Witnessing

How am I growing my abilities to serve God?

How am I reaching out to other people that don’t know God?

Am I fearful of witnessing?

Am I accomplishing God’s will for my life?

John 4:14

Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

We are called to Step Out-Step Up-Drink Living Water!

Are we spiritually dead? Complacency in the church defines the problem.

Revelation 3:13-20

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

The Lukewarm Church

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,[b] I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

As soon as we reach out, God blesses our efforts. Going out into the community strengthens our witness.

Luke 11:33

No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lamp stand, that those who come in may see the light.

Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

God expects our personal service to share the Gospel ( Good News ).

2 Timothy 1:7-10

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

God Is Love, not Fear!

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Focus on God and not self brings a deep love for souls!

Isaiah 6:8

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:

“Whom shall I send,

And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Acts 1:12-14

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

2 Timothy 3:12-17

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

These are the scriptures that Elder Matt Ward preached on in his message at Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church on Sabbath, 2 November 2013.

Chocolate Pudding

Using tofu as the creamy base for this pudding packs plenty of protein in just one serving, with much less fat than traditional pudding, and no cholesterol!

Makes Four 1/2-cup servings

Ingredients

1 pound soft silken tofu

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 – 1/2 cup maple syrup (to taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Place all ingredients in a blender and process until completely smooth. Spoon into small bowls and chill well before serving.

Per Serving: 150 calories; 3.5 g fat; 0.7 g saturated fat; 21% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 8.4 g protein; 22.3 g carbohydrates; 17.5 g sugar; 1 g fiber; 191 mg sodium; 58 mg calcium; 1.9 mg iron; 0 mg vitamin C; 0 mcg Beta Carotene; 0.2 mg vitamin E

Source: Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Diabetes by Patricia Bertron, R.D.; recipe by Jennifer Raymond, M.S., R.D.

Healthy Dinner Meal

Healthy Dinner Meal is a post about getting nutrition from vegetables. Eating healthy salads with many different varieties of vegetables is an excellent way to give your body the phytonutrients that will help keep your body nourished.

healthy dinner meal Try to eat a variety of vegetables so your body recognizes and receives the different nutrients that these plants have. Some vegetables are seasonal so I enjoy the summer squash and zucchini when they are in season. Eggplant is another favorite. For the most part, I leave the skins on the vegetables unless I am making a specific recipe that calls for just the mashed potatoes out of a sweet potato. One week I will have my Vegan Southwestern Shepherd’s Pie which calls for me to peel the sweet potato skin and then the next week I will buy a large sweet potato and leave the skin on and just steam a couple of slices of that sweet potato.

There are many powerful nutrients located in the skins of the plants. The whole principle of eating for nutrition is to get as much of the healthful properties out of the food as you can. Ever notice how you are never hungry between meals when you eat the foods I have been sharing with you? I never have snacks. If I do, it would be because I bought a bag of grapes and I need to move the grapes into a container and one or two fell off the vine.

healthy dinner meal Eating raw vegetables in your salads is an excellent way to get the most enzymes, minerals, nutrients and vitamins from your food. If you need to soften the vegetables, you can lightly steam them. Many stores have the metal steamer baskets that you can place in a pot on your stove top. Add a small amount of water to the bottom and then put your metal steamer basket in to the pot. Turn your burner on a little less than medium and lightly steam. It is best to not get the temperature too hot because the nutrients will be reduced.

There is such a wide variety of vegetables to choose from every day. Grow your own garden if you can. For many years, I had the advantage of walking out into my back yard and picking fresh beans, broccoli, carrots, corn, peas, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes for about 2 months of the year. Fresh from the garden is delicious and you can tell the difference compared to what you buy at your local store.

Check your local area and find out if there is a local farmers market. There are several each week where I live right now. The produce that the organic farmers have for sale also tastes better than the commercial grown produce found in your store.

I have a blog that has many healthy recipes using beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and vegetables. You can go bookmark my site below as I am updating with new recipes each week.

Healthy Recipes

You really can eat very well and have plenty of variety in your dinner meals by trying some of the above suggestions. Your body will never miss the fat and cholesterol from the animal products.

Water

Hydrating the body first thing in the morning is very important. I start the day by drinking a quart of pure water. I have my last large glass of water of the day in the late afternoon about 4:30 pm. Just before bed I drink about 6 ounces of water when I take a Peak Systemic Enzyme

water Water is so vital to our overall health. Many people are dehydrated. Our body needs 1/2 of our ideal body weight in fluid ounces of pure water each day. Coffee, tea and sodas do not count. If the weather is hot, your body will need more than the recommendation above. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you need to drink at least 75 ounces of pure water each day.

One other tip about water is drink about 12 ounces of water at least 30 minutes before your meals. Do not drink anything while you are eating and wait another hour before you drink anything else. The reason behind this hydration principle is that drinking fluids while eating will hinder the digestion process. We want the gastric juices to break down our food and this is best done by drinking the water 30 minutes before eating.

If you need to reach me, visit my Contact Page and I will be happy to help in any way I can!

It Has Only Just Begun

This is the message given by Pastor Robert Taylor on the Sabbath Day 12 October 2013 at the Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church in Santa Barbara, CA.

