New Life Requires A New Lifestyle

Hey Balanced Life Family,

When we choose Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, and welcome him into our life, we have received new life. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 We are different. Our identity has changed. We have new life that requires a new lifestyle. Our new lifestyle is that of a Christian.

Christians live by a different set of rules. Our rule book is spiritual, it’s the Bible. We can no longer be governed by the flesh. If someone mistreats the flesh, it says get even. Our rule book tells us not to render evil for evil, but render blessings. Flesh always wants to satisfy the flesh. If it feels good, do it. Our rule book tells us to deny our flesh because there is no good thing in it. If we listen to the flesh, it’ll tell us that if we keep giving, we won’t have anything left for ourselves. Our rule book says you must give to receive. As you can see, the Bible, which is our spiritual rule book, defies the flesh.

As Christians, we have a new lifestyle. We are commanded through the Word of God, to overcome evil with good, to humble ourselves so that we can be exalted, to give so that we may receive, and to love our enemies. Whew! That’s a new lifestyle, and it’s certainly not governed by flesh.

These are only a few of the instructions found in our rule book, and they aren’t impossible to follow. You can’t do these things on your own, however if you have a relationship with God, you have help. When you choose a new life with Jesus, he will keep you in compliance with the rules, if you ask him. You can’t choose Jesus and keep the same old lifestyle that you had before. When you choose a new life with Jesus, you become like the Apostle Paul when he said, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2 The law of the Spirit, that Apostle Paul was speaking of is our spiritual rule book. The law of sin and death is the law that governs the flesh.

If you haven’t already chosen Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so and if you already have, I want to remind you that the world is watching. They’re looking to see if there’s a reality in Christian living. Show them a new lifestyle.

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How to Exercise Your Brain

Greetings Balanced Life Family,

Exercise Your Brain

Do you ever think of the importance of exercising your brain? Brain exercises are just as important as physical exercises for long term health. Adding simple brain exercises can benefit you by increasing your memory or even delaying Alzheimer’s disease. Give your brain a workout!

There are free games on your cell phone that you can get at the app store. They have exercises for vocabulary, listening, reading, math and memory skills through fun interactive games. It’s a real workout for your brain. Two of the apps that I’ve been using for years are Elevate and Lumosity. They really challenge me and help keep my brain sharp.

Read a book. Reading exercises your brain. Take a break from the internet and choose a book. Too much screen time can be hard on your eyes. I’m presently reading Becoming by Michelle Obama. Of course, you don’t have to read that book, but choose a wholesome book that’ll stimulate your brain in a good way. And by all means don’t neglect reading your Bible.

Working crossword puzzles, word finds and Sudoku games are good. Board games like scrabble, checkers, and chess all force you to exercise the brain God gave you. An educator once told me, “The mind is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes.” I believe him.

Social interaction exercises the brain too. Watch the news and keep up with current events and have intelligent discussions with relatives or friends. This stimulates the brain. Did you know that this is one of the brain exercises that studies have shown to be effective in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease?

Finally, take a walk. What? Yes! One of the most recommended brain exercises, according to the experts, is physical activity. Moving your body gets blood and oxygen moving to your brain. Just a thirty minute walk three to five times a week, will get your brain energized and help reduce stress and anxiety.

Ok family, I’ve just suggested some of the ways you can exercise your brain. Try a few of them. They may just help you to keep sharp, alert, and mentally sound.

 New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Do You Know Your Assignment?

Balanced Life Family,

There is a reason for your existence. You aren’t just here by happenstance. God has created each one of us for a specific purpose. We know that we’re created to worship God, but we have work to do here on earth. We, as members of the body of Christ, have assignments. We’re on a mission. Many people can’t accomplish their mission because they don’t know their assignment.

God gives assignments according to the ability he has given you. He also places a passion in you for whatever you’re supposed to be doing and he gives you direction. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Your assignment is never going to be anything that’s too hard for you to accomplish. You may need some resources and help, but if you begin to work on it, God will supply you with everything you need to complete it.

