tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60163795021292878302024-03-18T23:52:36.502-04:00The SeedN.E.W. LIFE BlogDiane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-63889792248426730522022-03-07T21:55:00.006-05:002022-03-07T22:43:11.272-05:00Purifying the Bride of Christ<h3 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;">The Church is described in the
Bible as the Bride of Christ (the bride imagery is eventually expanded to
include all the saints from before and after the Church age when God brings
home a Bride for His beloved Son).</span><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;">The
bride of the Lamb is described more fully in Revelation 21 as the Holy City
Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.</span><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;">The City is called the Bride because it takes on the character of its
inhabitants:</span></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last
plagues came and said to me, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Come, I will show you the
bride, the wife of the Lamb.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he
carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the
Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Revelation 21:9-10 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Read the rest of Revelation 21
for an amazing description of “the new Jerusalem”.</span></h3><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus told His disciples that He has
gone to prepare a heavenly home for His Bride and will return to take her home
with Him:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Do not let your hearts be troubled. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You believe in God; believe also in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My Father’s
house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am
going there to prepare a place for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you
to be with me that you also may be where I am.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know the way to the place where I am
going.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">John 14:1-4 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">This will happen at the rapture
of the saints: <o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those
who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who
have no hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For we believe that Jesus
died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who
have fallen asleep in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to
the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until
the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen
asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the Lord
himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the
archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, we who are still
alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet
the Lord in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so we will be
with the Lord forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore
encourage one another with these words.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jesus told the parable of the ten
virgins describing His coming for the Bride to take her to the wedding:<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">“‘Then the kingdom of heaven
shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">the bridegroom.</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span></b><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Now five of them were wise, and
five were foolish. </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Those who were foolish took their lamps
and took no oil with them,</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">but the wise took oil
in their vessels with their lamps.</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">
<sup> </sup></span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">But while the bridegroom was delayed,</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">they all slumbered
and slept.</span></i></span></h3><div><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></span></div><h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">‘</span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">And at midnight</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">a cry was heard:</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">“Behold, the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!”</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></sup></i></span><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Then all
those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, “Give
us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise answered, saying, “No, lest
there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and
buy for yourselves.” </span></i><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">And while they went to buy,
the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding;
and</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">the
door was shut.</span></i></span><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></i></span></div><h3 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">‘</span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Afterward the other
virgins came also, saying,</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> “</span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">Lord, Lord, open to
us!” </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></sup></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">But he answered and
said, “Assuredly, I say to you,</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;">I do not know you.”</span></i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><p align="center" class="chapter-2" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><span class="woj"></span></span></i></b></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Watch therefore, for you</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></span></span></b><span class="woj"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: red;">know neither
the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.’”</span></b></span></i><span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Matthew 25:1-13 (NKJV)</span></h3>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">After the rapture the Church will
celebrate the marriage supper, be rewarded, and later <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">return</i> to earth with Christ when He comes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">again</i> to set up His kingdom.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Meanwhile . . .<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">We are living through a day of
many trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is purifying His Bride
and strengthening souls:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These have come so that the proven
genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even
though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ
is revealed.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not
see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and
glorious joy, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">for you are receiving the
end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Peter 1:6-9 (NIV)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family
of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And the God
of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have
suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and
steadfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To him be the power for ever
and ever. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Peter 5:8-11 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing
that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character,
hope.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you
face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith
produces perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let perseverance
finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">James 1:2-4 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">As a result of faith believers
receive constant deliverance from the power of sin now and finally the full
redemption of our bodies in salvation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With this in mind Peter explains how we are to live:</span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is
revealed at his coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you
had when you lived in ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:
‘Be holy, because I am holy.’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1
Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">God’s people are called to “be
holy in all you do” because God is holy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We glorify God best by being like Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Furthermore, godliness is the greatest witness of testimony to the power
of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert Murray M'Cheyne
said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“A holy minister is an awful weapon
in the Hands of God.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While becoming
holy is a work of the Holy Spirit in us, and we cannot make ourselves holy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without </i>His help, notice that the
command to “be holy in all we do” indicates that we have a responsibility in
the matter.</span></h3><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Similarly, John wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Beloved, now we are
children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know
that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <span style="color: red;">And
everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><br /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Living in the reality of Christ’s return should make a difference in the believer’s behavior. We will someday be like Christ and a desire should be growing within us to be like Him now. This would be a good time to stop and evaluate if that is happening. Remember, sanctification is a process, but we should make sure we have not come to a standstill. God’s purpose is to save and sanctify His children and as He does so with each individual He is purifying the Bride of Christ. He is Faithful, and He will do it—if we let Him:</span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for
this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do not quench the Spirit.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not despise prophecies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Test all things; hold fast what is good. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Abstain from every form of evil.<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and
may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who calls you
is faithful, who also will do it.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 Thessalonians 5:16-23 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God Himself will sanctify us
completely, but we are to “not quench the Spirit” and “abstain from every form
of evil”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while we can’t sanctify
ourselves we do have a part to play, and God expects us to be responsible to
play it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to desire to honor Him
more than we desire things that do not honor Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find that difficult to do ask Him to
sanctify your desires and spend time in the Word and with Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think of a bride who is consumed with getting
ready for the wedding day—do you see Him as the promised Groom for His Bride,
the Church, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> Beloved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more we love Jesus the less other
affections will have a grip on us. </span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Paul agrees with the Father’s
will for a purified Bride for His Son:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, please put up with me! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I promised you to one
husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am afraid that just as Eve
was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray
from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we
preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or
a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily
enough.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">2 Corinthians 11:1-4 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">While Paul was specifically sharing
his concern about false teachers he was also expressing his deep concern for
the spiritual purity of the Corinthians and wanted them to be pure until the
“marriage day” finally arrives as described in Revelation:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his
bride has made herself ready.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Revelation 19:7 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Worthy is the Lamb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask yourself, am I a worthy bride?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I making myself <i>ready</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I have an adulterous relationship with
food as an idol?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fall far short of
God’s holy standard daily but because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to
us we can be “holy and blameless in his sight”:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><h3 align="center" style="background: font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight.”</span></i></h3><div style="color: black;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="background: font-weight: normal; color: black; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;">Ephesians 1:4 (NIV)</div><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; color: black; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: font-weight: normal; color: black; line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become
the righteousness of God in Him.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“. . . that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own
righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in
Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="color: red;">” </span><o:p style="font-weight: normal;"></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Philippians 3:8-9 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Husbands, love your wives, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">just as Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of
water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and
without blemish.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV)</span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Notice the “purifying” effect of
His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Will you allow God to sanctify you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t quench the Holy Spirit, but instead respond to the prompting and
conviction of the Holy Spirit and submit to God as He purifies the Church and readies
the Bride for the Groom coming for the wedding day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: ""serif"","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: ""serif"","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></span></p><br />Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-25480202971476893062022-03-01T21:04:00.000-05:002022-03-01T21:04:58.064-05:00The Bride of Christ<div class="WordSection1">
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">God wants relationship with His
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To clarify further—God desires
intimate relationship with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible
describes God’s relationship with His people in several intimate ways—Father
and son/daughter, Husband and wife, Bridegroom and bride, Friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Husband-wife references are particularly
to Israel, the Bridegroom-bride Scriptures refer to Christ and the Church and
eventually expands to include all the redeemed of all the ages as becomes clear
in Revelation. <o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Paul explains that marriage
between a human husband and wife is a representation of the union between
Christ and His Bride, the Church:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Wives,
submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.</span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <sup><span style="color: red;"> </span></sup></span></i></span><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: color: red; color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the husband is the head of the
wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the
Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><sup> </sup>Now as the
church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Husbands, love your
wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her
holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present
her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other
blemish, but holy and blameless</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In this same way, husbands ought
to love their wives as their own bodies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He who loves his wife loves himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After all, no one ever hated their own body,
but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we
are members of his body. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘For this
reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and
the two will become one flesh.’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="color: red;">This is a profound mystery—but I am talking
about Christ and the church.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ephesians 5:22-32 (NIV)</span> </h3><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Elsewhere Scripture describes the
relationship of the Bridegroom with His bride:<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For the
wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Revelation
19:7 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Revelation
21:9 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’”</span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Revelation
22:17a (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: auto; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span></i>
<div class="WordSection2">
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a
marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited
to the wedding;</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and they were not willing to
come.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Matthew 22:1-3 (NKJV)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: auto; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span></b>
<div class="WordSection3">
<div class="WordSection1">
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“Therefore, my brethren, you
also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from
the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> For when we were in the flesh, the sinful
passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear
fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from
the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the
newness of the spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
</div>
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></i>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Romans 7:4-6 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Christ’s divine
love for His Bride is a purifying love. In
His prayer to the Father for us Jesus says that he sanctified Himself in order
to sanctify His Bride: <o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“My prayer is not that you
take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not
of it. </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sanctify them
by the truth; your word is truth.</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> As you sent me into the world, I
have sent them into the world. </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly
sanctified.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">John 17:15-19 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h3>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">God’s divine
love seeks to completely cleanse those He loves from every form of sin and evil. For the reader who has developed an unhealthy
relationship with food, if you experience conviction be thankful--you are
dearly loved by God! Submit to Him and He
will take you through the temptation and bondage to cleansing and freedom. Since it is <i>not</i> sin to enjoy food the Holy
Spirit will not convict you of simply enjoying food. Since it <i>is</i> sin to make food an idol a
believer may be convicted by the Holy Spirit regarding their relationship with
food but it is important to distinguish between the conviction of the Holy
Spirit and the condemnation from the enemy because there is a lot of false
guilt imposed by the culture in the area of food and body image.</span></h3><h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus,</span></i><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3><div><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Romans 8:1 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></h3></div>
<h3 style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">If you struggle
with bondage to food I pray that you will know God's love for you and exchange
your bondage to food with the incomparably more satisfying relationship with
God.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18.4px;">For more encouragement you can check out the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/">N.E.W. LIFE e-book</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18.4px;"> which includes further support, the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">N.E.W. LIFE</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18.4px;"> Eating Plan and additional nutrition information.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"></span></p><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18.4px;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></span></div><div style="font-size: medium;"><b style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></div></span></div><br />Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-88094269438644590462022-01-31T23:11:00.008-05:002022-01-31T23:58:55.665-05:00Relationship With God: Faithful Husband and Bridegroom<div class="WordSection1">
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">One of the reasons for writing
this blog is to help emotional eaters who struggle with an unhealthy
relationship with food to turn to God and grow in relationship with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God wants relationship with His
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To clarify further—God desires
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">intimate</i> relationship with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible describes God’s relationship with
His people in several intimate ways—Father and son/daughter, Husband and wife,
Bridegroom and bride, Friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Husband-wife references are particularly to Israel, the Bridegroom-bride
Scriptures refer to Christ and the Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both imply a particularly intimate relationship:<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: auto; mso-break-type: section-break; page-break-before: auto;" />
</span></i></b>
<div class="WordSection2">
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘For your Maker is your husband—the LORD
Almighty is his name</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">—the Holy One of Israel is your
Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The LORD will call you back as if you were a
wife deserted and distressed in spirit—a wife who married young, only to be
rejected,’ says your God.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Isaiah
54:5-6 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3><div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“No longer will they call you Deserted, or name your
land Desolate. . . for the LORD will take delight in you, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">and your land will be married. . . as a bridegroom rejoices
over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Isaiah
62:4-5 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘In that day,’ declares the LORD, ‘you will
call me “my husband”; you will no longer call me “my master”. . . I will
betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in
love and compassion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will betroth you
in faithfulness,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and you will acknowledge the
LORD. . . I will show my love to the one I called<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not my loved one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say to those called “Not my people”,
“You are my people”;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and they will say, “You are my God.”’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Hosea 2:16,
19-20, 23 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘I remember the devotion of your youth, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the
wilderness,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> through a land not sown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Israel was holy to the Lord,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the firstfruits of
his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook
them,’ declares the LORD.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah
2:2b-3 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when I
will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of
Judah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of
Egypt, because<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,’
declares the LORD. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">‘This is the covenant I
will make with the people of Israel after that time,’ declares the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘I will put my law in their minds and write
it on their hearts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will be their God,
and they will be my people.’”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah
31:31-33 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the
oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and
redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of
Egypt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know therefore that the LORD your
God is God; </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he is the faithful God,
keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him
and keep his commandments.”</span></i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Deuteronomy
7:8-9 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="WordSection3"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">God is in a </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">covenant relationship</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> with His people, just like a
marriage!</span></h3><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="WordSection4"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">All Bible commentators agree that
as often written in the Bible, the idolatries of God’s people are as
adulteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In many passages, God
accuses Israel, sometimes in graphic language,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of spiritual adultery and
prostitution because of their unfaithfulness to His covenant love. For example, after a very
graphic read about Israel and Judah in Ezekiel 23:1-37 (I recommend you read it):<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection5"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They committed adultery with their idols . . .”</span></i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ezekiel 23:37b” (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><br /></h3><div><br /></div></div>
<div class="WordSection6">
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘I myself said, “How gladly would I treat you like my children and give
you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I thought you
would call me “Father”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and not turn away from following
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But like a
woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me,’
declares the LORD.”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah 3:19-20 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><br /></h3><div><br /></div></div>
<div class="WordSection7">
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">A particularly convicting verse
from Ezekiel 16 describes the sins of Samaria and Sodom:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection8"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and her daughters were arrogant, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">overfed and unconcerned;</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> they did not help the poor
and needy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were haughty and did
detestable things before me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore I
did away with them as you have seen.’”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Ezekiel 16:49-50 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></i></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></h3>
</div>
<div class="WordSection9"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">But the passage goes on to say that the sins of corrupt Judah compared to Samaria and Sodom were multiplied and
more abominable.</span></h3><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">The idolatry of God’s people is
often spoken of as spiritual harlotry in the Old Testament. Here is one of many:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection10"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“See how the faithful city has become a prostitute!”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Isaiah 1:21a (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="WordSection11"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">But we must never miss His great
compassion, love, and mercy:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection12"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not cause
My anger to fall on you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For I am
merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘I will not remain angry forever.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed
against the LORD your God . . .’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah 3:12b-13b (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the LORD; ‘for I am
married to you. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take you, one from a city and two from
a family, and I will bring you to Zion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will
feed you</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> with knowledge and
understanding.’”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah 3:14-15 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your
backslidings.’”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah 3:22 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘If you will return, O Israel,’ says the LORD, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Return to Me; And if you will put away your abominations out
of My sight, Then you shall not be moved.’”</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Jeremiah 4:1 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3></div>
<div class="WordSection13">
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God pictured His covenant
relationship with Israel as a marriage, and pleaded for His people to repent
and return to Him.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The book of Hosea is the story of an
adulterous wife and a faithful husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After bearing him children, Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In spite of her adultery, Hosea continued to
support her, but she thought that it came from her lovers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, Gomer ended up on the slave
market, totally degraded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God commanded
Hosea to go and buy back his errant wife out of slavery and restore her as his
wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The restoration of Gomer by Hosea
is a picture of God taking back His adulterous people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the most moving text of all is when
God commanded the prophet Hosea to buy back his estranged wife, the prostitute Gomer:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection14"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go again, love a woman who is loved
by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the
children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the
pagans.’</span></i></h3><div><i style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“So I bought her for myself for fifteen shekels of silver, and
one and one-half homers of barley.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Hosea 3:1-2 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3></span></div>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<div class="WordSection15"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">What a picture of God’s love for
His wayward people!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bible is God’s
love letter to us. Do you
read it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The physical immorality of the
wife, Gomer, is a picture of the spiritual idolatry of Israel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meaning of the name “Hosea” is
“salvation”, the same as that of Joshua and Jesus. Hosea was a prophet in the time of Israel
when kings from both the northern kingdom Israel and the southern kingdom Judah
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">repeatedly</i> sought out <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alliances</i> with their heathen
neighbors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rather than seeking the Lord’s help</i>, not
too dissimilar to repeatedly turning to food for “help”, even developing a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relationship with food, </i>rather than
seeking the Lord’s help.</span></h3><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">While the Husband-wife references
in the Bible specifically describe God’s relationship with Israel, Christians
are in a New Covenant relationship with God through Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is so serious about His Covenant relationship
with us that He calls anything that takes us away from our relationship with
Him spiritual unfaithfulness, or </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">adultery!<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection16"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Adulterers and
adulteresses! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you not know that
friendship with the world is enmity with God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an
enemy of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or do you think that the Scripture
says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He gives more grace. . . Therefore submit
to God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Resist the devil and he
will flee from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Draw near to God and
He will draw near to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">James
4:4-6a, 7-8a (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3></div>
<div class="WordSection17">
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Importantly, the Greek word for
friendship used here describes </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">a
strong emotional attachment.</span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dear reader,
do you have a strong emotional attachment to food?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, be encouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s “more grace” can rescue us from
spiritual adultery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God’s “more grace”
is greater than the power of sin, the flesh, the world, and Satan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the Word of God, written for our good:<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="WordSection18"><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">1 John 5:21 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></h3><h3 align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></h3>
</div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Think about the unprofitableness
of idolatry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People generally yield to
sin because they think it will bring some advantage, albeit temporary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, when I was in the throes of my
food addiction I felt that bingeing would “satisfy” the cravings and any
uncomfortableness that resulted if I didn’t binge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like it did satisfy (because I did
not have the real satisfaction that comes from God to compare it to) but very
soon the cravings would always return—<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i> day for 15 years straight--until I finally yielded myself to
God and began the real journey to Healing where the underlying issues and pain
were resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idolatry of food
brought me no overall gain whatsoever (except weight gain!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it was a huge <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">expenditure</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasted an
incredible amount of time, energy, emotions, money, food and health bingeing on
food which only kept me “stuck” emotionally instead of moving forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, idols cannot appease
cravings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they actually do the
opposite as they only serve to excite the desire further.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">Next week I will write about the
believer’s relationship to God as the Bride of Christ, the Church.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><br /></span></h3><div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;"><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">For more encouragement you can
check out the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/">N.E.W. LIFE e-book</a></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"> which includes further support, the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">N.E.W.
LIFE</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;"> Eating Plan
and additional nutrition information.<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
</span></p><h3 style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%;">Your Christian dietitian and
friend in Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p></span></div><div><b style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-8309949179870680262022-01-26T21:09:00.005-05:002022-01-26T21:36:30.731-05:00Relationship With God Our Father<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
purpose for this blog is to help strengthen the Church and glorify God, and
specifically to help people who struggle with unhealthy food behaviors trade
their relationship with food with the incomparably more satisfying relationship
with God as well as invite unbelievers into a saving relationship with Jesus
Christ.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What does the Bible say about God’s relationship to the
believer? It is a relationship of unfathomable love by God towards His children:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2022/01/relationship-with-god-who-loves-you.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2022/01/relationship-with-god-who-loves-you.html</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
Bible says that God is our Heavenly </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Father</i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">However, not everyone is a “child of God”, a
thought many people like to comfort themselves with.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">This is what God’s Word has to say about who </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">is</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> a child of God:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“The true light that
gives light to everyone was coming into the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in the world, and though the world was
made through him, the world did not recognize him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his
name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural
descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.”</span></b>
</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">John
1:9-13 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">A child of God must believe
and receive Jesus Christ whom God sent to be Savior from sin.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">For as many of you as were baptized into
Christ have put on Christ.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one
in Christ Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if you are
Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Galatians
3:26-29 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">We are children of God
through faith in Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are
the children of God. </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">The<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in
fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to
sonship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit
himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now if we are children, then we are
heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, </span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that
we may also share in his glory.” </span></i><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Romans 8:14-17
(NIV)</span><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Those who are led by
the Spirit of God are children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><b>If you have believed and received
Jesus Christ as Savior, God is your Father.</b></i></span><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For the reader who uses food to cope with pain:</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></b><span style="color: black;">If
you are a parent, do you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">care</i> if your
child is in pain?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cares</i> about the pain of His
children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you think of all the love
you have for your children, and all the sacrifices you made for them, does it
hurt if they don’t want relationship with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God wants relationship with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does it hurt if your children get themselves enslaved instead of living
their life to the full after all you did to afford them that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember what it cost God for you to have
relationship with Him, to be able to heal from pain, and to live an abundant
life of freedom from slavery to sin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you know that your
Heavenly Father cares about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your </i>pain?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">For the reader who may have
a difficult time knowing God as “Father” (for whatever reason--abusive or
absent earthly father, etc.), consider knowing the Father through Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the
truth and the life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one comes to the
Father except through me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">If you really know
me, you will know my Father as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the
Father and that will be enough for us.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“Jesus answered:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have
been among you such a long time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Anyone who has seen
me has seen the Father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you say,
“Show us the Father”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you believe
that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The words I say to you I do not speak on my
own authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather, it is the Father,
living in me, who is doing his work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe
me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least
believe on the evidence of the works themselves.’”</span></b></i><span style="color: red;"> </span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">John
14:6-11 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘All things have been committed to me
by my Father. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one knows the Son
except the Father, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom
the Son chooses to reveal him.’”</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> </span></i><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Matthew
11:27 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">In fact, Jesus prays
to the Father that we would know His love:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who
will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You,
Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the
world may believe that You sent Me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We
are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">and that the world
may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">"'Father, I desire that they also whom
You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You
have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O righteous Father! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world has not known You, but I have known
You; and these have known that You sent Me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">And
I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with
which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.’”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">John
17:20-26 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">And having become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">adopted</i> children of God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">through faith in Christ</i> </span></span><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">we are no longer a slave,
but God’s child:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">“But when the set time had fully come,
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">God sent
his Son,</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> born of a
woman, born under the law, </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption
to sonship.</span><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="color: red;">Because you are
his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls
out, ‘Abba, Father.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you are no
longer a slave, but God’s child;</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"> and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Galatians
4:4-7 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">Our Heavenly Father
sent His Son to redeem us, doing for His children what they could never do for
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red;">“For God so loved
the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life.”</span></i></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">John
3:16 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">A Father Who sacrificially
loves His children and wants to be with them forever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our Heavenly Father wants relationship with
us, not just for now but for eternity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">For the reader who uses food
to medicate pain: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">If you want to heal from pain, if you
are <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ready</i> to heal (that’s the real
question, like when Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda who had been an
invalid for 38 years, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Do you want to get
well?”</i> John 5:6 NKJV)—turn to God instead of to food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food has no ability to heal emotional pain,
it can only comfort, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
temporarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have come to depend
on the comfort food can give, no matter how small, because you don’t know that
God wants relationship with you and He wants to Heal you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>God knows how to help us because He created us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows us better than we know
ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p style="background: line-height: 115%; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; mso-themecolor: text1;">So consider replacing
a relationship with food with a relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A relationship with food is so incredibly
meager and inadequate in comparison to the relationship our Heavenly Father
offers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we may be feeding our pain
with food we are starving ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have heard it said that sin is stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I look back on my 15-year relationship with food I can see how
incredibly stupid it was indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
robbed me of time, energy, money, health and life, and the only thing I gained from
it was more weight</span></span><span class="woj"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">.</span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See what great love the Father has lavished
on us, that we should be called children of God!” </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 John 3:1a (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">For more encouragement you can check out the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> e-book</a> which includes further support, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional nutrition information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></span></p><p></p></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-91338994304973899832022-01-17T21:52:00.001-05:002022-01-17T22:01:30.909-05:00Relationship With God Who Loves You <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My
hope and prayer for writing the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">N.E.W.
