Friday, September 25, 2015

Take Ownership of Your Emotions

by Clint Byars

Your general emotional state and focus determine what you believe is possible.

All of God's promises are yes and amen but if you don't have the corresponding emotions your heart will begin to look to the physical world for options and solutions rather than the unlimited kingdom that's within all believers.

Take ownership of your emotions and learn to line them up with the mind of Christ which you have been given by grace through faith.

Check out this message for an exercise on taking ownership of your emotions.



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5 Essential Supplements You Should Be Taking

by Dan Bischoff

We all want it: more energy and better health. And we know how to get it: a balanced diet.

But let’s face it. Most of us don’t eat right every day.

Even when we’re not eating all that “bad,” balanced nutrients are often in short supply. Experts agree that when we compare recommended nutrient intakes to what actually gets consumed, there’s a huge gap. Most adults are falling short on their vitamins and minerals. Over time, even small discrepancies can compound into bigger problems, so the right daily intake is important.

There’s a way to bridge that gap. Get these five essential nutrients, and you’re on the right path to feeling your best.

1. Vitamins

A reliable component of good health, multivitamins help fill in the gaps you might not be getting with nutrition alone. Choose one that includes these: vitamin A for eye health, a healthy immune system, and cell growth; vitamin C to help tissue and bone growth and repair; vitamin D3 for bone health; and vitamin E for strong immunity and healthy skin and eyes. B vitamins should be in there, too, to support the health of red blood cells nerves, the heart, and the brain.

2. Minerals

Minerals help your body perform essential functions, like building strong bones and teeth, supporting the blood and glucose levels, cellular energy — the list goes on. A good multi will include minerals for you. Look for things like iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, calcium and manganese.

[Editor's Note: Super Supplemental with Iron and without Iron has the above vitamins and minerals.]

3. Omega 3s

Your body needs a balance of essential fatty acids, essential meaning that you have to ingest it because you don’t just manufacture it on your own. The problem is, most of us get plenty of omega 6 fatty acids from meat and dairy, but it’s the omega 3s — the primary components of cell membranes — that are most commonly lacking. So get at least a weekly serving of cold-water fish, and supplement with a good Omega-3 or something like Krill Oil as well. This will do good things for your bones, your skin, your brain, your heart, your joints, and even your moods.

4. Antioxidants

Antioxidants are the body’s natural defense against harmful free radicals. They scavenge them and get rid of them before they can damage your cells. There are great natural sources of antioxidants — most fresh fruits, vegetables and teas have them — and you can always supplement them as well. Find sources like green tea, mangosteen, curcumin, or acai berry.

[Editor's Note:  Three out of four of these ingredients are in Thai-Go.]

5. Co-Q10

Cellular energy, cardiovascular health, and longevity have all been linked to taking co-enzyme Q10. This vitamin-like substance, present in every cell in the body, is required for energy production in the mitochondria of the cells. It is literally the fuel for most metabolic processes. Co-Q10 especially contributes to the health of the heart, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It also supports already-normal-range blood pressure levels.

Can your body function without all of these fab five every day? Of course it can. But here’s the thing. By the time you feel like something’s out of whack, you’ve been at a deficit at the cellular level for a while. So why risk it? Eat the best you can, and supplement to make sure you’re not leaving any gaps.

You’ll thank yourself later.

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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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Tests Show Most Store Honey Isn’t Honey

Food Safety News tested more than 60 samples of honey from grocery stores across the U.S. and found that the majority were missing one crucial ingredient.  Pollen. Technically speaking, honey isn't actually honey without it.  The majority of honey tested had been ultra filtered to the point that no trace of pollen could be found.

Many folks use honey to build an immunity against pollen and allergies, so having the pollen in it is very important. Pollen adds nutrients and antioxidants, and also acts as a biological thumbprint.

