The Call

The lamb came to him one morning. Called his name, invited him into His presence.
The man felt the warm call and thought about responding. And then he thought, this is just the sort of moment people wish for...and he wrote a beautiful worship song about it and many were blessed.
But the Author, he knew not.

The lamb came to him one afternoon. In the midst of a ski vacation, surrounded by powerful snow capped peaks, rugged and awesome in their strength. He noticed the untouched snowfall of the tallest ridge and felt a tugging of wonder at it's beauty. But then he thought about seeing his tracks on the snow and how he might best reach the peek so that he could ski down it.
But the Creator, he knew not.

The lamb came to him one evening, As the sun was setting on a beautiful day at the beach. His kids playing, his wife picking up the last of the flippers. The light shone, bright and warm across the sky, painting an incredible sunset. He was touched by the beauty and instantly pulled out his camera, hoping to capture it, perhapes even paint it.
But the Light, he knew not.

In our moments of inspiration..let us not forget the One that inspires us.

10 ways to take control of your health

OrlandoSentinel.com
10 ways to take control of your health
By Julie Deardorff
Tribune Newspapers
November 10, 2009
CHICAGO

If you're ready to take control of your health, start by washing your hands for 15 to 20 seconds, about as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice.Doing this simple act, while avoiding certain behaviors -- smoking, excessive drinking and eating too much -- can dramatically improve your health, said internist William Meller, who specializes in evolutionary medicine in Santa Barbara, Calif.Prevention goes well beyond the mammograms, prostate screenings or blood tests that we can get at the doctor's office. It's the little steps you take that can keep you healthy."Ideally, prevention should also emphasize healthy lifestyles, a practice that isn't only health-conscious, but [is] inexpensive," said James Pivarnik, president of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Here are 10 easy ways to get started.

Take a walk.
Humans are designed to be on the move, Meller said. "Walking triggers all of our bodily systems: digestion, stress relief, thinking and preparation for sleep."It's easy, simple, free and confers the benefits of exercise without the risk of damage from more energetic pursuits, Meller said. Walk every day -- barefoot is fine -- and get a pedometer to track your steps, shooting for a minimum of 10,000. Stay committed by setting walking dates with a friend.

Keep a food journal.
Writing down everything you eat can double your weight loss, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine."The more food records people kept, the more weight they lost," said lead author Jack Hollis, a researcher at Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research.Scribble down your dietary transgressions on a note pad, use an online food journal or send yourself text messages."It's the process of reflecting on what you eat that helps us become aware of our habits, and hopefully change our behavior," said Dr. Keith Bachman, a member of the Kaiser Permanente Care Management Institute's Weight Management Initiative.

Stop drinking soda.
Soda and other caloric, sugar-sweetened beverages have contributed to skyrocketing rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. But there's also evidence that drinking diet soda leads to weight gain. Researchers suspect that tricking the brain -- getting sweetness without the calories -- makes you crave more sugar than ever. Your best bet is to stop drinking calories altogether, said obesity specialist Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, founder of Ottawa's Bariatric Medical Institute, a multidisciplinary weight-management center.His most confused patients seem to be doing everything right but may have two glasses of milk, one glass of juice and one glass of wine a day."That's roughly 40 pounds of liquid calories per year," he wrote on his blog, Weighty Matters. Freedhoff's advice: Don't rely on beverages for nourishment."A well-balanced diet replete with fruits, vegetables and proteins should satisfy all of one's nutritional needs," he said. "Liquid calories are not satiating and in studies tend only to add calories to a meal."

Strengthen your muscles.
If you want to keep your muscles from weakening as you age, start strength training. It's "the only style of exercise that maintains and increases lean muscle tissue and burns between 22 and 36 calories per day," said personal trainer Jim Karas.He suggests starting with push-ups for the upper body and lunges and squats for the lower body. "Move slowly, and think about the muscles you are engaging. One slow set of 10 is all you need, but make sure to fail," which means you can't perform another repetition.

Chill out.
Stressed-out people are more vulnerable to colds and other viruses, they take longer to recover from illness, and they gain more weight than their relaxed counterparts, research has shown.We also know that "the inability to feel in control of stress, rather than the stressful event itself, is the most damaging to immunity," wrote Joan Borysenko in Mending the Body, Mending the Mind.Another stress expert, Debbie Mandel, likes to lift weights when her stress levels creep up. "Then I'm ready to reframe negatives into positives to turn stress into strength," said Mandel, the author of Addicted to Stress. In addition to exercise, deep-breathing techniques, meditation, tai chi and yoga are proven stress relievers.

Eat out less.
We often use restaurants in the same way our parents used supermarkets, one of the main reasons for the dramatic global rise in chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, Freedhoff said."Nutrition and calories aren't intuitive," he said. "When restaurant salads can have more calories and fat than a Big Mac, you know you're putting your health at risk. You'll save more than your money by eating meals in. You might even save your life."

Be a social butterfly.
Human beings are social creatures, if only because we need to reproduce. But research has shown that joining a club or sports team, belonging to a church group or keeping in contact with friends creates a sense of social identity that can help significantly reduce your risk of having a stroke, dementia and even the common cold."We do not outgrow our need for others," according to the MacArthur Foundation Study of Aging in America. "Loneliness breeds both illness and early death."