LIFE <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seed</i></b> blog is that it will
edify the Church, help ready the Bride of Christ for His return, and glorify
God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that what I share will help
the Church to be spiritually, emotionally and physically healthy and help those
who struggle with unhealthy food behaviors to trade their relationship with
food with the incomparably more satisfying relationship with God and invite
unbelievers into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What does the Bible say about God’s relationship to the
believer? It is a relationship of unfathomable love by God towards His
children:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is a kind, everlasting love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"The
LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: <b><span style="color: red;">'I
have loved you with an everlasting love; </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-themecolor: text1;">I have drawn you with unfailing
kindness.'"</span> </span></b> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jeremiah
31:3 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is a lavish love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, </span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">that
we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1
John 3:1a-b (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">He
pours His love into our hearts:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">".
. . because <b><span style="color: red;">God's love has been poured out into
our hearts</span></b> through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to
us." </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans
5:5 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is an unbelievably sacrificial, merciful and graceful love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John
3:16 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="color: red;">"Greater
love has no one than this: <span>to lay down one's
life</span> for one's friends." </span></b> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John
15:13 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we
were still sinners, Christ died for us."</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans
5:8 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in
mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it
is by grace you have been saved."</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians
2:4-5 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is an inseparable love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"No,
in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor
depth, <b><span style="color: red;">nor anything else in all creation, will
be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our
Lord." </span></b> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans
8:37-39 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is a very present, personal love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Jesus
answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and <b><span style="color: red;">My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our
home with him.'"</span></b> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John
14:23 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is an initiated, selfless, unearned love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"We love because he first loved us."</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1
John 4:19 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">It
is a knowable, abiding love:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"If
anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in
God. <b><span style="color: red;">And so we know and rely on the love
God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God,
and God in them." </span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1
John 4:15-16 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“If you love Me, keep My
commandments. And I will pray the
Father, and He will give you another Helper, <b><span style="color: red;">that He may abide with you forever</span></b>—the
Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor
knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to
you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“A little while longer and the
world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live
also. <b><span style="color: red;">At that day you will know that I am in My
Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He
who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My
Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”</span></b></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 14:15-21 (NKJV)</span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Prayer for the reader:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"For this reason I kneel before the
Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that out of his glorious riches he may
strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ
may dwell in your hearts through faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">And I pray that
you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all
the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the
love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">"Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at
work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Amen."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians
3:14-21 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The first step</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">in replacing an out-of-balance (or idolatrous) relationship
with food with the incomparably more satisfying relationship with God is to
understand how much God loves you and wants relationship with you. Read God’s Word regularly to grow in understanding
His great Love for you.</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;">God
wrote a LOVE letter <i>to you—</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the
Bible<i>. Have you read it?</i></span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
more encouragement you can check out the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W.
LIFE</b> e-book</a> which includes further support, the <b>N.E.W.
LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional nutrition information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Your
Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></span></p><br />Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-66104001303467276582022-01-12T23:58:00.000-05:002022-01-12T23:58:20.464-05:00Slave of Sin or Slave of Righteousness?<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">This one's longer than usual for a text-length communication world, but stick with it--it's worth it . . . </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This blog post is
written for the reader who has determined that his/her out-of-balance eating
behavior is sin. Recall from previous
posts that not all out-of-balance eating is sin (</span><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2021/11/repentance-in-overcoming-addiction.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Repentance
in Overcoming Addiction</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, </span><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2021/11/repentance.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Repentance</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">). However, if you have determined that sin is
involved consider the choice you have to either be a slave of sin or a slave of
righteousness in Romans 6:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer
in it? Or do you not know that as many
of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through
baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory
of the Father, <b><span style="color: red;">even
so we also should walk in newness of life.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also
shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him,
that the body of sin might be done away with,<b><span style="color: red;"> that we should no longer be <u>slaves of sin</u>. For he who has died has been <u>freed from sin</u>.</span></b> Now if we died with Christ, we believe that
we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the
dead, dies no more. Death no longer has
dominion over Him. For the death that He
died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be
dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Therefore
do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. <b><span style="color: red;">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. </span></b>For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you
are not under law but under grace.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">What
then? Shall we sin because we are not
under law but under grace? Certainly
not! <b><span style="color: red;">Do you not know that to whom you present
yourselves <u>slaves to obey</u>, you are that one’s <u>slaves whom you obey</u>,
whether <u>of sin</u> leading to death, <u>or of obedience</u> leading to
righteousness? But God be thanked
that though you were <u>slaves of sin</u>, yet you obeyed from the heart that
form of doctrine to which you were delivered.
And having been <u>set free from sin</u>, you became <u>slaves of righteousness</u>.</span></b> I speak in human terms because of the
weakness of your flesh. <b><span style="color: red;">For just as you presented your members as <u>slaves of
uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness</u>, so now present
your members as <u>slaves of righteousness for holiness</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For when you
were <u>slaves of sin</u>, you were free in regard to righteousness.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed?
For the end of those things is death. <b><span style="color: red;">But now having been
<u>set free from sin</u>, and having become <u>slaves of God</u>, you have your fruit to
holiness, and the end, everlasting life.</span></b> For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of
God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans
6:1-23 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you are in bondage
to food consider the choice you have to either be a slave of sin or a slave of
God. The dilemma comes for people who
don’t want to make a choice to be a slave to anyone or anything, but we don’t
have <i>that</i> choice. There are only two choices—sin that leads to
death, or God Who leads to eternal life. That’s it, and
we get to choose. As Pastor Jack Abeelen
says, a lot of Christians just want to be freed from hell and be a slave of
sin. Many people are in denial that they
are in slavery to sin, thinking they are “free”. Others may simply <i>prefer</i> to be a slave to sin rather than be a slave of righteousness,
not understanding that being a slave of righteousness leads to true freedom—freedom
to do the right thing--whereas the flesh is never satisfied ("lawlessness leading to more lawlessness" in Romans 6 above). Still others may not even realize they are
sinning in a society that is writing the word “sin” out of its lexicon as evil
is called good. Until we realize that we
are a sinner we will not realize if we are a slave to sin. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A slave of
righteousness is better understood to be a servant. The word “slave” may conjure up ideas of unfair
bondage or abuse, the kind of slavery that has marred history due to the sin of
man. But using the word slave <i>of righteousness</i> is to express the idea
of total obedience and belonging to one’s Master. When we have been bought by the blood of
Christ we belong to Him. Like sheep
happy to be with their good shepherd, who wouldn’t want the Good Shepherd as
their Master? A slave of righteousness
is one who becomes a <i>servant</i> out of <i>thankfulness</i>, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">a natural response to being
touched by the love of God like Peter’s mother-in-law who when she was Healed
by Jesus got up and immediately served (Mark 1:29-31).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Servants
of God<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">God <i>honored</i> many noble men as His servants
as a position of dignity, not slavery.
In fact, God’s servant Moses <i>freed</i>
the people <i>from</i> their slavery and God’s
Servant Jesus frees us from our slavery.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Abraham<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of your father
Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you.
<b><span style="color: red;">I will
bless you and multiply your descendants for </span></b></span></i><b style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant Abraham’s</u></span></span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> sake.’”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis
26:24 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="text"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Moses<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Suddenly the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> said to Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam, ‘Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!’ So the three came out. Then the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> came down in the
pillar of cloud and stood in the
door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. Then He said,</span></i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Hear now My words:</span></i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If there is a prophet among you,</span></i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, the </span></i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, make Myself known to
him in a vision;</span></i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I speak to him in a dream.</span></i></span><i><br />
</i><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Not so with <u>My
servant Moses</u>;</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">He is faithful in all My
house.</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I speak with
him face to face,</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Even plainly, and
not in dark sayings;</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And he sees the form
of the </span></i></b></span><span class="small-caps"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: 115%;">Lord</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Why then were you
not afraid</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></i></b><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To speak against <u>My
servant Moses</u>?’”</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Numbers 12:4-8 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i>“And when the
Israelites saw the mighty hand of the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i> displayed
against the Egyptians, the people feared the </i></span><span class="small-caps"><i><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></i></span><span class="text"><i> and put
their trust in him and in <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Moses his servant</u></span></b>.”</i></span><span class="text"><span face=""Segoe UI", "sans-serif""> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text">Exodus 14:31 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i>“After the death
of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Moses
the servant of the Lord</u></span><span style="color: red;">,</span></b> it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of
Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ‘<b><span style="color: red;"><u>Moses My servant</u></span><span style="color: red;"> is dead.</span></b> Now therefore,
arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am
giving to them—the children of Israel. . . Only be strong and very courageous,
that you may observe to do according to all the law which <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Moses My servant</u></span></b> commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to
the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text">Joshua 1:1-2, 7 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"> </span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i>“Remember the law
of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>my
servant Moses</u></span><span style="color: red;">,</span></b> the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text">Malachi 4:4 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" style="background: text-align: center;"><span class="text"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span></i></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant</u></span></i></b></span><span class="text"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,</span></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward”</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hebrews 3:5 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joshua<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now
it came to pass after these things that Joshua the son of Nun, <b><span style="color: red;"><u>the servant of
the Lord</u></span><span style="color: red;">,</span></b> died, being one hundred
and ten years old.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Joshua
24:29 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Caleb<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
<b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant
Caleb</u></span></b>, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed
Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall
inherit it.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Numbers
14:24 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">David<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">David
is called the Lord’s servant more than 30 times in the Old Testament. Here are a few:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now
Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, ‘In time past you
were seeking for David to be king over you.
Now then, do it! For the Lord has
spoken of David, saying, “By the hand of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant David</u></span></b>, I will save My people Israel
from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.”’”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2
Samuel 3:17-18 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
that night the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Go and tell <u>my
servant David</u>, “This is what the Lord says:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Are you the one to build me a
house to dwell in?”. . .<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Now then,
tell <u>my servant David</u>, “This is what the Lord Almighty says:</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> I took you from the pasture, from
tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.”. . .<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Who
am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this
far? And as if this were not enough in
your sight, <b><span style="color: red;">Sovereign
Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of <u>your servant</u></span></b>—and
this decree, Sovereign Lord, is for a mere human!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘What
more can David say to you? <b><span style="color: red;">For you know <u>your
servant</u>, Sovereign Lord. For the
sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing
and made it known to <u>your servant</u>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘And now,
Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning <u>your servant</u>
and his house.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Do as you promised, so that your name will be
great forever. Then people will say,
“The Lord Almighty is God over Israel!” <b><span style="color: red;">And the house of <u>your
servant</u> David will be established in your sight.<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Lord
Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to <u>your servant</u>, saying,
“I will build a house for you.” So <u>your
servant</u> has found courage to pray this prayer to you.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<b><span style="color: red;">Sovereign
Lord, you are God! Your covenant is
trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to <u>your servant</u>. Now be pleased to bless the house of <u>your
servant</u>, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign
Lord, have spoken, <u>and with your blessing the house of your servant will be
blessed forever</u>.’”</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">2
Samuel 7:4-5, 8, 18-21, 25-28 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“However
I will not take the whole kingdom out of his </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[Solomon’s]<i> hand, because I have made him ruler all the
days of his life for the sake of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant David</u></span></b>, whom I chose because he kept
My commandments and My statutes.”</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1
Kings 11:34 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“‘Therefore thus says the Lord
concerning the king of Assyria:</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He shall not come into this city,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nor shoot an arrow there,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nor come before it with shield,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nor build a siege mound against it.</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By the way that he came,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By the same shall he return;</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And he shall not come into this
city,”</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Says the Lord.</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For I will defend this city, to
save it</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For My own sake and for <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant
David’s</u></span></b></span><b><span style="color: red;"><u> </u></span></b></i><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><u>sake</u></span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.”’”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">2
Kings 19:32-34 and Isaiah 37:33-35 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In
1 Chronicles 17 (God’s Covenant with David) we see that God’s idea of a servant
was to make David a ruler, be with him wherever he went, cut off all his
enemies from before him, establish the kingdom of his descendants and build him
a “house” that He will bless forever, and make him a name like the name of the
great men on earth:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now it came to pass, when David
was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I
dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under
tent curtains.’<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then Nathan said to David, ‘Do all
that is in your heart, for God is with you.’</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“But it happened that night that
the word of God came to Nathan, saying, ‘Go and tell <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant David</u></span></b>, “Thus says
the Lord: ‘You shall not build Me a house to dwell in. For I have not dwelt in a house since the
time that I brought up Israel, even to this day, but have gone from tent to
tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Wherever I have moved about with all Israel,
have I ever spoken a word to any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to
shepherd My people, saying, “Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?”’” Now therefore, thus shall you say to <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant David</u></span></b>,
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: <b><span style="color: red;">‘I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to
be ruler over My people Israel. And I
have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies
from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who
are on the earth.</span></b> Moreover I
will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may
dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of
wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded
judges to be over My people Israel. Also
I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build
you a house. And it shall be, when your
days are fulfilled, when you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set
up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his
kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and
I will establish his throne forever. I
will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away
from him, as I took it from him who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My
kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“According to all these words and
according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then King David went in and sat
before the Lord; and he said: ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me
this far? And yet this was a small thing
in Your sight, O God; <b><span><span style="color: red;">and You have also spoken of <u>Your servant’s house</u> for a
great while to come, and have regarded me according to the rank of a man of
high degree, O Lord God. </span></span></b>What
more can David say to You for the honor of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b>? For You know <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b>. O Lord, for <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant’s sake</u></span></b>, and
according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known
all these great things. O Lord, there is
none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have
heard with our ears. And who is like
Your people Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for
Himself as a people—to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by
driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? For You have made Your people Israel Your
very own people forever; and You, Lord, have become their God.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“’And now, O Lord, the word which
You have spoken concerning <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b> and concerning his house, let it
be established forever, and do as You have said. So let it be established, that Your name may
be magnified forever, saying, “The Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, is
Israel’s God.” And let the house of <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant
David</u></span></b> be established before You.
For You, O my God, have revealed to <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b> that You will build him a house. Therefore <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b> has found it in his heart to pray
before You. And now, Lord, You are God,
and have promised this goodness to <b><span style="color: red;"><u>Your servant</u></span></b>.
<b><span><span style="color: red;">Now You
have been pleased to bless the house of <u>Your servant</u>, that it may
continue before You forever; for You have blessed it, O Lord, and it shall be
blessed forever.’”</span></span></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Chronicles 17:1-27</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">A
servant of God/slave of righteousness is not sounding too shabby, now is it?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then
the Lord said, ‘Just as <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My servant Isaiah</u></span></b> has walked naked and
barefoot three years for a sign and a wonder against Egypt and Ethiopia, so
shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians as prisoners and the
Ethiopians as captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, with their buttocks
uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.’” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah
20:3-4 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus Himself took on the form of a bondservant:</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">“but made Himself of no reputation, <b><span style="color: red;">taking the form of a bondservant</span></b>, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Philippians 2:7-8 (NKJV)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">There are four “Servant-songs” in the Bible about Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">“Behold! <u>My Servant</u> whom I uphold,</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">My Elect One in whom My soul delights!</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">I have put My Spirit upon Him;</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.”</span></i> </div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 42:1 (NKJV)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">“Who among you fears the Lord?</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Who obeys the voice of <u>His Servant</u>?</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Who walks in darkness</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And has no light?</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Let him trust in the name of the Lord</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And rely upon his God.” </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 50:10 (NKJV)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">“Behold, <b><span style="color: red;"><u>My Servant</u></span></b> shall deal prudently;</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high.</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Just as many were astonished at you,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">So His visage was marred more than any man,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And His form more than the sons of men;</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">So shall He sprinkle many nations.</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Kings shall shut their mouths at Him;</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">For what had not been told them they shall see,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And what they had not heard they shall consider.” </span></i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 52:13-15 (NKJV)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></p><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">“By His knowledge <u>My righteous Servant</u> shall justify many,</span></i></b></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">For He shall bear their iniquities.</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And He shall divide the spoil with the strong,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">Because He poured out His soul unto death,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And He was numbered with the transgressors,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And He bore the sin of many,</span></i></div><div style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">And made intercession for the transgressors.” </span></i></div><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 18.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah 53:11b-12 (NKJV)</span></p>
<div style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Bondservants of Christ</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Paul, Timothy, James, Peter and Jude all
described themselves as bondservants of Christ (Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1,
James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, NKJV).
A bondservant in the Hebrew sense of the word (unlike the Greek) denotes
a willing slave who is happy in his relationship with his Master whom he
loves. All believers in Christ are
described as slaves or bondservants of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22, Ephesians
6:6, 2 Timothy 2:24). We are not our
own, we are bought at a price:</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“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? <b><span style="color: red;">For you were bought at a price; therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">1 Corinthians 6:19-20
(NKJV)</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For you know that it was not with
perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty
way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but <b><span style="color: red;">with the precious blood of Christ,</span></b> a
lamb without blemish or defect.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1
Peter 1:18-19 (NIV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">Jesus elevated the role
of servant:</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sitting down, Jesus called the
Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, <b><span style="color: red;">and the servant of
all.</span></b>’”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mark
9:35 (NIV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And
He further explains:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If anyone serves Me, let him
follow Me; and where I am, there <span style="color: red;"><u><b><span>My servan</span>t</b></u></span> will be also. <b><span style="color: red;"> If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">John
12:26 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus teaches about the
kingdom of heaven as a lord with his servants in the parable of the talents in
Matthew 25. It is a parable about
faithful steward servants and fruitfulness:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">“‘For the kingdom of
heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, <b><span style="color: red;">who called <u>his own servants</u> and
delivered his goods to them.</span></b> And
to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each
according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went
and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained
two more also. But he who had received
one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. <b><span style="color: red;">After a long time <u>the lord of those servants</u> came and
settled accounts with them.</span></b></span></i></p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">‘</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">So he who had
received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, “Lord, you
delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides
them.” His lord said to him, <b><span style="color: red;">“Well done, <u>good
and faithful servant</u>; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you
ruler over many things. Enter into the
joy of your lord.” </span></b>He also
who had received two talents came and said, “Lord, you delivered to me two
talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, <b><span style="color: red;">“Well done, <u>good and faithful servant</u>;
you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many
things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”</span></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">'Then he who had
received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man,
reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered
seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid
your talent in the ground. Look, there
you have what is yours.”</span></i></div>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">‘But his lord answered and said to
him, <b><span style="color: red;">“<u>You
wicked and lazy servant</u>,</span></b> you knew that I reap where I have not
sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with
the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with
interest. So take the talent from him,
and give it to him who has ten talents.</span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“For to everyone who has, more will
be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what
he has will be taken away. <b><span style="color: red;">And cast the <u>unprofitable
servant</u> into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of
teeth.”’”</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew
25:14-30 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The
reward of the faithful servants is based on faithfulness, not results. The “wicked servant” does not know the true
nature of the Master, calling Him a hard man, reaping where He had not sown,
and gathering where He had not scattered seed. </span><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">And so we are back to
the choice we all must make—slave of sin or slave of righteousness. While the work of sanctification (becoming more
Christ-like) is a work of the Holy Spirit (we can’t sanctify ourselves), we do
have a responsibility. There is <i>choice</i> involved. Re-read Romans 6 above to see if you can find
your responsibility. Notice the word
“present” yourself. It doesn’t say <i>fight</i> with the sin, but choose to <i>yield yourself to God</i>. Surrender.
The ironic truth (as usual) is we need to<i> surrender to win the battle!</i>
Once we surrender to God our old master of sin no longer has any claim
on us. Another ironic truth from Romans
6—being baptized into Christ’s <i>death</i> (and uniting with Him in death to self) results in newness of <i>life</i> and <i>eternal life.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally, obedience is key to being a slave of righteousness. We choose to surrender, present ourselves to God, and actively
pursue obedience in the process of sanctification. We can <i>choose</i> righteousness by putting off the
old self </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">(in repentance and
submission to God at salvation) and putting on the new self (in union with the
resurrection of Christ).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We are utterly
unable to be righteous in and of ourselves, but we receive righteousness from God at salvation, which
involves turning from sin:</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to <b><span style="color: red;">put off your old self,</span></b> which is
being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of
your minds; and <b><span style="color: red;">to
put on the new self,</span></b> <b><span style="color: red;">created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ephesians
4:22-24 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
questions to think about:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Am I a slave (in
bondage) to my desires? Do my desires
lead to sin?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Blessed
is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will
receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am
tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt
anyone. <b><span style="color: red;">But each one is tempted when he is drawn away
by his own desires and enticed. Then,
when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, brings forth death.”</span></b></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">James
1:12-15 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Am I living for the
glory of God or am I living to please my own sinful nature and desires?</b></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”</span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1 Corinthians 10:31
(NIV)</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Have I <i>surrendered</i> my life to Jesus at the
Cross, or just “accepted Him” into my life? </b>
We have to repent for sin and die to self, <i>“buried with Him through
baptism into death . . . so we also should walk in newness of life"</i> (Romans
6:4). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Have I truly repented
for my sin at the Cross or am I still holding onto it? </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“knowing this, </span></i><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">that our old man was crucified with Him</span></i></b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,
that the body of sin might be done away with,</span></i><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <u>that we
should no longer be slaves of sin.</u> <u>For
he who has died has been freed from sin</u>.”
