Thank God for the Water Leak!

I frantically searched through every drawer and cabinet trying to locate my expensive paring knife. I knew I had used it last evening, so it had to be somewhere.

After 25 minutes, I opened the trash cabinet and viewed only yukky, disgusting garbage. I sighed but knew if I didn’t rummage thru it, I’d always wonder, did I mistakenly throw it away?          

 

So I took out another trash bag and began transferring coffee grounds, banana skins and other unsavory disposables. About half-way down, I exclaimed, “Eureka!” There among the garbage lay my cherished paring knife! 

My immediate thought was, thank God for last night’s rain! If it hadn’t rained last night, we would have walked up and discarded our garbage and my knife would have been gone forever.

Does it seem strange to you to thank God for the frustrations in life?

A pastor we knew, began his sermon by lamenting the fact that his family had a horrible week. It started with a water leak in the bathroom sink which resulted in totally destroying the drywall behind the cabinet. When he and his friend opened up the wall to replace the damage, he descovered a poisonous snake behind the wall. Thankfully, they were able to kill the snake and complete their renovation.

“Now,” I thought. “he’ll praise God for the water leak and this going to be a great biblical iullustration.” Sadly he didn’t. 

Why, you ask, would someone ever praise God for a water leak?

Well, this pastor had two small children. I can’t imagine what unthinkable tragedy could have occurred if the children had been in the room alone when the snake emerged.

Even in the midst of tribulating times, God protects! God doesn’t always have to perform miracles to protect his people. This probably happens to us on a daily basis, and yet we haven’t a clue.

Perhaps you’re running late for work and then get caught in an aggravating, annoying traffic jam? Praise God – the accident wasn’t yours for you turned back for your keys. What at first was an inconvenient experience, then became a unbeknownst blessing.

Now how does this pertain to healthy living? It does in all ways: mentally, physically and spiritually!

Mentally – know God protects those he loves

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord. thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Why do we fret and get upset over small things? God doesn’t purposely stress us out. We do that just fine on our own. There’s always a purpose. Knowing Scripture and trusting Him helps. God constantly watches over you and doesn’t want harm to come to you – even if it means an inconvenient delay. 

Physically – God WILL take care of you:

“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (Luke 12:24)

I used to advise my patients who worried constantly, “What could be the worst-case scenario?” We’d discuss outrageous plots until they realized the odds of that happening were remote at best. Aim for high godly standards in all of life’s aspects, but ultimately entrust control to the Lord.

Spiritually: It takes faith

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5,6)

Trusting God even though we can’t see Him is called faith. Trusting that His ways are better than our stubborn ways. Our job isn’t to control every aspect of our life but to worship God.

I’ll continue to praise God for last night’s rain.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Pulling Those Pesky Weeds

I grew up on a farm which is the best place in the world to learn self-discipline. But I hated pulling weeds in our garden. Now it’s gardening season again and I find the best flowers I grow are pretty flowering weeds.

How easily sin can spread like flowering weeds throughout our lives. Pretty to look at but deadly to Spiritual growth. We’re aware that sin is destructive and shouldn’t flower in a Christ-filled life.

But how do we rid ourselves of them?

We must recognize that sin’s unhealthy habits drag us down, destroying our Christian testimony. I’m ashamed to say that when I went to college, someone asked me once, “If you’re a Christian why do you do such bad things?”  I had no answer except a flippant, “Well Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” I don’t know why God is so patient with me but I’m grateful!

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.”  (1 Corinthians 13:11)  NLT

When it comes to sin we can’t be flippant by allowing a small amount to grow in our Spiritual garden. Avoid toxic people for “Bad company corrupts good character.”  (1 Corinthians 15:33) Yes it’s true that sometimes we can win others to the Lord by displaying good Christian character amidst challenging social situations. But more times then not, the character of “weedy friends” overpower us and we fall into sin, allowing our character to become compromised. Scripture urges us to flee youthful lusts, (2 Timothy 2:22) not dabble in it.

