifications for scoring plays, substitutions and injuries, you can manage your fantasy team with ease, no matter where you are.
NASCAR Mobile ‘13 – Some teams manipulate a ball, while others dominate a race track. Fans of NASCAR racing shouldn’t overlook this free app, which offers year-round coverage of everything from the Sprint Cup to the Camping World Truck series. Keeping up with your favorite drivers’ performances is a snap with NASCAR Mobile, even if you do miss the adrenaline rush of seeing the big win happen.
WatchESPN – Sometimes you just have to see the game, even if you’re going to be on the road or away from a television. That’s where this free app comes in handy, offering you unfettered access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU. If ESPN is part of your cable package at home, you can watch from wherever you happen to be on your iPhone.
Yahoo! Sportacular – An App Store Essential, inductee of the App Store Hall of Fame and named one of the App Store Great Free Apps, Yahoo! Sportacular delivers updates, breaking news, scores and stats quickly and efficiently, helping you keep up with the stats of your favorite teams and individual players.

No matter which sports you follow and which teams you support, there’s an iPhone app out there that will help you keep up with all the news, stats and developments relevant to their performance. There’s very little that these 10 can’t keep up with, but in case one doesn’t fit your needs, there’s also an App Store filled-to-bursting with quality sports apps for the die-hard fan.

35 Blogs for Low Carb Living

September 17, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Those of you that know me and specifically have eaten out with me recently know that I am a low-to-no carb guy nowadays. In fact for nearly a year I haven’t had any bread (outside of communion and when I had no choice). I found the Ideal Protein diet to be one that really worked well for me and it provided me with a lot of guidance around how to avoid the carbs I have LOVED for years (pastas, breads, cereal, etc.). While I haven’t technically been on the diet for a few months, I still adhere to the low-to-no carb philosophy and put together this list of 35 articles/blogs that may help make the low carb lifestyle easier for my friends, family and readers to get behind.

Low Carb Lifestyle
Leading a low carb lifestyle can be difficult and you may have questions about whether it’s a good idea or not. These five bloggers will give you some insight into maintaining a low carb diet and the benefits of eating that way.

Low Carb Appetizers
If you are looking for some low carb appetizers for your next get together (especially if I am attending), you’ve come to the right place. These five blog entries will give you some low carb appetizer options and your guests won’t even realize that they’re eating low carb.

Low Carb Side Dishes
For a low carb lifestyle you need to get out of the mindset that every meal needs to have a starch. This method of eating stems back to the meat and potatoes generation, which is how many of us were brought up. Here are five blog posts that have low carb side dish recipes.

Low Carb Snacks
If you’re having trouble finding low carb snacks that are satisfying and don’t break the bank, look no further. These five blogs will give you some low carb snack ideas for the whole family.

Low Carb Desserts
It’s easy to think that you will never get dessert again if you are on a low carb eating plan, but you just need to change how you think about dessert. If you avoid sweets most of the time, then other food becomes sweeter naturally. These five blog posts have some low carb dessert recipes to help you.

Low Carb Menus
Coming up with menus day after day that are low carb can be quite a chore. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut and default to making the same tried and true meals over and over (which I am infamous for). Here are five blog posts that will help you plan some low carb menus.

Crock Pot
On those days that you are busy you can throw something in the crock pot (or convince someone else to do that for you) and still stay low carb. These recipes are simple to prepare and are quite tasty according to these five bloggers.

A Lot of Thought Goes Into Website Logos

September 16, 2015 by Kenney Myers

For me, the best logos tell you about the person, business, or organization they represent. When I was working on my personal blog I wanted to reflect three aspects of my life 1) My Christian Faith 2) My Family/Friends and 3) My Fighting (passion for mixed martial arts as an athlete and fan). I think that the following logo really nails all three perfectly. The cross represents my faith and the boxing glove reflects fighting and the outreached hand represents that I’ll do whatever I can for my family and friends. If you get a second, let me know what you think! Thanks!