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans 6:6-7 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Who would you rather be a slave to—your tyrannical sin and flesh or your
Gracious and Loving God? </b> Sad to say,
countless people actually choose to be slaves of sin and flesh which are
tyrannical masters (and sin always leads to more sin and death) instead of to God because
they do not want to crucify the old man with Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Since sin describes the “old life”, and righteousness “the new life”,
the choice is between choosing the old life or the new life:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Therefore we were buried with Him through
baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Romans 6:4</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">For
the reader enslaved by sin, are you ready to let go of the old life and walk in
the new life God has for you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">For more encouragement and help you can <span style="text-align: left;">check out the </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html">N.E.W. LIFE</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"> e-book</a> which includes more support, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional </span><span style="text-align: left;">nutrition information</span><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #09202f; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p></span></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-45161332569749175032021-11-29T16:26:00.000-05:002021-11-29T16:26:13.580-05:00Repentance in Overcoming Addiction<div class="WordSection3"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">In the previous post I wrote about repentance in changing eating behavior that may involve sin. Overcoming an <i>addictive</i> relationship with food is most often a process. Don’t expect the battle to be over and just “go away” the moment you bring it into the light--for most of us it is a process to freedom. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t give up after the first try.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Does God?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Far from it!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">K</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">eep walking in the light, k</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">eep confessing, trust God, and let Him Heal and sanctify this area of your life.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Celebrate your
victories no matter how “small” and keep returning to God in confession and repentance
for as long as it takes to overcome the temptation and sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">While God can instantly remove an addiction (and I have heard many stories of Him doing that for smokers and drug addicts), I think the reason it is usually a process for compulsive eaters is that compulsive overeating is usually driven by underlying emotional pain which takes time to Heal, not just a physical addiction as in the case of cigarettes and drugs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">You </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">may feel you lack discipline to withstand temptation, but if the only discipline you can muster is to keep confessing and repenting with each fall then do so.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">D</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">on’t buy the lie that God is tiring of you coming back over and over because of repeated failure with a besetting sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the contrary, continual confession is evidence of faith that </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">pleases</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Him.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px;">God tires of the unrepentant sinner, not the repentant one. If you struggle with a stubborn habit or stronghold God understands that and He is Faithful to do His part if we do our part</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">:</span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;">“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px;">1 John 1:9 (NKJV)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></b></span></p><div class="WordSection3"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I daresay God is not disappointed in us for “failing too much” as He is disappointed in us </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">not </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">coming to Him after failing because He can help and wants to.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That’s how I feel about my children when they fail.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would much rather they keep coming back to me for help than separating and going off so I don’t see them for long periods of time.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Y</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ou can choose to either keep going back to food after failure, or keep going back to God.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God’s mercies are new every morning (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lamentations 3:22-24). </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If we sin, do you
think God wants us to stay away, or do you think He wants us to come back into
fellowship with Him immediately?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you
are not sure of the answer, read the account of the Prodigal Son (Luke
15:11-32), paying special attention to the father:</span></p></div><div class="WordSection5">
<div class="WordSection2"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><b>“So
he got up and went to his father.<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;">“But while he
was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for
him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;"><b>“The
son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%;">“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put
a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Bring the fattened calf and kill it.
Let’s have a feast and celebrate.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.’ So they began to celebrate.”</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Luke 15:20-24 (NIV)</b></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Does
that sound like a Father who wants his sinning child to stay away? He was waiting and looking for his son’s
return. In fact it pleased the Father so
much to see his return. He longs to see
sinners repent and rejoices when they do.
So it really becomes an issue of if we want to please God and be
obedient to what He would want. And do
you see how <i>fast</i> He forgives? The son
didn’t even get to say the words he rehearsed.
<i>The son received no rebuke,</i> just an outpouring of love and joy. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; text-align: justify;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you think you shouldn’t go back to God until you are ready to never fail again
(all-or-nothing thinking) you deprive yourself of the very help you need to
come out of the bondage to freedom. When
my boys were young I would hold their hands on walks along uneven or rocky
paths. I did not let go simply because
they slipped or stumbled. And I didn’t
get mad at them or think less of them if they stumbled. In fact, I cared all the more and held on
even tighter. The Bible acknowledges
that good men (and women) stumble and fall, but that the Lord is there to help
and that God cares for His children even when they stumble and fall:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“The
steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast
down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Psalm 37:23-24 (NKJV)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span></p></div><div class="WordSection6"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;">“The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;">Psalm 145:14 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;">“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"> </span></i></b></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> </b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)</b></span><o:p style="font-size: 12pt;"></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you think God expects us to be sanctified (which is a transformation process) all at once?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Would you expect your children to grow up all at once?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Any effective behavior change program will emphasize <i>realistic </i>goal-setting.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Baby steps!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sanctification is a </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">process</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s important to not become disillusioned if the victory does not come in the first skirmish.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Moses foresaw that the completion of the conquest would be gradual, and that Israel would have to go to battle many times before all the enemies would be overcome.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We don’t suddenly overcome our struggles with sin and the flesh by making just the right decision that ends the struggle with temptation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, the Spirit does provide us with the power to continually subdue the lusts of the flesh and overcome sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When people would ask me how I lost so much weight, while I could share all the practical steps, the primary reason is summed up in this—the closer I got to God the weight melted off.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> He <i>enabled</i> me to do all the practical steps of changing eating behavior more and more. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Without even realizing it at the time, even my desires were being sanctified (changed!), and that is a work of the Holy Spirit (God knows I couldn't change them).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">While your desires are being sanctified and changing you will probably continue to battle temptation. Eventually even the temptation goes away. The foods (and emotions) that used to have power over me do not even appeal to me anymore. The more I obeyed the healthier I ate until the time came that eating the same junk food that I used to eat all the time now makes me not feel good.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">So the word "repentance" may seem rather dramatic for a blog for eating issues but unless we face the fact that the habitual overeating is not just a “problem” we have, but rather the <i>lust of our flesh</i>, we will not recognize our true need for help. Don’t misunderstand, there are times we may overeat when it is not sin (periodically feasting in celebration). In fact, normal eating is sometimes overeating, sometimes undereating, and in general being in balance. Normal eating is <i>flexible</i>. But there is also overeating that is sin, and then our battle is with sin and flesh. Tiptoeing around the issue of overeating as a “non-sin” issue when it <i>is</i> sin is not helpful. Nobody has the solution to sin apart from Jesus Christ (certainly no diet does!), and the Holy Spirit has been given to us to help us overcome sin in our lives. W</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">hile it may seem temporarily that you have won a battle on a diet, there may be more temptation to come, especially if the diet made you feel deprived. You will almost certainly lose the war by dieting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Until we understand that we are <i>dead</i> in our trespass and sin, that our will is <i>obstinate</i>, that our carnal mind is <i>hostile</i> to God, and that left to ourselves we love our sinful pleasures more than God, we will not realize that we <i>need</i> the Almighty power of God to change (perhaps that is why diets are so popular). This is why sanctification is a work of the Spirit of God. Only the Spirit of life from Christ can quicken us when we are dead in trespasses and sins starting with the conviction of the Holy Spirit beginning God’s holy work of repentance in us. Instead of gathering up a new round of “willpower” to try harder, agree with God and trust Him to change you instead of turning to yourself to change you, and enjoy the relationship you have with Him in the process. Repent means to turn--turn from food to God. Let Him lead the steps of your path of behavior change and be obedient in the little things, change that happens little by little “from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18) regardless of what “everyone else” around you may be doing (including dieting). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The personal conviction that my compulsive overeating <i>was</i> sin was the turning point that led me out of the downward spiral of stifling addictions to begin the process up to complete freedom. As I stood at the refrigerator in the 15</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> year of bingeing 5x/night every single night and admitted to myself (finally) that “something is obviously wrong”, I was </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">also</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin, though I didn’t recognize it as from the Holy Spirit, or that I was sinning, at that point. What I felt at that moment was conviction that it was not right to be eating so much food (gluttonous in dousing my pain for 15 years straight) while there are so many people all over the world who do not have enough food to eat. I truly felt bad--and sorry. Perhaps it wasn’t a full confession of sin at that moment in time, but it was the necessary conviction of the Holy Spirit about my sin in that area. That moment of conviction and revelation by the power of the Holy Spirit (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had never been concerned about eating more than my fair share before—not one time in 15 years of bingeing every night did I ever even </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">think</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> of that, no less feel bad about it) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">was the moment that Healing actually began. Conviction, repentance, Healing. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If there is going to be a transformation in our lives it may be necessary to come face to face with sin, and repent. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">But (and here's the unexpected kicker) at the same time as I was convicted, I also felt acceptance for the first time in 15 years of bingeing. When the Holy Spirit convicts he does NOT condemn. In fact, quite the opposite! I had believed the lie that my worth was dependent on my body image. But at this turning point God was accepting me, and I was coming out of denial and accepting the fact that “something is obviously wrong” to be causing so much overeating (notice the compassion in that thought, like the compassion Jesus had with the adulterous woman at the well for why she was so "thirsty" in her sinful life). I knew something was wrong but I suddenly became aware that I didn't really know what it was (I <i>thought</i> it was my "failure" in not making an Olympic team, but that was the tip of the iceberg), so I asked God to show me. I put my hand in God’s Hand and walked forward that night with Him step by step to complete freedom. Pastor Jim Keavney explains that repent and believe means turn and trust. As I began to walk with God <i>with</i> my sin He Revealed pain that I was not even aware of and then I would go through the Healing process with Him. Step by step, He never misses a step. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">He
knows everything that has happened, and He knows our hearts better than we do. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">The Word of God says we don’t
even know our own hearts:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“The heart is deceitful above all
things and beyond cure. Who can
understand it?”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)</span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Many
professionals in the field of eating disorders say that people can get </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">better </i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">from eating disorders, but they
will have to live with the struggle to some degree for the rest of their lives. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">But </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">Jesus</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> said,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><span style="color: red;"><b>".
. . ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth
will set you free.’” </b></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">John 8:31-32 (NIV)</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">I am completely free from compulsive overeating, even from the urges. In fact, my body changed such that I don’t <i>feel</i> good when I don’t eat healthy and, miracle of miracles, I don’t even <i>want</i> to eat the way I used to eat. My <i>desires</i> are completely changed—</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">for 30 years. </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">The temptations and desire to overeat are completely gone and the pain is Healed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;">So if you hesitate or resist at the thought of repentance think of it this way--repentance may be the door through which you need to go to walk out of prison (bondage to food) to freedom. It is the door through which the prodigal son met with his Father's incredible Love. If you are too ashamed to come before God or think you need to "be better" before you come to Him realize that "<i>while</i> we were <i>still sinners,</i> Christ <i>died</i> for us" (Romans 5:8) and that Jesus "gave himself as a <i>ransom</i>" (1 Timothy 2:6) to get us out of prison.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">You
probably will not overcome a besetting sin without the power of the Holy
Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you are not a believer,
confess and repent, and receive the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for your
sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then get ready to be amazed at the
gift of the Holy Spirit given to you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">For more encouragement and help you can <span style="text-align: left;">check out the </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html">N.E.W. LIFE</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"> e-book</a> which includes more support, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional </span><span style="text-align: left;">nutrition information</span><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: white; color: #09202f; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br style="text-align: justify;" /></p>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-28801321089553091212021-11-22T21:05:00.000-05:002021-11-22T21:05:37.052-05:00Repentance<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is an often overlooked key to
becoming free of bondage to food (and other things). It's not a secret--Jesus shared it from the
very start of His public ministry and continually shared it right up to the
finish, and He told His disciples to continue to share the same message. It is understandable if unbelievers don't
know about it but even believers seem to be woefully unaware of (or
unresponsive to) this remedy which is probably the reason that many believers
are in as much bondage as the world. So
what is this door to freedom that Jesus indicated is available to
everyone? </span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: red;">Repentance.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> Perhaps repentance is not our first thought or the road most
travelled because we have to overcome a lot of barriers to walk through that
door--denial, pride and preference for the lusts of our flesh to name just a
few--stubborn barriers that may be impossible to overcome without the powerful
conviction of the Holy Spirit. But
Scripture tells us that </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"the kindness of God leads you to repentance"</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
(Romans 2:4)--the kindness from Almighty God that can break through hearts
</span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">"hardened through the deceitfulness of sin"</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> (Hebrews 3:13). It is the powerful work of the Holy Spirit
and the powerful Love of God that can bring the most hardened sinner, and the
most addicted overeater, to repentance. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is a mistake to think that
repentance is only a one-time-event for remission of sin and reconciliation
with God for eternal life.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That <i>is</i> the Big One--being saved. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We need to repent
for our sins and receive Jesus Christ who died to take the place for our sin
and rose again as our Lord and Savior, and that <i>is</i> a one-time event that seals
us for eternal life with God for good.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But we also need to keep confessing known sin (and thank God that the
Holy Spirit reveals it to us) and continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit
(especially when we're in bondage and need His power to overcome) and allow Him
to sanctify us to become more and more Christlike.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If we limit repentance to just one time for
reconciliation to God for eternal life we miss that we also need to be
reconciled to God when sin separates us from Him now.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus' death on the Cross took care of the
main event and provided for reconciliation of sinful men with a Holy God for
eternal life, but we need to continue to repent when sin separates us after we
are saved while we walk out our life on earth.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I employed decades' worth of energy
and good intentions in diligently trying to control problematic eating
behaviors, all to no avail.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I don't
remember ever thinking about repentance.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We have been encouraged to work on the symptom (the overeating) and not
the problem (underlying pain and sin).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But that's like trying to get a baby to stop crying instead of feeding his hungry tummy or changing
his dirty diaper.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The baby keeps crying no matter how hard you try to get him to stop if
you don't feed him or change his diaper</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">, and I kept bingeing no matter how hard
I tried to stop (for 15 years) while never dealing with the underlying
issues.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My discipline to keep dieting
(always sabotaged by the resultant bingeing) and to keep trying to
"control" my "problem" (food) may have lasted longer than
most because I have the discipline of</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">an
elite gymnast.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Others give up trying and
resign themselves to a life of overweight or obesity.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was not even aware of any <i>sin</i>
involved in my overeating because the <i>pain</i> was so prevalent.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not all eating problems are a result of sin,
but the likelihood of repentance being necessary when we find ourselves in
bondage to something is high.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Overcoming
bondage that also involves sin starts with repentance.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Repentance allows for filling of the Holy
Spirit in the believer.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Recall (or
re-read) from the last 3 posts that it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that
we can overcome addictions and bondages that have control over us.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus began his earthly ministry
with these words:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><i><span style="color: red;">“From that time on Jesus began to
preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’” </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matthew 4:17 (NIV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But that’s not all.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus continued to put the emphasis on
repentance throughout his entire earthly ministry “from that time on”, from
start to finish.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Repentance first, the
kingdom of heaven follows.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus didn't
continually preach about repentance to make people constantly feel bad, but
because it is necessary to be reconciled to God and this is what His whole
purpose for coming to earth was.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If
Jesus firstly and consistently focused on repentance, then I see no reason why
we wouldn’t want to do the same.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In
fact, it probably would have been best to start the <b><i>Seed</i></b> blog the way Jesus
started his ministry, with the call to “Repent!”, but I wasn’t sure how many
people in our modern culture would read any further (which may explain some
things).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But following the example of
Jesus, we need to take care of first things first.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not all eating problems involve sin but if
there is sin involved, then the healing process from bondage to freedom <i>starts</i>
with repentance and includes the powerful help of the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Repentance is the door through which we can
be saved, and repentance breaks strongholds.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Believers need to be willing to continually repent, if need be, to
continually “be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus emphasized to the disciples
that they were to preach repentance as well:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Then He said to them, ‘These are
the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must
be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me.’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And He opened
their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then He said to them, ’Thus it is written,
and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead
the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in
His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And you are witnesses of these things.’”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Luke 24:44-48 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And so Peter did so as he exhorted
the disciples who witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of
Pentecost with a rushing mighty wind, tongues of fire, and filling of the Holy
Spirit, and they were "cut to the heart" and asked Peter, "what
shall we do?" and he answered:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“‘Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And you will receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The promise is for you and your
children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will
call.’”</span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">To the reader who may not have
received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you might be wondering if you can
just ask to receive the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The
answer is no--we have to confess and repent of sin, and accept Jesus’ sacrifice
on the cross for our sin, before we can receive the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Furthermore, repentance itself is a work of
the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">At
Pentecost the Holy Spirit came first, they were cut to the heart with
conviction, and then they repented and they received the gift of the Holy
Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus continually called people
to repentance, and it is still God who moves us to repentance now via His
kindness and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus said the Holy Spirit would “convict the world of sin”:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>“Nevertheless I tell you the
truth. It is to your advantage that I go
away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I
depart, I will send Him to you. <b><span style="color: red;">And when
He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment . .” </span></b></i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">John 16:7-8 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Holy Spirit convicts, our
responsibility is to obey and repent.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
choose to either obey or not, and if we obey we then receive the Holy
Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Repentance isn't just deciding
you won't do something anymore, it's a change of thinking that caused the
behavior in the first place.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">By reading
the Word of God we can <i>"be transformed by the renewing of your mind"
</i>(Romans 12:2).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you see how this all
fits together?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If we read God's Word,
inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit can prompt us to conviction which
leads us to repentance, receive Forgiveness and filling of the Holy Spirit and
the power of the Holy Spirit to change what we could not change by
ourselves.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> T</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">here is power in
the Word of God to renew our minds and change us so continue to feed on God's
Word.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God's Word spoke all of creation
into existence but a culture that increasingly does not believe that is also
increasingly ignorant of the power in God's Word.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t misunderstand—repentance is
not a work. We cannot rouse ourselves up to repentance:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><b><span style="color: red;">“For godly sorrow produces
repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;</span></b> but the sorrow of the
world produces death.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">A “godly sorrow” produces
repentance, turning from sin and restoring relationship with God.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is initiated by God, and it is by His
Grace:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“And the Lord’s servant must not be
quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Opponents must be gently instructed, <b><span style="color: red;">in the
hope that God will grant them repentance</span></b> leading them to a knowledge of the
truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the
devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Puritans used to pray for “the
gift of tears”.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Having said all that, there are a
variety of reasons why people don’t eat well, and not all of it is sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may have allowed a relationship with food
to replace a relationship with God not realizing that God desires relationship
with you.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the other hand, you may
have made food an idol.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">However, don’t
confuse enjoying food with idolizing food.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Since God gives us food to enjoy, then it isn’t an idol if we enjoy
it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Perhaps you have simply developed
some out-of-balance eating behaviors--that wouldn’t be unusual in a culture
that has flipped a healthy diet upside down (and it is the reason I have also shared the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan in the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> e-book</a>).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That may or may not be sin if you have become a poor steward of your
health.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or you may be guilty of the sin
of gluttony.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or maybe you don’t think
God cares about what you eat as you endeavor to keep your priorities right with
Him and, if so, you’d be partly right.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When I began to lead the first Christ-centered support/recovery group
for people in bondage to food I was so gung-ho to tell people about the freedom
I had received, but God stopped me about 6 months into leading the group and
gently revealed that while He does grieve for their diseases and bondages, even
if they remain obese or anorexic to the grave that is not His first priority
for them (like I was making it sound), but that His first priority is
relationship with them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Duh.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guess what happens when you get that right?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When people would ask me how I lost all the
weight I really didn’t have much more to say to explain it other than the
closer I got to God the weight “just melted off”.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">That was the big Truth that included all the
particulars I could share.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It would not be helpful, but in fact
counterproductive, to think something is sin when it is not.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is important to follow God’s lead because,
especially for dieters there is confusion as to what is “good” or “bad” to eat.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For example, so often dieters think they are
“bad” if they didn’t follow the rules of a diet, that they “cheated”.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There is real cheating that the Bible calls
sin, but I daresay if your relationship is right with God that eating a piece
of chocolate cream pie is sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Does
enjoying a bowl of ice cream mean you have gone a “crooked path” (Proverbs
10:9) or enjoying a piece of wedding cake mean you have lost your
integrity?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you eat a piece of
chocolate does that mean you are a liar, a deceiver, or an adulterer?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">These are what the Bible calls cheating.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God forbid, dear reader, that you would
misconstrue what I am saying and think you are in sin when you enjoy a bowl of
ice cream.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may be, or you may not
be.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s important to be available to
let the Holy Spirit reveal to you if there is any sin involved in your eating
that requires repentance.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So if you are struggling with a
bondage to food ask God to reveal if there is any sin.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">In my case, the Holy Spirit did indeed
convict me of the sin of gluttony.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was
not even consciously aware of it at the time, but as I stood in front of the
refrigerator bingeing for the umpteenth time as I had done for 15 years
straight, but this time thinking "something is obviously wrong" and
wanting to know what it was (I could not then label the pain) suddenly I felt
very bad for eating so much food when there were people starving in the
world.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I do not remember ever
consciously having that thought before that night.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I believe that was the conviction of the Holy
Spirit (of my sin) because not only did I suddenly “see” something I had not
thought of before, but for the first time I felt conviction, not
condemnation.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For all 15 years prior I
had only felt self-condemnation for my weight and lack of willpower.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I didn’t understand it then, but I know the
difference now—conviction is from the Holy Spirit, condemnation is not:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . .”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Romans 8:1 (NIV)</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So while my overeating was driven by
underlying pain (which I could not yet then label but God began to reveal), I
was <i>also</i> sinning (which the Holy Spirit revealed and convicted me of).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I also know that was the Holy Spirit that
night because it was the key turning point from going ever further deeper into
addiction and beginning the process of turning and coming up out of it.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Holy Spirit wrought a change in me as I
finally came out of so much denial and not only realized clearly, “Something is
obviously wrong”, but also began to ask the question of God, “What is
wrong?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn’t label the pain yet,
but God was leading and I was beginning to “understand” at a very elementary
level what the Holy Spirit would continue to reveal (truth!) throughout the
process that led to freedom.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jesus said
the Holy Spirit is <i>“the Spirit of truth . . . He dwells with you and will be in
you” </i>(John 14:16-17, NKJV) and <i>“He will teach you all things” </i>(John 14:26,
NKJV).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The change had begun, a powerful
work of the Holy Spirit.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Having said all that about
repentance, the next blog post is really important because overcoming addiction
and bondage to food is most often a process.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don't believe the lie that God is tired of your repeated
"failure" in the process of Healing.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don't give up--keep confessing and <i>keep repenting</i>.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The truth is continual confession is evidence
of true salvation and a faith which pleases God.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">God does not tire of the repentant sinner,
but the unrepentant one.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">For more help in the meantime you
can check out the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> e-book</a> which includes more support, the <b>N.E.W.
LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional nutrition information</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Your Christian dietitian and friend
in Christ,</span></p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><div class="WordSection3"><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></div></div></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-47574557667299025862021-11-15T22:59:00.000-05:002021-11-15T22:59:02.085-05:00Emotional Eating<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have taught thousands of people in the American Heart Association of Colorado's <b><i>Slim for Life</i></b> programs and the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> (Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE) programs which I developed, as well as many other community programs. There are two large groups of people who participated in the programs. About 50% of the people do not know what a balanced diet is, no less an optimal one, because there is so much misinformation about nutrition, and because the Standard American Diet is so far from optimal. Teach them, they have hardly any barriers to change (which totally amazes me), contact them years later and they often have maintained many or all of the changes made.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">However, the other 50ish% of each class (and I believe the culture at large) comes with an additional component underlying their food behaviors—a very out-of-balance, or outright addictive, emotional component to eating. Now don’t misunderstand—an emotional component to eating is right and good. Nutriture and nurture are two God-given roles of food (watch a baby at the breast). Nurture is not the problem—<b><i>over</i></b>nurture is. And <b><i>over</i></b>nurture usually results from <b><i>under</i></b>nurture, as with a “good food/bad food” diet mentality and restrictive diets that lead to what I call the deprivation-rebound overeating cycle. The most perfect eating plan on earth is not going to help that 2nd (very large) group of people, because their “problem” is not first and foremost about food, but rather coping with underlying unresolved issues without the aid of food. In fact, often it will make them feel worse for having “failed” yet another great diet. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So the first thing you must do if you are looking to take the journey to better health is determine which group you are in. Are you an “emotional eater” or not? It’s time to be honest. Do you have a relationship with food? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Using Food as a Coping Mechanism</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div>Whenever I use the term “emotional eater”, what I mean is an <b><i>over</i></b>emotional eater. There <i>is </i>an emotional component to eating. The goal is not to achieve a lifestyle of eating behavior totally devoid of any emotional component to eating. But if you have no self-control regarding food, feel enslaved by food, or have allowed food to become an idol and take the place of God, then food has taken a place it is not meant to be in. Overemotional eating is often fueled by underlying unresolved emotional pain. Emotional eaters also turn to food to comfort loneliness, to calm stress, and about as many other reasons as there are emotions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Individuals who struggle with emotionally-driven eating often use food as a “coping” mechanism. For emotional eaters the “problem” is not first and foremost about food, but rather coping with other issues without the aid of food. If you are an emotional eater food can be a coping mechanism to “deal” with feelings that might otherwise make you feel uncomfortable—you may even feel they threaten to overwhelm you if you did not use something (like food) to cope with them. This is why it is so difficult to break the cycle of emotional eating—it takes feeling, and healing from, difficult feelings that are much “easier” to ignore, bury under food, or deny. Ironically, if you are an “emotional eater” you probably eat to <i>keep</i> uncomfortable feelings <i>from</i> surfacing. You may not be able to label the pain, or you may be in denial that there is any pain fueling your eating behavior. When I was bingeing 5x/night I could not label what the pain was and I was also in denial and unaware that there was anything “wrong” other than my lack of ability to control my food intake. All I knew was I felt <i>anxious </i>if I did not eat (to stuff the pain)—food was a “calming” device. But once I started (with God’s help) to lift the coping mechanism, the pain started to surface. That’s when it was time to walk through the pain with God—not around the pain, ignore the pain, stuff the pain, deny the pain—but walk through the pain, with God, <i>to Healing and freedom on the other side.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>However, the pain can be so great that it may not only be helpful but necessary to not go through it alone, but with an understanding spouse, a trusted friend, a professional Biblically-based Christian counselor or an experienced Biblically-based pastoral counselor and, most importantly, with God. When you take each step with Him through the process of Healing He won’t miss any steps (as even the best counselor, without God, likely will). He knows everything that has happened, and He knows your heart better than you do. The Word of God says we don’t even know our own hearts:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div>God knows everything and He won’t miss any steps if you follow His lead for Healing, so the result is freedom. Many professionals in the field of eating disorders say that people can get better from eating disorders but they will have to live with the struggle to some degree for the rest of their lives. But Jesus said,</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">". . . ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">John 8:31-32 (NIV)</span></b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The believer who has received Christ also receives the promised Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us. T<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">he believer who dies with
Christ truly experiences that old things pass away as he/she becomes a new
creation in Christ. S</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">anctification is not merely an outer change,
but a </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">thorough</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> change, transformation from the inside-out (not the outside-in like diets which fail).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Increasingly the sanctified believer loves
the things of God more than the things of the world, and the bondage to food
and body image begins to disintegrate.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">“Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">he is a new creation;</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">
old things have passed away; </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">behold, all things have
become new.”</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;">I, for one, can testify to the fact that I am <i>completely free</i> from the 5-tier, 15 year, unrelenting bondage I was in to food, diets, body image, exercise and the scale. I can sleep in the same house as Haagen-Dazs ice cream through the night (whereas before I had to keep it out of the house, but would often go out and get it in the middle of the night). Now I forget to eat in situations that have been far more painful than the ones that had me bingeing for 15 years straight. I remember when I was facilitating a Christ-centered support/recovery group and I shared a painful situation I was going through, one of the women asked me, “Did you eat?” and I was the most amazed person on earth that I actually forgot to eat! When God Heals He really Heals. Freedom from food/body image obsession is available to everyone. All agree that the problem involves physical and emotional factors. However, the spiritual component is just as important as the first two (if not more) and, if left out, the professionals are right--we can get better, but not necessarily <i>free</i>. True freedom results in being able to grieve the pain of life rather than turning to the “aid” of food to “cope”. Often that healing requires forgiveness which, without God, is virtually impossible for many people who have experienced so much horrendous offense.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><div>I remember the exact moment 30 years ago that I stood in front of the refrigerator and, for the first time, felt “conviction” rather than the 15 years straight of “condemnation”. I didn’t realize it then, but now I know that was the Holy Spirit, and that was a powerful work of God. It was the key turning point from self-condemnation to self-acceptance (instead of 15 years of feeling “you terrible, slovenly, lack of willpower person” I was coming out of denial and recognizing “something is obviously wrong”, though I could not yet tell you what it was). I finally said to myself that something was obviously wrong, but I could not label the pain. All I knew was that I felt <i>anxious</i> if I did not eat. The difference was (and this was the turning point from going continually downhill to beginning the process up and out of the eating disorder) self-acceptance (notice I didn’t say “self-esteem”). I felt conviction instead of the condemnation I had been under up until then. That was the key turning point—conviction is from the Holy Spirit, condemnation is from the enemy.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . .” </span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Romans 8:1 (NIV)</span></b></div></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div>The reality is if you suffer from emotional eating driven by unresolved issues, in order to become free of the bondage to emotional eating (and the toll it is taking on your life) it will likely involve healing from pain. I define freedom as being able to grieve the pain of life without the aid of food to “cope”. Real life involves both pain and joy. With God’s Grace we can deal with the pain. I don’t think He meant for food (or drugs, or alcohol, or promiscuous sex) to take that role. Think about it—wouldn’t that mean we might just as well become an alcohol or drug addict and be excused for the same reason?</div><div><br /></div><div><div>For those readers who are not emotional eaters, with some encouragement, nutrition education and perhaps some accountability and support you will probably be able to change behaviors and maintain healthy eating and lifestyle habits for the rest of your life. For those who are emotional eaters, it is likely you will not be able to achieve permanent weight management and freedom from bondages to food/body image obsessions until underlying issues are resolved and your relationship with God begins to replace your relationship with food. You can begin today to grow your relationship with God. Start by reading His Word, daily. Get to know Him. Let Him Speak into your life. And get ready for an amazing journey with God which includes Healing from any underlying pain feeding your out-of-balance relationship with food. Begin now to live the life you were meant to live. My hope is that the <i><b>Seed</b></i> blog can help people along the way.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more help in the meantime you can <span style="text-align: left;">check out the </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html">N.E.W. LIFE</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"> e-book</a> which includes more Biblical support, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional </span><span style="text-align: left;">nutrition information</span><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p></div><div><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-88128030206941992892021-11-08T12:32:00.000-05:002021-11-08T12:32:12.415-05:00My Story<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My own experience with bondage to food started with 22 years of nearly all consuming physical, mental and emotional involvement in elite gymnastics competition, coaching and judging. Along with the stresses and loneliness of a gymnast training and competing at the elite level, I was raised in a dysfunctional family system. I wish to say here that the effect of a country gone so far astray from Christian principles is that, at this point, it may be that a majority of families have a significant amount of "dysfunction". There is no blame intended here. If anyone is to blame I am because I turned to food instead of God for comfort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I began to use food in more than its God-given place to fill legitimate unmet needs. In seeking God I would have found the way to heal, overcome, and live righteously in a fallen world. Instead, after retiring from the sport of gymnastics at the age of 17, disappointed in myself for not making an Olympic team, I began to use food to quench feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. The vicious cycle had begun, and as my body weight increased beyond what is healthy I felt increasingly worse about myself so I dieted, and I dieted hard. Before long I had developed a bondage to food and body image which resulted in a 5-tier, 15-year addictive relationship to food, diets, body image, exercise and the scale.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My pattern was to eat 4-5 times in the middle of the night and then exercise 2-3 hours each day driven out of guilt and fear of fat. I was "purging" myself of the food I had eaten. It made me feel somewhat better to make up for, at least in part, the out-of-control eating I was engaged in. This went on for 15 years straight, no Sundays off! Regardless of the constant dieting and excessive exercise, I <i>gained</i> over 60 pounds in the first 2 years as I turned increasingly to food to try to quench unlabeled and unresolved emotional pain (and set myself up for what I call the "deprivation-rebound overeating" cycle exacerbated by hypoglycemia and probably a psychological component from depriving myself of food). Food is a substance which in its rightful God-given place is a wonderful means of nutriture and nurture. However, disobedience can pervert the abundant blessing which the Lord has given to us and it can be misused in a way that God never intended for it to be. Anything can be good or bad, and food may be used or abused just as drugs, alcohol, sex, etc. I realize now that even exercise can be misused too:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”</i> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>1 Timothy 4:8 (NIV)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later when I obtained a master's degree in nutrition I was given the opportunity to do nutrition research. This gave me an appreciation for the observable biochemical nature of the science of nutrition, that there are causes and effects and, in more practical terms, consequences of our actions. During this time I also became certified as a Registered Dietitian through the American Dietetic Association (renamed the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 2012). Professional work has included teaching nutrition education/behavior modification programs for the American Heart Association of Colorado, radio shows, hospital, business and community seminars and 10-week programs, health club programs and consultations, college instruction, publishing, individual consultations, and finally, development of the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> program. I have been free from the bondages of food abuse, diets and preoccupation with body image for over 30 years. I define freedom as the ability to grieve the real pain of life without the aid of food. I am the most amazed person on earth that I actually forget to eat even in response to deep pain whereas previously it had unyielding power over my life. Anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are the extreme manifestations of a growing epidemic of eating disorders, and there are an immeasurable number of people struggling with bondages to food, body image and emotional eating in-between those extremes. My heart goes out to the women, men and children who struggle with food addictions, emotional eating, and eating disorders, as well as to a Church burdened with disease due to out-of-balance eating behaviors.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to share what God has done for me, and what He can do for you. My intention is to share my experience and Scripture to bring light into this area of nutrition, health and the food/dieting struggle many believers are engaged in. It is not the intent of this author to “preach”. As you can see I come with my own history of eating/exercise disorder, the result of a self-esteem futilely tied to body image and performance. I prayerfully write this blog in truth and love, praying that God will fill in the gaps necessary for each and every one of us. May God bless you in your obedience to His ways.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal">For more help in the meantime you can <span style="text-align: left;">check out the </span><b style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html">N.E.W. LIFE</a></b><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"> e-book</a> which includes more support, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional </span><span style="text-align: left;">nutrition information</span><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p><div><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-27980396109596846642021-11-08T12:11:00.002-05:002021-11-08T12:34:56.989-05:00Relationship with God and the Abundant Life<div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">John 10:10 (NKJV)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Food is a BLESSING from the Lord, but for a variety of reasons it is being misused and abused resulting in a national epidemic of “lifestyle” diseases. Furthermore, a hurting world is reaching out to find ways to fill emotional hunger and anesthetize pain. Many of us allow food to take an inappropriate role when we use it as a substitute for our relationship with other people and/or God. The lack of God in peoples’ lives has left a void which cannot be filled no matter how much sex, alcohol, drugs or food is used. Millions have developed an emotional or addictive relationship with food. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Church may be at particular risk for the consequences of food abuse because Christians believe that promiscuous sex, alcohol and drug abuse are sinful and grievous offenses. However, legitimate needs go unmet and people often turn to the “legitimate” comfort of food. Meanwhile, a national obsession with food, body image, diets, and an epidemic of eating disorders are robbing our nation--and the Church--of its physical, emotional, and spiritual health.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is also a lot of misinformation in nutrition and weight-loss, often from self-proclaimed “experts”. People need clarity in an area that has become confused with opinions, half-truths, and contradictions. God's way is Perfect and it is only by receiving and being obedient to His truth that we can attain complete Healing and live His best plan for our lives. My prayer is that while I share from my professional and personal experience the Holy Spirit will speak to the issues with which the reader may be dealing. If even one reader receives the truth, and by the truth is set free, then this blog has served its purpose:</div></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><i>“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’" </i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">John 8:31-32 (NIV)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">And yes, yes, yes, the <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program, the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> e-book</a>, and what I share in the <b><i>Seed</i></b> blog is very effective for weight-loss. But God’s plan goes FAR beyond just losing weight. In fact, the reason why <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>is so effective for weight-loss is precisely because we take the focus off of weight and put it on behavior and relationship with God instead. <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> stands for Nutrition, Exercise Wellness for LIFE—notice there’s no “diet” in the name. My prayer is that the words I share and the work of the Holy Spirit will help every reader to break any “diet mentality” that may be present. A diet mentality is in direct opposition to God’s Word, so it is no wonder that it leads to even <i>more</i> bondage and results in physical, emotional and spiritual havoc in so many lives. Diets are based on “man’s law” instead of God’s law, and even God’s holy law can only show us where we fall short. The law shows us what is required but <i>has no power to help us do it. </i> It is the job of the Holy Spirit, a gift of a deposit in those who have received Jesus Christ, to make happen what the law says should happen but doesn’t have the power to make happen. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we can become free from bondage, walk in optimal health, and live an abundant life. As pastor Tony Evans has so eloquently said, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to bring the promises of God into your life. And from the apostle Paul:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. . . </b><span style="color: red;"><b>But the fruit of the Spirit is </b></span><b>love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, </b><span style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">self-control.</span><b> Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” </b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Galatians 5:16-18, 22-25 (NKJV)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Are you beginning to see how your relationship with God, and walking in the Spirit, is where you will find the power to overcome the desires and fleshly behaviors which you may be in bondage to?</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I speak from experience (check out "<a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2021/11/my-story.html"><b>My Story</b></a>"). I am completely free from the 5-tier, 15 year, unrelenting bondage I was in to food, diets, body image, exercise and the scale. I can sleep in the same house as Haagen-Dazs ice cream through the night (whereas before I had to keep it out of the house but would often go out and get it in the middle of the night). Now I <i>forget</i> to eat in situations that have been far more painful than the ones that had me bingeing for 15 years straight. When I was facilitating a Christ-centered support/recovery group and I shared a painful situation I was going through one of the women asked me, “Did you eat?” and I was the most amazed person on earth that I actually forgot to eat! When God Heals He really Heals. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Freedom from food/body image obsession is available to everyone. All agree that the problem involves physical and emotional factors. However, the spiritual component is just as important as the first two (if not more) and, if left out, the professionals are right--we can get better, but not necessarily <i>free</i>. True freedom results in being able to grieve the pain of life rather than turning to the “aid” of food to “cope”. Often that healing requires forgiveness which, without God, is virtually impossible for many people who have experienced so much horrendous offense.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are two reasons (at least) why it is important that you determine to walk with God through the process of healing from pain and any bondage to emotional eating that may have developed. First of all, if you have replaced a relationship with God with a relationship with food, <span style="color: red;"><b>it’s time to repent and get that right. </b></span> Furthermore, when He leads the process He doesn’t miss a step, so the result is freedom (rather than a lifetime of constant setbacks) because He <i>really</i> Heals. And it starts with the first turning-point step with Him. I remember the exact moment 30 years ago that I stood in front of the refrigerator and, for the first time, felt “conviction” rather than the 15 years straight of “condemnation”. I didn’t realize it then, but now I know that was the Holy Spirit, and that was a powerful work of God. It was the key turning point from self-condemnation to self-acceptance (instead of 15 years of feeling “you terrible, slovenly, lack of willpower person” I was coming out of denial and recognizing “something is obviously wrong”, though I could not yet tell you what it was). I finally said to myself that something was obviously wrong, but I could not label the pain. All I knew was that I felt <i>anxious</i> if I did not eat. The difference was (and this was the turning point from going continually downhill to beginning the process up and out of the eating disorder) self-acceptance (notice I <i>didn’t</i> say “self-esteem”). I felt conviction instead of the condemnation I had been under up until then. That was the key turning point—conviction is from the Holy Spirit, condemnation is from the enemy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;"><b><i>“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus . . .”</i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Romans 8:1 (NIV)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The reality is if you suffer from emotional eating driven by unresolved issues, in order to become free of the bondage to emotional eating (and the toll it is taking on your life) it will likely involve healing from pain. I define freedom as being able to grieve the pain of life without the aid of food to “cope”. Real life involves both pain and joy. With God’s Grace we can deal with the pain. I don’t think He meant for food (or drugs, or alcohol, or promiscuous sex) to take that role. Think about it—wouldn’t that mean we might just as well become an alcohol or drug addict and be excused for the same reason?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For those readers who are not emotional eaters, with some encouragement, nutrition education and perhaps some accountability and support you will probably be able to change behaviors and maintain healthy eating and lifestyle habits for the rest of your life. For those who are emotional eaters, it is likely you will not be able to achieve permanent weight management and freedom from bondages to food/body image obsessions until underlying issues are resolved and your relationship with God begins to replace your relationship with food. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hope that everyone will find encouragement and help in the <b><i>Seed</i></b> posts. May God bless you with good health and the abundant life that Jesus came to give you.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">For more encouragement to grow in your relationship with God and your journey of good health check out the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2019/10/announcing-release-of-n.html"><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> e-book</a></span><span style="text-align: left;"> which includes the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> Eating Plan and additional nutrition information. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">God bless your journey with Him!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p><div><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-55789627555507037732021-11-08T11:58:00.000-05:002021-11-08T11:58:03.611-05:00My Prayer for the N.E.W. LIFE Seed<div class="WordSection1">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Welcome new readers to the <b>N.E.W. LIFE <i>Seed</i></b> blog. My hope and prayer for the <b>N.E.W. LIFE <i>Seed</i></b><i> </i>is that it will edify the Church, help ready the Bride of Christ for His return, and glorify God. I pray that what I share will help the Church to be spiritually, emotionally and physically healthy and help those who struggle with unhealthy food behaviors to trade their relationship with food with the incomparably more satisfying relationship with God. The
priority (that God showed me 30 years ago) is for people to grow in
relationship with Him and, in that process, to receive His Healing, Freedom,
and Abundant Life as has been His original design, and that we might glorify God
and be useful to Him. I plan to share a blog post once a week on Mondays. In this way I hope to do my part in edifying the
Church as Scripture asks of each one of His Living Stones, and to help as much
of the world as will have it:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: red;">“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness
of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all
things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working
by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying
of itself in love.” </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ephesians 4:11-16 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My prayer for the reader, and for the Church:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“For this reason I kneel before the Father,
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray
that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his
Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may
have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: red;">Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen.” </span></b><span style="color: #001320;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">To God be the Glory!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Your Christian dietitian and friend in Christ,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;">Diane </span></b></p><div><b style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-family: Tangerine;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-12397976713940007792019-12-31T22:37:00.001-05:002020-08-07T15:12:04.258-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Announcing the release of the N.E.W. LIFE e-book for our Christian friends:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">Christian believers are the “living stones” who comprise the spiritual temple of the Church, and are individual “temples of the Holy Spirit”.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif;">But are the walls of some of our individual temples breaking down?</span></div>
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<i>"Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks </i></div>
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<i>self-control." </i></div>
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Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)</div>
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Such is the man or woman who lacks the self-control to restrain passions, desires, and affections--like a city whose walls are broken through, helpless against temptation, in grave danger of being carried away and destroyed. Believers have the answer to this dilemma--access to the Holy Spirit and the fruit of self-control.</div>
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Food is a blessing from God, but for a variety of reasons it is being misused and abused resulting in a national epidemic of "lifestyle diseases". Furthermore,<br />
a hurting world is trying to find ways to fill emotional hunger and anesthetize pain. Many of us allow food to take an inappropriate role when we use it as a substitute for our relationship with God and develop an emotional or addictive relationship with food instead. The Church may be at particular risk for the consequences of food abuse because many Christians believe that other ways of anesthetizing pain--promiscuous sex, alcohol and drug abuse--are more sinful and grievous offenses. As legitimate needs go unmet Christians often turn to the "legitimate" comfort of food.</div>
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When Hezekiah removed the idols and cleansed the temple in Jerusalem there was revival in Israel. What kind of revival might it usher into the Church if we cleanse our "temples" of idols? Great rejoicing accompanied the revival of the Israelites who responded:</div>
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<i>"There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. </i><br />
<i>The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, </i><br />
<i>for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place." </i> </div>
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2 Chronicles 30:26-27 (NIV)</div>
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The long reign of idolatry ended and the worship of God was restored.</div>
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Our country is in spiritual decline and in need of revival. Perhaps the words<br />
I share will help some to have a closer relationship with God and produce a "quiet revival" within individuals. I pray that this labor of love will contribute to better health of the Church, freedom for individuals in bondage to food and diets, and that those who have settled for a relationship with food would discover the incomparably more satisfying relationship with God and the abundant life that Jesus died to give us.</div>
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<i>"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, </i><br />
<i>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--</i><br />
<i>that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</i></div>
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<i>Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." </i></div>
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Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)</div>
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<o:p> </o:p><b style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 36pt;">N.E.W. LIFE</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">®</span></span></b></div>
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<o:p><b style="font-size: 16px;"><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 20pt;">Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE</span></i></b> </o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Diane Preves, MS, RDN</span><span style="font-size: 24pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<o:p><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 18.4px;"><b>Copyright 2019 Diane Preves</b></span></i> </o:p></div>
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-45929728014215965152019-08-04T17:15:00.001-04:002019-08-04T17:20:52.242-04:00Welcome!<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome <i>Seed </i>readers! </span></b></span>Thank you for visiting the <b>N.E.W. LIFE <i>Seed</i></b>, the blog for the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> program and website.<br />
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> (Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE) is a nutrition education/behavior modification program developed and taught by Diane Preves, MS, RDN, Christian Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. The <b><i>Seed</i></b> blog will share information from the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> program with readers, and so much more.</div>
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I decided <em><strong>The Seed</strong></em> would be a fitting name for the <strong>N.E.W. LIFE</strong> blog for several reasons:<br />
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1. Though seeds are small and largely unnoticed, I hope that the seeds of thought shared here will land on good soil and bear good fruit with much increase.</div>
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2. It is time to redeem the much-maligned carbohydrates! In the onslaught of the popular <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">carbo</span>-phobic diets of the last decade we would be wise to remember the nutritional powerhouse of the seed, and the grains that grow from them.</div>
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3. Jesus said: <em>"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." </em>John 12:24-26 (NIV).<em> </em>My hope is that the sacrifices I have made for the past 28 years will yield a harvest of good results.</div>
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The health of America as a nation is not good, and since my original post in 2009 it has only gotten <i>worse</i>. Americans are suffering an epidemic of lifestyle diseases, largely a result of eating an unhealthy diet in a "land of plenty". <span style="text-align: start;">It's been 9 years since I wrote in the original</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><i style="text-align: start;"><b>Seed</b></i><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">post in 2009 that 24 million Americans had diabetes, another 57 million had "pre-diabetes", and 70 million Americans suffered from cardiovascular disease. In the 9 years since then those numbers have increased . . . dramatically. The most recent statistics report that</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/">thirty<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> million Americans </span></a></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/">have diabetes</a></b> and an estimated <b><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/">84 million Americans</a></b></span><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/" style="text-align: start;"> </a><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/?referrer=https://search.yahoo.com/"> have "pre-diabetes</a>"</b><span style="text-align: start;">,</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: red;"><i>an increase of 33 million people for that one lifestyle disease alone!</i></span></b></span><span style="text-align: start;"> The American Heart Association reports that the number of individuals suffering from cardiovascular disease is</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><b style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/At-A-Glance-Heart-Disease-and-Stroke-Statistics-2018.pdf">over 92 million in 2018</a></b><span style="text-align: start;">,</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><i style="text-align: start;"><b><span style="color: red;">an increase of 22 million people for cardiovascular disease.</span></b></i><span style="text-align: start;"> Given that the U.S. Census Bureau says that the U.S. population</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><b style="text-align: start;">only increased by approximately 19 million people in that same time </b><span style="text-align: start;">(from 308,745,538 in 2010 to</span><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><a href="https://www.census.gov/" style="text-align: start;">328,094,843</a><span style="text-align: start;"> </span><span style="text-align: start;">at the time of this writing in 2018), we are clearly going in the wrong direction. Similarly, o</span><span style="text-align: justify;">besity rates have <a href="https://stateofobesity.org/obesity-rates-trends-overview/"><b>doubled among adults and more than tripled among children</b></a> since the 1980s and this trend also continues to go in the wrong direction in the past 9 years. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Presently, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/obesity-overweight.htm"><b>70.7 percent of adults</b></a> aged 20 and over are overweight or obese (only available statistics from 2013-2014, so who knows what it is now 4 years later). That number was <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20071471"><b>67% in 2009</b></a>, so we have increased from 2/3 to nearly 3/4 of Americans who are overweight or obese. <b><span style="color: red;">Nearly 3/4 of Americans!</span></b> </span><span style="text-align: start;">And this despite massive public health message campaigns, research, and the plethora of diets offered the public as a "solution". Obviously, the solutions being offered have not worked.</span><br />
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To continue, a<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">pproximately 15 years ago Type II diabetes,
previously known as “adult onset diabetes” due to onset of the disease in
adulthood largely as a result of poor lifestyle choices, made a surprise
appearance in <i>children</i> which is now <i>common</i>.
