YEAR OF GRACE AND FAVOR

“The Lord longs to be gracious to you.”  Isaiah 30:18

On December 31, the clock strikes midnight ushering in another New Year.  Another 365 days to fan the flames of your unfilled hopes and dreams.  A new beginning and gift full of promise.  But you must accept it, unwrap it and use it.  Not everybody does.  Maybe you dread what the New Year holds; retirement, the empty nest, chronic illness, unemployment, life without a loved one.  Well, God loves to take people at the end of their rope and set them on the road to peace, joy and victory.  He is the expert at drying tears, calming fears, injecting courage into anxious hearts and removing the sting of old memories.  He “makes all things new” Rev. 21:5.  But He never leads you back, just forward.

Listen: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you.”  What do you want to see happen this year?  Does it include having your own business?  Losing some weight?  Reuniting with your family?  Only you can complete the question, “What if I could…?”  You alone know what makes your heart leap.  Stephen Covey says, “Begin…with the image of the end of your life as your frame of reference…Each day will then contribute to the vision you have of your life as a whole.”  Seek God.  Determine your goals.  Write them down, and then release the outcome to Him who “longs to be gracious to you.”  To be gracious means “to show favor.”  The desire of God’s heart is that you walk in His grace and favor every day of this year.

THE IMPACT OF EVERY WORD YOU SAY

I am sure you have heard someone say, “You are going to eat those words.”  It may sound like a mere phrase to us but in reality we do eat our words.  What we say not only affects others, but it also affects us.  Words are wonderful when used in a proper way.  They can encourage, edify and give confidence to the hearer.  A right word spoken at the right time can actually be life changing.  Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy in making an apt answer, and a word spoken at the right moment” – how good it is.

Personally, I must bless with my words and not curse because whatever I say stands and happens the way I said it.  One of the powers the Almighty God bestowed on me.  We can literally increase our own joy by speaking right words.  We can also upset ourselves by talking unnecessarily about our problems or things that have hurt us in relationships.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE SPEAK?

The words that come out of our mouth go into our own ears as well as other people’s, and then they drop down into our soul where they give us either joy or sadness, peace or upset, depending on the types of words we have spoken.  God desires that our spirit be light and free so it can function properly, not heavy and oppressed.  We can learn to choose our thoughts, to resist wrong ones and think on good, healthy, and right ones.  I have often said, “Where the mind goes, the man follows.”  And it could also be said that where the mind goes, the mouth follows!

PLAN TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE

Having a positive outlook on life and speaking positive words based on God’s Word is one of the most wholesome things we can do.  You do not even have to be talking to someone to increase your joy with your words.  The mere confession of good things is enough to cheer you up.  When you get up in the morning, if there is something you need to attend to that day that you are not looking forward to, you can say, “I dread this day,” or you can say, “God will give me strength today to do whatever I need to do and to do it with joy.”  Which of these two statements do you think would better prepare you for the day?

Anyone who wants to be healthy is careful to choose quality food that will provide good nutrition.  If we want to be healthy in our soul and spirit, we should also choose to take in words that will build us up and increase our peace and joy.  Fortunately, we do not have to wait for someone else to cheer us up!  We can do it with own words by what we choose to talk about.  When we understand the power of words and realize that we can choose what we think and speak, our lives can be transformed.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT IN 2013?

We talk a lot and quite often pay no attention to what we are saying, let alone think seriously about the impact of our words.  If we are honest with ourselves, we may find that some of our bad moods are directly linked to our conversation.  Even some of our problems can be linked to bad choices we make about what we say.  I want to encourage you to take some time and think about the types of things you usually talk about.  What kind of conversation do you enjoy and participate in?

We all have challenges in life, but we can make them better or worse by the way we talk about them.  I am not suggesting at all that we deny reality, but we can choose what we talk about.  Instead of feeding ourselves a steady diet of “bad news”, we should choose to read, watch and talk about good things.  Your words may not be the cause of all your problems, but they can cause a lot of them and they should be given a good deal of consideration when we are looking for answers to the problems we encounter in life. 

I believe there are many good things happening in the world and there is probably more good than bad, but the evil is magnified in a way that often seems overwhelming.  Turn on any news magazine and you will find it filled with reports of murder, theft, wars, famine and all kinds of horribly tragic events.  One thing is for sure, speaking negatively could hurt you and speaking positively never will, so why not go with the positive and see what kind of results you get?

