Biblical Counseling for Today’s Christian Family

by  Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min., M.Th.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Temple Maintenance (Part 1 of 3)

Have you noticed that when one part of your body is sick or not in good maintenance, the whole body suffers? The Scripture says that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Since the Spirit of the Living God is residing in you, then you are responsible for daily housekeeping and building (temple) maintenance. Irrefutably, Jesus is available to help us when we are sick or in distress. In these times we are to “call upon the Lord…” (Psalm 18:6); but the primary responsibility for regular well-being is proper and adequate care, feeding, and maintenance of our “temple.” We will begin the New Year with a three-part series of articles on Temple Maintenance. The purpose of this series is to convey to God’s people the significance of the overlapping influence of the whole person (mind, body and soul) when it comes to maintaining the “temple.” Over the next three months, we will address three areas of Temple Maintenance: Eating Healthy, Proper Exercise and finally, Soul Care.

Eating Healthy

The USDA suggests the following tips for eating healthier:

•     Enjoy Your Food, But Eat Less.

•     Avoid Oversized Portions.

•     Make Half Of Your Plate Fruits And Vegetables. Consider keeping a bowl of whole fruit on the table, counter, or in the refrigerator. Refrigerate cut-up fruit to store for later; also buy fresh fruits in season when they may be less expensive and at their peak flavor. You should also buy fruits that are dried, frozen, and canned (in water or 100% juice) as well as fresh, so that you always have a supply on hand.

•     Make At Least Half Of Your Plate Grains And Whole Grains. Eat whole-wheat bread instead of white bread or brown rice instead of white rice. It’s important to substitute the whole-grain product for the refined one, rather than adding the whole-grain product.

•     Switch To Fat Free Or Low-Fat 1% Milk. If you usually drink whole milk, switch gradually to fat-free milk, to lower saturated fat and calories. Try reduced fat (2%), then low-fat (1%), and finally fat-free (skim). Also, if you drink cappuccinos or lattes—ask for them with fat-free (skim) milk.

Incidentally, the Milwaukee Chapter of the Interdenominational Alliance of Minister’s Wives and Widows will be sponsoring a Conference on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on the issue of taking care of the temple. The IAMWW Conference will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5277 North 36^th Street, Milwaukee. By covering topics regarding the mental, physical and spiritual (mind, body and soul), the speakers will teach fellow women the importance of performing regular and continuous Temple Maintenance. Please call Regina Shaw at 414-444-1523 for more information and registration.

Next Month: Temple Maintenance: Physical Activity/Exercise

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The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.

Biblical Counseling for Today’s Christian Family

By: Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min., M.Th.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

– 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Temple Maintenance (Part 2 of 3)

In the second of our three-part series on Temple Maintenance, we will address the topic of exercise and physical activity as a way of maintaining the body God has given to us. Once again, the USDA recommends that we make physical activity a regular part of our day.

Ways To Increase Physical Activity:

At Home:

•     Join a walking group in the neighborhood or at the local shopping mall. Recruit a partner for support and encouragement.

•     Push the baby in a stroller.

•     Enjoy a bike ride with your kids.

•     Walk the dog.

•     Clean the house or wash the car.

•     Walk, skate, or cycle more, and drive less.

•     Do stretches, exercises, or pedal a stationary bike while watching television.

•     Mow the lawn with a push mower.

At Work:

•     Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way.

•     Replace a coffee break with a brisk 10-minute walk. Ask a friend to go with you.

•     Take part in an exercise program at work or nearby gym.

At Play:

•     Walk, jog, skate, or cycle.

•     Swim or do water aerobics.

•     Play racket ball, tennis or volleyball.

•     Play basketball, softball, or soccer.

•     Take a nature walk.

The bottom line is choosing activities you enjoy and can do regularly. Keep it interesting by trying something different on alternate days. Every little bit adds up and doing something is better than doing nothing. Make sure to do at least 10 minutes of activity at a time, shorter bursts of activity will not have the same health benefits. For example, walking the dog for 10 minutes before and after work or adding a 10 minute walk at lunchtime can add to your weekly goal. To be ready anytime, keep some comfortable clothes and a pair of walking or running shoes in the car and at the office.

If you are not sure about becoming active or boosting your level of physical activity because you are afraid of getting hurt, the good news is that moderate-intensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking, is generally safe for most people. The key is to start slowly and gradually increase your level of activity.

If you have a chronic health condition such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease, talk with your doctor to find out if your condition limits, in any way, your ability to be active. Then, work with your doctor to come up with a physical activity plan that matches your abilities.

Next Month: Temple Maintenance (Conclusion) – Soul Care (Part 3 of 3)

The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.