Hypoglycemia, a related disorder, plagues the lives of countless
millions more adults and is a root physiological contributor for many who struggle
with compulsive overeating. The American
Heart Association reports that <b><a href="https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Heart-Disease-and-Stroke-Statistics-2017-ucm_491265.pdf">1 in 3 adults</a> </b>in the U.S.<b> </b>die from
cardiovascular disease and <a href="https://healthmetrics.heart.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Heart-Disease-and-Stroke-Statistics-2017-ucm_491265.pdf"><b>34% of US adults have hypertension</b></a> (<b>85.7
million people</b>). About 1/3 of
cardiovascular disease deaths occur <i>before</i>
age 75. To complicate things further, co-morbidities
are no longer unusual. </span>We are clearly in trouble, and <span style="text-align: start;">going in the wrong direction.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">You </span><span style="text-align: start;">might reasonably say, "but we are so health conscious", right? After all, just look at all the wonderfully boxed healthy products in any grocery store across America. And everywhere we turn the public health messages educate us. And diets? There's a plethora of them--enough to make our collective heads spin. So where's the disconnect?</span><br />
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<span class="fullpost">As a dietitian working with people to prevent lifestyle diseases since 1987 I have noticed another type of "heart disease", one not accounted for in the statistics cited above, and I think it is growing. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There are two large groups of people who
participate in the <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b>
program (and I believe represent our culture at large). About 50% of the people simply
do not know what a balanced diet is, no less an optimal one, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">because there is so much <i>mis</i>information about nutrition, and because the <a href="https://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/08/an-optimal-diet.html#more"><b>Standard American Diet</b></a> is<i> </i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">so far from optimal. Teach them,
they have hardly any barriers to change (which totally amazes me), contact them
years later and they often have maintained many or all of the changes made. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>However</i>,
the other 50ish% of each class comes with an <i>additional</i> component underlying their
food behaviors—a very out-of-balance, or outright addictive, emotional
component to eating. Now don’t
misunderstand—an emotional <i>component</i>
to eating is right and good. Nutriture
and nurture are two God-given roles of food (watch a baby at the breast). Nurture is not the problem—<b><i><u>over</u></i></b>nurture
is. And overnurture usually results from
<b><i><u>under</u></i></b>nurture,
as with a “good food/bad food” diet mentality and restrictive diets that lead
to what I call the “deprivation-rebound overeating” cycle. The most perfect eating plan on earth is not
going to help that 2<sup>nd</sup> (very large) group of people, because their
“problem” is not first and foremost about food, but rather coping with
underlying unresolved issues <i>without the
aid of food</i>. In fact, often it will
make them feel worse for having “failed” yet another widely-promoted diet or balanced eating plan. So while the first group of people often say, <i>“I don’t have a relationship with food”,</i>
I have never in all my years of teaching ever heard one person complain that I
spent about 45% of my time, energy, money, handouts and overheads in the
10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> program on “relationship with
food” issues, because everyone realizes that we would do a huge disservice to a
huge amount of people if we do not help individuals who need to deal with this
issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="fullpost"><br /></span><span class="fullpost">To make the case even further, m</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">any
professionals in the field of eating disorders say that one can get </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">better </i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">from an eating disorder, but will
have to live with the struggle to some degree for the rest of their life. But </span><span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); color: #001320; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I can
testify to the fact that I am completely free from a 5-tier, 15 year addiction to food (bingeing 5x/night), diets (perpetual), exercise (3 hours/day), body image and the scale (3x/day). I can sleep in the
same house as Haagen-Dazs ice cream through the night (whereas before I had to
keep it out of the house, but would often go out and get it in the middle of the night).
Now I <i>forget</i> to eat in
situations that have been far more painful than the ones that had me bingeing
for 15 years straight. I remember when I
was facilitating a Christ-centered support/recovery group and I shared a
painful situation I was going through, one of the women asked me, <i>“Did you eat?”</i> and I was the most amazed
person on earth that I actually forgot to eat!
When God heals He really heals. </span><b><i><span style="background: #fdfeff; color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">F</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">reedom from food/body image obsession is available to everyone.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> All agree
that the problem involves physical and emotional factors. However, the spiritual component is just as
important as the first two (if not more) and, if left out, the professionals
are right--many will only get <i>better, </i>not
necessarily free. True freedom results
in being able to grieve the pain of life rather than turning to the “aid” of
food to “cope”. Often that healing
requires forgiveness which, without God, is virtually impossible for many people
who have experienced so much horrendous offense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">There are a multitude of reasons for our national and individual health problems, so I will cover a multitude of topics, hopefully coherently enough to come together, piece by piece to build a solid and healthy foundation for those who choose to build on the truths that I share that lead to health and freedom. Not all at once, mind you--that would court disaster. But truth by truth, practical tip by practical tip, building up from a strong foundation to a more certain health outcome.</span><span class="fullpost"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><i>But don't we already have enough truth and practical tips available to us? </i></b></span><i> </i></span></div>
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Maybe, maybe not. And that's also where motivation built on a solid foundation is critical to <i>real</i> behavior change--change for lifelong health. Along the way maybe I'll even have some small part in convincing a healthcare system that prides itself (and has excelled) in acute care (once the problem, which often has been brewing for years, becomes an emergency) that it's way past time to change things and make preventive care at the most basic level (nutrition and activity) the foundation of our healthcare system before it collapses (God forbid) under the enormous financial strain we have put on it. But even if our healthcare system chooses to be illogical and not make preventive nutrition education/behavior modification a priority (not an afterthought), <i style="font-style: normal;"><b>we still have responsibility as individuals to do so ourselves.</b></i></div>
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While I can hope to speak to a nation clearly in trouble, my goal is to speak to individuals. My goal is to use this perch to speak the truth clearly and helpfully, to motivate and encourage, to effect change and support good health and wellness for the years ahead. God knows they might not get easier.</div>
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<span class="fullpost"></span><span class="fullpost">I mentioned that I am a Christian. While I have an extensive resume in working with the culture at large, I have a special burden for the church. My compassion and desire to help extends to all individuals, no matter their beliefs, and the <strong>N.E.W. LIFE</strong> programs have been carefully developed for a diverse audience. </span>I welcome any individual who desires freedom from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bondages</span> to food, body image and the diet mentality.<br />
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My plan is to speak out to the blogosphere, and hopefully the messages will make their way beyond that in our technologically-connected world. I hope that my posts support your efforts to maintain or improve your health and the health of your family. My goal is to prompt you to think about, evaluate, change, and/or maintain your eating and lifestyle so that you do not drift into the statistical dis-ease of our nation in the days and years to come.</div>
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So just one assignment today. <span style="color: red;"><b>Just think.</b></span> Not too hard, right? Sometimes the most critical steps we take in our life <i>are</i> easy. I hope to help you know from experience that we can effect major improvements in our health even with small changes. <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b><i>You can do this!!! </i></b></span></div>
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So <span style="color: red;"><b>think</b></span> on the statistics above about a nation going in the wrong direction and <span style="color: red;"><b>evaluate</b></span> which direction <i><b>you </b></i>are going. Are you headed in the right direction today? If you are "fine" today, are you getting away with behaviors and habits for now that will result in you being one of the statistics above in the years to come? Will you "worry about it then"? Don't worry--this dietitian does not want to eliminate the pleasure of food--and even feasting--from your life. Or guilt-trip you into achieving your maximum aerobic capacity on a treadmill, unless of course you <i>like</i> that sort of thing (to each his own!). Au contrair. I want to encourage you to find the pleasure in getting outside for a long overdue walk and restore the blessing of food, perhaps even introduce you to new foods and tastes along the way. I want to help you to develop healthy <i>habits</i> that complement your life, not hijack it.</div>
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Certainly the sedentary lifestyle of many Americans (and our obsession with "screen time" technology for both children and adults) is a, if not <i>the</i>, major contributor of lifestyle disease. Other factors include the abundance of food and, probably more importantly, the type of low-nutrient, high-calorie convenience food that makes up a large part of our food environment and diets of many busy (or overly busy) Americans. Then there is the effect that a culture that is losing its moorings has on a large proportion of its people who are depressed, many who develop an unhealthy relationship with food and emotional eating issues that pack on the pounds. And it is my premise that the unhealthy obsession with body image and diets ironically fuels rebound overeating and weight-gain in a large percentage of the population. And while feasting can be right and good, many Americans feast too much (have you noticed that within every 10 weeks there is at least one major holiday that centers around food, and that's before adding in the family birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and weekends?).</div>
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With so many factors vying to deter our goal of a healthy lifestyle, I am very aware that individuals who read this blog are in many different places with different strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles in their own lives. But the principles of a healthy--even optimally healthy--life are simple. I hope to provide clear and helpful nutrition information, encouragement and practical tools for people who want to "change direction", whether that be a little nudge (that yields big benefits) or a great big turnaround. In either case I aim to help people build from a firm foundation to support healthy years going forward. My passion comes from the fact that after gaining 60 pounds (despite daily strict dieting) in 2 years after retiring from elite competitive gymnastics and developing a 15-year 5-tier addiction/obsession with food, diets, body image, exercise and the scale fueled by diets I walked through a process to <b><span style="color: red;">complete freedom around food and body image obsession.</span></b> I went from dieting every day, bingeing 5x/night (no Sundays off), and exercising 3 hours every day (no Sundays off)--and I still gained 60 pounds in 2 years, which tells you how much I was eating!--<span style="color: red;"><b>for 15 years straight, to freedom around food</b></span>--so much so that I <i>forget</i> to eat when I go through emotional tough times in life now. BTW, that's how I define freedom around food--when we can grieve the real pain of life without turning to food to "cope" (momentarily). Food is a blessing though to many it seems like a curse, and my desire is to restore the blessing of food to its rightful place in the lives of people who are struggling. So if you are one of the people who needs a complete turnaround, but you think you are too far down the road to get back to a healthy life, I'm here to tell you that it's not only possible, I'm here to help.</div>
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So the first step to any real change--examine your thinking. If there is any faulty thinking you have to begin to think about things rightly. A <i>really</i> common pitfall for those interested in weight-loss is to focus on weight. And what often spawns from this is a diet mentality. So for readers of this blog who are interested in weight-loss, since a "diet mentality" is common and since there is a 95% failure rate for dieters, your first best step is to recognize--and change--any diet mentality and determine to take the focus off of weight and put it on behavior instead. The weight will come off much more <i>easily</i> and <i>stay</i> off when your thinking is right. I fully understand that changing thinking may not be as easy as it sounds. You may be comfortable with it, you may "trust" it and letting go of the "solution" of dieting may even feel scary. Changing thinking may take time--give yourself the time, and the grace, to do so. Begin and continue to fill your mind with the truth. I will do my best to help you by sharing what has worked for me--and many others--in the <b><i>Seed</i></b>.</div>
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Thank you for visiting the <i><b>Seed</b></i>. May God bless you on your journey to wellness!</div>
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Blog posts in the weeks and months ahead will explain the disconnect and assist the reader with effective behavior change. Firstly, <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> is NOT a diet. In fact, the <strong>N.E.W. LIFE</strong> philosophy is not just a "non-diet approach", but the very <em>opposite</em> of a diet.<br />
<span class="fullpost"><br />When people evaluate what is <em>missing</em> in their diet and even just <em>begin</em> to <strong><em>put in</em></strong> missing fruits, vegees, beans, nuts, seeds, and fish, the "fluff" foods get crowded out and people are surprised at how quickly their <em><strong>desires change</strong></em> without any all-or-nothing dietary changes. The most effective change is realized by sticking <em><strong>in</strong></em> foods, even one at a time, not eliminating foods people have been eating for years and then expecting them to eat more vegetables! Adding missing healthy foods to the diet provides for a more stable blood sugar, which defends against <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bingeing</span> and craving, and the body simultaneously gets the fuel (calories) and nourishment (protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">phytochemicals</span>) it needs to be healthier. Furthermore, behavior change and healing from underlying emotional pain is often hard work. It is futile to try to do the hard work of behavior change and emotional healing if we are not starting from a basis of health and strength. It is like knocking our head against the proverbial brick wall to try to change eating behaviors, not to mention exercise, when we are not giving our body what it needs to be healthy, and when blood sugar is low and our body is screaming for sugar. By focusing on what to <strong><em>stick in</em></strong> instead of what to <em><strong>cut out</strong></em>, our bodies, tastes, and desires change. This is the opposite of eliminating desirable foods and then expecting yourself to eat more vegetables (a plan which most people find ineffective at best).<br /><br />Secondly, what has always <em><strong>been</strong></em> an optimal diet, still <strong><em>is</em></strong>, and always <em><strong>will be</strong></em> an optimal diet--it is not going to change. It is our understanding of nutrition that is doing the changing, and the broader we set our sights beyond the original 4 walls of our nutrition research labs to understand what healthy cultures around the world eat, the closer we get to understanding what an optimal diet is. Since we have begun to do that we now understand that healthy cultures throughout the world eat a strikingly similar diet (in a variety of ways) based on <em><strong>90% plant:10% animal food.</strong></em> Not only are diets of healthy cultures predominantly plant food diets, they are high, <em><strong>not low</strong></em>, in plant fats. The traditional Greeks, who ate a 40% fat diet based predominantly on olive oil, were arguably the healthiest people on the planet in the 1960's when the traditional Mediterranean Diet began to be studied. Is it any wonder then that the Mediterranean Diet has become the prototype for the changing American dietary recommendations?