FOR THE ONE WHO HAS EVERYTHING

“They…presented him with…gold…incense and…myrrh.”  Matthew 2:11

It is Christmas.  Jesus’ birthday.  But what can you possibly give to the One who only has everything, but created it all?  The wise men probably asked the same question.  As scholars they were astute enough to navigate thousands of miles guided by a star, influential enough to warrant an audience with King Herod, and rich enough to undertake such a long journey carrying expensive presents.  But in addition to “gold…incense and…myrrh,” they gave Jesus some gifts that are priceless – note what they gave:

1. Their Time.  Long before his birth they had invested years researching and preparing for it – not counting the two years it took them to travel to where He was born.  Do you know what?  You are as close to God today as you want to be, planned to be, and took time to be.  Want to get closer?  Spend more time with Him.
2. Their Worship.  Once they found Him, “They fell down and worshiped Him” Matthew 2:11.  Worship changes us profoundly because when we stand in God’s presence with an open heart and let His Spirit work in us, “We are…changed to be like him” 2 Corinthians 3:18.
3. Their Hope.  While those around saw only darkness these men recognized, “The Light shines in the darkness” John 1:5.  And that has not changed.  God’s healing love shines brightest in the darkness of our dashed dreams and broken hearts.  So in the midst of your family celebrations, take time out to be with Jesus: and how about a special gift to His Work?  After all, it’s His birthday.

What the Birth of Christ Represents To Us

1.  His Birth Gives Us Faith To Believe In God.

Many prophets and others in the Old Testament prophesied the Birth of Christ and many other things concerning Christ the Messiah and His Church.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

What special meaning does the fact that the prophecies concerning the birth of Christ being fulfilled have for our lives today?

It gives us faith to believe that what God has written in His word is true.  It helps us to believe in the reality of the birth of Jesus Christ and all that comes with it.

The prophets of the Old Testament prophesied many wonderful and awesome things including God's destiny and purpose for the church today as well as the eternal kingdom.  If what they said about the birth of Christ came to pass, then that which has been prophesied for today and the future will also come to pass.  This gives us faith to believe in all that God has for us.

2.  His Birth Meant Joy Coming Into The World.

Much joy was brought into the world as a result of the birth of Christ and this joy has now entered into each one of our lives as a result of His coming into our lives.

Luke 1:14   "And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.”

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My [joy] may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Acts 2:28    “You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of [joy] in Your presence.”

3. The Birth Of Jesus Meant That A Savior Was Provided.

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

A friend once received a Christmas card that had a special significance. It went something like this:

"If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.  If our greatest need hand been money, God would have sent us an economist.  But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior."

4.  His Birth Provided Hope of Eternal Life and a Way for us to Enter Heaven.

John 14:2   "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 14:6   Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

We celebrate the birth of Christ, Who has given to us a great hope.  We can be comforted and walk in tremendous joy and peace, knowing that Christ our savior was indeed born over 2000 years ago.  Therefore we have access to Him through faith.

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Thanks to the birth of Jesus Christ, we have the hope of eternal life and a wonderful life here on earth filled with all of the blessings that God continually bestows upon us.  Let us give glory to God for all that He has given to us through the birth of Christ.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM?

"Look, this dreamer is coming!...let us...kill him."  Genesis 37:19 - 20

Everybody has a dream.  What is yours?  If you could do anything, what would it be?  Most of us do not achieve great things because we give up, we fall short, we get off track, we settle, or we dream too small.  Only two things stand in your way: dreaming it , then doing it.  Have you dared to dream, really dream?  If something is within your apparent reach, it is not a dream.  If it does not stretch you, cost you, or involve risk, it is not a dream.  Dreams change you even as they change the world around you.

Maybe you are listening to critical people.  Remember the story of Joseph?  He dreamed big dreams.  God-given dreams.  And what was the response of his brothers?  They said, "Look, this dreamer is coming!...let us...kill him."  People who are not pursuing their own dreams are usually the first to criticize people who are. So, who are you listening to?

Maybe you are afraid to dream too big.  You do not want to fail.  Nobody does.  But "safe living" leads to regret.  Theodore Roosevelt said, "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor souls who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."  What is the worst thing that could happen if you pursue your dream and do not achieve it?  You could end up where you are now.  And what is the best thing that could happen?  You could find yourself in new territory, enjoying new blessings, living the life God meant for you to live!

