Our Daily Bread
There is a song that has an amazing line in it like: "Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things". Laura Story is talking about how we pray for things, but God loves too much to give us "lesser things"! Wow! I am inspired to listen more when I pray so I know not to "settle"!
The devotion talks about this topic of "lesser things" as well. I love the CS Lewis quote about our desires are too easily pleased that we don't wait for what God has for us! Yes, I see this in my own life over and over again. It may be happening right now! ha! Patience, discernment and trust are the key components in figuring out what God has for us. Too many times we act like someone looking for a good meal in a garbage dump. We wouldn't do that would we?
Patience, discernment and trust. Yeah, that's the ticket.
Lord, we know you have our best interests at heart. Please help us live that way and not settle for lesser things!
Simply Saturday
I remembered this song while searching through music on iTunes the other day. It is an oldie but goodie! Song of Deliverance sung by Debby Boone helped me get through my bout with cancer 28 years ago. Praise God!
Song of Deliverance (sung by Debby Boone)
Standing at my station camped upon the battleground
Though I can't see my enemy, I know that he is all around
So many voices speaking, telling me I'm wrong; can they be right?
I have the choice to weaken, or to stand up strong and fight
But the only defense that I can raise
Is lifting up an anthem of Your praise
Oh Lord, Your loving kindness is everlasting
That's why I sing
My Lord, your loving kindness endures forever
And You are able to deliver me
Deliver me
Lord in my confusion all my strength is giving in
My adversary's everywhere, it seems that there's no way to win
Then I hear Your voice all through me telling me this battle's Yours, not mine
I have no choice left to me but to yield to Your design
As You take it from my hands what can I do
but to lift them up in sacrifice to You
Oh Lord, Your loving kindness is everlasting
That's why I sing
My Lord, your loving kindness endures forever
And You are able to deliver me
Deliver me
And now the hope of Your salvation
Is burning in me like a flame
I come before You now rejoicing
And with this song of deliverance proclaim
Oh Lord, Your loving kindness is everlasting
That's why I sing
My Lord, your loving kindness endures forever
And You are able to deliver me
Deliver me
*************************************
Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Friday, June 6, 2014
Choose ye this day...
Our Daily Bread
Having traveled around singing a lot when I was younger, I heard a LOT of different preachers. One of my favorite sermons was about today's scripture passage: Joshua 24:15. In a long drawn Southern accent, the preacher said Choose yeeeee this daaayyyyy WWWHHHHOOOMMMM yeeee will serve! I am happy to say I made my choice many, many years ago!
So who do we really serve? Do we and our households really "serve the Lord"? Are there other idols or things of this world that we make our priorities instead of serving the Living God? I know this sounds like crazy talk that might have us end up as a monk that gardens vegetables and prays when he is not doing that! I am sorry, but I know that is not the life for me! Once again, God lead me to the closing tag line for today's entry: "You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you." - Our Daily Bread Wherever you are. Whatever God has for you to do. Let us all be faithful to Him! Praise God!
Lord, you know what is best for us. Please help us do our best for you where you place us!
Foodie Friday
I found a couple of recipes that I want to try. Not sure when I will take time to cook again. Here are the recipes:
Pine Nut-crusted Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
1 cup panko bread crumbs
3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dry white wine OR chicken broth
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. Kosher salt
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
1/4 cup Bertolli® Classico™ Olive Oil, divided
1 jar Bertolli® Arrabbiata Sauce
3 cups fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and patted dry (about 10 oz.)
1 cup shredded fontina cheese (about 2 oz.)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 oz.)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 ounces fettuccine, cooked and drained
TOTAL TIME
1 hr 5 min
SERVINGS
4 UNITS
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly brush sides and bottom of 11- x 8-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, then evenly spread with 1/3 of the Sauce; set aside.
Pulse pine nuts in food processor or roughly chop with knife. Combine pine nuts, bread crumbs, rosemary and red pepper flakes in shallow dish. Combine eggs with wine in another shallow dish. Combine flour, black pepper, salt and garlic powder in another shallow dish. Evenly coat chicken in flour mixture, then egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Olive Oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Arrange chicken in prepared baking dish, then top with remaining Sauce. Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Evenly top chicken with spinach and cheeses. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve over hot fettuccine and garnish, if desired, with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Hearty Hash Brown Soup Recipe
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
4 cups water
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 cup sliced celery
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 quart milk
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
*************************************
You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you. - Our Daily Bread
Having traveled around singing a lot when I was younger, I heard a LOT of different preachers. One of my favorite sermons was about today's scripture passage: Joshua 24:15. In a long drawn Southern accent, the preacher said Choose yeeeee this daaayyyyy WWWHHHHOOOMMMM yeeee will serve! I am happy to say I made my choice many, many years ago!
