Over the past few years, researchers have conducted hundreds of studies that show the relationship of faith to good health. Among the positive findings are, longer life, overall well-being, quicker recovery after surgery, lower blood pressure, good mental health and reduced stress.

That just goes to show you that the old cliché is correct, Faith isn't just pie in the sky when we die, but is also steak on the plate while we wait.

John 6:35 NIV "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."

Pastor Donald Anthony of the Grace Lutheran Church in North Carolina became so concerned about the obesity problem rampant in the members of his congregation that he formed an eight member “heath cabinet” to help the church members reform the way they eat. They are encouraging good nutrition and exercise among the members of the church, even producing their own version of a cookbook with healthy recipes.

Pastor Anthony is preaching, “Our bodies are gifts that God gave us. We have to take good care of them.”

1 Cor. 6:19 NASB “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?”

We have known for years that it was important for our health to get at least six hours of sleep per night. Now a new study indicates that getting more than nine hours is likewise unhealthy. That much sleep has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cognitive problems, and premature death.

No amount of good health habits will allow us to live past our appointed time. --Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

The Week, May 10, 2013 p. 19

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

As part of an effort to fight growing obesity in the emirate, Dubai is offering to pay residents in gold if they will lose weight. The government launched a 30-day program, announcing that for every kilogram an individual loses before the end of the time fame, they can take home a gram of gold, which is currently worth $42 US. They emirate also announced that the top three dieters will be eligible to win gold coins worth up to $5400 US. To qualify contestant must lose a minimum of 2 kilograms or about 4.4 pounds. Officials say wealth and high household incomes have led to overeating, high-sugar diets, and more people relying on cars to get around. They are concerned with the increase in diabetes and other obesity related diseases. The official press release said, “Participants must have excess weight to reduce and stay away from unhealthy methods to lose weight and should be present on the final day to measure (their) weight.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Dubai offers gold to fight obesity epidemic, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/19/us-dubai-weightloss-idUSBRE96I0N320130719, Accessed July 19, 2013

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (CEV) (7) Don't have anything to do with worthless, senseless stories. Work hard to be truly religious. (8) As the saying goes, "Exercise is good for your body, but religion helps you in every way. It promises life now and forever." These words are worthwhile and should not be forgotten.

Dan Janssen lives on a daily diet of cheese pizza, and has for the past 25 years. Janssen, now 38, ate your average meat and potatoes diet until he was 14 when he became a vegetarian, alas, he found out he didn’t like vegetables. That’s when he stumbled across the cheese pizza diet, and he’s been eating it ever since -- for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Janssen says, “‘If I could say anything to the men of the world, it's you can do it. You can eat two 14-inch pizzas a day and be fine.’ Change may be on the horizon. Janssen's fiance is gently nudging him to widen his culinary horizons and he is seeing a therapist about his extreme eating habits.” --Jim L. Wilson and Ron Williams

-- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/04/dan-janssen_n_4899071.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news, Accessed March 5, 2014

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

A woman has developed incredible mental abilities after suffering a brain injury in a skiing accident. The unnamed woman has been diagnosed with ‘savant syndrome,” an extremely rare condition which leaves people with amazing musical, artistic, or mathematical abilities. Doctors believe it is due to the right side of the rain trying to compensate for an injury to the left side. Though she was initially diagnosed with a mild concussion, the woman noticed new abilities when her vision, perception, and memory changed drastically. She even told her doctors that she thought she remembered too much. Doctors admitted her into a hospital for testing, and doctors were able to diagnose her with savant syndrome. They do not know if the condition will reverse itself or if the woman will remain the same for the rest of her life.
—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Skier wakes up a 'genius' after suffering brain injury during crash on the slopes, By Sam Adams, http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/skier-wakes-up-genius-after-5535949, Accessed April 17, 2015.

Romans 12:2 (HCSB) Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

A Florida woman was shot in the leg while sitting at a café on Independence Day, but didn’t know until doctor found the bullet five days later. Heather Charlebois told a local paper that she initially thought someone threw a firecracker at her. She felt pain, but didn’t see much blood, so she didn’t worry about it. When the pain was troubling her five days later, she went to see a doctor who discovered that she had a .38 caliber bullet lodged in her leg. Police say there were no reports of gunfire in the area, but they think the bullet might have been fired into the air some distance away and happened to strike Charlebois as it fell to the ground.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

After days of pain, woman finds she was hit with bullet,
http://news.yahoo.com/days-pain-woman-finds-she-hit-bullet-212215983.html, Accessed July 10, 2015.

