Saturday, February 21, 2015

Investigation of Herbal Supplements Results in Recalls

Editor's Note:  I've had a lot of emails telling me of the recent investigation by the New York Governor, so I decided to finally put out a blog post on it.  It's very sad to see people waste their hard-earned money and have to wonder whether they got what they thought they were paying for.  Labeling laws have few requirements .... maybe that will change after this investigation.

Quality is not a common theme in the supplements industry.  We've been in it for 33 years and have seen a lot of brands come and go.  We've stayed with the brand we began with because as time passed by, we saw more and more problems with the alternatives ... generally reported by our customers at the shop when they decided to try a cheaper brand of what they were using.

We have always focused on quality and tried to educate our customers, but most folks think we're just making a sales pitch.  Hey!  I admit I would think the same way.  There are few companies out there that test their raw materials or even know if the right species and part of the plant has been harvested and whether it was harvested at the proper time, and even fewer that manufacture to pharmaceutical standards.

Watch this video to know what you need to look for while you're choosing your brand of health supplements.  Low prices indicate low cost ingredients so you do not get the potency on the bottle, nor are you assured that the ingredients are not contaminated with heavy metals, radiation, etc. Learn what you should look for when reading a product label.

In the News: An investigation by the New York State attorney general’s office into store-brand supplements has found that many herbal supplements not only contain arguably no herbs, but also don’t contain the main ingredient/herb advertised.

Here are some of the bullet-point findings of the investigation:
• Most of the supplements contained phony fillers.

• Many of the supplements contained unlisted allergens. Five of the 24 products tested contained unlisted wheat, and 2 contained unlisted beans — both of which are known to cause allergic reactions in some people.

• Some of the supplements didn’t even contain the herb advertised. All but 5 of the 24 products tested contained DNA that was either unrecognizable or from a plant other than what the product claimed to be.

• None of Walmart’s 6 supplements tested were found to contain purely the ingredient advertised.

• Tests on 6 of the Target brand’s products resulted in only one unqualified positive.

The investigation targeted 4 national retailers — GNC, Target, Walgreens and Wal-Mart, each of which received cease-and-desist letters demanding that a number of their supplements be taken off the market.  Read the entire article.

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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Using Cornmeal To Kill Weeds and Ants

Cornmeal gluten is the by-product of corn wet milling. It is used to feed cattle, fish, dogs, and poultry. Cornmeal is known as a natural substitute for chemical pre-emergent herbicides.

Using cornmeal as weed killer is a great way to eradicate weeds without the threat of toxic chemicals. Iowa State University discovered by accident that cornmeal acts as an herbicide while they were doing disease research. They saw that cornmeal kept grass and other seeds, such as crabgrass, dandelions and chickweed, from sprouting.

NOTE: It is important to note that cornmeal is only effective against seeds, not plants that are mature.This also means you need to get it down BEFORE the seeds sprout, so we're going to spread it here in Central Virginia the first week of March.

Read the entire article.

Here's a few other ideas:

Using Salt to Kill Weeds 
Gardening With Vinegar
Using Sugar to Kill Weeds in Lawn

Editor's Note: I have used table salt purchases in 25 lb. bags for areas where we don't want things to grow (under the gravel in the driveway mainly), and it works! If there's not nearby vegetation to creep in, it's lasted for three years. Down by the street in the easement area, the weeds are quicker to grow into the graveled driveway, so it only lasts a year there.

We have also used vinegar in a garden sprayer which was much quicker than sprinkling salt and then adding water to it.  You could enjoy a nice time in the rain if you put the salt down while the rain could water it in, but my husband likes the idea of putting it in a "tool" and spraying.  He adds a few drops of Sunshine Concentrate since soap was recommended in one recipe to help the vinegar stick to the plants and roots until it dies off in a few days.
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The First Law of Love and Relationships

The First Law of Communication: Do Unto Others
by Dr. Jim Richards, Impact Ministries

The Golden Rule isn’t just the first law of communication; according to Jesus it’s the first law of love and relationships between mankind (Matt. 19:19). Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. These are not Jesus’ exact words, but this has become known as ‘The Golden Rule.’ Nearly everyone can quote it; yet, ironically, the way we interpret it usually produces the exact opposite of its intention.

Our tendency in communication of any kind is to ‘do’ toward others exactly how we want someone to ‘do’ toward us. For example, the ‘direct’ communicator wants the straightforward, ‘bottom line,’ 'get to the point' kind of communication. He/she appreciates and values this type of communication and when they don’t receive it they often feel manipulated or they just stop listening.