It’s similar to obtaining a healthier lifestyle. Every sin has consequences. If you always consume fattening, chemically laden foods you’ll risk diabetes, strokes, heart disease and cancers. Risk? Do you feel “lucky?” I’d prefer not playing Russian Roulette with my life but rather trust God to keep me healthy because I want to honor that vibrant life gift He has given me.

Until one gets strong enough to withstand the temptation of donuts and sugary carbs, we shouldn’t go into a donut shop! Or attend a Buffet if you’re a curious person and consume a little of everything the tables offer. Nine times out of ten we will fall to the “Feast of The Eyes!”

“For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:16) NLT

What about toxic relationships? Following a raucous, sinful crowd is being like a sheep who plunges to his death because he followed the leader over a cliff. Sheep are dumb animals! You shouldn’t be! As painful as it is to say goodbye to a close but unrepentant friend, if they are dragging you into a pit, for your own safety, let go and fervently pray for them.

And the best advice: don’t allow temptation to grow in the first place! If you prevent pesky weeds from growing, you won’t have to pull them later. Use the best Spiritual Weed Killer there is: Scripture! Cultivate appropriate Bible verses deep inside your mind and soul and it will absolutely act as weed preventer!

Developing Healthy Patience

Sometimes as little children occasionally do, we’ll stomp our feet and declare, “But I want it now!”   Afterward when the regrets kick in, we ask ourselves, “Why did I think that was a great idea?”

Have you ever stopped to think that our Heavenly Father loves us so much, He will give us the desires of our heart even if those are bad for us?  It’s called “free will.” Naturally God hopes we’ll choose what’s best. But it’s our choice.

Have you ever debated if you should consume something even though you understand it’s going to create an illness? Then shake a fist at God and ask, “Why’d you do this to me?”

I know very few children who choose vegetables over candy, cake or even cheesy fries. After a few tummy aches however and children usually instinctively learn to choose better. Do we really think eating all that fattening, processed, chemically-laden packaged food is good for us? We need to conquer our food cravings and resist the tug of gluttony. We are not children anymore.

No food is bad (1 Corinthians 10:23) but our reaction to it sometimes is.  Who’s in control, you or are you lured by manipulation? Have you ever lost control, giving in to a decadent food only to become discouraged because you couldn’t stay on your health plan?

As God’s child we also need borders which will assure a healthier lifestyle. When young, our children need boundaries to keep them safe and healthy. Certainly you wouldn’t feed your child only candy? They need real food to grow and thrive. God laid out our diet plan in Genesis 1:29 and 9:3. Follow His plan and achieve a healthier lifestyle. So why can’t we resist temptation?

Unfortunately some never grow up. When presented with a menu of grilled fish or chicken or hamburgers and fries, they’ll still go for the fattier selection every time! THINK! Once in a while that’s fine but choosing an inappropriate choice every day and you’ll wind up with debilitating diseases and parasites, lovely.

Why do we fail to understand we answer to a Higher Authority? If I am out walking my pooch, I’m her authority. I want her to enjoy her journey but if she misbehaves and wants to chase squirrels across the road, I reign her in because I don’t want to see her run over! God provides boundaries for the same reason. He wants us to be safe! And because He is All Knowing, He realizes what will happen when we give in to temptation.

Emotional eating is not healthy. If you desire something unhealthy, work it off by exercising and you’ll remain in control.  If you’ve kept your food journal for two weeks as I encouraged, you might understand why you give in for reasons other than hunger. Continue to journal; asking yourself, what happened just before I gave in to my desires? A disturbing phone call, an argument? Are you lonely – food offers comfort. Bored? Eating is something to do. Angry? Crunching on food is a stress reliever. Sad? Chemicals in food release happy endorphins.

For example, chocolate contains  phenylethylamine which makes us feel loved. Since God created chocolate, it’s fine in moderation.  But if we’re motivated by a chocolate commercial on TV, losing control, we’ve become manipulated. Give in and you just made that food an idol before our Lord.

