Faith = Health!

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul (3 John 1:2).  

Consider the following report that appeared on CNN. On January 3, 2009, after the death of the Guinness Book of World Records' oldest person, Maria de Jesus age 115, next in line was Gertrude Baines from Los Angeles. Born to slaves near Atlanta in 1894, she was described at 114 years old as "spry," "cheerful," and "talkative." When she was 112 years old, Ms. Baines was asked by a CNN correspondent to explain why she thought she had lived so long. Her reply: "God. Ask Him. I took good care of myself, the way he wanted me to." Brief and to the point.

Studies on the benefits of religious or spiritual beliefs show:

• an improved sense of well-being or happiness, hope, optimism, and meaning and purpose in life

• a greater sense of personal control in challenging life situations

• reduction of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts 

• greater marital stability

• better social support and more positive relationships 

• "For older adults in particular, the most common source of social support outside of family members comes from members of religious organizations."

•  Frequent attendance at religious services increased longevity on average by 37%

Faith = Health!  May your faith life bring you health and peace, contentment and joy! 

Abiding in Love

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4-5).

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love (John 15: 9-10).

Jesus uses the word abide again and again, as he speaks to his disciples just before his arrest.  To abide is to persevere, to endure, to stay with something.  Often, in our busy world, abiding might seem difficult to do.  Everything seems to be about completing tasks and staying active.  But God calls us to find time and space to be still, to wonder, to see beauty, to love, to serve others. 

This Scottish poem speaks of abiding in an interesting way:

If after Kirk ye bide a wee, There's some would like to speak to ye;

If after Kirk ye rise and flee, we'll all seem cold and stiff to ye.

The one that's in the seat wi' ye, Is stranger here than you, may be;

All here have got their fears and cares;

Add you your soul unto our prayers;

Be you our angel unawares.