The person who wants indirect, more ‘personal’ communication is offended and feels controlled by the “get to the point” communicator. They view them as rude and inconsiderate.

The irony is that both people are communicating the way they would prefer someone communicate with them, because their intention is to be polite and courteous. After all, if I value and respect ‘straightforward’ communication then surely everyone else does as well. And the indirect communicator reasons it is only good manners to be personable before we get down to business.

What we do for people and how we do it are two very different things. And as the old adage goes, “It’s not what you do; it’s how you do it!” The real message we send to others isn’t based on what we do as much as it is how we do what we do! Our tendency isn’t to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; it’s do unto others how I do unto them.

Let me explain. We all want the same things. We want to be loved, appreciated, rewarded, and encouraged… you get the picture! There are usually people in our lives who are offering us these very things, yet we often fail to recognize it! Why? They express those things the way they want people to express it to them instead of the way we want it expressed to us. Then we do the same thing to them and both parties feel unloved because they aren’t experiencing love from the other person’s efforts, and both parties feel unappreciated because their efforts are not being received.

I have to say it again: “It’s not what you do; it’s how you do it.” Proverbs tells us the words of the wise are like apples of gold in settings of silver. In other words, they are attractive to the hearer. Since every hearer has different tastes, we should make sure we know what they like before we attempt to express ourselves. Here are a couple of examples:

Expressing love: In recent years there has been a lot of needed emphasis on love languages. The concept of love languages is that there are different actions that make people feel loved. Most people assume that what makes them feel loved is what ‘should’ make everyone else feel loved. So we do to or for them how we would want them to do for us. Then when it doesn’t have the desired effect we’re offended. When this scenario plays out enough times in our life we stop attempting to express love; after all, (we think) it isn’t appreciated.
 
Amazingly, our loved ones do the same thing to us. They attempt to show us love in some way that is meaningful to them but means nothing to us. Too often we even express how ridiculous it is for them to show love the way they do. No wonder so many relationships sink into the mire of incompatible existence!

People don’t hear what you say, they hear what they hear. For much of my early life as a father and an employer I mistakenly thought I was great at communicating what I wanted. I had so much frustration after giving what (I thought) were perfectly clear requests and guidelines, only to discover that people didn’t do what I asked.

I could write volumes about the gap between what we say and what others hear, but for now it should be enough to accept it as reality. It has nothing to do with lack of intelligence or any dysfunction that we always blame on the other person. Different people need different types of instructions in order to understand their role in a task. Some people need the goals and the big picture. In other words, they want to know WHY you want it done. Some need to know HOW you want it done. Some people want the deadlines and all the rules and others just want general guidelines and then to be left alone to accomplish the task.

Most of our communication is designed to satisfy ourselves instead of to be effective. The list of ways and places we communicate to satisfy ourselves is long. The pain that comes into our lives, the lack of productivity in the work place, and the seemingly endless flow of frustration this behavior produces feels unending. Sadly we assume it’s too complex for the average person to ever sort out. But trust me, it isn’t that complex and the rewards far outweigh the effort it takes to close these communication gaps.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.” Most of us have worked hard at effective communication but we’ve worked hard at the wrong thing. We just tried harder at what wasn’t working until many of us reached a place of shutting down, giving up, or otherwise just no longer being willing to try. Here are a few tips to start getting the response you desire from your communication:

Ask a lot of questions: Never assume ANYONE understands what you mean, always ask. And don’t just ask for a “yes” or a “no;” ask them to explain what you want and how it should be done. If it involves your personal relationship always ask them, “What will make you feel loved?” or “What would you prefer?” or “Is there something you would rather I do?”

Be a safe person: Don’t make it painful for people to tell you what you don’t know or what you may not want to hear!

Don’t show frustration; it’s condescending and causes people to stop communicating.

Don‘t belittle what they need to feel loved or to understand what you want. You’re implying there’s something flawed about them.

If you’re the one attempting to communicate accept the responsibility to be sure they understand!

Never argue with the answer to your questions. They’re giving you the information you need whether you like it or not. Be willing to learn from the harshest criticism.

Never make people feel they should value what you value or they should communicate the way you communicate.

And in the words of Stephen Covey, “Always seek to understand before seeking to be understood!”

We do everything we do because we think it’s the right way to do it. No one does anything because they think it will be ineffective or cause failure. There is a way that seems right. The way we do things may be right for us but that doesn’t mean it’s right for anyone else.

I want to open your world to a whole new dimension of communication and ways of expressing love. Along with the series, Secret Signals, you will also receive a free download of Speaking and Listening: The Art of Communication and a list of Scriptures for wisdom in communication.  (Watch the informational video to hear more about this and what is included free with every order.)