 “I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  (Galatians 5:16)

Remaining in control and conquering addiction is a wonderful feeling. Conquer self and honor God.

Everyone Needs a Goal!

So are you still as determined to become weight-loss successful? I hope so!  However, you might be slightly discouraged, wondering if getting healthy is worth the sacrifice now, right? Dig deep and talk yourself into success!!  Getting healthy must come from your own inner desire to please God and in doing so, becoming a New Creation.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”  (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Becoming healthier is an independent journey. Your counselor can educate and encourage  but she can’t lose the weight for you. But don’t fret.That’s actually wonderful and encouraging because when you succeed, you’ll realize that you CAN keep it off for a lifetime due to educational processes and challenges you’ve overcome.

To become successful, it’s best to establish goals.

Recognize that accomplishments don’t happen overnight. If you were taking a 3,000 mile cross-country trip, the thought of it might seem overwhelming when you take out a map and stare at all the states in-between Virginia and California. “3,000 plus miles of interstate traffic, oh my!”

So revamp your thinking. Breaking up your travels into smaller, reachable day trips is a lot less intimidating. Say to yourself, “When I reach Ashville, NC, we’ll visit The Biltmore Estate. When I get to Memphis I’ll tour Graceland.  When I get to Arizona, we’ll see the Grand Canyon”  – all of a sudden you are looking forward to it because you’ve divided a burdensome task into smaller, accessible goals. Apply this same strategy to your weight-loss endeavors. Create smaller steps for exciting, reachable goals.

Don’t feel guilty about doing something for yourself if it’s God-honoring. It is not selfish to desire to be healthy for God!  In fact He commands it.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 1:22)

God says in 1 Peter 1:16 commands, “for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” A Christian should always strive to be holy in all they do, That means not making idols out of food.

Everyone knows how to lose weight: eat smaller portions, exercise, slow down, drink water . . . so why don’t they? Don’t know? That’s where a counselor comes in. Ask yourself: what is more important than health in your life?

Every one has a different reason:

Sometimes a heavy girth is very forceful and intimidating. It creates a powerful tool they want to keep. I’ve also had patients who have been sexually attacked and feel it was their fault for having a seductive figure, so they put on poundage to avoid being a victim. (News flash: you’ll be looked at no matter what size you are.) Others have been beaten down in life when told consistently, “you’ll never amount to anything. I told you you’d fail!” So why should you attempt something that 80% of dieters fail at time and time again?

Some simply love food! “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19) The Word tells us not to make idols out of food. We should eat for nutrients! By striving to become the healthiest individual you can be, you demonstrate inner strengths to your children and your spouse that God creates determined, strong quality material! You!

Remember you are setting disciplined life-goals, not weight-loss goals. Don’t you want to feel this great for a lifetime, not just for an event like a class reunion or wedding?! Why go back to your old, unhealthy self after one goal is reached? That was your old, unhealthy, undisciplined self!

Everyone needs a goal. What’s yours?

“But I Haven’t Lost Weight!!!”

Could your mind be manipulating you into a false picture of truth?

One of my patients, after losing 65 pounds, turned to me and sighed, “But when I look in a mirror Ellie, I still see a huge woman and feel I haven’t accomplish anything!”

Unfortunately, that’s a common misperception. Our mind doesn’t always recognize our successes. “You haven’t changed, you are still fat and the same failure you always have been, so just give up!” is what Satan is whispering in our ear.

Don’t believe it! That’s stinkin’- thinkin’!

It takes several weeks for your mind to catch up with your body image. Allow yourself some patience. Positive thinking is a habit after all and changes take time before we are comfortable with them.

It’s important to create tangible evidence of your accomplishments. Sometimes like Doubting Thomas, we need to see progress with our very own eyes before we believe it.

Here’s a few helpful tips:

1. Create a personal weekly weight loss graph to recognize how much weight you actually lose.
2. Find an old belt to see how much smaller it closes around your waist.
3. Try on a piece of old clothing and see how loose it is.
4. Find an old picture from a year or two ago and compare it to a new photo. See the difference?