Get some sleep.
Sleeping well is the single most overlooked factor critical to good health, especially during the flu season, said sleep specialist Dr. Rubin Naiman, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona's Center for Integrative Medicine. But because focusing on doing all the right things before bed can make it harder to sleep, Naiman suggests lightening things up, perhaps by watching comedy on television before bed."Too often sleep is approached with an anxious mind and heavy heart," he said. "Laughter is good medicine -- and good sleep medicine. I recommend it over sleeping pills."

Eat whole foods.
Whole foods -- fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs and whole grains -- are unprocessed and unrefined and typically don't have added sugar, salt or fat. They often have a low glycemic index, which means they don't raise blood sugar and insulin levels as quickly as processed foods.Choose a baked potato instead of French fries, eat whole wheat bread instead of white bread, or start the day with oatmeal, rather than a sugary breakfast cereal."I eat as many fresh veggies and fruits as possible and stay away from anything in a bag, a box or a can," said Yvonne Conte of Syracuse, N.Y., the author of a guidebook to living a happier and healthier life. "When I started this, I lost 22 pounds. And it has stayed off. Best thing I ever did."

Find your passion.
Do things that bring meaning to your days, said Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist in the Alzheimer's Disease Center at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, whose research has shown that having a higher purpose can reduce the risk of death among older adults."Purpose is cognitively stimulating, and this is very much along the lines of the adage 'Use it or lose it,' which certainly has merit," said Dr. Thomas Perls, director of the New England Centenarian study.

Tumeric

I was listening to the John Tesh radio show and I heard about this spice that is supposed to help with a lot of disease prevention.

At the end of this post is a link to an article about it but I've included some of the points below.

"The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease."

• It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
• May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
• Is a natural liver detoxifier.
• May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.
• It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/20-health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

How to Live in An Enchanted World

I came across this blog and wanted to share. I think it's inspiring.

How to Live in An Enchanted World

I live in an enchanted world. The secret can be summarized in one word: Marci. That is the name of the woman I loved and married, in 2004. I cannot wait to get up, every morning, at the prospect that I get to spend another day with her. For she creates an enchanted world all around her.

Marci grew up in another country, and another culture. She is exquisitely different from any one I have ever met in my life. I ponder every day what makes her so delightful to live with. So let me describe her character to you, but I won't say it's about her. I'll say it's about us, or what we could be, since I beieve these are things she had to learn, and therefore these are things that we can learn, if we want to live a more enchanted life:

1. Prize Innocence. We seem too often to prize worldliness, the person who has seen it all, done it all, and drained life of its wonder. In an enchanted world, you prize innocence: the people who have no cynicism, but believe the best of every person they meet. Remember, when Jesus was asked who was the greatest in his kingdom, he set a little child before them. Keeping the little child in you alive is the kindest thing you can do for yourself. Believe, as children do, in an invisible world around us. Filled not with dreadful dark and terrible things as the popular books and movies of our time would have it, but with invisible creatures of Virtue and Beauty, as the best of faith would have it.

2. Treat every day as the first day. Even with the partner you have lived with for ten thousand days and nights, treat each new day with them as though it were the first time you've ever seen them. That means, tell them each day what you delight in, about them. Never grow tired of saying "please" and "thank you" each time they do an act of kindness that makes your life better, on down to simple tasks like cooking and making the bed. Hold them, touch them, hug them, and laugh with them each day, as a child would. You know the respect with which you treated them when the relationship was new; treat them with the same respect, on the ten thousandth day. And expect the same in return.

3. Always be curious about the people you love or treasure. A scientist is walking by the seashore. Suddenly she sees a creature she has never seen before, in her life. She decides she will not capture it, but simply spend some weeks studying it, to see just what it does: how it survives, how it spends the day, what it eats, what its relationship is with other creatures, where it goes at night, how long it sleeps, etc. In an enchanted world, you must approach each person, and most particularly your partner, with this same curiosity. Day by day, you observe them, not judge them. You try to find out the laws that govern their being, and their life. Example: ¥ou are married to a writer. The writer seems to take two weeks each time they need to write a piece, before they actually start writing. You note this, not try to change it. You do not say to yourself, "Oh, she's got writer's block, and I've got to get her over that." You simply observe: "Oh, she takes two weeks before she gets going." This observation never ends. You are living with a creature you do not know. Do not lull yourself into thinking you do. This creature is constantly evolving, changing. You want to know more about the laws that govern your partner's being this year. Always, in an enchanted world, it's "Oh, this is who they are," not "Oh, I've got to change them." But there is a paradox here: often, by just studying who they are, you will help them change and grow without a word from you.

4. Go through Life determining to be fun to live with. You know, we have so many goals when we are in a long-term relationship, marriage or whatever: to be forgiving, to be gracious, to be ioving, and kind. We often forget the most essential goal, the one that creates an enchanted world: that you be fun to live with. Just that. Nothing more. It's not that hard. If you're puzzled, and you think it is hard, recall someone you know who is loads of fun to be with. Don't just try to fake being like them, but make a list of what makes them fun. That will give you something to work on. Here are my hunches: lots of laughter, showing an interest in you, immense playfulness that is also kind, having an optimism about people and things, not brooding about things, looking forward rather than backward, able to keep people entertained, and the creme de la creme, able to make occasional funny comments about things. That you can cultivate in yourself. But most of all the key is simply that you want to be fun, to live with.

