Tag: wellness

Encouraging Tidbits

*A joyful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22. Have you taken your medicine today?

* Encourage yourself and speak LIFE. Matthew 12:37. It does work!

* Planks – One exercise, multiple benefits. It only takes a few minutes a day. The only equipment you need is your body.

Most of us love a smile. Most of us love a good laugh. Proverbs 17:22 even declares that “a joyful heart is good medicine.” So, let’s get started with some humorous titbits.

*** Tidbit  1    Gotta Smile

An inexperienced preacher was to hold a graveside burial service at a pauper’s cemetery for an indigent man with no family or friends. Not knowing where the cemetery was, he made several wrong turns and got lost. When he eventually arrived an hour late, the hearse was nowhere in sight, the backhoe was next to the open hole, and the workmen were sitting under a tree eating lunch.
      The diligent young pastor went to the open grave and found the vault lid already in place. Feeling guilty because of his tardiness, he preached an impassioned and lengthy service, sending the deceased to the great beyond in style.
      As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workman say to the other, “I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years and I ain’t never seen anything like that.”

Politically correct ways to say someone is stupid (maybe slow-witted would be kinder):

*  Elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor.
*  Receiver is off the hook.
*  Couldn’t pour water out of a boot with instructions on the heel.
*  A few peas short of a casserole.
*  Doesn’t have all his cornflakes in one box.
*  The wheel’s spinning, but the hamster’s dead.

What did one ocean say to the other ocean?

Nothing, it just waved.

*** Tidbit 2    Encourage Yourself

We all like to be encouraged, but sometimes there’s no one around to encourage us. It’s during those times when must know how to encourage ourselves.

Whenever I need to encourage myself, one of my favorite songs is, “Encourage Yourself” written by Donald Lawrence.

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. Sometimes you have to speak victory during the test. And no matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.
Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord.

Sometimes you have to speak the word over yourself. The pressure is all around, but God is present help. The enemy created walls, but remember giants, they do fall.
Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord.

As I minister to you, I minister to myself. Life can hurt you so ’til you feel there’s nothing left. No matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.
Speak over yourself. Encourage yourself in the Lord.

Speak over yourself: I’m encouraged. I’m victorious. I’m a winner. I’m an overcomer. I’m healed. I’m covered by the blood of Jesus. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

I’m encouraged!

*** Tidbit 3    Planks – One Exercise, Multiple Benefits

Planks are one of the most effective exercises you can do because they offer great results in a short period of time (about 1 – 10 min.). The plank, or planking, is an exercise that involves your core muscles, improving your strength, balance and endurance. They are called planks because, when done properly, you straighten your entire body and maintain it rigidly, just like a plank of wood. No extra equipment or weights are required, only your body, making it a convenient form of strength training if you’re on a small budget or are traveling.

Here are 4 things that can happen when you plank every day.

1.   Your posture could improve.
2.   You could become more flexible than ever.
3.   Your core definition and performance could be improved.
4.  Your risk of injury in the back and spinal column could be improved.

How to hold a plank position

1.  Get into pushup position on the floor.  Position your feet so that your toes touch the floor. You can start with a bent-knee plank if you can’t perform a regular plank yet.
2.  Now bend your elbows 90 degrees and rest your weight on your forearms.  OR Bring your hands forward, near the sides of your head, so that your forearms lie on the floor, parallel to one another and to your torso.
3.  Keep your torso straight and rigid and your body in a straight line from ears to toes with no sagging or bending. Imagine your body as plank of wood.
4.  Your head is relaxed and you should be looking at the floor.
5.  Hold the position for at least five seconds or 10 seconds to start. Over time work up to 30, 45 or 60 seconds. 
6.  Remember to breathe throughout. Inhale and exhale slowly and steadily.
7.  When your form begins to suffer, pull the plug.  Gently bring your torso back to the ground. You’re only benefiting from the plank by actually doing the plank.

