I am shutting down online activity for a few days in order to get fired up.

At 5:30 A.M. tomorrow, I check into Clovis Community Hospital for gastric bypass surgery.

For the rest of my life,, I will eat much less and much more carefully.

I am doing it for several reasons:

1. Life is good. Long life is not everything, but I want to live as long as I am useful and be useful for as long as I live.

2. I have a calling and have not been given any authorization as yet for an early retirement to Glory!

3. Man shall not live by bread alone.

4. Getting behind Jesus means denying self, taking up a cross, and following Him. I've done a poor job at self-denial, so I am going to take a big leap all at once. Taking up a cross is bearing others burdens with and on behalf of Jesus. if is harder if I carry around too much of my own burden. Following Him requires an energy level that I have allowed to become depleted.

5. I owe too much money to die any time soon.

6. I love my family.

7. Feeling well is better than feeling bad.

8. It will reduce my rather sizable carbon footprint.

9. I take too much medicine and this will reduce my intake. My doctor told me I should and I consulted with the Lord who seems to have assured me that my doctor is right. My body is Christ's temple.

10. It may be an encouragement to others to take whatever measures are necessary to promote good health.

So, I am going to do it and I will let all of your know of my progress. See you in a fe days.