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-63656475335867590792015-12-10T14:51:00.001-05:002015-12-10T14:52:51.829-05:00Beans: The Unsung Heroes<br />
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I am constantly amazed at how little print is dedicated to encouraging people to eat more beans. With that in mind I decided to rewrite a post I wrote in honor of the lowly bean back in 2009. It seems to me that beans are an unsung hero. Oh, they are there in all the lists, but seldom talked or written about, at least in comparison to the extensive conversations about omega-3 fatty acids in fish and walnuts (and purslane and flax), the monounsaturated fats in olive oil, and even less billing than nuts and seeds, somewhat related distant cousins. Even chocolate gets higher billing these days prominently displaying its heart-healthy flavonoids But the nutritional powerhouse of beans? Hardly a wink and a nod.<br />
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So here is my attempt at raising the lowly bean into the national conversation and giving them hopefully more than their 10 minutes of fame.<br />
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Some of the simplest things in life can give us so much in return. Such is the case for a simple substitution I have been making in a meatloaf recipe for 20 years--so simple, in fact, that it's easy to overlook as one of the best nutritional changes you can make to your family's diet. Just prepare the meatloaf recipe your family may have already come to know and love, but substitute 1/4 - 1/2 of the meat in the recipe with beans. I just chop a mixture of beans (usually whatever I have left over from making chili or burritos during the week--often a mixture of pinto beans, black beans and/or red kidney beans) with either ketchup, tomato sauce, or salsa (whatever the meatloaf recipe calls for or your taste desires) in my handy little $20 mini chopper.</div>
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The benefits of replacing some of the meat with beans are evident, but are worth enumerating here:</div>
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<span class="fullpost">1. <em><strong>Beans are an excellent source of protein</strong></em>, so replacing some of the meat with beans does not diminish the value of the protein in the meal. In fact, replacing animal protein with vegetable protein improves the health score of this meal for several reasons. First of all, <em><strong>animal</strong></em> protein (but not plant) is linked with saturated fat (<a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Know-Your-Fats_UCM_305628_Article.jsp#">which increases LDL-cholesterol</a>) and cholesterol. In contrast, the <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/cholesterol-lowering-foods/black-beans">soluble fiber in beans lowers cholesterol</a>. Second, homocysteine levels in blood (a by-product of <em><strong>animal</strong></em> protein breakdown) have been associated with <a href="http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/homocysteine-risk">increased risk for cardiovascular disease</a>. Third, strong evidence has accumulated indicating <a href="http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/806573">harmful "meat factors" promote cancer</a>. Fourth, <a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/78/3/584S.full">high <em><strong>animal</strong></em> protein diets (but not plant) increase urinary calcium losses, contributing to osteoporosis</a>.</span></div>
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2. <em><strong><a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/547878-ten-kinds-of-high-fiber-beans/">Beans are one of the best sources of fiber</a></strong></em>, containing both soluble and insoluble fiber. Since fiber is only found in plant foods, replacing some of the meat with beans adds fiber to an otherwise fiberless dish. <a href="http://www.cookinglight.com/eating-smart/nutrition-101/cholesterol-lowering-foods/black-beans">Soluble fiber helps reduce cholesterol</a> and maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Insoluble fiber increases the transit time of food through the digestive tract, promoting a healthier digestive system, and may reduce the risk of some types of cancer.</div>
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3. <em><strong>Beans are an excellent source of complex carbohydrates of low to moderate glycemic index</strong></em>, providing an excellent increased source of energy from the meal.<br />
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4. <em><strong><a href="http://www.calciumrichfoods.org/beans/">Beans are a good source of calcium</a></strong></em> (for bones, teeth and muscle-nerve function), <strong><em><a href="http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/pdf/Appendix_B.pdf">potassium</a></em></strong> (to help reduce blood pressure), <em><strong><a href="http://www.dietitians.ca/Your-Health/Nutrition-A-Z/Vitamins/Food-Sources-of-Folate.aspx">folate</a></strong></em> (a B vitamin important for proper cell development in the fetus and homocysteine breakdown in adults).</div>
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5. <em><strong>Beans are less expensive!</strong></em> In this tough economic climate, don't overlook beans as a rather unappreciated jewel to help stretch the budget.</div>
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Oh, and did I mention they passed the "taste test" of my 3 boys with flying colors?</div>
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Once you try this recipe you may find yourself "beaning" other recipes too. For example, I gave "bean balls" a try on all 3 of my children when they were very young, and again all 3 liked them. I just added beans to the meatball recipe mix (which included onion, pepper and parsley--you can even add some Parmesan cheese to the mix).</div>
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Start "beaning" today and begin to reap several rewards. In fact, why not share this simple and inexpensive idea with others and start a national "beaning" fad, a small step that can have a big impact on the physical health of the nation while helping people to stretch their budgets.<br />
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Additional beans can be added in a variety of ways all year long. With the cooler weather approaching you can serve more chili and even throw in an extra can of beans. In the summer add some garbanzo beans on top of salads (of course you can add them in winter too!). And to increase your family's intake of both vegetables <i>and</i> beans try this <a href="http://www.inspiredtaste.net/15938/easy-and-smooth-hummus-recipe/">simple tasty hummus recipe</a> (made with chickpeas) and keep a bag of carrots on hand.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I am actually quite surprised at the relative lack of emphasis on beans given the boost they can give not only to the diet but also to the budget. In fact I cannot think of a more nutrient-dense food for the money!</span><br />
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I would love to hear about alternative ways that people come up with to "mush" beans into recipes or add beans to dishes. Please share your ideas with others on this blog.</div>
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Happy "beaning"!</div>
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Diane</div>
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<br />Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-59003643271349540672015-11-28T18:22:00.000-05:002015-11-28T18:56:21.462-05:00Best Diets 2015<span style="font-family: inherit;">In it's fifth year of presenting "best diets" of the year, the U.S. News & World Report once again published it's </span><a href="http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-overall-diets?int=9c2508" style="font-family: inherit;">Best Diets 2015</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and once again the DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet) was rated #1 Best Diet out of 35 of the most popular diets evaluated by a </span><a href="http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/experts" style="font-family: inherit;">panel of nutrition experts</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As you can see from a previous <a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/08/dash-diet-dietary-approaches-to-stop.html">N.E.W. LIFE blog post</a>, I concur wholeheartedly! The U.S. News & World Report editors affirm what I wrote--the benefits of the DASH Diet are not just for people with high blood pressure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">U.S. News & World Report provides a very handy evaluation of the top diets. The fact is--and most people already know this--most diets don't work and some are even harmful. But it can take a master's degree and a whole lot of time to wade through all the information (and much hype) and discern what is the <i>best</i> dietary recommendation. Some things should be apparent to most people--eat more plant, less animal (though even that is not "apparent" wisdom in the world of diets anymore), more veggies, less animal fat, less processed food. Yet the work of the U.S. News & World Report editors helps the lay public tremendously.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The editors and reporters spent months researching medical journals, government reports and other resources to winnow certain diets from the list and to rank the remaining diets, and further explain how the diets work, determine whether the claims add up, scrutinize for possible health risks, and evaluate what it's like to actually live on the diet. Additionally, a very notable and lengthy panel of nationally recognized experts in diet, nutrition, obesity, food psychology, diabetes and heart disease reviewed the editors' work and added their own evaluations regarding ease of following the diet, ability to produce weight loss and keep it off, nutritional completeness, safety, and potential for preventing and managing diabetes and heart disease.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/heart/hbp_low.pdf">DASH Diet</a>, issued by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), an agency of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, is proven to lower blood pressure. The diet emphasizes fruits (4-6/day, depending on body weight), vegetables (3-6 servings/day), nuts (approximately a handful of nuts most days of the week) and fat-reduced milk products, and includes whole grain products, fish and poultry. The diet is low in saturated fat (6%), cholesterol (150 mg), and total fat (27%) and is lower in lean meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages than the typical American diet. The eating plan is rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, protein and fiber. Studies conducted by scientists supported by NHLBI and performed at 4 major medical centers found that the DASH Diet significantly reduces blood pressure. The results were dramatic <i><span style="color: red;"><b>and fast</b></span></i>, achieving reduced blood pressure <i><span style="color: red;"><b>within 2 weeks</b></span></i>. Even a modified plan that just added more fruits and vegetables to a typical American diet reduced blood pressure. Another benefit of eating the DASH eating plan is that it reduces (bad) LDL cholesterol, further reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease. <b><span style="color: red;">Important note: If you take medication to control high blood pressure, do not stop using it. Follow the DASH eating plan and talk with your doctor about your medication treatment--it will very likely need to be adjusted, soon!</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To learn more about the DASH Diet (and hypertension) take a moment to read the <a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/08/dash-diet-dietary-approaches-to-stop.html#more">previous blog</a>. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/DHDSP/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fs_bloodpressure.htm">Hypertension</a> (high blood pressure) affects about 1 out of every 3 American adults (an estimated 70 million Americans) and another nearly 1 out of 3 American adults have <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/conditions.htm">prehypertension</a>. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard, and the high force of the blood flow can harm arteries and organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. If uncontrolled, it can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and early death. You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older because your blood vessels become stiffer with age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The hypertension-reducing DASH Diet is similar to the health-supporting <a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/08/mediterranean-diet.html">Mediterranean Diet</a> and the metabolic syndrome-preventing <a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/02/metabolic-syndrome-diet-recommendations.html">Syndrome X Diet</a> discussed in previous blog entries. All are based on the same idea--more plant, less animal food. While they approach the healthy diet from different perspectives (reducing hypertension, a healthy culture, resolving metabolic syndrome) they really are all quite similar in composition. The good news is there is not one diet for heart disease, one diet for cancer, one diet for diabetes, etc. A healthy diet has significant impact on our overall health, and all of the public health organizations reflect that truth in their dietary recommendations. The American Heart Association, National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association, Dietary Guidelines for Americans and others have always had variable but similar recommendations, but in recent years they have all become the same: <span style="color: red;"><b><i>eat a plant-based monounsaturated fat-rich diet based on whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, fruits and vegetables with small portions of lean meat, poultry and dairy, generous amounts of fish (3-4x/week) and olive oil</i></b> </span>to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, intestinal disease and more. What always has been, still is, and always will be an optimal diet. It is not going to change—it is only our rather limited understanding that has been changing over the years. That said, the DASH Diet is lower in fat (27% total fat, with 6% saturated fat) than the traditional <a href="http://oldwayspt.org/resources/heritage-pyramids/mediterranean-pyramid/overview">Mediterranean Diet</a> (which can range from less than 25 percent to over 35 percent of energy, though the saturated fat is similarly 7 to 8 percent of energy). DASH is also lower in fat than the 40% fat reported in the landmark <a href="http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/info/articles/foodcult/mediterr-asia.htm">7 Countries Study</a> and which is recommended by the highly-respected Dr. Gerald Reaven who discovered the <a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/02/metabolic-syndrome-diet-recommendations.html">metabolic syndrome</a> which informed the dietary recommendations of the National Cholesterol Education Program's <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/guidelines/atp3xsum.pdf">Adult Treatment Panel III</a> Report, the "gold standard" for cholesterol-lowering recommendations in the U.S.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Kudos to U.S. News & World Report for its exhaustive work and for continuing to get the word out about the DASH Diet.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Healthy, blessed holidays and New Year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><i>Thank you for sharing this post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week N.E.W. LIFE program on Long Island.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">N.E.W. LIFE</b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> (Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE) copyright 2015</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-11034665410469861282014-01-08T16:30:00.001-05:002015-11-27T00:24:30.664-05:00Best Diets of 2014Dovetailing perfectly with the previous blog, <b>D.A.S.H. Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension</b>, the <b>U.S. News & World Report</b> just published it's "<a href="http://health.usnews.com/best-diet">Best Diets 2014</a>". The <a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf">D.A.S.H. Diet</a> was rated "#1 Best Diet" out of 32 of the most popular diets evaluated. As you can see from the previous <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> blog post, I concur wholeheartedly! The <b>U.S. News</b> editors affirm what I wrote--the benefits of the <b>D.A.S.H. Diet</b> are not just for people with high blood pressure.<br />
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<b>U.S. News & World Report</b> provides a very handy evaluation (and also timely given that I just presented the same conclusion in August and they totally agree with me :). The fact is--and most people already know this--most diets don't work and some are even harmful. But it can take a master's degree and a whole lot of time to wade through all the information (and much hype) and discern what is the best dietary recommendation. Some things should be apparent to most people--eat more plant, less animal (though even that is not "apparent" wisdom in the world of diets anymore), more veggies, less animal fat, less processed food. Yet the work of the <b>U.S. News</b> editors helps the lay public tremendously. The editors and reporters spent months researching medical journals, government reports and other resources to winnow certain diets from the list and to rank the remaining diets, and further explain how the diets work, determine whether the claims add up, scrutinize for possible health risks, and evaluate what it's like to actually live on the diet. Additionally, <a href="http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/experts">a very notable and lengthy panel of nationally recognized experts</a> in diet, nutrition, obesity, food psychology, diabetes and heart disease reviewed the editors' work and added their own evaluations regarding ease of following, ability to produce weight loss and keep it off (with long-term ratings getting twice the weight), nutritional completeness, safety (double-counted because no diet should be dangerous) and potential for preventing and managing diabetes and heart disease.<br />
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To learn more about the <b>D.A.S.H. Diet</b> (and hypertension) take a moment to read the previous blog. Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects about 1 out of every 3 American adults (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/faqs.htm">an estimated 67 million Americans</a>) and <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm">almost 30 percent of American adults</a> ages 18 and older, or <a href="http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/prehypertension-are-you-at-risk">about 59 million people, have prehypertension</a>. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard, and the high force of the blood flow can harm arteries and organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes. If uncontrolled, it can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and early death. You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older because your blood vessels become stiffer with age.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf">The DASH Diet</a>, issued by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is proven to lower blood pressure. The <b>DASH Diet </b>emphasizes fruits (4-6/day, depending on body weight), vegetables (3-6 servings/day), nuts (approximately a handful of nuts most days of the week) and fat-reduced milk products, and includes whole grain products, fish and poultry. The diet is low in saturated fat (6%), cholesterol (150 mg), and total fat (27%) and is lower in lean meat, sweets, added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages than the typical American diet. The eating plan is rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, protein and fiber. Studies conducted by scientists supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and performed at 4 major medical centers found that the <b>DASH Diet</b> significantly reduces blood pressure. <b><i>The results were dramatic and fast, achieving reduced blood pressure within 2 weeks. Even a modified plan that just added more fruits and vegetables to a typical American diet reduced blood pressure. Another benefit of eating the DASH eating plan is that it reduces (bad) LDL cholesterol, further reducing your risk for cardiovascular disease.</i></b> </div>
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<b>Important note:</b> If you take medication to control high blood pressure, do not stop using it. Follow the <b>DASH</b> eating plan and talk with your doctor about your medication treatment—it will very likely need to be adjusted, soon!<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Kudos to <b>U.S. News & World Report</b> for doing such an exhaustive project and continuing to get the word out about the <b>D.A.S.H. Diet</b>. </span><br />
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Healthy New Year!<br />
Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.<br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for sharing this post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-39803582303586775702013-08-26T11:18:00.000-04:002015-11-27T00:18:52.697-05:00D.A.S.H. Diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension)<br />
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<span style="color: #231f20;">Hypertension (high blood pressure) affects about 1 out of every 3 American adults (<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/faqs.htm">an estimated 67 million Americans</a>). Blood pressure is the force of blood against artery walls. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and recorded as two numbers--<i><b>systolic pressure</b></i> (when the heart beats) over <b><i>diastolic pressure</i></b> (when the heart relaxes between beats). Both numbers are important. Normal blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure (hypertension) is when your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or above. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 140/90 is called prehypertension. If you have prehypertension, you are more likely to develop high blood pressure. <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm">Almost 30 percent of American adults </a>ages 18 and older, or<a href="http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/prehypertension-are-you-at-risk"> about 59 million people, have prehypertension</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #231f20;">High
blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart work too hard, and the
high force of the blood flow can harm arteries and organs such as the heart,
kidneys, brain, and eyes. If
uncontrolled, it can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and
early death. </span>If you have heart or
kidney problems, or if you had a stroke, your doctor may want your blood
pressure to be even lower than that of people who do not have these conditions. You are more likely to be told your blood pressure is too high as you get older because your blood vessels become stiffer as you age. <br />
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There are many things you can do to help control your blood pressure:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Eat a heart-healthy diet, including potassium and fiber, and drink plenty of water.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Limit the amount of sodium (and salt) you eat--aim for less than 1,500 mg per day.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Reduce stress--try to avoid things that cause you to stress.</li>
</ul>
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<li>Stay at a healthy body weight.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Limit how much alcohol you drink--one drink a day for women, two a day for men.</li>
</ul>
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<li>If you smoke, quit!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Exercise regularly--at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day (all at once or "piecemeal" in 10-minute bouts). If your blood pressure is moderately elevated, 30 minutes of brisk walking on most days of the week may be enough to keep you off medication. If you don’t have high blood pressure, being physically active can help prevent it. If you have normal blood pressure but are not active, your chances of developing high blood pressure increase, especially as you get older. If you have been sedentary, gradually build up the amount of exercise and do something you enjoy. If you have a chronic health problem or a family history of heart disease, talk with your doctor before beginning a new physical activity program.</li>
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The DASH Diet (Dietary Approaches
to Stop Hypertension) issued by the U.S. Dept.
of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is proven to lower blood pressure. The DASH Diet emphasizes fruits (4-6/day,
depending on body weight), vegetables (3-6 servings/day), nuts (approximately a
handful of nuts most days of the week) and fat-reduced milk products, and
includes whole grain products, fish and poultry. The diet is low in saturated fat (6%),
cholesterol (150 mg), and total fat (27%) and is lower in lean meat, sweets,
added sugars, and sugar-containing beverages than the typical American diet. The eating plan is rich in potassium, magnesium,
calcium, protein and fiber. Studies
conducted by scientists supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI) and performed at 4 major medical centers found that the DASH Diet
significantly reduces blood pressure. The
results were dramatic and fast, achieving reduced blood pressure within 2
weeks. Even a modified plan that just
added more fruits and vegetables to a typical American diet reduced blood
pressure. Another benefit of eating the
DASH eating plan is that it reduces (bad) LDL cholesterol, further reducing
your risk for cardiovascular disease. You
should be aware that since the DASH eating plan has more daily servings of
fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods than you may be used to eating and is
high in fiber, it can cause bloating and diarrhea in some persons. To avoid these problems, gradually increase
your intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain foods.</div>
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While the studies show that
eating the DASH Diet lowers blood pressure, the combination of the eating plan
and a reduced sodium intake gives the biggest benefit and may help prevent the
development of high blood pressure. The
highest level of sodium intake considered acceptable by the National High Blood
Pressure Education Program and U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans is 2300
milligrams (the equivalent of 1 tsp. of table salt, or sodium chloride). The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
recommends that sodium intake be reduced to 1,500 mg (2/3
tsp. of table salt) among persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who
are African American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.
