We hear about identity theft all the time in media and online. We hear of large retailers having their data stolen and millions of people’s personal information compromised and identities being stolen. But we also hear of people who may not have had their identity stolen but who are “searching” for themselves, trying to find out who they really are
Read moreThankfulness in the Journey
We have all found ourselves at times in life where things could be better. Life looks bleak when we feel we have done everything in our power, and still the results that we see don’t seem to match our efforts. But, we can still press forward and see things differently in these times by developing one thing in our lives – the habit of thankfulness.
Read moreThankfulness All Year
This is the time of year we think of giving thanks.
Here is a list of things housewives are most thankful for:
A Heart of Gratitude
We are beginning the month of November which usually directs our attention to Thanksgiving and to the idea of being grateful. However the reality is that as Christians and leaders we are to have a heart of gratitude all year around. Throughout Scripture we see the admonition to “give thanks”, but why?
Read moreHow Are You Growing?
As we are in the midst oft he football season, I am reminded of how important setting goals are in order to be successful. At the beginning of every training camp, each of the 32 teams sets a goal of winning the Super Bowl. Obviously some have a better chance than others (a team whose name starts with S and comes from Pittsburgh).
Read morePlotting Our Destination
I love maps. Now I think you are old enough to remember a time when Google maps didn’t exist. I can still remember every year begging my mom to buy the latest Rand McNally road atlas. I would spend hours looking at the maps of the places I have been but, also of places that I wanted to visit.
Read moreIf You Aren't Growing...
When we lived in Pennsylvania, I tried to be a green thumb. We had a nice backyard with some fruit trees, and a place where I planted a garden. Well, it was an uphill battle. Even though we lived in the city, we would have all kinds of critters coming to have a buffet in my garden. They loved anything I planted; tomatoes, cucumbers, flowers. I couldn’t get anything to grow. Well almost anything
Read moreGrowing to Your Potential
Did you know I was always meant to be 5’8”? If you were to look at my father and mother you will see that neither of them were tall people. But obviously, I wasn’t born 5’8” (imagine that childbirth). Actually I was born 5 lbs., 10 oz. and 16 inches long. So how did I get from 16 inches long to reach my height of 5’8”? Simply one word, “growth”.
Read moreStaying In Your Strength Zone
I realized that I needed to stay within my strengths to be the man God has called me to be. It means prioritizing and doing those things I am good at, so that I can be even more effective. So how do you stay in your strength zone? I would like to give you three ways.
Read moreDetermining Your Priorities
The Most Precious Commodity There Is
There is no doubt about it, your time is precious. However, as a leader it becomes that much more precious, because decisions of where and when to spend our time becomes a choice between better and best. One way to determine what is best is by knowing your priorities.
Read moreHow to Not Lose Time
ime management is all the rage. If you don’t believe me, just Google it and see how many hits come up. Steven Covey, the Franklin Covey Company, and countless other groups have shared how to manage time over the years. I believe that “time management” is really a misnomer. You can’t actually manage the amount of time you are given in a life.
Read moreJesus' Guide to Time Management
I am always amazed when I look at the ministry of Jesus. His ministry, by all indications, was only 3 ½ years long and yet he never seemed to be rushed, stressed or running out of time.
Read moreWhere Does the Time Go?
I used to hear my grandmother say, “Don’t get old, time flies by.” I have kept that in the back of mind as I have aged. It resonates with me because it truly does feel as if the months and the years have quickly blown by. The pages of the calendar seem to fly off the wall. Like my grandmother, I find myself saying, “Where has the time gone?” If you find yourself in a similar place, welcome to the club.
Read moreHow to Read 20 Books a Year
I will admit that I read more than twenty books in a year. I don’t do this to boast but to show that with a full-time job, a wife in graduate school, and two kids, it can be done. You too can read 20 books a year.
Read moreWhat in the World to Read?
I often get questions as to what a person should read. Here are my thoughts on what a person should read.
Read moreA Leader is a Reader
I am surprised by how many people I know who say, “I don’t read.” Sure, they access information on their phones or on their computers, but they don’t read books.
Read moreRest for the Weary
I find it very interesting that we as Seventh-day Adventists are some of the most focused people when it comes to rest. I mean every 7 days we “rest.” However, you know what is ironic is that in my almost 20 years of ministry I have discovered that Seventh-day Adventists are some of the most tired people there are.