A study done at medical facilities between 2009 and 2012 has found that health care providers discuss religious beliefs or spirituality in less than 20 percent of cases. Senior author of the study, Douglas White says for many patients and family, these issues are important and understanding them is important to delivering care that is respectful of the individual. The research showed that belief systems came up in in 40 of 249 conversations and more than half of the time it was the family or decision maker that brought up the topic rather than the doctor. White says the study suggest doctors or caregivers should start by asking questions and listening carefully. He added, “As a starting point, clinicians should focus on developing skills to understand the families’ religious or spiritual concerns.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Religion rarely part of ICU conversation, By Kathhryn Doyle, http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/31/us-health-religion-icu-idUSKCN0R01QH20150831, August 31, 2015.

Researchers in China found that people who eat a diet rich in spicy foods such as curry and fresh chili pepper can reduce their chances of premature death by up to 14 percent. Researchers examining the diets of almost 500,000 people in China over seven years recorded that those who ate spicy foods one or two days a week had a 10% reduced risk of death compared with those who ate such meals less than once a week. The risk was 14% lower for those who ate spicy food between three and seven days a week.

Well, pass the Tabasco sauce. If we manage to stay healthy, and even if we eat enough spicy foods to live longer, there still comes a day when we enter into eternity. It might be a good thing to spend as much effort on our spiritual health as our physical health. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/05/frequent-spicy-meals-linked-to-human-longevity

Genesis 1:29 (HCSB) God also said, “Look, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the surface of the entire earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. This food will be for you,

Teenagers who join the Goth subculture are at a substantially increased risk of depression and self-harm, according to a recent British study. “The longitudinal study of 3,694 adolescents found that teens who identify as Goth at age 15 are three times more likely than other teens to be clinically depressed and four times more likely to commit self-harm at age 18.”

What the study doesn’t tell us is which comes first, the depression or the Goth subculture? What it does say is that we need to help our children understand that things are not hopeless; we have a loving God who upholds us. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

Deuteronomy 31:8 (HCSB) The LORD is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Doctors in a Boston neighborhood have begun prescribing exercise for their patients and encouraging them to think of physical activity as their new medication. In one program in the Roxbury neighborhood, doctors prescribe gym access for $10.00 a month including childcare, classes, and children’s programs. Directors at the health Center say the access is important because many people in the area suffer from problems like obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression. Life expectancy in the community is nearly 20 years shorter than the nationwide average. Stephanie Davis is a resident, who works out to stay fit. She said,”$10 a month is what? $2 a week. A lot of people pay that every day for coffee. It’s not a big sacrifice for something that you get big rewards from.”—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (HCSB) “Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”

A study published in the Journal Social Science and Medicine found that reading books may help people live longer. The researchers said their results indicate that adults who reported reading magazines and newspapers showed an increase in longevity by as much as two years over non-readers. Data from 3,635 men and women found that those who reported reading books for up to three and a half hours each week were 17 percent less likely to die over the 12-year follow-up period, while those who spent more than three and a half hours reading each week were 23 percent less likely to die. The researchers say there are likely more factors involved in the results, but they think cognitive benefits of reading may play a role in their findings. —Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Researchers say reading may increase lifespan, http://www.foxnews.com/health/2016/08/08/researchers-say-reading-may-increase-lifespan.html, Accessed August 8, 2016.

Psalm 119:105 (HCSB) “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.”

Scientists have discovered what may a powerful source of protein in the future, cockroach milk. A researcher noticed the crystals in a cockroach’s gut are actually milk protein crystals and might be very nutritious. They discovered the crystals have proteins, fats, and sugars; and all of the essential amino acids are contained in the protein sequences. Research shows that a single crystal has three times the energy of an equal amount of buffalo milk. Researchers do not know what the protein tastes like or how it well the body would ingest it, but they are continuing their work, and seeking ways to produce the crystals in large enough quantities to make it marketable. –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/is-cockroach-milk-the-next-big-superfood/ar-BBuQ73Y , Accessed July 25, 2016.

