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March 2008

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From the desk of Nurse Marsha. . . .

 

Now that it's March, how are you doing keeping your New Year's Resolutions? Even our best efforts to lose weight and get into shape can fiiizzzzzzle out...especially when this winter may have stopped many of us in our tracks-literally. Take your goals out and sit quietly for several minutes. Meditate on what your priorities are at this time. Maybe we aren't going to look like the models in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. The first step is to pray for guidance. Then start loving ourselves like Jesus truly loves us. Let's change our winter thinking to Spring thinking...let's put a "Spring" in our step again. How?

Mix up different types of exercise and get moving!

 

· AEROBIC EXERCISE—Walking is a form of aerobic exercise. Aerobic means "in the presence of air". This way of exercise gets us breathing more deeply and more rapidly than normal. Walking, jogging,  cycling, cross country skiing, dancing , swimming, and using elliptical machines or gliders are just a few example of this type of exercise.

Start out slow and build up your endurance so you don't injure yourself.

 

· ANAEROBIC EXERCISE—Anaerobic means "without air" and refers to short, higher intensity exercises such as weight training and calisthenics.

 

· MIX IT UP WITH FUN, ALERNATIVE EXERCISES

1) Yoga-this exercise is a an excellent low-impact exercise that combines stretching and breathing to relax the body and decrease tension, stress, anxiety, depression, and hypertension.

 

2)Tai Chi-this is an ancient Chinese martial art consisting of slow, relaxed movements or forms.  It focuses on diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing. This exercise is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation and can possibly help benefit individuals who may have arthritis and other physical problems.

 

3) Pilates-a series of callisthenic motions performed without weights on a padded mat used for total body conditioning that emphasizes proper alignment, concentration of breathing in different patterns to help flexibility, strength, muscle tone, body awareness, ENERGY, and better mental concentration.

 

4) Ballroom Dancing-low impact dancing helps develop coordination, balance and rhythm. It actually could be aerobic exercise especially dancing the fox-trot, swing, cha-cha, rumba, etc. or slower with a relaxing waltz. Dancing can also be a way for creative expression and increased social interaction.

 

As you begin to find different ways to exercise, you may find yourself enjoying getting into shape. Really!

Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions related to starting an exercise program if you have any health concerns.

God's peace and love,   

 

Nurse Marsha                                                                                     

Happy Easter

 

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February 2008

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From the desk of Nurse Marsha. . . .

 

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Happy Lent! February is "Heart Health" Month. I am once again sharing "The Healing Prayer" with you as we have many new members and because it helps to heal our hearts. It's important to get our blood pressures and cholesterol levels checked, along with exercise and eating the right nutrients, but it's also extremely important to nourish and restore our hearts on a deeper level. I hope you find this prayer helpful in your daily walk with Jesus.

 

We begin this Healing Prayer by closing our eyes. As we sit in the dark, we experience what it is like to live in the darkness and the unseen with its fears. When we open our eyes, we can experience the Light that is Jesus and how He can push out that darkness and restore light and life.

 

As we walk with Jesus through the gospels, we see time and time again His compassion for those who are hurting. Jesus was constantly involved in the ministry of Healing. Reaching out to those who were suffering physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally and bringing them relief. It is the desire of the Lord Jesus to bring that same love and healing to His people in need today.

 

Many of us have areas of our lives where there is darkness. Where we feel a heavy burden, a hurt, a fear, a brokenness, or even a resentment. Since those areas are painful, we try to put them out of mind and bury them in some dark corner. But every now and then, they surface and the pain returns. It could be a broken or wounded relationship with a spouse, parent, child or sibling; or maybe something that we did—perhaps an abuse: physical, sexual, alcoholic or otherwise, that we try to forget and keep in the dark.

 

Right now we'd like to let Jesus touch those areas. We'd like to take time to let the healing light of Jesus shine in those dark corners of our lives. To do this we are going to pray for healing in those hurt areas.

 

Uncross your legs, rest your forearms on your thighs, and open your hands so that your palms are facing the heavens. As you relax, become conscious of your breathing. The air we breathe gives us life. Jewish people often thought of their breath as the Spirit of God. Breathe deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Let your breathing remind you of God's healing Spirit entering your body.