THE IMPACT OF COSMETIC SURGERY

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion in the press about women and cosmetic surgery and it struck me as rather ridiculous for this to be a topic of debate for us.  Interestingly, the issue of cosmetic surgery is one that has been and continues to be of great interest in the UK and America.  The difference is that as surgery, it has almost become the norm and a daily occurrence in those parts of the world and both men, women, even some as young as in their early teens, commonly engage in some form of cosmetic surgery.

The discussion usually have to do with the pressure women in particular feel they are under to look young and the general aversion the West has to any form of aging and their obsession with youth.  However, as a form of surgery, people do not generally tend to die from the procedure [there might be a few exceptions].  In contrast, there appears to be a growing number of disastrous results with Nigerian women who have undergone the procedure.  Early this year, there was a young Nigerian woman who lost her life in America after having buttocks implants.  There have been a lot of questions as to why they are having such negative results and whether it might be because they are not forthcoming with their full health status.

Any medical procedure which has not gone on as planned can have distressing results.  The negative effects of an operation can leave you feeling extremely depressed and anxious.  Regardless of the aesthetic results of any cosmetic surgery, having this form of surgery is usually associated with increases in anxiety and a tendency to depression, with an eventual lack of satisfaction with the results.  This increased casual use of cosmetic surgery and surgical procedures can result in a life time of mental health problems.

It would appear that our women might be negligent in doing even the most basic research on cosmetic procedures.  They probably rely on encouragement from friends or what they see in magazines and forge ahead on decision that can have permanent ramifications in their lives.  You need to understand what your own health needs are.  There are so many detailed questions to ask.  How long will the benefits last?  Will there be a lot of pain?  Will you need anesthesia? How long is recovery?  Is there anything to be done to avoid bruising or speed up recovery?  How long has the surgeon been practicing  or how many of that particular procedure?

This is your face and your body and cosmetic surgery is a personal, physical and psychological experience.  One size does not fit all.  Before you embark on something so enormously life-changing and probably unnecessary, you need to be very thoughtful, careful and afraid.  Some women have cosmetic surgery or try a procedure because someone has persuaded them to try it.  Sometimes, the desire is provoked by those feelings of discomfort as the natural aging process sneaks up on us; those innocuous comments that sometimes send women into a tailspin of insecurity and anxiety about their appearance.  You need to think clearly and carefully for whom you are about to alter your face or body, in the knowledge that there is no guarantee of the outcome - physically, emotionally and psychologically.

Many women are unrealistic about cosmetic surgery.  What are you trying to accomplish?  While there is no denying it can do marvelous things for those who have realistic expectations and take the time to do the required investigation and preparations, it is not a magic treatment or a cure all and it most definitely cannot give you self esteem on a sustained basis.  It is only transient.  It will not make an older woman young again and it may not necessarily transform your experiences in life.

Most importantly,, cosmetic surgery cannot take the place of a warm, loving, healthy relationship with a partner, or the strength and courage you derive from well nurtured friendships.  Your external appearance will not alter a damaged internal world.

HELP! I CANNOT SLEEP!

If you sleep well, you not read this.  But if you do not then it is for you.  What is the big deal about sleep?  A lot!  Sleep is a period of rest.  But it is much more.  It is an essential time for your body to perform routine maintenance and repair damage from your day.  But do you get adequate sleep daily?  Inadequate sleep or insomnia is harmful to the body and mind and makes you less able to function effectively.  Insomnia is not a respecter of age.  Although, it is more common in adults, its frequency increases with age.  When do you experience inadequate sleep?

1. When you are under stress.  Insomnia is not unusual when undergoing a particularly stressful period.  Some worry about whether or not they are going to be able to sleep, even before going to bed.  This, in turn, causes insomnia as the person lies awake worrying about not being able to fall asleep.
2. When there is a health issue.  Health problems often interfere with sleep.  People who suffer pain, perhaps from a condition like arthritis, may find the pain keeps them awake at night.  Heart conditions and respiratory problems can make it difficult to lie down comfortably too.  An overactive thyroid gland may cause restlessness and sleeplessness.  For aging women, they may discover that menopause disturbs sleep patterns.
3. When under the influence of drugs/alcohol.  Drugs and alcohol interfere with natural sleep, and people who are withdrawing from substance abuse also report problems of sleep.  Not only hard drugs cause sleep problems, but prescribed medications too.
4. Other disturbances.  Surprisingly, a partner who snores, loud neighbors or shift work distort sleep.  In particular, night work may disturb the body's natural clock and sleep pattern.  Short term sleep problems may be caused by jet lag.  The environment itself may play a role; for example, the bedroom or bed may be too hot or too cold.

