Anxiety can weaken arms and legs, then ultimately our hearts

Hebrews 12:12 (New Living Translation)
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Hebrews 12:12 (New Century Version)
Be Careful How You Live
12 You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again.

Matthew Henry Commentary
Hebrews 12:12-17 A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and parties, will be favourable to our pursuit of holiness. But peace and holiness go together; there can be not right peace without holiness. Where persons fail of having the true grace of God, corruption will prevail and break forth; beware lest any unmortified lust in the heart, which seems to be dead, should spring up, to trouble and disturb the whole body. Falling away from Christ is the fruit of preferring the delights of the flesh, to the blessing of God, and the heavenly inheritance, as Esau did. But sinners will not always have such mean thoughts of the Divine blessing and inheritance as they now have. It agrees with the profane man's disposition, to desire the blessing, yet to despise the means whereby the blessing is to be gained. But God will neither sever the means from the blessing, nor join the blessing with the satisfying of man's lusts. God's mercy and blessing were never sought carefully and not obtained.

Nursing Assistant

Nursing Assistant

OPEN AIR Second Principle in the 8 Laws of Health

I think all people will agree this law of health is a no brainer. Open, clean, fresh air is vital to life. An obvious important part of our everyday health. Still not sure? An inexpensive self-test of holding your breath for 1-2 minutes will give you all the immediate confirmation you'll ever need on that point. Okay...that's an over simplification, isn't it? Well, it is and it isn't. Who do you know who would intentionally rob themselves of air? How about swimmers? They do that all the time, the key is learning how to challenge their bodies without actually drowning in the process. Living only 8 miles from the beach, (Atlantic Ocean) it is sad when visitors don't realize the ocean can be very dangerous. Even the experienced swimmer is not safe when the rip tides are stronger due to a tropical storm or a hurricane many miles away from the shoreline. At first they feel it's manageable and don't realize until they are dragged far from shore and then don't have the strength to fight their way back in. I know a little about that because at age 5 I almost drown. However it was at a public pool when I followed my older brother off the diving board. I wanted to feel as accomplished as he so I followed him into the swim lanes rather than swim toward the ladder. After swimming 1/4 way through the Olympic size pool, my 5 year old lungs were hyperventilating and I could not catch my breath; fatigue had quickly set in. I called out for help but no one could distinguish my cries in the crowded noisy pool. Even the life guard was talking! It was my first encounter with the reality of death. I remember thinking, "Today I am going to see God" Then the lifeguard pulled me out by the hand.

There is a great song by Mercy Me that became a favorite a year or so ago. The lyrics remind me of my near drowning and reminds me that I can be drown even on dry land if I take my eyes off Jesus.

I'm in way too deep
I've forgotten how to swim
I can't tell which way is up or down
Save me before I drown down here
I just need some air

I'm coming up to breathe
Oh, I'm coming up to breathe
I've held my breath for all my life
But I am breaking free tonight
And I'm coming up to breathe

I just need to break these chains
I just need to leave this place
Before now this was all I knew
But with just one glimpse of You I see
You're the air I need

I've done everything I can
To get myself up on dry land
Lord, here I am again
Reaching for Your hand

So as the song eludes, air and breathing are more than just the physical act of moving the diaphragm up and down. It often is connected to our mental, relational, physical, vocational and spiritual health. We can feel choked, smothered, elated, lightheaded and/or invigorated in any or all of these areas. Wow, I feel the need to take some slow intentional deep breaths after that last concept. Oh yeah..laughter (I hope at least your smiling) is a great form of exercise for the heart and lungs. Take time everyday to focus on some activity that helps you take in more open fresh air. One way is to get out and walk for 20 min every day. If you live in a place with a lot of air pollution, chose your time wisely. Early in the morning within the hour of sunrise, may provide the best air of the day rather than at the height of rush hour. If you can walk briskly at a well ventilated gym or mall, that may be your next best option. Healthy heart and lungs go hand in hand and the more we are aerobically fit the greater our lung capacity will be. The greater our lung capacity the deeper we breathe and the more air we can exchange. May you never take the ability to breathe easily for granted. Try breathing in till the count of eight seconds and then try slowly releasing the breath over another 8 seconds. Do that for 7-8times at least once per day. It is the fasted way to refreshing your mind and
often relaxes the muscles in your head and neck that can create tension headaches if they are not well oxygenated. Check out the link and share it with someone you know who is feeling down. http://www.thedontquitpoem.com/

