DO IT FOR YOU

 Now that I think about it, the seriousness of developing good health came early. My father was health-oriented way back. He was born in 1902. An athlete in Wheaton College, he told us he ate at “the training table.” Later he was the initiator for health as our family travelled the Country in Evangelistic work, singing and quoting Scripture. Our mother cooperated, though the Biblical recommendations for food (like real butter) cost more. The years since have powerfully strengthened my faith in this bottom line: the Bible is the ultimate authority for a healthy diet. Go to Scripture first when you have a question about a health regimen.

In the Old Testament God listed “clean” and “unclean” food in His Law given to Moses, (though in the New Testament food allowances changed). Early in the history of the world, Dietary Laws in the Bible were written  for whoever would listen. Later, God instructed Noah to take into the ark seven of every “kind” of clean animal and two of unclean: the “do not eat” animals.

As a teenager, I wondered about the “unclean animals” that were not good, or healthy to eat. Of course, the wild, vicious predators and bottom feeders were on the "unclean" list. We all know now that pigs eat anything and have one digestive system. Shellfish are bottom feeders. Lions and tigers are not on your common dinner table.

We have only one life. Your own spirit, soul and body are a worthy subject to experiment on as you learn how to live successfully. It can be your personal science study! But originated from the Holy Spirit; "...holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21) 

FOOD IS NOT A GOD

Let not food be a god.

If it is a powerful comfort? You have a Comforter, The Holy Spirit. Jesus said to you and me, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever..." John 14:16.

Is food an escape from stress? Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29.

Is addiction to sugar, or fast food more important than learning how to care for your spirit, soul, and body. The Apostle Paul, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" I Corinthians 6:19.

It is exciting and motivating to obey and see! Understand by experience what Scripture means.

My challenge is coffee. Do I love it too much? I have prayed about it. When I awake in the night with a headache, after fasting coffee for a day, what is the reason? Sure, in this modern day, coffee has had positive press. If I fast it to pray and then I get a headache, am I addicted?

These challenges go to the core of who we are. My love for coffee with “Grass-fed” half and half added is an important part of my day. My husband and I have coffee together on the front porch every morning. Now that he is retired, so am I. Though I did not have a career that I retired from, my work was caring for our home, our children, my volunteer work at their school, my love for instructing aerobics at a gym, and more recently part time work in a women’s clothing establishment. Of course, writing. So, when Eric retired from thirty-five years as a Logistics Manager for the Government, I “retired” too. I enjoy the freedom his freedom brings to both of us.

Coffee time in our marriage brings us together: to connect, talk over, remember, plan, discuss Theology. So, when I realize that I feel better after having coffee, is coffee too important to me?