Read more3 Health Secrets
If you Google the phrase, “health secrets” you come up with all kind of different results: “health secrets of those celebrities who live to 100”, “secrets of Chinese centenarians” and “health secrets from around the world.” It seems like everyone has secrets to good health, but I would like to give you three that have become important in my life.
Laughter
There is the old saying that “Laughter is the best medicine.” However, science is proving that is indeed the case. Science has shown that:
- Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
- Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. This can improve your resistance to disease.
- Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
- Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.[1]
So take time every day to find something to laugh at. It could be a joke, it could be a funny situation, or it could be yourself because leaders don’t take themselves too seriously. Laugh because your health depends upon it.
Sunshine
This is something that I think we who live in Texas take for granted, because we have bright sunshine most of the time. However, for the 2 ½ years we lived in Michigan I began to understand the importance of sunshine on my health. You see from October to April in Southwest Michigan sunshine is a rare commodity. And so by the time April came, you were longing to see the sun. Counterintuitively, you wanted it to snow because the snow on the ground would reflect the little bit of sunlight that got through the overcast skies. I knew people that had to take Vitamin D supplements, because they were unable to get enough Vitamin D from sunshine. So take advantage of the abundance of sunshine we get to experience in Texas. Sunshine is linked to higher doses of serotonin in the body during the day and melatonin at night. So while taking the proper precautions, go outside and soak in some sunshine. You will be healthier because of it.
Positive thoughts
There is an old Jewish proverb that says, “We don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.” As human beings perception is reality in many cases. So I must ask, “How do you look at life?” Are you a pessimist or an optimist? Did you know that the answer to that question can affect your health? Studies have shown that those who have a positive outlook on life tend to live longer than pessimists.[2] How do you know what you are, other than asking your wife or significant other? “Optimists count their blessings. Pessimists count their burdens.”[3] While I will admit that life can sometimes be difficult, facing life with a positive attitude can not only help you in your mental health, but it can also help in your physical health. One way to do that is every morning before you get out of bed or during the day, just think of 5 things that you are thankful for. They don’t have to be huge blessings (though God does give us many of those), but the small things in life we take for granted. Then notice how different your day will be as you dwell on those blessings and not the burdens. So if you are an optimist, continue to look at the glass not as half full but overflowing. If you are a pessimist, begin to look at the good things that you have been blessed with. Either way, your physical health will thank you.
Three secrets to good heath which can make a huge difference in your life, and if practiced could add quality years to your life so you can continue to fulfill the purpose that God created you for.
Conversation:
Which of the “3 secrets” do you have the hardest time implementing in your life? Why?
[1]http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm
[2]Creation Health: God’s 8 Principles for Living Life to the Fullest. Seminar Personal Study Guide, 190.
Ibid.
Recommended Reading
Creation Health Discovery takes the 8 essential principles of CREATION Health and melds them together to form the blueprint for the health we yearn for and the life we are intended to live.
Each letter of the word CREATION stands for one of the eight principles drawn from the Genesis story. Choice - Rest - Environment - Activity - Trust - Interpersonal relationships - Outlook - Nutrition These eight essential components of health meld together to form the blueprint for health we yearn for and the life we are intended to live. Some of the concepts presented in the CREATION Health acronym will seem like common sense-because they are exactly that. Other concepts you may not have been as familiar with but will learn through the evidence of science. About the authors: Des Cummings, Jr, PhD, is the Executive Vice President of Business Development for Florida Hospital and the Florida Division of the Adventist Health System. In this role he gives leadership to the mission, planning, marketing, new business development, and foundation for the 17 Florida Hospitals. Monica Reed MD, is the CEO of Florida Hospital Celebration Health and previous senior medical officer, overseeing the administrative relationship between the hospital and its 2,000 physicians. She is also the author of "Creation Health Breakthrough: 8 Essentials to Revolutionize Your Health Physically, Mentally and Spiritually.
Available at:
https://merchandise.creationhealth.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=sem-026
Your Health is Your Wealth
Whether we like it or not we are getting older. I have had to recognize in the year since I crossed the 40 threshold that I am not as young as I think I am. I can still remember as a teenager and into my 20’s that 40 seemed so old. But now that I am at the point in life, I still want to feel young. Part of feeling young is being in good health.
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