 

As you continue to breath try to clear your mind of all other worries and concerns. To help you do so, picture Jesus as you imagine what He would look like. Think of Jesus sitting on a chair facing you. He reaches out and takes your hands in His. Jesus knows you and your weaknesses, your brokenness, your fears and hurts, the scars of your heart. As you sit with Jesus, think of one area of your life where you need His healing. One of those areas in your life that you try to keep buried in the dark. Now ask Jesus to be one with you and let you feel his presence with your heart as we pray for healing.

 

Dear Lord,

Whatever inner attitude, unforgiveness I have, send your Spirit to melt the hardness. To dissolve and wash away any grudge or barrier that keeps me from you. Help me to let you reach out to me, to feel your gentleness and your patient love for me.

 

Lord Jesus, you know our humanness. You know our need for other people. As much as we need to love and be loved by others, you also know our brokenness as the result of painful relationships, whether with a spouse, a good friend, someone at work, brothers or sisters, in-laws, or with a child of ours. Touch any scars from those relationships-heal us-bring openness and peace to both of us. Allow us to see the goodness in each other. Draw us together in you.

Lord Jesus, you know there have been times when we've been guilty of things too painful to recall. So we try to bury the shame and guilt in dark corners of our life. Let your healing love penetrate those dark corners. Let us sense deeply your acceptance forgiveness, and love. And above all, let us experience in a powerful way acceptance and forgiveness from ourselves.

 

Please heal the memory of traumatic encounters which wounded me, affected me, hurt me. Send your comfort and healing to surround that event. Walk back into that moment and heal the wounds which left me frightened and caused me to retreat into myself and to build barriers to other people.

 

Lord, you know I have felt lonely, rejected, abandoned by others...leaving me to judge that I am junk and not worth much. Reassure me of just how special I am. Let me experience your love and build up  my sense of self-worth.

 

Dear Father Creator, you made us as we are. Our infirmities include the physical ailments and pains of being human. Let your Spirit of love wash over and around my physical pains and chronic sufferings. Rest your hand upon that part of my body. Give comfort and relief to those areas. Let me feel the heat of your touch washing out weakness and restoring wholeness. Continue to let the Spirit rest upon me, to strengthen me.

 

Lord Jesus, I love you. Enter my heart with the fullness of your powerful Spirit. Touch any experience pain, suffering, in me that needs healing. Life can be very painful. I have gotten bruised and battered. Bring your love to every corner of my heart, every part of my being. Wherever You discover the wounded child, the tired, worn-out Christian, touch-console-release-refresh.

 

All powerful God, continue to pour out your healing Spirit. Thank you for making me whole, Father and Creator. Praise you, Jesus, my brother and Redeemer. Glory to you, Spirit of life. Amen.

 

John 8:12 "I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the Light which is Life."

 

God's peace and love,

 

 

Nurse Marsha                         

 

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January 2008

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From the desk of Nurse Marsha. . . .

 

Have you made any New Year's resolutions?  January is the month that is known for the making of such resolutions.  Webster's New World Dictionary defines "resolution" as:

 

•  The act or result of resolving something.
• A thing determined upon; decision as to future action.
• A resolute quality of mind
• A formal statement of opinion or determination of an assembly, etc.

 

Sometimes the making of resolutions brings anxieties about not being able to do them or failing at attempting them.  St. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 "that he who has begun the good work in you will carry it through to completion, right up to the day of Christ Jesus."

 

How can we resolve to have better health and live in hope in 2008?

 

Here's a few health tips for our bodies, minds and spirits:

 

• Start with prayer time with our Lord.  Take a truthful look at yourself.  Give yourself to God!
• Make an appointment with your doctor to get a physical and get your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight with waist and hip measurements, and discuss any health issues that you may be concerned about.
• Give yourself the emotional gift of loving yourself right where you're at.  Remember that God loves you!  Instead of looking in the mirror and wishing you had this or didn't have that, pick out one gift or quality that you do like and thank God.
• Keep your resolution simple and personal.  Meditate on God's word and listen to His direction.
• Be quick to forgive others and yourself.  Start to care for others.  Really care.  Instead of picking apart another person or yourself, flip your attitude to how can I be more like Jesus and give mercy and love to others and yourself.

 

So don't be afraid to make a resolution.  Pray about it and have a Happy New Year.  Trust in the Lord!

Romans 15:13 "May the God of your hope so fill you with joy and peace in believing that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing with hope."

Gods health and hope,

 

Nurse Marsha