Nov
29
2008
Christians might have a health-related advantage over those who have not accepted Jesus into their hearts. When a person invites Jesus to be a part of their life, God’s Holy Spirit, a part of the Holy Trinity, takes up residence inside that person. The Holy Spirit enables a person to live in a way that he could not live without the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul tells us this in Romans 8:11 when he writes “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (The contemporary Message translation is more detailed in its explanation.)
Imagine, God in the form of the Holy Spirit lives inside Christians. We have tremendous power that is not available to a non-believer. But, a big question is, do we really believe this and appropriate this power to live in healthy ways. Over recent years, I’ve come to recognize that it’s critical that I remind myself that this power is available to me and that I think, or meditate, on this truth. Even better, I often speak out this truth in a self-affirming way. When I do this, I seem to more easily live out of this power, not in my strength, but out of God’s strength and power.
How does this apply to health-related behavior change? Here’s one example. I have a tendency to skip eating breakfast. Any dietitian will tell you how important breakfast is. I enjoy a cup of coffee or two as I have my quiet time and read my devotional material and the Bible. After my prayer time, its Oh so easy for me to roll right into checking my email or writing some material. I’m off and running. Then the day begins to slip away and before I know it, it’s almost noon. When I’m disciplined to ask the Holy Spirit to prompt me and then strengthen me to take time for breakfast, I am able to be pretty consistent with this helpful behavior. Then, even as I am beginning the act of preparing something to eat, I thank God for helping me. This is the process I use in making a health-related behavior change, with God’s help. It’s really the Holy Spirit inside me that is responsible for the changed behavior. My responsibility is to acknowledge His presence and His power and my need for His help.
Are you struggling with making a change in behavior that you’ve been unsuccessful in making in your own strength and willpower? Would you consider inviting the Holy Spirit to help you and then believe He will do what you’ve been unable to do in your own strength?
If you’re reading this and have yet to accept Jesus into your life, I invite you to take some time to read this brief story about coming home.
Have a terrific day!
Read an article about surrendering more to the Holy Spirit.
Nov
25
2008
Thanksgiving, most of us will indulge in something proven to have powerful health benefits.
No, it’s not that extra serving of turkey or an additional sip of red wine. It’s the expression of gratitude — the simple act of thanking God or just counting your blessings. Saying thanks isn’t just polite. It’s good for your health according to many researchers. Read an article on this topic published in the November 23rd issue of USA Today. The article reports:
- People with high blood pressure not only lower their blood pressure, but feel less hostile and are more likely to quit smoking and lose weight when they practice gratitude. In one study, patients just called a research hot line once a week to report on the things that made them grateful.
- Those who maintain a thankful attitude through life appear to have lower risks of several disorders, including depression, phobias, bulimia and alcoholism.
Now let’s take a look at a few scriptures that address the importance of giving thanks and God’s guidance concerning this topic:
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7
I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:3
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1
I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. Psalm 118:21
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Having an attitude of gratitude towards God and others is what God asks of us. For this reason, when we are thankful, it’s health promoting.
Share one thing you are thankful for.
Nov
24
2008
I recently completed the reading of Making Your Church a House of Healing by Michael Gemignani, M.S., PhD, JD. (Judson Press) Our church, Harrison United Methodist Church, is looking at ways that we can be more intentional about bringing about greater healing to members of our congregation. In that regard, reading this book has been timely.
The author does an excellent job of making a case that the local church should play a major role in bringing about healing of its members. I found that this book was laid out in a helpful manner as it addressed the role that an individual plays, the role that the church community plays, and the role that the leaders of the church play in the healing of individuals. The author is not only talks about physical healing but emotional and especially spiritual healing that all of us must experience to be able to live the complete and full life that God wants us to live.
One statement that the author writes as he makes the case for the church being a house of healing resonated with me. “If we find ourselves being healed, than our most ardent desire is that others be healed as well.” Similarly, another statement is so true – “We pray that the whole world will be aflame with the love of God.”
Leaders of churches who are considering going deeper to make healing more available to their congregation would find reading this book to be helpful.
Nov
22
2008
I read a concise post about the mind and stress this morning from Creekside Ministries blog that I want to share with you. Here’s an excerpt: “Stress begins in the brain. There is a sudden unexpected surge of stress hormones when you feel anxiety. When these hormones are released, sleeping and resting are nearly impossible. Though being extremely energetic is good when one is working, the human body is not built for such a state for long periods of time. If the hyper-activity is extended too much, one will eventually experience headaches, mood swings, aggressiveness, and a loss of the ability to concentrate on a given task.”
I liked how the author ended her post…. with a challenge to make healthy choices…. with God’s help.
DECISION TIME
With God’s help, I have the power to respond in a healthy way
to the stress-filled situations in my life.
I will make the following choices this week:
1.
2.
3.
So, fill in the blanks and today…… make healthy choices in response to the stressors in your life. And live!
“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Deuteronomy 30:19
Nov
20
2008
Happy people spend a lot of time socializing, going to church and reading newspapers — but they don’t spend a lot of time watching television. This new study conducted at the University of Maryland found that unhappy people watched it more and happy people watched it less.
The researchers could not tell whether unhappy people watch more television or whether being glued to the set is what makes people unhappy.
I have a strong hunch that unhappy people just watch more TV. Because they are unhappy and do not have joy in their life, they watch more TV as a means of entertainment and to escape from their real life which is not full of rich relationships with other people and with God.
Here are a few truths from scripture on happiness and joy:
“Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.” Proverbs 3:18
“I will be filled with joy because of you.I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.” Psalm 9:2
“The Lord is my strength and shield.I trust him with all my heart.He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7
“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8
Scripture tells us that being happy and joyful stems from the wisdom of God and from being in relationship with Him.