The parents you have or had, the family you grew up in, the neighbor- hoods, the schools, the church or churches you’ve belonged to, the people you’ve met, the experiences you’ve had, helped prepare you for your assignment.

Now, some people are very clear regarding their assignment and some aren’t. We all certainly don’t have the same one, but each one is important. Shouldn’t we all be about the business of working on our assignment? Yes, we should! Maybe you haven’t started yet. Maybe you’re not sure about your assignment. If you’re wondering what it is, ask God. He’s the assignment giver. He’s the one that created you and sent you on this mission.

Once you discover your assignment and begin to work on it, God will help you. Always be prayerful and seek his guidance. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6 You’ll find that working on your assignment will give you such a feeling of joy and fulfillment, and it will draw you closer to God. Do you know your assignment?

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

How Often Do I Clean That?

Hey Balanced Life Family,

We already know that quite a few things in our home need to be cleaned, but the question is, “How frequently do they need to be cleaned?”

Did you know that your cell phone actually needs to be cleaned daily? You are constantly touching your phone throughout the day and leaving fingerprints and germs all over it. Think about it! You’re constantly putting those germs next to your face. Hold on! I’m going to take a break and clean mine right now.

Ok, I’m back. Now cleaning the fridge isn’t something that I look forward to doing, however it should be cleaned every three to four months. Yep! You’ve got to clean up that sticky stuff, dried up spills and gunk. Ug! But it needs to be done because spoiled forgotten leftovers in the back of the fridge can leave behind mold even after you’ve tossed them out.

How about that TV remote? It should be cleaned weekly to get rid of sticky, oily fingerprints and that crud that forms between the buttons. There’s so much bacteria on a remote and so many people take that remote to bed with them.

Bath towels should be changed after three or four normal showers. They should be hung up to avoid giving bacteria, mold and mildew a dark damp place to grow.

Our toothbrushes should be replaced every few months. You don’t want the bristles to get too worn out to work well. And remember to always replace your toothbrush after having a cold or the flu.

Pillows often get neglected. We sleep, slob, toss and turn on them, they need care too. Be sure to toss them into the wash, using hot water, every three to six months, to kill bacteria and keep them fresh.

Don’t you just love the feel of crisp clean sheets? Well, be mindful to wash them once a week, in water hot enough to kill bacteria (140 F) and tumble dry. Pets, night sweats, and midnight snacks in bed will make it necessary to change more often.

Kitchen counters! It’s not so much about what you can see, as what you can’t see. Be sure to clean countertops daily after each use. Wiping down kitchen surfaces gets rid of germs so that yesterday’s germs don’t end up in today’s meals.

Ok, that’s enough! I can see just from writing this blog, I’ve got a lot of housework to do. How about you? Well, these are just a few cleaning tips that contribute to good health and answer the question, “How often do I clean that?”

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Integrity

Dear Balanced Life Family,

When my children were very young, I taught them the word integrity. I told them that I always wanted them to have integrity. They asked me what that meant, I told them it meant “doing the right thing even when no one was looking”. The Word of God tells us to have integrity in obedience “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” Ephesians 6:6

Doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest choice, but it’s always the right choice. Often we find it easier to do the right thing when we’re being watched, but as Christians we are required to do the right thing even when we’re alone and no one’s watching. Maybe I should say when no one we can see is watching. We’re always under the watchful eye of God. He sees everything and knows everything. We know this, but we don’t always think about it before we act.

We find that doing the right thing means that we give up the opportunity to get even. Sometimes we can’t have the last word or say the first thing that comes to our mind. We can’t indulge in sinful activity that might seem good to the flesh or attend gatherings that are inappropriate for Christians. We can’t view or listen to filth and OMG… the list goes on. We are required to abstain from doing these things even in secret. Now that’s integrity!