Without pollen it's impossible to figure out the origin of the honey and under what conditions it was produced and it might come from questionable origins. Contamination of Chinese and Indian honey is documented, as is the illegal exportation of that honey into the U.S. market.

The article points to some mind boggling statistics and makes another strong case for purchasing local honey.  Read article and get brand names ....


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Keep Wildlife Safe In Your Yard

Raccoon in Backyard
From WelcomeWildlife.com

Once you've created a backyard habitat for wildlife, it's best to let the animals enjoy it without too much disturbance from humans.

This isn’t to say we shouldn’t step right out into our yard and continue our human activities — erect a swing set, play with our children, enjoy a barbecue, have a yard party. It only means we are now carrying on side-by-side with lots of wildlife, and we should stay mindful of the consequences of human interference.

This article has some tips for living in harmony with wild animals.

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The Special Bond Between Cats and Women

The Special Bond Between Cats and Women
 by Dr. Jane Bicks

It’ll come as no surprise to pet parents of cats that these elegant, sweet creatures form tight bonds with their caretakers. However, how those attachments manifest themselves might just bowl you over.

In her latest post, Dr. Jane explains some of the fascinating discoveries made by behavioral scientists studying the symbiotic relationships between cats and humans (especially women).

It’s a look at how our understanding of inter-species relationships can always change. Read Dr. Jane's post now!

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Friday, September 18, 2015

A Position of Rest

by Cecil Paxton

In Ephesians 1:3 it says “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” 

We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing and the truth is we lack nothing! But when we are challenged with a problem, we must decide which is going to be more real to our heart, the problem or the promise in God’s Word.

Before we are faced by life’s challenging problems there needs to be truth that is establish by the Holy Spirit deep within our heart. When I say “deep within our heart” I am talking about what is foundational truth to us; or as Proverbs says, what we write to the table of our heart.

We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. The blessings are spiritual which means they are in the spirit and not yet in the natural realm. If you base what truth is to your heart to what you see in the natural realm when facing a problem, you will establish unbelief in your heart.

Our heart reflects what we actually do believe not what we say we are choosing to believe. Therefore, if we are believing the problem, we are sensitive to the natural realm. This is why all unbelief is about us as unbelief is about what we believe concerning the problem and the result is our heart can be hardened to the spiritual realm.

These blessings are in the heavenly places in Christ. To make it simple, at salvation our body became the temple of the Holy Spirit meaning the presence of Christ is in our spirit on the in-side of us right next to our heart in how we are believing. So the heavenly places are on the inside of us. The question to ask ourselves is “Are we living in Christ or living in self?”

In Proverbs 3:5 we are told to trust in the Lord with all of our heart, lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Do we live life from a dependency on the life of Christ on the inside? Do we trust Him more than we trust ourselves? Has this been proven to our heart? Under pressure you automatically choose from what is already on the inside of you, from what you truly believe, and not what you choose to believe?

All the promises are “in Christ”. In Christ is a place of rest where we cease from our labors where we stop striving trying make something happen. But it is not a place of passivity. No, we are aggressively taking a hold of the promises in our believing but from our position in Christ. Our position in Christ is where we already have the promise and are denying the problems’ right to stay in our lives.

We believe it is leaving right now because the problem belongs to Jesus and the promise belongs to us. With the help of the Holy Spirit, when the promise becomes more real than the problem, your heart will back up what your mouth says resulting in the manifestation in the natural realm of what was already given to you in Christ in the spiritual realm.

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Ready to Start Your Sugar Detox?

From NaturalSociety.com

While a cold turkey approach to your sugar detox isn’t always recommended, especially if you’ve been a sugar-holic for most of your lifetime, it’s definitely a good idea to start cutting back now. The faster you begin, the faster you’ll start to reap the advantages of going sugar-free.

In fact, in light of the countless dangers of consuming too much sugar, the World Health Organization has changed its sugar recommendation—advising no more than 5% of your daily calories should come from the sweet stuff, down from the previously recommended 10 percent.