So who do we really serve? Do we and our households really "serve the Lord"? Are there other idols or things of this world that we make our priorities instead of serving the Living God? I know this sounds like crazy talk that might have us end up as a monk that gardens vegetables and prays when he is not doing that! I am sorry, but I know that is not the life for me! Once again, God lead me to the closing tag line for today's entry: "You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you." - Our Daily Bread Wherever you are. Whatever God has for you to do. Let us all be faithful to Him! Praise God!
Lord, you know what is best for us. Please help us do our best for you where you place us!
Foodie Friday
I found a couple of recipes that I want to try. Not sure when I will take time to cook again. Here are the recipes:
Pine Nut-crusted Chicken Parmesan
Ingredients
1 cup panko bread crumbs
3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, chopped
1 Tbsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dry white wine OR chicken broth
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. Kosher salt
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. ground black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
1/4 cup Bertolli® Classico™ Olive Oil, divided
1 jar Bertolli® Arrabbiata Sauce
3 cups fresh spinach leaves, rinsed and patted dry (about 10 oz.)
1 cup shredded fontina cheese (about 2 oz.)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 2 oz.)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 ounces fettuccine, cooked and drained
TOTAL TIME
1 hr 5 min
SERVINGS
4 UNITS
Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly brush sides and bottom of 11- x 8-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, then evenly spread with 1/3 of the Sauce; set aside.
Pulse pine nuts in food processor or roughly chop with knife. Combine pine nuts, bread crumbs, rosemary and red pepper flakes in shallow dish. Combine eggs with wine in another shallow dish. Combine flour, black pepper, salt and garlic powder in another shallow dish. Evenly coat chicken in flour mixture, then egg mixture, then bread crumb mixture.
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons Olive Oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and brown chicken. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Arrange chicken in prepared baking dish, then top with remaining Sauce. Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
Evenly top chicken with spinach and cheeses. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve over hot fettuccine and garnish, if desired, with additional Parmesan cheese and parsley.
Hearty Hash Brown Soup Recipe
Ingredients
2 pounds frozen shredded hash brown potatoes
4 cups water
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 cup sliced celery
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 quart milk
2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
In a Dutch oven or soup kettle, combine the first seven ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Mash vegetables with cooking liquid. Add soup and milk; stir until smooth. Add ham, parsley and garlic salt; simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with bacon. Yield: 12-16 servings (4 quarts).
*************************************
You are a success in God’s kingdom if you are faithful where He has placed you. - Our Daily Bread
Thursday, June 5, 2014
It always feels like...
Our Daily Bread
Men at Work sang an odd song and have a video that was even more odd called (It always feels like) Someone's Watching Me. The look on the lead singer's face when he sang it was a little creepy!
As Christians, we have a non-creepy "someone's watching me" we can be thankful for! We know that God is always watching over us. Like the devotional said, we sometimes have to "adjust our frame" to see that he is really there even when we don't feel him. Reading the Song of Moses is a great reminder of the greatness and closeness of our God! Praise God!
Lord, we thank you for being with us even when we can't see or feel you!
Technology Thursday
13 Google Search Tricks That Make Life A Whole Lot Easier
The Huffington Post | By Carina Kolodny
You think you know how to Google? You don't know how to Google.
Even the most seasoned Googler might not know every tip and trick available with just a few extra keystrokes in the search bar. Consider this your instructions manual for the world's most popular search engine.
Define A Word
The Scenario: You're playing Scrabble and some dumb-dumb says, "Hey, 'panacea' isn't a word!"
The Solution: Just type "define:" followed by the word you want and Google will take you straight to the definition. Use the time you save to make smarter friends.
Search For Words In Exact Order
The Scenario: You want to find out the origin of a quote, but Google keeps giving results that are nowhere close.
The Solution: Put your search phrase inside quotation marks.