ANY SOLUTION?

Yes.  Just adopt healthy life style practices.  Insomniacs should also get out of bed if they do not fall asleep after a reasonable amount of time and return only when they become sleepy again.

• Have a schedule.  Associate your bedroom with sleep and rest and do not multitask in it.  Maintain a consistent schedule and go to bed and wake up around the same time everyday.
• Avoid cigarettes and caffeine.  Stop smoking, avoid alcohol, caffeine and a heavy meal before bed time.  Cut down on your coffee or switch to decaffeinated one.  Tea may cause insomnia if consumed in large quantities.  Remember, something that charges you during day will also keep you up all night.
• Stay awake.  Try not to sleep during the day and do not nap.  By not napping, you will make your body more tired at night.
• Exercise.  Exercising within three hours of bedtime can keep your body alert and make it harder to fall asleep.  Instead, engage in body exercises during the day or early evening rather than at night.  Vigorous exercise during day is followed by a good night sleep.  The more physically tired you get during the day, the better sleep you will get at night.
• Keep a daily stress log.  Write down your daily stress triggers, responses and outcomes.  By taking notes of these, you can begin to see how you respond to certain situations and eliminate or learn to cope with stress causing agents.
• Seek professional help.  Talk to a licensed therapist about the core issues surrounding your insomnia.  Ask your doctor about over the counter or prescription sleep medications.  Before you take any sleep aids, be well informed of potential side effects, risks and interactions with other medications.
• Take a hot shower.  Taking a warm bath before going to bed helps to relax your tense muscles.  This helps you to sleep better.
• Please, eat right.  Many healthy foods contain ingredients that can act as sedatives or boost certain hormones to induce sleep.  By altering your diet, include other foods.

BUST THE MYTHS OF SLEEP

Myth: To function best, you need to get eight hours of sleep.

Fact: There is no big deal about that number.  Everyone has different sleep needs, and you will know you are getting enough when you do not feel like nodding off in a boring situation in the afternoon.  It does not have to be eight hours.

Myth: More sleep is always healthier.

Fact: Long sleepers may suffer from problems such as depression or uncontrolled diabetes that makes them spend more time in bed.

Myth: Waking up during the night means you will be tired all day.

Fact: It might be your natural cycle so you do not need to be worried.

Myth: You need prescription drugs if you have insomnia every night.

Fact: Sleep medications are designed for short term sleep problems caused by stressful events.  People with long term problems benefit more from cognitive behavioral therapy like retraining your perceptions of sleep and learning better sleep habits.

DEALING WITH CHILD ONLINE VULNERABILITY

A few years after I was born, my father met with a stranger.  From the beginning, dad invited him to live with our family and the stranger quickly accepted and was around from then on.  As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family.  In my young mind, he had a special niche.  My parents were complementary instructors: mum taught me good from evil and dad taught me to obey.  But the stranger…he was our storyteller.  He would keep us spell bound for hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.  If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed to predict the future!  He made me laugh and he made me cry.  The stranger never stopped talking but dad did not seem to mind.

Many years have passed since the stranger moved in with our family.  He has blended right in and is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.  His name?  We just call him TV.  He has a wife now.  We call her Computer.  Their first child is Cell Phone; second child is iPod.  By the way, they now have a wonderful grandchild.  She is a genius!  She is fondly called Blackberry; BB for short.  She is nearly more popular than her mum.  Her new baby cousin is iPad.  This stranger has decided to take up permanent residence in our house.  What can we do?

The internet is neutral can be asked to do anything.  So, if there is any problem, it is with those that give it instruction.  The information society in which children and young people all over the world are growing up offers an unprecedented level of services and information which can be accessed through the computer, mobile phone, game console, iPod, iPad, personal digital assistants etc.  As a neutral tool for disseminating data, the internet can be used for good or for ill.  It has enormous potential as a source of education for people of all ages and capacities.  It can also be used to set online traps to exploit users for criminal purposes.  Among those who are most vulnerable to such traps are children.