Pastor Taylor received a bill for $149 from Santa Barbara County for a Safety Code permit. The bill must be paid or the church will no longer be able to meet. The Southern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists also alerted Pastor Taylor that all churches in the Conference are being reviewed about tax exempt status.

Today we are in a paid for building under the control of God. Earthly forces are getting more and more involved in what we can do and how we operate. There are more intrusions coming.

Do a search on an internet search engine for your name and see what is displayed. Do you need to make a return at a store? Don’t even ask about the lack of privacy. Intelligence agencies know everything about everyone. Recent headlines in the news include stories about how friendly nations are spying on each other.

Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Whether you realize it or not, we are in what is known as the time of the end. America is under attack.

Matthew 24:5-14

For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

We either belong to God or the Devil. Revelation 13 describes a Religious Super Power. Nearly all will worship it. The Political Super Power will tell us: “Do what we tell you or DIE.”

How can we survive? This crises is here now. How will you survive? Right now believers in Jesus Christ in some countries are being treated poorly. Some are jailed, beaten and even killed.

Pray daily for the end of persecution of our fellow believers. Think about this: If people did not accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, persecution would eventually end. NO Faith, NO Witness, NO Persecution.

For us, we should pray that the persecuted would stay true during their mistreatment.

Here we are free to share Jesus Christ with people. Every believer in every place is free to make a choice. Will I be obedient? My relationship with Jesus is more important than all else. We are free to obey.

A real battle continues. Look at Ephesians 6:12-18

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Are we being obedient to Christ’s command? Share Jesus where ever you go! If He is our Lord, we will want to obey. We make a decision each morning. Always remember God Loves You and He will stay with you always!

Remember the Sabbath Day

This is the message given by Pastor Robert Taylor on the Sabbath Day 5 October 2013 at the Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist Christian church in Santa Barbara, CA.

Are you tired, worn our or stressed out? This message is for you!

Genesis 2:1-4

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

4 This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens.

Sabbath Day of rest was made for man. God is the Creator. Evolution theory removes the fact that God is the Creator. The reason Evolution is a theory is that there is no proof that all life forms came from a single organism. Evolution is a philosophy. Here is the definition of evolution found on Ask.com:

“Evolution is the process of change in all forms of life over generations.” Evolution philosophy teaches that life and species on this earth are to get better and better over time. This philosophy is opposite of what the message of creation reveals in the Bible.

The Holy Bible says: Heaven and earth were finished in six days. We are all faced with a choice. Do we accept that Evolution is true or is God’s Word true?

Man is able and may rearrange life on this earth but man can never add to creation. There is evidence of micro evolution when you look at how a species of dogs has bred with other species and created a totally different mixed breed of dog but evolution theory can never create into existence a dog that is not now here.

God created man during creation week. God’s way is perfect. God provides everything in the first six days and then rested on the Seventh Day. So after creating man, God knew that man would need a weekly rest which came first. Then God sanctified and gave His blessing on the 7th Day Sabbath. Here is a beautiful passage from Patriarchs and Prophets page 47:

The Creator gave them still another token of His love, by preparing a garden especially for their home. In this garden were trees of every variety, many of them laden with fragrant and delicious fruit.

There were lovely vines, growing upright, yet presenting a most graceful appearance, with their branches drooping under their load of tempting fruit of the richest and most varied hues. It was the work of Adam and Eve to train the branches of the vine to form bowers, thus making for themselves a dwelling from living trees covered with foliage and fruit.

There were fragrant flowers of every hue in rich profusion. In the midst of the garden stood the tree of life, surpassing in glory all other trees. Its fruit appeared like apples of gold and silver, and had the power to perpetuate life.

The creation was now complete. “The heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Eden bloomed on earth. Adam and Eve had free access to the tree of life. No taint of sin or shadow of death marred the fair creation. “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7.

The great Jehovah had laid the foundations of the earth; He had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty and had filled it with things useful to man; He had created all the wonders of the land and of the sea. In six days the great work of creation had been accomplished. And God “rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made.”

God looked with satisfaction upon the work of His hands. All was perfect, worthy of its divine Author, and He rested, not as one weary, but as well pleased with the fruits of His wisdom and goodness and the manifestations of His glory.

After resting upon the seventh day, God sanctified it, or set it apart, as a day of rest for man. Following the example of the Creator, man was to rest upon this sacred day, that as he should look upon the heavens and the earth, he might reflect upon God’s great work of creation; and that as he should behold the evidences of God’s wisdom and goodness, his heart might be filled with love and reverence for his Maker.

Genesis 1:31

Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

God looked back and noticed all that He had created and it was all good including mankind. God wants to be part of your life today.

The Pharisees loaded up the Sabbath with all kinds of rules and regulations. Jesus had many confrontations with the Pharisees and Chief Priests over the Sabbath, God’s merciful appointment with man. We all need the Sabbath for remembrance. He is our Creator. He designed us to Seek Him.

God doesn’t want us to burn out. We can do work of mercy and necessity but your daily burdens should be set aside. You will be more productive the other 6 days of the week.

The Sabbath is the pause that refreshes. Celebrate God’s creative power. Spend time in God’s Word and attend church with other Sabbath keeping Christians. Take a nature hike with your family. Visit a shut in or someone that is lonely and be a blessing to them. You will be refreshed and grow from the experience. God Bless You!

Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal

As the mornings start to get chillier, swap your summertime smoothie for a warm, comforting bowl of fiber-filled oats!

Hearty, old-fashioned rolled oats in the morning will keep you satisfied until lunchtime. Raisins add a bit of natural sweetness with no added sugar.

Makes two 1-cup servings

Ingredients

4 cups water

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

fortified vanilla soy or rice milk (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients, except nondairy milk, in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. Serve plain or with vanilla soy- or rice milk, if desired.

Variations:

• For Cinnamon-Apricot Oatmeal, replace raisins with 1/2 cup chopped dried apricots. Cook as directed.

• For Cinnamon-Apple Oatmeal, reduce water to 3 1/4 cups and replace raisins with 1 apple, peeled and coarsely chopped. Cook as directed.

• Omit raisins, cook as directed, and top each serving with a dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of fruit-sweetened jam or jelly

Per serving: 210 calories; 2.6 g fat; 0.5 g saturated fat; 11.3% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 7 g protein; 41.7 g carbohydrates; 11.1 g sugar; 4.8 g fiber; 155 mg sodium; 38 mg calcium; 2.2 mg iron; 0.5 mg vitamin C; 0 mcg Beta Carotene; 0.3 mg vitamin E

Source: Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard, M.D.; recipe by Jo Stepaniak; © Jo Stepaniak 2005, published by permission.

Healthy Breakfast for Weight Loss

Welcome to my Healthy Breakfast for Weight Loss post where I teach how you can lose weight by eating nutrient dense foods. Before you skip another breakfast because you just don’t have time in the morning, I strongly encourage you to go to my previous post titled: “Why Most People Never Lose Weight”. Breakfast means we are ‘breaking our fast’. Many nutritional experts agree that eating breakfast like a King, dinner like a Queen and supper like a Pauper is the healthiest dietary habits you can have.

I did not grow up eating the healthy diet that I now have. For many years I ate meats like bacon, ham and sausage with eggs and biscuits. When I learned that animal products are high in fat and cholesterol, I gradually started eliminating animal products from my diet. Ever since I got serious about what I put in my body in 2001, I have not struggled with a weight problem. Here are the foods that I have enjoyed for breakfast since 2001.

Water

Water is so vital to our overall health. Many people are dehydrated. Our body needs 1/2 of our ideal body weight in fluid ounces of pure water each day. Coffee, tea and sodas do not count. If the weather is hot, your body will need more than the recommendation above. So if you weigh 150 pounds, you need to drink at least 75 ounces of pure water each day.

Fruit

Fruit is loaded with nutrients and enzymes that give the body energy. I prefer to eat the bulk of my fruit in the morning so I can get all of the nutrients and energy to help me through the day. I like to rotate the fruit that I eat. My favorites are:

Apples

Blueberries

Canteloupe

Grapefruit

Grapes

Kiwi

Melons

Oranges

Peaches

Pears

Pineapple

Raspberries

Strawberries

Whole Grains

Whole grains are cereal grains that contain cereal germ, endosperm, and bran, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm.

Organic Oatmeal is usually in my diet every single day. Oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber. The fiber helps reduce the bad cholesterol in the body. I also like other whole grains like:

Barley – Hulled and Dehulled (not Pearl), Brown Rice, Buckwheat, Kamut, Millet, Oat, Quinoa, Rye, Sprouted Grains, Teff, Triticale, and Whole Wheat.

I like to add a little honey to my Oatmeal and also top with a quarter cup or so of frozen blueberries.

Caldera Greens Smoothie

Ever since I learned about some powerful Organic Alfalfa, Barley, Oat and Wheat grass greens back in 2010, I have made a frozen smoothie every single morning. The greens are grown in volcanic soil in Utah, USA and give the body incredible energy and nutrients. You can watch a video I made specific about the Greens on the webpage below:

Caldera Greens

The link to my blog with many different recipes including healthy french toast, healthy oatmeal waffles and maple walnut granola is below:

Healthy Recipes

You really can eat very well and have plenty of variety in your breakfast meals by trying some of the above suggestions. Your body will never miss the fat and cholesterol from the animal products. I am amazed that even though I woke up at 05:30 this morning, I am still alert and typing this latest blog post so I would not leave my readers stranded after bringing up the problem with Obesity in the last blog post. The next post will cover a healthy dinner meal.

If you need to reach me, visit my Contact Page and I will be happy to help in any way I can!

Why Most People Never Lose Weight

Welcome to my Why Most People Never Lose Weight blog post. Did you know that the Standard American Diet ( SAD ) and lack of exercise is the main reason tens of millions of people have lifestyle diseases? Lifestyle choices are the leading cause of weight gain.

Why is the $35 to $50 billion per year Weight Loss Industry still growing rapidly?

If you are overweight like almost half of the people in North America, ( Canada and United States ) your risk of Diabetes drastically increases.

Many people have been misinformed into thinking that an overweight person can take a magic weight loss pill and still continue the same old habits of eating fast foods, junk foods and processed foods and be a couch potato. These weight loss product companies have savvy advertising that lure people into ‘this is not your fault’ kind of thinking. They hire celebrity spokespersons and proclaim that if you buy their low carbohydrate burgers, pizzas and desserts, you can just continue with your current lifestyle.

