Friday, November 30, 2012

Paying Off Your Debt


Wow! Did I get it for my post Christians Declaring Bankruptcy. I couldn't even publish all the comments because I got tired of being accused of being judgmental and making cruel statements. The one thing I didn't hear in any of these comments of those who had to file for bankruptcy is their desire to ever pay it back. I didn't hear about their faith and trust in a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills to help them make good on what they owe. Is anything too hard for the Lord? {Genesis 18:14}

When we declare bankruptcy and do not consider paying it back, we do to others what we would not want done to ourselves. We do harm to our neighbor. Love your neighbor as yourself.  Love does no harm to its neighbor. {Romans 13:9,10} Someone has to pay your debt. If you are able to work in any way, you need to commit to paying back your debt. Owe no man anything, but to love one another. {Romans 13:8}

Being called judgmental when all I do is teach God's Word as I see is wrong. We are called to rebuke, admonish, and encourage each other. We are not to judge each other in what they eat or the days they celebrate or those outside the church body, according to Scripture, but we are absolutely called to admonish those who call themselves Christians.

Our nation is deep in debt and ready to declare bankruptcy. We are called to be light in this dark world and not live the way the world lives. What an example to the world Christians would be if they were to start paying back their debt. Give everyone what you owe him...if revenue, then revenue. {Romans 13:7}

Laine has a great article about 50 Ways We Paid Off Our House. If you are in debt or have declared bankruptcy and would like to pay it back, I suggest you read it and apply it.  She has some great ideas! Dave Ramsey is another man who comes highly recommended by many who have been able to get out of debt and stay there!

Some say conservatives are cold-hearted and don't care about the poor. Those who are truly poor, disabled, and cannot work, we completely agree in helping and getting government assistance. If the government only helped those truly in need, we would not be in the financial mess we are in now.  However, our government helps way too many people that can work, therefore, has put us on a treacherous path to destruction.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Asking God For Wisdom


Did you know that the Bible tells us that we just need to ask God for wisdom and He promises to give it to us?  During my time of illness, this promise was made very clear to me.
My whole body was on fire.  My back was especially bad.  I would live on frozen peas all day long.  Ken would even bring up bags of peas for me when I was in bed because my back was so bad.  He'd have to bring up a heating pad also because I would be freezing.
The day before I was to go see the pain specialist, I decided I needed to cry out to God for wisdom as to why my back was on fire.  Every time I would go out to get my frozen peas, I would beg God to help me figure out what was going on.
Later that afternoon, I got on my Ipad and googled "burning back."  The first thing that popped up was GERD.  It is just another word for bad heartburn.  I felt my chest where my esophagus is and told Ken that I think my esophagus was on fire.
I googled side effects of turmeric and it said it is from a mustard seed and can cause serious heartburn and stomach problems.  Oh no!  Then I read that an inflamed esophagus can cause burning in the back, neck, and arms.  I stopped taking turmeric.
We went to the pain specialist the next day and he wanted to start giving me cortisone injections into my neck.  If that worked, it would only work for two weeks at a cost of over a thousand dollars.  Then he would cut some nerve endings in my neck.  He said other procedures they would try on me that didn't sound fun and would cost loads of money.
When he left the room, I told Ken I didn't want to do anything yet until my esophagus calmed down.  I could feel it throbbing while I sat in that room.
Thankfully, I figured this out before I started down the path with the pain specialist.  God was faithful to hear my cry and answered me very clearly.  Take Him at His Word.  He is faithful to His promises!
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
 let him ask of God,
who gives to all generously and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
James 1:5

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Dangers Of Breast Implants


Many women are getting breast implants or already have them.  Many of my friends have them.  I was thinking of getting them many years ago after having four children but I am so glad I didn't get them.  I have already have had too many health problems.

This article from Dr. Mercola's website is a very valuable read if you have implants or are thinking about getting them.  My dad is a pathologist.  He said that whenever he had to take a look at a breast implant under a microscope that had been taken out of a woman, it was covered in things that should not be in the human body.

The article said they need to be replaced every eight to ten years.  This is major surgery,  something that can't be good for us.  Now, I understand that some women have to get them after having breast cancer.  The article said there is a new procedure coming soon that will take fat from one part of your body and put it into your breasts which would be much healthier.

The basic problem I have with breast implants is that so many women, even very young women, feel they need to get them to feel attractive.  With pornography being so rampant and men being able to see large breasted women with a click of the mouse, it makes women who are small busted insecure.