How to improve your plank time gradually

— If you can hold a basic plank for more than two minutes with ease, you can move on to these tougher variations. They include the elbow plank, leg raised plank and the side plank.
— Perform other body-weight exercises at the same time. Push-up and squat will improve your core strength too.  You can increase the intensity of the plank position using an inflatable exercise ball. Using an exercise ball, start out with your belly on the ball. 
—Practice every day. Space your planking exercise throughout the day. Do 3-4 times every day if you like.

Are you ready to devote 1-10 minutes of your day, every day, to stay fit, healthy? Then jump in and make doing plank exercises a part of your life.

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.

I am so grateful that you took the time to stop by. Don’t forget to click the Follow button. 

Until next time, don’t forget to smile and/or laugh at least once a day!

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only. Remember to do your own research and check with your health professional if you have health issues.

Sources

https://tensionnot.com/jokes/one_liner_jokes/how_say_if_someone_stupid
https://parade.com/1041830/marynliles/clean-jokes/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/202450945740355986/
https://www.google.com/search?q=donald+lawrence+encourage+yourself+lyrics&source=hp&ei=zUMuYf2ZBcSm_Qa0_4bYBw&iflsig=ALs-wAMAAAAAYS5R3TFbIN2X_uewy1nqThSl0nOY-OXW&oq=Donald+laurence+encourage&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYATIHCC4QDRCTAjIECAAQDTIECAAQDTIGCAAQDRAeMggIABAIEA0QHjIICAAQCBANEB4yCAgAEAgQDRAeMggIABAIEA0QHjoRCC4QgAQQsQMQxwEQowIQkwI6CwguEIAEEMcBEKMCOggILhCxAxCDAToRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQowI6DgguEIAEELEDEMcBEKMCOggIABCABBCxAzoICAAQsQMQgwE6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOgsILhCABBCxAxCDAToFCAAQgAQ6DgguEIAEELEDEIMBEJMCOggILhCABBCxAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQyQM6BQgAEJIDOgUILhCABDoICAAQgAQQyQM6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgsILhCABBCxAxCTAjoICC4QgAQQkwI6BggAEBYQHjoECC4QDToHCCEQChCgAVCEC1iqZ2CkemgAcAB4AIABoAGIAbwWkgEEMC4yNZgBAKABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz
https://metrowomanng.wordpress.com/2014/08/04/speak-life-into-your-days/comment-page-1/
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d3/8e/7a/d38e7a71782a5ee22d9438a21de46ceb.jpg

Uplifting Tidbits

Have you smiled or laughed today? Humor does a body good. Are you a constant complainer? Complaining can be bad for your health. What can spices do for you? They could protect your health. Spice up your meals and enjoy all the super health benefits that God has provided through herbs and spices!

Welcome! I’m excited that you decided to visit Happy & Fit 4 the Master’s Use.  l’ll some 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.

A man buys a parrot and brings him home. But the parrot starts insulting him and gets really nasty, so the man picks up the parrot and tosses him into the freezer to teach him a lesson. He hears the bird squawking for a few minutes, but all of a sudden the parrot is quiet. The man opens the freezer door, the parrot walks out, looks up at him and says, “I apologize for offending you, and I humbly ask your forgiveness.”

The man says, “Well, thank you. I forgive you.”

The parrot then says, “If you don’t mind my asking, what did the chicken do?”

What did the Judge say when the skunk walked in the courtroom?

Odor in the court! Odor in the court!
          

A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he’s topping 100 mph. The man eventually realizes he can’t escape and finally pulls over. The cop approaches the car and says, “It’s been a long day and my shift is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behavior, I’ll let you go.” The guy thinks for a few seconds and then says, “My wife ran away with a cop about a week ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!”  ~James Harris               

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“Complaining is dangerous business. It can damage or even destroy your relationship with God, your relationships with other people and even with your relationship with yourself.” – Joyce Meyer    

What do you do when you get really stressed out? Is your first instinct to complain? Somehow complaining has become a natural reaction to us. We gripe, groan, vent, and moan about the unfairness of it all. The Children of Israel in the Bible were famous for murmuring and complaining. They also got into a lot of trouble with God because of it.

