Spirit Mind Body Health = Faith and Health Connection

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture - Exercise, God & Your Heart - Psalm 119:32

Published by Dale on August 14, 2008 in Exercise, Faith and Fitness, Spirit Mind Body Health, Spiritual Exercises and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 0 Comments

We all know that exercise is good for the heart. Aerobic exercise, the kind that causes the runner on trail heart rate to rise and stay at an elevated level for a period of time, is most beneficial for the cardiovascular system. I’ve been a runner for over 44 years. During that time my heart and my entire cardiovascular system certainly has benefited from all the running. I am confident that all the time I have spent on the road and treadmill has benefited my physical health.

Psalm 119:32 says “I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Like the author of this Psalm, I have discovered over the years that as my lifestyle is consistent with God’s commands, I have found more and more freedom deep in my heart. This freedom and joy has given me an even greater desire to follow the principles of God. I want to “run” in the path that He has laid out for me in the Bible.

As much benefit as moderate physical activity like running is for us, the spiritual exercise of obeying God’s commandments has even greater benefits for our hearts. The freedom, joy and inner peace that comes from “running” alongside God is indescribable.

What benefits have you enjoyed from “running” in the path of God’s commands?

Have a terrific day!

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture - Jesus Praying Through Me - Galatians 2:20

Published by Dale on July 30, 2008 in God's Presence, Jesus, Spirit Mind Body Health and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 2 Comments

Jesus Praying2 Last week I prayed in a way that I had never prayed before.

My heart has been heavy for an individual for many months. I sensed that person needed a special touch from God from deep within. On many, many occasions I had prayed for him. In my Men’s Bible study we have been looking at how Christ lives His life through us. Paul tells us in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” That tells me that a follower of Christ is to allow Christ to be the one who is speaking, behaving and doing all the other things a person does. If we were truly one with Christ, we could step aside and let Him live though us.

Jesus tells us in John 15:4 & 16, “Remain in me and I will remain in you.” “The Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” To me, this says that if we are so deeply abiding in Jesus that we will actually sense His presence in us. We will know that Jesus actually is living in us. Since that is the case, then we ought to understand that Jesus wants to be the one praying, not us. If we have this awareness and are able to yield to Jesus during our prayers, then in those moments we can be confident that the prayers that are being lifted up to the Father are actually the prayers of Jesus. Wow! That is so very powerful and sacred and holy.

I believe that this is the true essence of abiding in Jesus. When we are able to experience that Jesus is present and the one living through our bodies and the one doing the talking through our lips, then we are “joined” to Him just as He desires us to be. When we are able to be in this place, that’s when much fruit will be produced. (John 15:5) And one of the fruits that most pleases the Father is the fruit of someone entering into His Kingdom.

Why does Jesus want to be able to pray through us to the Father? He wants us to experience the ultimate connection with Him that occurs during that time of prayer. He wants us to have that sweet fellowship with Him. He wants us to experience the confidence and the power that occurs when we are with Him so solidly. He wants us to be instruments of His love as we pray for others. He wants us to really know Him… the kind of knowing Him that is experienced during such intimately prayerful times.

When we are in God’s presence, imagine how quieted our body, mind and emotions are. Such peace is wonderfully conducive to our health. When we are purely connected with God and Jesus it’s a really beautiful thing. Anytime we experience something beautiful, it’s good for our inner being and wellness. Imagine the strong sense of confidence you’d have and a sense of power, not power that comes from self, but power that comes straight from God. We should not be motivated for these reasons, but it’s an extra benefit that comes from such a close and intimate relationship with our Savior!

I have full confidence that God heard that prayer last week. It was Jesus’ prayer to His Father. I also know that God then touched a man’s heart in a special way over the next few days. Thank you Jesus for revealing more of your nature to me.

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture: Philippians 4:8 The Spiritual Exercise of Healthy Thinking

Published by Dale on July 21, 2008 in Spirit Mind Body Health, Spiritual Exercises and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 0 Comments

Thinking James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh, once said “You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”

Our thoughts and emotions are represented in the body as electrochemical reactions. These chemicals are constantly floating around in our bodies and are stored in different places. The research is clear that negative thoughts, and the associated harmful chemicals, have detrimental effects on our health.

You can control the degree to which harmful chemicals float around in your body by adjusting your thinking patterns. Start by making a deliberate decision to change how you’re thinking. Commit to putting a concerted effort into this for a week and see if it doesn’t make a difference in your attitude, emotions and resulting behavior.

Begin to monitor your thinking patterns and identify when you’re thinking or meditating on negative thoughts or thoughts that cause you to be anxious or are connected with some other harmful emotion. Let those thoughts go and replace them with positive thoughts.

Read the Bible and meditate on scriptures. Believe what you read to be true and tuck these truths into your mind and your heart. Identify scriptures that are meaningful to you and create personal affirmations and speak them out loud. Here’s an example using Psalm 63:5. “You satisfy me more than the richest of foods.” When reading and meditating on scripture becomes part of your daily ‘diet,’ you’ll likely see a change in your thinking patterns.

Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

This spiritual exercise of healthy thinking is all important in living a healthy life. The more effective we can be at thinking as Paul urges us, the more likely we’ll live a full and healthier life.

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture - John 8:32 - True Freedom & Independance

Published by Dale on July 3, 2008 in Freedom, God, Healing, Spirit Mind Body Health and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 1 Comment

We are truly fortunate to live in a country where we have so many freedoms. A big “thank you” to our forefathers who had the vision to write up our founding documents in such a way to pave the way for these freedoms. And, I am honored to have been a part of the Armed Services for 20 years in which millions of men and women are still serving throughout the world to protect our nation’s liberties. To them another “thank you!”

An even greater and more significant personal liberty is available to those who may struggle with any sort of destructive and unhealthy behavior and thinking pattern, feelings of unworthiness or a lack of being accepted or loved.

Many of us try to cope with the stressors of life and to meet our basic needs of self worth, acceptance and identity by our own resources and apart from God in ways that are unhealthy and can be self-destructive. These self-sufficient attitudes, thinking patterns and behaviors often become habits that have a negative impact on our emotional, spiritual and physical health.

We are so fortunate that there is a God that loves each and every one of us so much that He sent His son Jesus to live on the earth to teach others about God and of His love and then to die for us. Jesus came to set us free from our self-sufficient and sinful nature that hold many of us captive and in bondage. Getting to know Jesus in a personal way and believing in and embracing the truths of the Bible can set us free from our unhealthy attitudes, manner of thinking and habits that we may have developed over the years to meet our needs apart from God. See John 8:32

Then, if we stay close to Jesus and the Spirit of God is alive in us, we can be rewarded with love, joy, peace, kindness, self control and other such ‘fruits.’ Our life will be more abundant and meaningful. Finally, because our life will have been turned around, we’ll want to share with other people what Jesus has done and encourage them to turn to Him so that they might also experience true personal freedom and liberty. This will all bring tremendous glory to God.

Thank you Jesus for giving me the type of freedom that can come only from you!

Have a Happy Independence Day!

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Conference of the Society for Spirituality, Theology and Health

Published by Dale on June 28, 2008 in Fitness and Health Professionals and Spirit Mind Body Health. 2 Comments

This week I was fortunate to attend the first international conference of the Society for Spiritual Exercises Poster Spirituality, Theology and Health at Duke University in Durham, NC. The theme of the conference was “Spirituality, Health and Human Flourishing: Meaning? Measurement? Implications?”

The leaders of the research in this field were present. In addition to the keynote addresses and plenary sessions, there were approximately 60 poster presentations and 40 papers presented. If you’re interested in viewing the major presentations you can check back at their site as there will be videos available.

I was fortunate to present a poster titled “A Spiritual Fitness Assessment and 18 Spiritual Exercises.” It was a blessing to interact with many of the 250 attendees of the conference and to have dialog with those who viewed my poster.

Fletcher and Koenig Two leaders of the field were present, Harold Koenig, MD and Jeff Levin, PhD. Having the opportunity to speak with each of them was a treat. I’ve included a photo of me and Harold Koenig. Jeff Levin urged the participants to explore the concept of human flourishing.

I left the conference inspired to roll up my sleeves even further to better understand the spirituality/religion and health relationship and to share with others what I learn. Benefits of membership in the society can be found at this link.

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Weekly Faith and Health Scripture: Psalm 119:143 - Finding Delight in Times of Stress

Published by Dale on June 16, 2008 in Bible, Spirit Mind Body Health and Weekly Faith and Health Scripture. 0 Comments

I think that each of us knows instinctively that if we remain stressed for a long period of time, our health will suffer in some way. Bible Reading Not surprisingly, that’s what the research shows as well. Headaches, asthma, the common cold, high blood pressure, ulcers and eczema are just a few conditions that may come about because of the body’s exposure to chronic stress. We each have a different response, but if stress is long term and intense enough, our bodies will pay a price.

There are many conventional ways in which we can alleviate the stress we are under. Getting enough sleep, exercising, muscle relaxation, deep breathing and connecting with close friends are some ways to manage stress. More about these and other techniques can be found at this website on Medline.

In today’s scripture, the psalmist indicates that he is troubled and distressed. Yet he proclaims that “your commands are my delight.” He’s saying that the principles and guidelines for living found in the Bible are a delight to him. When he is stressed, he is delighted by following God’s commandments.

The message for us is that in our lives, we will have stress. Yet, amidst the stressful situations and events, if know the principles in the Bible and live by them, we can find delight. As we are delighted, instead of feeling internally stressed for long periods of time, our health will be impacted in a positive well.

Are you intimately familiar with God’s commands and principles? Do you find delight in following them?

Have a wonderful week. And to all you father, a belated ‘Happy Father’s Day!’

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“Living By Design…” A Terrific Read

Published by Dale on May 30, 2008 in Faith and Health, Fitness and Health Professionals, Healing, Recommended Books and Spirit Mind Body Health. 0 Comments

Living by Design… Discovering the Spirit, Soul and Body Connection is what I’m currently reading. Ray Strand, MD and