The risks and vulnerabilities related to the use of the internet include: exposure to illegal and harmful content such as pornography, gambling, brain washing and recruitment for terrorist activities, cyber bullying and inappropriate content; disclosure of personal information leading to the risk of physical harm, sexual abuse and identity theft; creation, reception and dissemination of illegal and harmful content; and excessive use of the internet to the detriment of social and or outdoor activities important for health, confidence building and social development and general well being.  Others are unauthorized use of the parents’ credit cards to pay for online services and merchandise and targeting through spam and advertisements from companies using internet sites to promote age or interest targeted products.

Child abuse materials emanating from other countries are thriving in Nigeria, exploiting children users’ ignorance and vulnerability of the internet infrastructure.  As Nigeria comes to terms with issues of child abuse materials and commits to the protection, Nigeria does not have sufficient legislation to combat child pornography and related matters.  Internet has become the single largest domain where Nigerian youths are presently being engaged.  The reality in today’s Nigeria digital world has transformed individual lifestyle.  The Nigerian youth’s daily life, from villages to cities, is full with SMS, e-mail, chats, online dating, multiplayer gaming, virtual worlds and digital multimedia.  Although, these technologies mean added convenience and enjoyment for many, government and users alike are often one step behind the fast paced innovation in these areas.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Stakeholders are to work in parallel and in unity at strategic, operational and tactical levels to address child online protection, to conduct a high level strategic planning session across relevant government bodies and to ensure dissemination of clean contents from operators’ networks.

Furthermore, they should conduct awareness workshops across the country in separate areas – local governments, local schools/teachers, private sector and parents and to design a framework, guidelines, policies and other regulations and transit same to appropriate organs of government for assent and implementation.

There should be an all inclusive multi-stakeholder and multi-sector collaboration, partnership and alliances to create more awareness among children on the negative consequences of improper use of cyber content.

Child online protection should be merged with the cyber crime policy of the government while asking that a separate agency should be established to handle the issue of child online protection to ensure that it is not submerged in the larger cyber crime policy.

For operators, they should implement technical mechanisms to prevent access to websites identified as hosting contents that are offensive to children and to implement processes to enable the removal of any child sexual abuse content on their own web services.

GO TO THE RIGHT PERSON

"We are his people, the sheep he tends."  Psalm 100:3

Like sheep, most of our wounds come from living in the pasture.  Thorns prick.  Rocks cut.  Heads butt.  Mosquitoes bite.  So our Shepherd regularly inspects His sheep searching for wounds.  That is because He does not want today's wound to become tomorrow's infection.  Hence, David writes, "We are his people, the sheep he tends."  Others may guide us to God, but no one does the work of God for only God can heal. He "heals the brokenhearted" [Psalm 147:3].

So, your first step is to go to the right person - go to God.  Your second step is to assume the right posture - bow before God.  To be anointed with the oil that heals and protects, the sheep must stand still, lower its head and let the shepherd do his work.  Peter writes, "Be humble under God's powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes" [1Peter 5:6].  When we come to God we make requests, not demands.  We state what we want, but we pray for what is right.  Like Paul, if God gives us the prison in Rome instead of the mission in Spain, we accept it because we know God will always give what is right to His people [Luke 18:7].  Now, the sheep do not understand how the oil repels mosquitoes or heals wounds.  In fact, all the sheep know is that something happens in the presence of their shepherd that does not happen anywhere else.  And that is all we need to know as well.  Hence David writes, "Lord, I give myself to you; my God, I trust you" [Psalm 25:1 - 2].

BEYOND SIGNING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL INTO LAW

Before the Freedom of Information bill [FOI] was finally signed into law, it suffered a series of setbacks totaling about 12 years at a time most developed nations were fine-tuning strategies and policies meant to enhance knowledge driven economy.

As defined, the FOI law “is an Act to make public records and information more freely available, provide for public access to public records and information, protect public records and information to be consistent with the public interest and the protection of personal privacy, protect serving public officers from adverse consequences for disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization and establish procedures for the achievement of those purposes and; for related matters.”

Though wrongly perceived, the FOI Law is not a Journalist’s law; neither is it a media organization law but a law to get our public office holders accountable to the citizens.  After this Act has been signed into law, however we have not seen its positive influence on national life.  Indeed, how many Christians know what the law is all about?  How many Christians have seen a copy of it?  How many can really interpret the law?  And how many know the meaning, let alone using it to drive the change that they desire?