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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Video: Tips for Improving Kitty Behavior


Video: Tips for Improving Kitty Behavior
by Dr. Sarah

All sorts of bad feline behavior can stem from home-environment causes. And that’s a good thing, because it’s possible to make changes fairly easily.

If your kitty is displaying symptoms of a behavioral disorder - from unexpected aggression to failure to use the litter box – the solution could be as simple as making improvements to your cat's surroundings.

In this episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah shares her surprisingly simple tips that you can implement at home, to help your feline feel purringly content. Watch this episode of Pet Talk now

7 Natural Teeth Whitening Home Remedies

From NaturalSociety.com

No one wants a yellow smile, but if you’ve paid attention over the last several years, smiles have gotten whiter and whiter. It’s not completely unusual these days to see a celebrity, newscaster, or other person overly-concerned with their appearance, to have teeth so white it’s completely distracting.

Do you want a smile that “lights up the room”? No matter how white you want your teeth, there are plenty of natural teeth whitening home remedies for a beautiful smile. What’s more, teeth whitening at home is super easy.

Teeth discoloration is part of the aging process. But just like wrinkles, many people fight it. While you can expect your teeth to change a little over the years, there are things you can do to avoid stains and embarrassing discoloration—and fortunately, these natural teeth whitening home remedies solutions don’t require hundred dollar bleaching trays, dentist visits, or unknown chemical solutions.  Read the entire article.


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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

The Nature In Us Newsletter - 2/14/15


View on Website.

  The Nature In Us Newsletter - 2/15/15 
  by Donna L. Watkins  


"When we direct our thoughts, we can control our emotions." 
~ W. Clement Stone

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Hello Dear Friends!

Holidays - I'm sending this out a day early so I can say "HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!"
I found this article titled, "God's Valentine Promises to Us."  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I've always loved this day, although growing up I'm sure it was because it was a candy holiday and chocolate candy at that!  My Daddy would bring home a big box of chocolates for my mom and me.  I thought those huge boxes with a pretty ribbon and all looked so beautiful.  What was inside couldn't be beat though. 

Those were the days of my growing chocolate addiction, which I struggled with until November 1998 when I got delivered.  I'm not saying chocolate is a bad thing ... it has some nutritional properties ... but for me, it was something that had control over me and I didn't like that feeling.  I'd get off of it for a year and then blow it while on a trip deciding to have "one chocolate dessert" and Bam!  Just like an alcoholic, I was back to daily consumption.  My flesh never had enough of it. 

Don't Give Up!
I had a talk with God one day and vowed that I would not eat chocolate again if He would take away the craving.  I'd prayed many times before over this issue, but I felt this time was different.  I was willing to trust Him to do this and I believed it would happen.  Don't give up hope when you are facing a battle of any kind.  God is always there for you, but it's really us that is the block to emotional or physical healing - it's our faith that will carry us through and we get that faith by God's grace within us.

My end of the deal was that physiologically I knew my body wouldn't stop the cravings instantly, so I had my part in this deliverance to say "No!" when I saw it and I calculated it would be a couple of weeks to change my heart. 

It was.  The cravings were gone and I've never had a problem since.  It amazed me that I could look at a display case of all things chocolate and not have a desire for it.  I would remember sweet memories of partaking, but they always quickly ended with a visual of how sick I would get eating "the whole thing" and how wonderful it was not to be controlled by my flesh.  Hallelujah!

View Enlarged Image 
Bald Eagle 
View More Eagle Photos
Birds - Don't forget the Great Backyard Bird Count has begun.  You can count any day or multiple days through Monday, February 16th.  More than 100,000 people of all ages and walks of life have joined in for this event that creates an annual snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. Participate!  It's a lot of fun.  You tally the numbers and types of birds you see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count.  If you’re new to the count, visit this Get Started area of the website.

The first Bald Eagle we ever saw on our acre property arrived during the last 5 minutes of my bird count one year.  How awesome that was!  I was so excited to be able to report it.

Since our backyard and beyond is wooded, we have a variety of woodpeckers.  The Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied, Red-headed, Pileated and also the Northern Flicker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker which are both a part of the woodpecker family. 

The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker arrived later this year.  He's pretty much finished the drilling around the plants that are close to the house, so he may have some other favorite location this year that he's resided near and I've just not seen him till a couple of weeks ago.

My favorite sight is to see the Pileated on one of the suet feeders.  They're more than twice the size of the feeder, but don't mind spinning a bit to get that good high-energy food.  View Video of Pileated Woodpecker on Suet FeederView More Woodpecker Photos.