I have always been fairly small, except when I was pregnant and nursing, and you know what, I have had an awesome life.  I never had problems getting boyfriends or a wonderful husband.  It doesn't affect our sex life in any way.

We must teach our daughters and young women in our lives that it is okay to be small.  Actually it is much more comfortable and as you age, large ones just hang down and start not looking so pretty.  Teach them to be content with the way God created them and confident who they are in Christ. 

Godly men will want a woman who loves Jesus and walks with Him.  They will want a wife who will be a great wife and mother and who takes care of herself.  So just do the best with what God blessed you with and leave the rest in His hands.

I will give thanks to You,
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
Psalm 139:14

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Christians Declaring Bankruptcy


Should Christians be declaring bankruptcy?  I do not believe they should.  Psalm 37:21 says, The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.  The Bible also says, Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)

The reason there is so much bankruptcy today is because people want what they want when they want. They no longer want to save up their money and wait patiently until they have enough to buy something. They just whip out their credit card and buy what they want.

Then when they can no longer pay their bills, they declare bankruptcy and expect others to pay off their debt. This is not the way Christians should be living. We should be living within our means and only buying what we can afford.

I was raised to always live below what you earn so you can save. We have always lived that way. We bought everything with cash except our homes which we paid off as soon as we could. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (Proverbs 22:7) I don't want to be a slave to anyone if I can help it!

Laine was one of my first mentors.  Her husband never made over $30,000 a year yet they have paid off their home in San Diego.  She was a full-time mother with five children and never worked outside of her home but she sure works hard inside of it.

Here are her thoughts on bankruptcy ~

Bankruptcy. It is a word now that Christians are not ashamed to utter. Along with non-Christians we have bought into this world's lies that we must have what we want when we want it at another's expense. No restraint whatsoever. Even though we may not believe that when we are charging and borrowing, it is so when we no longer consider paying it back. Years ago our great grandparents would have never considered bankruptcy. They would rather have sold everything they had than to bring this word on their good name.

Today we have Christians declaring bankruptcy while their children are still involved in organized sports, or while they take vacations, or while they have private music lessons, or while they send their children to camp or private schools, or while they continue to eat out, or while they take their clothing to the cleaners, or while they continue to buy what they think they need, or while they pay to have their cars washed, or while they buy whatever they desire at the grocery store, or while they make many long distant phone calls, or while they operate two vehicles, and/or while they keep everything they "own" without a thought of paying back the debt it took to get it into their house.

Teach your children to be content with what they have and to live below their means.  For godliness with contentment is great gain. (I Timothy 6:6)

A very good book to learn to live within your means is
The Complete Tightwad Gazette.


Monday, November 26, 2012

Ruth Graham's Marital Advice


Ruth Bell Graham advised wives to "tell your mate the positive, and tell God the negative."  No man has ever crawled out from under his wife's criticism to become a better man (Michael Pearl). Take your concerns to God. Faithfully lift up your husband in prayer every day, and you will likely notice a transformation not only in him, but in yourself, as well. 

It is so easy to focus upon the negative in others. Many times when I hear of marriage troubles, I advise the women to pray a lot. Often I will get the response that we need to do a lot more than pray.  We need to get our husbands in counseling, bring up their problems to them often, have them visit a pastor, etc.

They don't understand the power of prayer. God can do the impossible. He does a much better job than we can do.  We can't change our husbands, only God can change people. We can try but in the process, we usually will damage our marriage. Men respond much better to forgiveness and love rather than anger and nagging. Come to think of it, so do we.

Believe in the power of God and the power of prayer. Pray daily for your husband and the things he struggles with. Believe God and His promises. Don't depend on your ability to change your husband. Depend upon God. Have faith.

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6

Friday, November 23, 2012

Her New Way Of Eating


When I was pregnant with my fourth baby, Cassi, I was full of parasites.  We are not sure how I got them but it was probably from these strawberries I would pick up from this fruit stand and eat them on the way home without washing them.  Not smart!

Hence, Cassi had parasites as a child.  This has caused a lot of digestive problems for her.  We have tried everything to have healthy guts.  Once you have a problem with parasites, it seems like you have a weak digestive system.

Well, she read about this new eating program called The Whole 30 Program.  She is having so much fun trying all these different recipes and ways to cook meats and vegetables.  This is a picture of her dinner.  She loves eating this way.  She has never felt better.  She's sleeping a lot better and has even created a website called Live Right Be Healthy with beautiful pictures of all the meals she has been cooking.  