By comparing her old self to her new self she recognized how far she had come. She wasn’t trapped at all! She had broken through the mental, spiritual and physical bonds that had previously ensnared her. Her mental image simply had to catch up.

As much as I want to get healthy for you, you must want it more than I want it for you. It is an individual decision to put discipline and training into action to be successful. You alone become a new creation, inside and out. No longer should your mind be trapped into thinking you failed.

It doesn’t please the Lord when you degrade yourself. Just as we accept salvation individually, through a growing faith, we must put positive decisions into real life practice in order to produce the fruit of the Spirit.  We don’t always see that fruit of the Spirit immediately. Sometimes it is a “two steps forward and one step back” process, but you are still going forward!

Have you ever had a day when you’ve said: “I want to be joyful but, man . . . I woke up in such a lousy mood . . . and that boss of mine is such a  . . . and the dishwasher’s broken again and the bills are due . . . ” Sometimes we just do not feel joyful, patient, kind or self-controlled. Everyone has “one of those days.” Forgive yourself; realize you are human, not perfect.

“to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Physiologically there is no quick, safe way to consistently lose 5-10 pounds per week! It is deceitful and dangerous for diet companies to imply one can safely do so. We would be losing water weight, muscle, brain and bone as well as a little fat.

Quit searching for quick fixes and instant gratification! Start educating yourself. By making small gradual changes, you’ll discover fortitude, patience and physiological truths long-term, which honors God.

 God made you special. You were meant for a purpose and you aren’t disposable because God doesn’t make junk!

10 Sensible Habits for Abundant Health!

“For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

We are commanded to honor God with our bodies and let’s face it, no one desires to fail on another “diet.” But every time we get exasperated, wanting to quit, the devil taunts: I said you couldn’t do it! You’ll never be successful.

Don’t believe it! The Lord knows you are more powerful than Satan so tap into God’s power! (1 John 4:4)

To ensure weight loss success, establish your defenses against the devil’s lies. Conquer that mountain top of discouragement! Here’s how:

1. Winners know who they are.  Accept your need for self acceptance. You are unique, revel in that. Build your worth around your love for God, others, your family and personality. Real beauty comes from within. (1 Samuel 16:7) Either rid your life of toxic relationships or be an encourager.

2. Become conscious of how you react to food. Are you really hungry or just provoked by a feeling? Do you eat healthy foods or do you bring tempting junk into your home? Do you eat quickly or dine leisurely with friends and family?  It takes 20 minutes for your brain to know your tummy is full, so relax and enjoy your food.

3.  Build a support system for accountability/encouragement. God declared, “It’s not good for man to be alone.”  Your friends and family care if you’re unhealthy. Don’t allow them to be enablers.

4. Successful people are committed to reaching goals. They don’t allow set-backs to deter them. Sometimes you’ll be ten steps forward and then four steps back, but remember, you’re still going forward! As a Christian, is there anything that would entice you to return to a decadent lifestyle? Hope not! Realize that God doesn’t expect perfection from you, only obedience –  so don’t expect it from yourself.

5.  Successful people develop strategies. They have created strategies to overcome temptations before they arise. Outside influences shouldn’t control them. They know honoring God is more important than  establishing a fattening, unhealthy food as their idol.

6. They find pleasure in other actions besides eating! Develop a hobby, write, paint, exercise, read a favorite novel, garden, learn a new skill. It’s not selfish to find satisfaction in a well-rounded lifestyle! Food then won’t be the highlight of your life.

7.  Motivated people use visualization skills.  Try visualizing yourself covered in lard or yellow fat. Visualize eating raw chicken skin, mmm . . . or bacon grease coursing throughout your veins.  Not very attractive. Think of your heart as a separate entity, faithfully working day and night to keep you alive. Your heart deserves better!

8.  Winners are confident people! Aren’t you drawn to confident leaders? Just think how mentally strong you become, because no one else can lose your weight but you!! If you can lose weight you can do anything, so walk like a winner!

