John 20 43 & 44

In the passages of John, we see the Apostle Peter arriving at the scene of an empty tomb, hewed from the rock of a "BORROWED" tomb. I shared yesterday that the reason it was "borrowed" was that God already knew that he would not need it for long. Is that not amazing? God, had from prior to the foundations of the earth, already devised a plan whereby his only Son would be sent to die on a cross, but would only taste death for 3 days and then be gloriously raised from the grave. To this reality do we owe the gratitude for a promise that is forever true. That promise, is the foundation on which every Christian builds his/her faith. To know that Jesus had the grace and ability to bear our sins upon the cross and then to realize that he further threw aside the power of sin and the death as he burst forth from the grave clothes that day is absolutely amazing. 

With that point made, I feel that Jesus was again confirming to us that "It is Finished"! You see, on the cross, he said "It is Finished", but what he was referring to was that every sin ever committed and ever to be committed was laid upon his shoulders. This picture was so gruesome that even the Heavenly Father had to turn his gaze away from the Son as he bore the brunt of our wrongdoings. But then Jesus, according to Colossians, took those sins and nailed them to the cross and thus made a public spectacle out of Satan himself. In other words, Satan became an embarrassment to the Universe as Jesus turned and took all that Satan did and declared again his eternal judgement to come. 

There is actually more to the tomb scene that deserves attention also. The fact that those grave clothes lay wadded up to the side is amazing, but what is even more amazing is that the relevance of the "napkin" that lay folded at the place where Jesus head once lay. You see, culturally speaking, the folded napkin signified the same thing that it would have signified in those days in Jewish Culture. Let me explain: If a guest were to eat at a home and at some point in the dining experience have to leave or get satisfied with his meal, he would wad the napkin up and thus signify his readiness to be done. In other words, "I am finished". But this is not what happened in the tomb that day. In fact, Jesus did just the opposite. He took the napkin and the neatly folded it leaving it where the inquiring disciples were sure to notice. You see the folded napkin, culturally speaking, meant that the person who sat at the meal of the host, should he need to be excused for any reason, would then fold the napkin and thus signify to the host, "I AM NOT FINISHED". WOW-Did you just see that? Jesus was proclaiming the message here that he was indeed not finished. In fact, though his earthly ministry was ending, I believe he was pointing to the fulfillment of the coming ministry through the Holy Spirit and the eventual birth of the Church. So, in closing, Jesus is not only not done, but he is just beginning in many of our lives and our ministries. I choose to believe that indeed he is not finished, but that "he who began a good work in me is able to complet that work". I am thankful today that through the cross we have the forgiveness of sins and through HIS resurrection we have the promise of new life and life eternal through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

--David B. Hughes

Do Women Need Testosterone?

I thought That Was For Men 

If you or someone you know has dealt with menopause, then you’re probably familiar with the hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. These are the most commonly talked about hormones in menopause. There’s a good reason these are some of the most commonly talked about hormones in women. Estrogen and Progesterone are two of the hormones that truly make a woman feminine vs. masculine. They also regulate a woman’s natural cycle and make it possible to bare children. 

However, one of the most overlooked hormones in menopause is Testosterone. That’s right… Testosterone. Most women that I talk to don’t even realize that they have this hormone, yet it’s just as vital as Estrogen and Progesterone when it comes to menopausal health. 

Testosterone in women is important in the following ways: 

• Improving well-being 
• Improving energy 
• Improving strength and endurance 
• Improving body composition 
• By decreasing visceral fat (fat around the middle) 
• By increasing muscle mass 
• Improving bone density 
• Improving sexual function (libido) 
• Improving metabolism 
• Improving hot flashes 
• Improving mood 
• Improving vascular headaches 
• Increasing collagen 
• Increasing skin thickness 
• Improving skin texture 
• Decreasing wrinkles 
• Decreasing cellulite 

Aside from the benefits mentioned above, there are known benefits in preventing heart disease. A study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology (2002) noted that, “Carotid artherosclerosis was significantly lowest for women in the highest quartile of total testosterone compared with those in the lowest quartile”. In layman’s terms, this means that healthy levels of testosterone, in the upper 25% of the range, have significant benefits in lowering heart disease risk, specifically arterial blockages. 

As a general rule-of-thumb, if you have the opposite of the benefits mentioned above, you are likely deficient in testosterone. A simple blood test can confirm whether or not this is the case. If you suspect this is the case with you, ask for help to determine if you are a candidate for biologically identical testosterone replacement therapy. 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown

Little Known Health Benefits Of Melatonin

O.k., here’s the obvious. Melatonin helps with sleep. I know, I can hear through the waves of cyberspace the resounding… “Duhh.” More specifically, it helps influence sleep patterns – the fancy name is circadian rhythm. By influencing the deeper stages, Stage IV and REM, quality of sleep improves and health benefits are conveyed. 

