Valuable Tidbits

Tidbit 1:   Humor Time

Kids’ Candid Responses – The fireman was telling a kindergarten class what to do in case of a fire.  He said, “First, go to the door and feel the door to see if it’s hot.  Then, fall to your knees. Does anyone know why you ought to fall to your knees?” One of the little tykes said, “Sure, to start praying to ask God to get us out of this mess!”

A preacher was completing a temperance sermon. With great expression he said, “If I had all the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river!” The congregation nodded their approval. With even greater emphasis he added, “And if I had all the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river, too!” The people clapped and were saying “Amen.” And then finally, he concluded, “And if I had all the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river!”

The Sunday School Lesson – During a Sunday school lesson, a child learned about how God created human beings. The child became especially focused when the teacher explained how Eve was created from Adam’s ribs. Later in the week, the boy’s mother saw him lying down on the floor, so she asked him what was wrong. His reply was priceless: “Mom, I have a pain in my side—I think I’m getting a wife.”

Tidbit 2: Spirituals

Spirituals are the religious folk songs created and first sung by African Americans in slavery.  Songs were used as a way of communication.  Slaves often “coded” their improvised lyrics.  The codes of the first Negro spirituals were often related with an escape to a free country.  Spirituals spoke of hope for deliverance from slavery in this world or the next, preferably this world.

After slavery was abolished in 1865, there was a sharp decline in the use of spirituals.  Blacks didn’t want to be reminded of what they had gone through.  Spirituals might have become extinct had it not been for the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who went on tour to raise money for the school.  The director decided they would sing some spirituals.  Many were reluctant for fear that the audience would laugh.  Their performance of “Steal Away” captivated the audience and they were an instant success.  They were able to raise the money and save the school. They caused blacks to take another look at these songs and rediscover their great beauty. 
 
I’ve said these words and I’m sure many of you have said them – “Nobody knows what I’m going through. Nobody knows how I’m hurting. Nobody knows. Nobody understands.”  If you’ve accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you don’t have to go through your troubles alone.  He knows what you’ve been through and He knows what you’re going through.  He knows your sorrow and your pain. 

Don’t wallow in your troubles. Go to God. Talk to him. Tell him (respectively) how you feel. Then begin to thank Him. Thank Him for His goodness His mercy, His loving kindness.  I promise you that the more you praise Him, the better you’ll feel.  Your troubles might not go away immediately, but how you look at them can change and He will provide you with strength to go through your troubles.

“Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” originated during the period of slavery but was not published until 1867.  [Click on the link below to hear the oral presentation of this blog and to hear my rendition of this spiritual.]

Fit 4 the Master’s Use (Episode 11) Valuable Tidbits – YouTube

Tidbit 3: Fiber

Are you getting enough fiber? Fiber is also known as roughage and it is the part of plant-based foods that the body cannot break down.  Although the body can’t digest it, it’s still valuable.  The daily recommended fiber intake is roughly 24 to 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.  Figures show that about nine out of ten Americans are not eating enough fiber. Research has shown how eating a diet high in fiber can boost your immune system, and your overall health.

A diet high in fiber may:

1. Help relieve and prevent both constipation and diarrhea.
2. Lower your risk for type 2 diabetes and improve your blood sugar levels if you already have diabetes
3. Help prevent some cancers
4. Flush toxins out of your body
5. Improve the health and appearance of your skin
6. Improve cholesterol levels by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol
7. Lower blood pressure
8. Reduce inflammation

There are 2 kinds of fiber: soluble, which dissolves in water (ex. apples, nuts, & oatmeal) and insoluble, which does not dissolve in water (ex. whole grains, carrots, & celery). Many foods contain both fibers.

Here are just a few tips for increasing your fiber intake:

• Include veggies with your meals. I always encourage people to eat raw or lightly cooked veggies.  Don’t cook your veggies to death, please. The longer you cook them the more nutrients you lose.
• Eat fruit instead of drinking fruit juices.
• Choose cereals that have whole gain as their first ingredient.
• Eat beans or legumes instead of meat, two to three times per week.
• Substitute whole-grain flour for half or all of the white flour when baking.
• Exchange white bread for whole grain bread. There’s a saying, “The whiter the bread, the sooner you’re dead!”
  
  If you aren’t used to eating high-fiber foods and you suddenly add a large amount of fiber to your diet, you may experience abdominal cramps, gas, bloating or diarrhea. These should go away once your digestive system becomes used to the increase.  Start gradually and also increase your water intake.  Fiber absorbs water so the more fiber you add to your diet, the more water you should drink.

Let’s become more fiber minded.  I encourage you to find more ways to get that fiber in. 
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If you know Jesus Christ as your Savior, now is the time to get to know Him even better.  If you don’t know Him, accepting Him as your Savior will be the wisest decision you will ever make.

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only.  Check with your physician if you have health issues.

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time, have a blessed day!

Sources:
www.churchtechtoday.com/2019/05/06/7-clean-hilarious-church-jokes/
www.swapmeetdave.com/Humor/Religious.htm
Hodgin, M. (1992, 1994), 1001Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking. Zondervan Publishing House.
Fisk Jubilee Singers Historical Marker (hmdb.org)
www.pcrm.org/news/blog/fiber-key-good-health