Christians should be informed that our democracy is unfit if they are not fully responsive or given collective responsibility in the task of building a strong nation.  Nigerians need to be informed that any of their representatives that are not performing to produce best result must be voted out in the next election.  They need to be informed that grass roots development is the only normal means to national development, considering that major cities cannot be developed at the expense of rural communities.  They need to be informed that they are not to celebrate national looters who corner the money meant for health centre for personal use.

Our economic, political and social justice can never be won when government and citizens do not have the relevant knowledge about the country.  Again, the electorate cannot be won over through force.  Severe policies that increase economic instability can only lead to mass protest, as was seen in the first week of the year when Nigerians went out en masse to protest against the absolute removal of fuel subsidy.

Social justice can only be won by free men who believe in an equal society and who have been authorized to adequately use the freedom of information to sensitize and educate the masses and thus free them from unnecessary slavery in their fatherland.

HEALTH TIPS [PART TWO]

v  Eat right for better teeth: Your pearly whites can gleam. Eat apples, oranges, celery, carrots and high fiber green.

v  Make love: There is no better medicine than to have sex with your spouse. Couples who have sex at least twice a week get protective boost from their immune systems. Of course it relaxes the mind.

v  Crash diets don't work: The so called new-age diets do not add to health prospects. There is no easy way to lose weight so the best way is to do it over a period of time.

v  Coffee is good: Researchers have found that two to four cups of coffee daily can lower the risk of colon cancer by 25 per cent.

v  Being overweight is dangerous: Loose the extra kilos. Overweight people cut 20 weeks of their life for every excess kilogram, according to new research, keeping a personal weight machine at home really helps. Buy one now!

v  Supplement with selenium: Research has shown that people who took a daily supplement of selenium had a 37 per cent reduction in cancers.

v  Lower you cholesterol: Work on reducing your cholesterol. This can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke even when your level is not high. Exercise to reduce weight.

v  Aspirin is a wonder drug: Aspirin can actually do wonders. It helps to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease and cancers, including of the colon, esophagus, stomach, rectum, prostrate.

v  Change your job: If the workplace is what bothers you. Simply quit! Consider becoming a salesperson. Salespeople are least likely to have a work-related illness.

v  Socializing is good: Meeting friends and relatives is recommended. Weekly socializing improves the memory, concentration and problem solving skills.

v  Learn to relax: Unwind, take up a hobby and start socializing. This fights stress and depression.

v  Fruits and vegetables help: Have at least five portions of vegetables and fruit a day, especially tomatoes, red grapes.

v  Sing to stay healthy: Singing is good for the mind and body. It is relaxing, improves breathing and muscle tone.

v  Vitamins are vital: A multivite a day, keeps the tablet away, but be sure it contains at least 200 Meg of folic acid.

v  Sleep well: There is nothing like a good sleep. Sleep primes the immune system. Most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep a night.

v  Or just hum...: Humming helps. Daily humming is a good way to increase ventilation in the sinuses.

HEALTH TIPS [PART ONE]

v  Garlic a day: Garlic is the mother of all cures. Researchers have found that 5ml of garlic extract lower levels of a disease-causing chemical by up to 48 per cent.

v  Eat wholegrain foods: Make sure you have whole-grain foods at least four times a week and you will reduce the chance of having cancer by 40 per cent.

v  Take care of your skin: Always wear sun-screen lotion.  The best cure is to smile through and your skin will shine with an extra dash. It's no big secret!

v  Eat plenty of fish: Fish is the recommended diet for a longer healthier life. Studies have found that those who regularly ate fish were up to one-third less likely to get heart disease than those who ate it less than once a month.

v  Try Tea: Tea is always good. Being a heavy tea-drinker can never have negative effects. The protective effects of tea increase with the amount drunk, and people who are regular tea drinkers are the least likely to die of a heart attack.

v  Stop smoking: Do not smoke your health away. More you are to smoke, more likely you are to develop cancer or heart disease.

v  Walk for Health: There is nothing better than walking. Walking a mile every day, or taking reasonable exercise three times a week, promises to reduce the risk of heart disease, as well as strengthens bones and keeps them strong. You can buy a blood pressure instrument to monitor your B.P. before and after the walk.

v  Never sleep over a backache:  It is never advisable to sleep over a backache. Research shows that people who take to their beds with backache take the longest time to recover. Those who avoid bed-rest and continue normal activities as much as possible have less pain.

