Updates

It's been a few days, I have come down with an insane sinus infection or head cold that has my throat constricted so much that I have not slept much the past two nights. Though I have been taking NyQuill and have been literally going to bed at 730 pm, I've been up at 2 and 3 AM because my throat is so constricted I can't breathe. I have been using an inhaler which calms my bronchial tubes down. I might go to Urgent Care this afternoon but we'll see how I feel later. So far today I'm fine and there is no irritation in my throat. I do know it's NOT strep, because I'm coughing and that's one bg difference between a cold and strep.

I've been going to sleep so early so I can save my energy for the party tomorrow night. Not sure it has worked, but I tried. At worst, I'll leave at 9 or 930 after dinner and before the games which I guess won't be so bad anyway, because this is a competitive group and I'm not competitive. I'm so excited about the dress. A minor snag had me worried a little bit, but I found a way to dress it down a lot and I can also now relax about the sleevless-ness -- it'll be COLD so I found a blazer that fits perfectly but will also keep me warm.

I was listening to the news this morning on the way to work and I have to give kudos to both Julia Roberts and *GASP!* George Clooney. Julia Roberts yelled at the paparrazi for filming her and her kids at a school. ""Turn it off," Roberts tells the photographers. "I want to talk to you about the fact that you're at a school where children go. Turn it off." Way to go!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071130/en_afp/entertainmentusfilmpeopleroberts

Trust Your Gut

Interesting article even for those of my friends who don't have "the radar".

http://www.newsweek.com/id/71514/page/1
and
http://www.newsweek.com/id/71514/page/2

Ashamed

I am ashamed for how I acted, though I have to admit it could have been much, much worse. Thankfully I have a mega sore throat and it hurts to swallow or I'd be having major cravings... though Golden Spoon will be seeing me tonight to soothe my throat... AND I have to redeem my free yogurt. woohoo.

In light of what happened last night, I think I should completely convict myself for my behavior and simply re-visit a former post from August.

http://weightonhim.blogspot.com/2007/08/james-chapter-3.html

.....

I have to admit that I am filled with anger, hurt, sorrow/sadness as I type this. Right, I had no right to be behind a wheel in the rageful demeanor I was feeling, but I had two venting boards to calm me down. So in a feeble attempt to distract me so I can get to sleep before 2 AM, I want to list some things I want to accomplish or do or WILL BE DOING in the next year. Some of these things (I put them in italics) I came up with yesterday while at the beach goofing off.

* Call prayer watch at Calvary Costa Mesa on a Sunday evening at 1030 pm asking them to pray for the bitterness and anger to lessen. Oh wait, that happened tonight...

* To lose my last 30 pounds. I give myself one year from today (mas o menos - more or less). The final 30 is the hardest to do, but I have many friends who will hold me accountable for this. Plus, I can lean on God for help. So far I have done good, no huge issues with foods I shouldn't eat, though I probably could have passed on the pumpkin pie on Thursday. I have to worry about the stress eating/emotional eating based on the above paragraph, though.

* Go to a Dodger game. And I will be doing this, though I have some details that need to be worked out with some friends before I know which game it will be. But, I definitely don't want it to be against the Giants.

* I would LOVE to go on a helicopter ride. Don't know how this will happen, but I would love to do this.

* Parasailing. I am deathly afraid of heights, but I figure that since I have been in a hot air balloon already, being only 250-500 feet in the air isn't too big of a deal. This will obviously have to wait for 6 months.

* Snow shoeing with the advanced group at Saddleback church. I couldn't do it two years ago because I was self conscious of my weight. I couldn't do it last year because it was right smack in the middle of my recovery from the gall bladder surgery.

* ICE SKATING !!! I have never been. NEVER. There is an outdoor ice skating rink at Irvine Spectrum every year about this time and there is a year round ice skating rink in Aliso Viejo.

*Whale watching. I always want to go every March, but I never have any friends who want to go with me. Either they cancel at the last minute or just can't ever find anyone interested. Maybe I could get Katie and Matthew to come, I bet they'd love it.

* Alcatraz. Enough said? Probably won't do that till Feb on President's Day weekend. And I would do this on a one day affair. Leave at the crack of dawn on Amtrak from San Juan to Burbank and fly to Oakland and take BART to the wharf, visit Alcatraz and then do everything in reverse. :) Mom said she has always wanted to take BART. So even though I already have, I'd like to do it again in this context.

* Wear a sparkly black and silver dress to a Christmas party. Oh wait, that will be accomplished on Sat Dec 1. :) I cannot wait. My sister better help me cake the makeup on or my face will be red all night, though it will be anyway. I am so majorly insecure about this dress... the flab on my upper arms is causing me grief... not the fact that it's sleeveless.