Having integrity can be a blessing to you and your family. The Word of God tells us in Proverbs 20:7 “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”  A part of living a life that is pleasing to God requires integrity. When you’re tempted to do something that is out of Christian character, remember the importance of integrity and abstain. It’ll bless you and your children.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

How To Create A Healthier Home

Hi Balanced Life Family,

I’ve talked to you a lot about improving your health and I’ve mostly focused on diet, exercise and sleep habits. But since home is where we spend most of our time, it’s important to make home a healthy living space. In this blog I’m going to give you a few tips to help you make your “home sweet home” just a little bit healthier.

We’ve discussed the importance of drinking water, but it’s important that the water is healthy. Buying water can be costly, so I suggest you either put a filter on your faucet or get a water filtered pitcher. That’ll keep you from harmful pollutants like ammonia and radium.

Spring is here and the weather will be warming up. Open your windows and let your house air out.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if you're not letting enough outdoor air come in, pollutants can accumulate in your house and cause health problems.

If you want to help prevent carrying germs into your living space, don’t wear your outdoor shoes in your home. Research has found that shoes carry microbes like viruses and bacteria. If your feet just don’t feel right without shoes, like mine, wear shoes that are only for indoors while at home.

To make your bedroom a healthier sleeping area, use a humidifier at night. A humidifier keeps the air in your room moist and light instead of dry and dense, making it easier to breathe and sleep through the night.

Some homes have too much clutter. It’s a glaring sign of an unhealthy home. Clutter destroys the relaxing atmosphere a home should have and collects dust particles which can cause respiratory problems. Clutter can also increase anxiety and cause you to feel overwhelmed. And finally, a cluttered home can be a fire hazard.

So there, I’ve given you five tips to help make your home a bit healthier. There are many more things you can do and you’ll probably discover them on your own. Consider this as only a start on your journey to creating a healthier home.

 New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Don't Suffer Needlessly

Hey Balanced Life Family,

Suffering is a part of life. Whether you’re a saint or sinner, rich or poor you’ll do some suffering in life. It isn’t fun. Most people really don’t want to go through suffering. Some people think that when you give your life to Christ and become a Christian, your suffering is over. That’s not true. The fruit of the Spirit is listed in Galatians 5:22 and longsuffering is the forth one on the list. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering …”

The way you suffer depends on your relationship with God. Without God you’ll suffer needlessly. Christians go through some hard times. We have problems and we face trouble. The good news is that we don’t have to go through these difficulties alone, which makes the suffering so much easier. We’ve got God on our side. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5 Those are words that give us assurance that we can count on.

Life will present us with various problems and difficulties. We may have problems with family, finances, relationships, health, jobs, or something else. Whatever the problem, we don’t have to lose sleep and stress out suffering needlessly. God will never put more on us than we can bear. We do what we can and turn the rest over to God in faith believing that he will work things out.

God never fails. There’s no sickness that he can’t heal. There’s no need that he can’t fulfill. There’s no problem he can’t solve. He does it all! Don’t suffer needlessly. Trust God to work things out.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Dieting vs, Lifestyle Change

Balanced Family,

Do you know the difference between dieting and a lifestyle change? The biggest difference between the two is that dieting is a short term process and a lifestyle change is long term.

If you’ve ever tried a diet for whatever reason, you know that most diets have a few things in common. The goal is to lose weight quickly and often there’s a lot of calorie counting. There’re foods you should eat and foods you should never eat. The number on the scale determines whether you’re making progress or not. Is that about right?

If you look at the scale and it doesn’t say the right thing, then you didn’t achieve your goal. Now you’re feeling frustrated and disappointed. If you’re fortunate enough to reach your goal, you’re happy for a while, and then you can hardly wait to get back to eating the things you’ve been missing. Diets are short term.

What you needed is a lifestyle change. Changing your lifestyle is long term. You need behavior that you can stick to for a lifetime.

