Key to Long (Good) Life

In getting back to basics, for me, simplicity is key. There are thousands of websites with just as many different, new formulas for getting and staying healthy, fit, thin, younger and on and on! Information changes daily. So who do you believe?

For me the Source of all wisdom, God, is where I begin and end. For instance, researchers will tell you coffee is good for you one day and that you should avoid it like the plague the next. So, which is true? Is meat bad for you or not? Should you only eat vegetables? Chocolate is bad or is it a health food? You get my drift.

Proverbs 9:11 says, "For by me (wisdom) your days will be multiplied and years of life will be added to you."

I have based my life, as well as the principles I suggest to clients to improve their health, on God's unchanging and unfailing wisdom. I dare say if we would consistently act on his Word, our health would improve so dramatically, people will begin to ask what our secret is.

Take just one of His commands - to forgive. If we would consistently follow through on just this one command, most of our health problems would cease to exist. Negative, toxic thoughts translate into physical disease and disability. Our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs so powerfully impact our physical and mental health that simply obeying this one command would make all the difference in the world.

So next time you become overwhelmed with information overload - get back to basic health - turn to God's wisdom and see what He says about it. You absolutely can't go wrong.

One More Job Description

If you're a wife and mom, just add "gatekeeper" to your list of titles and job descriptions. So what is a gatekeeper? My Thesaurus lists sentry, monitor, guard, watchman and custodian as synonyms. (I don't know about you, but "custodian" is the one I immediately related to considering all the messes I clean in a day!)

We are definitely called to protect our children's safety - what friends they associate with, where we allow them to go; tv shows and movies we allow them to watch; making sure they're dressed appropriately and have the tools they need to succeed in life. (We pretty much do the same for our husbands when you think about it!)

A very critical aspect of our job as family gatekeepers is to filter the foods we allow into our homes. Our children in particular rely on us to be role models of good health by "walking the talk." We can't tell them they cannot drink soda and then down a half liter. We lose valuable credibility. A good rule of thumb for gatekeepers is - Don't ask them to do anything you are not already doing.

Another aspect of this position is to educate ourselves on natural health and nutrition so that we can make truly informed and wise decisions for ourselves and our families. Finally, we have to be the final word as to what we allow into our homes. This applies to screening out junk food, processed (fake) food, artificial sweeteners and any other substance that compromises, or out and out damages health. The mantra must be: If God didn't make it, we are not to put it in our bodies.

You are also the sentry, so to speak, of what is allowed in the environment of your home. If you allow fear, worry, anger, resentment, guilt, jealousy, greed and selfishness to come in, they will take over and pollute the entire atmosphere of your home. You have to strenuously guard the attitudes and spirits allowed to enter.

Speaking scriptures over your family as you move through your home is a great and powerful way. We set boundaries in our lives with our mouths. So this is a very easy and effective way to do just that. This will set great things in motion especially if you do it on a regular basis.

Playing praise and worship music or scripture CDs throughout the house is another great way. Blessing each room, window and door is another powerful way. I do this every New Year's Day. I anoint each window and doorpost, as well as the beds, tables and desks in the rooms, with oil and plead the Blood of Jesus over them declaring that nothing can enter that does not first pass through the Blood. If God allows it, He will use it for our good!

So fellow gatekeeper, carry on! You may not be recognized or fully appreciated for fulfilling your gatekeeping duties. But never doubt that God knows, and He is pleased with your efforts.