v  Water spells health: Water flushes out the toxins. A good amount of liquid intake helps the entire system and of course is best for curing skin ailments. The average man needs 2.9 litres or about 12 cups of water, a day and woman needs about 2.2 litres.

v  Stop bad breath: You can prevent that unfriendly odour. It is caused by oral bacteria. A tongue scraper may help, but dental care may be needed. Mouth rinses are effective, as are flossing and brushing teeth twice a day.

v  Slow down on the junk: Research shows that eating too many high-fat-foods contributes to high blood-cholesterol levels, which can cause hardening of the arteries, coronary heart disease and stroke.

v  Cut back on salt: Health Organization recommends no more than five grams a day. Too much salt can lead to stroke and heart problems.

v  Drink wine: Research suggests that the equivalent of a couple of glasses of wine a day may be good for health. It can also help you keep a good mental frame.

v  Spouse can matter: A man in poor health in his 50s is six times more likely to be affected if married to a woman who is also in poor health.

"STAYING THE COURSE"

"The testing of your faith produces endurance." James 1:3

Endurance means "staying the course."  But endurance is only a word until you have to deal with a strife-torn marriage, the long road back from bankruptcy, divorce or illness, the rebuilding of your life, or the required preparation for success in any field.  It takes commitment to keep going when friends fail you, discouragement whispers "give up", and doubt says, "it cannot be done."  That is when endurance takes on new meaning.  It becomes your anchor in the storm, your compass in times of confusion, and the head of steam that gets you up the next hill.

Remember, God knows when to discontinue a trial because its purpose has been fulfilled.  And He gives us two great promises:

• His comforting presence [See Isaiah 43:2 - 5].
• The assurance that He will not permit more pressure than we can handle [See 1 Corinthians 10:13].

But there is another reason - others are watching!  Paul writes, "People are watching us as we stay at our post...working hard, working late, working without eating; with pure heart, clear head, steady hand; in gentleness, holiness and honest love; when we are telling the truth...when God is showing His power; when we are doing our best setting things right; when we are praised, and when are blamed; slandered, and honored; true to our word, though distrusted; ignored by the world, but recognized by God...immersed in tears yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all" [1 Corinthians 6:1 - 10].  That is called "staying the course".

GOD'S STRANGE CHOICE

"God chose the weak things of the world to shame the wise."  1 Corinthians 1:27

Has someone told you that you are are not qualified?  If so, read on:

"Dear Paul the Apostle: We received your application for service under our missions board.  Frankly we are amazed you have been able to pass a missionary.  Here is why:

1. We are told that you are afflicted with eye trouble.  We require 20/20 vision.
2. We hear that you have to make tents on the side to support yourself.  How come?
3. Is it true that you have a prison record?  Think how this would reflect on our organization.
4. It is reported from Ephesus that you made so much trouble for the local business community there, that they refer to you as the man who "turned the world upside down."  We deplore sensationalism in ministry.
5. You refer to yourself as "Paul, the aged."  Our new pension policies do not anticipate a surplus of elderly recipients.
6. Doctor Luke, the Physician, reports that you are a frail little man, frequently sick, and always so agitated over your churches that you sleep very poorly.  He indicates that you pad around the house praying half the night.  Our ideal applicant has a clear mind and a robust body.  We believe that a good night's sleep will give you zest and zip so that you will wake up full of zing.

So, we regret to inform you, Brother Paul, that in all our experience we have never met a candidate so opposite to the requirements of our board.  If we should accept you we would be breaking every principle of current missionary practice.

Signed, Most surely,

J. Flavius Fluffyhead

Secretary

Foreign Missions Board."

RUN TO WIN

"Run in such a way that you may win." 1 Corinthians 9:24

Paul writes, "Run in such a way that you may win."  The Isthmian Games to which Paul referred were open to everyone.  Obviously the object of running any race is to win!  But it is not just a matter of putting on your Nike's, wearing the outfit and enjoying the scenery: "Run in such a way that you may win."  So, what is the secret to winning?  "Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things." [1 Corinthians 9:25].  Athletes who run to win, exercise restraint over their impulses, emotions and desires.  They watch their diet, get sufficient sleep and train their bodies in just the right way.  They are doing things that could limit their performance on the track.  They measure the consequences of every indulgence according to whether it will help or hinder them.  Paul says that those who ran in the Isthmian Games did so to win "a perishable wreath."  Actually, the victors wee treated with royalty.  Often their debts were cancelled and they were allowed to live tax free for the rest of their lives.  In some cases they were given a life time supply of food so that they could rest on their laurels.  So Paul points out that, as valuable as that leafy crown was, it cannot compare to the eternal rewards for which we strive.  In other words, run with eternity in view.  Obedience to God, even in details, enhances your heavenly reward.  At the end of a life of deep commitment and detailed obedience, Paul could say, "There is laid up for me a crown."  So, live each moment with that crown in view!