Health - The GMO issue has certainly escalated in America.  There is now an open letter endorsed by more than 60 million people (at the time of this writing) asking both US and UK officials to be more prudent in questioning the hazards of genetically modified crops.  It isn’t a small minority anymore asking our regulators to limit biotech’s far-reaching power. Verified GMO-free food sales were $3 billion in 2013 and $8.5 billion in 2014!  Organic food sales overall are projected to grow another 14% by 2018, and this is a modest estimate.

This is no surprise, as the term ‘non-GMO’ was expected to surpass even ‘organic’ as a buzz word in 2014 when it came to food sales. One study by Progressive Grocer showed that consumers want Non-GMO now even more than ‘organic.’ A staggering 80% of consumers sought out non-GMO products in their survey. The non-GMO issue has emerged as a consumer hot-button.  One example of how consumers are demanding change can be seen in that non-GMO Project Verified foods have more than doubled since 2013.

You can add your own endorsement (signature) to the letter.  The open letter is signed by celebrities, scientists, farmers, academics in various fields, business tycoons, and every day people like you and me. It’s called the letter from America, but it is getting global attention. We are clearly voicing our disdain for GM crops in ever growing numbers.  I

n our country, GM crops account for about half of harvested cropland. Around 94% of the soy, 93% of corn (maize) and 96% of cotton grown is GM. (Source: USDA)  Read the letter and add your signature here.

Until then .... don't forget to pray over your meals and bless them with health and vitality and cancel any toxic effects from it.  God didn't leave us helpless in this generation or any other.  It's our faith that will carry us through.  God is for us, not against us, and is certainly wanting to "fill our mouths with good things" (Psalm 103:5), so blessing your food is a great habit to start if you haven't already done so.  It also gives everybody at the table a few moments to settle down and relax before putting food into stomachs.

Where does that leave you if you happen to be one of those finicky eaters who values your immune and reproductive systems, and don't want your kids to end up with the organ damage common among GMO-fed lab animals?  Go to
www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com and peruse the long lists of non-GMO and GMO brands by category. Download a two-page version, order the pocket guide, or even equip your iPhone with the new app "ShopNoGMO".

Simple Tips - Cash4Books.net is an online, family-owned business, used book buying service.  Their website says they are committed to providing a simple, secure, and convenient way for anyone to sell books and textbooks with confidence and receive instant price quotes, fast payment, and exceptional customer service.  A reliable and trusted buyer of quality used books since 2004.   They have purchased over 2 million books from 350,000 customers.  They primarily offer their services to students selling used college textbooks, but have also purchased hardcover/paperback fiction and non-fiction.  It doesn't hurt to plug in a few ISBNs to check and see.  If you're interested in buying quality used books and textbooks, use this link.

Spiritual - Remember the story of the disciples trying to cast a demon in a boy that the Father had brought to them?  Jesus was up on the mountain with three of the disciples, but the rest were down in the valley doing what Jesus normally did.  However, they didn't get the job done in this particular case. 

The Scripture says, "Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:19-20)

Dr. Jim Richards had some thoughts on this that I found rather enlightening after studying them out:  "Jesus said we only needed faith the size of a mustard seed and we could do the miraculous. Unlike the religious leaders of the day, Jesus knew the greatest changes happened at the quantum level ... the smallest level. A change in attitude can bring more sweeping change than the change of one hundred actions. A simple change in a thought can turn the tide of any situation. The greatest power is expressed from the smallest factor.

Elijah looked for God in the fire, in the wind and in the earthquake. But He wasn't found in any of those places. He was found in the still, small voice. Some of the greatest changes in your life will come from some of the most subtle adjustments. Some of the greatest discoveries will be heard in the still, small voice. Your time of daily stillness, peace and reflection is the best time for you to hear that still, small voice.

As a young boy, playing in the hills of Tennessee, I would toss a small pebble into the still, smooth pond. I was amazed at how one pebble could make so many ripples. And they were each distinct and noticeable. As a young man I stood on the shores of the ocean. When I tossed in a large stone, the ripples were indiscernible among the tumultuous waves. And such is our lives.

The life that is filled with chaos, with no time for stillness, never notices the obstacles that are thrown into the equation of life until it has grown into a full-blown disaster.  As you wait quietly before the Lord, like that still pond you will notice the slightest ripple.  You will take action when problems are small.  You will never need more than a mustard seed faith to move the largest mountain when it is only a ripple."


I love the image of the still pond relating to God's still small voice.  He longs for relationship with us.  He loves us beyond what we can ever imagine.  The more time you spend with Him, the more you will fall in love with Him too. 