Research has shown that when we complain, the hippocampus – the part of the brain that plays a crucial role in problem solving and intelligent thought, releases a stress hormone called cortisol.  The release of cortisol is your natural “flight or fight” response that has kept humans alive for thousands of years.  One effect is to raise your blood pressure and blood sugar so that you’ll be prepared to either escape or defend yourself.

All the extra cortisol released by frequent complaining impairs your immune system and makes you more susceptible to high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It even makes the brain more vulnerable to strokes. 

Research also shows that when we hear someone else groan, moan or complain.  It’s like inhaling second-hand smoke.  So, damage can be caused either way. 

Because complaining has become a natural reaction to many of us, we have to train ourselves to not complain so much. Now this doesn’t mean that we should never complain or vent, but if and when we do, it’s suggested that we do it with the purpose of resolving a concern or grievance not just because it rained when you wanted the sun to shine or because the clerk at the grocery store didn’t say thank you.

Venting could keep us from going off on somebody.  The key is having the right, trusted person you can vent to: Someone who can encourage you, give you insight, or just be there to listen. 

I’m a work in progress when it comes to complaining.  When I sing songs like Rev. Paul Jones’s song: I Won’t Complain, it reinforces the fact that God has indeed been good to me and I must practice being more thankful cause – things could always be worse.  Somebody said, “I had no shoes and complained, until I met a man who had no feet.”

Click on the video below to view the oral presentation of this blog and my rendition of Rev. Paul Jones’s song: I Won’t Complain.

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Are you aware that adding herbs and spices to your food not only add extra flavor but they may also help protect your body?  Some aid fat burning and boost metabolism and help stabilize blood sugar.  Some have powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties.

Here are 8 herbs & spices that may benefit you.

1. Basil – Basil is a very effective anti-inflammatory herb with extraordinary healing benefits that work for arthritis, allergies, and inflammatory bowel conditions, to name a just a few.

2.  Cinnamon is highly effective at helping to stabilize blood sugar levels, making it very effective for those with diabetes (type 1 and type 2). In one study of people with type 2 diabetes, just two teaspoons a day reduced blood sugar as much as 20-30%, as well as lowering LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

3.  Rosemary has long been known to improve concentration, boost memory, and lift depression. Rosemary also strengthens the immune system, improves circulation, stimulates digestion, and fights cancer, as well. 
 
4.  Thyme’s active ingredient is known for treating bronchitis, sore throats, chest congestion, laryngitis and asthma.  It is also effective as a soothing stomach aid to relieve gastritis, indigestion and colic.

5.  Turmeric is said to be more effective slowing down the development of Alzheimer’s disease than many medications, because it decreases inflammation and oxidation in the brain. This spice also speeds up the recovery time from strokes as well.

6.  Cloves have strong antiseptic and germicidal ingredients that help fight infections, relieve digestive problems, and arthritis pain. One of cloves’ best known uses is its ability to relieve tooth and gum pain. 

7.  Cumin is known for being especially good for digestion.  It helps detoxify the body, and is highly effective for respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis. 

8. Oregano contains oil that is a very potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agent). It may also relieve inflammation, internal or external, and offer relief from allergies, aches and pain, without side effects. 

Spice up your life a bit and enjoy all the super health benefits that God has provided through herbs and spices!

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only.  Always check with your physician to be sure certain herbs and spices don’t interfere with medications you may be taking

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.

I hope enjoyed these uplifting tidbits. Thanks for watching.  Until next time, have a blessed day!

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

Look me up on YouTube.