5. Prize Beauty. An enchanted world is a beautiful world, above all. To live in one, put as much beauty into your daily life, as you can. It's up to you to say what that means. For some it is flowers. For some it is music. For some it is nature. For some it is art. For some it is decoration of the place they live. For some it is the way they dress, and the jewelry they wear. For some, it is all of these things. In an enchanted world, however, it is inner beauty radiating from the face and soul, that is the greatest beauty of all.

6. Lastly, an enchanted world is a place of endless gratitude. Nothing is taken for granted. Everything is offered and accepted only with gratitude. Endlessly. To and from your partner. To and from your family. To and from your friends. Strangers. Everyone, including above all the one who created us. In a world where it is considered the height of intelligence to criticize everything, it is enchanting to be thanked often. It is enchanting to give thanks often. Why settle for a dreary complaining existence when you could have an enchanted one?

Well, there it is: a description of Marci. A description of you. A description of an enchanted life, where you just can't wait to get up each morning.

I wish each of you a more enchanted life. Even if it's not named "Marci."

Source- http://jobhuntersbible.typepad.com/

Out of Energy?

Here is an article I found about increasing vitality. Any thoughts or comments on this subject?

Out of Energy?
See nine things that zap your vitality and how to get it back
By Denise Schipani Posted October 09, 2009 from Woman's Day; November 3, 2009