Considering the average American consumes close to 5 grams each day, we have some work to do.  Read the entire article.
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Baby Boom for Killer Whales

From Fox News
In the Spring this year ...

The endangered population of killer whales that spend time in Washington state waters is experiencing a baby boom with a fourth baby orca documented this winter.  The orca was swimming with other members of the J-pod, one of three families of orcas that are protected in Washington and Canada.

Ken Balcomb, a senior scientist with the Center for Whale Research confirmed the birth. The center keeps the official census of endangered southern resident killer whales for the federal government.

The birth brings the population to 81, still dangerously low. Listed as endangered in 2005, the whales are struggling because of pollution, lack of food and other reasons.  Read the entire article.


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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

The Nature In Us Newsletter - 9/15/15

View This Post on The Website.

The Nature In Us Newsletter
September 15, 2015
By Donna L. Watkins

"I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things we could use.” – Mother Teresa

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Hello Dear Friends!

Completed Photo For My Dream Board
Healing, Family and Fun - One of the most important things you can do when you want healing in your body is to imagine it and see it happening on the inside in your thoughts, dreams and imagination.  It's been said that "until you can see it on the inside, you can't see it on the outside."

We all have a picture of who we are in our own minds planted at the very core of us.  Unless you renew your mind, you never rise above that picture.  If you've had health problems all your life you tend to become the disease ... you see yourself always compensating for the symptoms, etc.  That's something you need to dispel.

I've made a long list of things I want to do when I am totally healed.  Riding a bicycle was on that list.  I can't remember being on one since I was in my early 20's.  I know I will need strong thigh and calf muscles and definitely my new heart for the ability to have any kind of endurance.  Back in April I wanted to go somewhere overnight to celebrate our 38th Wedding Anniversary and also for Resurrection Sunday.  I chose something a couple hours from home. 

Donna on Bicycle at First Landing State Park
One place I wanted to visit was First Landing State Park because they had a rather desolate beach within the park.  Lying on a beach is another thing I've wanted to do since it's been around 35 years since I'd laid on a beach.  I thought it the perfect place to focus on the Cross, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus with some meditation time.  Seeing Jesus on the Cross taking my sins and my diseases and then tossing them back at the devil when He was resurrected is another great imagination / meditation topic to sink into your heart.  We know it in our minds, but our hearts need to understand it emotionally.

One of the staff at the Visitor Center happened to mention the park had bicycle rentals.  When we drove down to the Gift Shop and saw the bicycles outside I instantly decided I wanted to do it.  It had the old brakes that were in the pedals so I could break with my feet instead of my hands.  The rheumatoid arthritis damage prevents me from bending my middle knuckles, so it seemed all things were go for the event.

Until I got on the bike .... as I thought "you never forget how to ride a bike" and noticed it was true after a shaky minute or two.  I had hoped I could ride down one of the trails, but barely got off the curb into the parking lot without stopping.  So I took it easy riding a few minutes and stopping a few minutes (okay, maybe it was only 1-2 minutes).  It was exciting just to be standing and holding a bike.  After spending 20 minutes starting and standing in the parking lot, we returned the bikes with my heart racing and were very pleased with the experience.  I definitely had a clear mental picture of me riding a bicycle and the improvements I needed to make.  The lady was so kind to even refund the portion of the rental we didn't use.

Benjamin With New Bike
The Fun Part - We'd given our son a bike a couple years back on his birthday and I'd said many times that we were going to ride bikes together when we met on one of our vacation trips that we've not done since my heart interruption.  To have a better mental picture of that, I asked my husband if he could put two different pictures together with PhotoShop so it would look like Ben and I were riding bikes at the State Park.

Our son lives in Oklahoma.  I had a photo of him with his new bike and a photo of me at the park.  PhotoShop is not something my husband has used much but he's always up for a computer challenge and he did a great job since he had enough patience to get the shadows, car and black tires out of the picture. 