Folks, if nothing changes, NOTHING CHANGES. What happens over time is you spend hundreds of dollars on their processed foods and never make the changes that will give you the life you so long to have. You will decide that their expensive prepared packaged foods or weight loss pills are too expensive and cancel your order. There is hope so read on!

Here is a typical lifestyle as far as foods eaten by many of the people who are overweight.

Bad Habits

You ate a heavy meal at supper time and might have snacked on junk foods late at night when the metabolism is very slow. All of the calories are turned to fat because your food is not burned up while you are sleeping. Poor digestion causes your body to continue working on the digestion process while you try to sleep.

You stayed up late at night watching depressing news reports of people being killed, raped or murdered. Many people do not get enough sleep as it is. Sleep helps the body repair your immune system which is your defense against illness and disease. Your alarm goes off and you now have to rush out of your home without getting any nutrients into your body.

A favorite donut shop is on your way to work. You stop in and get a large coffee with mega caffeine because you need so called energy. The sugary donuts and caffeine are not the kind of energy your body needs.

Around mid morning, your body is hungry again. Your body is actually starving for water as it is dehydrated. The hunger is actually a signal that the body did not get the nutrients and water it needs to function properly. You grab another coffee and someone has brought in some cookies and pastries and you take a coffee break.

You get to go to lunch for 30 minutes and only have time to run to a greasy burger restaurant and you are really hungry now so you order a super size burger, fries and soda. You have to eat fast and get back to your job so the break is adding more stress to your life.

Mid afternoon you are again hungry and by this time your body is starving for water and nutrients. Our body needs 1/2 of the ideal body weight in fluid ounces each day to maintain health. There is very little nutrition in any of the foods you have eaten so far today. If you get an afternoon break at work, you head straight for a vending machine and grab a bag of potato chips that are loaded with salt and fat. You also need that afternoon sugar soda because you feel drowsy.

When your work day is over, you may be stuck on a freeway in your car or deal with commuting on a crowded bus or train. You were going to go and work out at the gym or go for a brisk 30 minute walk in your neighborhood but you are too tired due to lack of nutrition and proper hydration.

By the time you reach your home, the only thing you want to do is order a pizza. The ball game is on so you may open up an alcoholic beverage or two. Alcoholic beverages have many calories. You may argue that the red wine you drink is for your heart health. You can get better nutrients and antioxidants from organic grapes and leave all the calories from the wine alone.

Your pizza arrives and you can put your feet up and watch a ball game or a situation comedy show. The next thing you know it is time for the late news and once again, you start the cycle over.

Is there a way out of this unhealthy lifestyle? YES !

What is the Answer to Why Most People Never Lose Weight?

My very next post is titled Healthy Breakfast. I show you with a video and in writing the kinds of foods that have helped me maintain permanent weight loss since 2001. I was 70 pounds over weight and came home from Alaska Airlines one day and realized I had to make some changes to my diet. I was eating a very similar diet to the one I just laid out for you above. I have been abstinent from alcohol for decades but I really liked sodas and coffee.

If you need to eliminate the late night news show so you can go to bed earlier, then adjust your schedule by 30 minutes or an hour. You will have plenty of time now in the morning to prepare some healthy foods for your breakfast. I always made my healthy lunch meal for the next day the night before and kept it in the refrigerator so it would be ready the next morning.

Some really good news for you is that the money you have been spending on fast foods and processed foods will easily buy you fresh organic beans, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables and whole grains. It is amazing how many delicious recipes you can make from these food groups. Best of all when you eat foods as grown, there is no nutrition label so your body will be getting the nutrients it needs for good health. Have you ever seen a nutrition label on an apple or kiwi?

By skipping the late night news you will not worry about all the insanity in the world and sleep better. You are on your way to permanent change. Hang on and experience the way life is meant to be! I know many people that began to live their lives again by breaking away from the television set.

Many people are now engaged in hobbies and activities that they are passionate about. Here are just a few:

Bicycle Riding Groups

Board Games

Book Clubs

Chess

Church Activities

Civic Activities

Dancing Clubs

Hiking and Walking Groups

Mexican Train Dominoes

Poetry Clubs

Your body will feel alive again as it has the energy needed to function each day. Permanent weight loss is all about giving the body the following:

1. Body Needs Nutrients

2. Body Needs Pure Water

3. Body Needs to Move ( Exercise )

Here is a link to my Blog with hundreds of healthy recipes in my Healthy Living category. If you want to be alerted of my next blog post, just Subscribe in the top right of the page. I never sell, share or disclose any personal information due to my Privacy Policy and out of professional courtesy. Who knows, you may become a Medical Missionary yourself!

Healthy Living Blog

There Is a Way

Jesus said it: “I Am the Way” ( John 14:6 ). So simple. So profound. So thrilling! If it is righteousness that we need, we must remember two things. First, our soy-milk-drinking, tofu-eating, TV-rejecting, church-office-holding, literature-distributing, Bible-studies-giving, abstinent righteousness will never cut it with God. The best righteousness we could ever develop on our own would be only ‘filthy rags’ righteousness. Second, Jeremiah 23:6 speaks of “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” ( emphasis added ). This means that He Is the Way.