It’s 3 p.m.—do you know where your energy’s gone? You probably expect to feel that late-afternoon drag, but you don’t always have to. Turns out, some of your regular habits may be sneakily zapping your zip. Fix some or all of these energy stealers, and you just may be feeling brighter this afternoon.
Energy Zapper #1: Being Addicted to E-mail Isn’t being wired to the hilt—e-mail, voice mail, IM, BlackBerry— supposed to boost productivity, freeing up your energy? More often, the opposite is true. If you continually halt what you’re doing to answer e-mail, check voice mail, and attend to a thousand other beeps and blips, your attention becomes diluted, which leaves you feeling depleted.
There are two things going on here, says John Salerno, MD, a New York City family physician and director of the Salerno Center for Complementary Medicine. “The brain needs a lot of physical and mental energy to multitask, which gets drained,” he says. And continually redirecting your attention from the BlackBerry to other stimuli siphons more energy and distracts your brain further.
Energy Fix Switch off electronic gadgets during your most productive work hours, which for most people tend to be in the morning, says Laura Stack, author of The Exhaustion Cure. As for e-mail, try to limit yourself to checking it once every hour, instead of hopping to whenever it beeps. (Hint: Turn off the beep sound.) If something pops into your mind that you need to remember—call back your mom, e-mail the soccer coach about the snack schedule—write it down and take care of it later.
Energy Zapper #2: Visual Clutter We may be used to living in enclosed spaces with lots of stuff—a refrigerator door packed with artwork, a countertop laden with mail, a desk that’s little more than a shifting pile of folders and paper—but it’s not how we’re meant to live, says Dr. Salerno. “Clutter signals disorder, which makes us anxious. Our brains sense that anxiety.”
Energy Fix Do your best to clear visual clutter, so when you look around, your eyes can “rest” rather than dart from mess to mess, says Janice Ash, organization expert and owner of I Declutter!. Instead of layering papers on a bulletin board, leave a small border of space around them. Clear the front of the fridge of all but the most current kids’ artwork, and make a habit of leaving the kitchen counter stuff-free before bed each night.
Energy Zapper #3: Being BoredEver sat around for an hour or more not tackling a chore or work because it’s just so darned monotonous? Mental foot-dragging, boredom and lack of motivation are draining, says Dr. Salerno. “Put simply, we like to see results, and getting things done gives us a mental energy boost.” So avoiding tasks deprives you of that high.
Energy Fix Find a partner for encouragement—a friend, a coworker—and call or e-mail to enlist her in a time challenge. “Say, ‘I’ll check back in with you in an hour, and we’ll see if we’ve gotten these reports/ organizing chores done.’” Or promise yourself motivational rewards for completing the task at hand, suggests Dr. Salerno.
Energy Zapper #4: Poor PostureYou already know that not sitting or standing straight is bad for your body. But all that hunching over a computer screen or cradling a phone on your shoulder wreaks havoc on your energy level, too, says Pia Martin, a San Diego health and wellness chiropractor. “When you sit for long periods, you tend to slump forward, leading to rounded shoulders and a tilted lower spine. Your muscles contract, and blood flow is impaired,” which limits the amount of oxygen to your brain.
Energy Fix Sit up straight! Your legs should be at right angles to the floor, your arms at right angles to your keyboard. Be conscious of keeping your shoulders down, not up near your ears. Adjust your computer screen so your eyes gaze at the middle of it. And don’t just sit there—if you have to, set a timer to go off hourly to remind you to get up, stretch and get a drink of water. When you get back to your desk, do a quick posture check: Shoulders down!
Energy Zapper #5: Toxic Indoor Air Humming copy machines. Cleaning products. Dry-cleaning chemicals. Synthetic carpeting. Even the desks in your office may be contributing to the load of toxins you breathe each day, because all of them release chemicals into the air. “No one knows for sure how much harm these cause to our bodies, but they do build up over time, and can drain your energy by potentially interfering with thyroid function and overloading the body’s detox system,” says Frank Lipman, MD, a New York City physician and author of Spent: End Exhaustion and Feel Great Again.
Energy Fix Get outside. If you’re feeling tired, go out for 10 minutes to breathe fresh air. Indoors, cultivate houseplants, which are remarkably good at absorbing toxins. And don’t wear shoes inside the house—you’re dragging not just dirt indoors on your soles, but pesticides and other harmful chemicals too.
Energy Zapper #6: Eating Too Much at Once Consuming a big meal is always something that will cause a dip in energy later, but that effect is most noticeable in the afternoon because the slump happens at that reach-for-coffee-or-sugar hour: 3 p.m. Here’s what happens: You fill up on a carb- and calorie-rich lunch and, as nutrients are absorbed by your body, excess glucose is dumped into your bloodstream, and your body releases insulin to process all that sugar. “A better idea is to spread out what and how you eat throughout the day to keep energy levels steady,” says Gloria Tsang, RD, founder of the nutrition website HealthCastle.com.
Energy Fix Eat every four hours, instead of the usual six. To reform lunch, “try to brownbag more often than eating out,” says Tsang. It’s a fact that if you buy takeout or dine in a restaurant, you’re likely to eat more. Four hours after lunch, have a snack. If you’re going to eat dinner a couple of hours later, keep the snack small, such as half a turkey sandwich, or a yogurt and some crackers. Other ideas: Drink liquids (water, tea) all day. “Dehydration makes you tired, too,” says Tsang. If you usually have coffee right after lunch, try it a little later in the afternoon and make it a latte. The caffeine’s an obvious pick-me-up, but the little bit of fat and protein in the milk gives you a snack-like boost.
Energy Zapper #7: Living in Artificial Light Our natural body rhythms are keyed to the rising and setting of the sun, says Carol Ash, DO, medical director of Sleep for Life, a sleep-disorder clinic in Somerset, New Jersey. When you open your eyes in the morning and get your first glimpse of sunlight, your brain receives a signal that helps it set its sleep-wake clock for the day. Similarly, seeing sunlight during the day gives your brain a boost. So if you are awake before the sun, and/or don’t see much sun all day, your body is experiencing something a lot like jet lag.
Energy Fix Instead of hitting the coffee cart when you’re flagging, hit the sidewalk— the combination of physical exercise and a shot of sunlight will energize you. You don’t need much: “A 10- to 20-minute walk in the sunshine will give you a boost,” says Dr. Ash.
Energy Zapper #8: Listening to Negative Nellies You may be upbeat, but it can be exhausting to listen to complainers all day long, whether it’s the fellow mom who calls to trash-talk the neighbors or the coworker who never has a positive word to say. It’s not your imagination: A 2006 study at Chicago’s Northwestern University found that people forced to listen to “high-maintenance” colleagues became frustrated and unfocused, and suffered a decline in the quality of their work.
Energy Fix Insulate yourself as best you can. If a coworker loves to enumerate her complaints, cut her off with a firm but polite “I really have to get this finished,” then smile and get to work. She’ll get the message. If it’s your own negative thoughts that drag you down, train yourself to banish them by listing, daily, the things you’re grateful for, so you can pull out that list when the negative stuff intrudes.
Energy Zapper #9: Holding a Grudge It takes a surprising amount of energy to remember whom you have a grudge against, and to continually update the faults, missteps and things you’re mad about. “Resentment is a huge drain physically as well as mentally,” says Dr. Lipman. “Anger, resentment, grudges— all of these emotions are toxic, and we hang on to them in our bodies especially in tense, tired muscles.”
Energy Fix It takes practice, but try to forgive old mistakes. An easy way to start is to simply be aware of the times negative thoughts about others creep into your mind, says Dr. Lipman. “Think of others as flawed humans, which we all are,” which makes it easier to forgive—and free up energy.

Job Search article from Careerbuilder

Imagine you're a hiring manager, and you receive a cover letter from a job seeker that begins: "I am tired of writing cover letters." Rather than pick up the phone and call the person in for an interview, you're likely to discard the application.

You may be surprised to learn that the example above is real, and this applicant isn't the only one to inappropriately complain to a prospective employer. Here are some additional examples:
· "Argh! I hate job hunting!"
· "Life isn't fair. I should get paid for looking for a job."
· "I have received zero replies from my résumé. It's not me, though. I know that for sure."

While nearly everyone can understand the frustration of a prolonged job search, it's a big mistake to let your negative feelings show. Indeed, remaining positive can help you get hired. Employers want to hire people who are passionate about their work, relate well to others and aren't easily deflated by setbacks.

Here are some guidelines for conveying the right attitude to hiring managers:

When in doubt, leave it out

One individual who applied for a job wrote: "I'm not lazy, but given a choice between working for someone else, following orders and waking up to that awful sound of an alarm clock or doing what I want to do -- wouldn't any intelligent human being choose the latter?" Although few would be as blatant as this person, any amount of venting is likely to turn off a hiring manager. Make sure the focus of your résumé or cover letter remains on your qualifications. Specifically, what needs does the firm have, and how can you help fill them?

