HE IS RISEN

 

A dear friend sent me these words, and I want to share them with you. They are not her words, but these words – or a variation of them – are posted all over the internet. The ones below are taken directly from a Facebook post in which the author is anonymous:

An old and beautiful legend says that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other large trees of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength, it was selected as the timber for the cross.

But to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus, in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all, said to it:

‘Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross.

Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted, and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross.

Two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal, there will be nail prints.

Brown with rust and stained with red.

And in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember.’

These words help ready my heart for Easter, and I hope they do the same for you.

Resurrection Sunday is a time to rejoice! Jesus paid a debt for us that no one else could ever pay so that we could be in heaven with Him for eternity. God gave the perfect sacrifice, His only Son, and if we believe in Him, then we will be forgiven and saved from our sins.

To be saved, you must believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for everyone’s sins, including your own, and receive Him as your personal Savior so that one day you can be with our heavenly Father. If you believe Jesus died on the cross to save you from your sin, you will also need to admit you are a sinner – as we all are. Romans 3:23 (KJV) says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” If you have never confessed your sin and belief in Christ, take time to do it right now. Jesus is the only way to be saved from your sins and receive eternal life.

Nails were not what held Jesus to the cross. Jesus had the power to come down from that cross, but He knew this is what had to be done for His believers to be saved. He died on the cross for you and me because of His love for us. He loved us that much! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV).

On the third day, He rose from the dead. This is the good news that Christians celebrate: His resurrection! He is alive! And one day our Savior will return. He sets us free from our sins! “Jesus saith unto him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me'” (John 14:6, KJV).

The birth of Jesus is wonderful, but the resurrection is even more exciting. It is the finale to the Christmas story. Jesus accomplished what he came for. Jesus’ last words before dying on the cross are documented in John 19:30: “It is finished.” He knew that all was completed and that Scripture would be fulfilled. To suggest that more needs to be done to earn your way to heaven is the same as saying Jesus died for nothing. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV).

If you know of someone who is not saved, please pass this on to them. Share the greatest gift of all with that person: a relationship with Jesus Christ and eternal life. Also, share this with your brothers and sisters in Christ, so they may use this to share with others. God commands that we share the gospel with others. We need to help one another become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

The Journey To A Healthy Life

The Journey to a Healthy Life

Written by Kathryn Feather

As we age, it gets harder and harder to maintain our health and the quality of life we are accustomed to. And if you’ve had some health challenges along the way, the path back to health can often be a difficult one. If you are ready to make life-long changes to get your health back and lead an active lifestyle, read on to learn how you can begin the journey and use the tools to help get you and keep you on track.

Not a Diet

It’s important right from the get-go to set yourself up for success. What you are doing is not dieting, rather you are making changes to your lifestyle to reclaim or maintain your health. While weight loss will happen, what you are really doing is adopting healthy habits and breaking bad ones. And it’s important to remember that change won’t happen overnight. The goal is to make simple, measurable changes that will result in healthy habits you can realistically maintain for the rest of your life.

What do we mean by simple, measurable changes? For example, let’s say your first goal is to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Set a goal to add one serving of fruit to your breakfast routine and one serving of vegetables to your dinner. In terms of exercise and activity level, set a goal to move for 30 minutes each day. Another simple goal could be to stop eating while watching television as this can add unnecessary calories. You will have set backs, but don’t dwell on them. Rather, begin fresh again the next day and keep going.

You really don’t have to count calories, carbs or grams of fat. It’s really about making smart food choices, which is a challenge in this hectic and busy world. That’s also why meal planning is a great idea. This removes the temptation to head to the drive thru, and helps you stick to your healthy habits. The combination of healthy foods with healthy portions is the key to lifelong weight loss and maintenance.

Health Benefits

More than just weight loss, the health benefits that come from these lifestyle changes can change your future. In breaking those bad habits and adopting healthy ones, you can reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and sleep apnea, just to name a few. Remember, it takes time to make these changes and establish positive habits. Set realistic goals and reclaim your health for the long-term.

