October Tidbits

**“When things are difficult, smile by faith. Don’t wait until you feel better.”– Joel Osteen
**When you eat at least 3 hours before going to bed, your body says, “Thank you! I have a lot of work to do tonight.”
** God’s house is a house of prayer for ALL people.

*** Tidbit 1  Humor Time

Sunday Fish Tale

A boy came late to Sunday School. Knowing he was usually very prompt, his teacher asked, “Johnny, is there anything wrong?”

“No, ma’am, not really,” he said. “I was going to go fishing, but my dad told me that I needed to get on up and go to church.” The teacher was very impressed and asked Johnny if his father had explained why it was more important to go to church than go fishing.

“Yes ma’am, he did,” Johnny said, “My daddy said he didn’t have enough bait for both of us.”

Q: Why did the man give up being a taxi driver?

A: There was too much talking behind his back.

A preacher was giving a sermon to a full church when all of a sudden the devil appeared. He was menacing and threatening and the entire congregation started to flee the church except for one old man. When the church was empty the devil went up to the man and asked “aren’t you afraid of me, I’m evil incarnate, the most horrific being in the universe and will most likely torture you!” The man replied “You don’t scare me, I’ve been married to your sister for 35 years.”


*** Tidbit 2 Eating Before Bed

Do you eat before going to bed? How soon before going to bed, do you eat? Are you eating the right things before going to bed? How much are you eating before bed? Health professionals tell us that we should avoid eating before bed, but that isn’t always easy. There are times when, for whatever reason, we find ourselves eating the wrong thing, eating too much, and eating it too soon before bed.

Health professionals suggest eating 3 hours before going to bed. This gives the body time to digest the last food you ate so that it won’t disrupt your sleep. Circadian rhythms are 24 hour cycles connected to your body’s internal clock that tell your body when it’s time to eat, sleep and wake.  Your body works hard when you sleep and you interfere with that work when you eat too close to bedtime.

Another reason that eating late is not good for you is, that’s when you might make less healthy foods choices.  Nighttime is when some people relax with all the unhealthy stuff – chips, cookies, ice cream, etc. Snacking late into the night increases the chance of weight gain, obesity, and cardio metabolic diseases. You can also experience heartburn and indigestion.

If you just have to have a late-night snack, here are some options that provide your body with protein and healthy fat.

  1. Hummus with raw vegetables.
  2. An apple or banana with a tablespoon or two of nut butter.
  3. A half cup of low sugar, high-fiber cereal with milk.
  4. A half cup of berries with a few almonds.
  5. Nut butter on a slice of whole-grain bread.

The list can go on and on. Do you have a favorite healthy late night snack? If so, please share it with us in the comment section.


*** Tidbit 3    A House of Prayer for All People

Isaiah 56:4-8, NRSV
For this is what the Lord says:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant—
5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever.
6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant—
7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”
8 The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”

A black minister shared a personal story that happened years ago: A white friend of mine invited me to his church. I went and enjoyed the service. Later my friend came to me. He was upset. He told me what members of his church said to him, “Look, we have to share our schools with them. We have to share our grocery stores with them. We have to share our hospitals with them. The church is the only thing we have left and we are not going to share it with them.” I could see the pain in his face as he spoke those words. I told him that I understood. He didn’t have to worry, I would not visit again.

Eunuchs, the Gentiles, foreigners, were considered second class citizens. They were outcasts. They were not welcome in the congregation. God sent the prophet Isaiah to provide encouragement to them. They were not damaged goods. They belonged just as the Jews belonged. The eunuch would be rich with family, even though his reproductive organs had been removed. All would be welcome to worship.

Here we see the mercy, grace, justice, and favor of God. All who accepted His invitation to live a righteous life, keep the covenant, and maintain a repentant, humble and contrite heart would experience His blessings and enjoy access to His presence.

Today, no one who desires to serve the Lord and keep His covenant will be left out. No one is excluded because of race, economic or social standing. God is still calling for more people to come to Him. He hates sin but loves the sinner. They may vote differently, look funny, think differently, etc. It’s our jobs as born again believers to do our part, to bring as many people as we can, into the Lord’s house, the house of prayer for all people.


Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?  If you wait, it could be too late. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting live (John 3:16).

If you have already accepted Him, He wants you to get to know Him even better.

Bye for now. Thanks for visiting. Don’t forget to click the Follow button

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only.


Sources
Church Jokes: Clean and Hilarious Jokes for Pastors – Ministry Voice
https://funnyeditor.com/joke/why-did-the-man-give-up-being-a-taxi-driver
https://unijokes.com/joke-9209/
http://clipart-library.com/clipart/6TyXjqM7c.htm

Refreshing Tidbits

Need to smile? See these jokes. Need a break from stress? Try a stress ball. Need to hear a happy praise song? You’ve come to the right place. Be blessed!

Hello! I’m excited that you decided to visit Happy & Fit 4 the Master’s Use, where I share physical, mental, and spiritual tidbits to encourage, enlighten, motivate you, and/or simply make you smile. It’s not about one part, it’s about the whole. God wants us healthy mind, body, and soul.