The Challenge!  Look at the three photos at this link and answer my question:  What do you think looks strange in the end result photo?  Enter your comments at the photo gallery.

Tidbit - Bomb-Sniffing Rats - Alert: None get killed and it's certainly a job better than being a lab rat.  Land mines require about 11 pounds of weight to explode and these rats weight about 3.3 pounds.  Fresh air, sunshine, treats and getting to know people as friendly beings.  Sounds like a good trade-off to me!

In 2013, it was estimated that there was a global average of around 9 mine-related deaths every day.  The situation is especially dire in Africa.  An organization in Tanzania trains African Giant-pouched Rats to detect landmines and even tuberculosis and it's saving many lives.  They used this rat because it has an incredibly fine-tuned sense of smell and a long lifespan (8-9 years) to yield returns on the 9 months of training they undergo.  Check out the whole story.

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Metallic Sweat Bee, Male (Augochloropsis)
on Garden Plant
View More Photos of Bees
Insects - Pollinators - These are most likely sweat bees, which is a common name for a very large family of bees that are .12 to .40 inches long.  At that size, they're hardly visible to the human eye as far as details of what it may look like.  That's why I love the macro lens feature on cameras.

These bees are usually metallic or black.  I photographed two bees that could be sweat bees due to the size and colors.  They are actually native bees to the United States and are among the most common bees where ever bees are found (except in Australia).  There are about 1000 species of them in the USA, Central America and Canada.  They sting only if handled.  They gather pollen on their legs as other bees do.

Most nest in the ground, but some in wood.  In some species, the bees constantly guard the nest entrances.  A wide range of social development is displayed in the family and many insights into social behavior among insects have been learned from sweat bees.

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Sweat Bee (Augochloropsis)
on Black-eyed Susan Plant
View More Photos of Bees
The Alkali Bee is a somewhat unusual ground-nesting sweat bee native to western U.S. arid regions.  It's black with pearly bands on the abdomen.  This bee forages on a wide variety of flowers but is particularly attracted to alfalfa which it pollinates very efficiently. Commercial alfalfa seed growers use the Alkali Bee for pollination in parts of the West by constructing or maintaining Alkali Bee beds to cultivate thousands of bees.

With the concern about pollinator die-off, we love seeing every little pollinator we can view in our garden.  Some days we could title our yard, Busy Bee Garden.  They seem to be everywhere.  It's incredible how many varieties of bees there are.

TIDBIT - Highway Safety - Thanks, Charlene, for sending the link to the 2-minute Samsung Safety Truck video.  When driving behind big tractor trailer trucks, people take risks to pass them because they have to first move left to see if the road is clear ahead before passing. This is particularly dangerous on single-lane highways because it can mean driving into the path of oncoming traffic.

Samsung Electronics has come up with a way to help reduce this problem by mounting cameras on the front of a truck and large screens on the rear to display to following drivers a clear view of the road ahead.  This works day and night and also allows drivers to see road hazards ahead in time for them to react.  It was tested in Argentina (see video) What an awesome idea!  Right now their working on making the technology comply with appropriate road authorities for use on the highways. View the video.

Birds - All the birds are about finished with parenting roles it seems.  The little ones are growing up learning a whole new world.  I still enjoy the Carolina Wrens the most.  They are such cheery joyful birds.  They have the loudest song for such a small bird and when on the rail post it comes with a dance, the flipping of that tail as it sings away.  I always say they are praising the Lord when they do that!  I wish I had captured a video of it.  I've seen it many times, but am always so love-struck with this little one's enthusiasm I'm not even thinking camera.  That's definitely unusual.

