ROBBING OURSELVES

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“Your eyes saw my unformed substance”

That is what King David wrote in Psalm 139.  He was speaking of his own creation…his time in his mother’s womb…when he was an embryo and then a fetus.

He goes on to say, “in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

How many days have we robbed from unborn children?  How many lives have we snuffed out?

How have we robbed ourselves?  How many discoveries  never happened?  What inventions were never made?  How many works of art will we never see?

FREE MEDICINE

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I can wake up in the morning, feeling good, and say to myself, “Today I will not grumble or complain all day long.”  But, to my chagrin, I am rarely successfull!  Why, oh why, is it so difficult not to complain?

There have been many studies looking at the effect of gratitude on health and well-being.  Gratitude has been linked to better sleep, pain reduction, better immune function.  It has been shown to increase optimism, happiness, resilience, and to lower levels of depression and anxiety.  It can lead to better relationships, improved eating and increase in physical activity. Gratitude even turns on the brain’s reward system, causing release of dopamine and serotonin to help one feel better.

You would think, if gratitude can do all that,  we would all practice it!  It costs nothing.  A completely free way to feel better……and yet we prefer to complain and look at things negatively.  Again, why?  According to Paul Tripp, “complaining is the default language of fallen humanity.”  That certainly has proven true in my own life.   There can be 99 things going right but I will focus on (and complain about) the 100th thing that is not to my liking.

Years ago, I read a book that encouraged listing 5 things every day that I was thankful for.  I had been struggling with being especially negative and it had a very positive impact on me. (at least temporarily) I still struggle and complain but at least I realize more clearly the positive impact a grateful heart can bring.

Proverbs 17:22 says that “A joyful heart is good medicine!”

Free medicine!

Try, this month, to start an “I’m thankful for” list.  You can list one or two things every day but don’t repeat yourself.  It is amazing how it can cause you to become more aware of life’s blessings.   From songbirds to sunshine, there are good things that are free to all mankind.  And even in the worst moments of life, there is usually some silver lining.

Above all, remember that God is good.  As we follow Him, he promises to supply all our needs according to His riches, even in times of pain and suffering.

It is up to us to remember to say thank you……………and be grateful

DO YOU HAVE A HEALTHY HEART??

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February is American Heart month….a good time to look at how you are taking care of yours.  Good heart care is multifaceted and includes many things you are already aware of.  These are the things that physicians always talk about…..good nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest. These are important, but………

There are other needs for a healthy heart.  For instance a calm and peaceful spirit, lots of laughter, joy and a healthy world view. 

It is true that how you eat affects your heart.  How you exercise affects your heart.  But ….so does worry and stress. 

So, in celebration of February and Valentine’s Day, here are some ideas for maintaining a heathy heart. 

Yes, you guessed it!  Avoid the sweets!  Opt for nuts, fruit, vegetables, healthy protein, healthy fats, and stay away from processed foods (usually in a box and easy to prepare)

Get AT LEAST one half-hour of exercise daily.  It DOES NOT need to be at a gym.  It can be something fun like dancing or walking with a friend.

Get adequate sleep  The amount can vary between people and there is not a magic number of hours.  Try to WIND DOWN before going to bed by avoiding screens and most sleep best if the room is DARK and COLD.  

And then………………consider a few more.

LAUGH!  Find things that are funny!  Even in the midst of trouble, you can usually find something comical.  Listen to your favorite comedian or just find things to laugh at during the day, even if it is yourself.  As God’s word says in Proverbs 17:22,  ” A joyful heart is good medicine.”

Avoid overload, especially mental or emotional overload.  We are FINITE and were never meant to take on the cares of the entire world.  Help someone right in front of you and pray for those you cannot do anything for.  Try to do today what you can do today and avoid worrying about tomorrow.

Be generous of spirit.  It is AMAZING how good you can make yourself feel by giving to someone else.

And finally, remember your Creator.  Jesus says, I am the way, the truth and the life.  He also says I have come that you may have life and have it more abundantly.  So…if Jesus dwells in your heart, it will be HEALTHY!!!

 STAY AWAY FROM THAT VALENTINE’S DAY CANDY!!!!!

Protect your ears!

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TURN DOWN THAT MUSIC!  Anyone remember their parents saying that?  They had a point.

Your ears are beautifully and wonderfully made.  Your outer ear, where you hang your earring,  is designed to capture sound waves and direct them down your ear canal to the  middle and inner ear.   Ears are truly  God’s artistry on display.

Hearing is such a blessing …….most of the time!  Whether it is the sweet voice of a toddler to the majesty of a symphony to the jokes of your favorite comedian, hearing (and therefore your ears) is something you want to protect.

BUT HOW?

Here are a few simple rules to follow.