Exclude Certain Words
The Scenario: You want bread recipes that don't list "yeast" as an ingredient.
The Solution: After you enter your desired search terms, add a minus sign (-) followed by the words you want excluded.
Search Within A Range Of Prices
The Scenario: You want to research digital cameras that fall within a certain price range.
The Solution: First type in your term. Then separate the lowest and highest prices you're willing to pay with two periods (..). This trick also works for dates, if you're, say, looking for a news article published during a certain time.
Search Within A Website
The Scenario: You read an interesting article about Nelson Mandela on The Huffington Post, but you don't have the link and you can't remember the article's name or its author.
The Solution: Type "site:" followed by the URL of the website you'd like to search. Then add your search terms.
Fill In The Blanks
The Scenario: You once heard that mixing Pop Rocks with _________ would result in _______, but you can't remember what either of those two blanks are.
The Solution: Enter your search terms using asterisks as stand-ins for the unknowns. Google will fill in the blanks with possibilities.
Search By File Type
The Scenario: You have to do a PowerPoint presentation on 1920s slang, either because you're still in college or you live in Brooklyn, and you want to see how others have done it.
The Solution: Search by file type to find other PowerPoints. Enter your search terms followed by "filetype:PPT."
Set A Timer
The Scenario: Your brain is fried and you want to take a break on YouTube. You also want to make sure you don't get sucked down the rabbit hole.
The Solution: Type "set timer for" into the search bar and a Google timer will appear as the first result. Enter the time you want in hours, minutes or seconds and start the timer. Google will start beeping at you when your time runs out.
Do Math
The Scenario: You're terrible at math. Like, really bad at it. Or you're pretty good at math but have a really complicated problem to solve.
The Solution: To the chagrin of your math teacher, you can type in an equation and Google will give you the answer on its calculator. That's right, Mr. Campisano: I didn't need Algebra II after all.
Convert Currency
The Scenario: You're planning a trip to Thailand but have zero idea how far your American dollars will get you.
The Solution: Type in the name of the currency you currently own, add "to" and then type in the name of the currency you need to get.
Find A GIF
The Scenario: You know the exact GIF you need to send to your friend. But how do you find it?
The Solution: Go to Google Images. Click "Search tools" and then "Type." Then check off "Animated." Prepare to impress.
Search By Title
The Scenario: You want to search for a photo of the sexiest man alive when he was in his prime. To be specific, you want to find Joe Biden's yearbook photo.
The Solution: Type "intitle:" then the term you want. This will ensure the specified term is in the title of all the webpages in your results.
Make Google Flip Out
The Scenario: You want to freak out a friend.
The Solution: Type "do a barrel roll" and hit enter.
You're welcome.
****************************************
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 niv).
Men at Work sang an odd song and have a video that was even more odd called (It always feels like) Someone's Watching Me. The look on the lead singer's face when he sang it was a little creepy!
As Christians, we have a non-creepy "someone's watching me" we can be thankful for! We know that God is always watching over us. Like the devotional said, we sometimes have to "adjust our frame" to see that he is really there even when we don't feel him. Reading the Song of Moses is a great reminder of the greatness and closeness of our God! Praise God!
Lord, we thank you for being with us even when we can't see or feel you!
Technology Thursday
13 Google Search Tricks That Make Life A Whole Lot Easier
The Huffington Post | By Carina Kolodny
You think you know how to Google? You don't know how to Google.
Even the most seasoned Googler might not know every tip and trick available with just a few extra keystrokes in the search bar. Consider this your instructions manual for the world's most popular search engine.
Define A Word
The Scenario: You're playing Scrabble and some dumb-dumb says, "Hey, 'panacea' isn't a word!"
The Solution: Just type "define:" followed by the word you want and Google will take you straight to the definition. Use the time you save to make smarter friends.
Search For Words In Exact Order
The Scenario: You want to find out the origin of a quote, but Google keeps giving results that are nowhere close.
The Solution: Put your search phrase inside quotation marks.
Exclude Certain Words
The Scenario: You want bread recipes that don't list "yeast" as an ingredient.
The Solution: After you enter your desired search terms, add a minus sign (-) followed by the words you want excluded.
Search Within A Range Of Prices
The Scenario: You want to research digital cameras that fall within a certain price range.