This way of eating is suppose to help with inflammation in your body, along with acne, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.   I am eating this way basically also to try and heal my weak digestive system and it is definitely helping a lot!  Both of our guts feel so much better.

Cassi says this way of eating is very satisfying.  There is a lot of good fats and meats that keep you satisfied.  You never feel stuffed and never feel starving.  It seems like a very healthy way to eat, especially if you have health problems or even if you want to prevent health problems.

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you.
And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything.
Genesis 9:3

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Difficult To Be Thankful?


 We are called to be thankful.  We are called to rejoice in the Lord always.  We are called to not grumble or complain.  We are called to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials.

What if you are in constant pain and find it hard to even talk? {I know.  I was there a few months ago.} What if you just lost someone you loved?  What if you don't have enough money to pay your bills?  How can we possibly be thankful through any of these trials?

Here,  let me help ~  
We have been strengthened with all might
according to His glorious power.
Colossians 1:11
We are partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.  
Colossians 1:12
We have been delivered from the power of darkness,
and have been translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.  
Colossians 1:13
We have redemption through His blood.  
Colossians 1:14
We have forgiveness of sins.  
Colossians 1:14
We will not perish but have everlasting life
 John 3:16

I could go on and on with all the incredible promises God has given to us.  This is why we need to be in God's Word consistently to be reminded of who we are in Christ and all He has done for us.  Yes, we will have troubles and trials down here.  This isn't our home but every gift that we have has been graciously given to us by our Savior.

Spiritual Sunday, Gratituesday

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

This Is Biblical Womanhood?



A woman decided to live biblical womanhood for a year.  She cut her hair and wore a head covering.  She called her husband "Master" and slept in a tent outside when she was on her period.  She did all the housework and baked bread by hand.  She was submissive to her husband in everything.
She said the leaders in her church that she was raised in explained biblical womanhood this way ~  "They raised it for when explaining why women should be forbidden to teach in church, for not having careers. It required that you work from home, raise a family, and stay away from leadership roles."
She felt that her church taught that women were second class citizens.  I am very happy I was never raised in a church like that.  My churches always taught the value of women and how much God loved us.  They taught us the most important thing is to love God and to love others.
Whether or not we have long hair, wear a head covering, teach in church, or have a career are not the main issues.  In fact, none of those are considered a sin in the Bible.  The sleeping in the tent thing during menstrual cycles is an Old Testament law which we are no longer under.
Most of the Bible is to guide us in making wise choices in the way we live our lives.  Every institution has to have a leader and God made the husband the leader of the home.  Family life works best when carried out this way.
When a woman has children at home, the best place for her is at home taking care of her home and family.  Life runs more smoothly this way and her family needs her much more than society needs her.
Everything in the Bible isn't black and white but it gives us great guidelines to follow.  God gave us His Word and His Holy Spirit to convict and guide us.  He cares much more that we are loving and serving our husband, children, and others than whether we have long hair or not, work outside the home, or even teach at church.
 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another. 
My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
I John 3:11,18

Monday, November 19, 2012

Playing With Grandbaby


If I were to have children all over again, I would do it much differently today.  I get to babysit my grandbaby often and I have learned something.  I've learned to stop and smell the roses.
 
When she comes over, I spend a lot of time with her.  We look at magazines and I point out various objects and tell her the names of them.  We go in the backyard and use old, dried out pumpkins like they were rattles to sing and dance with.   We pick apples from the tree and eat them.  We pick grass and weeds.  We sit in the sunshine.
 
I take her on walks around the neighborhood.  She smiles at all the neighbors and blows them kisses.  It is the most adorable thing.  Our walks are very slow because she likes to stop and smell the flowers and watch the little boys on their bikes and skateboards.  She loves petting the dogs that come by.
 
I like life a lot slower.  Since my six months of being housebound, I have had to learn to take life slower.  I have to be careful I don't hurt my neck.  I have to eat slowly so I don't hurt my esophagus.  I walk slower because my body has been through a lot.  But you know what, I like life being slower.
 
When I was raising children, I was too busy to sit down and play and read to them much.  I hardly ever remember doing that.  I was too busy cooking, cleaning, going to Bible studies, decorating, etc.  Oh, how I wish I would have just sat down and played with my children more.  However, I am so happy that I have the wisdom to do that with my grandbaby.
 
Learn from other's mistakes.  If you have small children, spend a lot of time with them.  They grow up much too quickly and leave you.  They are so precious.  They are eternal souls and need you.
 