View Enlarged Image
Spring Daffodils
Glencairn Gardens, Rock Hill, SC
Winter has gone by so quickly this year.  Funny .... that has never happened before, but this year I changed my attitude and decided I was going to enjoy Winter, or at least have no bad comments or thoughts about it.  It's incredible that my attitude change has given me a whole new perspective.  Our thoughts truly do create our surroundings.

Have a fabulous February in the last half of the month.  It will soon be March.  Think daffodils.

View Enlarged Photo
Donna at Monticello
 Home of Thomas Jefferson
Charlottesville, VA
View Photos of Monticello
Until next time ..... 

May God Increase Your Blessings Daily,

Donna


P.S. Anything in here that might help somebody you know?
 
Here's a link to the online version of this newsletter. Click on it and on the left sidebar there will be an option to share in various ways. The top one is to email it to somebody.  

If you simply want to copy and paste the link into an email, here it is:  http://www.thenatureinus.com/2015/02/the-nature-in-us-newsletter-21415.html

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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

10-Minute IQ Test for Dogs - Video


The 10-Minute IQ Test for Dogs
Video by Dr. Sarah

Is your pup keen to show off his brain power? Have you always known your canine is sharp as a tack, but were unsure how to test just how ‘on the ball’ he is?

In this fun episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah reveals how easy it is to assess your pup’s problem-solving abilities. You’ll have the results of this informal test in only 10 minutes, but really … it’s all about the fun. Be sure to download our free scoring sheet to record and share your dog’s IQ.  Watch the video now!

Who Do You Say I Am?

The Names of Jesus
by Clint Byars

“Who do you say I am?” This is a vitally important question posed by Jesus to Peter. What’s possibly more important is the way Peter answered. Peter answered according to what the spirit of God was saying about Jesus. Peter looked to God’s point of view to find an answer.

If we could learn to apply this principle in our daily lives to our everyday situations we would have victory in every area. We must learn to look at how God has revealed himself in the Word rather than judge who we think He is based on our circumstances. When we see Him for who He really is we’ll see the truth about ourselves.

We are joint-heirs with Jesus, everything that is true of Him is true of those who are in Him. We are not the Messiah, we will not become gods in the afterlife but we are now a child of God just like Jesus who is the firstborn among many brethren from spiritual death unto eternal righteousness.

As you read through this list, allow your opinion of Jesus to be shaped by who God has revealed Him to be. You may find that you need to let go of the emotions and opinions you have about certain truths that you may have had difficulty experiencing. God’s truth is the eternal truth, our experience is subjective and unreliable in many cases.

Who do you say Jesus is?

The Names of Jesus

ADAM: (1 Corinthians 15:45) And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

ADVOCATE: (1 John 2:1) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

ALMIGHTY: (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

ALPHA AND OMEGA: (Revelation 1:8) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

AMEN: (Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

APOSTLE OF OUR PROFESSION: (Hebrews 3:1) Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

ARM OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 51:9) Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon?

(Isaiah 53:1) Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH: (Hebrews 12:2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

AUTHOR OF ETERNAL SALVATION: (Hebrews 5:9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

BEGINNING OF CREATION OF GOD: (Revelation 3:14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

BELOVED SON: (Matthew 12:18) Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.

BLESSED AND ONLY POTENTATE: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

BRANCH: (Isaiah 4:2) In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

BREAD OF LIFE: (John 6:32) Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

CAPTAIN OF SALVATION: (Hebrews 2:10) For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

CHIEF SHEPHERD: (1 Peter 5:4) And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

CHRIST OF GOD: (Luke 9:20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL: (Luke 2:25) And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

CORNERSTONE: (Psalm 118:22) The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

COUNSELOR: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

CREATOR: (John 1:3) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

DAYSPRING: (Luke 1:78) Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

DELIVERER: (Romans 11:26) And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

DESIRE OF THE NATIONS: (Haggai 2:7) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

DOOR: (John 10:7) Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

ELECT OF GOD: (Isaiah 42:1) Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

EVERLASTING FATHER: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

FAITHFUL WITNESS: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

FIRST AND LAST: (Revelation 1:17) And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

FIRST BEGOTTEN: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

FORERUNNER: (Hebrews 6:20) Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

GLORY OF THE LORD: (Isaiah 40:5) And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

GOD: (Isaiah 40:3) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

GOD BLESSED: (Romans 9:5) Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

GOOD SHEPHERD: (John 10:11) I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

GOVERNOR: (Matthew 2:6) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

GREAT HIGH PRIEST: (Hebrews 4:14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