Be a team player
Another candidate had this to say: "I have a problem with dress codes. It will be difficult for me if I need to wear a formal button-down shirt for work because I don't have many of those types of clothes since I dress cool." Such candor didn't do him any favors because he was perceived as someone who has trouble following rules and interacting with colleagues who may have different opinions than his own.
The simple truth is that people want to hire -- and work with -- people who are easy to get along with and low-maintenance. Don't appear difficult by outlining your pet peeves. This extends to the interview as well, especially if it's over lunch: Don't give an overly complicated order; instead, make your requests simple.

Show your enthusiasm for the position
One company received a résumé from a job seeker who said simply, "I've never been all that excited about working." With an attitude like that, you can bet the business wasn't too excited about the candidate, either. Employers want to hire professionals with a true desire to work for their firms. Demonstrate your passion for the position by researching the employer before submitting your application and noting how your skills can meet the company's unique needs. For example, you may learn that the company is opening a new office in your area. Your experience helping to launch start-up operations could be valuable to the organization.

Impress in person

If you're called in for an interview, remember your enthusiasm -- or lack thereof -- will show during the meeting. Simple steps, like offering a firm handshake, sitting up straight, smiling and maintaining eye contact with the interviewer, will showcase your positive attitude. Small shifts in body language, like tapping your foot impatiently, or tone, such as sighing under your breath, can undermine your efforts to make a good impression.

Check in with others

If you've hit a roadblock in your job search, it might be worthwhile to get an outside perspective about how you're presenting yourself. Ask someone whose opinion you trust to review your résumé, cover letter and any other materials you will be submitting to hiring managers. A subtle negative tone can sometimes seep into your application materials without you noticing.

A job search can be challenging even in a good employment market. If you're feeling discouraged and having trouble getting motivated, share your frustration with close friends and family. Not only can they provide a good shoulder to lean on, those you know may have faced similar challenges themselves and be able to provide valuable advice for keeping your head high.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-2040-Job-Search-Your-Bad-Attitude-Could-Be-Hurting-Your-Job-Search/?sc_extcmp=JS_2040_home1&SiteId=cbmsnhp42040&ArticleID=2040&gt1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=6e27762f916a4c38bcbe2e132a5f6361-309614253-VS-4

A good quote

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
~Leo Buscaglia

Restoration

Deut 30:2-10

And when you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, 3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where he scattered you. 4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 7 The LORD your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you. 8 You will again obey the LORD and follow all his commands I am giving you today. 9 Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, 10 if you obey the LORD your God and keep his commands and decrees that are written in this Book of the Law and turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

The mirror

I read part of the book "Walking the Dead" by John Eldredge yesterday and thought this poem by Yates was insightful. In my interpretation it's not really about make-up or vanity but rather about realizing that we were created in the image of God. As John writes, "You remember faintly that you were once more than what you have become. Your story didn't start with sin, and thank God, it doesn't end with sin. It ends with glory restored"

If I make the lashes dark
And the eyes more bright
And the lips more scarlet
Or ask if all be right
From mirror after mirror
No vanity's displayed
I'm looking for the face I had
Before the world was made.

Benefits of walking

Our wellness team sent out an email including the benefits of walking. I thought this was interesting.

BENEFITS OF WALKING
 Burns calories
 Strengthens back muscles
 Slims your waist
 Easy on your joints
 Strengthens your bones
 Lowers blood pressure
 Allows time with family and friends
 Shapes and tones your legs and butt
 Cuts cholesterol
 Reduces risk of heart disease, diabetes, & more
 Reduces stress
 Sleep better
 Improves mood and outlook on life
 Can be done almost anywhere
 Requires no equipment
 It's Free

Source: http://www.thewalkingsite.com/howtowalk.html

Good verse

The Offer of Life or Death
Deuteronomy 30: 11-20

11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Gleam of Dawn

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Proverbs 4:18

Good Verse

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.

Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

(New International Version)
Deuteronomy 8:10-20

Choices

There are times in life when we make big decisions. We have seemingly complicated choices and sort through pros and cons to figure out the best course of action.

But other times....for many of us...most of the time…the challenges we face aren’t monumental. But rather almost mundane.

Sometimes the choice we make is simply to get out of bed in the morning. To not hit the snooze button again. Sometimes we choose to push through a bad mood.

Sometimes we simply keep moving when we want to give up.We fight the voice of despair. Of temptation. Or pointlessness. Of boredom. Of unmet expectations. Or regrets. And maybe even the desire to just be a kid again...no responsibilities. No pressure.

But as it turns out these little choices we make add up to something of great significance. They shape our attitude, our personality, our character- our lives.

So my challenge to you and to myself is: enjoy life as deeply and as often as possible.
And when those heavy moments come- don't give in. At least not for long. Find little things to restore your joy. And keep going. As it turns out....shadows disappear in the light.

Ode to Poetry

This weekend I've been reading some of the classic poems. For a moment I wondered if there was a point to reading through the word pictures, comparisons, etc when you could just say what you want to say. In today's culture we are very to the point. We like information and quickly!

And though simplicity and conciseness of words are something that I often appreciate and find impactful, there is something beautiful about these lines. A small peek into the thoughts of the author and the questions of his or her time. It's a different, sometimes slower way of thinking...yet often lovely and refreshing.

Here are a few poems I wanted to share

A red, red rose

By Robert Burns

O, my luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June.