Teach them to your children,
 talking about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sharon Osbourne's Regrets


Sharon Osbourne was on Katie (update: a show that used to be on but has been canceled) recently and Katie asked Sharon if working mothers could have it all?  Sharon's answer was so profound I had to rewind it and take it down word for word so I could share her words with all of you.

She looked at Katie and replied,  "No, Katie, I don't.  Honestly I wish I could say that you can but you can't. You can't have everything and do everything great because something suffers. For me, it was my family. My children suffered because I worked and traveled so I wasn't there for them the amount of time they needed. 

When I see mums who say, 'Oh, I'm just a mum,' it's not just a mum. I think women should realize how blessed they are to be there at home with their child every single step of the way. If I could do it again, turn back time, I would give up the money. I would give up everything. I would live in an apartment. I'd live in a tent as long as we were together."

If you are a mother at home, thank the Lord that He has blessed you with children and you are able to be the one raising them. There is NO more important job than raising those children the Lord has blessed you with. You are raising the next generation.

I am so thankful I was able to be home and raise my four children. Before I had children, I always said I would live in a trailer if I needed to so I could be home full time with them.  Raising children takes a lot of time. Teaching them about Jesus, how to treat others, how to control their emotions, etc. takes a full time mommy.

All four of my children walk with Jesus and there is nothing greater in life than when your children walk in Truth. They have all been an incredible blessing in our life and I thank God for them all the time.

So don't live with regrets like Sharon Osbourne. Do whatever you can to be able to be at home full time and raise those precious children God blessed you with.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
3 John 4

Friday, November 16, 2012

Downton Abbey


All those months of being housebound did cause me to watch more television than I normally would and my darling daughter, Cassi, helped me find good and decent shows to watch.  Well,  Downton Abbey is one of my all time favorites.
It is on PBS and set in a fictional Yorkshire Country Estate and the series begins when the Titanic sunk.  The clothing is so beautiful and modest.  I don't think you ever even see cleavage!  Every episode is very decent except for one short scene where a man tries to kiss another man.  Other than that, I can't remember anything that wasn't decent.
I never wanted it to end.  Cassi found the first two seasons for me so I watched it from the very beginning.  I would suggest you do it that way also since it builds upon itself.  The third season will be coming out in January.  Hopefully, it is as decent and as good.  Most good television shows degrade as they go along unfortunately. 
So it you want an amazing television show to watch, I highly recommend it!

This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Alphabe~Thursday

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Heal Skin Cancer, Warts, Moles, and Skin Tags with Black Salve


This is my opinion only!  I take no responsibility for the results you experience with Black Salve, but my family has had wonderful experiences with it. I bought it many years ago and I forgot who told me about it but it has gotten rid of moles, warts, pre-skin cancer, and skin cancer.  It truly is amazing. Not one thing that I have treated has EVER grown back!

If you have something growing on your skin, you put a big blob of it on a little round band aid and put it on your sore, mole, or wart. Wait twenty four hours, then take the band aid off.  Sometimes it stings a lot. This definitely means it is something that needs to go. If nothing happens, it means that there was nothing that needed to go.



I had a sore on my chest that was getting redder and wouldn't heal. I put some Black Salve on it and it immediately started stinging. It stung the whole 24 hours and when I took the band-aid off the sore was white, swollen, and full of puss. The thing that is great about Black Salve is it only goes after the cancer, wart, or mole. The skin around it gets a little red but that is all.

When you take the band aid off, clean the sore with hydrogen peroxide, put a dab of Vaseline or coconut oil on it (I bought my Vaseline at the health food store so there wouldn't be any petrochemicals in it), and put another small round band aid on it. Do this every day until it is healed. This is the key to having the smallest scar possible.  Sometimes it leaves a little scar, but if you went to a doctor, they would probably leave a bigger scar. You can get a fever using it. We've never gotten one but I heard it is possible as your body fights the injury.

Usually after ten days, the root will eventually fall out and leave a hole in your skin but it will heal. Sometimes if the wart or mole is a little stubborn, I will keep it on for 48 hours. I would suggest doing no more than one area at a time so you don't overwhelm your body.

I love finding things like this that I can take care of instead of going to the doctor. We have had amazing success with this and will keep on using it since it works so great! We have had our small jar for many years and all of my family uses it.