Sources
https://www.blissquote.com/2020/04/complaining-quotes.html
https://www.beano.com/posts/snow-white-jokes

http://www.laughfactory.com/jokes/clean-jokes/4https://ideapod.com/constant-complaining-is-bad-for-your-health/http://clipart-library.com/herbs-cliparts.htmlhttp://www.truthaboutabs.com/top-10-spices.html.

Positive Tidbits

Need to escape from the stressors of today? You’ve come to the right place! I hope that at least one of these mental, physical and spiritual tidbits will encourage, enlighten, motivate you, and/or simply make you smile.

Have you smiled today?  Have you laughed today?  Studies show that something as simple as smiling can benefit your health and wellbeing.  Studies have also shown that you can still reap health benefits even if your smile is fake.

social media smiley April 2020

Let’s begin with a little humor.

A Healthy Lifestyle: A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch.

“I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long happy life?”

“I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day,” he said. “I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise.”

“That’s amazing,” the woman said. “How old are you?’

“Twenty-six,” he said.

A Special Request: A certain pastor conducts an expanded altar call at the end of his sermons. He asks those who wish to make spiritual decisions to come forward, as well as those with prayer requests or some other questions. One Sunday, his three-year-old daughter responded to his invitation. She waited patiently while others ahead of her made their requests. When her turn came, her father leaned down to ask for her request. She whispered, “Can we go to the restaurant after church”?

Busted Smiles: A boy was reprimanded for laughing out loud during school. “Teacher, I didn’t mean to. I was smiling, and the smile busted.”

Take Care of Yourself!
It can be easy to get stressed due to this “new normal” brought to us by coronavirus. It is important to make your physical, spiritual and mental health a priority during this time. God does not want us to be stressed out to the point where it negatively impacts our health.

Here are some potential stress busters.

PHYSICAL
• Physical Activity – Aim for at least 150 minutes a week. You don’t have to get it all in at one time. It can be broken down in 10-minute increments. The main thing is that you find something that you will do and then just – do it.

• Limit processed foods and include a variety of foods like citrus fruits, vegetables, spices, yogurt and other whole foods in your diet on a consistent basis. You build a stronger immune system by maintaining healthy eating habits over time.

• Get that water in – Staying hydrated can boost your immune health. Staying hydrated helps your body naturally eliminate toxins and other bacteria that may cause illness.

• Get enough sleep – God designed us to need sleep. Sleep gives your body time to rest and repair. When or if you have trouble sleeping, here are 2 Bible verses that can help you.

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”(King James Version, Psalm 4:8)

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (KJV, Proverbs 3:24)

SPIRITUAL
• Just like you eat food every day, you should do the same with your prayer life. You move closer to God and get to know Him better when you develop and maintain a consistent prayer life.

• Praise God when you feel like it and when you don’t. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” (KJV, Psalm 150:6)

social media 2 April 2020The more you praise Him, the better you’ll feel. There’s no way you can be sad and praise God at the same time.

• Meditate on Scripture. Meditate on the awesome works of God. Meditate on God himself. Psalm 145 is an excellent place to start.

MENTAL
• Write down something you are grateful for.
I’m grateful that when I get out of bed every morning, I need the help of nobody but God.

• Take a break: step away from the news, radio, social media, etc.
Turn on the radio and dance like you’ve lost your mind.

• Speak positive things to yourself. For example: Read aloud:
Psalm 118:24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Throughout the day speak it and make it personal:
This is the day that the Lord has made. 
I will–     I choose to–     I have a right to–     I get to–
REJOICE and BE GLAD in it!

Click on the video to hear a shortened oral presentation of this blog and to hear my rendition of the song: This is the Day.

Did I make you smile?  Were you able to escape from what’s going on in the world for just a few minutes?  I hope so.

Try to find something to smile about every day and it’s okay if your smile breaks out into a laugh.

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 because – in times like these we need a Savior.

Bye for now.  Feel free to share any tips or positive thoughts.

