A Healthy Body

I felt very compelled to share this one with you. This is one I am committing myself to this year. It's funny, as my hubby & I were discussing this very subject earlier this evening, then low and behold I open my e-mail and clicked on this news letter from "In Touch Ministries by Dr. Charles Stanley." Sam from "The Just Shall Live By Faith" talked of this very subject as well.

Wisdom for Good Health
READ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

"Because God cares so much for your body, let’s review some simple ways to
look after yourself physically. First, pay close attention to what you eat. Your
body uses whatever food you eat— whether good or bad—as fuel. You alone must
decide what kind you’ll consume. When you fill your body with the wrong things,
you are limiting its efficiency, energy, and overall potential.
Second,
exercise is vital to a healthy body. You might say, “I just can’t do that.” But
yes, you can. It’s a matter of discipline. You may not enjoy exercise, but your
body needs it. If all you can do is walk, then walk!

Third, wisdom about health requires examining your attitude. How’s your
outlook regarding yourself, your life, and other people? A positive attitude
affects the body by freeing it of stress.
Finally, spending time in prayer
and Bible study affects physical well-being. God created you to be in
relationship with Him. Actively engage in this relationship and realign your
mind and spirit toward Him. It will have beneficial effects on the body He
created for you.

Many people attempt to separate spiritual life from the physical. This
is not what God intended. If you truly believe your body is the temple of the
Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), then you must realize that failing to
stay healthy is both a physical and a spiritual problem. What is the Lord saying
to you about the way you care for your body?"

1 Corithians 9:24-27 (NKJV) reads:

24Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one recieves the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a persihable crown, but we an imperishable on. 26Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. 27Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) reads:

19Do you not know your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you hve from God? You are not your own, 20for you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body.

Laughter

I'm sure you have all heard the saying, "Laughter is the best medicine." Well I found a quote about laughter while reading a book tonight and want to share it with you all.

Laugh! It’s an Energizing Exercise!

“As with aerobic exercise, laughter temporarily accelerates the heart rate,
increases blood pressure and breathing, enlarges circulation and enhances the flow of oxygen in and out of the body. A hearty belly laugh also exercises the upper torso, lungs, heart, shoulders, arms, abdomen, diaphragm and legs. Laughing 100 to 200 times a day is equivalent to ten minutes of rowing or jogging.
…Belly laughter is the most therapeutic form of laughter, and that
is the reason I recommend ten belly laughs a day to all of my patients. Ten
belly laughs are roughly equivalent to thirty minutes of aerobic
exercise.”
Don Colbert, M.D.

My grandmother had told me that someone who can make you have a good belly laugh was a special person. I always wondered just what she meant by that, and would tell people that could really get me to let loose and have a good belly laugh was special, as to me they were. Now I realize that they are special indeed, as they are adding years to our lives. J Just think, someone gets you to have a good hearty laugh, you are burning calories. Burning calories is good for the heart, lungs, oxygen level etc.

So the next time you feel like laughing, let it out, and look for more laughter in your life. Above all, try to bring laughter into other people’s life as well. The more we laugh, the better we feel. Happy laughing all!

Reference
Bevere, L. 2008. Nurture. Workbook p 53. Messenger International, Inc.