Ok, I'm much more calm than I was, though the anxiety about the party will keep me up now I am sure. I'm so pathetic.

Where are the encouragers ? :)

Some people have told me that I have the gift of discernment. I can tell when something isn't right or when someone is not as good as they say they are. I can also spot the fake Christians, even when my faith isn't as strong as it should be. Know why? Because I was trained and I worked with real Christians from 1999 when I first became saved (thanks in large part to Pastor Mike Fabarez). Some people call it my radar... 99% of the time it is so right on that people who don't know I have this gift are amazed at how right on target I can call things.

I also have a good sense of encouragement. This is something God has been working in me to get better at in recent months. I've always had the natural ability to encourage my friends when they were down... in junior high and high school I came home with some interesting characters.... I was the "loser magnet" as my mom calls it. hehe, never mind the loser guys.. I'm talking female friends. :) I have been overcoming my shyness and have learned to speak out when someone needs encouragement. I think encouragement can also be in the form of exhortation. We all need encouragement to stick with God's will.

Lately I have some friends who have been sharing stories about their friends who aren't very encouraging. As one who has the gift, there are a few verses that strike me as verses they need to be talking to their friends about. It has been on my heart to reflect on these verses that lead to encouragement/edification of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Just to make sure I am doing these things myself.

Hebrews 3:12-13 (ESV) ==> 12Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. I want to point out that the NIV says in verse 13 to ENCOURAGE one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.


Ephesians 4:29-30 (ESV)
29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.


Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.


Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)
5Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

I realize in context this is not directed to Christians relating to Christians per se, but it is important to realize that nonChristians see how Christians relate to one another.

All of these verses listed above are the foundation to unity in the Body of Christ... two of many the verses that can be found are listed below... exhorting us to ... make every effort to achieve unity.

Romans 14:19 (NIV)
19Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Thanksgiving

I have to reflect on Thanksgiving. I've had a bah humbug attitude most of the past 7 days but this morning on the way to work I had to stop and count my blessings and all that I am thankful for. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 make it clear: "16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I am amazed the more I study the life of Paul, between the main services I go to at Calvary and the Friday night service, all focus on Paul. He was in JAIL, BOUND IN CHAINS and he wrote the "happy book" (Philippians). Why shouldn't I be happy? My life isn't nearly as hard as his. :)

So... here is my thankful list:

* My family

* My health.

* My friends. You know who you are.

* That I am going through some (small) trials right now.

* That I have a place to lay my head each night to stay out of the cold.

And most importantly: That God loved ME enough to send his only Son (Christmas) to die for me (Easter).... that I will be with Him forever. And He continues to love me no matter how stupid I act. :)

Psalm 43:2-3

Psalm 43:2-3 NIV 2You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 3Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

This verse has been speaking to me a lot lately. Verse 3 is the "motto" for Compass Bible Church but I like verse 2 because it cries out that God is a stronghold, the only place we should be going for guidance.

Week ending details

I'm happy about this article -- I will only be going to one Dodger game this season. Though I have to admit I am quite surprised A-Rod is staying with the Yankees after all the strife that has been reported to be going on between him and Jeter and the other two stooges (can ya tell I don't like the Yankees much?): http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3112799&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

I had way too much to eat last night (which is still half of what a normal person would eat!) at dinner. I didn't even have much of the bread pudding. I had garlic bread, 1/4 of the onion soup and then the Filet Mignon Muffleta or something like that. Chopped filet COVERED in melted cheese on chiabatta bread (but skipped the bread). Mmmmm... I'd definitely get that again. I had literally no room for the dessert, but I did manage to have some. It was still as fabulous as last time, but could have lived without having any at all.

Tonight, against my better judgment, I am going to The Intersection. I say it that way because I am exhausted. But the sermons are great and the fellowship is sweet. I will probably not stick around for the restaurant part of the fellowship but will try my hardest to stay 30 min after the service ends. Tomorrow I will sleep in, for sure. And maybe take a nap at the beach. And probably not do anything at night, I have not had a night to myself in about a 2 weeks and need some alone time -- everything I have done is with others. Though it's great, I still need time alone.

This morning I was reading the Psalms towards the end of the book. Two verses grab my attention:

Psalm 145:8-9 "8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." This shows me how imperfect I am in comparison to God. I had a choice to go to a BBQ with some singles. And I was going to go until I saw one of the names on the email list that might have been there. This particular person makes me stumble in anger sometimes and I never know when it will hit. Not visible anger, but internal anger. I "should" show this person mercy; I "should" forgive this person. They are imperfect, just like me. As I read that verse, I stopped reading and I prayed for them. What an amazing feeling that was. So next time there is a BBQ, I will go regardless if they are there or not.

