Getting Back My Health
Dear Friends of Faith Encouraged Ministries,
I wanted to write you and let you know two very important things:
First, I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your faithful support over the last two years. You have been the backbone of our ability to continue on even in the face of both external and internal challenges! The external is easy! This health crisis around the world has been unprecedented in my lifetime. With the pressures of family, serving a growing parish, and the chaos of a society that has seemed to lose its collective mind has been a challenge you helped Faith Encouraged Ministries weather.
The internal challenges have been both much harder than I expected and lasted much longer. As you can see above, I’m working hard on my personal health. A blood pressure scare last year, a surgery, and an upcoming surgery have all meant I had a serious wake-up call to get healthier. Not to mention that obesity is one of the main morbidities for a fatal COVID infection.
It was my youngest that really tipped the scales for me.
She confronted me after my blood pressure scare and several trips to the ER with this loving request. She looked at me and said, “Daddy, I sure hope you know my children.”
Wow! That statement stopped me in my tracks and I determined to no longer be unfaithful to my responsibilities towards my health.
Starting about 7 months ago, my doctor and I planned out my path. Between intermittent fasting and food portion control and a more balanced diet that demands I pay attention to what I eat and how much I move, and by God’s grace, I’ve lost about 52 lbs. and increased my exercise by getting a bike and biking to the church when weather permits (we live about a mile from church), and exercising inside when the weather doesn’t.
I am so grateful to God for your prayers and your support during this time.
But, now that I am on the mend and feeling stronger every day, I need your advice.
In the next few days, I’m going to send you a survey about getting back to a full media schedule.
I want to know if you’d like a new Live show or podcast, a substack article where I speak out on the moral and social chaos of today, or even a new video component we can add to Faith Encouraged TV.
I want to hear from you about what will help you stay focused, informed, and motivated to be Orthodox on Purpose. I also want to help equip you to help our children deal with the fallout of this current society and how they can have the tools they need to stay connected to the Church.
Watch for that survey, and please respond when you get it.
And, again, thank you. You really have been the hands and feet of the Lord during this time.
Much love,
Fr. Barnabas
email – frbarnabas@faithencouraged.org
