Asceticism

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Asceticism – not a word you use every day

Lent is approaching and I’ve been considering the idea of asceticism. Which is different from minimalism.  But rather than my words, let’s look a the definition from A Concise Dictionary of Theology.

“Asceticism is the ways and mean sdopted by Christians under the action of the  Spirit to purify themselves from sin and remove obstacles in the way of freely following Christ. Genuine asceticism brings a growth in contemplation and the love of God that is not detrimental to personal maturity and socil responsibilty.”

And Lent…

The three pillars of Lent are prayers, fasting and almsgiving. Deacon John and I talk about how to decide what to both give up and do for Lent. We do not divest ourselves of attachments to worldly things for the good of our own self. We do it to grow closer to God and better serve others.

The steps to a plan

First, we pray. Then we consider our options. Add one act of prayer, fasting and almsgiving and give up something that allows you to have more time, money, energy – whatever is needed to do the acts you will do.

 

Lent begins on Ash Wedensday, Marh 4, 2022. Prepare for LEnt this week so you are ready when it begins. If you are listening outside of this time frame, pick something anyway to do for a week.

 

 

 

Is Lent a time of sacrifice or action?

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

What is Lent?

Lent is 40 days before Easter, it begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on the Wednesday before Holy Thursday. It is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving; a way to prepare ourselves for the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Sacrifice or Action?

I say both! Give up something and then do something. But it’s not only me saying this, God does too! Check out Isaiah 58:1-9a.

 

Yes, Lent has already started but it’s never too late to enter into the season. For this week, choose a sacrifice and an action for the rest of Lent.

FYI: I have a playlist for Lent on Spotify.

Sign up for the Live Notlukewarm Newsletter here and get a sample of my bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit.

Intermittent Fasting

A Production of the Ultimate Christian Podcast Network.

Podcast #26

Intermittent Fasting

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting. There are many different types of intermittent fasting, such as the 16/8(fast for 16 hours and eat for 8). Studies show that it can have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

Changes The Function of Cells, Genes, and Hormones

When you don’t eat for a while, several things happen in your body. For example, your body initiates important cellular repair processes and changes hormone levels to make stored body fat more accessible. Here are some of the changes that occur in your body during fasting:

  • Insulin levels

  • Human growth hormone

  • Cellular repair

  • Gene expression

When you fast, insulin levels drop and human growth hormone increases. Your cells also initiate important cellular repair processes and change which genes they express.

Can Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat

Intermittent fasting helps you eat fewer calories while boosting metabolism slightly. It is a very effective tool to lose weight and belly fat.

Reduce Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in The Body

Oxidative stress is one of the steps towards aging and many chronic diseases. Studies show that intermittent fasting can reduce oxidative damage and inflammation in the body. This should have benefits against aging and development of numerous diseases.

May Help Prevent Cancer

Intermittent fasting has been shown to help prevent cancer in animal studies and humans studies have shown that it can reduce the side effects caused by chemotherapy.

Intermittent Fasting is Good For Your Brain

What is good for the body is often good for the brain as well. Fasting has been known to help with mental clarity but it may even go a step further. Intermittent fasting improves various metabolic features known to be important for brain health. This includes reduced oxidative stress, reduced inflammation and a reduction in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Intermittent fasting may have important benefits for brain health. It may increase the growth of new neurons and protect the brain from damage.

Are you ready to try Intermittent Fasting?

It doesn’t have to be as scary as we make it out to be. Start by fasting for 12 continuous hours a day and gradually increase that time to 16 hours, one hour at a time.

 

Some simple tips to help you get started:

  • Cut out one food each month that you know is not healthy for you
  • Drink more water, especially during your fasting hours
  • Add essential oils to your water, tea or other drinks to aid the body in detoxing
  • Add ACV(apple cider vinegar) to your daily diet in some way ( try making Good Girl Moonshine- see recipe below)
  • Think of food as fuel and not just something to consume socially or when bored
  • Pick hours that work well for your schedule
  • Drink a large glass of lemon water when you get up in the morning to help start your day off right and aid your body in detoxing and replenishing cells

 

 

Good Girl Moonshine (modified from Trim Healthy Mama)

  • 1-quart size mason jar filled with ice
  • 1-2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar (start with 1 and work your way up)
  • 1-2 tsp of ground ginger (optional but beneficial and again work your way up)
  • 1-3 drops of YL Vitality citrus oils (grapefruit, lemon, orange, lime, etc. grab them here –> http://bit.ly/simpleblessingsandoils)
  • 1 can of carbonated water

Mix this and sip on it through the day but especially great during fasting hours.

 

See how simple it can be!

Are you ready to feel better, have more energy, less mental fog and maybe drops a few pounds in the process?

Start today and see how good you can feel!

 

As always be grateful & have faith!

God Bless!