What about perfect obedience to the law of God? Heaven could never open its gates to sometimes obedience or occasional obedience or quite often obedience or even mostly obedience. Perfect obedience to God’s law is what it takes. The psalmist directs our attention to the way in words prophetic of Jesus: “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” ( Psalms 40:8 ).

Jesus Christ never once disobeyed. He never once broke God’s law. He never once broke His Father’s heart. He never once sinned. An all of His obedience is a gift to me when I accept Him, so this makes Jesus the Way.

All of us, myself included, desperately need acceptance by the Father. Paul wrote: “He has made us accepted in the Beloved” ( Ephesians 1:6 ). Thank God, trembling soul, that Jesus says, “Because I am the Way, you can gain acceptance with the Father. Trust Me.”

And what of our need for maturity, for finishing, for completeness in the Christian life? Colossians 2:20 trumpets, “You are complete in Him.”

The answer is the same for whatever need one might have. Cleansing. Victory. The fruit of the Spirit. Justification. Sanctification.

So, the “I am the Way” of John 14:6 isn’t an oversimplification. And it certainly isn’t ‘cheap grace’. Rather, it’s the most expensive grace imaginable, because we haven’t been purchased with money “but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” ( 1 Peter 1:19 ).

By the way, this isn’t ‘new theology’. It’s the Gospel ( Good News ).

After having seven studies about Jesus, one young Buddhist woman was asked how she felt about what she had heard. Her answer, “It’s too good to be true.” But it is the truth. He is the Way and the Truth.

Seventh-day Adventists who have emphasized behavior, performance, obedience, law, standards, rules, and requirements need to know this truth.

Seventh-day Adventists who don’t have any joy or assurance in their Christian life need to know this truth.

Seventh-day Adventists who are trusting in their level of achievement or sanctification need to know this truth.

Seventh-day Adventists who are guilty, burdened, condemned, and who are worn out from trying need to know this truth.

And Seventh-day Adventists who just don’t see how they can ever measure up need to know the rich, powerful, saving meaning of these four words, “I am the Way”.

I’ll tell you what they mean to me. I can be accepted while He is making me acceptable. I can be perfect while He is perfecting me. I can be justified while He is sanctifying me. I can be ready while He is getting me ready. I can be complete while He is completing His work in me.

I can be saved while He is saving me. Is this not what Martin Luther meant when he said, “When I look at myself, I don’t see how I can be saved. But when I look at Jesus, I don’t see how I can be lost?”

On 21 May 1946, Louis Slotin and seven other men were carrying out a dangerous experiment near Los Alamos, New Mexico. They were working with pieces of plutonium, which produces deadly radioactivity when enough of it is brought together. During the experiment, the pieces were accidentally nudged a little too close together, and a great upsurge of radioactivity filled the room. Slotin moved at once. With his bare hands, he pulled the radioactive pieces apart. But in so doing, he exposed himself to an overwhelming dosage of radiation. Several days later he died. The seven other men recovered.

Jesus came down to this dangerous, deadly earth laboratory where we live. On the cross, He threw Himself on the explosive, destructive force of sin, covering it with His own body so we could escape and live.

There has to be a way to be saved; there just has to be–and, praise God, there is ! Jesus’ life instead of yours. Jesus’ righteousness instead of yours. Jesus’ perfection instead of yours. Jesus’ sinlessness instead of yours. Jesus’ death instead of yours. Offer this to the Father by faith, and see where it gets you.

These are the notes from Linda who gave our Wednesday night Bible Study devotional message recently. The following books by Ellen White were researched to put this message together.

1. Child Guidance

2. Education

3. The Desire of Ages

Black-Eyed Peas with Sweet Potatoes and Greens

A wonderful combination of flavors, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for nights when there is not enough time for an elaborate meal, but you still want something filling and tasty!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1 10-ounce package frozen kale, chard, or collard greens

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth

2 10-ounce packages frozen black-eyed peas, thawed and drained

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups cooked sweet potato or yam, or one 18 ounce can vacuum-packed unsweetened sweet potatoes, drained, rinsed, and chopped

Few dashes liquid smoke

Directions

Thaw greens in the microwave or a bowl of boiling water. Chop and combine with broth, black-eyed peas, garlic, sweet potatoes, and liquid smoke in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

Per serving: 298 calories; 1.5 g fat; 0.3 g saturated fat; 4.4% calories from fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 16 g protein; 58.2 g carbohydrates; 10.4 g sugar; 13.3 g fiber; 304 mg sodium; 156 mg calcium; 4.6 mg iron; 32.8 mg vitamin C; 14,605 mcg Beta Carotene; 2.1 mg vitamin E

Source: Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes Without Drugs by Neal D. Barnard, M.D.; recipe by Bryanna Clark Grogan.