9. Winners become educated. They understand why they eat and know where temptations are. They control their daily fat intake and rarely eat junk food – which like sugar, greatly ages the body. They exercise because it’s beneficial and FUN. They’ve learned physiology and what an intricate machine God created!

10. Feeling great is their everyday routine. Healthy people smile more, enjoying life! Being healthy improves one’s looks, energy level, longevity, self-esteem and is a testimony to how God gloriously rules in our lives.

Walk with God’s Strength, it’s something winners strive for.

 “For it is written, You must be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Aren’t We All God’s Needlepoint Project?

A dear friend worked on a needlepoint project for weeks. I once walked in while she was laboring over her design. It was turned upside down. From where I stood, it looked a total mess. All those patchwork colors were joined in scrambled directions. What in the world was she working on? It looked incredibly complicated and discouraging.

Then she turned it over. The top side displayed a beautiful young child in a meadow amidst colorful flowers. Who knew??? It was so lovely and intricate, revealing a life lesson to me not to judge a piece of work until it’s finished! To her it was worth the effort.

How very much like a needlepoint project is God’s intricate work in us!

Years ago, I worked for a faith-based, drug recovery center.  The women who arrived at the facility were beaten down by life – shattered into pieces. Life’s choices hadn’t been good to them.

Sometimes their drug addiction began as a cry for attention. For some, it was to cover painful emotional attachments to family challenges, boyfriend or peer pressure situations. Others to dull the pain of loneliness, self-esteem issues or friends urging them to join into the “thrill” of drugs and alcoholism.

Unbelievably and regretfully, several had begun their dangerous meth or drug habit merely to lose weight. Now they were addicted. What a half-truth Satan proclaims when he tells a young woman that she will lose weight, gain beauty and popularity through drugs. Weight loss? Of course – through malnutrition and early death!

The half-truths of this world mislead many, just as it has since Adam and Eve. (“Surely you will not die . . .  ” Genesis 3:4) And any drug which artificially jumpstarts one’s metabolism will hang on to every pound after the “goal” is reached as an act of survival.

Losing weight through manipulating drugs  WILL. NOT. WORK! Please do not even think of attempting a drug (diet pills) to lose weight if you’re a Christian. It not only hurts your heart, but God’s as well. You are God’s holy temple and drugs change your biochemistry and brain function!

Today many of these lovely women (but sadly not all) conquered the satanic bonds that anchored them to this world’s view of beauty. True beauty comes from within.

Those women placing their trust in Christ are now firmly anchored to His Truth of Salvation instead of drugs as Christ proclaimed each one was worth the sacrifice He endured for them. They are now children of the One True King!

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

A luring idol has a powerful tug of the heart. But the Word of God is stronger! I pray that the intricately woven Word of God will be able to assist you in resisting the ever present, powerful enticement towards a degrading lifestyle of weight loss pills and other diet fallacies.

If our life is God’s tapestry, it is unclear even to us how His work will turn out until our lives are completed. God’s prick of the needle can be painful as He works on us. And sometimes God needs to modify His creation by reworking the pattern if we go astray. (Genesis 50:20) His Patience and His Timing is perfect in His workmanship of us.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

Don’t Be Misled by Mythical “Pie in the Sky” Diet Plans

Even after being diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, heart disease or other health complication, some still pursue destructive diet plans. Why? They’re chasing after rainbows!

Warning: There are many harmful diet plans advertised today that can tempt the Christian to do physical harm to their bodily temple. Oh, how Satan rejoices in a Christian’s weakness when he fails to comprehend basic biblical physiological truths!

Certain diet options are simply dangerous!!! Don’t be stubborn and seek speedy weight loss because you’d be choosing the wrong solution.  There’s no quick path to healthy weight loss!

Remember these basic practical truths.  God wants His best for us! He placed Adam in a Garden – not in a desert, mountaintop or by a beach. Why? Because everything we need to sustain optimum health can be found in a Garden.