The Solution: First type in your term. Then separate the lowest and highest prices you're willing to pay with two periods (..). This trick also works for dates, if you're, say, looking for a news article published during a certain time.
Search Within A Website
The Scenario: You read an interesting article about Nelson Mandela on The Huffington Post, but you don't have the link and you can't remember the article's name or its author.
The Solution: Type "site:" followed by the URL of the website you'd like to search. Then add your search terms.
Fill In The Blanks
The Scenario: You once heard that mixing Pop Rocks with _________ would result in _______, but you can't remember what either of those two blanks are.
The Solution: Enter your search terms using asterisks as stand-ins for the unknowns. Google will fill in the blanks with possibilities.
Search By File Type
The Scenario: You have to do a PowerPoint presentation on 1920s slang, either because you're still in college or you live in Brooklyn, and you want to see how others have done it.
The Solution: Search by file type to find other PowerPoints. Enter your search terms followed by "filetype:PPT."
Set A Timer
The Scenario: Your brain is fried and you want to take a break on YouTube. You also want to make sure you don't get sucked down the rabbit hole.
The Solution: Type "set timer for" into the search bar and a Google timer will appear as the first result. Enter the time you want in hours, minutes or seconds and start the timer. Google will start beeping at you when your time runs out.
Do Math
The Scenario: You're terrible at math. Like, really bad at it. Or you're pretty good at math but have a really complicated problem to solve.
The Solution: To the chagrin of your math teacher, you can type in an equation and Google will give you the answer on its calculator. That's right, Mr. Campisano: I didn't need Algebra II after all.
Convert Currency
The Scenario: You're planning a trip to Thailand but have zero idea how far your American dollars will get you.
The Solution: Type in the name of the currency you currently own, add "to" and then type in the name of the currency you need to get.
Find A GIF
The Scenario: You know the exact GIF you need to send to your friend. But how do you find it?
The Solution: Go to Google Images. Click "Search tools" and then "Type." Then check off "Animated." Prepare to impress.
Search By Title
The Scenario: You want to search for a photo of the sexiest man alive when he was in his prime. To be specific, you want to find Joe Biden's yearbook photo.
The Solution: Type "intitle:" then the term you want. This will ensure the specified term is in the title of all the webpages in your results.
Make Google Flip Out
The Scenario: You want to freak out a friend.
The Solution: Type "do a barrel roll" and hit enter.
You're welcome.
****************************************
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21 niv).
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
The family table
Our Daily Bread
There is a furniture store in Columbus that specializes in dining room tables. The advertise that you must have a special table because so many family memories are made there! I love entertaining in my dining room that my friends nicknamed "the dining hall"! ha!
I can only imagine what heaven will be like. I know how amazing life on earth has been most of the time, even though there have been many bumps in the road I traveled. I joke that most of the bumps are my own faulty blacktop work! Darn it! Thinking of how God loves and provides for his own never ceases to amaze me. I am not talking about material things. I am talking the things that really matter! Let us pray for each other that we will take time to look around us. Ask God to remind us of all of our blessings and how he has provided for us over and over. Praise God!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for your loving kindness!
Wellness Wednesday
9 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Mind
By Taylor Kubota for Men's Journal [article]
Whether it's becoming a Sudoku champion or remembering the name of someone you just met, everyone probably wishes they could muster up a little extra brain power. There are no quick fixes when it comes to improving or the preventing decline of cognitive functions like memory, info processing or critical thinking but there are some very basic steps you can take to keep your brain as healthy as possible.
"A lot of things that should be recommend for reducing dementia are actually just common sense and work for general health too," says Dr. Joe Verghese, professor of neurology and medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "The challenge is getting people to do it." Eating right, exercising and staying mentally active top the list of brain health boosters but they aren't the only options.
1. Keep Learning
A lot of research has found that education provides some protection from waning mental function. The theory is that people with more education have a greater cognitive reserve, basically something of an extra buffer against the effects of decline. But it's a bit of a double-edged sword. "People who are more highly educated tend to get Alzheimer's at a later age but once they get it, they're getting it at a higher load of the disease and appear to decline at a faster rate," says Verghese.
