Have you noticed how exhausted people are? Everybody wants more energy. Everybody wants the stamina to enjoy life and accomplish some things, but it seems to elude us. So what's to blame? Certainly our food is no longer pure,what with all the genetic engineering and toxic ingredients we've added to it. But is that the only reason we're tired? Is it all about what we are eating (or not eating)? Sometimes addressing those issues can help -- but there's another causative factor at work which has less to do with our nutrition and more to do with our lifestyles in Continue Reading
How Easter Reminds You to to Live in Hope
Last week at our church, our pastor did something a little unusual. He handed out a list of prayer needs regarding people in our congregation and their loved ones. My church isn't huge; we run around 400 on an average Sunday. But I looked at the typed pages in my hand and felt a little overwhelmed. Cancer. Shoulder injuries. Autoimmune disease. Back and neck issues. Neurological disorders. Diabetes. Depression. That's not even all the categories, nor was every need of our congregation on the list. So much need. So much brokenness and frailty. So much death at work in our bodies and Continue Reading
Why This Commonly Assumed Idea Needs to be Reexamined
Ever suddenly notice a phrase or idea that everyone commonly uses, and then stop to think about whether you actually agree with it? I'm not a big fan of group-think, so I find myself doing this fairly often. The latest term I've decided to scrutinize is "unprotected sex." I work at a pregnancy help center, and avoiding unprotected sex is a mantra which our clients hear from their schools, the media and the health department all day long. Be sure to use birth control properly. That's the rule of today's religion du jur ... the religion that worships sexual Continue Reading
How Chasing This Good Feeling Ends Up Draining You
I hate to admit this, but I found myself acting out a negative cultural value recently. Translation: I behaved in a way that is common to our society, but contrary to biblical principles. (Ever find yourself there?) It all started after work one day last week. I see that my Kindle cover has arrived, so I open the package, all happy that now I can protect my new device. But alas! The cover is too big. Frustrated, I start searching for a better cover on line, despite being really tired. It takes some time to find what I am looking for at the right price. Continue Reading