Time With God Equips Us for Living Life – Weekly Faith and Health Scripture – Isaiah 40:29-31

Today we likely face more stressors and strains than usual as times  in the world are really tough.  Since we are in such tough times with the economy, unemployment and the like, you are probably experiencing a high level of stress due to the associated challenges  – in your work, personal life and family life.

During times like this, it’s critical that your level of strength, wisdom and resilience be very high. And it’s vital that you receive this from the Lord.

This requires spending quality alone time with Him. Alone time to be still with Him and to hear from Him. Just time to sit in His presence. To be in His Word so He can speak to you as a son or daughter of God.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.  Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:29-31

My “To Do” list is always long.  Daily, I am tempted to get right to work and plunge into whatever needs my attention.  After all, there’s work to be done! This is a daily temptation most of us face I imagine.

However, it’s in the waiting… being quiet with God in His presence… that we gain His strength for living. This is a discipline, a spiritual exercise, that has to be practiced over and over and over again.

I encourage you, at all costs, spend personal quiet time with the Lord! He will equip you for living today.

Be well!

Faith and Health Connection Site Receives a New Look

Thanks to my talented son, Drew Fletcher, the entire website now has a fresh new look. You’ll find a new navigational system including drop down menus, brighter colors, improved search capability, RSS and overall improved functionality.

Upgrading to WordPress 2.7.1 from a much earlier version was instrumental in making many of the changes.

This re-launch also occurs on the day where the blog feed is now received by over 100 subscribers – a new milestone!

I invite you to take a few minutes and look around.  And I also encourage you to share this improved site with your colleagues and friends.

Teaching spiritual truths for health and wholeness.

Moderate Physical Activity Level is Defined

Today’s USA Today ran an article that defines what moderate physical activity is.

National guidelines urge all Americans to engage in “moderate physical activity” at least 2 1/2 hours a week, but what does that mean? A stroll? A run?

A new study has the answer – Moderate is equivalent to a brisk walk, or about 1,000 steps every 10 minutes.

To determine what level of activity was in the moderate range, researchers had 58 women and 39 men (average age 32) walk on treadmills while a machine measured their energy expenditure. They found that moderate exercise amounted to 92 to 102 steps a minute for men and 91 to 115 steps a minute for women.

“Imagine you’re late for a bus. You’re in a hurry. It’s not a leisurely stroll, it’s a brisk walk,” says researcher Simon Marshall of San Diego State University. The study will be in May’s American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The Economy, Stress and Your Pain – Weekly Faith and Health Scripture – Matthew 6:25-34

Dr. Christopher Edwards, director of the Behavioral Chronic Pain Management program at Duke University Medical Center, says his pain-management program in Durham, N.C. is seeing a rise in patients amid the current economic crisis: “There’s a very strong relationship between the economy and the number of out-of-control stress cases we see.”

Katherine Muller is a cognitive therapist and director of psychology training at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y.  She says “The message I’m trying to send(to my patients) is that you are responsible for your own stress. The way you are looking at it and feeling about it is more up to you than you realize.”

Both of the above excerpts were taken from a Wall Street Journal health column written by Melina Beck on March 17, 2009.  Her article is another reminder of the affect that chronic stress can have on our physical health. In this case, it’s the stress people are experiencing because of their perceptions and beliefs about their finances and the impact the economy is having on their lives. Beck mentions the value of exercise, biofeedback and therapy as methods to alleviate stress, however she makes no mention of the spiritual dimension of one’s life and the value of it in managing the stressors associated with this economic mess were are in. Read more of this article »

The US Army Chaplain Corps & Senior Leader Training

This week I have been privileged to spend time with senior Chaplains of the US Army.  Over 350 Chaplains and Chaplain Assistants from around the world are spending time together in Hilton Head, SC  to receive updates and various trainings under the theme of Renewing the Soldier’s Mind.

I had the honor to talk on “Renewing the Mind and Keeping It Fit” on Tuesday to the assembled group.  My key scripture was Romans 12:1-2. Today, I spoke to spouses on the topic of “Leaning on Your faith in Times of Stress.”  Having spent 20 years as an officer in the Army, this was a special time for me to be able to reconnect with members of the Armed Services.

Chaplains in our Armed Services have one of the most challenging vocations in the world.  Spending this week with them has certainly given me a greater perspective on the stressors they and their families have.

May God bless the men and women of the US Army Chaplain Corps and the fine enlisted men who support their work.

For more information about a career as a US Army Chaplain, please see this sub-page of the Pastor tab.