2. Do A Crossword
Even if you're not looking to jump back into school, you can still use other forms of mental activity to give your mind a workout. "Education gives you a boost earlier in life -- it builds up your cognitive muscle -- but in older life, if you want to maintain that advantage, you have to continue taking part in mentally stimulating activities," says Verghese. He conducted a study of 488 adults over the age of 75 and found that doing cognitive activities -- like crossword puzzles, reading or playing music -- actually delayed the onset of memory decline among people who eventually developed dementia. The results showed that for every cognitively active day, dementia was delayed by about two months.
3. Ignore Negativity
Stereotype threat occurs when a person is in a situation where they are anxious that they may conform to a negative stereotype aimed at his or her social group. Stereotype threat stemming from beliefs about age and memory loss can hinder the performance of middle-ages and older people on memory tests. However, positive stereotypes, or success on previous memory tasks, can help combat this negativity. Oddly enough, stereotype threat has also been shown to improve performance when tasks are focused on losses rather than gains.
4. Use All Of Your Senses
Sensory memory consists of iconic (visual), echoic (auditory) and haptic (touch-related) memory and is usually very short-term. Yet studies – often stemming from marketing research – have shown that involving multiple senses, like the picture of a flower with a floral scent, enhances people's ability to memorize what their senses are taking in.
5. Socialize
While many studies have found an association between social support and better cognitive functioning, it's hard to tell which one causes the other. A 2008 study that looks at retired people found that memory among people who were least socially integrated declined twice as much as in people who were most socially integrated. Researchers have suggested that socializing may help our minds because it encourages people to take better care of themselves, reduces stress and releases beneficial neurohormones, stemming from the emotions usually caused by being with loved ones.
6. Don't Multitask
Many of us may prize ourselves on our multitasking prowess but science generally shows that splitting our attention is more problematic than productive. One study looking at working memory -- quick storage of information -- had younger and older adults perform recognition tests with or without interruptions. They found that adults of all ages get sidetracked by interferences but that older adults have a harder time refocusing after they've been distracted.
7. Spaced Interval Repetition
If you've ever had to memorize something, you are probably familiar with spaced interval repetition (SIR). SIR is a learning technique that uses repeated testing over increasing intervals until it whatever you're trying to memorize finally sticks. So you test yourself a lot at first, then less and less over time. It sounds really basic but SIR is a well-supported way to get the most out of your memory – and a reason there are so many new smartphone apps that follow this technique.
8. Exercise
The hippocampus -- the part of the brain critical to the formation of long-term memory -- typically shrinks as we age, which can contribute to memory impairment and dementia. Fortunately, exercise (which is already great for our health) may actually reverse this shrinking. One study found the effects of exercise increased hippocampus volume by an amount equal to what older people lose in one to two years. "Studies have shown that exercise improves blood flow to the brain and it also stimulates production of nerve growth factors," says Verghese. Even just six minutes of exercise post-learning can help boost memory.
9. Eat Right
There is a well-documented link between what we eat and how our brains function. One study showed that putting rats on a high sugar diet for a mere six weeks impaired their cognitive functioning. Being overweight has also been tied to increases in mental health problems. If you just can't get enough of your high-fructose corn syrup, the researchers also found that consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids -- like salmon, walnuts and soybeans -- may help counter sugar's brain drain.
*******************************
The only remedy for hearts that “want it all” is the contentment found in the presence of the living God. He is sufficient for our needs and longings, and He alone can bring us the peace and contentment we’ll never find in the pursuits of this life. - Our Daily Bread
There is a furniture store in Columbus that specializes in dining room tables. The advertise that you must have a special table because so many family memories are made there! I love entertaining in my dining room that my friends nicknamed "the dining hall"! ha!
I can only imagine what heaven will be like. I know how amazing life on earth has been most of the time, even though there have been many bumps in the road I traveled. I joke that most of the bumps are my own faulty blacktop work! Darn it! Thinking of how God loves and provides for his own never ceases to amaze me. I am not talking about material things. I am talking the things that really matter! Let us pray for each other that we will take time to look around us. Ask God to remind us of all of our blessings and how he has provided for us over and over. Praise God!
Lord, we thank you and praise you for your loving kindness!
Wellness Wednesday
9 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Mind
By Taylor Kubota for Men's Journal [article]
Whether it's becoming a Sudoku champion or remembering the name of someone you just met, everyone probably wishes they could muster up a little extra brain power. There are no quick fixes when it comes to improving or the preventing decline of cognitive functions like memory, info processing or critical thinking but there are some very basic steps you can take to keep your brain as healthy as possible.