The other verse that caught my attention was Psalm 145:14 "The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." This is another amazing and comforting verse when one is in time of need to be lifted from a trial at least in the mental stability. In looking at this past week, the recurring theme God is teaching me is to rest in His presence!

Finishing the work

Last night I went to church. Not sure why I went at only a slight suggestion I go, but felt God's prompting. Never mind that I knew there would be sweet fellowship afterwards, but I felt the need to go to the actual sermon. Two things other than the above-mentioned fellowship hit me as I thought about the evening on the way home last night.

First, God's artwork was incredible ... because I had no change of clothes to go to the gym, I walked at Corona del Mar at sunset. WoW. I wish I had my camera, it would have been awesome to be able to post a picture. I was at first bummed that it was a little smoggy, but the interesting thing is that it made the sunset even more powerful. There were TONS of people there, I wasn't the only one enjoying the picture.

Second, the sermon. It was very inspirational. I've been feeling tired lately. Not physically, but mentally and emotionally fatigued. I guess it's that time of year... I seem to get very tired mentally and emotionally every six months, June and December it seems. Right now the phase is just I’m so tired of healthy foods. Maybe why I didn’t have an issue going to restaurants and ordering something small when I’m with the group (I'll probably still go from time to time, but I won't order anything when I do go starting today). I’m just weary in doing ‘good’ – I just don’t want to deal with it anymore. Of course I am limited as to how bad I can be in terms of volume, but not with the choice of foods… in other words I have noticed a lot of stress eating patterns popping up again. But that has changed as last night.

Pastor Brian Broderson spoke instead of Pastor Chuck and he began the book of Philippians. Pastor Brian began talking about how comforting Philippians 1:6 is. Philippians 1:6 says "6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.". He said it is comforting because of the completion part of it and referenced Hebrews 12:2-3 "2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." There again, is the "so that you will not grow weary" phrase. How awesome is that? Christ WILL finish the work and it isn't just a fad for him to work on us or work in us. He pointed out that in verses like Isaiah 40:31 people will get weary. People will move on when something gets too hard to do. However, as Isaiah says in verse 28, God is EVERLASTING and the CREATOR and his understanding is UNSEARCHABLE. That is beyond my comprehension. How can something, in the age of the internet, be UNSEARCHABLE? :)

There were many other points he made last night, but the part about completion is the one that hit me the most. Yes, God provided me a way out of my morbid obesity… he even completely changed my way of thinking and I see myself as He sees me 99% of the time. But just because I am weary does not mean HE is weary of me changing. And for me to just give up after the blood, sweat and tears is ridiculous. There were other verses Pastor Brian referenced I have to highlight as well but decided to separate them from the points I summarized above.

Isaiah 40:31 is one of the two verses as to why I have adopted the nickname for my blogs of “weightonhim”. The twin, at least in my book, is Matthew 11:28-30 “28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." This is especially comforting. It renewed my strength to behave today and not have anything I shouldn’t have. Even at dinner I will just have onion soup… my new favorite Creole onion soup at The Jazz Kitchen at Downtown Disney.

And this one: 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” I have found three very good friends to send a txt message to when I am tempted. But I think I will also plaster this verse on my computer.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says "18Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." This is the final verse that gives me comfort. It was not referenced, but gives me comfort whenever I feel anxiety when in new situations and settings. Isaiah 43:18-19 I have known about since junior high when Toby Mac talked about his favorite scripture in one of those teeny-bopper magazines. Regardless of how I feel and how much I resist or how much I kick against the goads, “God is doing a Nu Thang” (forgive the dcTalk reference!!!) in me and I just have to rest in His presence. What an amazing comfort and even more amazing promise from God.

Christians

Got this in an email that was supposed to be only for Christian women, but it so applies to both men AND women.

*************************************

Christians
by Maya Angelou

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say ... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Thin or chubby?

This article grabbed my attention yesterday, just had to share.

www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/columnists/view.bg?articleid=1044307

Political news.

While I know this is not a political blog, but...

* I have to make a note of the new attorney general that was sworn in today.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071109/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/attorney_general

I have no real opinion of Michael Mukasey, though two things briefly about him I like so far. I love this quote: "I would leave office sooner than participate in a violation of law". But I also somewhat like the fact that the Dems are in support of him, something that makes me sense he is a good choice even though Bush appointed him. I will make a firm decision as to how good he is when he finally weighs in on the issue of a full pardon of Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean - the two border patrol agents who were wrongly convicted of their crimes.

