Mick’s up with Emotional Toxins

We have learned that stress can come from all different areas, and it can affect our health.

We kind of touched on this with Mick’s up with Accountability, but let’s take a look at how the people we hang out with can be toxic.  Not only can they influence us in our eating patterns and our fitness, but they can also influence our attitude.

I’m sure you’ve heard about it.  A very popular topic that has been around is Toxic Friendships.

Like I’ve said before, I do believe that God wants us to be a blessing to everyone we encounter.  So, I’m not saying you should be selfish and think only of yourself and your own well-being.  However, it is important for you to stay as healthy as you can, so you can keep on efficiently doing work for God as long as possible.  You do not want to have to take time away from what God wants you to do, all because you didn’t take care of yourself to begin with, and then you have to concentrate on yourself more, so you can heal from being sick.

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“Those who fail to take the time to be healthy

will ultimately have to take the time to be sick.”

(Dr. James Chappell)

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You know all the warnings we give our kidderz about being careful in choosing the types of people they hang around.  Why should it be different for us?  We can be bombarded by emotional toxins (negativity, discouragement, pessimism, worry, fear, put-downs and verbal abuse, etc.), just as easily as chemical toxins. 


At the same time, true friendship can be a great antidote to what ails us.  What a blessing!

Be a friend to those who need a friend, but make sure your relationships remain healthy, so that you can remain healthy.

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with No Fear

“This life therefore is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health, but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise.  We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it, the process is not yet finished, but it is going on, this is not the end, but it is the road.  All does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”

Martin Luther 

 

Do you participate in Halloween?  When we first became parents, we did not think it wise to get our kidderz mixed up with a celebration that alluded to evil.  I must admit, however, that we have allowed them to be included in it over the years.  We certainly have taught them the history behind it, and the reasons why we choose to “keep it clean” and not gory, etc., and we chose not to give in to fear.  In addition, we decided it is best to be a light in the darkness, and so we use this opportunity to hand out information about our church and our faith.  When else do people come to your door, asking you to give them whatever you feel like sharing with them?  This is awesome!

 

Why fear evil in the world, when we can stand up for the Truth?  Why hide away in a darkened house in fear, hoping for no visitors on Halloween, and be mistaken for a grumpy old outcast… when you can express the joy you truly feel, and share the love of Christ with neighbors you might not otherwise meet!?  We at our house think it’s fun!

 

Yes, there is a spiritual battle going on, and we do not always see the warfare.  It’s good to be aware, but it’s even better to know and trust a God who can protect you in the midst of it.  Do not fear!  A wonderful reminder in scripture was shared at our church on Sunday, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV) 

 

Some historic elements to this time of year can be honored, like Vision Forum summarizes with remembering Reformation Day.  “It was 494 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his world-changing 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church.  These theses included rebukes to ungodly fear and superstition.  502 years ago, sometime near October 31, a baby named John Calvin was conceived who would dedicate his life to eradicating an ungodly fear of superstitious beliefs and proclaiming the gospel of grace.  His emphasis on reformation, revival, and the sufficiency of Scripture had such far-reaching implications for nations like the United States that he has been described by Christian and secular scholars alike as the true founding father of America.  The Reformers did something that was very scary to the world of their day.  They stood against all forms of dark superstitions which grip the minds and souls of men.  It was their emphasis on the fear of the Lord and the wisdom of Holy Scripture that was used by God to liberate untold numbers of men and women.  But to remember the Reformers instead of Halloween is very scary to the world.”

 
 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)