Jeremiah 33:6 (HCSB)“Yet I will certainly bring health and healing to it and will indeed heal them. I will let them experience the abundance of peace and truth.”

A Nurses’ Health Study analyzed by Harvard University researchers discovered that people who attend religious services a couple of times a week may live longer. The study was a survey of 74,534 healthy women beginning in 1992. Researchers tracked them for 20 years. By 2012, 13,537 of the women had died. After adjusting for other risk factors, it turned out that the ones who attended services more than once a week was 33 percent less likely to have died of any cause than those who never went at all. Going only one time a week had some benefit, an increase of about five months.

Some of the take-aways of the study are that church attendance “provides social support, discourages smoking, decreases depression, and promotes optimism or hope.” The church affect may not be as strong for men as for women.

There are many reasons to be faithful to the church. Our life expectancy is just one more. –--Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell.

Hebrews 10:25 (HCSB)“not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Figures released by the United States government show that more Americans aged 65 and over are still working. The last time the percentage was this high was when John F. Kennedy was president. The research suggests that as Americans get older and life expectancy increases, many people want to work because they like working and still feel engaged. The increase may also suggest that many people are still working because they can’t afford not to. The study also showed that more than 25 percent of workers aged 55 or older say they do not have a lot of money in savings and investments and expect to work until they are at least 70 years of age. Although new rules that would provide more access to retirement savings plans are being devised, critics fear that the numbers will continue to rise.–Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Proverbs 16:31 (CSB) “Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness.”

A new study has found that people who are addicted to their cell phones experience chemical changes in the brain, which can lead to anxiety, depression, and insomnia. In the study researchers examined the brains of 19 internet addicted people and 19 non-addicted people and found the addicted people showed an abundance of a neurotransmitter known as GABA. GABA blocks nerve cells from working and having too much disturbs the function of a person’s emotional control center.– Jim Wilson and Jim Sandell.

Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your whole life is going well.

A new scientific study shows how much sleep people need and how the brain suffers with too little or too much sleep. The study focused on real life conditions in participants’ lives for a three-day-period. Analyzing the data from 132,000 nights of sleep found the idea amount of sleep is between 7 and 8 hours a night. The average American gets about 6.8 hours per night. One of the researchers, Jessica Stillman, suggested people need five priorities, work, sleep, family, fitness, and friendships.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

A new study by the National Institute of Health has found that young people who are heavy users of smart phones, tablets, and video game produce brain scans that look different from those who are less active screen users. Scientists say the findings are the first scans of 4,500 nine and ten year olds across the nation. They plan to follow the children as they grow, to see how their experiences, including the use of digital devices, affect their brains, emotional development, and mental health.—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

A cardiologist at the University of Missouri said his research indicates that a big smile might be the first step in keeping stress and its associated consequences under control. According to Dr. Anand Chockalingam said a smile leads to a relaxation response in the body, which lowers blood pressure and even improve blood sugar levels. Dr. Chockalingam suggests everyone should try to smile as much as 20 times an hour. He added, “When we smile, the brain wiring gets altered. The chemicals that are released are more positive.”— Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Proverbs 15:13 (CSB) “A joyful heart makes a face cheerful, but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.”

A study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that Americans are 15 pounds heavier than they were 20 years ago. The study shows, "The CDC report is supported by previous studies of U.S. obesity rates...last year showed 40 percent of American men were considered overweight, while 35 percent of those were obese...30 percent of American women were overweight and 37 percent of those were obese." As a result of this fact, Americans can expect to see a sharp increase in chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease in the near future. While not conclusive, they believe the primary causes to be: high-calorie diet, lack of exercise and busy lifestyles. —Jim L. Wilson and Timothy Fouse-Clark

https://www.inquisitr.com/3386927/cdc-study-indicates-u-s-obesity-rates-increasing-americans-are-fatter-than-20-years-ago/