1-START EARLY!   It may be too late for some of us to do that but we can help guide our children and grands.  For instance, It is felt that even the infant sleep machines can be harmful to young ears.  They are useful, of course, but it is best to place them as far away from the baby as possible and keep then  at a low volume

2-Avoid LOUD noises.  Not just people yelling at you.   This includes loud concerts, loud sporting events, fireworks.  It is a good idea to keep a pair of ear plugs in your car or purse (if you use one) because sometimes you end up someplace noisy without planning on it….. or you just forget to bring them.

3-AVOID INGESTING PRODUCTS THAT HARM YOUR EARS.  Of course this is not always possible, since even some frequently used antibiotics can do some damage.  If you already have decreased hearing you may want to think about this.

4.  If you are listening to a podcast or music on headphones, keep the volume low enough  that you can hear someone speaking to you

5.   AVOID USING Q TIPS – they can cause perforation in your tympanic membrane if you go too far

6.  Finally, take a breaks from noise altogether.

SILENCE REALLY CAN BE GOLDEN!

Happy New Year! New Body Anyone?

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FRAILITY………………………………………………………………………….VIRILITY

I have been a family physician for over 35 years!  I  kinda miss my younger body.  I know it is not coming back but there are some things one can do to improve.  I don’t know where you are on the continuum above, but wherever you are, there is wiggle room for change!

In the year ahead, I am going to explore different aspects of aging and what can be done to slow it down a little.   Every few weeks, I will talk about a different topic.  I would love some company along the way…..and would appreciate any comments please!

Let’s start with your MOUTH (oropharynx)

Your MOUTH is part of your gastrointestinal track.  The GI track extends from your mouth to your “other end.”  In between there are a lot of different places that could be good stopping points (for discussion – not food).  Anyway, beyond your mouth there is your esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.  All told this is about 30 feet of track.  If it wasn’t curled up and packed so well we would take up a lot more room!

As you age you may develop a decrease in saliva (spit) production and develop a DRY MOUTH.  Certain medications can make this worse.  A common one that causes mouth dryness is benadryl.  Eventually, the transfer of food from your mouth to your  pharynx (throat) may be altered.  Studies have shown that up to 60% of older people without any symptoms have some abnormal transfer of food from their mouth to their throat

Also, your mouth has a lining called the oral mucosa.  As you get older, this lining gets thinner.  Your gums tend to recede.  This in turn causes the base of the tooth  to be exposed and you become more susceptible to root cavities. You may lose some of your teeth and not be able to chew your food as well.  This in turn can affect your nutritional intake.

In addition, inadequate flossing of your teeth can lead to increased inflammation of the gums.  Chronic inflammation has been linked to a variety of diseases.  Your dentist bugging you to floss is NOT JUST ABOUT YOUR TEETH! 

So………..  what are a few steps to take in the new year to protect this little area of your body and avoid downstream consequences?

1 – IF YOU HAVE TEETH, take care of them.

2- If you have not been getting regular dental cleanings, start.

3- Floss daily (gently)

4- Avoid medications that cause oral dryness (benadryl is one such medicine)

5- AVOID sugary foods, especially at night right before bed.

6- AVOID COLA DRINKS – They have a low pH and drinks with  a pH <4.0 are potentially harmful to your teeth.  The pH of cola drinks is  2.6 (I have been binging on diet lemonade which is pretty acidic and think I need to stop) Water is good.  Water is neutral

7- AVOID smoking.  It causes some pretty nasty mouth cancers.

Your  “new body” can start with good mouth care.

Remember, your mouth may not be what you think of first when considering a new body.  But it is directs a lot of traffic and needs a lot of care!  It’s a good place to start…..and we can move on from there!

MAY YOU BE happy, HEALTHY, and wise in 2025.

Christmas: A Season of Healing and Love

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IS CHRISTMAS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR?

Why do you  love (or NOT love) the Christmas season?

As a child, I LOVED Christmas.  I loved the festivities, the presents, the family gatherings.  I did not have to do much BUT SHOW UP.

Then I grew up.  I still loved the season, but it was a lot more work and a lot more stress.

NOW?? Well, through the years I’ve accumulated a lot of scars…..self-inflicted by my own sin, or inflicted on me by others.

Now Christmas is not so much about showing up, doing everything right, getting everything done.  It is about WHO SHOWED UP FOR ME.

Jesus came for the wounded.  He BECAME the wounded Himself…for our transgressions. By His wounds we are HEALED.  (http://ISAIAH 53:5)

SO…….CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT HEALING.

As the great preacher Charles Spurgeon once said,

THINK ABOUT JESUS’ LOVE.

SEE HIS TEARFUL EYES, HIS BLOODY WOUNDS.

THIS IS LOVE THAT STREAMS OUT FOR YOU

STRONG, FAITHFUL, PURE, AND LASTING LOVE.

THIS LOVE DOESN’T CARE WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN OR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

JUST TRUST IN HIM…….AND YOU WILL BE SAVED

The sweetest gift of Christmas is the same every day of the year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Me and Jonah

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I think I have found a kindred spirit in Jonah, but I am not proud of it.  The biblical account of Jonah tells about God reaching out to save a very sinful nation.  The man he chooses to send is unwilling to go.  He hates these people, even though God cares for them.

