Mar
05
2010
Spirituality and Health – A Working Model
This is a somewhat creative attempt to capture my ideas on many of the key aspects of the connection between one’s faith and their health. I used a mind mapping website to create this. It has limitations, but I’m pretty pleased with the connections it allows and the associated graphics.
Any feedback you’d like to provide would be appreciated.
What key components are missing?
Any links not made that should be?
Resources on the Spirituality and Health Link
Article – Understanding the Spirituality and Health Connection
Blog Posts – Spirituality and Health Tag
Jun
15
2009
The Grey Reef on North Platte River
Last week I was in Casper, Wyoming helping a friend conduct fitness standards testing for the city’s Police Department. I’d driven through Wyoming before but never spent any time in the state.
It so happens that this area is home to some of the best trout fishing in the United States, if not the world! The North Platte River runs right through Casper. I love to fish but don’t do it too often. I did not take any of my fishing gear on the trip because I did not know if I’d have enough free time to get out on the river.. and I was unsure of where to fish.
By good fortune, one of the police officers we tested during the first day there is not only an avid fisherman but a fishing guide sponsored by Orvis, a leading manufacture of fly fishing gear. Jeremy was gracious enough to loan me his gear – flies, waders and a rod. Read more of this article »
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!
Sep
15
2008
“Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do.” (Matthew 9:12) The Great Physician, Jesus, told people that it was those who were sick and needed to be made well that needed the help of a doctor, not those who were already well. In that scenario the Pharisees had asked Him why He was eating with scum or sinners. Jesus was talking about those who were sinners and especially in need of becoming spiritually well. .
Today, research is clearly showing that there’s often, but not always, a relationship between certain physical conditions and diseases and one’s spiritual health. Consider some of these conditions and diseases: addictions, allergies, arthritis, asthma, bulimia, chronic back pain, cold sores, coronary artery disease, Crohn’s disease, depression, dermatitis, diarrhea, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, impotency, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, obesity, panic attacks, post traumatic stress syndrome, reflux, rosacea and ulcers.
If you suffer from one of these conditions or you know someone that does, it’s quite possible that an aspect of your or their spiritual health may not be well and that over time the spiritual condition has affected the body with one of these conditions. Specifically consider the degree to which your relationship with God, with other people and with yourself is well. Reflect on whether or not there is any inner conflict at all in regards to your relationship with yourself, others or God. Are you sick or do you need to be made well from one of these conditions I’ve listed or perhaps another condition that has as its root some inner conflict with yourself with God or with another person? Is there an existing open wound, hurt, unforgiveness, resentment, guilt, shame or any other strong negative emotion related to any of your relationships? If so, then you could benefit from a touch by the Great Physician.
God’s greatest commandment for us is that we should love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and that we should love other people as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39) Since this is the principle that He wants us to follow more than any other, it certainly makes sense that if we are not right with this commandment that we might have trouble in our lives. For many of us, a long-term conflict or issue with an aspect of our relationships may be manifesting itself with a physical condition. You see, our bodily health is often like a barometer of the health of our soul. If conditions deep down inside of us are not right, over time the mind, body and spirit can interact with one another and often cause physical health problems and conditions.
Are you sick and in need of a doctor? If so, turn to Jesus.
Sep
09
2008
Over the last four months more people have landed on my website and blog looking for Scriptures related to stress than for any other reason. In that light I thought it would be helpful to make another entry on this topic.
In January of this year I made an entry about Jesus on stress management. This Weekly Faith and Health scripture post was from Matthew 11:28 – 30. “Then Jesus said, come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I gave you is light.”
It’s not surprising that so many people are searching for scriptures on stress. Lots of people are struggling with their home loans and many are experiencing foreclosure. The higher oil prices have raised the cost of gasoline. The economy is on shaky grounds. We are two months away from another presidential election and many people are concerned about making the right choice in November. These are just a few reasons why I am certain that many people are stressed.
As Jesus has told us in this scripture in Matthew, more than anything when we are stressed I believe that he wants us to turn to Him. Spending regular time with Him in prayer and through reading the Bible is one of the best ways I have found to “turn to Jesus.” The more I do this I am less stressed. I hope that you will take this scripture to heart and turn to Jesus during times of your stress.
See this page for more scriptures on stress and receiving strength from God.
View this 4 minute show on how God can help with your stress.
Have a great day!
Sign up for Faith and Health Connection Blog updates.
Jul
30
2008
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.
Let’s Connect!