Health Meditations

A Step in the Right Direction: Transgression?

Transgression is the violation of a law or moral principle.  It comes from Latin roots that mean to step across or go over.  Transgression is a step in the wrong direction.  Transgression is sin.  My question is:

Will you try to cover or will you confess your transgressions in 2009?

You can't really cover your transgressions.  You might be able to conceal them from people, but you cannot conceal them from God.  He sees everything you do, hears every word you say and knows every thought you think.  But God wants to forgive and forget.  God will forgive and forget if you confess your transgressions and ask for forgiveness.

Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You,
Pardoning iniquity
And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in mercy.

Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;
And I will not remember your sins.

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.  Selah

Psalm 51:1-3
1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.

Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Job 14:17
My transgression is sealed up in a bag,
And You cover my iniquity.

Isaiah 44:22
I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins.
Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

God redeemed you through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  As the Lamb of God, Jesus atoned for every sin you have committed and every sin you have yet to commit.

Isaiah 53:5
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.

So take a step in the right direction.  Confess your transgressions.  Ask for forgiveness.  Bask in the blessing of God's mercy.

Psalm 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

Body by Discipline: Exercise Your Options

An option is the power or liberty to choose.  For a disciplined body, a sedentary existence is not an option.  My question is:

How will you exercise your options in 2009?

You have the option to:

• Exercise in the morning or in the evening.
• Exercise indoors or outdoors.
• Exercise alone or in a group.
• Exercise at home or in a gym.

Make a choice.  Then make a move.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

Daniel Fast Week 3: Circumcision of the Heart

When you circumcise your heart, you expose the most tender and most sensitive part of your heart to the Lord.  When the Lord touches that most vulnerable part of you, the sensation of His love for you and your love for Him is exquisitely sweet.

Day 15
Deuteronomy 30:6
And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Day 16
Deuteronomy 10:16
Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.

Day 17
Jeremiah 4:3-5
3 For thus says the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem:
"Break up your fallow ground,
And do not sow among thorns.
4 Circumcise yourselves to the LORD,
And take away the foreskins of your hearts,
You men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
Lest My fury come forth like fire,
And burn so that no one can quench it,
Because of the evil of your doings."

5 Declare in Judah and proclaim in Jerusalem, and say:
“Blow the trumpet in the land;
Cry, ‘Gather together,’
And say, ‘Assemble yourselves,
And let us go into the fortified cities.’

Day 18
Jeremiah 32:38-39
38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.

Day 19
Ezekiel 11:19-21
19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts follow the desire for their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.

Day 20
Ezekiel 36:26-30
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. 28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God. 29 I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. I will call for the grain and multiply it, and bring no famine upon you. 30 And I will multiply the fruit of your trees and the increase of your fields, so that you need never again bear the reproach of famine among the nations.

Day 21
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

At the end of 21 days, you will have consecrated your body, changed your mind and circumcised your heart.  You will have a healthier spirit because you will be closer to the Lord.  You will also have a healthier body and a healthier mind because of what you have and have not eaten for three weeks. 

If you can be disciplined for three weeks, you can be disciplined for 49 more.  Just take it one day at a time.  Read the "Body by Discipline" postings for suggestions.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

A Step in the Right Direction: Regression?

Regression is backward movement.  It comes from Latin roots that mean to step or walk back.  My question is:

Will you regress in 2009?

Backward movement is usually undesirable.  The only time it's good to go back is when you go back to basics.  As you step forward into 2009, go back to basics to maintain a healthy body, a healthy mind and a healthy spirit:

For a healthy body:

• Develop a healthy eating lifestyle
• Exercise your body.  You were created to move.
• Get enough rest.
• Drink plenty of water.

For a healthy mind:

• Develop a healthy eating lifestyle.
• Exercise your body and your mind.
• Get enough rest.
• Drink plenty of water.

For a healthy spirit:

• Develop a healthy eating lifestyle; include the milk and meat of the word of God, the Bread of Life, the fruit of the Spirit.
• Exercise your faith.
• Rest in the Lord.
• Let rivers of living water flow from your heart.

When you go back to the basics, you will prepare to move forward in 2009.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

Body by Discipline: More Fruits and Veggies

During your Daniel Fast, you will probably eat more fruits and veggies daily than you have ever eaten during your adult life.  When your Daniel Fast is over, keep your fruit and veggie consumption in high gear.  Add extra fruits and veggies to your eating lifestyle with smoothies. 

 

Whenever you feel like snacking, reach for a smoothie instead of chips or a candy bar.  Pick your favorite fruits and combine them in a blender with a helping of one of your favorite or less than favorite veggies (like beets or raw spinach leaves).  The flavor of the fruit will cover the taste of the vegetable.  Instead of thickening your smoothies with crushed ice, use frozen berries.  Buy your favorite berries fresh.  Then keep them stashed in the freezer. 

 

Experiment with different combinations.  Look for different recipes.  Share you tastiest concoctions with family and friends.  Don't tell them it's healthy.  Just give them a sip and watch them enjoy.

 

Increasing your fruit and veggie intake will benefit your entire body.  Bon appétit!

 

Share the health.