O, my luve's like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I,

And I will luve thee still, my Dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my Dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun!

O I will luve thee still, my Dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

And fare thee weel a while!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' it were ten thousand mile!

The Lamb

By William Blake

Little Lamb, who make thee

Dost thou know who made thee,

Gave thee life, and bid thee feed

By the stream and o'er the mead

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing, wolly, bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice?

Little Lamb, who made thee?

Dost thou know who made thee?

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee;

Little Lamb, I'll tell thee:

He is called by thy name;
For He calls Himself a Lamb

He is meek, and He is mild,

He became a little child.

I a child, and thou a lamb,

We are called by His name.

Little Lamb, God bless thee!

Little Lamb, God bless thee!

The Eagle

By Alfred, Lord Tennyson

He clasps the crag with crooked hands;

Close to the sun in lonely lands,

Ring’d with the azure world, he stands.
The wrinkled sea beneath him crawls;

He watches from his mountain walls,

And like a thunderbolt he falls.

Preservatives

So I have been attempting to eat more foods that are closer to their natural state or have less confusing ingrediants in them. However, this afternoon I had the realization that some preservatives are actually good for you and keep food from going bad. I came across this article regarding good vs bad preservatives from a men's health website and thought it was worth sharing.

The Good.

Preferred preservatives

The following preservatives are, according to the FDA, completely safe for consumption. They aren’t known to cause allergic reactions or adverse health affects when used in small quantities. Most are natural -- either squeezed out of Mother Nature’s products or built, chemical by chemical, to be just like them. And, believe it or not, some of them are actually good for you.

Vitamin C
That’s right, in addition to being an essential vitamin, a potential cancer fighter and a great nutritional supplement, good old vitamin C is a great preservative. The same properties that make it a super vitamin -- mainly its ability to keep oxygen from wrecking shop -- also keep foods fresh and colorful.Where it’s found: Because it does double duty as a preservative and as a vitamin, vitamin C (known by its technical name, ascorbic acid, on ingredient lists) is used in a surprising number of foods. It’s found in cured meats such as bacon and ham, for instance, and many fruit juices. It’s also put in cereal flours, jellies and preserves, canned mushrooms, and artichokes.

Citric acid
Citric acid is vitamin C’s cousin and is an equally impressive natural preservative and additive. As far as acids go, it’s pretty weak -- incapable of eating a hole in a tabletop, for instance. Still, it works wonders in food, where it helps to keep bacteria and mold at bay. Oddly enough, most citric acid isn’t derived from citrus fruits. It’s manufactured one molecule at a time by the mold -- aspergillus niger. The mold happily produces citric acid as long as it has a nice supply of sucrose (sugar). Citric acid is found naturally throughout the body and causes no side effects in 99.9% of the population. A very, very small portion of the population is intolerant of the stuff, but the condition is so rare as to be nearly nonexistent. Where it’s found: Citric acid is used extensively in soft drinks as a preservative and to enhance flavor. The acid adds a sour punch to whatever it’s in and turns up in many foods that need an extra sour kick. Citric acid is also used in some household cleaners to balance pH levels.A few more of the good and then we introduce you to the bad guys...

Sodium benzoate and benzoic acid
Nature provides some great preservatives. Sodium benzoate and benzoic acid, even though they sound like they were created in a laboratory, are two of the best. They are found in cranberries, prunes, greengage plums, cinnamon, ripe cloves and apples. Both compounds have great antimicrobial properties and are added to many foods to keep them from growing bacteria and mold. It can, however, give some foods a funny taste, so it is legally limited in the U.S. and other countries.Where it’s found: Sodium benzoate and benzoic acid are found in tons of products, including jams, relishes, beverages, dressings, salads, pie and pastry fillings, icings, olives, and even sauerkraut.

Sorbates
Sorbates are the superheroes of preservation. Tasteless, odorless and without side effects, they are used throughout the food industry. They include sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, and calcium sorbate. Each compound keeps bacteria and yeast from growing out of control in many foods.Where it’s found: Because they’re so effective and nontoxic, sorbates are used in a wide variety of foods, including cheeses, dips, yogurt, sour cream, bread, cakes, pies and fillings, baking mixes, dough, icings, fudges, toppings, beverages, margarine, salads, fermented and acidified vegetables, olives, fruit products, dressings, smoked and salted fish, confections, and mayonnaise.

The Bad
Problem Preservatives

BHA, BHT Two of the most thoroughly tongue-twisting preservatives, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) have a dubious history. The two compounds are antioxidants, which means they keep volatile oxygen atoms from wreaking havoc on fats. They basically scoop up oxygen before it has a chance to make fat go rancid. Some studies have shown that these two compounds can cause cancer and tumors in lab animals, and there is evidence that some people have trouble metabolizing them. However, the compounds are also being tested as treatments for herpes and AIDS. Both BHA and BHT were banned in U.S. baby foods and were completely locked out in Japan, Romania, Sweden, and Australia.Where it’s found: You’ll find BHA where you’ll find fat. It can be in butter, meats, cereals, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and other processed foods. It’s also used in chewing gum and beer.

Sulfites
Potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite and sulfur dioxide
Cheap wine can give you a horrendous headache. Most wine aficionados will blame the pain on sulfites; preservatives that are added to wine to keep it from turning into vinegar. Unfortunately, these people are just perpetuating a myth. Red wine can cause headaches, but there is no scientific evidence that sulfites have anything to do with it. That being said, some people are legitimately allergic to sulfites. But for those people, the compounds cause asthma and other allergic reactions, not headaches. Because of this, the U.S. requires a warning label for foods and wine that contain sulfites. The country has also banned the practice of spraying sulfites directly on fresh fruits and veggies to preserve their vibrant colors.Where it’s found: Sulfites are found in all wine. They are a natural byproduct of fermentation and all winemakers across the world add some to keep their wine from spoiling. Sulfites are also found in dried foods and dehydrated potatoes.

Sodium nitrite
Here’s one more reason not to eat hot dogs: They contain sodium nitrite, which can form cancer-causing chemicals in your gut. Sodium nitrite is a salt that’s been used for decades to cure meats and fend off clostridium botulinum -- the bacterium that causes botulism. It’s essentially the ingredient that turns bacon and ham bright red. The compound can react with proteins in the stomach or in the frying pan to form N-nitrosamines, the cancer-causing agents. Thankfully, ascorbic acid or erythorbic acid is now added to cured meats to prevent the formation of N-Nitrosamines. Still, some people worry that the preservative can cause cancer regardless of this preventative step.Where it’s found: Sodium nitrite is found in cured meats, including ham, bacon, hot dogs, and some sausages. It’s also in smoked and cured fish.

http://www.askmen.com/sports/foodcourt_150/181_eating_well.html

Keep Your Hopes Up

Keep Your Hopes Up

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE
"And you shall be secure and feel confident because there is hope…"(Job 11:18 AMP)

TODAY'S WORD from Joel and Victoria
In the world today, it seems there are so many things trying to pull us down. Every time you turn around, you're being bombarded with bad news. Life can be difficult, but there is a peace that God can give you in the midst of the challenge. If you'll keep your hopes up and keep your mind focused in the right direction, you'll get to the place where you'll say, "I should be upset. I should be losing sleep at night. But I'm not the least bit worried. I know God is still on the throne. I know He's working this out for my good."
When you keep your hopes up, you eventually step into the anointing of ease. You don't drag around discouraged or despondent. You're in faith, hoping, believing, and expecting. That's when God will move on your behalf. That's when you'll look up and say, "You know what? I don't struggle in this area anymore. God took the pressure off. Things are starting to fall into place." You may not be there just yet, but there is hope! God who promised to deliver you is faithful, and He will lead you in victory all the days of your life!

Remember, appreciate, believe.

Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors.For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Wedding Website!

We have a wedding website! There will probably be additional information added so feel free to check back later too :)

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/KristenMeyer&JoeHarmon

The Six Super Foods Every Woman Needs

The Six Super Foods Every Woman Needs

The foods you really need to stay you healthy and strong

By Colette Bouchez
WebMD Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

From the food pyramid to the Internet to your local bookstore, there is certainly no shortage of advice on nutrition and healthy eating. But with all the media hype surrounding many “health foods,” it can be hard for a woman to tell the nutrients from advertising ploys.

“We are sometimes led to believe that a specific food is healthier than it really is,” says nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, MS, RD, author of Age-proof Your Body. “Or that you need some exotic or expensive form of certain nutrients to gain benefits -- and most of the time that’s not true.”

Moreover -- as happened in the '90s when low fat cookies made everyone temporarily forget about calories -- Somer says some of today’s advertising sways us toward one healthy aspect of a food to keep us from noticing other, less healthy attributes. “A product may advertise itself as ‘no cholesterol’" she says, “but it still can be loaded with bad fats or tons of calories. You have to look at the total food to know for sure.”

NYU nutritionist Tara Miller, MS, RD, agrees. “You have to read the whole label, look at all the ingredients and the portion sizes, before you know for sure just how healthy a food is.”

Or you can let us do the work for you! To help you zero in on the healthiest foods that women can eat, we asked a panel of experts for their advice.

What follows is a description of the six super foods they say every woman needs. While these foods won’t cover all your nutrient bases, incorporating them into your diet as often as possible can help give you a wide range of protection.

Super foods for women: What you need

Super Food # 1: Low-fat yogurt

Goal: 3 to 5 servings a week

What it does: As a health food, yogurt is almost as old as, well, good health itself. But experts say evidence continues to accumulate that reveals its benefits in many new and exciting ways. And not just yogurt. Somer tells WebMD that any fermented dairy product -- including kefir -- contains healthy “probiotics” -- bacteria with the power to protect you in myriad ways.

“There is a suggestion [that yogurt] may decrease the risk of breast cancer,” Somer says. ”And there’s very strong evidence it can reduce problems associated with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory digestive tract disorders -- both conditions that impact women more than men.” Additionally, she says, yogurt can help reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and vaginal infections.

Enjoy a cup of yogurt at breakfast, lunch, or snack to help meet the U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommendation for three servings of low fat dairy each day. “It’s loaded with bone-healthy calcium -- something every woman needs more of at every age,” Somer says. One cup of yogurt has about 448 mg of calcium, compared to just 300 for eight ounces of skim milk.

The key, according to Somer, is to choose a low fat yogurt with live cultures -- like Lactobacillus acidophilus. And do check the label, Somer advises. Some store brands may not have the level of cultures found in more established brands.

Also important: Skip the fruit-on-the-bottom or other flavored varieties. “Too much sugar,” says Somer, who also reminds us that, no, those two blueberries on the bottom of the container do not constitute a serving of fruit!

Super Food # 2: Fatty fish -- like salmon, sardines, and mackerel

Goal: 2 to 3 servings every week

What it does: The healthy factor in fish is omega-3 fatty acids, and specifically two types known as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid).

“Fatty fish not only plays a vital role in the health of the membrane of every cell in our body, it also helps protect us from a number of key health threats,” says Laurie Tansman, MS, RD, CDN, a nutritionist at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

Some of those threats include heart disease, stroke, hypertension, depression, joint pain, and a number of illnesses linked to inflammation, including lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Somer says fish may even offer some protection against Alzheimer’s disease.

While many foods -- such as walnuts, flaxseed oil, and some mayonnaise brands -- claim the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, Somer cautions that only the DHA or EPA forms of omega-3 can be directly used by the body.

“What you get in foods like walnuts and flaxseed oil is an omega-3 acid known as ALA -- alpha-linoleic acid,” says Somer. “And while it’s certainly good for you, it requires a process in the body to convert it to DHA. And that conversion process can be influenced by a variety of individual factors.”

The good news: You are likely to see a wheelbarrow full of new products supplemented with DHA slowly making their way to market in the coming year. Currently, Kellogg is reportedly developing a cereal fortified with DHA, while a company called Nutri-Kids has already launched a DHA fortified ready-to-drink milk product. You can also find eggs fortified with DHA and, says Somer, certain brands of soymilk.

Super Food # 3: Beans

Goal: 3 to 4 servings every week

What it does: Low in fat, beans are a good source of protein and fiber and may have protective effects against heart disease and breast cancer. Beans may also play a role in stabilizing female hormones, says nutritionist Susan Krause, MS, RD.

“Beans have been around so long that most people don’t view them as a fancy new health food,” Krause says. “But in fact, they are among one of the healthiest things a woman can eat.”

In studies published in the International Journal of Cancer, researchers found that beans in general, and lentils in particular, may have some protective effects against breast cancer. In research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, doctors found a relationship between a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease and a higher intake of legumes. Well known legumes include peas, beans, lentils, and peanuts.

As a source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, Krause says, beans can help lower cholesterol, while their level of a nutrient known as isoflavone can help in the regulation of hormones and may aid with PMS, perimenopause, or menopause symptoms. Although soybeans have among the highest levels of isoflavones, other sources include red clover, kudzu, mung beans, alfalfa sprouts, black cohosh, and chickpeas.

“Beans also contain something called protease inhibitors, which may help protect against breast cancer,” says Krause. Protease inhibitors help slow the division of cancer cells and in this way may prevent tumor formation.

Last but not least, if you are in your reproductive years, beans can give you a steady supply of folic acid -- essential if you should become pregnant.

Super Food # 4: Tomatoes (or watermelon, red grapefruit, red navel oranges)

Goal: 3 to 5 servings each week

What it does: The powerhouse nutrient in all these fruits is lycopene. And, according to Miller, while the headlines touted its protective effects against prostate cancer, more quiet research has shown it has tremendous health benefits for women as well.

“Research is starting to show that lycopene may protect against breast cancer,” Miller says. "And it’s also a powerful antioxidant that can help a woman fight heart disease.”

The very latest research shows it may also help keep you looking younger longer by protecting against UV damage from the sun.

Super Food # 5: Vitamin D fortified low fat milk or orange juice

Goal: At least 400 IUs of vitamin D daily

What it does: “Essential to helping the bones absorb calcium from the gut,” says Somer, “vitamin D helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis and may be vital in reducing the risk of diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and tumors of the breast, colon, and ovary.”

Indeed, recent studies from the University of California San Diego suggest that vitamin D has the potential to prevent up to one–half of all breast, colon, and ovarian cancer in the United States.

Somer tells WebMD that a growing body of research indicates many women may be vitamin D deficient. “A combination of staying out of the sun (which the body uses to manufacture vitamin D) and using sunscreen, which blocks the synthesis of vitamin D, has resulted in many women hitting a dangerously low level of this nutrient,” says Somer.

While Vitamin D is found in salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, experts say fortified foods, such as milk, are the best source.

Super Food # 6: Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries)

Goal: 3 to 4 servings every week

What It Does: In a way similar to wine, these fruits may protect your body with powerful anti-cancer nutrients known as anthocyans, which are believed to play a role in cell repair. Krause says research shows anthocyans may decrease the risk of several cancers, including those in the breast and gastrointestinal tract.

“These berries,” says Krause, “are also high in vitamin C and folic acid, which is essential for all women in their childbearing years. And they offer powerful anti-oxidant protection, which not only protects the heart but also may protect against skin aging, from the inside out.” Moreover, she tells WebMD that cranberries may help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women, while the nutrient, lutein found in all the berries, can help protect vision.

You'll be there

Today I heard a song on the radio that caught my attention. While I may not agree with all the theology...I think it's a beautiful song about someone looking for hope. It reminds me of the words spoken by Thomas "Lord I believe, help my unbelief" Check it out.

You'll be there by George Strait.

http://music.aol.com/song/youll-be-there/6689046