Let's also help others breath deeply by regularly sharing inspiration. (Inspiration comes from a word that means "to breathe")

What is success?
To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Godly Trust in a Faithless World

Godly Trust (1st Part of 8 Laws of Health) Godly Trust:
A few weeks ago my husband and I attended a couples retreat in Lake Mary, Florida. Our pastor presented at one of the sessions and he spoke about how important trust is in our relationships. He summed up how marriage has times of testing and explained how God often allows times of testing for some very good reasons. An obvious one stated by Pastor Mark is, "How can we trust what has not been tested." I have been meditating on that concept and am amazed at how practical and true this concept has been in my life. Trust is the first milestone in human development according to Erikson. We learn to trust when we experience consistency and responsiveness from our caregivers. When you think about it we test things all the time. We like to know if product is reliable before we place our faith in it. Even new foods are offered for taste testing at local supermarkets. Doesn't the scriptures encourage us to, Taste and see that the Lord is good?
Link: http://www.vtaide.com/png/Erikson.html

Sometimes we trust too quickly, especially when things don't add up and we forget to use our heads. God understands that, and how it takes time to build trust with each of us. He knows how fragile it is and how quickly it falls apart and how difficult the relationship is to rebuild when it is lost. Most of our life is spent rebuilding trust. That is why health is strengthened when we have our trust firmly planted in God. Everything, and everyone is less reliable and subject to change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Heb 13:8) He is not a man that he should lie; (Number 23:19, Titus 1:2,Romans 3:4) His promises are true and amen.( 2Cor 1:20) We need to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding, to acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will make our paths straight.

Proverbs 3 (Message version)

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this.

TLC is the Best Medicine!

Children and Pets need lots of TLC! (Tender Loving Care)
If you are not the warm and fuzzy type, listen to this little song and learn the words. It will help get you there...I promise, this is an old time favorite. :)

When you click on this link, it is so sweet you or whoever you share this with can't help but feel the love with every cutie pie endearing term of affection.
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/lyrics/cuppycake.htm

Now that both my children are away at college. One in England, the other in Minnesota, I want them to know that I think about them all the time. I really do miss those early years and this little song brings them back like it was yesterday. As the tears roll down my eyes I'm so grateful for those years. They were full of tender moments and love along with the crazy ones too. Isn't that really why we are here? To learn how to love perfectly, unselfishly and for all time.

"Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile." - Elizabeth Browning

Wisdom of the Ages

The important lessons in living and learning are hard fought for in this life. We have the choice of being guided by God in our journeys or driven by our own understanding. Prayer is an invitation asking for divine intervention in personal and public matters.

Scripture meditation: The Lord will guide you always Isaiah 58:11; Don't worry about everything. Instead pray about everything, and thank Him for His answers. Phil 4:6

Keep in mind:
God answers all prayers
Sometimes He says "Yes"
Sometimes he says "No" and
Sometimes He says....
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

More reminders of God's love: I John 4:9-"This is how God showed His love among us:He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him."

Watch this sweet video entitled "The Sky Angel Cowboy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8&NR=1

To Love and To Be Loved

There are so many ways to communicate love. The book The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman drove that home to me many years ago when I was going through a phase of Love is....saying the words, "I love you." For some people or cultures, putting it in words can feel like learning a foreign tongue. It is awkward and way out of their comfort zone but in the meanwhile love is still being communicated. I was getting too focused on my primary (preferred) method and was missing those tender moments of affection others were trying to give to me. Isn't our walk with Christ simply learning to love as He loved. Sitting at His feet is the only way to really learn. Hurry sickness, aimless living, surviving the rat race...can be themes that rob us of the very moments that give us ultimate joy and fulfillment, loving others as ourselves. When Christ sent people out two at a time I thought that was sensible, until I heard a sermon that explained that could have also reflected the mentor and protege relationship. That is not only sensible, it's an idyllic training model. Who isn't out of their comfort zone when people ask you who you are and why you believe what you believe. When I came to the end of myself and finally cried out to God to forgive me for some horrendous sins , I was set free and had a lot of zeal without knowledge. Just like falling in love, it can be pretty obnoxious to be around folks who are in that altered state of euphoria. There is very little self awareness in those moments but it is clear to those who are eye witness' you are smitten and it's for real. However...time will tell if it's just infatuation or the lasting kind. I want my love for God and others He has given me to love be an outpouring of devotion as in the poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning How do I love thee let me count the ways."
How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.