1 Corinthians 10:31 (CSB)“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

Many studies have shown that exercise is good for overall physical health. A new study found that aerobic exercise and muscle-building activities can boost moods and fight depression. The study of over 17,000 adults found that when people performed a combination of physical activity such as walking, running, cycling, and muscle-strengthening exercises, they had fewer symptoms of depression when compared with people who did not exercise. Dr. Scott Bea of the Cleveland Clinic said researchers suspect vigorous exercise releases endorphins and other mood-regulating chemicals in the body which reduce depression symptoms. He said lifting weights and aerobic exercise can ease depression, and the evidence suggests that combining them increases the benefit. Bea said, “It’s hard to get started, and stating anything new—a new initiative like exercise—is difficult. We have to assume and to accept there will be a little discomfort in the beginning.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

http://www.klove.com/news/2019/04/30/Study-Shows-Exercise-is-Effective-in-Lifting-Mood/

1 Timothy 4:8 (CSB) “For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

British doctor said a teenager’s eating habits have permanently damaged his eyesight. They reported that the teenager was so picky about what he would eat that his diet was limited to a few servings of French fries, slices of white bread, and an occasional slice of ham. Doctors said the young man was diagnosed with a deficiency of vitamin B12 and instructed to take supplements to make up for the lack of lack of fruits and vegetables in his diet. The teen did not follow the instructions and was finally admitted to a hospital. Dr. Denize Atan, who treated the teen, said her team found he had lost minerals from his bone, which was rare for someone his age. Atan said he also suffered from loss of vision which may become permanent. The buy was referred to a specialist, and Atan explained, “He had blind spots right in the middle of his vision. That means he can’t drive and would find it really difficult to read, watch TV or discern faces.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

A published study led by a facial plastic surgeon found a jump in the number of facial injuries caused by cell phones. Dr. Boris Paskhover of Rutgers New Jersey Medical School said he reviewed 20 years of data and found an increase in injuries beginning in 2006, when smartphones entered the market. Researchers estimated 76,000 people incurred cellphone-related injuries from 1998 to 2017. The average was 2,000 a year until 2006, and then the numbers jumped up dramatically. Many of the injuries were related to people texting while walking and then tripping and falling face-first on the street or on concrete. Paskhover said most of the injuries were minor, but some had a risk of long term complications. He warned against getting distracted by the phone. He said, “I love my smartphone. People wouldn’t walk around reading a magazine.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Dear friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and are in good health, just as your whole life is going well.

The United States Postal Service released a stamp to raise funds for those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The stamp shows a green plant growing among fallen leaves, which is a symbolic reference to healing and new growth. A portion of the stamp’s cost will go to the Department of Veterans affairs to aid their work with veterans suffering from PTSD. David Williams, vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Postal Service said the stamp shows a renewed commitment to help treat those dealing with PTSD. Williams added, “The Postal Service is honored to issue this semipostal stamp as a powerful symbol of the healing process, growth, and hope for tens of millions of Americans who experience PTSD.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a video game which they believe is helpful in treating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The organization said the game called EndeavorRx, built by a Boston company, requires a prescription, and is designed to improve attention function in children aged eight to twelve. This is the first time the FDA has cleared a digital therapy for improving ADHD symptoms, and the first time the agency has ever authorized marketing a game-based therapy for any condition. Researchers looked at data from studies involving more than 600 children and recognized the sensory and motor tasks required by the game are designed to help improve cognitive functioning. CEO of the company that makes the game, Eddie Martucci said, “We’re proud to make history today with the FDA’s decision. We’re using technology to help treat a condition in an entirely new way as we directly target neurological function through medicine that feels like entertainment.”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

https://ww2.klove.com/news/health/fda-approves-video-game-for-treating-adhd-in-kids-13567

Studies have differed over the years so if you are confused, it may not be your fault. Most of the latest studies promote the health benefits of drinking coffee. But now a new study throws another curve at the coffee loving health addict. The health benefits of coffee depend on the way the coffee is prepared. The researchers in this 20-year study of half a million Norwegian men and women found that it is coffee that is brewed through a paper filter that brings the most health benefits. Use of a paper filter removes unhealthy substances and “makes heart attacks and premature death less likely.”

Sometimes the most up-to-date health news is hard to keep up with. Coffee is just one example. There is one thing we can feast on that never goes out of style. Feasting on the Word of God. —Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell