Revelations are provided in appointed times to track our attention to what God is trying to communicate to us in our marriages in order that we grow in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Sometimes the answers we seek are not revealed in the way we expect or think; but, if we grow impatient it will escape us.

Lord help me not to lose my patience with my helpmeet so that I will not escape the love you allow us to exchange to each other since we walked through the door of matrimony.

Focus scripture Habakkuk 2: 2-3 “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.

Remember:
We have to grow our patience with each other as God gave us on that exchanging vows day (wedding anniversary) as we run life’s race with our faith together!

Written by Tonnie G. Harrison 

”Romans 2:21 "You, then, who teaches others, do you not teach yourself?"

“This is an extremely good question and one that I have been paying close attention to myself this year as I have tried to spend even more time reading God's word. No one is ever done learning.  I recall, in fact, having met a 90 year old woman who said that the day she stops learning would be the day that she stopped breathing. She just loved learning new things all of her life. She even went back to school in her sixties to complete her degree in nursing. To think of ourselves too highly as if we have learned all we need to learn and now we only need to teach others causes us to miss a whole wealth of wisdom that God wants to share with us. Even if we have read the bible from front to back and back to front we can still always pick it up again, read a scripture, and feel it speaking to us in an entirely different way than it did before and that's because of our shifting and changing seasons we walk through in our lives. When we think of the word of God we can picture it as a living breathing work of art, alive and always speaking to us in different ways every time we read it, and the word of God doesn't change, it always remains the same. It's us that changes and as we change we can learn something more from God than we knew before. By keeping ourselves open to always learn more and more from God and from the word of God, we are allowing God to fully work within us to help make us the finest disciples to every one we meet. Thanks be to God.”

Written by Sandra Ratliff

Are you seeking God for the wrong thing? Often we find ourselves in prayer for healing, provision, guidance and protection. During my morning prayer time I was specifically asking God for financial provision. The Lord led me to 2 Chronicles 1: 7 where God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” In other words, the Lord was saying to Solomon, ask me for what you will. In the verses to follow Solomon acknowledges what the Lord God had already done for he and his father David. Now that Solomon is king over many many people, he prayed and asked God for wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before the people to properly govern them.

There was no selfish ambition in Solomon’s heart. Verses 11-12 tells us that God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you and have not even asked for long life but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you and none after you shall have the like.” This is evidence that if we are about our Heavenly Father’s business with the right heart posture, He will be about our business and bless us beyond what we can ask or think.

Proverbs 3:13-15 goes on to tell us,” Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver, and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare to her.” Seeking wisdom from the Lord is truly one of the wisest things we can do!! Seek Wisdom!!

Lord,
Thank you for your Word that reminds us that if we lack wisdom, we may ask you and you will give it to us. Lord please forgive us for all the times we’ve been wise in our own eyes. We ask you today to endow us with your wisdom from on high that we may fulfill your purposes for us upon the earth. Amen



Sherita Wilson
Victorious Women’s Ministry
Favor Nation Church

No longer bound by calendar dates! Do something new and different because you want to express your love for what God has given to you!
 
Hey Just Married, Meet STILL Married! 
 
Wow. What a surprise and brought home to me today just because it's Thursday of our anniversary month.
 
Twenty-eight roses (one for each year) with me being number 28! (Yes she can be a rose also!) Brought home today and given to me WHILE still dressed in my "carpets, laminate floor, granite and natural stone day" aka domestic engineering wear.  Yes, I looked a HOT MESS (lol), and yes I clean my own home (lol).

Capture that Real life moment just as we are!
 
You see for Tonnie and I, marriage is deeper than - and not just about - the  big houses, big cars, big stones, name brand outfits, hair styles, the wedding day, the dollar bills, or the physical. It's a divine connection of spirit,  soul, heart and mind. The intimacy that SEALS GOD’s VOWS and allows us to remember what we said nearly 29 years ago to GOD:  
 
For better or worse
For richer or poorer
In sickness and in health
'Til death do us part!
 
Peace and blessings are without bounds!
 
 
Written by Francina R. Harrison, MSW, 4Keeps Marriage Ministry

“We can often miss the adventure that God has before us, because we get stuck in the disappointment behind us—when people or life have failed us. We move on in years, but our life often stops at the point of our greatest disappointments if we don’t go through them. We either go through what happens and manage the disappointments well, or they manage us.

But despite how we feel, all the disappointment in the world will never change the promises of God, the reality of Jesus, or his destiny for our lives. None of our broken dreams, personal heartaches, or shattered plans will stop his desire for us to fulfill our purpose. Yes, the disappointment is real. The consequences can be devastating. But to keep moving forward, we have to learn to be resilient. We have to learn to trust, like a little child. We have to learn to manage our disappointments well, so we can try again full of renewed hope.

Has it ever occurred to you that, if you’ll revisit your disappointment, God can give you a new perspective of it and that it can become a tool to help others? That you can take what he gives to you and pass it on? “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Has it ever occurred to you that God has a new trajectory for you getting to your destiny? Disappointment is a place we pass through, not a place where we stay. God wants us emotionally engaged in His purposes. Living in the moment. Fully alive. Hopeful. He wants us to let him restore our hearts, so we can keep moving forward and fulfill his good purpose for our lives. Even when people—and life—fail us.”

Adapted from Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure by Christine Caine. Copyright © 2018 by Christine Caine. Reprinted with permission of Zondervan Publishing. All rights reserved.

"For I am certain that nothing can separate us from his love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below — there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Your name is grafted in the palm of God's hand. Despite any displeasing thing you've thought or action you've done, God loves you. Nothing can separate you from the love of God!

Praise God that he doesn't love like the world loves on a conditional basis, but God loves you unconditionally. You might have experienced some detrimental events throughout the course of life, but I want to encourage you today to receive God’s love because he really does love you. Turn in to your loving father's arms and thank him for his love that is active right now and forever.

Although you've experienced hurtful situations that God can use for your good, remember God loves you. God will never leave you nor forsake you no matter what you are going through. If you are living in disobedience, repent now and follow God’s will, word and way, because God sets parameters in your life because of his love for you. A repentant heart and lifestyle is necessary for a fruitful relationship with Our Heavenly Father.

Family members, friends, colleagues or people you trusted and respected at one point and time probably hurt, misused and abused you in the most vile way; even after proclaiming their love for you, but remember today God loves you and will always love you. God's love will contend with those who contend with you! (Psalm 135:1) God’s got you covered in his love. Even in the midst of challenging situations when you’re searching for answers on why a loving God would allow you to go through trials and tribulations, trust him today. Nothing escapes God! Nothing! He knows what is going on in your life, and when you begin to grow in relationship with him you will realize the truth of his love and plan for your life.  

Walk confidently in God's love today. Don’t harbor bitterness, hate, resentment, criticism, sarcasm, pride or arrogance. Receive God's love and in doing so you will learn to reflect God’s love to others.
Thank God that He comes through in loving you! Believe and receive it today.

-Kennetra A. Bryant, Ed. D
www.BRYANTEPC.COM

This time every year we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The purpose of this annual campaign is to increase awareness of the disease and the families it affects. While we are aware of breast cancer, we often forget to take the necessary steps to detect the disease early and to encourage other to do the same. Today, millions of women are surviving the disease thanks in part to early detection and improvements in treatment. Although health care and research have made great strides against this disease, we still have a long way to go.

Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States. Breast cancer is a malignant (cancer) tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. It is found mostly in women, but men can also have the disease as well.  According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 8 (12%) women in the US will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.  Other estimates for breast cancer in the United States for 2014 are:
The American Cancer Society is diligently fighting breast cancer by helping women get tested for early diagnosis, and helping them understand and navigate their treatment options and cope with the physical and emotional side effects.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer. According to the CDC, the chance that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 36 (~ 3%). Thankfully, death rates from breast cancer have been declining since about 1989, with the greatest decreases in Caucasian women and women under the age of 50. These decreases are thought to be the result of earlier detection through screening and increased awareness, as well as improved treatment.

Many factors can influence your breast cancer risk or the risk of dying from breast cancer.  Most women who develop breast cancer do not have any known risk factors or a history of the disease in their families. However, there are a number of ways women and men can stay healthy and also lower their risk of breast cancer…

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get enough sleep nightly.
• Don't drink alcohol, or limit alcoholic drinks to no more than one per day.
• Avoid exposure to chemicals that can cause cancer (carcinogens).
• Try to reduce your exposure to radiation during medical tests (X-rays, CT scans, and PET scans).
• If taking hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives (birth control pills), ask your health care provider about the benefits, risks and find out if it is right for you.
• When possible, breastfeed your babies.

Although breast cancer screening cannot prevent this disease, it can help to diagnose breast cancer early while it is easier to manage and treat.  It is important to talk with your health care provider about which breast cancer screening tests are best for you, and when and how often you should have them.  Your past medical history and family history play an important role in determining which test are best for you.
Some routine breast exams include:
It important to perform all screening exams on a regular basis.  Mammograms are the best method to detect breast cancer early before it can be found on a self or clinical breast exam and while it is easier to treat.  Having regular mammograms can lower the risk of dying from breast cancer.

Although breast cancer maybe one of the most common cancers in women, it is also a battle that we are fighting and winning.  We will continue to win this war with more research, better treatment options, early detection and increased awareness.  

The CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program offers free or low-cost mammograms and education about breast cancer. To find out if you qualify please go to
 www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/screenings.htm.

This entry is dedicated to the millions of warriors who are surviving breast cancer every day.

Live Well,
Dr. D.
Davida J. White, M.D.
Chief Wellness Officer
FavorNation


www.cdc.gov
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast
www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month
www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/breast-cancer-screening

Do you know what the largest organ is in the human body? Well believe it or not, it is the skin.  The skin has several important functions.  It protects us against the climate, sunlight, injury and infection.  But in order for the skin to remain healthy, we must protect it.  July is National Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, the perfect time to increase awareness of the risk of sun damage and the importance of sun safety.

Skin Cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US and the most preventable. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are the main cause of skin cancer.  Over the years, there have been several research studies linking overexposure to the sun with skin cancer.  Harmful UV rays from both the sun and sunlamps (tanning beds) can cause many complications besides cancer. UV damage can also cause premature wrinkles, skin discolorations, age spots, leathery skin, eye problems and even a weakened immune system. Although certain groups of people are at increase risk, everyone is at risk that spends a lot time in the sun or exposed to UV rays.
Luckily, there are simple and easy steps we can take to protect our skin from the sun and harmful UV radiation.

1. The sun’s rays are the strongest from mid-morning to late afternoon.  Try to stay in shaded areas between 10 am and 4 pm.

2. Wear proper clothing.  Although not always practical, protective clothing includes long sleeves shirts and pants.  It also includes protection for your head and eyes.  When in the sun, remember the importance of wide brimmed hats and UV resistant sunglasses.  Even on cloudy days, the suns rays can cause damage, making protective clothing important all year round.

3. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen.  The FDA recommends using sunscreens that are broad based but also have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before going outside and it should cover all exposed areas of the skin including areas covered by light clothing.  Do not forget to reapply sunscreen every few hours, especially after a swim or sweat.

4. Avoid burns.  Sunburns significantly increase one’s lifetime risk of developing complications from overexposure to the sun and cancer.  Sun tanned skin is damaged skin.  Whether sunburn or a suntan, damage is being done to the skin. It is especially important that children be kept from sunburns as well. 

It is important to check your skin (head to toe) regularly for any changes. Look for any new discolorations, moles or other marks that are different.  To help determine whether these changes are significant or a warning sign of cancer:  look for asymmetry, one side looking different from the other side; irregular and/or uneven borders; color changes and any change in size, shape or elevation (raised or patchy).  If you find anything unusual or question any skin changes, please consult your health care provider.

Although the summer is filled with vacation and days of fun in the sun, we should never forget to take care of our skin, so that it may continue to take of us.

Live Well,
Dr. D.
 
Davida J. White, M.D.
Chief Wellness Officer
Favor Nation

www.cdc.gov
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin
www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3166/osha3166.html
www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/skin-care-and-aging

The contents of this Wellness site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on Favornation.org are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site or any other.

 The Wedding Vows!

"I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith."

Talking Points:
1.  The Vows are REAL Not  FAKE
2.  Faith without Works is Dead, (Applies to Marriage too)
3.  Love Looks Beyond the Big 3

Life Scenarios
For better or worse
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33

For richer or poorer
But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you. Ruth 1:16-17
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:9

Sickness and in health
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. Proverbs 30:18-19


Key takeaway:
God created man and woman for each other. For God so love loved the man and woman that he gave his son for our sins.

Springtime is a preview to a party with friends -- the smell of grilled food and good times, but it also ushers in Alcohol Awareness Month. Though we rarely think of alcohol use and abuse as a significant health risk, too much drinking can increase the risk of injuries, illnesses, birth defects, violence, drowning, liver disease and even some types of cancer.  

Did you know...

• There are approximately 88,000 deaths due to excessive alcohol use each year in the United States. This makes alcohol abuse the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death nationally.
• There are nearly 18 million Americans classified with alcohol dependence or abuse.    
• 41 percent of deaths from motor vehicle crashes are due to alcohol
• About 35% of violence report their offenders are under the influence of alcohol.  Alcohol use is also associated with 2 out of 3 incidents of intimate partner violence.
• Studies have also shown that alcohol is a leading factor in child maltreatment and neglect cases, and is the most frequent substance abused among these parents.
• 1.2 million emergency room visits and 2.7 million physician office visits in 2006 were due to excessive drinking.  The cost, more than $223.5 billion

Heavy alcohol use can cause serious damage to the body and can affect the liver, brain, nervous system, muscles, lungs, and heart.  There are both short term and long term health risk associated with excessive alcohol use.  

Some short-term risks include:

• injuries (traffic accidents, falls, burns, drownings)
•  risky sexual behaviors
•  miscarriage and stillbirths in pregnant women  
• alcohol poisoning    

Long term effects may include:

• Neurological problems, including dementia, stroke and neuropathy
• Cardiovascular problems, including myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and hypertension.
• Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide.
• Social problems, including unemployment, lost productivity, and family problems.
• Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast. In general, the risk of cancer increases with increasing amounts of alcohol.
• Liver diseases, including alcohol hepatitis and cirrhosis
• Other gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation.  Remember, no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.
One drink =

• 12-ounce bottle of beer
• 5-ounce glass of wine
• 1.5-ounce shot of liquor.    

There are some people who should not drink any alcohol, including those who are:

• Pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
• Taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may cause harmful reactions when mixed with alcohol.
• Younger than age 21.
• Recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount they drink.
• Suffering from a medical condition that may be worsened by alcohol.
• Driving, planning to drive, or participating in other activities requiring skill, coordination, and alertness.

If you believe you are drinking too much, please contact your health care provider.  You can improve your health by cutting back or quitting. Below are some strategies that may help individuals to stop or cut back on alcohol use:

• Limit drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men.
• Keep track of how much you drink.
• Don’t drink when you are upset.
• Avoid places where people drink a lot.
• Make a list of reasons not to drink.
• Consider joining a support group  

Live Well,
Dr. D. 

Have you ever wondered why David was called a man after Gods heart? How did he earn such a title? After all David was not perfect for a long shot.  Just like you and I, David had sinned and failed often. The bible tells us we all fall short of the glory of God and that word “all” means that David, the courageous, obedient, worshiper was not excluded from the short fall of glory. However, grace stepped in for David and proved to be sufficient just as it does for us today. That grace that covers a multitude of sin.

But if David needed just as much grace as we do, why did God love him so much?            
As humans we may be inclined to think that God loved David so much because of his service, courage, character, obedience and passion for Him. After all, he was a worshipper according to 2 Samuel 6:14. But wait, isn’t that what we do? We love those who seem to possess all the “right” characteristics and do all the “right” things. We want to bless those who appear to be meeting the mark.

This should lead us to think on a deeper level as it relates to God because God is not that shallow. Sure, He loves those who are obedient and will do His will. However, the bible also tells us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, for He is the Savior of the world. Romans 5:8 says that God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners. Therefore, He loves the unlovable and according to Jeremiah 3:14, He is married to the backslider.  God does not look at the outward appearance of a man, He searches the heart.  

Before Samuel anointed David as King, he considered Eliab. According to 1 Samuel 16:6, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought surely this is the Lords anointed. But the Lord said to Samuel in verse 7, “Don’t judge by appearance or height, for I have rejected him.” The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you and I do. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.

In Acts 13:22, the Lord describes David as “a man after my heart, who will do my will.”  Again, why did God love David so much? Because God chose David and He knew David’s heart! So why does God love us so much? Because He chose us! He knew us before we were formed. He knew we would be men or women after His own heart. God knows that a” good” heart will yield” good” fruit. You see, it was the condition of David’s heart that brought about courage, character, obedience and passion for our Savior. His thoughts and intentions were good towards the Lord.  And so it is with us, we are a people after Gods heart, just like David, growing every day in courage, character, obedience and passion, and seeking to do the will of the Father!

Lord, thank you for reminding us that You love us because You chose us, not through any goodness of our own but simply because You love us! Yes Lord, we are people after Your heart!!! With our whole hearts, we will praise You and seek to do Your will forevermore. Amen!

Abraham Maslow, a psychological theorist, states that we all have basic human needs.  He placed the needs on a continuum in the shape of a pyramid. At the base of the pyramid are the physical needs of oxygen, food, water, elimination of waste, protection from temperature extremes, sex and sleep. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6:33). As married couples, we can support each other by providing food and shelter from the elements through our sources of income, loving arms to keep us warm, lovemaking, and peaceful sleep beside each other.   According to Maslow, the physical needs must be satisfied before the psychological and social needs can be met.  

Continuing upward from the base beyond the physical needs is our need to feel safe and secure. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me.” (Heb. 13:5b-6). As married couples, we can make each other feel safe by not causing our partners to worry or doubt our love for each other. Keeping the marriage relationship safe is our first obligation after our obligation to God.  Some examples of providing safety are: husbands provide protection by being present, make sure your wife is secure in the car before you get in, and locking the doors at night, etc.  Wives make a house a home by providing a place of love and peace, and a safe place to rest your head at night.

After our need to feel safe is our basic need to be loved, to give love, and to belong.  And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him (Gen. 2:18). Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man, He made into woman and brought her to the man (Gen. 2:22). We love God because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). First we belong to God, and then we belong to each other. Marriage is God’s first institution. Have you ever heard the expression, “love isn’t love until you give it away”?  We show each other love by giving it away to each other through lovemaking and physical touch, showing desire, through our loving and kind words, being respectful, and claiming each other (my, mine). Adam and Eve belonged to each other. Marriage is honorable, and the marriage bed undefiled (Heb. 13:4). He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord (Prov. 18:22).

We all have in our own mind an idea of how we appear and how we wish to appear to others.  Our self esteem, the next basic need on the pyramid, can depend on whether our physical needs have been met. Maybe our physical needs have been met, but do we feel safe and secure in our relationship? Am I loved, or do I feel loved?  We may say to ourselves, I’m not smart, pretty, thin enough, or strong enough. Our confidence should be in the Lord.  We are loved. We are beautiful. We are smart enough. We have unmerited favor with God.  We are the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). We are the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13). Many scriptures support how we should feel about ourselves and how God sees us, and so we are what God says we are.  Support your own esteem and the esteem of your mate by assisting each other to attain their individual goals. Give compliments and words of affirmation (praise).  Show pride that they belong to you. Self esteem can be fragile; always show love.

The basic human need at the very top of the pyramid is self-actualization.  This is when we are at our best. Our physical needs have been met.  We feel safe and secure. God loves me.  My spouse loves and esteems me.  Life is good.  This is where we find our highest self.  Our creativity shines forth.  We believe what God says about us.  Married couples can help each other achieve this phase by encouraging individuality and creativity.  The miracle of God took two “I’s” and through marriage, made us a “we.”  The “I” still exists.  Let us create a home together, pray together, become who God has called us to be, worship together, dance and/or sing.  You can still pray alone, dance, and write; whatever your creative gift is.

God resides in all the needs.  He is our air, our food and shelter.  He loves us; we belong to Him.  Our esteem lies in Him.  We will forever self-actualize as we continue striving to be more like Him.  As marriage partners love and support each other’s individual needs, which can change randomly, let us pray that God will help us to recognize what our spouse needs from us, and to help us to be a helpmeet to one another.

Live Well, Be Healthy, Be Happy and Live in Favor

This February, fall in love with your OWN HEART.  Instead of just celebrating Valentines Day, lets also celebrate American Heart Month.  Did you know every year, about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack and at least 600,000 people die from heart disease alone.  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the U.S.

There are several conditions that fall under the term "heart disease".  The most common is coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease.  This occurs when a plaque like substance builds up in the vessels (arteries) that supply blood to the heart.  This very sticky and dangerous plaque can cause multiple heart problems, including heart attacks and heart failure.  

Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack?*If you think  you or someone you know is having a heart attack, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1 immediately.


But don't fret, there are a few simple things we can all do to prevent heart disease.
Eat healthier.   Choosing healthful meal and snack options can help you avoid heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Eating foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber can help prevent high cholesterol. Limiting salt or sodium in your diet also can lower your blood pressure. For more information on healthy diet and nutrition, visit CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Web site andChooseMyPlate.gov.

Obtain and maintain a healthy weight.   Being overweight or obese can increase your risk for heart disease. To determine whether your weight is in a healthy range, health practitioners often calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI). If you know your weight and height, you can calculate your BMI at CDC's Assessing Your Weight Web site.

Exercise regularly or often.    Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. The Surgeon General recommends that adults should engage in moderate-intensity exercise for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week. For more information, see CDC's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program Web site.

Monitor your blood pressure.   High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so be sure to have it checked on a regular basis. You can check your blood pressure at home, at a pharmacy, or at a doctor's office. Find more information about a healthy blood pressure at the CDC's High Blood Pressure Web site.

Don't smoke and limit your alcohol use.    Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don't smoke, please don't start. If you do smoke, quit as soon as possible.  Your health care practitioner can suggest ways to help you quit.  Also avoid drinking too much alcohol, which can increase your blood pressure. Men should stick to no more than two drinks per day, and women to no more than one.  For more information on both topics visit the CDC's Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site, Smokefree.gov and the  CDC's Alcohol and Public Health Web site.

Take your medication as prescribed.   If you're taking medication to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, please follow your healthcare practitioners instructions carefully. Always ask questions if you don't understand something or need further clarification.

Lets make February the start of a new and wonderful relationship with our own hearts.  Remember, a healthy, active lifestyle is the best way to keep your heart happy and healthy.  For more information on heart disease and what you can do to improve your heart health visit www.cdc. gov orwww.heart.org.


Dr. D.