Are you unhappy or do you lack true inner joy or are you experiencing the contentment and resulting life full of joy that flows from a rich relationship with God? If the latter is the case, my hunch is that you don’t watch as much TV as the unhappy people do.
What do you think?
Read my earlier post about Joy, Wellbeing and Health.
Read my article titled It’s About the Relationship.
Nov
18
2008
You’re invited to visit and join a brand new online community – The Faith and Health Community.
There are absolutely no fees involved.
This site maximizes Web 2.0 and will help you do a lot of valuable things:
Some advantages of joining the site:
* Share & promote information about upcoming conferences/events
* Interact/network with like-minded people
* Easily share ideas in discussion forums
* Create your own page
* Create your own “groups”
* Host your own blog
* Share helpful websites w/ others
* Options to control your site notifications
* And much, much more
I’ve posted a few national conferences and call for papers/presentations —– Hope you’ll add your own as well!
Stop by and visit www.faithandhealth.ning.com, consider joining, and then let your friends and colleagues know about it!
Have a wonderful day!
Nov
18
2008
Experts say that rising food costs are taking a devastating financial toll on people with binge eating disorders. This was reported by the ABC News medical unit in a recent article.
Binge eating is a condition in which a person is unable to control their urge to consume a large amount of food in a short period of time. The out-of-control aspect of the condition is what differentiates it from overeating. Bulimia is a disorder that usually involves binge eating, with the addition of coping behaviors such as vomiting or excessive exercise following a binge episode.
People with eating disorders may have psychological and emotional characteristics that contribute to the disease. They may have low self-worth as well as perfectionism. They may have trouble controlling impulsive behaviors, managing moods or expressing anger. The families of people with bulimia may tend to have more conflicts, along with more criticism and unpredictability. There may be a history of sexual abuse.
My heart goes out to those who are afflicted by such disorders. I can imagine that there must be a deep hurt or yearning inside that these people are trying to satisfy with their eating habits.
The Bible says that God satisfies us more than the richest of foods. Psalm 63:5 As we learn to experience God’s love and allow Him to enter our heart and soul at a very deep level, He can bring about any forgiveness, guilt or deep need that exists that we try to meet in ways apart from Him – like turning to food in an unhealthy manner. God wants to “feed” us in a way that really satisfies our deepest needs.
If you have a deep need because of a situation or past event in your life, try turning to God. Put on a favorite CD or plug in your MP3 player and listen to songs that remind you of God’s nature. Open up the Bible and read your favorite scriptures. Read some other material that helps you understand God better. Consider getting down on your knees and pouring out your heart to Him in a deep and meaningful way. Give God a chance and see if He won’t meet that deep ‘hunger.’ He is waiting for you.
Be satisfied in Him … and have a terrific day!
A Free Online Resource: 5-Day Bible Study Satisfy Me, Ross Brodfuehrer, Southeastern Christian Church
Nov
15
2008
Ready for a sneak peek at the top 20 fitness trends for 2009? The American College of Sports Medicine survey predicts next year’s trends.
# 13 on the list is Wellness Coaching. Coaches support our clients in making behavior changes for better health and wellness.
See this link for the entire listing.
Nov
11
2008
It’s November 11th, Veterans Day.
As a veteran of our armed services, thanks to all other fellow veterans who have served to make our country free.
As a Believer in Christ, thanks to Jesus who gives me, and all who believe in Him, personal freedom.
Nov
11
2008
To say that faith or spirituality or that practicing a religion will have an impact on your health is oversimplifying things. In fact, it’s missing the point altogether. The real point is getting to know God and His qualities and experiencing His love. Let me explain.
Reading Don’t Waste Your Life, by John Piper, is reminding me why I have been doing what I’ve done for the last few years. For me, my vocational life has been sharing about God’s nature with others, in writing and speaking, using the connection between faith and health as a vehicle. Chapter six of Piper’s book is titled The Goal of Life- Gladly Making Others Glad in God.
Reflecting on many of my blog entries and articles I realize that I have not emphasized the value of the relationship with God as much as is warranted. True, I have written an article recently titled, It’s About the Relationship and what I wrote about begins to get at the essence of the Christian faith and it’s impact on health… but I recognize I need to write and speak more frequently from this perspective.
In the Christian faith we get to know the one true God through believing in Jesus and accepting Him into our heart. You see, when we accept Jesus into our heart, God’s Holy Spirit takes up residence in us. We have God living inside us. His Spirit enables us to understand Him better and better as we read the Bible more and more. The more we recognize that we are in His presence, the more hope and power and strength we have for everyday living. As we live more and more according to the principles found in His Word, the Bible, and as we understand his nature more and more, we slowly become more like Jesus. This results in the fruits of the spirit addressed in Galatians 5: 22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
It is the intimate relationship with God accompanied with the resulting fruits of the Spirit that impact on us in such a way that will likely promote emotional and physical health. It all flows from knowing God and experiencing His mighty love. It’s being “glad in God” that promotes good health. It’s being personally “glad in God” that motivates me to share this message with you. Ultimately, this is what honors God and makes him happy … that people attribute their gladness to Him and His love.
All this said, I challenge you, as John Piper does in his book, to not waste your life. If you’re experiencing the gladness that comes from knowing God and being in relationship with Him, share it with others! On the other hand, if you are not experiencing His gladness, begin to get to know Him through His one and only Son, Jesus. A good starting point is by reading the book of John. Or, you could also read this invitation to accept Jesus in your heart.
Stumble It!