View Enlarged Image
Two Carolina Wrens Recently Fledged From Nest
More Photos of Carolina Wrens
I do have some sweet videos of the Carolina Wren though so I'll put in a few links for you:

Carolina Wren Feeding Baby
Carolina Wren Not Too Sure of Bathing
Carolina Wren Eating Dried Mealworms at Front Porch Buffet
Carolina Wren Fledgling Cleaning Up After Rain Shower

We've had some juvenile American Crows.  It was interesting to see them exploring the world.  You know they've been nominated many times in research as the most intelligent bird.  We enjoy our crows since the family chases hawks away from our property.  It's a God-thing I'm so sure.  We love the hawks and they can have the backwoods behind our lot ... and I won't complain about "lost" squirrels or frogs, but I can't tolerate them chasing my songbirds right before my eyes.  Fortunately I've not seen a bird catch.

But our pond has many frogs and if they weren't "helping" with the squirrel population, it wouldn't be a good thing since squirrels have many times done damage, but I still love them and want them here in not-so-high numbers.  I always remember the short video about Crows Using City Traffic to Crack Their Nuts.

Donna at Norfolk Gardens
Spiritual - Doubt is a tool that Satan and even our own minds use to keep us from walking in the victory we've been given through the Cross. That was the tactic Satan used when talking with Adam and Eve. He wanted them to doubt what God had said.

If he can get us to doubt God's Word, then he's taken our spiritual armor and we have no victory over him. Many churches and individuals don't even acknowledge that we have an Enemy. Ignorance is not bliss! [Read my article from last week: Focusing on Problems is Dangerous]

May God's Blessings Surround You Every Day!
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.

If you simply want to copy and paste the link into an email, here it is:  
http://www.thenatureinus.com/2015/09/the-nature-in-us-newsletter-91515.html


Posts Since Last Newsletter

Canine Rehabilitation

 Tiny Blackpoll Warblers Make Mind-boggling Migration

 Four (4) New Health Products on Sale This Week (DLW)

 Focusing on Problems Is Dangerous (DLW)

 Why Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat?

 Mind Max for Mental Ability

 Butterflies Help on the Battlefield

 Biking With Your Dog (Video)

 The Nature In Us Newsletter - 9/1/15 (DLW)

Previous Posts You May Have Missed

Kidney Problems From Too Much Iced Tea A Day

18 Remedies to Relieve Headache & Tension

Old Testament Dietary Laws

Less Water Use: Dishwasher or Hand Washing?

8 Poison-Free Ways to Get Rid of Mice

Can The Devil Hinder Your Prayers?

How Blame Is Exhausting You

How to Help a Fearful or Anxious Dog

Nuts & Seeds Protect Against Heart Disease

The Nature In Us Newsletter - 8/15/15

Changing Your Heart  (DLW)

How to Avoid 7 Common Dehydration Symptoms

Men and Women Are Not The Same

6 Ways To Improve Your Pet’s Life With Authentic Essential Oils

The Nature In Us Newsletter - 8/1/15  (DLW)

Love Conquers Fear

Is Bleach Sickening Your Household?

10 Tips for Gardening with Arthritis

Five DIY Tips for Pet Parents (Video)

See Faith as a Seed

Go Wild With Native Gardening

Two Focused Minutes Can Change Your Circumstances

Effects of Household Stress on Pets

Our World of Relationships (DLW)

Amish Farmers Reinventing Organic Agriculture

The Many Uses of Patchouli

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Critters & Garden Photos
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Costa Rica
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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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Monday, September 14, 2015

Canine Rehabilitation

by Dr. Sarah

Problems like joint stiffness, muscle loss, pain and weakness can negatively impact quality of life, so maintaining good mobility and strength is key to our companion animals living “the good life.”

And thanks to the groundbreaking efforts of rehabilitation therapists, more and more treatment options are available for dogs. 

In this month’s episode of Pet Talk, Dr. Sarah takes us into the world of these amazing new therapies which are proving incredibly successful. View video by Dr. Sarah now ...
 