Like I said, I have used this for years and had amazing results. Recently, I had this sore right near my elbow that wouldn't heal. I put some Black Salve on it and immediately it began to burn. It burned the whole 24 hours and became red and swollen. Even when I took the Salve off and put Vaseline and a band aid over it, it burned for about a week afterwards. It was by far the biggest spot I have ever used this on. Puss and even a little blood oozed out from under the band aid. Here is a picture of it about ten days after the application ~



The big white thing is now the root. It should come out in a few days. (Yes, the good Lord didn't bless me with good skin. I freckle and wrinkle very easily and I am 56 years old with way too many years in the sun!)



Here it is several weeks later. This was by far the worse treatment so far. It was much bigger and deeper than I thought it would be. It was very swollen and painful for at least a week and then it "leaked" clear fluid and even some blood. I finally put on Manuka Honey on it yesterday to help it heal up faster and it did the trick! It will take a few more weeks for it to completely heal but it's getting there.



This is a picture about two months after applying the Black Salve. It is a flat red spot that will probably completely disappear in a few more months. I LOVE this stuff!

***UPDATE: It's been six months and I can barely see it!

5/13/2018: Here's one that I treated a few days ago on my neck. I will show you it in a few months to show how little scar it leaves!




***Here's an update on March 2021 of another spot that I did. I have done MANY in the past 17 years or so, but this was BY FAR the most painful and took longer to heal than any others. It must have been very deep. I had to apply Manuka honey a few times to it in order to help it heal. 





I just found out you can order it HERE. One jar will last forever. We've had our one jar for many years, and we have shared it with others. You only need a tiny bit each time.

Through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:2

***Remember, I'm NOT a doctor. I'm just a homemaker who loves to research 
natural cures and have found many that have worked for my family and me. Information I have given is for educational and informational purposes only and to motivate you to make your own health care and dietary decisions based upon your own research and in partnership with your health care provider. Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nothing you read here should be relied upon to determine dietary changes, a medical diagnosis or course of treatment.

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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Is Viewing Pornography Adultery?


Many people think that men viewing pornography is the same as committing physical adultery. This gives women whose husband's view pornography a biblical excuse to divorce them. Is this a biblical excuse to divorce one's husband?

The dictionary defines adultery as voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than his or her lawful spouse.  Men viewing pornography are not having sexual intercourse with someone else. They may be having it in their minds {lust} but masturbation is not the same thing as adultery. If lust were a cause for divorce, then every single woman could divorce her husband, since all men have lusted at one time or another.

I think this needs to be clear so women stop using it as an excuse for divorce.  The majority of men have had sex with another woman in their minds {lust} at one point in their lives.  Christian men know it is wrong so they battle it and try to keep their minds from going there.

Men's battle is with their sexual nature just as women battle their emotional nature.  Lust and pornography are sins just as moodiness, anger, and the silent treatment are in women. 
Pornography is absolutely a cancer in our society.  I don't want to downplay its destructive influence in any way.  However, it is a trap that many men have fallen into just as many women have fallen into the trap of given into their emotional tantrums.

The only sin the Bible gives as an excuse for divorce is adultery.  Pornography is not adultery.  If we say that it is we are giving many women an excuse for divorce which leads to so much harm.  Yes, pornography leads to a lot of harm but so do all other sins.

We must remember that when Jesus was speaking about this issue, He was speaking to Jews who were still under the Law and was making the Law even more narrow so they would see their need for a Savior. There was no way they could keep the whole Law without stumbling.

Help your man in his battle with pornography if he has one.  Pray for him. Win him without a word by your godly behavior as the Bible commands. Support him and love him.  There are good groups like Celebrate Recovery he can join if he wants an accountability group but don't give up on your husband because he sins.  Hopefully, he hasn't given up on you because you sin.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness,
and patience, bearing with one another and,
if one has a complaint against another,
forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12,13

Monday, November 12, 2012

Problems With Submission

Many women, even Christian women, have problems with the concept of submission.  When I hear this, I think it means they have problems with wives submitting to husbands.
I doubt they have problems with children submitting to their parents.  Children need to learn to obey their parents and do what their parents ask them to do.  I doubt it means they have problems with citizens submitting to their governments and obeying the laws set forth unless they conflict with biblical principles.  I doubt they have problems with employees submitting to their employers.  Employers want employees who do what they ask them to do and follow their rules.
Therefore, I think the only time these women truly struggle with submission is in the area of marriage.  Bottom line, we really don't want any one else telling us what to do except our parents when we were children, our government so our society can run smoothly, or our employers.  So what they really mean is they don't want their husbands telling them what to do.
Every institution has to have a leader in order for it to run smoothly.  If there are two leaders, there are usually quarrels and strife.  This is not a good thing and does not lead to peace which we are to pursue.
No, submitting to your husband isn't always easy but most husbands don't ask that much from their wives and most of them respect their wives' opinions.  Men want and need respect, however, and one way of showing that is by doing what he asks you to do, the way he wants you to do it.
It usually isn't that big of a deal but we women, somehow, make it out to be a big deal and fight it.  When we finally give in and accept it as the way God intends for it to be, peace reigns in our home and family life.  God's ways truly are the best.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Housebound For Six Months