HUMOR TIME

“Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away.” – Benjamin Franklin

During lunch at work, I ate 3 plates of beans (which I know I shouldn’t). When I got home, my husband seemed excited to see me and exclaimed delightedly, “Darling I have a surprise for dinner tonight.” He then blindfolded me and led me to my chair at the dinner table. I took a seat and just as he was about to remove my blindfold, the telephone rang. He made me promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned and went to answer the call. The beans I had consumed were still affecting me and the pressure was becoming unbearable, so while my husband was out of the room, I seized the opportunity, shifted my weight to one leg and let one go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of a garbage dump! I took my napkin from my lap and fanned the air around me vigorously. Then, shifting to the other leg, I ripped off three more. The stink was worse than cooked cabbage.

Keeping my ears carefully tuned to the conversation in the other room, I went on releasing atomic bombs like this for another few minutes. The pleasure was indescribable! Eventually the telephone farewells signaled the end of my freedom, so I quickly fanned the air a few more times with my napkin, placed it on my lap and folded my hands back on it feeling very relieved and pleased with myself. My face must have been the picture of innocence when my husband returned, apologizing for taking so long. He asked me if I had peaked through the blindfold, and I assured him I had not. At this point, he removed the blindfold, and twelve dinner guests seated around the table, with their hands to their noses, chorused, “Happy Birthday!”   heso1

A child asked his father, “How were people born?” So his father said, “Adam and Eve made babies, then their babies became adults and made babies, and so on.” The child then went to his mother, asked her the same question and she told him, “We were monkeys then we evolved to become like we are now.” The child ran back to his father and said, “You lied to me!” His father replied, “No, your mom was talking about her side of the family.”  Anonymous

GOD IS GOOD!

We easily declare that God is good – on our BEST days. I got a raise on my job.  God is good!  I found a great parking space at Walmart.  The man of my dreams found me.  Oh, God is good!  

On our WORST days, it can be challenging to declare that God is good. I lost my job.  My car broke down on the side of the road.  My husband has been diagnosed with cancer.  Although it may not seem like it, God is still good. 

God’s goodness shows up in our lives every single day.
* He wakes us up.  
* He gives us breath. 
* He protects us from dangers we can and cannot see.
* Most importantly, He provides salvation [John 3:16] and all the perks (peace, joy, deliverance ….) that come with it.

If you’re ever doubt that God is good just remember:  You didn’t safely arrive at your destination, in your car simply because you’re a good driver. You didn’t tell your heart to beat this morning.  You didn’t keep yourself safe during the night.  It was God and He is good all the time!

Click on the video below to hear an oral presentation of this blog and to hear my rendition of the song: God is Good.

STRESS BALLS

In today’s “new normal” world, it’s easy to become stressed out.  At times I find it stressful just going to the grocery store.  I put on my mask. I have to make sure I’m going in the right door. hat I’m used to buying, I can’t always find.  I have to remind myself to breathe and calm down. I feel like I’m in an episode of the Twighlight Zone.  By the time I get home, I’m just tired! 

Dealing with negative stress can have serious effects on your health and cause strain in relationships.  When stress gets too awful, your blood pressure can go up, your hair can fall out, it can lead to a stroke and even a heart attack.  It can cause you to gain weight, be short tempered and unfriendly.

One way that you can cope with stress is to use a stress ball.  A stress ball is a small, soft, kneadable ball that you can squeeze in your hand. They come in different shapes and sizes.  They are easy to find and not expensive.  

Here are 4 benefits of using a stress ball.

1. Stress causes a lot of physical tension. The main benefit of the act of repeatedly squeezing a stress ball is that it releases tension and helps to relieve stress.  When you tighten your grip around a stress ball, your hand and wrist muscles constrict. Then, as you release your hand by relaxing your muscles, your whole-body releases stress and tension. 

2. A stress ball may help boost blood circulation. As you constrict and contract your finger and hand muscles, you improve the blood flow to your hands and wrists, which helps your muscles rid themselves of toxins, and improves function.

3. Stress can cause you to lose sleep.  The use of the stress ball may help to promote sleep because it relaxes the body. When you get the right kind of sleep you need, you become more productive during the day.

4. A stress ball can contribute to your mental health.  Regular use can help clear your mind, even if only for a little while.  Your focus is directed towards the act of squeezing the ball.  As you squeeze it, your mind can become relaxed and distracted from stressful activities. 

Here’s a basic way to use a stress ball.
–     Squeeze the stress ball in your left hand for 30 seconds.
–     Pulse it for 30 seconds.
–     Repeat with the right hand.

Meditate on scripture while squeezing the stress ball.

John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

Isaiah 41:10  Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Get that stress ball out!  Throw it across the room if you have to.  Just don’t throw it at your boss.  Give it a chance and see just how it might benefit you.
Check with your doctor first if you have health issues.

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 one of the wisest decisions you will ever make.

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only.

Thanks for stopping by.  Feel free to share any tips or positive thoughts.

Look me up on YouTube.

SOURCES
https://www.keepinspiring.me/funny-quotes/http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/clean-jokes/3http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/clean-jokes