He Wants to Be Your Friend

How do you feel when you go to your best friends’ house? You are eager to see them. The lights are on, and both of their cars are in the driveway. Expectantly you walk up to the door as you hear sounds of merriment inside. Ringing the doorbell, you wait a while, then ring again. After another wait, you use the knocker on the front door. One of your friends walks by the door, glancing out the side glass. Although you know that he sees you, he still walks back into the house. I think anger would boil up in my heart. Why should I even try to be friends if he doesn’t care about me? I have had it with this friendship. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” Revelation 3:20, NKJV

Simply saving the name Joel is a one-word declarative statement affirming “Jehovah is God.” Throughout history, the Creator-God has been so misrepresented, ignored, and maligned that whenever someone says the name Joel with meaning and understanding, it must bring joy to His heart. Just read a little from Isaiah 53 and think how you would feel if you were Jesus. “He is despised and rejected by men….And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised and we did not esteem Him….He was oppressed and He was afflicted….He was led as a lamb to the slaughter” ( verses 3-7, NJKV ).

God’s greatest desire is to be friends with us. Our first step in developing that friendship is to say with meaning and understanding, “Jehovah is God, and He is knocking on my door”.

Come in, my Lord. I am truly sorry that I ignored You so long. Can we still be friends?

This is from the God of Wonders devotional by David Steen. Meditation from 28 September 2013.

What Does the Bible Say About the Sabbath

Just finished listening to an excellent message from an Australian Pastor. He made a great point that most of the Christian world is following traditions of man and not what is written in the Holy Bible.

All during Jesus ministry on earth, Jesus read the scriptures in the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day that God made in Genesis 2. The seventh-day Sabbath was blessed and sanctified by God and is a weekly 24 hour holy time meant for us to be in close fellowship with our Creator. The Sabbath reminds us that God created us and also provided a path to Salvation for us as Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath day.

Whenever a person dies on this earth, a last will and testament is usually left with instructions for how the property will be divided. Once the person dies, there is NO way for that last will and testament to ever be changed.

The same principle applies to those of us who are saved Christians. Because the Sabbath was made for all man in Genesis before there ever was a nation of Israel, all man is called by God to honor the Holy Time He made for us. God doesn’t need the rest because He does not get tired. He knew then and knows now that man needs to break away from the demands of this world and have a day of rest.

When Jesus Christ instituted Holy Communion in the Last Supper meal on the night before He was killed on the Cross at Calvary, the institution of Holy Communion was established.

When Jesus gave up His spirit on the Cross, the new covenant was sealed. There is no way the new covenant can ever be changed.

Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath day and then rose on the first day of the week which is Sunday. Look in your dictionary and you will find that Saturday is the seventh-day of the week. It always has been as there has always been a seven day weekly cycle.

Over 200 languages of the world use the word ‘Sabbath’ for Saturday. In Spanish, the day is called Sabado.

So where does going to church on Sunday come from and who changed God’s Law which is unchangeable according to the word of God in the Bible?

In the first couple of centuries after Christ death at Calvary, Pagans were holding festive events on the day of the sun or Sunday. The Roman Empire was still ruling the world. Christians still met in churches on the Seventh-day Sabbath. Some believers wanted to distance themselves from the Jewish traditions and the Emperor Constantine approved Sunday as a day of rest during his years in power around 323 AD.

I have some overwhelming facts that EVERY Protestant needs to read. If the Protestant church of today knew what the Catholic church did in the past regarding the 7th Day Sabbath they would not be worshipping on Sundays today. I guarantee that if you are a TRUE child of God seeking to do exactly as the Creator would have you do, this information on this page will effect you in a major way! Prophecy states plainly that the beast will seek to change “times and laws” and on this page you will see ample evidence that the Roman Catholic church ADMITS to that very act!

The Word of God says:

Daniel 7:25, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.”

The word of Rome says:

“The Pope has the power to change times, to abrogate laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ.” “The Pope has the authority and often exercised it, to dispense with the command of Christ.” -Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop. Cap. (The Pope can modify divine law.) Ferraris’ Ecclesiastical Dictionary.

Practice of the Original Apostles

Throughout the book of Acts, we find that the Apostles continued to observe the Sabbath regularly. They did this with Jews as well as with Gentiles, and-guided by the Holy Spirit-the entire early New Testament Church continued to meet on the seventh-day Sabbath for decades after Jesus’ death. Even mainline Protestant historians acknowledge this fact. In his book, The Story of the Christian Church, Jesse Lyman Hurlbut states, “As long as the church was mainly Jewish, the Hebrew Sabbath was kept; but as it became increasingly Gentile the first day gradually took the place of the seventh day” (1970, p. 36).

Notice that Hurlbut says the first day “gradually” replaced the seventh-day Sabbath. Did God gradually do away with His law? Ridiculous! As we shall see later, conniving me “gradually” DECEIVED millions of professing Christians into doing away with not only the Sabbath, but the entire concept of obedience to God’s law!

However, no such change took place during the lifetime of Christ’s original Apostles. Even the Apostle Paul-the Apostle to the Gentiles-kept the Sabbath regularly. And he wasn’t even converted to Christianity until well after Christ’s resurrection. Notice the account of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13:14: “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.”

“But,” some might argue, “Paul was just meeting with the Jews on Saturday since that was their Sabbath!” However, the book of Acts tells us that “when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath” (13:42). Here was Paul’s grand opportunity to inform the Gentiles that they would now meet on Sunday! But did he? On the contrary! “The next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God” (v. 44).

The truth of the matter is that neither Paul nor ANY of the Apostles uttered one single word about changing God’s holy Sabbath or any part of the Ten Commandments. Rather, as they had been taught by Christ Himself, they kept, and always assembled on, the seventh day.