Thanks for visiting!

The information that I have shared with you is intended for informational purposes only. It doesn’t replace the advice of your doctor.

Resources:
https://clipartart.com/categories/free-clipart-smiley-face-thumbs-up.html
https://www.arcamax.com/entertainment/humor/jokes/s-1219284
Finding Faith During Times of Chaos
Hodgin,  M.(1994). 1001 Humorous Illustrations for Public Speaking.  Zondervan Publishing House.

Wellness

Need a little humor? Stop by. Wellness involves the whole person: the body, mind, and spirit. We must strive to have a balance in all three areas. We should periodically examine our lives to make sure that we improve and maintain our emotional, as well as physical and spiritual wellness.

Humor Time

A woman goes to the Doctor, worried about her husband’s temper.

The Doctor asks: “What’s the problem?”

The woman says: “Doctor, I don’t know what to do. Every day my husband seems to lose his temper for no reason. It scares me.”

The Doctor says: “I have a cure for that. When it seems that your husband is getting angry, just take a glass of water and start swishing it in your mouth. Just swish and swish but don’t swallow it until he either leaves the room or calms down.”

Two weeks later the woman comes back to the doctor looking fresh and reborn.

The woman says: “Doctor that was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband started losing it, I swished with water. I swished and swished, and he calmed right down! How does a glass of water do that?”

The Doctor says: “The water itself does nothing. It’s keeping your mouth shut that does the trick.”

blog 16blog 16a

 

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

  1. Hey! It’s my turn to sit in the front pew!

  2. I was so enthralled; I never noticed your sermon went 25 minutes over time.

  3. Personally I find witnessing much more enjoyable than golf.

  4. I’ve decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to TV evangelists.

  5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher for the Junior High Sunday School class.

  6. Forget the denominational minimum salary. Let’s pay our pastor so he can live like we do.

  7. I love it when we sing hymns I’ve never heard before!

  8. Since we’re all here, let’s start the service early.

  9. Pastor, we’d like to send you to this Bible seminar in the Bahamas

  10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like our annual stewardship campaign!

    Submitted by: NoNo & Co.
    Author/Creator Unknown

______________________________________________________________________________

I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:1-3 Kings James Version(KJV)

Hope this video blesses you.

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WELLNESS

Wellness:“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.” – Greg Anderson

Emotional Wellness implies the ability to be aware of and accept our feelings, rather than deny them, have an optimistic approach to life, and enjoy life despite its occasional disappointments and frustrations.

Seven tips to improve and maintain emotional wellness:

  1. Learn to accept changes in your life. Change happens whether we like it or not. It may not always feel good, but it provides an opportunity for growth.

  2. Think about what you’re thinking about. Only you can decide what you think about. So make the decision to think positive.

  3. Learn to laugh, especially at yourself. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, ease pain, relax your body, and reduce stress.

  1. Have hope. Having hope helps you to believe that your situation won’t last always. We read in Psalm 42:5, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.(KJV)

  2. Enjoy life. Do at least one thing every day that you enjoy doing (taking a walk, drawing, knitting, etc). Write down things you are thankful for. Practice smiling.

  3. Learn to love and accept yourself just as you are. You can’t change your height. You can’t change your skin color. You can’t change your age. Don’t compare yourself or your life to those around you. The bottom line: it is what it is.

  4. Let bygones be bygones. Holding on to past hurts and failures can be toxic for your emotional wellbeing. It’s important to learn how to forgive and move forward.

One of my quests for 2017 is to encourage people (myself included) to do better (mentally, spiritually, and physically).  I believe the best way to do this is by setting goals that you can live with for the rest of your life.

The Do Better challenge for this post:  Examine your emotional wellbeing.  Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Am I able to maintain a balance of work, family, friends, and other obligations?

  • Do I have ways to reduce stress in my life?

  • Am I able to make decisions with a minimum of stress and worry?