Our destination is our choice, choose abundant vitality as one of them.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say–but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”–but not everything is constructive.”  (1 Corinthians 10:23)

• Any food is fine in moderation. Although I would urge you not to consume foods with artificial ingredientts, chemicals, preservatives and dyes, there is no such thing as a good or bad food. Food’s only nutrients meant to create energy on a daily basis.

 

• Eat for nutrients. How’s your energy level lately? Our bodies are designed to run like a machine. We wouldn’t place sludge in our car’s gas tank so we shouldn’t place unhealthy junk in our personal machine.

Just as God created our body with different functions, one nutrient cannot accomplish everything in the body. Every nutrient works together to create optimum health and we need a variety to sustain a healthier lifestyle.

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:18-20)

• A good diet plan is a life-long one. “Oh my gosh Ellie, you mean I have to eat like this every day????” to which I reply, “Oh my, you mean I have to brush my teeth every day??” Do you wash your face, brush your hair, go through a morning ritual every day? Eating right should become as second nature as any other daily routine.

 

• Counting calories and measuring portions is important at the beginning because it gives you a sense of portion size. But to do this for the rest of your life is as discouraging as walking across the continental USA. Some have – but few people have that much discipline.

It’s easier and smarer to learn to “eyeball” portions after measuring amounts onto a bowl or plate and eventually recognizing sizing. Constantly counting? One becomes discouraged counting fat grams, calories, weighing and measuring every item. This practice is quickly discarded when frustration sets in.

 

• Some fad diets actually do work for some people. They’re also abusive. I think someone won the $1 billion mega-lottery too. Will you be lucky?  Years ago, before I became a nutritionist, I had friends who developed health complications from fad diets. Please don’t play Russian roulette with your body!

• Consume a sensible diet – such as the Mediterranean, DASH or Vegetairan plans with their balanced variety of complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and healthy fats. And enjoy a small dessert once in a while! Life’s too short not to enjoy God’s healthy bounty!

 

What It Takes To Be A Champion

Have you ever gotten tired of winning? No? Didn’t think so.

Tom Brady is an incredible athlete. In 2003, I debated several opinionated men who argued Peyton Manning was the better Quarterback. I respectfully disagreed. Praise God, time has proven me right.

Please don’t put others down because it makes you look more important. You can never build yourself up by putting others down.

How did Tom Brady defy the odds to become the G.O.A.T? An inauspicious beginning, he was the 199th draft pick in the 6th round! That didn’t exactly assert upcoming greatness.

Granted, TB wasn’t a top-drafted NFL recruit but he never whined about it. No excuses! He wanted to prove what he believed. “If you want something badly enough, you’ll work your hardest to achieve it.

Discipline is key to appreciating greatness and there’s always a price to pay to reach it.

Tom Brady began incorporating strict discipline into his life, determined to become his best self. Dedication to greatness is what we all should strive for. Just ask my inspirational friend and follower, Steve, who’s legally blind but runs and climbs mountains. Just like Brady, he wanted to prove something to himself! He did.

TB is the epitomy of a dedicated athlete. He recognizes change always starts from within. He follows the strictest diet, which even I, as a nutritionist probably couldn’t adhere to. He knows nutrient-dense foods produces mental acuteness which helped him out of challenging situations.

Tom Brady has all the qualities it takes to succeed. He’s thinks things through, before he acts. As should you. Talk yourself into success. TB not only wants victory, he wants it for the right reasons. He realizes football is only a God-given gift for a limited time. Being a QB is only what he does – not who he is – a genuinely caring individual.

He works as a team player. Have you noticed how TB directs the football to different receivers? He threw to Gronkowski to get him to the all-time SB touchdown QB/receiver combo record. He knew Evans was nearing a running record several weeks ago, so he helped Evans quickly obtain it. He thought Antonio Brown was worth redemption and mentors him. Similary, in your own life be an encourager, let others shine! It’s not all about US!