GET RID OF THOSE OLD CLOTHES!

"Put off your old self...put on the new self." Ephesians 4:22 - 24

When you entertain thoughts in the privacy of your own mind you may be tempted to excuse yourself by saying, "What harm will it do?"  What harm?  More than you know!  Ultimately you become whatever you dwell on.  Paul writes, "Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ" [2 Corinthians 10:5].  Take control of your thoughts or they will take you places you do not want to go.

Again Paul writes, "Put off your old self...put on the new self."  Now you may not want to admit that you are still wearing some of those old clothes.  But the truth is, you cannot put on the new man till you first take off the old one.  Furthermore, you cannot hang those old clothes in the closet for a rainy day, or leave them on the floor to be tripped over.  You have to get rid of them!

Read these words carefully: "Stop telling lies...tell your neighbors the truth...Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.  If you are a thief, quit stealing...use your hands for good hard work...give generously to others in need.  Do not use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be...helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" [Ephesians 4:25 - 29].  Because God's Spirit lives within you, you do not have to:

• lie in order to advance your position;
• cheat to be prosperous;
• deceive to achieve;
• use your anger and your moods to control others;
• engage in foul talk.

Those are old clothes - get rid of them!

COMMIT YOURSELF TO GROWTH!

"Let the wise listen and add to their learning." Proverbs 1:5

Here are 3 reasons why growth should matter to you:

• Gifting without growth produces ineffectiveness.  Albert Schweitzer said, "The secret of success is to go through life as a person who never gets used up."  But how do you do that?  The answer lies in how you approach talent.  If you draw on your talent but never sharpen it, you are headed for trouble because nobody is that talented.  But if you take the time to sharpen your axe, God can call on you at a moment's notice.
• Growth prevents stagnation.  Do you feel stuck spiritually, relational, career wise, or at home?  You won't get unstuck by making external changes, looking for a different job, leaving your family or changing churches.  The truth is, nobody's keeping you down but yourself.  The lid on your life - is you!  In order to do more, you have got to grow more.  So, if you are serious about getting unstuck, stop looking for quick fixes, take a long hard look at yourself, accept responsibility for what you see, pray, then commit yourself to doing something about it.
• Continuous improvement guarantees success!  The Tartar tribes of central Asia used to pronounce a certain curse over their enemies.  They did not hurl words calling for their enemy's swords to rust or their people to die of disease.  No, they said, "May you stay in one place forever."  If you do not work on improving yourself everyday that could be your fate.  You will be stuck in the same place, doing the same things, hoping the same hopes, but never gaining new ground or developing spiritually. So, commit yourself to growth!

CALLED TO A HIGHER STANDARD

"From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48

Christians can be some of the most sour and selective people on earth.  Many times we feel obligated to show our faith by criticizing people with whom we work rather than loving them and seeking a chance to say something encouraging.  We ruin our testimony because others know that while we talk about Christ, we do not act Christ-like.  Often our testimony suffers because of our poor work ethic, long breaks, reading the Bible on company time, talking on the phone for hours with our friends, etc.  But the worst thing is, we alienate ourselves as an elite group and leave others feeling "less than."  Not Jesus!  He rubbed elbows withe everybody.  He was adept at reaching out to those society looked down upon - the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the lepers.  We like to put people into two boxes: the ones we like and the ones we do not.  Jesus said, "From the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Hello, you have been called to a higher standard; one that requires exercising wisdom, humility, and grace in the midst of tension.  When King Saul threw javelins at David, he ducked and kept on serving.  While he was innocent of any wrongdoing, David handled the situation without becoming "defensive".  If your fellow workers do not go to church the only chance they of seeing the fruits of the Spirit in operation, is in your life.  By responding with patience, love and professionalism you will make a lasting impact on them - one that could attract them to the Christ you claim to serve.