<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSodium/">The 1,500 recommendation applies to about half of the U.S. population overall and the majority of adults</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> and is the</span> amount recommended by the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Institute</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Medicine</st1:placename></st1:place>
as an adequate intake level and one that most people should try to
achieve. <a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12355000/pdf/DBrief/sodium_intake_0708.pdf" target="_blank">Adult men in the U.S. currently eat about 3,100 - 4,200 mg/day</a> (that's 2-3x the recommendation!). <a href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12355000/pdf/DBrief/sodium_intake_0708.pdf" target="_blank">Adult women in the U.S. eat about 2,500- 3,000 mg/day.</a> Furthermore, <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSodium/" target="_blank">t</a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/Features/dsSodium/" target="_blank">he average daily sodium intake for Americans age 2 years and older is 3,436 mg</a>. </span>Only a small amount of salt that we consume
comes from the salt added at the table, and only small amounts of sodium occur
naturally in food. Processed foods account
for most of the sodium Americans consume so read food labels--you may be
surprised to find which foods have sodium. For example, which McDonald’s
product has more sodium—the french fries, vanilla shake or apple
pie? <a href="http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/nutritionfacts.pdf" target="_blank">The 16-oz. vanilla McCafe shake (200 mg) and the apple pie (170 mg) <i><b>both have more sodium than the small french fries</b></i> (160 mg)</a>! It tastes like there is more sodium in the
french fries because the salt is on the surface.<br />
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The DASH eating plan also emphasizes potassium from fruits and vegetables. A potassium-rich diet helps reduce elevated blood pressure, but be sure to get your <a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002413.htm"><span style="color: blue;"><b>potassium from food sources</b></span></a> not from supplements. Many fruits and vegetables, some milk products, and fish are rich sources of potassium. While salt substitutes containing potassium are sometimes needed by persons on drug therapy for high blood pressure, these supplements can be harmful to people with certain medical conditions. People who have kidney problems or who take certain medicines must be careful about how much potassium they consume. If this is you, before you increase the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>potassium in your diet or use salt substitutes which contain potassium, check with your doctor. <br />
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The hypertension-reducing DASH
Diet is similar to the health-supporting <b><a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/08/mediterranean-diet.html">Mediterranean Diet</a> </b>and the metabolic syndrome-preventing <b><a href="http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2013/02/metabolic-syndrome-diet-recommendations.html">Syndrome X Diet</a></b> discussed in previous blog entries. All are based on the same idea--more plant,
less animal food. While they approach
the healthy diet from different perspectives (reducing hypertension, a healthy
culture, resolving metabolic syndrome) they really are all quite similar in
composition. The good news is there is
not one diet for heart disease, one diet for cancer, one diet for diabetes,
etc. A healthy diet has significant
impact on our <i>overall</i> health, and all
of the public health organizations reflect that truth in their dietary
recommendations. The American Heart
Association, National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association, Dietary
Guidelines for Americans and others have always had variable but similar
recommendations, but in recent years they have all become the same: <b><i>eat a
plant-based monounsaturated fat-rich diet based on whole grains, beans, nuts
and seeds, fruits and vegetables with small portions of lean meat, poultry and
dairy, generous amounts of fish (3-4x/week) and olive oil</i></b> to prevent
cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, intestinal disease and
more. What always <i>has been</i>, still <i>is</i>, and always <i>will be</i> an
optimal diet. It is not going to
change—it is only our rather limited understanding that has been changing over
the years. </div>
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Changing your lifestyle is a
process—be gentle with yourself and don’t let slip-backs deter you from your
long-term goal. Take it in small
steps—perhaps add one fruit or vegetable each day for the first week, then a
second fruit or vegetable each day for the second week, and so on. </div>
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<b>Important note:</b> If you take
medication to control high blood pressure, do not stop using it. Follow the
DASH eating plan and talk with your doctor about your medication treatment—it
will very likely need to be adjusted, soon!<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>(Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE)<span style="font-family: "symbol";">Ò </span>copyright 2012</div>
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-63455575994371191642013-08-23T10:21:00.000-04:002015-11-27T00:24:10.071-05:00Mediterranean Diet<br />
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It turns out that the healthiest diet is one of the most enjoyable diets. Lucky for us, one of the most enjoyable ways to eat a more plant-based, animal-reduced diet is to eat as the traditional Greeks--the dietary pattern affectionately known as the "Mediterranean diet".<br />
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In the 1960’s Professor Ancel Keys first reported
on the health benefits of people who ate the traditional diet in the Greek
island of Crete and Southern Italy in the <a href="http://apjcn.nhri.org.tw/server/info/articles/foodcult/mediterr-asia.htm">7 Countries Study</a>. Professor Keys documented the diets of 13,000
middle-aged men (ages 40-59) living in Southern Italy, <st1:city w:st="on">Crete</st1:city>,
<st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Yugoslavia</st1:country>, Finland, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Netherlands</st1:country>, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Japan</st1:country>
and the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">US</st1:country>. Interestingly, the Cretan diet was one of the
<b><span style="color: red;">highest fat</span></b> diets in the study <b><span style="color: red;">(40% fat)</span></b>, but it was <span style="color: red;"><b>low in saturated fat</b></span> and <b><span style="color: red;">high
in monounsaturated fat</span>,</b> and the Cretan Greeks eating it came out with some of
the <b><span style="color: red;">lowest rates of coronary heart disease and all-cause mortality</span></b> and had the
longest life expectancy in the world at that time. The population of <st1:place w:st="on">Finland</st1:place> ate the most saturated fat
(mostly from cow’s milk products) and had the highest levels of blood
cholesterol and the most heart disease. Even
though the population from <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Finland</st1:country>
had a similar intake of fat to that of the Cretans, the population of <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Finland</st1:country> had 30
times higher the rate of heart disease! </div>
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The Cretan diet was also
<i>relatively</i> low in carbohydrates (45% energy) with most of the carbohydrates
consumed being of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>low
glycemic index.<span class="apple-converted-space">
However, this is not a “low carbohydrate diet” as has been popularized to
Americans in the recent high-protein diet craze (those diets are usually based on a <i>dangerously</i> low carbohydrate intake of
about 30-40%). Unlike the popular
“low-carbohydrate diets” of America, the Cretan diet was based on a </span>large
volume of plant foods and consisted of a high intake of vegetables (2-3
cups/day, especially green leafy types including purslane), high intakes of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>legumes
(30g/day), nuts (30g/day, especially walnuts), fruit (2-3 fruits/day) and wholegrain cereals (equivalent
to 8 slices of bread/day). They also had
moderate intakes of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>fish
(40g/day), alcohol (20g/day with meals, i.e. 2 standard drinks/day) and low
intakes of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>red/white
meat (35g/day) and fermented sheep/goats milk products (cheese/yogurt consumed
weekly). This is the equivalent of a 5 oz. serving of fish 2x/week, a 4-5 ounce
serving of chicken/pork once a week,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>a 4-5 ounce serving of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>lamb
once a week or less,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and
bean/lentil soups or casseroles about 2-3 times a week.<span style="color: #030b53;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The Cretan diet was also low in
animal and saturated fat (8% energy), <span style="color: red;"><b>but<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>high
in total fat (40% energy) and monounsaturated fat (25% energy)</b></span>. The major source of fat was olive oil (about
4 tablespoons/day), which was nearly always consumed as 'extra virgin' or the
first pressing of the olive and nearly always consumed with plant food. The combination of vegetables with olive oil in the Mediterranean cuisine<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b>may be an important component responsible for its protective effect</span>. For example, the antioxidant lycopene in tomatoes is<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>better absorbed in the intestine if the tomatoes are cooked, and absorption is even better if cooked with oil, which makes sense since these pigments are fat soluble.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<span class="apple-converted-space"><br /></span>
<span class="apple-converted-space">Countless studies have consistently verified the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. </span>The <a href="http://www.oldwayspt.org/resources/heritage-pyramids/mediterranean-pyramid/overview" target="_blank">Mediterranean Diet pyramid</a> was developed by Professor Walter Willet and colleagues at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University. </st1:placetype></st1:place></div>
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Further
evidence in support of the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet emerged in
the 1980’s and 1990’s from the <a href="http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/99/6/779.full.pdf" target="_blank">Lyon Diet Heart Study</a> in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">France</st1:country>. Six-hundred middle aged Frenchmen who had survived
a heart attack were placed in two different groups--one group ate a prudent
diet recommended by the American Heart Association while the other group ate a Mediterranean
diet. The group on the Mediterranean
diet had a 70% reduction in all cause mortality, including heart attack and
angina, compared with people on the prudent diet. Although the study was supposed to last for 5
years, it was stopped after 2 years because of significant differences in the
rates of death, heart attacks and angina between the two groups--it just wasn't ethical to keep the group on the prudent diet off of the Mediterranean diet! After 4 years, overall death rates were 56%
lower and cancer deaths were 61% lower among patients eating the Mediterranean
diet. The protective effect of the
Mediterranean diet was shown after 2 years and then 4 years, suggesting it is
not only effective but robust. <span style="color: red;"><b>The
chances of dying from a heart attack (and cancer) were more than halved in
those who had received only one-hour’s instruction on the benefits of eating
a Mediterranean diet! Positive health
benefits were achieved with relatively little dietary education--just learning
about the diet seemed to be enough to lead to major lifestyle changes.</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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According to Professor Frank Sacks of
Harvard University, both low fat and high fat diets, low in saturates, can
reduce LDL cholesterol by 17%. However,
low fat high carbohydrate diets reduce the “good” blood cholesterol (HDL) by
18% as compared to the Mediterranean diet, therefore, <span style="color: red;"><b>a <i>low fat</i> diet would predict a 16% or more <i>increase</i> in coronary incidence.</b></span>
Additionally, in the short-term at least, low fat diets also increase
serum triglycerides about 25%. <b><span style="color: red;">This
would predict an increase in coronary incidence of 16% in women and 6% in men.</span></b> On the low fat diet the benefits of the
decrease in LDL are nearly completely offset by the negative impact of reduced
HDL and increased triglycerides, and this actually predicts an increase in
coronary incidence.</div>
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There is no doubt that the Mediterranean diet is the optimal diet to shoot for, and our American research and dietary recommendations have been conforming to that model more and more completely every year. What has always been an optimal diet, still is an optimal diet, and will continue to be. An optimal diet has not changed, only our increasingly better understanding of it has. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.<br />
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<br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. </span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>(Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE)<span style="font-family: "symbol";">Ò </span>copyright 2012</div>
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<br />Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-39317061025615866132013-08-21T10:20:00.002-04:002018-10-02T21:06:36.684-04:00An Optimal Diet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">There are numerous ways to discuss (and eat) an
optimal diet—the overall health-supporting </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Mediterranean
Diet</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, the metabolic syndrome-preventing </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Syndrome X Diet</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, the hypertension-reducing </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;">D.A.S.H. (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">These are</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">just a
few of the more well-known (the topic of previous and upcoming blogs), but they are all based on the
same idea--<span style="color: red;"><i><b>more plant, less animal food</b></i></span>.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While they approach the healthy diet from different perspectives (a
healthy culture, resolving metabolic syndrome, reducing hypertension), they
really are all quite similar in composition.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The good news is there is not one diet for heart disease, one diet for
cancer, one diet for diabetes, etc.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
healthy diet has significant impact on our </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">overall</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
health, and all of the public health organizations reflect that truth in their dietary
recommendations.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The American Heart
Association, National Cancer Institute, American Diabetes Association, Dietary
Guidelines for Americans and others have always had variable but similar
recommendations, but in recent years they have all become the same: </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="color: red;">eat a
plant-based monounsaturated fat-rich diet based on whole grains, beans, nuts
and seeds, fruits and vegetables with small portions of lean meat, poultry and
dairy, generous amounts of fish (3-4x/week) and olive oil</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> to prevent
cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, intestinal disease and more.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also, what always </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">has been</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, still </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">is</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, and
always </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">will be</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> an optimal diet.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is not going to change—it is only our
rather limited understanding that has been changing over the years.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The amount of plant food in an optimal diet is
significantly higher than the standard American diet (S.A.D.). Healthy cultures around the world eat a
strikingly similar <b>90% plant:10% animal </b>food
diet<b> </b>(in a variety of ways) whereas
the typical American diet is based on <b>70%
animal</b> food and only <b>30% plant</b>. An optimal plant-based diet is low in <i>animal</i> protein and <i>animal</i> fat, low in processed foods, and high in health-supporting,
disease-preventing plant foods with their 900+ discovered (so far)
phytochemicals and fiber. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This
may sound extreme to our American meat-loving ears, but around the world people
do not think it is normal to die of such long-term degenerative diseases which
are the norm in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country>. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://nutritionstudies.org/the-china-study/">T. Colin Campbell from Cornell University led the largest nutrition study until its time in the different provinces of China</a>,
comparing disease rates in areas where a more traditional diet was retained to
those areas which were becoming more “westernized”. <a href="https://nutritionstudies.org/about/dr-t-colin-campbell/">Dr. Campbell</a> concluded that a diet based on
more plant food, even up to 90% of calories, was the critical difference
between those who experienced high rates of western diseases vs. those who did
not. This confirms what others have
noticed around the world--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Healthy cultures around the world eat a
strikingly similar diet (in a variety
of ways) based on </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">90% plant:10% animal food:</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 50%
<i>whole</i> grains, beans, nuts, seeds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 30%
vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 10%
fruit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 6% dairy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> 4% meat, fowl, fish<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have come up with a pictorial to make it easy to see:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5S5aeEY8YTl9wImUAsEpqqB853D3hTBTgt0US5bJeWDXptLVGMZwMMPp81hJ5gZTDFd0luCCGrSiCZ6HtzJ-cJoCPPReZ_z-ThrGGEwO2IC22nBfvm-75IOHXMTHOZP-9jPZ21o_YdFk/s1600/Triangles.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5S5aeEY8YTl9wImUAsEpqqB853D3hTBTgt0US5bJeWDXptLVGMZwMMPp81hJ5gZTDFd0luCCGrSiCZ6HtzJ-cJoCPPReZ_z-ThrGGEwO2IC22nBfvm-75IOHXMTHOZP-9jPZ21o_YdFk/s1600/Triangles.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Notice that we are not just
“out of balance” in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country>,
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WE HAVE <i><u>FLIPPED</u></i> THE TRIANGLE!!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Compare
the 90% plant:10% animal food Optimal Diet to the Standard American Diet which
gets 70% of its calories from animal foods (meat and dairy). We have flipped the Optimal Diet triangle
upside-down. Is it any wonder <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">America</st1:country></st1:place>
is experiencing an <i>epidemic</i> of
lifestyle diseases? Notice also that </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">the last 30% of the S.A.D. is
made up largely of <i>refined</i> grains
instead of whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
And at the </span><i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">tippy</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> bottom of the triangle are
vegetables. If the only change we made
was to eat more vegetables we would come a long way in preventing our lifestyle
diseases. If we just ate more vegetables
(like grandma said) we would increase the fiber in our diet (Americans eat only
half of the recommended daily intake of fiber), increase antioxidant vitamins
and minerals and many other phytochemicals, decrease animal fat, decrease
saturated fat, decrease animal protein, and decrease the excessive calories
which contribute to an epidemic of obesity in our country. But if you ask all the people you know how
many eat just <b><u>ONE</u></b> vegetable a
day, about half would say “no”, and many more ask <i>“Don’t McDonald’s french fries count as a vegetable”?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">To start, how about adding an apple a day for a week, then add another plant food next week. Or pick up a bag of carrots and add a carrot a day. This really isn't hard to do :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. <o:p></o:p></span></i></span><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i><br />
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>(Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE)<span style="font-family: "symbol";">Ò </span>copyright 2012</div>
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-63042906358830268712013-08-19T11:34:00.003-04:002015-11-27T00:25:17.973-05:00Trans Fats<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: justify;">In
the last several blogs I have mentioned the danger of processed “trans fats” in
our diet.</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: justify;"> Let's</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: justify;"> explore
them a little more.</span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">“Trans
fatty acids”, otherwise labeled as “<b><i>partially hydrogenated</i></b> fatty acids”
(or hydrogenated vegetable oils) are now widely used in many products to
lengthen shelf life and improve the texture of foods. Fatty acids are based on carbon chains that have hydrogens attached. Saturated fatty acids have hydrogens attached at every available bond (they are saturated with hydrogens), whereas unsaturated fatty acids have one (monounsaturated fat) or more (polyunsaturated fat) places on the carbon chain that do not have a hydrogen attached (an "empty bond"). </span>Normally, when oxygen attaches to the site on the carbon chain of the fatty acid where there is an empty (available) bond the product goes rancid faster. <span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Partially hydrogenated oils</span><b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></i></b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">undergo a chemical process which <i style="font-weight: bold;">adds
hydrogens to unsaturated fat to make it more saturated, </i></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">making
less available bonds for oxygen to attach</span></i></b><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"> <i><b>so the product stays fresher longer</b></i>. </span><b><i><span style="color: red;">The purpose of
“partially hydrogenating” a fat is to increase the product’s shelf life, not
your life.</span> </i></b></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">In addition to making a perfectly healthy unsaturated
fat more “saturated” (with hydrogens), <b><i>hydrogenation causes the structure of the
fatty acid to be altered.</i></b> During
the process the structure of a natural <i>un</i>saturated
fat (where the "cis" configuration of the fatty acid hydrogens are
attached on the same side of the carbon chain) may be changed to a
"trans" configuration (where the hydrogen atoms occur on both
sides). Thus the name “trans” fatty
acids.</span><b><i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b>Trans
fatty acids are harmful!</b><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Trans
fatty acids have been implicated in a host of degenerative diseases including
cardiovascular disease </span>(which does not just happen because there is too
much cholesterol—there is an initial <i>insult</i>
to the inside of the arteries), cancer, arthritis, and even premature aging! <span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Trans
fatty acids are at least as bad as, <i>if
not worse than</i>, saturated fats as they have an equally negative effect on
increasing the LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
An increasing number of researchers and nutrition experts agree that
trans fats are actually worse (and some say <i>much</i>
worse) than saturated fats because they not only increase LDL cholesterol like
saturated fats do but also significantly reduce HDL (“good”) cholesterol,
delivering a “double whammy”. Additionally,
trans fatty acids increase Lp(a) lipoprotein
levels (a particularly harmful type of LDL cholesterol associated with an
increased risk of coronary heart disease) and triglycerides. Many studies have confirmed the adverse
effects of trans fatty acids, prompting the FDA to require labeling of trans fatty
acid content of foods on product labels starting January 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">In June 2006 the American Heart Association
issued updated dietary recommendations which set a
goal for trans fatty acids of <u><a href="http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Know-Your-Fats_UCM_305628_Article.jsp" target="_blank">less than 1% of total calories</a></u>. The typical American diet contributes 10
grams of trans fatty acids for every 3,000 calories (equivalent to 3%). The largest single source of trans fatty acids
is margarine. <i>Watch out for peanut butter too!
</i>Steer clear of the big brand name peanut butters which advertise
“low cholesterol”, “low sugar” and/or “low fat” on the front of the label and
check the label for “partially hydrogenated” oil. Choose the brand that lists only “peanuts and
salt” on the ingredients label. While
there are a lot of “natural” brands of peanut butter without partially
hydrogenated fat, there is usually an inexpensive store brand with just
“peanuts and salt” too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"><a href="http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/chapter6.htm" target="_blank">The 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee reports</a> that processed foods (cakes, cookies, crackers, pies, etc.) provide 40%
of the total trans fats consumed, animal products provide 21%, and margarine 17%,
while the <a href="http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2010/DietaryGuidelines2010.pdf" target="_blank">2010 Dietary Guidelines Committee</a> reports that trans fatty acid
levels in the U.S. food supply have decreased since 2006 when the </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">declaration of the amount of trans fatty acids on
the Nutrition Facts label became mandatory. Trans fatty acids are also produced
by grazing animals, and small quantities of “natural” or “ruminant” trans fatty acids are found in meat and milk
products. There is limited evidence to
conclude whether synthetic and natural trans fatty acids differ in their
metabolic effects and health outcomes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">Also, while labeled products initially rushed to
reformulate and banish trans fats from their products, the fast food chains and
restaurants will probably be slower to change, making it likely that trans fats
will lurk at a higher level where you eat out.
Skip the fried foods when eating out (a large order of french fries
typically contains 6 grams of trans fat).</span><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Recommendations</b><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">·</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i>Avoid
peanut butter which has been “partially hydrogenated”.</i></b><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> </span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: xx-small; letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Buy more
unprocessed foods and read labels on processed foods. </i></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; letter-spacing: -0.15pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><i>Avoid
fried foods while eating out.</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-align: center; text-indent: -24px;">·</span><span style="font-family: "symbol"; letter-spacing: -.15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i>Avoid
margarine.</i></b><span style="letter-spacing: -.15pt;"> Margarine is the largest single contributor
of trans fatty acids to the American diet.
The harder the margarine, the more trans fats (stick margarine has more
than tub, which has more than oil because when <b><u>h</u></b>ydrogens are added to a fat it
gets <b><u>h</u></b>arder). The new plant sterol
margarines (Benecol and Take Control) purportedly contain no trans fatty acids,
however, Tu T. Nguyen, M.D., the Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and lipid expert
leading a team researching the plant sterol margarine admits that the mechanism
by which plant sterols lower LDL cholesterol is not entirely known. Furthermore, only preliminary results from
beginning studies are available. Use
these products with some confidence, and caution, while awaiting further data. </span>Smart
Balance margarine is formulated with the “right balance of natural fats
[which] can improve cholesterol ratio”, and also boasts a favorable ratio of
omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. If
you want to use Smart Balance as another alternative to margarine keep in mind that
the ingredients include palm and canola oils. I much prefer people use my Better Butter recipe:</div>
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<b> <u>Better Butter</u> </b>(copyright 2011 <b>N.E.W. LIFE</b><span style="font-family: "symbol";">Ò</span>)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b> 1/2 cup (1
stick) <i>Softened</i> Butter<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> 1/2 cup Olive
Oil (or Safflower Oil, etc.)*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> (optional) 1/2 cup Water
(for low-cal better butter)*<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b> (optional) <u><</u> 1 Tbsp. Honey**<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Blend all ingredients
in a blender for several minutes, until smooth and creamy.</div>
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<i>*If the recipe comes out too watery, use a scant less than 1/2 cup
water and/or oil.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>**Using too much honey yields a grainy mixture.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<b>N.E.W. LIFE</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>program
participants really like Better Butter. You can cook with it, just
like butter.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Enjoy the <i>good fats</i> in your diet,</div>
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Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. <o:p></o:p></span></i><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>(Nutrition, Exercise, Wellness for LIFE)<span style="font-family: "symbol";">Ò </span>copyright 2012</div>
</div>
Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-45512733089012574352013-08-09T10:53:00.001-04:002015-11-27T00:25:31.679-05:00Dieting is Harmful to Your Health<br />
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In the last blog I presented overwhelming evidence that our obsessive focus on weight is misguided when it comes to actual mortality data. In a previous blog I discussed the futility (failure) of dieting. Whether your goal is prevention of lifestyle disease or weight-loss, I encourage you to take the obsessive focus off of weight and focus on the real problems instead--lack of activity and plant foods, and a high animal (saturated) and processed (trans) fat diet. Today I hope to strengthen that focus by sharing about the downright danger of dieting. Again, from the book <b><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fat-Lies-Weight-Health/dp/0936077425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376057480&sr=8-1&keywords=Big+Fat+Lies+Gaesser">Big Fat Lies</a></u></b> by Glenn Gaesser, a large amount of research (and thus a longer-than-usual blog to make you aware of the danger) shows just how harmful dieting can be:<br />
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fifteen studies</span></u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> published between 1983-1993
show that<b> <i>weight loss increases risk of premature death by up to 260%</i></b>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dieters, especially yo-yo dieters</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> (who make up about 90% of the dieters in
this country), <b><i>have a risk for Type II diabetes and cardiovascular
disease that is up to twice that of “overweight” people who remain fat</i>.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Weight loss was associated with 40-260% higher death rate</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">when researchers devised 36
different ways of comparing causes of death and amount of body weight lost in a
follow-up of the NHANES I study (1971-74) in <u>2,453 men and 2,739 women</u>.</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>In 20 of 29 groups<b> <i>weight loss increased the death rate from
heart disease and stroke from 7-167%</i> </b>in<b> </b><u>800,000 men and women</u><b> </b>tracked
by the American Cancer Society.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In 1995 the Centers for Disease Control and the American Cancer Society
reexamined some of the data from the earlier ACS study focusing specifically on
<u>43,457 women</u> who had
never smoked and who were overweight when the study began. <b><i>For the 2/3 of the women who were
healthy to begin with who intentionally lost between 1-19 pounds premature
death rate from all causes was increased 40-70%.</i></b> Unintentional weight <i>gain</i>, on the other hand, had no adverse effects on premature death.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In a study of <u>12,000 men<b> </b>at high risk for heart disease</u><b><i>
men who lost weight actually had a greater risk of dying during the nearly 4
years of follow-up.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In the Harvard Alumni study a subgroup of <u>11,700 men</u><b> <i>who had a weight loss of more than 11 pounds during 1962-1977 had a 75%
greater risk of dying from heart disease by 1988.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dr. Steven Blair and his colleagues studied <u>10,500</u> men at high risk for heart disease enrolled in the
Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial in 1973 and found that <b><i>weight
loss, even for a subgroup of men who would seem to be optimum beneficiaries of
weight loss, resulted in 61-242% higher mortality rate from cardiovascular
disease</i></b>. Weight gain did <i>not</i> significantly increase mortality
from heart disease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A study involving <u>200</u><b>
<i>extremely heavy young men</i></b> on a
weight loss program at the <st1:placename w:st="on">Veterans</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Administration</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Wadsworth</st1:placename>
<st1:placename w:st="on">Medical</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype>
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place>
between 1960-1975 fasted, lost 60-90 pounds, and were followed for the next 7+
years. Almost all of the men gained
everything back and more. <b><i>It was
only after the radical weight loss that the men started to have health
problems--75
developed diabetes, 39 became hypertensive, 19 were diagnosed with
cardiovascular disease, and 27 went undiagnosed and died of cardiovascular
disease.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The
amount of weight loss associated with the higher mortality rates reported in
these studies was, in most cases, between about 10-30 pounds, amounts very
similar to what dieters lose, and what health professionals frequently
recommend! . . . </span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A study at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Medical</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">School</st1:placetype></st1:place> involved 12 young
men and women who agreed to follow Dr. Stillman’s low-carbohydrate
plan in <u>The Doctor’s Quick Weight Loss Diet</u>.<b> <i>Although average weight dropped by 7
pounds during the 3-17 days on the diet, the subjects’ total cholesterol rose
from an average of 215 mg/dl to 248, which put them in the high risk category
for heart disease.</i> </b>Five million
copies of the book have been sold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A study involving 24 obese men and women who
followed the diet plan recommended by <u>Dr. Atkins’ Diet
Revolution</u> found that after 8 weeks on the diet<b> <i>the group’s LDL
cholesterol increased by an average of 19%.