Tom Brady knows the value of fitness! Exercise creates muscle which burns fat which acts as the body’s furnace. To create muscle means talking oneself off the couch and move when you’d rather sit lazily watching a movie. TB practices an all-round exercise program which includes a stretching, limbering routine. Do the same! Start out small and get better over time by talking yourself into success.

Tom Brady’s an example of that mental outlook. I only pray he realizes that football will not get someone into Heaven, (although I firmly believe, we’ll be playing or watching sports, creating works of art, theater, music – not sitting on clouds being bored for eternity.) Heaven is Amazing!!!

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14)

Of course TB has bad games, but he shakes it off and plans a way to overcome future obstacles. So should we- learn from our mistakes. Everyone endures challenges in life. I had an extremely horrific childhood but I don’t live in the past!  Make your life matter, because we matter to God!

Through it all, remain humble. Glory fades, champions are mostly forgotten but the Word of the Lord is Forever –  Amen.

 

God’s Amazing pH Design!

Ever wonder how intricately God created us? Consider the pH scale. Okay, I can hear you grumbling now . . .  Great! Back to school. I promise I’ll make it understandable.

Visualize a vertical line numbered from 1-14.

 

Water is right smack in the middle, considered neutral at 7.0. Anything above 7.0 is an alkaline item and anything below is acidic. Stomach acid is between 2.0 – 3.0. It must be that acidic in order to aid digestion processeses.

Balance is the key! Keeping your pH between 7.3 – 7.45 is considered ideal. Remember your body is 55-70% water and the pH of water is neutral at 7.0. Alkaline foods consist primarily of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Exactly how God intended us to originally eat.

Meats, dairy, sugary items, caffeine, sodas, alcohol and foods which have preservatives or been processed are acidic products.

Now you’re telling me, “But that’s how my family eats!”  Bingo, that’s the stereotypical American diet and we consume too many acidic foods today!  Asian countries do not eat this way.  Their daily diet consists of vegetables, rice and very little meat. Asian countries also have less cancer. At least that held true until the fast food industry arrived and with it, the inconvenient truth of additional weight gain and additional health challenges.

An alkaline diet is primarily vegetarian. If you consume five times more fruits, vegetables and whole grains than meat, (approximately 6 ounces daily) you are giving nutrient-dense options a fighting chance to keep you healthy.

Nearly all who suffer from disease are acidic. The simple act of living causes natural stress. Stress creates an acidic environment. When you are ill or under stress, your body is forced to borrow minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium from your bones or vital organs to neutralize the acid and remove it safely from your system.

These same minerals regulate your heart function! Prolonged stress can cause acute diseases, so take steps to relax: music, massage, Bible meditation.

Although the verdict’s still out on whether an alkaline diet prevents cancer, it does make biological sense. By consuming water and eating fruits and vegetables, the body maintains a healthier pH and therefore in most cases people fight off chronic diseases and cancers.

I highly endorse lemon juice, distilled water and apple cider vinegar.

I know what you’re thinking . . . “but lemon is so sour, how can it not be acidic?” True – lemons, limes, grapefruit begin as an acidic element but transform into an alkaline product as it metabolizes.  Isn’t God amazing?!  And some think this just “happened by chance.”

The principle to remember is to eat balanced meals.  A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains and plenty of water will strengthen your immune system.  Too many processed foods, caffeine, dairy, white sugar, meats and white flour products will destroy our godly temple. Change your family’s diet and leave a legacy of health to future generations.

If you don’t believe me, perhpas you’ll trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who proclaim drinking lemon water reduces one’s appetite.

Here’s Why It Works:

When your body’s pH is alkaline, it’s not as hungry! Again. lemon converts into an alkaline food.

Important: Soft drinks and any artificial sweeteners, create an acidic environment. Is it worth the risk?  And now you’re hungrier because insulin levels rise because your body is expecting additional food. This defeats the purpose of sugar-free chemicals, doesn’t it?

What an awesome bodily machine God created.  And some believe these intricacies evolved by chance!

“My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever”  (Psalm 73:26)