  • Am I able to set priorities?

If you answered “no” to any of the questions, you’re lacking in this area at this time of your life.  Set some goals to help you adopt healthy habits and attitudes that foster wellness. The better you are able to master your emotions, the better able you are to cope with the stressors of life. You will also be able to move forward in a positive direction.

blog 16b

Bye for now.  Thanks for visiting.

 

Resources

http://www.sunnyskyz.com/funny-jokes/146/A-Woman-Goes-To-The-Doctor-Worried-About-Her-Husband-s-Temper#l5iRs5DdM0om7zmr.99

https://wellness.ucr.edu/emotional_wellness.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=emotional+well+being&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiR2Oac083TAhVFKWMKHVPkBUgQ_AUIBygC&biw=1390&bih=763&dpr=1#imgrc=f-IYgXuMOkEnrM:

 

 

Half empty or Half full?

A little birthday humor 

  • Q: How can you tell that you’re getting old? A: You go to an antique auction and three people bid on you!

  • After much convincing from my husband, I finally agreed to call an old family friend to sing her happy birthday.  It was only after I finished singing, that the voice at the other end of the line informed me, that it was the wrong number. “Oh I’m so sorry” I said, embarrassed.  “It’s okay” the voice said, “you can use all of the practice you can get!”

  • You know you’re getting old when you walk up the stairs and call it exercise. Happy Birthday!

  • Have a great time on your birthday, and don’t worry about getting old.  That happened years ago.

Three Old Sisters

There were 3 sisters living together 92, 94 and 95 yrs. old. The oldest went upstairs one evening to take a bath. As she was getting in the tub with one foot in and one foot out, she called down to her sisters, “Am I getting in the tub or am I getting out of the tub?”

The 94 yr. old decided to go upstairs to see if she could help figure out the situation. She got to the 3rd step and stopped – then called out, “Was I going up the stairs or was I coming down the stairs?”

The 92 yr. old, sitting at the kitchen table, thought she better knock on wood and as she knocked on the kitchen table she said, “I hope I never get as bad as my sisters. Now was that the front door or the back door?”

Birthday humor time is dedicated to my oldest sister, Pastor Charlotte “Happy” Bryant, who celebrated her 70th birthday yesterday.

water 2

Do you view your birthday as half full or half empty?

If you have read my previous posts, you know that I have not always been the most positive person.  My history includes low self-esteem, depression and suicidal thoughts.  God has helped me over the years and my positive days now outweigh my negative days.  I try to be more grateful and thankful each day.  I also laugh more.  My prayer was: “Lord, for the rest of my life, help me to see the glass half full each day and not half empty.”

I have never known anyone like Pastor Bryant.  I marvel at the wisdom God gives her.  One day while talking on the phone with her, I shared my desire to always see the glass half full.  I have been kind of down because I still have not found a full time job.  I’m still working 6 – 12 hours a week in retail, making minimum wage. That’s enough to make anyone depressed (if you’re viewing the glass as half empty).

It seems like this season in my life has been going on a long, long, long, time and is never going to end.  Ecclesiastes tells us that seasons must come to an end, but God left out the “how long” part.

Ecclesiastes 3   To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

When I look at the glass as half full: No utilities have been turned off; I’m still driving my 2014 car with insurance; I haven’t lost any weight due to lack of food; I’m not getting phone calls from bill collectors; I haven’t filed for bankruptcy.  Those are all miracles. God has been faithful.

In response to my statement about wanting to see the glass as half full, Pastor Bryant said, “Well I choose to see the glass as full.”  Now why did she have to say that?  She had just burst my balloon and raised the bar.  I thought I was doing a great job seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty but she had to throw in the “full” picture glass vision.  That is one of the many, many examples of how God gives her wisdom to share with others and to help us grow.  I must admit that my faith is not yet at the level of seeing a half full glass of water as a full glass of water, water 3 but I’m working on it.  Thanks to God and my big Sis, I believe I’ll accomplish that faith goal.