Davida J. White, M.D.
Chief Wellness Officer
FavorNation

A shy person shrinks back from many things that she should confront. There are many things she would like to say or do, but she's paralyzed by fear. I believe we must learn to step out into things and find out what God has for us in life. A more timid approach may protect individuals from making mistakes, but the result is that they spend their lives wondering "what could have been." Bold people, on the other hand, make more mistakes, but they recover and eventually find what is right and fulfilling for them.

Making mistakes is not the end of the world. We can recover from most mistakes. But one of the few mistakes we cannot recover from is the mistake of never being willing to make one in the first place! God works through our faith, not our fear. Don't sit on the sidelines of life wishing you were doing the things you see other people doing. Take action and make the most of life!

Pray: Lord, I put my trust in You and look forward to moving into new areas of life. I will not sit on the sidelines any longer. Amen. "

Author: Corey Garlic

Like a child who has fallen off his bike with a physical wound to the knee that is red and raw, wounds to the soul are just as real.  Emotional wounds from past experiences of rejection, neglect, deceit, physical or emotional abuse cut deep and have a profound and lasting effect on the believer. These past hurts can cause us to become overly sensitive, guarded, and easily offended over the smallest of gestures. The simplest of things done or said, intentionally or unintentionally, seem to hurt deeply and may even cause us to isolate ourselves from others. God has promised to heal our physical, emotional and mental wounds.

"He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions" Psalm 107:20
God is the high priest who can and does sympathize with our weaknesses and infirmities. However, we are often required to do some work on our part. The enemy desires to keep us bound by past hurts that prevent us from having Gods best for our life. If not addressed, these behaviors will negatively impact our relationship with God, ourselves and those around us.


Knowing that this has been a stronghold in my own life, one morning, in my time of prayer, I cried out to the Lord and asked what must I do to be healed of emotional woundedness and this is how the Holy Spirit led me.

First, put on the helmet of salvation which is a part of the armor of God. I pondered why the helmet of salvation, doesn't that merely mean that I have been freed from my sinful nature. Yes, but it also protects me from fear and discouragement because I now have the mind of Christ. The helmet of salvation guards my mind against fear of man, fear of failure, fear of abandonment, fear of rejection, and fear of not being good enough. With the helmet on, there will be no power in our fears to draw us into sin. Without the of the helmet of salvation we will be unprotected from such fears and the cares of this world, that so often beset us.

Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, Paul spoke of casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  Paul was the warrior, and the enemies were those people whose minds and arguments were proud and lifted up against God. So, when Paul defeated those minds and arguments by the power of the Holy Spirit, their thoughts and minds were taken captive and they became people with the mind of Christ or obedient to Christ.  We too can apply this same principle to our lives. It is imperative that we cast down every high thought that comes against the knowledge of Christ. No matter how true the thought may seem, if it does not align with the Word of God, cast it down!  Thoughts that come because of past rejection, offenses, and deceit that attempt to enter our present situations must be cast down immediately.

We must bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, meaning, every thought should obey or behave in accordance with scripture. Therefore, when my thoughts do not obey God's word, I am being disobedient.  If our thoughts are obedient to Christ, then eventually our behaviors will align with those thoughts.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Lastly, we are to call those things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) We can decree a thing and it shall be established according to the will of God. (Job 22:28) We know that it is Gods will that you be healed of every infirmity.  Begin to declare healing of emotional wounds, declare that you are no longer easily offended, overly sensitive or extremely guarded... the word of the Lord declares,

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalms 34:19)

Declare that the love of God has been shed abroad in your heart and that you live according to the Spirit because the Spirit of God brings life. No matter what, continue to declare and affirm your deliverance in these areas and you will find that God is faithful to His Word and watches over it to perform it. We are indeed healed and whole and equipped to do every good work that the Father has called us to do. Therefore, be free, in Jesus name!

Sherita Wilson
Favor Nation Church
Victorious Women's Ministry