HEAD OF THE CHURCH: (Ephesians 1:22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

HEIR OF ALL THINGS: (Hebrews 1:2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

HOLY CHILD: (Acts 4:27) For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

HOLY ONE: (Acts 3:14) But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

HOLY ONE OF GOD: (Mark 1:24) Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL: (Isaiah 41:14) Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

HORN OF SALVATION: (Luke 1:69) And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

I AM: (John 8:58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

IMAGE OF GOD: (2 Corinthians 4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

IMMANUEL: (Isaiah 7:14) Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

JEHOVAH: (Isaiah 26:4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

JESUS: (Matthew 1:21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

JESUS OF NAZARETH: (Matthew 21:11) And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

JUDGE OF ISRAEL: (Micah 5:1) Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

THE JUST ONE: (Acts 7:52) Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

KING: (Zechariah 9:9) Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

KING OF THE AGES: (1 Timothy 1:17) Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

KING OF THE JEWS: (Matthew 2:2) Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

KING OF KINGS: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

KING OF SAINTS: (Revelation 15:3) And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

LAWGIVER: (Isaiah 33:22) For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

LAMB: (Revelation 13:8) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

LAMB OF GOD: (John 1:29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

LEADER AND COMMANDER: (Isaiah 55:4) Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

THE LIFE: (John 14:6) Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

LIGHT OF THE WORLD: (John 8:12) Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH: (Revelation 5:5) And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

LORD OF ALL: (Acts 10:36) The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

LORD OF GLORY: (1 Corinthians 2:8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

LORD OF LORDS: (1 Timothy 6:15) Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

LORD OF OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Jeremiah 23:6) In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

MAN OF SORROWS: (Isaiah 53:3) He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

MEDIATOR: (1 Timothy 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT: (Malachi 3:1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

MESSIAH: (Daniel 9:25) Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troubled times.

(John 1:41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

MIGHTY GOD: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

MIGHTY ONE: (Isaiah 60:16) Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentiles, and shalt suck the breast of kings: and thou shalt know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

MORNING STAR: (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

NAZARENE: (Matthew 2:23) And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON: (John 1:18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

OUR PASSOVER: (1 Corinthians 5:7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

PRINCE OF LIFE: (Acts 3:15) And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

PRINCE OF KINGS: (Revelation 1:5) And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

PRINCE OF PEACE: (Isaiah 9:6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

PROPHET: (Luke 24:19) And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

(Acts 3:22) For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

REDEEMER: (Job 19:25) For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

RESURRECTION AND LIFE: (John 11:25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

ROCK: (1 Corinthians 10:4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

ROOT OF DAVID: (Revelation 22:16) I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

ROSE OF SHARON: (Song of Songs 2:1) I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

SAVIOR: (Luke 2:11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

SEED OF WOMAN: (Genesis 3:15) And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF SOULS: (1 Peter 2:25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

SHILOH: (Genesis 49:10) The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

SON OF THE BLESSED: (Mark 14:61) But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

SON OF DAVID: (Matthew 1:1) The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

SON OF GOD: (Matthew 2:15) And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

SON OF THE HIGHEST: (Luke 1:32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: (Malachi 4:2) But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

TRUE LIGHT: (John 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

TRUE VINE: (John 15:1) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

TRUTH: (John 1:14) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

WITNESS: (Isaiah 55:4) Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

WORD: (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

WORD OF GOD: (Revelation 19:13) And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Visit Clint's Website.



The Power of Green Tea

From CaffeineInformer.com

Green Tea caffeine can be very difficult to assign an exact amount to. Length of brewing time affects caffeine content - the longer the brew - the higher the caffeine. The Journal of Food Science evaluated different brands of green tea and had extremely varied results using the same amount of tea leaves brewed for 3 minutes.
Some are listed in the table on this article's website.

As a general rule, Green Tea has less caffeine than Black Tea, but can vary depending on which brand/type chosen. Another study showed that Green Tea (in Japan) has 30mg caffeine per 200ml cup.

Green tea is also high in the amino acid L-theanine. This has a calming effect and aides with concentration, so there's a myth that green tea has more caffeine than coffee but it's most likely that the L-theanine is responsible for the level of alertness felt when drinking green tea.  Read the entire article.

Another great article from LiveStrong.com shows the concentration and memory power of green tea.

If you want the benefits of green tea without having to drink it, you can take it in capsules as Green Tea Extract with more potency than just a cup of tea.


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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Smiling Rewires Your Brain

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away ....
But a Smile Helps Rewire Your Brain in a Positive Direction
Written by Dr. Caroline Leaf

Did you know that the mere act of smiling could stop a negative toxic mindset? In fact, research shows that smiling a lot helps towards rewiring the circuit in the brain that helps you keep a positive attitude to life!