If you are looking to jumpstart your journey to a long-term healthy lifestyle, why not try the men’s or women’s 28-Day Cleanse? These bundles and the Pure 28-Day Cleanse program combine to create an incredibly powerful tool that has transformed the lives of thousands of patients across the country. Together, they provide all the education, structure, and nutritional support you need to transform your health in just 28 days.

Don’t wait any longer to reclaim your health. Begin your journey today.

TAME THE FLAME IN INFLAMMATION

Most of us don’t hesitate to grab the ibuprofen to treat minor muscle aches and pains, but do you know the side effects that can come from relying too heavily on these anti-inflammatory drugs for relief? If you read the label, or better yet, check with your doctor, you will find that you shouldn’t use these over-the-counter drugs for more than 10 days unless advised by a physician. They are only intended for short-term use because of some serious side effects that can develop with overuse.

And sometimes, because of the side effect that develops, people are forced to stop taking NSAIDs to avoid the risks of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. However, the chronic pain persists. So, what is the alternative? How about a natural supplement that directly targets inflammation and helps reduce its impact without the commonly associated  side effects of NSAIDs?

Pure InflaMedix™ is formulated to help support a healthy response to inflammation. It is a proprietary combination of certified organic and wildcrafted ingredients from extracts of Turmeric, Boswellia and Ginger. NutraGen’s turmeric extract has been shown in a study to have a 5-fold greater bio-availability than turmeric extract alone and our InflaMedix contains NuSorb™ a patent-pending technology for enhancing bio-availability.

What do you have to lose? Try InflaMedix Today!

 

NSAIDs and Side Effects: What You Need to Know

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used to treat pain and can also address the inflammation that typically causes the pain. For example, NSAIDs are often used to treat arthritis and other chronic conditions. You might be more familiar with Advil, Motrin, Aleve, or Bayer as these are all considered over-the-counter pain relievers.

But if you read the label, or better yet, check with your doctor, you will find that you shouldn’t use these over-the-counter NSAIDs for more than 10 days unless advised by a physician. They are only intended for short-term use because of some serious side effects that can develop with overuse.

Prescription NSAIDs

More powerful prescription NSAIDs often have serious warnings and may increase the chance of having a heart attack, stroke or stomach bleeding. Often, the potential side effects are more serious than the condition you are treating by taking the NSAIDs to begin with!

Doctors recommend taking NSAIDs in low doses and for only short periods of time to avoid these more serious side effects. Just a few of the known side effects of NSAIDs include:

  • Stomach pain and heartburn;
  • Stomach ulcers;
  • Headaches and/or dizziness;
  • Liver or kidney problems;
  • High blood pressure;
  • Leg swelling
  • Allergic reactions;
  • An increase in bleeding.And the older you are, the more susceptible you are to experience some of these side effects. For example, developing stomach ulcers while taking NSAIDs is more common if you are more than 60-years-old, smoke, drink regularly, have additional medical issues, have kidney issues, or take anti-inflammatory steroids.A Natural Alternative

    And sometimes, because of the side effect that develops, people are forced to stop taking NSAIDs to avoid the risks of high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke. However, the chronic pain persists. So, what is the alternative? How about a natural supplement with no side effects that directly targets inflammation and helps reduce its impact?

    Pure InflaMedix™ is formulated to help support a healthy response to inflammation. Studies have shown inflammation to be the root cause of many underlying health related conditions. Pure InflaMedix is a proprietary combination of certified organic and wildcrafted ingredients from extracts of Turmeric, Boswellia and Ginger. Pure InflaMedix contains NuSorb™ a patent-pending technology for enhancing bio-availability.

How Protein Can Help You Lose Weight

   written by Kathryn Feather

It’s still earlier enough in the New Year that some are still going strong with those weight loss resolutions. Whether it’s the Keto, the Paleo or another low-carb, no sugar diet option, it can be confusing and difficult to understand what our bodies respond to and why. If you find yourself faltering in your weight loss efforts, or if you are still trying to decide how to get started, read on to learn why adding more protein to your diet can help you lose weight.

