Issue #49 - Be Active Your Way for Better Health

“A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools”
Spanish proverb

I know that the summer temperatures are increasing but let me encourage you to do what is necessary to keep your health in order. Here’s an article I found to aid you in staying active:

Be Active Your Way for Better Health
By Dr. Reginald B. Cherry, M.D.
Christian Post Contributor

The benefits of exercise - from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting confidence and self-esteem - are hard to ignore. And they are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. But how do you know how much and what kind of exercises provides the benefits?

The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, encourages Americans to "be active your way," with recommended exercise levels among a variety of physical activities. Here are the guidelines:

EXERCISE FOR ADULTS (ages 18 to 64)
Each Week

Do 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity (such as brisk walking) or 1 hour and 15 minutes (75 minutes) a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity (such as running) or an equivalent combination of moderate-intensity and vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity.

These aerobic activities should be done for at least 10 minutes at a time, and it is best to spread them out throughout the week. 30 minutes, five times a week is the most-cited recommendation and meets the Guidelines.

(You can get even more health benefits by increasing to 5 hours/300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both.)

What is moderate? A moderate level of activity noticeably increases your heart rate and breathing rate. You may sweat, but you are still able to carry on a conversation. You can talk, but you can't sing. It needs to be at least 10 minutes of continuous physical activity; an easy walk of less than 10 minutes doesn't count towards your total.

Examples of moderate level activities are brisk walking, easy jogging, walking or jogging on a treadmill, using an elliptical trainer, bike riding, swimming, water aerobics, ballroom or line dancing, softball/baseball, volleyball, doubles tennis, and gardening.

Vigorous physical activity substantially increases your heart rate; you are breathing rapidly, only able to speak in short phrases, and are likely to be sweating. These activities include running, cycling or swimming at an intense level.

2 or More Days a Week

To improve muscular strength and endurance, body composition, and flexibility, a well- rounded program of resistance or strength training is also recommended.

Strength exercises build muscles and increase your metabolism, which helps to keep your weight and blood sugar in check. Strength training exercises have you lift, push or pull to increase muscle strength and endurance. Activities include lifting weights, using resistance bands or resistance machines; chair exercises; carrying laundry or groceries; and washing the car or floors.

General stretching exercises involving the major muscle and tendon groups can also help maintain range-of-motion in joints and overall flexibility. Yoga and tai chi are included in this category.

EXERCISE FOR OLDER ADULTS (ages 65 and older)

• Follow the adult guidelines.
• Do exercises that maintain or improve balance if you are at risk of falls.
• If you have a chronic condition that makes exercise difficult, do as much as you can manage to do and avoid inactivity.

Those over age 65 may need longer periods of time to adapt to an exercise program, but both healthy and frail elderly individuals can make significant increases in strength and muscle mass through resistance and strength training.

By including flexibility training - such as stretching exercises or tai chi - in their exercise programs, elderly adults can offset the naturally occurring muscle and skeletal changes that significantly impair daily life. Flexibility exercises can improve range of motion and function of joints, and can also be key in preventing musculoskeletal injuries.

General Guidelines for Starting

If.... You do not currently engage in regular physical activity
Then...you should begin by incorporating a few minutes of physical activity into each day, gradually building up to 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity activities.

If....You are now active, but at less than the recommended levels
Then...you should strive to adopt more consistent activity:
• moderate-intensity physical activity for 30 minutes or more on 5 or more days of the week, or
• vigorous-intensity physical activity for 20 minutes or more on 3 or more days of the week.

If....You currently engage in moderate-intensity activities for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week,
Then...you may achieve even greater health benefits by increasing the time spent or intensity of those activities.

If....You currently regularly engage in vigorous-intensity activities 20 minutes or more on 3 or more days of the week,
Then...you should continue to do so.

If you have a diagnosed chronic condition or symptoms, such as chest pain, dizziness or joint pain consult your doctor about starting an exercise program. In general, especially for those who have musculoskeletal pain or stiffness, some activity is better than no activity.

You can help your body fight disease and stay on the pathway to healing through consistent exercise, as outlined above. The exercise you get, or fail to get, directly affects your body – the temple of the Holy Spirit.
___________________________________________

Dr. Reginald B. Cherry (drcherry.org) is a member of the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Harris County Medical Society, and the American College of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Cherry has authored numerous articles on Preventive Medicine, emphasizing nutrition and exercise. He also speaks extensively on these topics nationwide and conducts numerous seminars for various groups and organizations. Currently, his weekly television program reaches 80 million homes.
www.thepathwaytohealing.com
_____________________________________________

Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen. Read more!

