-Healthy Perspective in the News
    -The Depression Connection
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TRAGEDY AT THE HANDS OF TERRORISTS
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On September 11, 2001, our lives changed.  The unthinkable happened.  Author Tom Clancy, interviewed on CNN on September 11, responding to a statement that this seemed like "something out of a Clancy novel," surprised the interviewer by saying that, No, this is something he would not have written because the "plot did not seem credible."  Even in Tom Clancy's vivid and rich imagination, he could not fathom the likelihood of an event so egregious.

This event was meant by its perpetrators to weaken us, frighten us, make us feel vulnerable.  It has shaken us, as a nation and as a world, to our very core.  We now know how vulnerable we truly are.  But it has not weakened us!  If anything, it has strengthened us, as we have fallen on our knees to Almighty God.  We have drawn closer to God and to each other.  Our resolve to maintain our freedom is stronger than ever!

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What Can I Do?
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   Pray
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We imagine you have been doing lots of this.  Keep it up!  This "war on terrorism" isn't going to be over any time soon.

Common sense tells us that we humans are frail and vulnerable.  This fact has been driven home time and again as we have watched the terrible images of September 11 played and replayed on our TV screens.  We thank God that our country is taking steps to defend and protect us.  But our only true protection is in the hands of God.

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16 b NIV)

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Eccl. 4:12 NIV)

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.  I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  (Psalms 32:7-8 NIV)

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.  The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes."  (Psalms 41:1-2 NIV)

"'Because he loves me,' says the Lord, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.'"  (Psalms 91:14-16 NIV)

"And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."  (2Ths. 3:2-3 NIV)
 
 

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   Give
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There are many ways to give at this time.  Many relief organizations need volunteers, blood, and cash donations.  Find reputable groups and be generous.  Offering solace and comfort to those who are bereaved and frightened is an important area of giving now.

Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (NIV)  Give freely, and you will be better for it.
 

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   Prepare
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We don't know what might happen in the near future.  We must face this fact, not with fear, but with prayer and preparation.

Living in California, we are used to keeping a supply of emergency items in case of earthquake.  Now it seems wise for all of us to be prepared for emergency.  We're not suggesting hoarding nor bankrupting ourselves with the purchase of items we wouldn't ordinarily use anyway.  And this is not selfish planning - share with your neighbors when and if the time comes!

Remember all the Y2K emergency preparedness checklists?  If you still have any of that info around, it could be helpful now.  And we hope and pray that this preparation will be as needless as that was!

In your supplies you will want to include bottled water, non-perishable food (include seeds and beans for sprouting so you can have some fresh food), a medical first aid kit, at least a two-week supply of your regular prescriptions (and the same for your food supplements - you need to keep up your strength!), an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, flashlights, batteries, warm clothing and blankets, a battery-powered radio and/or tv, cash, plenty of personal hygiene items, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and large plastic bags for personal hygiene and disposal.  This is not a complete list, but it can get you started.

Resources:
The Red Cross has disaster preparedness information at http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/.

FEMA also has some good information at http://www.fema.gov/pte/prepare.htm.

Health writer Chet Day, on his web site, has an excellent article by W. David Goines entitled The KISS Survival Food System.  You may read it at http://www.chetday.com/kiss.html.

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   Protect Your Immune System
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We've all been hearing reports about the threat of chemical or biological (germ) warfare.  This has probably panicked our population more than any other aspect of this tragic "war of the 21st century."  As we said before, God is our only true protection.  But there are ways we can prepare for this as well.  By building up our immune systems, we are less vulnerable to the ravages of chemical or biological attack.

Gailon Totheroh, health writer for CBN, did an excellent piece this past week on the 700 Club about this very subject.  He suggested some simple and practical ways to build our immune systems for our protection.  We hope CBN will be offering this information soon on their web site at http://www.cbn.com/.

Diet plays a huge part in immune system building.  In the March 2001 edition of "Your Healthy Perspective," we discuss vegetarianism and why it is a healthy solution.  You may review that information at http://www.healthyperspective.com/yhparchive0301.html.  Please avoid refined and junk foods (especially white sugar) and all chemical "food additives" as these are immune system foes.  Eating whole foods and using whole food supplements is more important than ever.  And drink plenty of pure water and fresh juices (please avoid alcohol and caffeinated, sugary, and carbonated drinks).

You may also check out the article on "Immuno Health" on the Healthy Perspective web site at http://www.healthyperspective.com/immuno.html.
 

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HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE IN THE NEWS
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The Depression Connection
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We have often discussed the body, soul, and spirit connection in total health.  A recent article by J. Willis Hurst, MD [Medscape Cardiology 2001], entitled Leading Opinion, Depression and Heart Failure [http://www.medscape.com/Medscape/cardiology/2001/v05.n05/mc0926.hurs/mc0926.hurs-01.html] examines the depression factor.  Dr. Hurst opens his article with this statement:

"Mental depression seems to increase the mortality of patients with myocardial infarction. It is reasonable to suspect that almost all diseases are negatively affected if the patients are depressed."

I think all of us instinctively know that our mental health affects our physical health.  This study offers evidence that this connection, when negative, can be deadly.

Special Note:  During these tragic times, we must be careful to not confuse grief with depression.  We are all grieving.  That is a normal response to loss.  For those of you who have lost loved ones in the recent terrorist attacks, your grief is tremendous, and our hearts are heavy as we grieve with you.  Our dear friend, Jan Hernandez, has a wonderful ministry, Arms of Love, dealing with grief issues for mothers who have lost children.  If you are struggling with this, please visit her web site at http://www.angelfire.com/mt2/grieving/.   For other grief issues, Jan suggests http://www.groww.org/.  Also, the Billy Graham Prayer Center has set up a toll free phone number for victims, family members, emergency workers, and others directly affected by the recent terrorist attacks:  866-206-6044.

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This has been said many times in the past few weeks.  Please join us in saying, God bless America!

And God bless each of you!
-Rev. Clarence Russell, Kimberly and Nicole
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