This means God has designed us in such a way that when we smile with our eyes and mouth…a real deep meaningful smile (called the Duchenne smile), the part of your brain involved in decision-making, intellectual pursuit, shifting between thoughts, and thinking things through rationally becomes stronger and more effective. Simply put, smiling makes you happier and more intelligent!

Some researchers have even shown that a smile lowers stress and blood pressure and stimulates the immune system. In fact our brain pays attention to cues from the rest of our body to determine our moods and emotions. So smiling increases our health as well!

And just watch the effect on those around you because smiling, like attitude, is contagious. In fact it’s almost impossible not to respond to a real smile: the mirror neurons God has so graciously wired into our brains are designed to respond with a burst of feel good chemicals being released lifting our spirits and intellect.

If smiling has such a profound affect on the kinds of experiences we have with other people and how they treat us, why don’t you stop a moment and practice a smile? Maybe it will take 7 attempts or more to create that real smile that involves all the muscles…but watch how you feel and watch the response of those around you as you go through the day smiling at everyone. This is true to the Proverbs: “A merry heart doeth good like medicine” (15:13)

To help you smile and celebrate our differences, watch this Video Clip of Dr. Caroline Leaf talking about the male/female brain differences.

These differences are covered in the hardcover edition of "Who Switched Off Your Brain - The Mystery of He Said/She Said."  Also available as a digital download or audio CD.


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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Sunday, February 1, 2015

The Nature In Us Newsletter - 2/1/15


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  The Nature In Us Newsletter - 2/1/15 
  by Donna L. Watkins   

"God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars." -- Martin Luther (1483-1546)

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Hello Dear Friends!

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Blue Jays on Garden Bench
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Birds - I love taking photos of blue jays.  If you catch them looking straight at you, you get a really weird view.  All those black lines on the face seem to be the problem.  I love seeing the pretty pattern on the lower back too.  They are beautiful birds (can't think of a bird that's not).  I love seeing them and this winter they have been almost daily visitors early in the morning.

They are forest dwellers but highly adaptable and intelligent.  I like their boisterous calls which include excellent imitations of several hawk calls.  We hear one for the red-shoulder hawks quite often.  These hawks nest beyond our backyard into the deeper woods.  I've wondered if they mimic these hawks trying to frighten the other birds away from the feeding area.  There's no aggression with the blue jay and other birds.

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Blue Jay on Tree
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Blue jays sometimes eat eggs or nestlings, and this practice has tarnished their reputation. They are largely vegetarian birds. Most of their diet is acorns, nuts, and seeds, although they also eat caterpillars, grasshoppers, and beetles. Blue jays sometimes store acorns in the ground and may fail to retrieve them, thus aiding the spread of forests.

Common in much of eastern and central North America, blue jays are gradually extending their range to the Northwest. They are fairly social and typically found in pairs or family groups or small flocks. Most northern blue jays  head south for winter and large flocks of up to 250 birds to make the long journey, but some birds may migrate one year and not the next. It is unclear what factors determine the decision to migrate or not.  (Info Source: National Geographic)

Recipes - I found a new website for vegetarian recipes.  Yes, you can make a vegetarian dish without using tofu [grin].  The site has a post for a collection of vegetable curry recipes from around the world including Thai vegan curries, Indian curry and some non-traditional vegan curry recipes. Curries can be eaten plain, but I always make brown rice to serve with mine.  You can also use another preferred grain if you like.  Most of the recipes have user-rated reviews. Check out the many options.

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Harlequin Bugs Mating on Salvia
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House & Garden Tips - At any given time, there is an estimated ten quintillion (10,000,000,000,000,000,000) individual insects sharing the planet with us. This isn't a problem for most folks until they consider your home a nice place to settle in and get cozy.  Cockroaches are a common problem in apartments, townhomes, etc. where they can go between homes and they become very difficult to get rid of.  Although we would be wiped out by a nuclear explosion, experiments show that roaches can survive up to 10,000 radon units.  That's equal to the strength of gamma rays given off by the first atomic bomb.  They can also live up to 3 months without food and water.

Since we've lived in the woods for the past 25 years, we have wood roaches that like to head for a cozy place to winter over in the Fall. Wood roaches don't have the problem of coming in droves of hundreds and thousands, they may have a family structure of some kind, but the numbers are not overwhelming and we usually only saw one at a time.  We had read about them surviving long periods without food and water so being a home-schooler, I figured it would be a nice science project to have a roach in a jar to see how well he fared.  After two months we released him back outside.  I was beginning to feel real guilty about his living situation.  [grin]  But for those who don't have such a guilt complex, here's an article that will give you a number of ideas for garden and home:  How to Get Rid of Bugs Organically.