Issue #48 - Two Couples, Two Ways of Handling Money

I thought you might enjoy this page I found at Crosswalk.com. Check it out:
Cheryl Gochnauer
Author
Danny and Tricia's combined income places them firmly in the upper middle class, so most of us would assume their financial problems are over. Not so. Though they bring in a substantial amount each week, Danny and Tricia have never learned to effectively handle their resources.

Like many couples, Danny and Tricia don't keep close track of where their money is going. They have separate accounts, since each respects the other's right to "their own money." Tricia likes not having to answer to Danny for every penny she spends. Unfortunately, she doesn't answer to herself for every penny she spends, either. Dollars flow into their three checking accounts - hers, his and theirs -- then flow right out again without hanging around long enough to draw interest.

With all the activity in their accounts, Danny and Tricia figure they are doing okay. Bills are usually paid on time, and when the checking account balances disappear, they always have their good credit to draw on. When they receive their charge card statements each month, a fleeting discomfort sets in while reading the multiplying totals. But they've never had a problem making the minimum payments. After all, two more checks are coming in next week.

At least, they assume so.

Tim and Rhonda make half of what Danny and Tricia bring home, and yet are in better financial shape. That's because they regularly do the math to see exactly where they stand, money-wise, using a loose budget that guides their spending decisions without hog-tying them emotionally.

Early in their marriage, Rhonda and Tim pledged to openly discuss all money issues. Together, they planned and identified mutual goals. They use credit sparingly, and postpone big purchases until they can pay cash or at least make significant down payments. That doesn't mean they don't enjoy the occasional financial fling. It's just that those sprees are planned for, not regretted in a resulting 21 percent APR after-glow.

Because they know where the funds are flowing, this couple knew exactly where they could cut when Rhonda decided to become a stay-at-home mom. Budget modifications were minor, since they had never delved into serious debt. Freedom from monetary strangleholds enabled them to make family, not finance, focused choices.

Tim and Rhonda understand the fundamental difference between "wants" and "needs". You can bet this young couple can visualize themselves in the same luxury car their friends drive, and would savor the same 5-star meals and costly vacations that launch Danny and Tricia's account balances into the stratosphere.

Sure, Tim would look great in that car. But the paid-off one he already drives is dependable and economical. Yes, Rhonda needs a new outfit. But is she really getting twice as much quality by spending $100 on that dress, instead of $50? And though a special meal is nice every once in a while, how often should they spend $40 for dinners they could fix at home for $7?

Free-spiritedly riding the financial wave from week to week is both risky and restrictive. The most glaring potential peril is losing everything due to an unforeseen layoff or illness. But it isn't a prospective catastrophe that poses the most danger to a couple's emotional bottom line. Instead, it's the strain accompanying financial uncertainty and consistently living beyond their means.

To positively approach marital money management:

* Review finances together.
* Agree on spending priorities.
* Identify mutual goals.
* Make a budget.
* Regularly review the budget, tweaking it to reflect your current situation.
* Stay in tune financially with your partner.

It'll nurture the kind of money-handling relationship you each want and need.

Cheryl is the COO of the Gochnauer family, the captain of a cottage-writing industry and the author of So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom (IVP). Copyright 2000 Cheryl Gochnauer
http://www.crosswalk.com/finances/635888/

Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen. Read more!

Issue # 47 - God’s thermometer & the worlds’ thermostat

“The only people who can change the world are people who want to. And not everybody does”
Hugh Macleod

There are many different environments and situations you end up in on a daily basis. From these environments you will either bring change or be changed. In order to please people you often adopt to their mold or liking. How do you test this? When you search your heart are you comfortable or did you do it to try fit in?

Today’s subject matter deals with two pieces of instruments with different functions, the thermometer and the thermostat.

The thermometer is used to tell the temperature of the environment or atmosphere it is put in. When you put this instrument in a room of 70° this will show up on the thermometer telling the temperature of the room.

On the other hand the thermostat when put in place causes the room to change to its setting. If you set the thermostat to 80° then the room will adjust to that temperature.

You and I can function in the form of both of these instruments. How do you know which one is appropriate for the place you are in? Glad you brought that up. First and foremost you were made to resemble God “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” Genesis 1:26a (KJV). Therefore it is more appropriate for you to be God’s thermometer.

When you get in the presence of God you will absorb his climate. There’s no need to rush out of the room because God’s climate will give you the right setting for your life.

It is in his presence when things that do not belong in your life are removed. Only things that are from God are able to survive in his environment. This is why the enemy (the devil) will put up a fight and try to stop you from getting there. A moment with God can make a major difference in you life.

This prepares you for what’s next. When you would have received the right setting for your life then you are ready to change or set the atmosphere for the environments that you go into. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven”. Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

You have now been empowered to bring light into the darkness of someone’s life. Imagine bringing a smile to a parent by giving them hope to know that their child is going to make it through their moment of sickness. How about helping someone know that they are special and God has a purpose for them being here.

Regardless of the size of the impact you make in someone’s life always remember that a little help to someone in need can always go a long way.

Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen. Read more!

Issue # 46 - Surviving your fight (pt. 2)

Last week we started this article on “Surviving your fight”. We ended on the matter if you stick with God you can survive in any fight you enter. Glad to have you back again for the continuation.

Before we go any further, what does it mean to survive? Survive- to remain alive or in existence; outlive; persevere:

Anytime you hear about a fight or a war you also hear about casualties. It’s time now for God’s people to stop becoming casualties, P.O.W. and victims to Victors. I am not asking you if you like to fight, you better fight if you want to survive.

How did we get here? “7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him” . Revelation 12:7-12 (KJV)

From then to now we were in a war zone. Take a look at a number of the movies, TV shows, cartoons, songs and the likes, they generally fall along these lines of good vs. evil. This leaves you with the choice who’s side will you be on?

Are you fit for this fight? There is always help available if you need it. “Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:” Psalm 144:1 (KJV)

You have an assignment in this battle and you need to know what it is or you’ll be out of place. When you are out of place you can be responsible for causing trouble in the camp. You can also make it hard for everyone else.

You must also be aware that in every army you have traitors, betrayers., people who sell out to the enemy setting you up for the kill. Not all of the attacks come from the outside, many come from friendly fire. When you taught you were safe, now you need eyes in the back of your head cause you don’t know who to trust.

To survive this fight you need to:

1. Know your enemy - (I Peter 5:8) Your adversary is the devil and you must treat him like that.

2. Communicate with the chief - (2 Chronicles 20:3;Ephesians 6:18) You have to stay in connection (pray)with headquarters.

3. Hear & follow instructions - (2 Chronicles 20:15-20) the instructions that are handed down are the plans and strategy of the chief. What chief doesn’t plan his attack or retaliation?(Luke 14:31) When you rebel you jeopardize your life and others.

4. Believe - (2 Chronicles 20:20) You will have a hard time if you don’t believe in the chief and his appointed officers. Other people who don’t believe will always try to stop you from going forward. Faith takes you forward.

Finally, I do encourage you to have enduring faith that will give you the edge over the enemy.


Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen. Read more!

Issue # 45 - Surviving your fight

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come up with the understanding that if there is a good fight, then you better believe that there is a bad one. God knew that somehow there would be some people who already made up in their mind that they are going to fight dirty.

It doesn’t matter how much you go over the rules and stress them, some people are determined to break them. Every opportunity they get they will try to hit you below the belt and throw an illegal blow whenever they can get away with it. But I want to remind you that the judge of this fight is a fair one.

“You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it“
Margaret Thatcher

So when the devil attacks you and follows through with a cheap shot don’t quit but keep fighting. This judge sees every time the devil cheat, every cheap shot, low blow, illegal move. “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep”. Psalm 121:4 (KJV)

If God could have kept Israel and is still keeping Israel why you think he is not watching over you? The thing about it is that God is not only watching but marking down every dirty move that the devil makes.

The devil has to fight dirty, that’s his job function- dirty devil or Satan the serpent. On the other hand, Christians fight clean, fight the good fight. Christians are people that have been cleansed, now see clear, so it is easier to become conquerors who stands as champions. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)

What is a fight? A conflict, dispute between individuals, groups, family, nation etc. Fights can turn deadly or turn to an all out war. Fight can last seconds, minutes, or hours, and on the war side days, weeks, months, years, down to centuries.

Caused by- jealousy, evil speaking, over man or woman, possessions, hatred and the list goes on. You don’t always have to do something to end up in one. Fights are picked by people who choose to bother you. Naturally we have learned to fight fist vs. fist, gun vs. gun, you hate me vs. I hate you, you speak evil of me vs. I speak evil of you, you kill my dog vs. I kill your cat and so on.

You grew up with this mentality and the bible tells us to do the opposite because only heathens fight this way. Yea I know how it is at times when you feel like if God could close his eyes or turn away for one minute so you could really let them have it.

Hold it right there, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 (KJV)

If your enemy is 9ft or 19 ft he can be cut down to nothing. Whatever your enemies size, God is Bigger. So if God is with you and people are coming against you, then they are coming against God.

Don’t sweat it my friend just remember if you stick with God you can survive in any fight you enter. I’ll let you digest what I have said in this article so far and we will continue on this matter next week.


Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Issue # 44 - Winning when you lose

Today’s blog has been stirred up from the conduct and actions of a notable superstar athlete. The reactions of this athlete had a lot of people talking and had left a sour taste in the mouth’s of many crying bad sportsmanship.

It was brought about by the loss and elimination of this athletes team. Hasn’t he lost before? Yes. So what makes this loss more disturbing than the others? What actually happened was Lebron James left the basketball court after his teams loss without greeting the winning team or speaking to anyone, hence today’s subject.

How do you react in your time of loss? Are you able to maintain a good and positive attitude towards others? The losses in your life is not to make you bitter but better. Every successful person has experienced loss at some time or the other. Do you have what it takes to congratulate someone else on their success or victory, especially when it happened against you.

This is where the greater victories takes place, when you conduct yourself in an appropriate manner after a loss.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.
Sir Winston Churchill

Life will not always go your way. Always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Nobody likes to lose, its better to lose a game or things than lose a good name. The time and effort you have put into building your character and name is too much to just let slip away by some bad action or attitude.

So, what’s top priority for you? Is it about winning games to make you look good or winning in life that makes God look good. You should never aim for your name to be greater than His. When you take your life and make it count for Him you will be rewarded . “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it“. Matthew 10:39 (NLT)

God lost his Son to gain to gain the whole world. What is your lost going to bring you?


Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come
short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

Read more!

Issue # 43 - You’ll score big if…

When was the last time you scored in life? I just want to let you know that another celebration is coming your way, but there is something important that you must do.

If you only knew how close you are to your next breakthrough you will begin to shout now. Let’s see if we can know how close. Well, more distractions are coming at you now more than ever. How about the pressure that is trying to cause you to give in is increasing?

Then there is news of so many going their separate ways when we really should be coming together. Many people are trying to get you to live life having one good time after another to get you to forget about your purpose and destiny.

To feel that one has a place in life solves half the problems of contentment.
George Woodberry

Well all this and more is a plan of the enemy to get you out of place. Place and timing is important to God. Imagine making all the sacrifices through sowing, then harvest time comes and you are out of place. You face the possibility of someone else eating your crops.

As in the game of football, when the quarterback calls a play he sets it up for the wide receiver to be in a certain spot or zone to catch the ball when he releases it. It doesn’t matter what tries to distract the wide receiver his duty is to get to that zone. Therefore like the wide receiver, you need to be where God wants you to be. Cause he’s getting ready to release something to you.

When you are feeling weary and discouraged still get to the zone. Nobody encouraging you, get to the zone. People making mockery of you and your God get to the zone. When it doesn’t make sense get to the zone.

God is setting you up to be his next ambassador. Once you do what needs to be done, the doors will swing wide open because of the spectacular performance God will do with you. Imagine being given the opportunity to say something for God to be glorified. Remember outstanding performances will always happen for people to see. Like I said earlier you can shout now cause your getting ready for a big score.

You’ll score big if….you stay in place.



Take care until…......and God Bless ya
http://jamesedgecombe2.blogspot.com/

Are you ready to face eternity? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of your life and desire to make that commitment now please repeat the following prayer:

Lord Jesus be merciful to me a sinner. I realize that I have sinned against you and come
short of your glory. I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and I believe in my heart that God has raised him from the dead. I pray for your forgiveness and ask that you save me now and accept me into your kingdom. Give me eternal life today.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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