Sep
16
2009
When I learn of information that I think will help others, I’m likely to pass it along more quickly than more slowly. This is one of those times.
About 5 years ago I read a book by Dr. Kara Davis, a practicing internal medicine physician, on the secrets to losing weight. It was based upon the application of the different “fruits of the spirit” addressed in Galatians 5:22-23.
Her new book is Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss. A 50-Day Renewal of Body, Mind and Spirit. It combines spiritual truths of the Bible with practical yet medically sound advise on eating and physical activity.
I’ve read the introduction and the first of the 50 four-page chapters and scanned over the remainder of the book. One thing is clear - Davis’ heart is that people know the loving God of the Bible and that they be in good health. This book would be great to read read as a devotional over a 50 day period and I suspect could be a life-changing experience for some of you.
“For He (God) has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He (God) has filled with what is good.” Psalm 107:9
Questions to Reflect On:
Are struggling with your weight and ready to grow more deeply in your relationship with God and yourself? If so, I strongly recommend you read this book.
Do you know of a friend or family member who is challenged by their weight? Consider sharing this post and book with them.
Resources for Weight Management and Weight Loss
Article – Spiritual Exercises to Help You Know God Better and Manage Your Weight
Article – Overweight? Find Freedom From Overeating
Scripture Listing – Scriptures for Weight Loss and Weight Management
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
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!
Aug
29
2008
Today an article was released by Health Behavior News Service suggesting that happiness and life satisfaction might lead to better health. They refer to a study that was based upon research in Australia conducted in 2001 and 2004. The researchers looked at 10,000 adults who responded to items about health indicators in the presence of long term limited health conditions and physical health. They found that both happiness and life satisfaction might lead to better future health.
So the question is, how do we become happier and more satisfied with our life? The answer can be found in scripture. Psalm 119:2 says “Happy are those who obey his decrees and search for him with all their hearts. Verse 35 reads “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Finally, verse 56 reads “This is my happy way of life: obeying your commandments.”
These are only three versus of this very revealing chapter in the book of Psalm. I would urge you to take time to read the entire chapter of Psalm 119 so you can gain a full appreciation of the value of God’s principles and commandments. He gave us His truths in the Bible so that we could live a more full and happy life. I am convinced that the happier we are with our life and the more satisfied we are with our life that the better our emotional health will be. This improved level of emotional health will then lead to improved physical health.
Warren Wiersbe writes in his book, 5 Secrets of Living, that the secret of enjoying life is fruit bearing. The secret of fruit bearing is abiding in God. The secret of abiding in God is obeying Him. The secret of obeying God is loving Him. The secret of loving is knowing God. The abundant life that Jesus refers to John 10:10 is what happiness and true joy is all about. Scripture tells us that we can receive this happiness and true story through obeying God’s commandments. So, I urge you to spend time in his Word to get to know God and to try your best to live your life in accordance with his commandments. The resulting happiness and subsequent improved health will contribute to living the abundant life that Jesus died for us.
Go have an awesome day!
May
30
2008
Living by Design… Discovering the Spirit, Soul and Body Connection is what I’m currently reading.
Ray Strand, MD and Bill Ewing, a Christian counselor, do a terrific job of explaining how God designed us and how our bodies function when we are under the stressors of life. The book, based on Biblical principles, points us to peace, love and possibly better emotional and physical health.
Here are chapter highlights:
- Stress and the body
- Unresolved anger
- Motivation of the heart
- Rest for the soul, power for life
- Exercise and diet
- Oxidative stress, free radicals and the need for nutritional supplements
- Healing God’s way
- An eternal perspective
If you know of someone who might have a chronic degenerative disease, inflammatory-related disease, panic attacks or another stress-related condition, this book would be a wonderful gift for them. I highly recommend it!
Have an awesome day!
Let’s Connect!