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Tiny Blackpoll Warblers Make Mind-boggling Migration

From BostonGlobe.com

For decades, it’s been the stuff of birding legend: Each fall, fist-sized songbirds called blackpoll warblers leave the spruce forests of New England and eastern Canada and fly south across the open ocean toward South America.

Now, improbable though it seems, the rumors have been proven true. A research team led by an ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst outfitted five birds with tiny geolocator backpacks and found that each completed the incredible journey, flying up to 1,721 miles in one go.

The slight birds, which typically weigh a little more than two quarters, accomplish this seemingly impossible feat by fattening up preflight, in some cases nearly doubling their body weight.

Blackpolls are a common North American species, known for the male’s plumage of a black cap and white cheeks. They make a high-pitched “seet-seet-seet” call, and many ornithologists delight in their distinctive bright yellow legs.

In the spring, they take the overland route north and do not rush.  But the return trip south is a different story. They start along the coast in the Northeast and fly south to the Caribbean in one long two-to-three-day swoop, traversing the vast ocean. Read more ...


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Four (4) New Health Products on Sale This Week

 CHECK OUT WHAT'S NEW!

Save up to 25% on these new products from Nature's Sunshine!  Expires September 21, 2015.  Get sale prices here.


We introduced four fantastic new creations designed to help with intestinal and digestive health and to provide needed nourishment. And they were very well received.

After months of planning, testing and perfecting, we're thrilled to unveil them now—
  • Bacillus Coagulans—This new, shelf-stable strain of friendly flora supports digestion and microbiome balance. It helps with abdominal discomfort (occasional diarrhea, gas, bloating) and promotes regularity. Take it anywhere. It does not need refrigeration.
  •  Detox Basics—Provide your body with daily detoxification support. Detox Basics contains milk thistle, NAC, berberine and Bacillus coagulans to help neutralize, prepare and convert toxins for transport and elimination.
  • CleanStart® Mild—We took the edge off a fantastic cleansing product by replacing LBS II with Gentle Move. We also took the cascara out of Enviro-Detox. Give it a try! You'll go wild for CleanStart Mild.
  • Love and Peas Sugar Free—This new version of our great-tasting, vegan, gluten-free meal replacement is sweetened with luo han (monk fruit) and stevia for 37% fewer carbs!
Shop Now

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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, www.TheNatureInUs.com.
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Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Focusing on Problems Is Dangerous

By Donna L. Watkins

I was reading The Power of Life and Death is in the Tongue and stopped to ponder a question asked: "Do we 'believers' actually believe God's Word?" Some folks would say, "Well, it could have been misinterpreted." And how do we decide what part is actually true and what part is wrong? It would certainly make doubting your salvation a real event.

Others would say, "I know that's what the Bible says, but our church doesn't believe that."  People have been asked to leave a church when they had an experience with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues.  Yet this is what Paul says in I Cor. 14:37-39 (KJV)

"If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues."

So there are a lot of people who don't let what the Bible says interfere with what they believe. Holding to the traditions of men seems to be more important.  We need to get in and study the Word ourselves.  Use a Greek and Hebrew Concordance to look up what the actual words meant.  We shouldn't take anybody's interpretation of the Bible.  That's the problem, many Christians have sat under teaching that doesn't agree with the Word and that has been programmed into our hearts and taken away so many of our blessings and promises.

 
View Enlarged Image 
Golden Mushrooms in Backyard
View More Mushroom Photos
Doubt is the tool that Satan and even our own minds use to keep us from walking in victory that we've been given through the Cross. That was the tactic Satan used when talking with Adam and Eve. He wanted them to doubt what God had said. If he can get us to doubt God's Word, then he's taken our spiritual armor and we have no victory over him. Many churches and individuals don't even acknowledge that we have an Enemy. Ignorance is not bliss!

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

How many times have I asked God for wisdom or discernment on an issue so I could make a decision, and find the airwaves silent. I have at times recognized before I'm even finished asking, that I am already doubting I can hear the answer. Why do so many Christians have such a hard time believing they can hear God? James 1:5-8 is a direct strike against doubting.