Here are some published health benefits of Melatonin: 

Influences the release of Human Growth Hormone (HGH); which can affect weight loss and healthy weight maintenance 

• Energizes 
• Enhances Mood 
• Increases Natural-Killer-Cells 
• Modulates Immune Function 
• Protects Against Cancer 
• Potent Antioxidant 
• Free Radical Scavenger 

• Lowers Blood Pressure 
• Decreases Migraines & Cluster Headaches 

Melatonin is readily available in most all pharmacies. The best form to use is a “time release, micronized” form. This allows for better absorption and longer duration of action, compared to the standard over-the-counter versions, which more closely mimics the body’s natural Melatonin release. Typical dose range is anywhere from 1mg to 30mg per night. Because of the known health benefits and the relative low side effect profile, this supplement is a good all-around addition to any wellness regimen. 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown

Fresh Manna from Luke

Luke 19:40 says “I tell you, he replied, If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out. “Some of you may already know the story of Jesus as he made his way into Jerusalem, one final time, before his most horrific death on the cross and eventual resurrection from the dead. What is still amazing to me is that Jesus knew what was about to take place, but he chose to surrender his life anyway. At any point in his earthly life, Jesus could have and deservedly so, called it “quits”. He could have said to his eternal father, “I have calculated the cost of my eventual suffering and I feel the cost far outweighs the benefit”. 

Suffering is an interesting thought to say the least. The reason it is so interesting is that it means something different to every person on the planet. If you were to ask my teens what suffering is they may describe to you a week without their electronics. To others, that are less fortunate than we are, suffering can take on a whole new meaning. To some, suffering is truly not knowing where your next meal might come from, or worse yet, to watch your children waste away from the effects of malnourishment. And although time does not permit me to expound on the many examples of suffering, I do believe the term is relevant to one’s own definition to what it means to them. To clarify my aforementioned statement about my teens and their electronics, I hope you will allow me to say that I feel their definition is one more along the lines of inconvenience and not suffering. 

With that said I wanted to point out that Jesus truly did suffer a cruel and agonizing death at the hands of the multitudes as they tortured him and then nailed him to a cross. And unlike any of the other suffering that I see on this earth, this suffering gives my heart joy. Why, because I know his suffering did not end in defeat nor was it a futile waste of time and life. In fact, because of Jesus choice to give himself over to his torturers, I now can have eternal life. In the book of 1 John, the Bible says that “the reason Jesus came was that the might destroy the works of the devil”. Jesus has once and for all defeated the power of sin and death that has reigned in our lives. In fact, scripture further tells us that Jesus made a mockery of Satan as he took his accusations and death sentence upon mankind and nailed it to the cross. I heard someone once say “if that doesn’t light your fire, then your wood is wet”. 

To think that Jesus would have to tell the crowd of religious that what his disciples did in worship was most welcomed and most appropriate is an understatement. I wonder though, did they really understand what was about to happen to him? I believe if they had they may have been in a state of disbelief and mourning. Can I encourage you with this, no matter what this life offers to us, there is and never will be an opportunity like we have today. What is that, you may ask? It is the opportunity to worship him in spite of the suffering, the circumstances, the heartaches or the hardships of this life. We are very fortunate in this aspect: We know the rest of the story! The rest of the story is that we can have joy because Jesus chose to ride the last few miles of that journey, even when some folks ridiculed him and only few people worshipped him. I have a choice and you have a choice. My choice is that I can worship him as the resurrected King of Kings that he is or I can miss the opportunity that he has given me. Scripture is always true, if you don’t worship him someone and something will and always does. I don’t know about you but what a great time to reflect and thank him for his choice and our choice to worship.

Momma Taught Me To Clean My Plate…Part 2

In my last installment, we talked about the problem of being driven to overeating by our subconscious.

So what do we do about it? Here are some techniques that you can use to help overcome this problem. I want you to try this for the next week and see how much of a difference it makes.

• Write down everything you put in your mouth… even if it’s a piece of gum; keep a daily record. Research shows that people who do this one thing are most likely to lose weight and keep it off.
• When you eat, concentrate on chewing more slowly.
• Don't eat in front of the T.V. or while listening to music.
• Prepare your plate of food and put the rest away, so that there’s no temptation to go back for seconds.
• After you eat a meal, ask yourself these questions (for POSITIVE REACTIONS):
• Feel full and content?
• No sweet cravings?
• Not hungry at all?
• No need for a snack?
• Feel recharged?
• Energy is even (not high or low)?
• No “crashing” feelings?
• Feel uplifted?
• Mind is clear and not foggy?
• Can easily put words and thoughts together?