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Closeup of Silver Dollar Fern
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Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
Spiritual - John 15:4 says, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me."

Ever feel like there's not much satisfaction in your day as it disappears into the past when you retire for a good night's sleep?  Being so task-oriented, it's easy to get a bunch of stuff done and yet not feel like I've really accomplished anything meaningful.  The time I spend with my Lord is all I can count truly useful and joyful and yet each day I need to CHOOSE that I want to do that instead of getting the empty gratification of yet another list of tasks having been accomplished.  Reviewing those tasks makes me see why it makes for an empty day.  Most of them will be redone again within a week's time or even a day's.

In the Scripture above, the word "remain" in Greek means to dwell, continue, endure, be present with, stay in a state of expectancy."  When we dwell in the presence of God and stay in a state of expectancy, we will bear fruit that is sweet to the taste of our spirits.  It's a little word, but the definition for the word "in" is "to give oneself wholly to, rest against openly, stay in a fixed position of rest."  Bearing fruit isn't something YOU do, it's the outgrowth of who you are.  As the life-giving essence of Christ flowing through us, we become an extension of the Vine and He brings forth the fruit.  We just bear it on our branches for all to see.

As I become more and more aware of "Christ in me" I become hopeful about negative circumstances and optimistic about dreams and goals on my mental bucket list.  When we think of transformation we think of all WE must DO to get there because it's hard to accomplish.  However, God says all we have to do is give ourselves wholly to Him, resting in Him as we wait for great expectations to come to pass.  We simply wrap ourselves around Him as our source.  Although the method is simple, our mind rebels against change and will give you a challenge for finding time to spend with God. 

Everything that happens in me, during dwelling times in my "secret place" with Him, takes me to a life that loves God deeper and deeper and His love flows through me to others.  Jesus said to love God with your whole heart, soul and mind is the greatest commandment to obey.  Obedience always takes us to new levels of God's glory and who we are in Him.  I certainly have not arrived, but at least I'm on the way.  Keep yourself connected to the Vine, the true source of expectation for a brighter tomorrow and a more wonderful today.  That expectation will become real and allow you to once again dream and plan for things that have been in your heart for a very long time.  Don't get to the end of your life without enjoying your innermost dreams.

To be able to get past those invisible boundaries that are hidden within your heart from old hurts and traumas, I recommend Dr. Jim Richards book, "Moving Your Invisible Boundaries: Heart Physics: The Key to Limitless Living."  Look inside the book at Amazon.com.  It's one of few extremely profound books I've read in my life.  Having gone through zillions of books, videos, audio messages, etc. trying to change myself, this book tells me how to allow Jesus to change me and within a week I was noticing subtle differences in things in my life.  Little glimpses of things that used to be subconscious, never coming to the surface to be thought of, but now exposed by techniques from Jim Richards HeartPhysics program recommended in the book.

You can also get an overview of what's in the book by this video series with Dr. Jim Richards:  Moving Your Invisible Boundaries Videos.

View Enlarged ImageMeadow Farm Veggie Garden
Historic Meadow Farm in Glen Allen, VA
Farming - Bigger isn’t always better and the current toxic technologies of massive farming has taken the fun out of an American way of life for the farmer.  The Organic Farm School and others are creating a new generation of organic, small-scale farmers to the ways of farming that haven't been allowed to thrive for almost a century.

They're teaching people how to hoe, plant, and even fix a broken-down tractor, even in urban areas.  The elders passing on information to the younger generation ensures our nutritious and non-toxic, GMO food continues to be available.  Even an NFL player has turned down a $37 million-dollar-contract to happily dirty his hands in farming.

Closing Thoughts - "Some people, in order to discover God, read books.  But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things.  Look above you!  Look below you!  Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink.  Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made.  Can you ask for a louder voice than that?" -- Augustine (354-430), De Civitate Dei, Book 16

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Donna at Monticello
 Home of Thomas Jefferson
Charlottesville, VA
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Until next time ..... 

May God Increase Your Blessings Daily,

Donna


P.S. Anything in here that might help somebody you know?
 
Here's a link to the online version of this newsletter. Click on it and on the left sidebar there will be an option to share in various ways. The top one is to email it to somebody.  

If you simply want to copy and paste the link into an email, here it is:  http://www.thenatureinus.com/2015/02/the-nature-in-us-newsletter-2115.html

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Copyright and Reprint Information - All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins may also be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

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