What about when Paul traveled through predominately Gentile areas? God’s Word tells us, “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his CUSTOM was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (17:1-2).

It was clearly Paul’s “custom” to meet on the Sabbath. Acts 18:4 tells us that “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.” In example after example in the book of Acts, when Paul or the other Apostles met to worship, there is not a single, solitary hint that they ever regularly met on any other day of the week to worship except Saturday-the seventh-day Sabbath that they had always
observed and that the Jewish community was still observing.

In fact, if they had started teaching some other weekly day of worship, it would have caused a literal RIOT among the Jewish Christians! The only major ministerial conference mentioned in the New Testament is described in Acts 15. It was occasioned by a bitter controversy over whether Gentile Christians should be compelled to be circumcised. The book of Acts notes the incident that sparked this conference: “And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the Apostles and elders, about this question” (vv. 1-2).

At the conference in Jerusalem, after there had been “much dispute,” Peter rose up and carefully explained how God had called the Gentile Christians through him apart from any command to be physically circumcised. Afterward, Paul and Barnabas described the fruits of their Work among the Gentiles, without circumcision being involved. Then James, the presiding Apostle at Jerusalem, summarized the matter and stated, “Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood”(vv.19-20). Finally, a letter was drafted, outlining this landmark decision and the reasons for it (vv. 22-29). Paul took a copy of this letter with its decrees and read it to all of the Churches under his jurisdiction (16:1-5).

Some will argue that the four prohibitions mentioned here are the only laws from the Old Testament still binding on Christians. But notice that murder is not listed. Are we, then, free to commit murder? Obviously not! So why are these points specifically mentioned? Because the four things Christians are to abstain from here are practices that were common to pagan religion. In sacrificing to their idols, many pagans would strangle animals rather than slitting their throats and letting the blood drain from them. Then they would eat these offerings and commit gross sexual immorality as religious ritual. The prohibitions in Acts 15 were originally part of God’s statutory law. But they were also listed later with the ceremonies and rituals of the Levitical worship system to keep the Israelites from adopting these wrong practices (cf. Leviticus 17:7, 10; Numbers 25:1-3). The Apostles wanted it understood that, although the ceremonial and ritual parts of the Old Testament law-including physical circumcision-were no longer necessary, these four points that were given in the ceremonial section of the law were still binding. And why were they still binding? Because they were part of God’s original law-which was still in force!

Bear in mind that this great controversy and subsequent apostolic conference took place over the ordinance of physical circumcision. How much MORE of a debate would have raged if the Apostles had tried to change or do away with one of the Ten Commandments-especially the one about God’s weekly Sabbath, the very identifying “sign” of God’s people?! There would have been an absolute UPROAR. But do we find even the slightest hint of a dispute over any such change?

We do NOT!

As the expression goes,” the silence on the subject is DEAFENING.” There was no such change until scores or even hundreds of years after the death of the original Apostles! So neither Jesus nor the apostolic Church EVER attempted to change the Sabbath. They never attempted to do away with obedience to ANY of the Ten Commandments!

Most of the Protestant Christian churches have fallen to the deception that came through the Catholic church which is an apostate church. There are hundreds of millions of wonderful and devout Catholic believers. Most saved Christians will be with Jesus when he comes back. What the Bible is warning us of is that the Apostate church is the Beast Power of Revelation. God has a problem with the Papal system that deceives hundreds of millions of Christians.

Malachi 3:6 states: For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Matthew 5:17-18 states: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

You can also see some excellent videos about the faithful followers of Jesus keeping the Ten Commandments down through the centuries at the website below:

Sabbath Truth

Seek out your local Seventh-day Adventist church and you will find a man or woman more than eager to share some excellent Bible study guides. The Seventh-day Adventist church began in the 1840’s when a group of young Seventh-day Baptist and Seventh-day Presbyterians studied scripture well into the night.

Ever since the Protestant reformation began on the day Martin Luther nailed his Thesis on the doors of the local Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany, God has guided His followers to continue to restore Biblical truth.

I will write a new article to document all of the different truths that came from these followers of Christ. The Seventh-day Adventist church is a melting pot of believers from many churches including the Baptist church, the Catholic church, the Methodist church and the Presbyterian church.

Give me the Bible, Holy Message Shining !

Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a quick and easy way to provide a healthy meal with a flare. There are hundreds of combinations to try and we are going to show you some of the simple concepts to make your stuffed peppers stand above the crowd.

Cooking the rice:

Generally the ratio will be one part rice and two parts water. I like to add all the ingredients to the pot in order to make it a one step process. There is really no reason to take extra steps and dirty up a bunch of other pots.

You can first sauté some onions, to a dark brown flavor, which is really great for stuffed peppers. Then add any flavors or seasonings like beef-less base, salt, seasonings, or herbs. Add all kinds of items like, chopped celery, or shredded carrots. Try some tofu, or beans, and for a really great texture. Add some pecans or walnuts.

Place all the ingredients into a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a low simmer for 40 minutes. Rice cookers work well for this too. Add more time for harder varieties of rice, like brown rice, lower cooking time for soft or short varieties like jasmine.