Many people might assume that a high protein diet just means you eat more or only meat. This doesn’t really work if you are vegetarian or vegan. And it could contribute to a host of other health issues. But, a truly healthy high protein diet will help you to increase your protein intake while still maintaining a healthy and balanced diet that includes all the fuel your body needs to get you through the day. And protein is found in many other sources besides that ribeye on sale at the grocery store meat counter.

Benefits of More Protein

So, what can consuming more protein do for you? A higher intake of protein will boost your metabolism, reduce your appetite and begin to change weight-regulating hormones. Another little-known benefit: Our bodies burn calories while we digest protein. Protein really is an essential component to our diets because it helps to build, repair, and maintain everything from our muscles, organs, and bone, to our skin and hair.

Good proteins are made up of amino acids. There are nine essential amino acids that we can derive from the food we eat. What is called a complete source of protein will contain all nine types of these important amino acids. Protein rich foods include fish, eggs, dairy products like cheese, milk and whey, red meat and poultry. Complete sources of plant-based protein include quinoa and buckwheat. Other plant-based foods rich in protein include lentils, nuts, beans, grains, legumes, avocados, soy, rice and peas.

Benefits of Plant-Based Protein

Many people choose plant-based proteins rather than animal-based due to the high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat common in animal protein, which can contribute to blood sugar issues, inflammation, cardiovascular problems and high cholesterol. If you already suffer from one of these health issues, adding more animal protein isn’t necessarily the healthiest option.

On the other side of the protein coin, pure plant protein has many benefits without the harmful side effects of saturated fat and cholesterol. Plant protein can help promote muscle repair, blood sugar control, weight management, inflammation and digestion and can even boost immune support. Another key feature of plant-based protein is the fiber factor. Plant-based foods are typically rich in fiber and can help to keep your digestive system balanced. Fiber also has the added benefit of helping us feel fuller longer.

An easy way to add more plant-based protein to your diet is trying NutraGen’s Organic Pure Plant Protein powder in both chocolate and vanilla flavors. This great source of added protein is easily digested and perfectly balanced with the cleanest, highest quality protein blend. Simply blend, shake or whisk two scoops into 10-12 ounces of water, almond, rice or coconut milk until fully dissolved for a great meal replacement or post-workout treat. It won’t take long for you to notice the difference and see your body responding to the added benefits a protein-rich diet can bring.

Should You Do Green Smoothies

Blending vegetables is an efficient and positive way to detox, strengthen and rebuild your body and immune system.  Food is fuel.  The benefits of blending over juicing are that you are getting the fiber which will act as a broom to your stomach, intestines and colon.  The enzymes in fresh, organic vegetables promote digestion and proper assimilation of nutrients.

“Green Smoothie Girl” did a study with 175 people drinking green smoothies daily.  The recommendation was a quart per day, but even those who did not consume that amount received amazing benefits.  The results were as follows:

*50%   experienced weight loss

*50%  experienced improvement in skin tone

*54%  experienced an improvement in mood

*65%  experienced fewer cravings for sweets

*80%  experienced improved digestion

*85%  experienced more energy

Invest in a good blender and it will only take minutes to make your smoothies.  You can buy packaged organic baby greens, in many combinations.  Rinse for a few minutes in cold water or soak with a tablespoon of vinegar.  Rinse and blend with a bit of onion, garlic and Braggs Liquid Aminos for more flavor.  Quick, simple and nutritious.  When making my own blends, I prefer to separate my fruits and vegetables for better digestion.  If you prefer a sweetness, you can use carrots and half an apple.

Pear Apple Cocktail  ~  2 apples, 2 firm pears, 1/4 lemon ~  blend together with distilled water or ice.  If you would like, add a small amount of fresh ginger and blend.  If entertaining, you can garnish with edible flowers.  The beauty of smoothies is that you can be creative and add what you love!

If you want to start adding nutritional greens to your diet and don’t feel like you have the time, my recommendation is Nutragen Pure Greens because of the Theraputic Level of Nutrition.  It’s delicious and a storehouse of clean, non-gmo, organically grown (in America) fruits and vegetables.  Buy it here ~  Nutragen.com