Here's the Amplified Bible version:
"If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), is unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]."

Speaking less than what God has said begins with unbelief (or ignorance) in our hearts of what God has already told us He will do. And out of the overflow of our hearts, our mouths speak and reveal what we are truly thinking. Instead of believing and walking in faith, many Christians would rather sit and rehearse the problem. Stating all the circumstances until our minds are assured and reassured that nothing is going to change. We are giving the devil glory when we do this. We end up with fear, hopelessness and despair.

View Enlarged Photo
Blue-eyed Grass With Pansies
View More Garden Photos Around Our Home
If we spoke what God's Word says about the problem, we could walk in peace and victory looking and knowing the situation will change because faith is the connection to receiving all the promises. If you have finance problems, do you meditate on and proclaim with your mouth God's promises for provision ... or do you use your mind and mouth to declare the problem so everybody thinks and believes that the devil is more powerful than God's Word. It's up to us to keep our mouth under control.

It's not that God doesn't want to bless us .. it's just that's how the law of the universe is set up .. kinda like rain always coming down rather than flowing up. There are laws that God has placed on this planet and He isn't going to violate them by messing with our free will and free thoughts. That's not what the phrase "sovereignty of God means." He works through us, as Ephesians 3:20 shows, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

I like the way Kris Vallotton says it in his book, The Supernatural Ways of Royalty (Discovering your rights and privileges of being a son or daughter of God):

"The entire spirit world operates by faith, not just God's world. For instance, fear is the manifestation that we have faith in the wrong kingdom. When we believe something is going to go wrong, we have given our faith to the enemy. By doing this we have just empowered the one that Jesus disarmed at the Cross. When we believe in God, we empower the Holy Spirit and the angels to bring about His will."

Pretty strong statements, but certainly true.

I have meditated on this verse below for a very long time and it has brought me into a much closer relationship with the Lord. I always thought I trusted the Lord, but as I pondered this verse I began realizing that I never really trusted any one but myself.  What a revelation!  [Read: Do You Really Trust God?]

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).


 You won't find it easy to go against the "old tapes" in your mind ... but the more you do it, like any new thing, it will become more natural to you and with every step you are pushing back the darkness in your life.

Don't stay in the same place you've been for so long. You may find a bit of comfort in sharing your problems with those around you, but you'll never find the life that Jesus died to give you.


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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 can be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.
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Why Create a Backyard Wildlife Habitat?

From Welcome Wildlife

Monarch Butterfly on Sedum on Deck
View More Butterfly Photos
Photo Credit:  Donna L. Watkins 
Reason 1

By every measure, earth is losing natural habitat and species at an alarming rate. Extinction rates for plants and animals are so high they're threatening our planet's ability to sustain the resources humans need for survival, like forests, oceans, healthy soil, potable water.

Extinction is nothing new. Every year some new species emerge and some are gone forever. But the earth is now experiencing an extinction rate that's huge: Scientists estimate that every year up to 50,000 species disappear forever because of human activity.

Take birds, as an example. The expected extinction rate for them is about one species per century. Yet, 500 species have gone extinct in the past 500 years and current studies predict that 10 additional species will go extinct every year from hereon if something isn't done to reverse this pattern. What's causing this? The usual suspects: habitat destruction, over-hunting, ill-advised introduction of alien species into established ecosystems and, now, global warming.

Editor's Note:  You can have a wildlife habitat on a balcony.  It doesn't take a lot of space, it just takes a lot of love for God's Creation.  Read more reasons to begin your small or large wildlife habitat.


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Mind Max for Mental Ability

Mind Max 
by Steven Horne

It’s common for people to experience a decline in their mental abilities as they age. Between the ages of 20 and 90, the average person loses 5-10% of his or her brain weight with an accompanying loss in memory, attention and other cognitive functions. Scientific research is zeroing in on a decreased number of nerve synapses (the connection between nerve cells) as the reason for this decline.