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him.        Hebrews 11:6

Food for thought: According to Romans 4:17  “(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.”  

 If God called things into existence, why can’t I call a half full glass of water  – full?

The words to the hymn “It is will with my soul” were written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1828.  He had a successful legal practice in Chicago.  He invested heavily in real estate and his holdings were wiped out, as a result of the Chicago Fire of 1871.  Just before this, he had experienced the death of his son.  He wanted to get away for a rest, so he planned a trip for his family.

Spafford had an unexpected last minute business development right before they were to leave, so he stayed in Chicago but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead on the ship.  He was going to follow a few days later.  The ship that his wife and daughters were on, sank.  His four daughters drowned, but his wife survived.  In his grief, he wrote the words to this hymn and was still able to say, “It is well with my soul.”  He had many reasons to see the glass as half empty but I believe he chose to see it as half full.

To view this video, click on the link beside my picture.  I hope it blesses you.

Sing like God is the only one listening.  It’s okay if you get off key, don’t do any “runs” or forget the words.  You’ll get no negative comments from Him.  Just sing from your heart. -Annette M. Harris

What do you do when life hands you a bag of lemons?  You make  lemon waterlemon water.

Lemons contain many nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

Lemon water may:

  • Give your immune system a boost.

  • Aid digestion.

  • Cleanse your system.

  • Alkalize your body.

  • Help fight viral infections.

  • Reduce inflammation.

  • Keep your skin blemish free.

  • Give you an energy boost.

  • Help you lose weight.

  • Freshen your breath.

One doctor recommends starting the day with the juice of ¼ to ½ of a lemon, and filling the rest of the glass with warm water.  You can dilute the lemon juice more, depending on your personal taste.  During the rest of the day, you can sip lemon water at a cooler temperature, if you prefer it. This will keep you hydrated, and it may also help quench your thirst for unhealthy drinks that contain too much sugar and too many calories.

Remember: we are not making lemonade, we’re making lemon water.

I like to drink a warm glass of lemon water with 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and 1/2 tsp of ginger.  It gives me a morning boost.  I like to think of it as a detoxification drink.

I believe that we have the power to contribute to the healing of our bodies by adapting what we consume every day.  Drinking lemon water is one of the little things that we can do on a regular basis that can have long term benefits.

We’re so used to instant gratification in almost everything we do, so when it comes to healthy diets and exercise, we can easily get discouraged if we don’t see results in a few days.  As with any new addition to your diet, give it a minimum of two weeks to see what positive benefits you can get.

I highly recommend that you do your own research on drinking lemon water. Then choose at least one benefit that will motivate you to start incorporating it into your daily life.

Commit to 14 days of drinking lemon water. Write down how you feel on day 1, then on day 14.  Share your experience in the comment section of this post or with someone else.

Bye for now.  Thanks for visiting!  laughing face

 

 

 

Sources

 

http://www.funny-jokes-quotes-sayings.com/funny-birthday-wishes.html

http://jokes.christiansunite.com/Old_Folks/Three_Old_Sisters.shtml

Ecclesiastes 3King James Version (KJV)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+3&version=KJV

Holman Christian Standard Bible                 http://biblehub.com/hebrews/11-6.htm

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Romans-4-17/        King James Version (KJV)

Osbeck, K. W. (1982). 101 Hymn Stories. Grand Rapids, MT: Kregel Publications

http://news.health.com/2015/02/24/why-you-should-start-your-day-with-lemon-water/

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/12/the-2-week-lemon-water-challenge/

http://www.jokes4us.com/holidayjokes/birthdayjokes.

htmlhttp://www.greatcleanjokes.com/jokes/life-jokes/birthday-jokes/

http://www.wishesquotes.com/birthday/100-funny-birthday-wishes-for-friends#ixzz40lWHCQP9