A survey of college students in Australia has found that many of them are addicted to using their cell phones. So, much so that they will go without food, clothes, or text books, because they spend the majority of their income to pay the phone bill. Queensland University of Technology consumer behavior expert Diana James conducted the survey and says she found many cell phone users judge themselves and others by the type of phone they use. James admits she was once addicted to her cell phone too and says, "For me I had to stop using it completely before I could use it again responsibly."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070202/od_nm/australia_phone_addicts1_dc, Some Australians hung up on cell phones, February 2, 2007. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (CEV) "Some of you say, "We can do anything we want to." But I tell you that not everything is good for us. So I refuse to let anything have power over me."

New research suggests the growing use of text messages and e-mails may make people less intelligent. The new study reported by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychologist at the University of London, suggest tapping away on a mobile phone and e-mailing messages causes a reduction in mental capability equivalent to the loss of ten IQ points.

Wilson says the impairment only lasts for as long as the distraction, but says the results make him wonder if our current obsession with constant communication is causing long-term damage to concentration and mental ability. Wilson says, "It is obvious that full concentration is impossible when we have one eye on e-mails or text messages. But we found that mental performance, the capacity of the brain, was also reduced. Workers cannot think as well when they are worrying about e-mail or voicemails. It effectively reduces their IQ."

Wilson says research suggests the brain finds it hard to cope with juggling multiple tasks at one time, reducing its effectiveness. He noted that the effect was similar to the effect to the lack of sleep and more than twice the effect caused by using some illegal drugs.

Six in ten workers report they were addicted to checking their e-mail and said they always responded immediately. One in five said they would interrupt another meeting to handle incoming messages. Dr Wilson says the most effective technique of dealing with the information overload is to turn off the computer or cell phone. He adds, "We have to learn to control technology rather than let it control us."

—http://thescotsman.scotsdman.com, April 22, 2005, Its not clever to send too many texts and e-mails. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Cor. 6:12 NLT "You may say, 'I am allowed to do anything.' But I reply, 'Not everything is good for you.' And even though 'I am allowed to do anything,' I must not become a slave to anything."

A new study combining and reviewing 80 years of psychological research suggests there is a link between religious belief and self-control. The study conducted by two psychologists from the University of Miami began as an attempt to understand why religious belief systems help so many people. Researchers from every nation have found that devoutly religious people tend to do better in school, live longer, have more satisfying marriages, and be generally happier. Many have theorized the results may be due to rules imposed on believers by themselves and the social support they receive from other worshippers. The latest research points instead to an internal strength imparted by religious beliefs.

Dr. David McCullough, who led the study, says, “We simply asked if there was good evidence that people who are more religious have more self-control.” He says researchers have been quietly looking into the question for years. They have found it isn’t a latent fear of God’s wrath that helps religious people with self-control. The evidence suggests the ideals of the belief system become entrenched into a person’s system of values, and that creates what could be called a set of sacred personal goals. McCullough said, “When you add it all up, it turns out there are remarkably consistent findings that religiosity correlates with higher self control.”

--For good self-control, Try Getting Religious About It, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/30/science/30tier.html; December 30, 2008, Illustration by Jim L. Wlson and Jim Sandell

Instead of “religion,” I’d prefer to talk about a relationship with Jesus. Believers in Jesus should be self-controlled because that is something He puts inside us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 (CEV) God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways.

The nation of Denmark has implemented the world’s first tax on fatty foods. The country’s leaders voted to apply a surcharge to food containing more than 2.3 percent saturated fats, in an effort to combat obesity and heart disease. Danes emptied grocery stores shelves before the tax went into effect, buying tons of fat laden foods like butter, milk, cheese, pizza, meats, and oils. Some butter lovers say they may have to buy the dairy product while traveling in other countries in order to avoid the new tax.

Denmark does not have a grossly overweight population. Only about ten percent of Danes are considered obese, compared to about a third of Americans. Governmental leaders think the reason the country has such a low rate of obesity is because of food policies. The Nordic Country made it illegal for any food to have more than 2 percent trans fat in 2004. In 2010, they increased taxes on foods like ice cream, chocolate and sweets along with soft drinks and alcohol products to discourage overuse of the products. Health minister Jakob Axel Nielson said, “Higher fees on sugar, fat, and tobacco is an important step on the way toward a higher life expectancy in Denmark.”

--Denmark Introduces ‘Fat Tax’ on Foods High in Saturated Fat; http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2011/10/02/denmark-introduces-fat-tax-on-foods-high-in-saturated-fat/, October 2, 2011; Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

2 Peter 1:5-8 (CEV) Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, (6) self-control, patience, devotion to God, (7) concern for others, and love. (8) If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.

A study published in the Journal “Psychological Science” says football fan’s eating habits change depending on whether or not their team wins. Researchers found supporters of the winning team tend to eat healthier than fans of a losing team. The day after a loss, a team’s fans tend to eat about 16 percent more saturated fats and sugars. Fans of the winning team usually eat nine percent less saturated fats than usual. The difference is even more pronounced if the game was very close or if it was an upset. The results are less conclusive about what causes the effect, but researchers think that when a team wins, it boosts self control. When your favorite team losses, some fans feel like their identity is threatened—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Football fans' eating habits depend on win / loss, http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/article/311482/7/Study-Fans-of-losing-NFL-teams-eat-more-unhealthy, Accessed August 22, 2013.

Galatians 5:22 (NASB) (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

In his book, Leadership and Conflict, Speed B. Leas writes, “Of course, you cannot control the behavior of others. They will do what they will do. But you can control yourself and contribute to an environment that invites the other into fair and reasonable discourse.” —Jim L. Wilson

Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV) “A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.”

A Greek student decided that the best way to get back home was to ride a bicycle after flights were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kleon Papadimitriou was studying at the University of Aberdeen and was not able to book a flight home to Athens, so researched the possibility of riding a bicycle home. After talking with friends and family he decided to buy a bike and make the 2,000-mile trip. Papadimitriou set up an app which allowed supporters to track his progress and packed bread and canned goods for the journey. He rode between 35 and 75 miles a day through England, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, and Italy. He took a boat from the east coast of Italy to the Greek port of Patras and rode home from there. The trip took 48 days to complete. Afterward, Papadimitriou said he learned a lot about himself on the ride home, including both his strengths and weakness. He added, “And I’d say I really hope the trip inspired at least one more person to out of their comfort zone and try something new, something big.” –Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.