These are some of the good habits that go into making a good lifestyle change:

Exercising on a regular and consistent basis  

Eating healthy, nutritious foods to nourish your body

Practicing moderation not restriction in eating

Listening to your body to tell you what it needs

Being mindful that losing weight should be at a safe and healthy pace, no more than 1 or 2 pounds a week

 Remembering that progress should be measured by more than just a number on the scale 

Making a lifestyle change is being kinder to your body. You’re less likely to experience mental stress, food deprivation and extreme hunger. You’ll be more in tune with listening to your body. Weight loss will be at a slower pace, but it’ll be permanent and healthier. You didn’t gain the weight overnight; don’t expect to lose it overnight.     

When making a lifestyle change, you gradually make one small healthy choice after another and build on it until it becomes a habit. Keep it up, and before you know it, you’ll have made a lifestyle change. It’s so much better than dieting. You’ll be healthier and happier.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

How Do I Receive God's Favor?

Hello Balanced Life Family,

God doesn’t have favorites… right? That would seem partial or unfair…wouldn’t it? Well the truth is, there are some people that God chooses to bless in a powerful way and they clearly have his anointing, protection and extraordinary blessings. That’s called the favor of God.

Favor is preferential treatment that is given to someone. God has people to which he shows preferential treatment. Now when it comes to salvation, there is no partiality. Whosoever will let him come, because it’s not the will of God that any soul should be lost. But when it comes to measuring out blessings, some people have the favor of God on their side.

Favor can cause an employer to choose you for a job instead of someone else. It can cause a judge to pardon you when he ordinarily would not. Favor can stretch your money, preserve your life, put your enemy at peace with you, heal you instantaneously, make a way out of no way… oh my God! These are only a few of the things that favor can do.

God’s favor is priceless. Now, if you’re wondering “How do I get it?”  the answer is through righteous living. “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”          Psalm 5:12

Righteous living is simply living right. It’s nothing more than keeping God’s commandments. God commands us to love him with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. That covers it all; then we are available to receive God’s favor. The scripture says that if we don’t forget God’s law and let our heart keep his commandments then “shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:4

So if you want preferential treatment, practice living right. Keep God’s commandments and enjoy walking in the favor of God!

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Do You Long For a Good Night's Sleep?

Hey Balanced Life Family,

Do you sleep well at night? Do you ever wake up in the morning feeling exhausted? Do you have trouble staying asleep? I’m telling you it’s not a good feeling. Sleep is so important to your health.

Falling asleep is a big issue for so many people. When you go to bed and you’ve got a lot of things dancing through your head, you need to make a list of those things to do, to get them out of your head and onto some paper. Clear your mind so that you can go to sleep.

Some people think that if they do some reading or watch TV while in bed, it’ll help them fall asleep. Well, you may fall asleep, but it won’t help you stay asleep. These activities keep your mind going. Your bed should be a sleep zone.

If you don’t fall asleep in 20 or 30 minutes get up.  Do something that doesn’t stimulate your mind. Fold some laundry or something that’ll let your mind wander and relax. Then go back to bed.

You actually need a routine each night for getting ready for bed. Start by winding down and getting ready for bed at the same time every night. Go through your same routine. Go to bed at the same time every night. Get up at the same time every morning. Don’t sleep in late on the weekends. Sleeping late throws off your body’s sleep rhythm.

Make sure your room is totally dark. If it isn’t, I suggest you wear a sleep mask to block out light. Your room should be quiet and slightly cool even in the winter. Too much heat isn’t conducive to good sleep.

Watch your eating. Don’t eat too close to bedtime. If you like coffee, try to get your caffeine fix in before lunch. Don’t drink a lot of liquids close to bedtime. You’ll end up waking up to go to the bathroom.

If possible avoid naps during the day. It’ll make you sleepier at bedtime.

Be sure to decrease blue light activity near bedtime. That means light from your computers, iPhones, and iPads. Also, use the do not disturb feature on your cell phone so that calls won’t wake you up and disturb your sleep.

I used to have problems sleeping, but the advice I’ve shared with you is advice that I practice myself, and believe me, my sleep is so much better.

So, if you long for a good night’s sleep, change what you usually do before bedtime and try these suggestions for a week and let me know your results.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Does Your Fear Lead to Disobedience?