"A lot of things that should be recommend for reducing dementia are actually just common sense and work for general health too," says Dr. Joe Verghese, professor of neurology and medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. "The challenge is getting people to do it." Eating right, exercising and staying mentally active top the list of brain health boosters but they aren't the only options.
1. Keep Learning
A lot of research has found that education provides some protection from waning mental function. The theory is that people with more education have a greater cognitive reserve, basically something of an extra buffer against the effects of decline. But it's a bit of a double-edged sword. "People who are more highly educated tend to get Alzheimer's at a later age but once they get it, they're getting it at a higher load of the disease and appear to decline at a faster rate," says Verghese.
2. Do A Crossword
Even if you're not looking to jump back into school, you can still use other forms of mental activity to give your mind a workout. "Education gives you a boost earlier in life -- it builds up your cognitive muscle -- but in older life, if you want to maintain that advantage, you have to continue taking part in mentally stimulating activities," says Verghese. He conducted a study of 488 adults over the age of 75 and found that doing cognitive activities -- like crossword puzzles, reading or playing music -- actually delayed the onset of memory decline among people who eventually developed dementia. The results showed that for every cognitively active day, dementia was delayed by about two months.
3. Ignore Negativity
Stereotype threat occurs when a person is in a situation where they are anxious that they may conform to a negative stereotype aimed at his or her social group. Stereotype threat stemming from beliefs about age and memory loss can hinder the performance of middle-ages and older people on memory tests. However, positive stereotypes, or success on previous memory tasks, can help combat this negativity. Oddly enough, stereotype threat has also been shown to improve performance when tasks are focused on losses rather than gains.
4. Use All Of Your Senses
Sensory memory consists of iconic (visual), echoic (auditory) and haptic (touch-related) memory and is usually very short-term. Yet studies – often stemming from marketing research – have shown that involving multiple senses, like the picture of a flower with a floral scent, enhances people's ability to memorize what their senses are taking in.
5. Socialize
While many studies have found an association between social support and better cognitive functioning, it's hard to tell which one causes the other. A 2008 study that looks at retired people found that memory among people who were least socially integrated declined twice as much as in people who were most socially integrated. Researchers have suggested that socializing may help our minds because it encourages people to take better care of themselves, reduces stress and releases beneficial neurohormones, stemming from the emotions usually caused by being with loved ones.
6. Don't Multitask
Many of us may prize ourselves on our multitasking prowess but science generally shows that splitting our attention is more problematic than productive. One study looking at working memory -- quick storage of information -- had younger and older adults perform recognition tests with or without interruptions. They found that adults of all ages get sidetracked by interferences but that older adults have a harder time refocusing after they've been distracted.
7. Spaced Interval Repetition
If you've ever had to memorize something, you are probably familiar with spaced interval repetition (SIR). SIR is a learning technique that uses repeated testing over increasing intervals until it whatever you're trying to memorize finally sticks. So you test yourself a lot at first, then less and less over time. It sounds really basic but SIR is a well-supported way to get the most out of your memory – and a reason there are so many new smartphone apps that follow this technique.
8. Exercise
The hippocampus -- the part of the brain critical to the formation of long-term memory -- typically shrinks as we age, which can contribute to memory impairment and dementia. Fortunately, exercise (which is already great for our health) may actually reverse this shrinking. One study found the effects of exercise increased hippocampus volume by an amount equal to what older people lose in one to two years. "Studies have shown that exercise improves blood flow to the brain and it also stimulates production of nerve growth factors," says Verghese. Even just six minutes of exercise post-learning can help boost memory.
9. Eat Right
There is a well-documented link between what we eat and how our brains function. One study showed that putting rats on a high sugar diet for a mere six weeks impaired their cognitive functioning. Being overweight has also been tied to increases in mental health problems. If you just can't get enough of your high-fructose corn syrup, the researchers also found that consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids -- like salmon, walnuts and soybeans -- may help counter sugar's brain drain.
*******************************
The only remedy for hearts that “want it all” is the contentment found in the presence of the living God. He is sufficient for our needs and longings, and He alone can bring us the peace and contentment we’ll never find in the pursuits of this life. - Our Daily Bread
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
I have been there...