• After you eat a meal, ask yourself these questions (for NEGATIVE REACTIONS):
• Physically full, BUT still hungry?
• Desire something sweet?
• Already hungry?
• Need a snack?
• Energy has not improved at all?
• Feel wired, but tired underneath?
• Crashed and burned; need a nap?
• Feel anxious and/or irritable?
• Brain is foggy?
• Gut feel heavy?

Here are some quick rules for interpreting these NEGATIVE reactions:

• Excess Fat and/or Protein will result in the following:
• Physically full, BUT still hungry?
• Desire something sweet?
• Energy has not improved at all?
• Gut feel heavy?
• Insufficient calories and/or excess carbohydrates will result in the following:
• Already hungry?
•  Need a snack?
• Excess Carbohydrates will result in the following:
• Feel wired, but tired underneath?
• Crashed and burned; need a nap?
• Feel anxious and/or irritable?
• Brain is foggy?

These techniques may seem a little crazy at first, but as you get used to them, you will begin to develop more self-awareness. In the long run, you’ll be more in tune with your body and your body’s response to foods, and this will lead to A BETTER YOU!

To Your Health,

Brian Brown

Momma Taught Me To Clean My Plate…Part 1

Isn’t it funny how quickly our past can dictate our present without us even realizing it? Something as simple as a childhood lesson can have a powerful impact on our adult life and even our health.

Growing up, I was always encouraged to clean my plate because there were starving kids in Africa who don’t have anything --- a classic case of guilt. And, although I was never truly forced to clean my plate, I also heard the dreaded words that millions of kids have heard for generations: “You can’t have anything sweat until you finish your veggies and meat” --- a classic case of bribery. I’m sure a lot of you can relate to this. 

From my own personal perspective, I learned to eat faster in order to get to “the good stuff”. For as long as I can remember, I was always a heavy kid. I remember being mortified every time we had to buy new clothes. My mom always had to buy my jeans at Sears because I needed Tough Skin Husky size jeans. You see, I had fallen into a cycle of eating fast, not giving my brain time to catch up to my stomach, and cleaning my plate, just to get to “the good stuff”. 

Many a well-intentioned parent has fallen into this same trap. I’m one of them --- I have used guilt & bribery to encourage my own kids to eat more healthy foods. It’s simply engrained in us from a very early age. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar, and it even works to some degree. 

The problem with most people arises when the voices of guilt and bribery don't have to be audibly spoken, and the automatic drive to eat faster overtakes the brain’s ability to tell you when you’re full. At some point in our developmental years, we hear these messages so much, and develop bad eating habits to the point that it becomes a part of who we are. On many levels, it’s no longer even conscious. It forces us into a cycle of consuming more calories, which is a huge problem. 

In my next installment, we’ll talk about some things you can do to end this cycle. 

To Your Health, 

Brian Brown

Are the Giants Bigger Than the Grapes?

Number 13: 1-20

The Book of Numbers is quite phenomenal. In the chapter listed above is a recount of God’s desire to give to the Children of Israel his blessings and provision. It’s just like God to want to give to us more than we are ready to and more than we are sometimes willing to receive. This story starts off by God speaking to Moses and instructing him to pick from among the leaders of Israel 12 men who could go up and spy out the land. Moses did as instructed and 12 men were chosen. It is interesting to me that, it was not God who needed to know about the land, nor was he curious about the inhabitants, or even curious about the size of the fruit that was there. But, on the contrary, God wanted the Israelites to know what they would soon be up against and what they could soon possess. I said that, to say this: “God desires to keep us informed of every battle that we are in & the battles we are about to face. He wants to give us insight into the good things that lie on the journey ahead for us”. In essence, God wanted them to know about the size of the Giants, but he also wanted them to know about the size of the GRAPES!

It’s amazing, in some ways to me, that 12 men went up into the land, but only 10 men came back with a good report. At the same time, I don’t think the results would be much different today. There are those in our faith that can be faced with any situation and seem to be unshakeable, then there are those who worry constantly at any resistance or any confrontation that life brings them. I like to think of it like this: “What they (the spies) said about what they saw determined where they went.” I feel it is no different today. There are plenty of opportunities to worry and fret and get anxious, but at the same time those same opportunities are times that we can trust in God and his undying faithfulness. It truly is about our perception of life that makes all the difference in the world. 

Let me ask this, have you ever gotten tickled (laughing) to the point that you couldn’t stop? I have and it never fails to happen that those around you begin to laugh also. In the same way, fear, doubt, anxiety, or whatever you choose to label it are also very contagious. Ultimately, what we see and how we respond to it verbally will affect our children, coworkers, spouses, etc. I am not sure about you, but I want to be a person that when I influence others I want it to be a positive impact on their lives. 

So with that said, let me close by asking you a question. Had you been one of the 12 sent up to spy out the Promised Land, would the Giants that lived in the land been bigger than the Grapes that hung from the vine? Remember, it’s all about how you see it.

David Hughes, NP

Co-Owner, Matrix Wellness Solutions