Greetings Family,

There is a tool that the devil loves to use on Christians and that tool is fear. Have you ever tried to imagine the devil having a tool box and what it would look like? Now, I’m not saying that he actually has one, but if he did I can imagine he has an assortment of tools and fear is certainly one of them. It’s a tool he uses to install disobedience.

The devil uses fear to hinder Christian growth and block blessings by causing us to doubt the voice of God. Ask God to help you discern his voice. Don’t let the devil make you afraid.  You must choose to obey God. If you don’t you’ll end up in disobedience.

Sometimes God puts a good thought, plan or deed in your spirit, and before you can follow through on it, thoughts of fear attack your mind. What will people think? What if it doesn’t work? What if someone gets angry? Will they talk about me? And so it goes on and on. You can’t allow the devil’s tool of fear to cause you to disobey God. Remember, the devil activates fear, but God activates faith! "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind"             2 Timothy 1:7

When God inspires you to do something good and you feel fear, ask for strength to override that fear. OBEY GOD! If God has given you a testimony, TELL IT! It may be the key to someone’s deliverance. If God puts a good deed in your spirit, DO IT! You may be the supplier of someone’s need. If God has placed ministry in your heart, PERFORM IT! It will be a blessing to people. If God has given you talent, USE IT! God gave it to you as part of your assignment here on earth. 

If you feel that God is leading you to do something, consult him first. "In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6 He will guide you. After obeying God, you’ll feel peace within. When you feel that peace, don’t let anybody make you feel bad about your decision.

When it comes to obeying God, don’t be overtaken by fear. Be determined to stomp on the devil’s toolbox. Demolish that tool called fear and obey God. The devil and his tools, belong under your feet. By the power of God and the blood of Jesus YOU CAN OVERCOME FEAR AND OBEY GOD!

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

A Positive Attitude for Physical Fitness

Hello Balanced Life Family,

How’s your attitude towards keeping physically fit? Some of us are determined to keep our bodies fit. Some of us could use a little more encouragement. Keeping physically fit is so important, not just for appearance sake, but being fit enhances every area of your life.

When you’re physically fit, you’re more confident. You make better decisions. You sleep better. You develop a positive mental attitude. Your spiritual life is even enhanced by being physically fit.

To develop a better attitude the first thing to remember is not to try to change everything overnight. Set micro-goals for yourself. Too much, too fast equals burn out! Choose goals that you can live with and add a little at a time.

Don’t exercise and eat nutritious meals merely to lose weight. There are many other benefits to think about. Exercise combats so many health conditions. It improves your mood and it will boost your energy level. Exercise promotes better sleep. Also, it can be fun if you add some of your favorite music. And yes, you can lose weight and improve your appearance, but that’s just icing on the cake.

Never compare your plan or yourself with someone else because everybody is different. What’s good for one person isn’t for another. Find a health plan to fitness that suits you. Work with the body God has given you and ask God for help. God is an all-purpose God. Yes, he will help you stick to a healthy fitness plan. That’s maintaining the temple and for Christians that’s the place where God dwells.

To those of you who haven’t committed to a better attitude towards physical fitness, I’m hoping this short blog will trigger something within you to do so.

When we’re young we get away with a lot of bad health choices and often times they don’t even show up. But if we keep living, (and I think that’s what we all want to do) they catch up with us. Poor health and senior living don’t have to go together. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you today, to make a change for the better in your attitude towards fitness.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Hope

Happy New Year Balanced Life Family,

Well, it’s a new year and many people are saying “I hope this year will be better than last year. Hope is a feeling of expectation, desire or trust. The Bible tells us that hope is the anchor for the soul. So we need hope to encourage us to go on. No one feels like going on when things seem hopeless. What is important is to know what to build your hope on.

We have witnessed some events that really seem hopeless. Our nation is presently in turmoil, the whole world is suffering due to the covet virus and many people are acting like black lives don’t matter. Yes, there are a multitude of problems in the world, but there’s hope. We must remember not to focus on our problems, focus on our promises. What promises? The promises found in the Word of God. God’s Word is the absolute authority and it doesn’t lie.

God promised to protect us and provide for us. (Psalm 34:19) He promised to give us peace. (Philippians 4:7) He’ll never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He’s our present help in the time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) These are more than just quotes from the Bible, they’re promises. When you belong to God, you are his responsibility. That’s great to know because you can depend on him. His promises don’t fail so your hope is sure.

Wow! It makes me happy to simply think on his promises. Yes, these are some unprecedented times. Yes, we’re going to face all sorts of problems on life’s journey, and it’s definitely a journey. But the people of God have hope because we are never alone. God will not abandon us. Cling to your hope! God WILL come through.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Battling Winter's Health Challenges

Hi Balanced Life Family,

Winter is here ready or not and with the cold weather comes health challenges. One challenge we face is dry itchy skin. Don’t I know it! I use creams instead of lotions for my itchy skin. Creams protect you better because they are thicker. Use them generously and as often as you feel the need. If moisturizers don’t help, you may have to see a dermatologist. It could be an underlying skin condition that needs to be addressed.

Arthritis pain tends to challenge many people during the winter months. Cold and wet weather are frequent culprits. To minimize the impact of cold weather on joints, dress warmly and in layers when going outdoors. One or two thin layers under your coat is better than just a heavy coat. Why you ask? Because warm air is trapped between the layers and the layers act as an insulator. Mittens, socks, boots and a hat are good choices for this weather as well. Remember mittens are warmer than gloves.

Colds and viruses challenge us too. Each winter fever, chills, head congestion, postnasal drip and coughs and other symptoms that accompany colds and viruses plague many of us. When that happens we need plenty of rest and plenty of fluids. If symptoms persist, see your doctor. I suggest trying to keep healthy before colds and viruses attack. Get proper rest, eat a healthy diet, reduce stress, exercise, wash your hands often, wear your mask and practice social distancing.

Another winter culprit is frostbite. The colder it is the quicker frostbite can develop. It typically strikes the fingers, toes, ears, nose and face. When frostbite occurs water in the soft tissue of the skin starts to freeze. Symptoms are pain and skin discoloration. Get inside as quickly as possible, get warm and then head for the emergency room. Ultimately fingers, toes and extremities can be loss.

My advice is to stay indoors as much as you can when it’s really cold. If you venture out, cover your body completely and keep your clothing dry. Yep! Winter is here. I hope you’re ready. Be prepared! Be safe!

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Integrity

Dear Family,

When my children were very small I taught them a big word. That word was integrity. I told them that I always wanted them to have integrity. When they asked me what that meant, I told them it meant “doing the right thing even when no one was looking”. The Word of God tell us to have integrity in obedience “Not with eyeservice, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;” Ephesians 6:6

Doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest choice, but it’s always the right choice. Often we find it easier to do the right thing when we’re being watched, but as Christians we are required to do the right thing even when we’re alone and no one’s watching. Maybe I should say when no one we can see is watching. We’re always under the watchful eye of God. He sees everything and knows everything. We know this, but we don’t always think about it before we say or do some things.

We find that doing the right thing means that we give up the opportunity to get even, sometimes we can’t have the last word or say the first thing that comes to our mind. We can’t indulge in sinful activity that feel so good to the flesh, attend gatherings that are inappropriate for Christians, view or listen to filth and OMG… the list goes on. We are required to abstain from doing these things even in secret. WOW! Now that’s integrity.

The Word of God tells us in Proverbs 11:3 “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Having integrity can keep us from destruction.

So the next time you’re inclined to do something out of the character of a Christian, think about how important integrity is to your life and abstain.

Balanced Life Family,

Email me and tell me your thoughts regarding this blog.

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Holiday Eating

Greetings Balanced Life Family,

The holidays have begun and we know that even though we’ll probably be celebrating them a bit differently, due to Covid 19, we still intend to eat a holiday meal. I just want to remind you to watch your portions. Let’s not overeat!

I know the food looks delicious and you want to load up that plate, but overeating is bad for your health. How many times have you gotten up from the table and felt like a stuffed turkey? I can’t count the number of times I’ve done it and believe me, it’s not a good feeling. I used to gain a whopping ten pounds over the holiday season. I had to make some serious changes. So, what did I do?

First, I stopped eating like it was the last meal ever! Can you identify with that?

Secondly, I stopped eating so fast. There have been times when I’ve actually used the stopwatch on my phone to help me slow down. Did you know that it takes about twenty minutes for the brain to send a message to the stomach?  When I ate fast, I got all of that food inside of me in less than twenty minutes and before my brain could send the message “STOP! YOU’VE HAD ENOUGH!” I’d already cleaned my plate. I had to learn to slow down.

Thirdly, I’ve found that it helps to drink a glass of water before my meal. That gives a feeling of being full, which helps discourage overeating. That’s a simple little trick, but it can be very effective.

So there you have it, a few tips to help you develop or maintain that great body that God has given you. Be blessed! Enjoy your thanksgiving meal, center your thoughts on being thankful, and watch your holiday eating. I love you Balanced Life Family! “HAPPY THANKSGIVING!”

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Partial Obedience

Greetings Balanced Life Readers,

There’s a story in the Bible of a man named Samuel, who gave instructions to a king named Saul. The instructions came straight from God and were very specific. The king carried out most of the instructions, but not all of them. He allowed his own reasoning to alter his actions. He reasoned that his way would be better because he’d be doing a good deed, so he partially obeyed.

I’m asking you. Does partial obedience count as obedience? Do we get at least some credit for partially obeying? Samuel told King Saul, in 1 Samuel 15:22 “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” If we offer a sacrifice out of disobedience, the sacrifice is tainted and God won’t accept it. No, we don’t get credit for partially obeying. Partial obedience is COMPLETE DISOBEDIENCE. If you read that scripture, you’ll see that God punished Saul greatly for his partial obedience.

The Bible is written for our learning. What do we learn from this? We learn to obey is better than any sacrifice or good deed we can offer. As we read, study and are taught the Word of God, we are required to obey the things we learn. God’s Word speaks to us and we can’t pick and choose which parts we want to obey.

It doesn’t matter how much money we give, work we do around the church, how many services we make, songs we sing, prayers we pray or even how much of the Word we teach or preach. These are all good deeds, but if we don’t obey, these deeds are tainted and it’s all in vain.

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession” Exodus 19:5

Obedience to God has a great reward, but we’ll never receive it through “PARTIAL OBEDIENCE”.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Value Your Vision

Hi Balanced Life Family,

Being able to see is a gift from God. So many people are born without vision. Others lose their vision some time during their life. Those of us that have sight should value it and protect it. I’m going to give you a few tips that will help you to protect your vision.

You may not realize it, but eating certain foods can help preserve your vision. Foods like spinach, kale, collards (any leafy greens), tuna, salmon, (oily fish), nuts, beans (non-meat proteins), and citrus fruits are all good for your eyes.

If you are a smoker you need to quit. Smoking makes you more likely to get cataracts. Smoking can also cause damage to your optic nerve. Not to mention all of the other health hazards smoking causes.

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from ultra- violet rays. Choose a pair that block 99 to 100% protection from rays. Don’t forget, you need sun glasses even during the winter months.

Another thing to remember is to look away from your computer or cell phone screen. Staring at a computer or cell phone screen too long can cause eyestrain, blurred vision, headache, trouble focusing at a distance and dry eye.

And finally, be sure to get an eye exam every one or two years just to be sure that your eyes stay healthy. So remember God has given you the gift of sight. VALUE YOUR VISION!