Yes, I haven't been out of the house for six months, except for several doctor appointments and an MRI, until this past week.  In May, I hurt a nerve in my head.  Shortly after that, I hurt my neck badly by closing the back hatch on our car.  The MRI showed I had inflammation, bone spurs, and a bulging disk in my neck but two neurosurgeons said they wouldn't recommend surgery at this time but to go to a pain specialist. 
I researched on the internet how to get rid of inflammation.  I read tumeric was great at getting rid of inflammation.  I went to my cupboard and found a bag of tumeric.  I put a teaspoon in juice and drank it for two months.  Little did I know that it was burning my esophagus.  I started having burning all over my body, arms, and legs.  I was in tremendous pain. 
I finallly realized a lot of it was from my esophagus being on fire.  I started taking aloe vera juice and eating soft foods.  It has been two months since I figured out I needed to stop taking tumeric and I am finally sleeping at night and having decent days.  There were many nights I didn't sleep at all or just a few hours from the pain.  It was a very scary time not knowing if I would ever get out of pain. 
As I was going through it, I kept reminding myself that I could do all things through Christ who strengthens me and that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.  Without those verses renewing my mind, I think I would have lost it.  The mental battle is the toughest thing to go through when going through severe pain. 
Thankfully, I have a very supportive family and God works everything out.  Cassi happened to be at a quiet time in her life and was able to take over all the household and shopping chores.  Ken had to pitch in also giving me daily neck massages! 
I am doing a lot better now.  I am finally sleeping through the night and able to eat without pain.  Oh, the little things you take for granted like eating and sleeping.  Be thankful for everything!  My esophagus still burns and throbs some but it is definitely so much better.  I am on a very strict diet to try and get rid of the inflammation in my neck and esophagus so I drink a big glass of carrot juice every day, hence the picture.
I praise God that He did create our bodies with the ability to heal themselves of most things.  He is a good God and has always carried me through whatever sufferings I have had to endure.
Psalm 34 was especially comforting to me during this time~
The angel of the Lord encamps around about them that fear him,
and delivers them.  O taste and see that the Lord is good: 
blessed is the man that trusts in him. 
 O fear the Lord, ye his saints: 
for there is no want to them that fear him...
but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 
The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles. 
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: 
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

Pour Your Heart Out, Imperfect Prose
Always Learning

Friday, November 9, 2012

Chemicals Cause Cancer


Dr. Margaret Cuomo believes that chemicals are what is causing cancer and cancer needs to be prevented.  She said that there are several hundred different types of cancer so to try and find cures for all of them is impossible.  Access to care isn't the key either.  Take, for instant, Steve Jobs and Farrah Fawcett. They had the best care in the world and still died.

This is ironic to me because it is what my mom believed and taught me since I was five years old.  She was so far ahead of her time.  Kids use to make fun of my lunches growing up.  I would bring a whole bag of raw vegetables and hold them inside my paper bag while eating them so others wouldn't see.

Dr. Cuomo said eating organic is the most important way to prevent cancer.  Then the things you use on your body like shampoo, lotion, sunscreen, etc.  The next is the products you use in your home. { I just started using Mrs. Meyers to wash dishes with and it is heavenly!  There are no petrochemicals to pollute the environment or to leave a film on your dishes.} I have recipes such as all-purpose cleaner, laundry soap that I have been using for a long time and love! They are just as good as any toxic chemical-filled cleaner.

Buy your lotions and such from iherb.com.  Most of their products don't have chemicals.  Get out in the fresh air and sunshine and walk.  We rarely used sunscreen because I knew putting chemicals all over your body couldn't be healthy. Use your speaker phone to talk to people on the phone. 

All of these suggestions aren't difficult to start implementing today.  Cancer is becoming more and more common.  Dr. Cuomo said there are a hundred different chemicals they use on our food that have been proven to cause cancer.  We must be wise about the way we live our lives in all areas.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:16