 

Deborah White, MD, MBA

Daniel Fast Week 2: Changing of the Mind

Changing your mind involves altering your focus from what the world would have you think, do and say to what God would have you think, do and say.  Focus on these scriptures to facilitate your change of mind.

Day 8
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Day 9
Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the LORD forever,
For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

Day 10
Philippians 2:5
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

Day 11
Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Day 12
Matthew 22:37
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Day 13
Romans 8:5-8
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Day 14
Colossians 3:2-4
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

After consecrating your body and changing your mind, you will need to circumcise your heart.  The third set of scriptures will help you do that.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

A Step in the Right Direction: Progression?

Progression means growth, development and advancement to higher stages.  It comes from Latin roots that mean to step or walk forward.  My question is: 

Are you ready to grow, develop and advance?

It's difficult to move forward if you continue to carry heavy burdens from your past.  You need to leave those burdens behind.

Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Don't let your past impede your progress.  God does not dwell on your past, so why should you?

Isaiah 38:16-17
16 O Lord, by these things men live;
And in all these things is the life of my spirit;
So You will restore me and make me live.
17 Indeed it was for my own peace
That I had great bitterness;
But You have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption,
For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.

So, drop your burdens.  Step forward, and…

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

Body by Discipline: Healthy Alternatives to Salt

When you complete your Daniel Fast, continue to eat in a disciplined way.  Reduce your salt intake.  Add flavor to your food with a variety of herbs and spices.  Here are some suggestions from the American Heart Association.  The list includes some spices and herbs and the food items with which they are a particularly good flavor match:

Allspice — Lean ground meats, stews, tomatoes, peaches, applesauce, cranberry sauce, gravies, lean meat
Almond extract — Puddings, fruits
Basil — Fish, lamb, lean ground meats, stews, salads, soups, sauces, fish cocktails
Bay leaves — Lean meats, stews, poultry, soups, tomatoes
Caraway seeds — Lean meats, stews, soups, salads, breads, cabbage, asparagus, noodles
Chives — Salads, sauces, soups, lean meat dishes, vegetables
Cider vinegar — Salads, vegetables, sauces
Cinnamon — Fruits (especially apples), breads, pie crusts
Curry powder — Lean meats (especially lamb), veal, chicken, fish, tomatoes, tomato soup, mayonnaise
Dill — Fish sauces, soups, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, cucumbers, potatoes, salads, macaroni, lean beef, lamb, chicken, fish
Garlic (not garlic salt) — Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, vegetables, tomatoes, potatoes
Ginger — Chicken, fruits
Lemon juice — Lean meats, fish, poultry, salads, vegetables
Mace — Hot breads, apples, fruit salads, carrots, cauliflower, squash, potatoes, veal, lamb
Mustard (dry) — Lean ground meats, lean meats, chicken, fish, salads, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mayonnaise, sauces
Nutmeg — Fruits, piecrust, lemonade, potatoes, chicken, fish, lean meat loaf, toast, veal, pudding
Onion (not onion salt) — Lean meats, stews, vegetables, salads, soups
Paprika — Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, sauces, vegetables
Parsley — Lean meats, fish, soups, salads, sauces, vegetables
Peppermint extract — Puddings, fruits
Pimiento — Salads, vegetables, casserole dishes
Rosemary — Chicken, veal, lean meat loaf, lean beef, lean pork, sauces, stuffing, potatoes, peas, lima beans
Sage — Lean meats, stews, biscuits, tomatoes, green beans, fish, lima beans, onions, lean pork
Savory — Salads, lean pork, lean ground meats, soups, green beans, squash, tomatoes, lima beans, peas
Thyme — Lean meats (especially veal and lean pork), sauces, soups, onions, peas, tomatoes, salads
Turmeric — Lean meats, fish, sauces, rice

Reducing your salt intake will benefit your entire body.  Bon appétit!

Share the health.

Deborah White, MD, MBA

Daniel Fast Week 1: Consecration of the Body

Consecration is dedication, commitment or devotion to the service and worship of God.  When you consecrate something, you set it apart for the Lord.  During the first week of your Daniel Fast, you need to focus on setting your body apart for the service and worship of God.  Each of these scriptures can serve ad a daily focal point to facilitate the first week of your Daniel Fast as you consecrate your body.

Day 1
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Day 2
2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Day 3
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Day 4
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Day 5
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

Day 6
Romans 6:12-14
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Day 7
1 Peter 2:4-5
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Once you consecrate your body, you must change your mind.  The next set of scriptures will help you do that.

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Deborah White, MD, MBA

A Step in the Right Direction: Ingression?

Ingression is the act of entering.  It is also a means or place of entering.  Ingression comes from Latin roots that mean to enter or to step into.  My question is:

Are you ready physically, mentally and spiritually to step into 2009?

Your readiness will depend on whether you plan to build on what occurred in 2008 or whether you plan to let it go.  You probably need to do both:

• Build on the lessons.  They are the foundation of progress.

• Trash the distractions.  They will cause you to regress or transgress.

Before you build or trash, you need to take inventory:

• What lessons did you learn in 2008?

• Who or what distracted you in 2008?

Make your lists.  Check them twice.  Then plan your work for 2009.  And when the New Year arrives, work your plan!

Share the health.

Deborah White, MD, MBA