A higher concentration of nerve synapses in the brain directly correlates to better memory. Protecting and even increasing nerve synapses may promote brain health.

Mind Max offers a new and effective way to reverse this decline and optimize your mental performance. In addition to three proven brain-boosting herbs, Gotu Kola, Bacopa and Ginkgo, Mind Max contains a special form of magnesium. The magnesium l-threonate found in this blend is a highly absorbable form of magnesium that has been shown in studies to cross the blood-brain barrier, increasing development of nerve synapses.

Mind Max enhances blood circulation to the brain and provides antioxidant protection to sensitive brain tissue. It can improve concentration and memory in people who are suffering from cognitive decline. The herbs in Mind Max have general anti-aging benefits, too. They improve blood flow throughout the body and reduce the effects of stress.

Mind Max is a great formula for anyone over 50 who wants to improve their circulatory system and keep their brain functioning better. Here is a breakdown of the ingredients and what each of them does:

Mangesium l-threonate

Magnesium plays an essential role in the function of nerve synapses. Most forms of magnesium, however, are not well-aborbed by into the brain. Recently, researchers at MIT found a highly absorbable form of magnesium – magnesium l-threonate – which has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and increase the brain’s magnesium level. In their studies, researchers found that both young and old participants experienced increased cognitive function while taking magnesium l-threonate.

Ginkgo

Ginkgo is one of the most thoroughly studied herbs in modern times. Research in Europe has centered around an extract of flavonoid glycosides and terpene derivatives in the ginkgo leaves. This standardized extract of ginkgo has been shown to have powerful benefits for the brain and the cardiovascular system.

Research has shown that ginkgo extract has antioxidant properties that protect the lipids in the brain against oxidative damage. It improves blood flow to the brain and to the extremities. Ginkgo improves alpha-wave activity in the brain and can help with problems like absentmindedness, confusion and dizziness.

Ginkgo inhibits platelet aggregation, which reduces the incidence of blood clots in the arteries and veins. This helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. Ginkgo has also been shown to slow macular degeneration, reduce asthma symptoms, strengthen blood vessels and relieve some cases of tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Gotu Kola

Used in Ayurvedic medicine as a nerve tonic in the treatment of mental and nervous ailments, Gotu kola has antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, sedative and adaptogenic properties (helping the body adapt to stress by normalizing body functions). Three main components provide gotu kola’s primary effects: asiaticoside, which gives an antibiotic action by aiding in wound healing; brahmoside and brahminoside, which provide diuretic effects; and madecassoside, which is a strong anti-inflammatory agent.

Gotu kola also contains theobromine, which is believed to help increase oxygen to the brain, thereby promoting greater mental capacity and vitality. The herb may also increase circulation in the lower limbs, thereby reducing swelling.

Bacopa

Known in the West as the “herb of grace,” Bacopa is a classic brain and nervine tonic that heightens mental acuity. It contains the memory boosting compounds bacopaside-A and bacopaside-B and well-known antioxidants that help protect the brain’s memory centers from free radical damage. It also helps lower concentrations of stress-related biochemicals.

Bacopa also increases the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which enhances memory, reaction times and learning during stressful periods. It also helps to slow aging and degeneration of the brain.

Suggested Use

Take 3 capsules before breakfast and 3 capsules before bed. It's best to start with only the nighttime dose at first as Mind Max can produce drowziness until one adapts to it. So take it only at night for at least a week, then gradually start introducing the morning dose.

Selected References

The Comprehensive Guide to Nature’s Sunshine Products by Tree of Light Publishing
Herbal Therapy and Supplements by Merrily A. Kuhn and David Winston
The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman
Herbal Tonic Therapies by Daniel B. Mowrey
Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen
Weiner’s Herbal by Michael A. Weiner

Read more about Mind Max and view a short video.


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