Our Daily Bread
I have told this story a few times over the years, but not that many people have heard it. I had cancer when I was 26 years old. I was a poor seminary student trying to make ends meet. I had no money and couldn't work very much due to the surgeries and treatments. I had some friends from church let me live with them for a few months while I was recovering. There were days when I would open two or three envelopes containing bills that I didn't have the money to pay. The fourth envelope would be a check from a friend or family member to cover the bills and my living expenses! Praise God! Many years later, I think I have forgotten about what that feels like. Forgotten how to be so thankful for every good thing.
How about you? Like the people of Israeal who went through hard times over and over, we all go through these times. We have a choice. We can whine and try to run back to Egypt where we appeared to be fed and cared for (but were really slaves), or we can trust God to work through the situation with us to move us forward in our lives. As I wrote the other day, moving forward is good! We can do this!
Lord, please help us to love and praise you in every circumstance. We know you work every situation to our good!
Teaching Tuesday
Interesting article
I haven't started my new book yet. I thought I would write about an article I found yesterday at lunch. I found this article and thought it was interesting:
Religious OCD: 'I'm going to hell'
By Elizabeth Landau, CNN
Having grown up in an evangelical tradition, I feel like there is a fine line between feeling and acknowledging the grace of God in our lives and taking that for granted. A fine line between being penitent and humble about our human inclination to sin and going to far into OCD and false feelings of insecurity and unworthiness.
Let us pray for each other to find our place in God's kingdom. To acknowledge the great gift we have been given. To praise and worship God for the honor and privilege to serve him!
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I pray the weight of my sins doth not crush me back to dust from where I came. I pray that God create in me a new, clean heart and place a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. Praise the Almighty God from whom all blessings flow.
I have told this story a few times over the years, but not that many people have heard it. I had cancer when I was 26 years old. I was a poor seminary student trying to make ends meet. I had no money and couldn't work very much due to the surgeries and treatments. I had some friends from church let me live with them for a few months while I was recovering. There were days when I would open two or three envelopes containing bills that I didn't have the money to pay. The fourth envelope would be a check from a friend or family member to cover the bills and my living expenses! Praise God! Many years later, I think I have forgotten about what that feels like. Forgotten how to be so thankful for every good thing.
How about you? Like the people of Israeal who went through hard times over and over, we all go through these times. We have a choice. We can whine and try to run back to Egypt where we appeared to be fed and cared for (but were really slaves), or we can trust God to work through the situation with us to move us forward in our lives. As I wrote the other day, moving forward is good! We can do this!
Lord, please help us to love and praise you in every circumstance. We know you work every situation to our good!
Teaching Tuesday
Interesting article
I haven't started my new book yet. I thought I would write about an article I found yesterday at lunch. I found this article and thought it was interesting:
Religious OCD: 'I'm going to hell'
By Elizabeth Landau, CNN
Having grown up in an evangelical tradition, I feel like there is a fine line between feeling and acknowledging the grace of God in our lives and taking that for granted. A fine line between being penitent and humble about our human inclination to sin and going to far into OCD and false feelings of insecurity and unworthiness.
Let us pray for each other to find our place in God's kingdom. To acknowledge the great gift we have been given. To praise and worship God for the honor and privilege to serve him!
****************************************
I pray the weight of my sins doth not crush me back to dust from where I came. I pray that God create in me a new, clean heart and place a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my salvation. Praise the Almighty God from whom all blessings flow.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Proceed with Caution
Our Daily Bread
There is a lot of road work near my office building for the next few weeks. A very busy stretch of road is being trimmed down to two lanes instead of four. Traffic and pedestrians must all proceed with caution to ensure there are no accidents.
Our Christian life can be that way, too. There are many times when we need to proceed with caution so accidents don't happen in our lives. I have had times where I didn't mean for something to happen, but it did. I didn't walk cautiously. I didn't follow the path or direction that God put before me. I knew what things to avoid just like the caution signs in the road! Let us pray for each other to walk carefully in our loving walk with God!
Lord, your ways are not our ways. Please help us to walk in your careful, loving path so we can serve you better!
Movie Monday
I managed to see two movies this busy weekend: Maleficent and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Maleficent
I liked this movie more than I thought I would mainly because of the way they created the main character. This is a re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story with several twists. I don't want to say too much about the story line and ruin it for you. There are laughs. There are scary parts. There are touching parts.
I give this two bear paws. It would be a nice rental some time.
A Million Ways to Die in the West
Oh boy. What do I say about this one? Seth McFarlane plays a lowly sheep farmer in a small town in the Wild West in 1882. It has similar humor to Family Guy and the movie Ted. Lots of cursing and vulgarity, some of which was very funny. There were several very funny parts, but not enough to really carry the movie, even though I never really got bored in the two hour long film. I call this a guilty pleasure movie because there isn't much there.
I give this one two bear paws for the clever writing and concept. This is definitely a rental. Don't waste you money at the theater unless you have to (like I did!).
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Excavating your heart will unearth the beautiful things God has planted in you. - R. Howerton
There is a lot of road work near my office building for the next few weeks. A very busy stretch of road is being trimmed down to two lanes instead of four. Traffic and pedestrians must all proceed with caution to ensure there are no accidents.
Our Christian life can be that way, too. There are many times when we need to proceed with caution so accidents don't happen in our lives. I have had times where I didn't mean for something to happen, but it did. I didn't walk cautiously. I didn't follow the path or direction that God put before me. I knew what things to avoid just like the caution signs in the road! Let us pray for each other to walk carefully in our loving walk with God!
Lord, your ways are not our ways. Please help us to walk in your careful, loving path so we can serve you better!
Movie Monday
I managed to see two movies this busy weekend: Maleficent and A Million Ways to Die in the West.
Maleficent
I liked this movie more than I thought I would mainly because of the way they created the main character. This is a re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story with several twists. I don't want to say too much about the story line and ruin it for you. There are laughs. There are scary parts. There are touching parts.
I give this two bear paws. It would be a nice rental some time.
A Million Ways to Die in the West
Oh boy. What do I say about this one? Seth McFarlane plays a lowly sheep farmer in a small town in the Wild West in 1882. It has similar humor to Family Guy and the movie Ted. Lots of cursing and vulgarity, some of which was very funny. There were several very funny parts, but not enough to really carry the movie, even though I never really got bored in the two hour long film. I call this a guilty pleasure movie because there isn't much there.
I give this one two bear paws for the clever writing and concept. This is definitely a rental. Don't waste you money at the theater unless you have to (like I did!).
********************************
Excavating your heart will unearth the beautiful things God has planted in you. - R. Howerton
Sunday, June 1, 2014
One step forward, two steps back...
Our Daily Bread
Doesn't life feel like this sometimes? One step forward, and then two steps back? Maybe more steps back? Ha! I know that is how I feel sometimes! Whether is is spiritually, financially, career, etc., we can't always seem to move forward.
The devotional talks about two special animals in Australia that have a difficult time moving backward because their bodies just aren't made to move that way! When you think about it, we should avoid moving backward in our Christian lives if at all possible! It is OK if we do because God will move and inspire and sometimes drag us forward! We hear hymns like Onward Christian Soldiers and Stand Up for Jesus. You don't hear hymns like Run Backwards and Hide! LOL Let us pray for each other to keep moving. We can do this!
Lord, you are leading us forward. Please help us follow!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 145 is a nice praise psalm. It is the stuff that songs are written -- the greatness and goodness of God! See what you think!
Psalm 145
The Greatness and the Goodness of God
Praise. Of David.
1 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
******************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
Doesn't life feel like this sometimes? One step forward, and then two steps back? Maybe more steps back? Ha! I know that is how I feel sometimes! Whether is is spiritually, financially, career, etc., we can't always seem to move forward.
The devotional talks about two special animals in Australia that have a difficult time moving backward because their bodies just aren't made to move that way! When you think about it, we should avoid moving backward in our Christian lives if at all possible! It is OK if we do because God will move and inspire and sometimes drag us forward! We hear hymns like Onward Christian Soldiers and Stand Up for Jesus. You don't hear hymns like Run Backwards and Hide! LOL Let us pray for each other to keep moving. We can do this!
Lord, you are leading us forward. Please help us follow!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 145 is a nice praise psalm. It is the stuff that songs are written -- the greatness and goodness of God! See what you think!
Psalm 145
The Greatness and the Goodness of God
Praise. Of David.
1 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to all people your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
******************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
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