The 10 women in the study lost an
average of 15 pounds, but their LDL cholesterol shot up by 33%, and their HDL
cholesterol decreased by 10%.</i> </b>This
book sold 20 million copies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">· <span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Atherosclerosis is a disease
characterized NOT by a slow, steady narrowing of the blood vessels over time
but by <u>sudden spurts</u> in the growth of the fat-and-cholesterol-loaded
deposits that clog arteries. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Just a couple weeks of high-cholesterol counts of
248 mg/dl (the level reached by the men and women on Dr. Stillman’s diet) could
do more harm than several years of a cholesterol of 215, the slightly
higher-than-recommended level they were at before the study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ample evidence indicates that other consequences of dieting include
increased risk for osteoporosis, abnormally low levels of female reproductive
hormones, and of course, the epidemic of eating disorders</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Finally, any diet, regardless
of its composition, can provoke the artery-clogging process because dieting frequently leads to
bingeing, particularly on foods that are not heart-healthy. Dieting
intensifies preferences for high-fat and sugar-laden foods</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Veterinary
scientists at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Illinois</st1:placename></st1:place> put pigs on several yo-yo diets (1 1/4-2 1/2 years, 4-8 diets) and found that <b><i>after just a
few episodes of dieting the pigs developed high blood pressure. By the end of the study investigators
detected severe damage to the heart muscle and coronary blood vessels of most
of the pigs.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Researchers
at University of Mississippi School of Medicine put lab mice <b><i>on a onetime
low-calorie diet. As soon as the mice were allowed to resume
normal, unrestricted eating, their systolic blood pressures more than doubled
within a week. </i></b>Although the hypertension was transient,
lasting just a couple of weeks, the damage was not--<b><i>coronary artery
damage was found in 80% of the mice.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="color: red;">The paradox is that while weight-loss
may seem to have a positive effect on many of the <i>risk factors</i> for
cardiovascular disease, that does not necessarily translate to decreased <i>mortality</i>.
The likely explanation lies in the fact
that weight loss (especially by dieting) begets weight gain (yo-yo diets):</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In the Harvard study those who had a net loss
of more than 11 pounds between 1962-1977 had a cumulative weight loss of 99
pounds, which means they had also <i>gained</i> a considerable amount of weight
over the years. <b><i>Men who had lost
and gained the most total pounds had an 80% higher rate of heart disease and a
123% higher rate of Type II diabetes.
Those alumni who had dieted frequently had nearly double the risk for
Type II diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease compared with those
who never dieted.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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than 3 decades of follow-up evaluations, <b><i>subjects whose body weights
yo-yoed the most had up to 100% greater risk of death from heart disease.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Higher rates of heart disease in those who yo-yoed the most were also
found in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. Ancel Keys and his colleagues at
University of Minnesota found that <b><i>during the weight-regaining phase</i></b>
of the Minnesota Experiments in which 32 men were put on a 24-week diet with
about half the calories they were accustomed to, <b><i>many of the men seemed
to be on the verge of congestive heart failure, with one man hospitalized with
severe cardiovascular problems.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The experience of the population of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Leningrad</st1:city></st1:place>, after being <i>unintentionally</i> put on a semi-starvation
diet for 5 months, not surprisingly fits with current recommendations--people
lost weight and hypertension was reduced.
However, <b><i>after the siege was lifted and food became plentiful, 10,000 people were examined
and it was found that the incidence of high blood pressure had shot up by
100-400%, with a similar increase in the incidence of hypertension related vascular damage at autopsy. </i></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Even the <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country> government
issued a report on “Obesity and Health” by the Department of Health, Education
and Welfare in 1966 in which <b><i>9 experts in health and nutrition warned the
public that "the frequent
weight gains and losses indulged in by many obese patients . . . may be
actually more harmful than maintenance of a steady weight at a high level”.</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Losing
weight seems to increase the chances of dying from a disease for which weight
loss is frequently prescribed to help cure!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In
conclusion (of the last several blogs), there are absolutely <i>no</i> studies
that unequivocally show that weight-loss improves health and lengthens
life. <i>Many</i> studies indicate that <b><i>voluntary
weight loss may compromise health and increase risk for premature death</i></b>.
The real risks to health and longevity
are more likely to come from dieting than from stable weights that are above
those recommended by height-weight tables. <span style="color: red;"><b><i>Trying to prevent natural weight gain
may be not only futile but hazardous.</i></b>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In
our obsession to blame weight for disease we lose sight of the real
culprits--lack of activity and plant foods, and a diet high in animal
(saturated) fat and processed (trans) fat.
The excess weight may be nothing more than the benign, visible
consequence of a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits. If you are looking for results, best to
target the problems, not the weight associated with the problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">So let’s concentrate on <u>physical
activity</u>, <u>plant food</u>, and <u>animal/processed fat in the diet</u>, and <i>take
the obsessive focus off of weight!</i><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Note: Be reassured that if you </span><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">are</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
losing weight because of changes in your diet and activity, weight-loss in and
of itself is not going to kill you! The
danger of dieting seems to be because of extreme dieting practices (high-protein
diets which are low in plant foods and high in saturated fat) and/or subsequent
weight-<i>gain</i> after the deprivation of
the diet. The moral of the story is to
make sure you do it right with lifestyle change <b><u>once and for all</u></b> </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">and prevent
the subsequent weight regain often associated with dieting</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. I cannot overemphasize the importance of
stopping any yo-yo dieting behaviors. We
take diets and weight-loss so flippantly.
Weight-loss is <i>serious business</i>! Besides, you will feel a lot of freedom in
getting rid of any “diet mentality” in your life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Enjoy a non-dieting <i>healthy</i> life,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for sharing this post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> copyright 2012</div>
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-1574345129745011042013-08-07T11:11:00.000-04:002015-11-27T00:26:00.328-05:00Focus on Fitness, Not Fatness<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">The following information is from the book <b><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fat-Lies-Weight-Health/dp/0936077425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375890186&sr=8-1&keywords=Big+Fat+Lies+Gaesser">Big Fat Lies</a></u></b> by Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D. which I highly recommend. <span style="color: red;"><b>I present this information in an effort to help you take the focus off of body weight, and focus instead on physical activity and a healthy diet.</b></span> The evidence is overwhelming (and the blog is longer than usual to make you aware of the amount of evidence, though this is only a small overview) that body weight does <b><u>not</u></b> deserve the blame we have assigned to it. And the evidence keeps coming in--you may have heard the "new" evidence consistently reported in the news over the past 2-3 years that "surprises" the experts (and reporters), concluding that body weight is not to blame. <i><b>The bottom line--<span style="color: red;">fitness matters more than fatness.</span></b></i> The caveat is that <span style="color: red;"><b>abdominal fat</b></span> is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Note how <u><b>large</b></u> and <u><b>long</b></u> these studies are, and how well-respected <b><u>the sources</u></b> are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Dr. Steven Blair and associates at the Cooper
Institute of Aerobics Research in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Dallas</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Texas</st1:state></st1:place> studied <u>10,244 men and 3,124 women</u> between
1970-1981 and found that<b> <i>being heavy did NOT increase the risk of
dying prematurely</i>. </b>Furthermore<b>, <i>when considered in combination with fitness, being overweight seemed to
be better than being underweight!</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->Dr. Blair and his colleagues reported that after
8 1/2 years’ follow-up on <u>25,389</u>
men who had medical exams at the Cooper Clinic,<b> <i>the lowest death rates were
observed in the fittest men, regardless of how much they weighed</i>.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Dr. Reubin Andres, clinical director of the
National Institute on Aging and a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins,
performed an independent statistical analysis on the data from the 1979 Build
Study and found that<b> <i>the body weights associated with lowest
mortality increased progressively with age</i>.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Dr. Andres also reviewed 13 large studies, all
lasting 12 years or more (in one large-scale study researchers followed <u>1.7 <i>million</i> Norwegian people</u>
for 16 years!).<b> <i>The
review has strengthened the case for modest weight gain with age </i></b>(researchers
estimate safe weight gain is 2-10 pounds per decade).</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Dr. Ralph Paffenbarger at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Stanford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>
has been tracking the health and mortality facts of nearly <u>17,000 Harvard alumni</u> who entered
the university between 1916 and 1950. <b><i>The
men who had the best chance of living a long life were those who gained the
most weight since college and who also expended at least 2,000 calories per
week in physical activity.</i> </b>(The
amount of weight gained was not trivial--<b><i>about 25 pounds or more for most of them!</i></b>)<b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->The famous Nurses’ Health Study (which has been
scaring people with its alarming conclusions about the health risks of gaining
weight ever since its news-making scientific reports were released in 1995) has
its own unmentioned inconsistencies.
After reporting that a weight gain of 11-17 pounds since age 18 was
associated with a 25% higher risk of heart disease, the researchers reported
later that year that <b><i>a weight gain of up to 20 pounds after the age of 18
did NOT increase the risk of dying from heart disease. In fact, the risk associated with this degree
of weight gain was 30% lower compared with women who remained fairly weight stable.
<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Furthermore, the Nurses’ Health Study found <b><i>a
consistently lower risk of breast cancer at higher body weights. </i></b>Similar results about breast cancer
in women as a disease for which<b><i> extra weight seems to be an advantage </i></b>also
come from 3 studies from Norway (one of which numbered <u>570,000 women</u>)
and half a dozen from the U.S. and Canada.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>The famous, oft-quoted Framingham Heart Study
originally concluded that being overweight, and gaining weight after age 25,
dramatically increased the risk of heart disease. Although the 1983 paper continues to be cited as
definitive proof of the negative effect of obesity on health, two later reports
undermine the conclusions of the 1983 report:<b> <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>In 1989 a subsequent report from the Heart Study
drew positive connections between higher levels of exercise and healthier
levels of HDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Most of the thin people exercised more and had better blood profiles
than most of the fat people. <b><i>Therefore,
it is entirely possible that the increased heart disease mortality rates of the
“overweight” men and women of the 1983 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Framingham</st1:city></st1:place>
report was due to physical inactivity, with weight simply being a harmless side
effect of the inactivity.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>A later report, issued in 1991, incorporated the
biannual weight measurement data (which were taken but not analyzed in the
original reports of the study). Researchers
found that<b><i> weight gain was associated with significantly lower risk of
dying from heart disease in both men and women.
Weight gain also decreased overall mortality rates from any and all
causes in both men and women.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Another relatively unpublicized report from the <st1:city w:st="on">Framingham</st1:city> study shows
that<b> <i>heavier body weight is a distinct advantage in osteoporosis</i>. </b>Two studies at the Mayo Clinic, one at
Tufts, and one in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">France</st1:country>
show similar results.</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Glenn Gaesser, author of <b><u>Big Fat Lies</u></b> and previously
the associate director of the Adult Fitness Program at the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Virginia</st1:placename></st1:place>,
has observed firsthand in counseling hundreds of men and women that <b><i>the
majority of individuals with high blood pressure are NOT obese, and the
majority of obese people do NOT have high blood pressure</i></b><b>. </b>Countless
research studies confirm this observation.
Furthermore, the standard advice to the obese hypertensive to “lose
weight” may have serious consequences.<b> <i>The
evidence shows that hypertension more than doubles the risk for early death in
thin and non-obese people, whereas it only marginally increases the risk of
early death in obese people. The weight-reduced hypertensive may
be more likely to die from cardiovascular disease!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><b><i><span style="color: red;">75% of
all the body weight-mortality studies published since the 1950’s find weight to
be irrelevant to health and mortality, or suggest that heavy people live
longer!</span></i> </b> There are many long-range studies of men
representing a <i>variety</i> of populations, including: . . .</div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Seven Countries Study (nearly 13,000
men in 7 countries)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Civil service employees in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Great Britain</st1:country>, <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Denmark</st1:country>,
and <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maoris in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">New Zealand</st1:country></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pima Indians in <st1:state w:st="on">Arizona</st1:state></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Middle-aged men in <st1:country -region="-region" w:st="on">Finland</st1:country></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<st1:city w:st="on">San
Francisco</st1:city> longshoremen</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Employees of the Chicago Peoples Gas
Company</div>
</div>
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Residents of <st1:place w:st="on">Western
Scotland</st1:place></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> </b>Californians
in the Western Collaborative Group Study</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
State employees of <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state> in the Albany Study</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
African Americans in the <st1:city w:st="on">Charleston</st1:city> Heart Study</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Evans <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Heart</st1:placename></st1:place>
Study</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kaiser-Permanente Study in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Bay</st1:placetype></st1:place> area</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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and also in
women:</div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
1,464 middle-aged women in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Amsterdam</st1:placename></st1:place> (25-year study) </div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
741
white and 454 African American women in Charleston Heart Study (30-year study) </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
2,731 women in Kaiser-Permanente Medical
Care Program in <st1:city w:st="on">Oakland</st1:city>
(15-year study) </div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
17,159 Finnish women (12-year study)</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 15.85pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 15.6pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -15.85pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>Because obese people have more fat on their bodies
it had been <b><i>assumed</i></b> that they
must also have more fat in their arteries. But
the fact is that <b><i>both autopsy studies
and coronary angiography studies have not been able to connect weight or body
fat to the existence of atherosclerosis or to progression of the disease! Well over half of the angiographic studies
done between 1976-1994 show that obesity has NO relationship to either the
presence or progression of atherosclerosis.
</i></b>Numerous studies confirm that weight has nothing to do with cholesterol
levels. </div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 15.6pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 0in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -15.6pt;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>The largest and most comprehensive study by
Applegate at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:placename></st1:place> of <u>over 4500 men and women</u> showed that<b> <i>the fattest people, not the
thinnest, had the cleanest arteries!</i><o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span>In the Cleveland Clinic Foundation study of <u>262 men and women</u>, <b><i>a
slightly greater percentage of non-obese men and women showed evidence of
progression of cardiovascular disease</i></b><b>.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
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One final observation--Type II
diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol and triglycerides can all be
remedied without losing any weight (even in those who remain obese!). Weight reduction often does not cause these
problems to go away and they may, in fact, significantly worsen. An exciting fact in diabetes care which has
been well-recognized in the last 2 decades is the surprising observation that
just a minimal weight-loss (only a few pounds) in diabetics often results in
major improvements, supporting the idea that it is likely <i>not</i> the weight-loss <i>per-se</i>
that is responsible for metabolic improvements, but rather the change in diet
and exercise.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
The conclusion? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
“Thinner is healthier” is NOT a fact but an unsubstantiated
hypothesis. Just because obesity
is often <i>associated with</i> disease
which results from a lack of activity and a high animal fat diet does not mean
that obesity <i>causes</i> the diseases for
which it has been blamed. In fact this
long list of well-done studies indicates that there may very well be no
relationship between body fat and mortality.
Therefore, if we lose weight without focusing on the real cause of disease,
namely a too high animal (saturated) and processed (trans) fat diet, too little
plant food, and too little physical activity, it is unlikely we will achieve desired
result—prevention of lifestyle disease.
<span style="color: red;"><b>In fact, we very likely make things worse by just “losing weight”. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Few if any studies to date have been designed carefully enough to focus
on weight while simultaneously excluding other likely influences on health. Failure to consider the location of fat may
help explain why the research on the health impact of obesity is riddled with
inconsistencies. <b><i>In recent years it has been well-established that <u>abdominal fat</u> is one
of the strongest risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. A waist circumference of 35” in women, and
40” in men puts you at considerably higher risk for these diseases.</i></b><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The
bottom line—fitness matters more than fatness.</span></i></b> The caveat is that abdominal fat is highly
associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;">So your <b>watch</b> and your <b>belt</b> are
2 of your best pieces of equipment in your quest for better health. Use your watch to aim for 30-60 minutes of
physical activity, even “piecemeal”, on most or all days of the week. Use your belt size to make sure you keep your
waist size less than 35” in women and 40” in men.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Fitness is <i>cheaper</i> than any health insurance and <i>feels better </i>than any diet.
Enjoy a healthy lifestyle and the freedom that comes with taking the
obsessive focus off of weight,</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein. Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week <b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>program on Long Island.</span></i></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> copyright 2012</div>
Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-26805547211072578382013-07-19T13:51:00.004-04:002015-11-27T00:26:14.282-05:00Demotivating Diets<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;">After spending the last 6 blog entries helping to
build motivation, I thought it would be fitting to pause and talk about what is
<i>de</i>motivating, in order to defend
against it. In short, <i>diets! </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>If
you want to stay motivated, avoid the “diet trap”.</b></span> Here are some of the ways people find
themselves caught in the diet trap:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Restrictive dieting causes loss of muscle tissue which results in a
lower metabolic rate and subsequent </span><b><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">weight-regain</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> as <b><i>fat </i></b>and, of course, another diet to
take care of that. How depressing.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Restrictive
dieting causes physical and emotional feelings of <b><i>deprivation</i></b><i> </i>which result in <b><i>rebound <u>over</u>eating</i></b>
leading to weight regain, often with more besides and, of course, another diet
to take care of that. Back to deprivation, round
2 (and 3, and 4 . . . )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Individuals whose
eating is<b><i> driven by underlying emotional issues</i></b> are given a </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">diet as the "solution" to their
“problem” but cannot seem to stop overeating and, of course, try “harder” to
diet. What a “failure”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Any one of
these common scenarios, or a combination of any or all of them </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20pt;">¯</span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Weight regain</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">(often with a little more
besides!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">¯</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Lower
self-esteem</span></b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">¯</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">More</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> weight gain
or <i>more</i> dieting with increased
intensity to do better<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">¯</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">More diet
“failure”</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;">¯</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 26.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">INCREASINGLY LOWER SELF-ESTEEM</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In short, dieting wreaks physical and psychological
havoc.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And if those typical cycles aren’t demotivating
enough, weight-loss does not necessarily translate into better health. That’s really depressing! In fact,<b> <a href="http://www.nutritionj.com/content/pdf/1475-2891-10-9.pdf" style="color: red;">diets are often harmful to your health</a><span style="color: red;">.</span></b> Accumulating evidence shows that
dieting does more harm than good. Glenn Gaesser,
Ph.D., author of <b><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Fat-Lies-Weight-Health/dp/0936077425/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374256194&sr=8-1&keywords=Big+Fat+Lies+Glenn+Gaesser">Big Fat Lies</a></u></b>,
presents a convincing review of the overwhelming evidence that in the effort to
produce weight-loss, individuals actually <b><span style="color: red;"><i>increase their risk for earlier mortality</i>. </span></b> Talk about demotivating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">So
if you struggle with motivation, stop dieting.
<b><span style="color: red;">Diets sabotage motivation and are harmful to health.</span></b> In the next blogs I will discuss the futility
and harm of dieting. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">If you need to lose weight realize the ironic truth is you need to <i>eat </i>to lose weight.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Living <i>free</i> of diets,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Diane Preves, M.S., R.D.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
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<span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Please contact me if you are interested in hosting a 10-week </i><b>N.E.W. LIFE</b><i> program on Long Island.</i></span></div>
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<b>N.E.W. LIFE</b> copyright 2012<br />
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Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6016379502129287830.post-28547355088058494242013-07-17T13:33:00.000-04:002015-11-27T00:26:26.122-05:00What is Your Motivation Based On?<div class="Section1">
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This is the 6th of 7 blog posts meant to help with motivation: 1) physical activity prevents disease, 2) <i>big</i>
benefits of just 10-minute bouts of exercise, 3) the <i>many</i> benefits of physical activity, 4) <i>internal</i> vs. external motivators, 5) changing <i>desires</i>, 6) basing motivation on <i>truth</i> vs. myths/lies, and the next blog 7) demotivation of
diets. If you struggle with motivation to make dietary
changes or exercise, check in with yourself to see what your motivation is based on.
If your motivation is based on any myths or lies (which are like shifting
sand--when the sand shifts, motivation crumbles) consider the truth upon which
to build a more firm foundation for motivation which lasts:</div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>The Myths and Lies:</b></span><br />
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1) Your worth is based on your body image.</div>
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2) You must be perfect to succeed (have a perfect body image, eat perfectly to lose weight).</div>
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3) There is good food and bad food, and furthermore, you are “good” if you eat good food or do good on your diet, and “bad” if you eat bad food or do poorly on your diet.</div>
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4) You do not have enough “willpower” if you are not able to change your habits.</div>
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5) Once you become thin your life will be better.</div>
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6) Overweight is the problem.<br />
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7) Healthy eating is rigid. <br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b style="font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: blue;">The Truth:</span></b>
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1) You <b><u>are worthy</u></b> regardless of your body weight!<br />
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2) Not only do you <b><u>not need to be perfect</u></b> to succeed, you won’t be!<br />
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3) You should not extend <b><u>labels</u></b> or make <b><u>moral judgments</u></b> about yourself based on how well or how poorly you eat!<br />
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4) In the case of compulsive eating/food addiction you must <b><u>release control</u></b> in order to have more control in your life!<br />
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<span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -24px;">5) Life does <b><u>NOT</u></b> necessarily get better just because we get thin! Basing motivation on such MYTHS about the joy and worth of life is like building a house on shifting sand. The sand <u><b>will</b></u> shift and the motivation will crumble! Furthermore, the goal is to be able to <u><b>grieve</b></u> the pain of the hard times without using food to numb the pain.</span><br />
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6) Overweight is the symptom. <b><u>Overeating</u></b> is the problem!<br />
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7) Healthy eating is <b><u>flexible</u></b>!<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">Build
motivation which lasts on the solid ground of the truth!</span></i></b><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Diane
Preves, M.S., R.D.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>N.E.W. LIFE </b>copyright 2012</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><i><span style="color: red; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you for sharing this
post with others who might benefit from the information shared herein.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Diane Preves M.S., R.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11915438765293311473noreply@blogger.com0