* I also have to note about Pat Robertson's recent endorsement of Rudy for president despite Guliani's stance on gay rights and abortion.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,309481,00.html

I have to admit this is the first time I have been able to applaud Mr Robertson for stepping out of his comfort zone. My personal opinion for who I will vote for in the primary election is still undecided, but this was definitely noteworthy this week. Is this a "lesser of the evils" campaign that Pat Robertson is waging against Mitt Romney? Just something to ponder.

Romans 14

There are three themes to Romans 14, as I study it. Others I am sure can find different themes but I grouped this chapter into only three. In verses 1-6, Paul talks about not judging a brother or sister based on the converted Jew to the Gentile in this context, but it is easily translated to today's world too. The second theme I see is in verses 7-9 as the second theme, which is accountability and/or who we are to give an account to. Finally, in verses 10-23 (don’t be a stumbling block and walking in harmony with each other)

1As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.

It is true, we are not to judge people based on the freedom we have in Christ as Paul says in his letter to the Colossians (Colossians 2:16). But I find that this is increasingly easy to do with the Emergent Church movement. And I mean the judging part. And woe to the person who judges or attempts to point out sin in a person’s life (read with complete sarcasm). I realize it’s a different twist on not judging but the Emergent Church loves to water down the Gospel… the ONLY Gospel. In doing so, they accept everyone’s beliefs whether it is according to the true and only Gospel or not… the “Can’t we all just get along?” mentality. This is alright to some extent, we are to live in peace with each other (Romans 12:18), but it is taking this to an extreme I don’t think Paul meant. :)

7For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Simply put: We are under no obligation to give an account to anyone but God. Obviously as Paul points out in the previous chapter, we have to give an account to our leaders, but these verses are referring to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

10Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 12So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. 13Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building. 20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Paul is expanding on his statements in the first 6 verses. However he expands this freedom and to not let this freedom be a stumbling block. Some think it’s alright to drink alcohol; there are others who abstain from the alcohol. Great, that’s their choice and that’s their conviction from God. The Bible does not specifically address the topic of alcohol other than “though shalt not be drunk” but this freedom can end up being detrimental to a young Christian or a Christian (or, nonChristian) who is a recovering alcoholic. However on the flip side, as it says in Matthew 5:29 and 30 "29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." once this freedom becomes a stumbling block to YOU, you should abandon the behavior.

On a personal note, recently I had an instance in my life where I saw some pictures that caused me to stumble. I don't like seeing things like that and I hate the feelings I had when I saw the pictures more. My thoughts automatically went to how they were when I was morbidly obese. These are not realistic thoughts because I am not that way anymore, nor does God see me that way, nor do the people I keep company with these days. I realized these thoughts are sin, due to the small fact that the thoughts I had were not pure, noble, lovely, or right (Phil 4:8) and I had to get rid of them. As a result, I deleted my myspace account because the pictures caused me to stumble and to sin. As soon as I started the process of deleting the account, the burden of the sin was immediately lifted. Yes, I am glad I did this and will probably not re-sign up with myspace.

Romans 13

Romans 13

1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

In verses one and two of Romans 13, Paul talks about how those authorities, whether corrupt or not, have been put there by God. This is an interesting commentary on rulers and leaders. There are few leaders that I support whole heartedly... my county, state, and country are filled with disgusting leaders. Of course, I don't know anything about my city leaders so I am not including them in the list of corrupt elected officials. These leaders tell these lies just to get elected but then the promises they proclaim that they will fulfill in office get lost inparty politics. Yes, the founding fathers of the United States of America would be horribly disappointed in what their country -- OUR country -- has become.

Verses 3-5 talk about obeying the authority figures in your life so not only that you will not fear them (ie., if you're going the speed limit, you don't have to worry about getting a speeding ticket). Paul is also quick to point out that you shoudl obey your authorities as a sake of conscience. If there is one verse that is very similar it is 1 Corinthians 10: 31 "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." This is where the integrity comes in to play. You work hard no matter if anyone is watching or not, because God is always watching what you do and where your heart is.

6For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

It's obvious what these verses are talking about... taxes. Pay your taxes. Or else.

Fulfilling the Law Through Love

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Verse 8 has become a favorite verse of mine since I learned about it 5 or 6 years ago. When someone gives me a dollar or piece of gum, I always repay it. If they are Christian, I recite this verse back to them. ha ha There is really nothing else to add to what verses 9 and 10 say already, they are pretty self explanatory, though I would like to point out Christ Himself said the two greatest commandments is to "love God" and "love people"


11Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

These last four verses in Romans 13 are talking about loving God, obeying God. Christ said that no man knows the hour of when He will return and that it will be like a theif in the night... so we have to be on guard.