My wife and I traveled to the United States two weeks ago for the wedding of two great friends, Neil and Andrea. After the wedding we stayed for a few days in Frankenmuth, Michigan. If you ever make the trip to Frankenmuth, be sure to visit the world's largest Christmas store at Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, dine at Zehnder's restaurant, and enjoy a stay at the Marv Herzog Hotel.

As we strolled through town and browsed the many shops and countless candy stores, we found ourselves in a small health food store. While many would consider me to be a bit of a fitness freak, I am usually quite reluctant to embrace special health foods, supplements and any kind of diet craze. Still, I found myself drawn to a display in one corner of the store that talked about nutrition tailored to suit one's blood type.

There I discovered a nutrition guide that listed virtually every food item I know, and many I didn't know. The guide showed which food items were beneficial to my health and which were considered "toxins" to my blood type. Imagine my surprise when many of the foods I like to eat were on the "avoid" list.

That can't be right. I like eating pork, milk, cheese, cashews, peanuts, kiwis, coconut, oranges, plantain, coffee, corn and wheat. Now I find out that for me they are toxic!?

It was hard for me to accept. However, every food that did not agree with me in the past was also on the avoid list. With a large dose of skepticism and a lack of desire to give up my regular diet, I decided to put the nutrition guide to the test.

For the past two weeks I have been avoiding those foods that the guide discouraged me from eating. Instead, I have been enjoying the large list of food that is supposed to be beneficial for my blood type. Bananas, plums, lamb, buffalo, red pepper, green tea, blueberries and many other foods I already like are on the beneficial list.

And I must admit that I do feel much better than what I thought was normal. I'm more energetic and feel less bloated when I eat. It looks and feels like my body fat is decreasing. I'm even noticing a difference in my temperament. I'm not as grumpy as I used to be.

I think it's the same with sin.

Sin is attractive and usually offers instant gratification, something that today's culture often craves and justifies. In the long term, though, it is destructive and drives a wedge between us and God.

Still, give me only a list of things not to do, and I'm instantly intrigued. I'm very likely to focus more on the sin itself and see it with an added mystique and appeal. Wouldn't it be nice to focus on ideas that are just as appealing yet carry long-term satifsfaction and open the door to being closer to God? Wouldn't it be nice if God provided that instead?

Thankfully, He does.

Take a look at all the scripture verses on the left. Take a close look at the "avoid" list. Can you spot some things that are now a part of your life? I certainly can for myself. Would you be willing, with God's help, to explore the "beneficial" list for the next two weeks and beyond?

Until we allow God to help us escape from the clutches of sin, we just don't realize how lost and miserable it makes us. It's an ongoing struggle, one we can't do on our own, but it is worth it long term.

Ask yourself...

Keep running for your prize,