Tuesday, June 24, 2014

FOOD - Facts, Folly, or Faith?!!!



I guess my fascination with food facts began about 40 years ago
when the doctor discovered I had hypoglycemia.
At that time, I began to devour books on nutrition,
and actually became quite obsessed with health food.
(My older two children can vouch for that,
and still joke about my cookies that tasted like cardboard!)

As time passed, I think I became a little more balanced.
 ...But then about two months ago, a friend challenged me to do a small experiment
regarding the use of my microwave oven.

I started with two healthy plants,
and watered one with tap or distilled water,
and the other with water I had cooled after microwaving it for four minutes.

In a little more than a month, the one with the microwaved water 
seemed to grow taller and spindlier,
while the other one grew fuller, but was shorter.


Facebook friends gave me feedback as I posted weekly updates and photos.
One of them said that if I used water only, without any soil
the results would be more reliable,
stating that both plants were getting nutrients from the soil.

So, I broke off a few sprigs off each plant and placed the microwaved watered plant
in microwaved water, and the other in regular tap water.

They both looked droopy and looked like they were going to die in less than 24 hours!
 (Tap water plant on left, microwave water on right)

I began to think that this experiment was quite inconclusive,
and thought about calling it quits.
In the meantime, I looked up quite a few verses
 about what the Bible had to say about food.

Here's a few of the verses:

"Accept other believers who are weak in faith 
and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong  
For instance, one person believes it's all right to eat anything. 
But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.  
Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don't.  
And those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, 
for God has accepted them."
Romans 14:1-3

"Do not be attracted by strange new ideas.  
Your strength comes from God's grace, 
not rules about food, which don't help those who follow them."  
Hebrews 13:9

"Don't let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink..."  
Colossians 2:16

And this one was kind of scary!
"Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, 
giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons... 
commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received 
with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  
For every creature of God is good, 
and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving , 
for it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer."
1 Timothy 4:1-3

But I think the best advice came from this verse:
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do,
do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31


So, anyway, I had quite a surprise today when I went to water my plants.
I had left the small shoots in the little vases,
and expected them to be totally dead by now.





The plant in tap water (on the left) was showing some signs of life,
but what amazed me the most was the plant on the right
which was placed in microwaved water.
Talk about the dead being raised to life!
That's what it looked like to me!
So does that mean I should continue using my microwave?
I have no idea!

So what have I learned from this?
For one thing, I think my experiment was full of flaws and inconclusive!
I think God is interested in My HEALTH,
as noted in a previous post on Rock4Today .
I'll probably continue to use my microwave for some things,
but maybe not so excessively!

I'd love to hear your opinions if you'd like to leave a comment!






Monday, June 16, 2014

The Majesty of Doves



Ring-necked turtle doves are supposed to be rare for this area.

This cold winter I had a couple of them under my feeder,
and t
hey appear to have stuck around.

Their cooing can be heard nearly all day,
so I think they are multiplying...

...although the female didn't act too impressed with the male's antics today!

I watched for about 10 minutes as he put on quite a show,
fluffing out his wings and making himself look like a Thanksgiving Turkey!

When he finally got her attention...

he rose up and flew away.

I felt so privileged to get these shots!


What a majestic and simply beautiful bird!

Not long after he flew, the female also took flight.

Did you know that in the Bible the Holy Spirit of God is likened to a dove?

 Luke 3:22  says:
"And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him,
 and a voice came from heaven which said,
 “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”



Bishop T.D. Jakes is doing some great teaching on the Holy Spirit this week on TV.
If you can't find him on your channel selection,
his series will soon be available on-line at this LINK,
probably when the June 2014 broadcasts are added to it.


Quite some time ago I did a post on Rock4Today entitled The Beloved.,
which is the name mentioned for Jesus in the verse above.
Click on the highlighted letters to take you to it.

Thanks for your visit!
To see any of the above pictures in greater detail, simply click on the photo!
For wonderful birding photos,
visit Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday! 


Monday, June 2, 2014

Cracks in the Wall

 

 

The Power of Words!

 

One day last week I had the television on a Christian channel
 while working around the house, and something caught my ear.
It came from the book of Job, one of the oldest books in the Bible.
First I heard this familiar verse from Chapter 1 verse 10:
"You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property.
You have made him prosper in everything he does."


But then this speaker went on to quote Chapter 3 verse 25:
"For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me."
He felt that it was the power of Job's words that had entrapped him;
 that it was the speaking out loud of his fears that brought on Job's troubles.

Whether that was so or not, I'm not sure.
I do know that Proverbs 18:21 says,
"The tongue has the power of life and death..."
The wisest man who ever lived stated,
"Do not be quick with your mouth,
Do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven and you are on earth,
 so let your words be few."
Maybe our words create cracks in our walls,
weaken them,
and by self sabotage we knock down our own protection...
...And maybe that's why Job finally said,
"I put my hand over my mouth"!
Like King David, I need to pray this prayer every day:
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer."
Or to put it more easily understandable:
"LORD, fill my mouth with worthwhile stuff,
And nudge me when I've said enough!"


I haven't got a new Rock4Today posted yet this week,
...still pondering which one to do!