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

Living Holy When Church Doors Close

Balanced Life Family,

We’re living in some unprecedented times. We’re in uncharted territory. Who would’ve imagined that the time would come when we, who love God, and love attending church, wouldn’t be able to go? Not because we’re sick, had no transportation, or nothing to wear, but because churches were closed. WOW! Well the time came and even though churches are partially opened now, most of us still can’t attend whenever we want. And we don’t know how long this will last.

I’ve decided that whether church doors are opened or closed, I’m going to live holy. I can’t depend on a building to be my only place of worship. The scripture says “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Cor. 3:16  We as Christians, have to decide how we want to live.  I’ve decided to use the years of bible teaching and instruction that I’ve already received to help get me through.

From March until the present no one can say they really didn’t have any time for God. God had allowed the entire world to slow down. Everybody’s schedule was cleared. God provided time for those who were so busy with life to read the Word, study the Word, pray, or just seek a closer walk with him.

Thank God for technology! I’ve been able to be taught virtually. I’ve also been able to read, study, and research the Word of God on my computer, laptop, iPad, and iPhone. And yes, I’ve prayed and reached the throne of grace in my own home. I’ve have time to do it and I believe you have too. These things I did before Covid-19, but now I have even more time to devote to them. No excuses!

The Covid-19 era is not over yet. If you haven’t taken advantage of the extra time you’ve been given, I advise you to do so. You’ll find peace even in these uncertain times. Philippians 4:7 tells us that… “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

I’ve said it before. Time spent with God is always time well spent. Living holy is a lifestyle that I love. I haven’t reached perfection, but I’m certainly striving for it. God is the same all-powerful, all-mighty, omnipotent, omnipresent God outside of the church building that he is inside. He doesn’t change. I want to be like him. I’m determined to live holy, even when church doors are closed.

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.

The Effects of Prolonged Sitting

Balanced Life Family,

I’ve been researching the effects of prolonged sitting and I found some surprising information that caused me to make some changes in my daily routine. I’m sharing this information with you because you may want to make a few changes as well.

Sitting is a part of life, yes. But we’re sitting so much these days, and it’s catching up with us. Spending too much time sitting can have harmful side effects.

Prolonged sitting can lead to tight muscles and bad posture, which can lead to back pain. Too much time spent sitting, is also associate with DVT (deep vein thrombosis) and yes the obvious, weight gain.

I find that even though I work out regularly, I spend a considerable amount of time sitting down. Whether I’m at the table eating, working at my desk, reading, watching TV on the couch, driving in my car, or quietly meditating, you name it, I’m sitting and you probably are too.

A research study showed that those of us that exercise spend just as much time sitting down as inactive people do. A publication in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that prolonged sitting, regardless of exercise, is associated with an increased risk of mortality, heart disease, cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. WHAT??? Now that’s a rude awakening!

So is there any way to counteract the ill effects of prolonged sitting or are we just doomed? The good news is that there’s a way. No, we aren’t doomed.

Our bodies are designed to move, and even small amounts of light activity can be beneficial. Basically, the more we move the less risk sitting poses to our health. So I’ve decided to work more movement into my day. While at work I’m standing up about every half hour to stretch, touch my toes or walk around the office. It’s not necessary to do a full blown workout during your work day, but just get up and move around a bit. Even when I’m watching TV, I’ll get up and move around during a commercial or whenever I notice I’ve been sitting for at least a half an hour.

These are simple little changes that you and I can easily incorporate into our day to help prevent the negative effects of prolonged sitting and keep us on the road to good health. That’s something we should all be striving for. I’m hoping that this information was helpful to you and remember to keep movin!

A CHALLENGE: I’m challenging every reader of the Balanced Life Family to think back over blogs you have read and tell me which one has been most helpful to you. I’m looking for responses from each one of you. Please don’t let me down. If you have trouble recalling one, go to the website and refresh your memory.  Can’t wait to hear from you!

New Readers: If you would like to have inspirational blogs sent to your email twice a month, please send your email address to me at getsomebalancenow@gmail.com I’d love to have you join our family of readers. Be sure to add this address to your email contacts to avoid it ending up in spam.