Now, That's a Hug!

Have you ever been hugged by a child happy to see you? - one of those so-happy-to-see-you-I-can't-contain-myself hugs!  They come running, all smiles, calling your name, and almost knock you down no matter how you brace yourself for the impact.  Then, they wrap those little arms all around your neck and hold on tight as if to never let you go.  Now, that's a hug!

You never forget a hug like that.  It nourishes your very soul.  Another special "hugger" I remember is from an older person in my family.  Marcia would hug and hold!  She would hug you and not let go until she had blessed you with a prayer, thanking God for you.  When she would finally let me go, I would think, "Now, that's a hug!"

In Mark 11:22 (MSG),  we read, "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you."

We are too quick to embrace the world - too hesitant to embrace this God-life.  As a result we live with half an embrace - without the power to really live, thwarting our chance to live out loud, with the freedom that is ours only in our Creator God!  The thing is we decieve ourselves thinking we can embrace both this God-life and this world-life.  It cannot be done.  You get all the confusion, all the pain, all the anxiety, without any of the peace, joy, love, patience that come from the Spirit.

I choose this God-life - may I learn to embrace it!  I know that if I really embrace it, I must let go of other things I might embrace.  I want to run toward this God-life with all my strength, energy, exuberance, and hold on tight for all the blessings God would give. 

Mark 11:22 (MSG) "Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything."  - Now, that's a hug!

 

Chia Seeds, Anyone?

It's that time of year again, well after the holidays, yet still close enough to the new year that folks still trying to live out resolutions.  Top on the list:  get healthy-lose weight.  I'm not the only one.  I know a healthy diet is important, but it is becoming more and more confusing.  I have one son on the Paleo diet - eating only what a cave man would eat -grain-fed beef, seeds and berries.  Pretty complicated.  I have several family members on the gluten free diet.  Others say eating regular fruits and vegetables are not enough, it needs to be organically raised.  Whew! 

I have heard several different experts suggest drinking a healthy breakfast shake, so I decided to try it.  Here's the recipe: almond milk or coconut milk, protein powder, kale or spinach leaves, fruit and/or berries, and chia seeds.  I have been drinking and even enjoying this concoction for a week without the chia seeds, found only at health food stores! Supposedly chia seeds are one of those super-foods.  Here are the benefits of chia seeds:

• Contain Highest Plant Source Of Omega-3 On The Planet!
• Heart Health ~ Mental Health & Digestive Health
• Proven To Reduce the "Bad" (LDL) Cholesterol
• Great For Diabetics & Effective For Treating Hyperglycemia.
• Contain More Antioxidants Than Blueberries.
• A Complete Protein With All 9 Amino-Acids.
• An Excellent Source Of Calcium, Magnesium & Iron.
• Chia Seeds Are 100% Natural, Raw, Non-GMO & Gluten-Free!

As I drink my shake, which would be healthier with chia seeds, I wonder what one super ingredient we're leaving out of our Christian lives.  Imagine we could put all the ingredients of the Christian life into a blender as a way of beginning the day.  What would that recipe look like?

·         Greens -Word of God - Bible reading (nourishing to the soul)

·         Milk -Prayer Time - will carry you through the day (pray without ceasing)

·         Fruit of the spirit - joy, peace, patience, etc.

·         Protein powder - faith

·         Chia Seeds ?

Chia Seeds -what is the ingredient is the super-food for Christians?  It is Love - love for God, love for others, love from God!  What's a health shake for Christians without the love of God?  Don't leave out any ingredients, but especially don't skip love.  "Love one another."  "These three things abide, but the greatest of these things is love."  "We love because God first loved us."  "They will know we are Christians by our love."

Here's to good health - body and soul!