Jonah was called by God to preach to the people of Ninevah.  Ninevah was the capital of Assyria and  Assyrians were known for their vindictiveness and cruelty.  They were the inventors of crucifixtion (Rome adopted the practice later).  They were enemies of the Jews and thereby Jonah.   Jonah did NOT want to preach to them or warn them of danger, so he did not obey God.

It was not that he was afraid of the Ninevites.  It was because he knew God to be gracious and forgiving and if the Ninevites repented, he feared God would forgive them.  He did NOT want that!  So he ran in the opposite direction, on a ship, was famously thrown overboard and was swallowed by a BIG FISH.  God can get your attention!.  He finally relented in the belly of the fish, was upchucked onto dry land, and reluctantly went to Ninevah.

Sure enough!  They repented…..and Jonah was MAD!

I definitely see myself in Jonah.  I have found a lack of forgiveness and even animosity in my own heart toward other Christians  who, in my opinion, act ungodly…especially if it is directed at me.  And God has been speaking to me about this.  Lately, he has used the story of Jonah.  I realize my problem in forgiving them is that I think they are getting off too easy.  They belong to God and God will forgive them …. and it just seems unfair!

But it is terrible for me to be glad I don’t have to pay for my sins, and yet want someone else to have to pay for theirs! I owe my life to  Jesus Christ who paid my debt with His own blood on the cross.  I will be eternally grateful that He found a way to pay the price for me.  Why am I not just as grateful that my fellow Christians are also not under condemnation for their mistakes? Why do I want them to have to pay….or at least say I’m sorry??   I think it is because I tend to think that my debt was small and theirs is larger.    I think I think wrongly!

God  is teaching me that my debt is not small, it is HUGE!  But Christ paid it anyway.   Instead of being grateful for  what He has done for me, and wanting others to experience the same wonderful forgiveness, I am using a different standard to judge others.  Hypocritical me.

After the Ninevites repented and Jonah realized they were not going to be destroyed, he chose to go out east of the city and pout!

It might not be comfortable to realize the depth of sin in my own heart, but it is needed.  It puts God’s gracious sacrifice on my behalf in a clearer light.   It makes it much harder to turn around and say He should not do that for someone else.   I need to be glad he does that for His children.  So the uncomfortable, in the end, brings comfort.

God is not mocked…..but He does go after sinners…..to redeem them.  I need to let God handle others, as He has handled me.  He came to save ANY sinner who will have Him as Lord.   So I aim to give up my desire to be Lord over someone else….trying to leave all my personal Ninevites in His hands.

Waking Up To Reality

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The universe is a miraculous place…from forming stars and interacting galaxies to the beauty of a tiny flower petal, it speaks forth wonders.  That is why spending time outside-camping, hiking, watching a sunset-brings refreshement and renewal.

Why does nature move us so much?  Why do we have this need within us sometimes to get away from the noise and clamor of the world to the quiet and solitude of a peaceful, beautiful place?  It seems we are made with a hunger for more than just existing.  We are not just flesh and blood, but spirit also.  Flesh and blood gets sick, grows old, decays, passes away…but we sense that that is not all that we are.   We have a sense of eternity within us.  Our spirit longs for more!  We desire beauty, order, transcendence.  We desire to know where we came from, why we are here, where we are going. 

Questions, questions….awaiting an answer.  God says ….  get to know Jesus.

 Knowing Christ is becoming alive.  Someone once said (I don’t remember who) that “becoming a Christian is waking up to reality.”   It is like a homecoming – finally finding out what you are searching for . It is the start of a jouney…… the greatest adventure with the greatest Guide.  It is not having all the answers but knowing the God who does.

Become aquainted with the designer of the universe!   He really is the way….and the truth…..and the life! What could be more amazing than that?

Get to know the Designer!

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TOMORROW

 If you are viewing the eclipse please remember THREE  THINGS

  1.  You need protection!  If you look directly without protection you will get a retinal burn.  Your retina does not have pain fibers so you will not feel it.  The damage is not evident right away.  You may go to bed seeing fine but wake up blind
  2. The reason the eclipse is predictable is ONLY BECAUSE the universe is ordered.  It is ordered because there was a designer.  May the awesomeness of this event, or of any natural wonder, cause you to see TRUTH.  Just as these events have a creator, so do you and I.  Get to know your Creator!
  3. The eclipse will come and the eclipse will go.  Enjoy the eclipse….BUT ENJOYING YOUR CREATOR WILL LAST FOREVER!!!!!!

Hope Was Born on Christmas Day

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CHRISTMAS…..glitter, shopping, family gatherings, good food?

No, those are distractions.

Christmas is remembering that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

When we realize we are lost, there is a way back. 

Hope was born on Christmas Day.

Thank you Jesus!

Merry Christmas everyone!