Mixing in Sauces:

When the rice is done, now you can add whatever sauce flavors you like. Teriyaki, or tomato sauce, even Italian are a couple of my favorites.

Stuffing the Peppers:

Try not to over stuff the peppers, you want them full but not packed; the rice will expand a little. One of my favorite tricks is to add little shots of the sauce when stuffing the peppers, or have a center with an apricot surprise in the middle. This helps to keep moisture in and gives the final product an original twist.

Baking the Peppers:

The best way to bake the peppers is for about 25 minutes at 350 degrees. I start with them covered, but don’t cook the tops with them. When the steam has softened the body of the peppers, then it is time to remove the foil, add the pepper lids, and cook uncovered for an additional 10 minutes. This will give it a consistently cooked, slightly browned appeal. You can also top the peppers with some seasoned bread crumbs before browning.

Serving the Peppers:

Adding some vegan parmesan cheese, fresh diced herbs, or slivered almonds will compliment any peppers right into that higher delicacy.

The bottom line is have fun stuffing peppers, you really can’t mess this up. Next time try stuffing the peppers with bread stuffing, pastas, or beans. It’s a great way to make a fast, easy, and very affordable meal.

Recipe is courtesy of Mark Anthony who has a Ministry of Healing through healthy food presentations at churches throughout North America.

Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal Poultice

Activated Charcoal has been around for centuries as a remedy for many common health issues; from insect and snake bites to stomach poisoning and cancer. Activated charcoal is adsorbent as it adsorbs just about anything into itself.

Poultice ingredients:

For any injury or trauma to the skin. Be careful not to get the charcoal into an open wound as it will leave you with a black tattoo!

Activated Charcoal

Flaxseed meal/Psyllium Powder

Warm Water

Paper Towel – no colored designs

Take warm water and begin to add the charcoal to water. Grind flaxseeds to a meal and add until it becomes a paste. Place charcoal paste onto white paper towel or gauze. Apply to affected area and secure with a plastic wrap or gauze. Wrap with an Ace bandage, being careful not to wrap too tightly. Use overnight and remove in the morning. Depending on the type of injury, this may take several applications.

Slurry Water

Use for an upset stomach.

Add 1 Tablespoon of Activated Charcoal to one 8 ounce glass of water. Stir well and then allow to settle for several hours. Pour off the clear water on the top then drink freely. Since Activated Charcoal is an adsorbent, do not take this with any medication as it will affect the efficacy of the medication.

Nutritional Notes About Super Foods

This an excerpt from an article written by Micaela Karlsen, M.S.P.H, shared from a “Forks Over Knives Newsletter”.

They’re all around us – goji berries, chia seeds, maca, pomegranates, and the list goes on. Certain individual foods are labeled “superfoods” by the food industry and so concentrated powders, extracts, oils, and juices of these foods are then marketed as beneficial because of their supposed special effects. The claims around these concentrated forms of certain foods include “improves vitality,” “wards off disease,” or even “boosts libido.” The modern shopper is hopelessly confused as he or she tries to match a host of products with a wide array of specific desired benefits. Even the person on a whole-food, plant-based diet may wonder, “Should I be taking something to make sure I’m getting enough antioxidants?”

In spite of the fact that the word “superfood” is neither a technical nor scientific term, some of these claims about specific nutrients do have research supporting them. However, focusing on any single nutrient or class of nutrients outside the context of the whole, natural foods that contain them is a misplaced emphasis; the total dietary pattern is what most influences health outcomes, even if experimental evidence exists that a particular nutrient may have a given effect on the body.

Popular media defines a “superfood” as a food that contains unusually high amounts of specific nutrients, often antioxidants-substances that combat cell damage due to aging and other factors. It’s easy to fall into thinking that if some is good, more must be better.

What we are forgetting here is that eating more of a nutrient doesn’t necessarily mean that our bodies will use it; absorption and utilization are largely determined by the body’s need at the time of consumption along with many other variables. Drinking pomegranate juice or blueberry extract may do no more than put a hole in our pockets, along with encouraging overconsumption of simple sugars without the fiber those sugars are naturally paired with in the fruit. And in some cases an excess can be every bit as problematic for health as a deficiency.

The example of antioxidants illustrates the misconception around “getting enough” of this class of nutrients. When we’re eating a colorful whole-food, plant-based diet, we don’t need to concern ourselves with antioxidant deficiency. It is when we eat a diet poor in fruits and vegetables (and therefore antioxidants) that we need to worry about getting enough of them. Processed foods contain few antioxidants, because they are stripped during processing. And the antioxidants present in animal foods reside in the animal’s tissues only because it consumed plants during its lifetime. Why not eliminate the middleman and get the antioxidants directly?

When are plant-based “superfoods” good for us? When they are whole and part of a low-fat diet comprised of foods eaten fresh, as grown, then yes – absolutely! Eating colorful foods is beneficial, as long as they are whole foods and not extracts, powders, or concentrated individual nutrients.

Eating for variety and color is a strategy that will deliver all the nutrients we need (with the possible exception of vitamin B12), as long as we are consuming adequate calories. We need not worry about whether or how we are getting enough of certain single nutrients or classes of nutrients. It might be easier to just call a whole-food, plant-based diet a “superdiet” and leave it at that.

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