MyEDGEMag Summer 2017

MY EDGE MAG

summer 2017

wholistic health What Is Health

TO YOU?

3 TIPS

To SAFEGUARD Your

MENTAL HEALTH

THOUGHT For

FOOD

WORSHIP In My

ACTIVEWEAR

I AIN’T

PLAYING ABOUT US MYEDGEMAG is published quarterly by the Youth Ministries Department of the Seventhday Adventist Church (AUC) Limited. While all content is subject to copyright, permission is nevertheless granted by the publishers for content to be copied and reproduced by churches, schools and individuals for the express purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

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2 // E D I T O R I A L

GAMES I

’M CURRENTLY MAKING A TOUGH CALL. My cousins and I have been playing competition grade tennis in our local community together for 6 seasons. And I want to quit. It’s not that I no longer love playing tennis. It’s not that I no longer love being on court with my family. It’s that I just hate organising everything to make it happen. And it’s making me grumpy. I’m letting the team down. I’m tired.

This issue of MYEDGEMAG is taking a look at life and we’re focusing in on our health.

We’re discussing how it’s perceived, what it’s become. We speak to the surrounding confusion. We’re also celebrating health and all it’s potential! “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly,” says Jesus. “. . . we can live

It reminds me of what Paul* wrote when he said, “Though I return backhands with the might of Rafael Nadal and angels, but have not love, I have become Bernard Tomic.” To be healthy is to be balanced. And to me, the greatest balance is, again, Jesus’ words, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. . . and . . . you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Loving God with the life He has given me, loving my people with the energy He provides me, means laying down self and doing the heavy lifting to become more organised. For their sake and mine. So that, in this small example, we can live and play in abundance.

So let’s try some new things over and this summer. New thoughts. New practices. New understandings. New Mmmm. But my tennis play in abundance.” habits. If you’re looking for reason game though. Where we or inspiration, I encourage you to at? Because every time read the wide and wholistic contributions I serve from the baseline and volley at the this magazine issue has to offer. May we net, my body feels alive in the fresh air continue to be healed, guided and inspired by and my mind is dancing and challenged. the Great Physician into the life He offers.

And every time I play alongside my family/ friends and get to interact with new people on the court, my soul is happy and full. So why give that up? Because while it might all seem abundant, there’s this other element I haven’t been exercising: being organised.

It means that I’m becoming late and exhausted. Not playing my best. It means that I’m snapping at my sister’s nonchalant double-fault because I’m frustrated with myself more than I am with her.

(*Not actually Paul. And I empathise with you, Tomic—keep up the growth, champ!)

The cover photo was taken by Lauren McColl, and modeled by Alannah McColl. For more of her work, visit <www.lawnphotography.com> or @lawnphotography on Facebook and Instagram.

B RYA N J ROB ER T S writes from Melbourne where he volunteers, works, performs and collaborates in digital spaces, teams, church and planet.

Who•Lis•tic He•alth

fad or

(noun)

1. State of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

— World Health Organization

fiction

2. All parts are interconnected to create the whole.

H

EALTH AND NUTRITION ARE TWO OF MY BIG PASSIONS. THEY go hand in hand—combining good eating habits with a healthy lifestyle will result in a good quality of life.

However, many people try to short-cut this process, using health “fads” to try to achieve their goals, which are usually to lose more weight. Maybe you’ve tried a fad or two in your time? Maybe you’re currently experimenting with one to get ready for summer?! Though some are relatively safe and harmless and just won’t have the desired effect, some are downright dangerous and disgusting.

Weight-Loss Teas

ad 2

I’ll be honest, I drink herbal tea that has “detox” on the front of it. Sure, drink it because it tastes good, but there is not a shred of evidence to prove that a tea can make you lose weight. Sorry.

F

The Tapeworm Diet

1 Fa d

That’s right, it means exactly what it says. This diet proposes that ingesting a parasite or two will reduce calorie intake by the body during digestion as you are not only feeding yourself, you are feeding a foreign organism.

Simple, right? Wrong. The tapeworm may not just reside in your digestive tract, but produce larvae that enter your bloodstream and potentially your brain, which is going to have obvious negative side effects. Thankfully, producing tapeworms for ingestion is highly illegal.

of Australians will experience 45% a mental illness in

ad 3

F

Eating a whole lot of acidic food is bad for your teeth. We accept that.

But some celebrities, such as Elle Macpherson, believe that having an acidic body is more prone to disease. How does she test this?

Measuring the pH of her urine. Gross.

Not to mention that urine is supposed to be acidic in the first place.

God has given us a simple way of looking after our bodies—the ‘temple’ that He has provided us with. It’s one of His gifts to us. Let’s not take shortcuts in looking after it.

their lifetime.

The prevalence of mental illness decreases with age, with the greatest prevalence among 18-24 years olds.

WO R TH IT

AUS 6.5g

USA 12g

S UGAR ED SAVO UR IES www.mindframe.info

Urine Testing

Gen Y will travel 19km for a fast food fix, the Builder generation will only travel 11km. Women are willing to travel 1km futher than men for fast food, and 5km further for health food.

www.mccrindle.com.au

A Whopper burger in Australia has 6.5 grams of sugar. In the USA, it has 12 grams.

GY M J U N K I ES Australians have gym memberships. The gym industry has an growth of 9.5%, and an approximate revenue of $2bn.

15% ofannual www.ibisworld.com.au

The illustrations on this spread were drawn by Jessica Symes. To see more of her work, visit <www.jessigned.com> or @jessigned on Facebook and Instagram.

LU K E HA S SA N is studying Applied Science/ Master of Dietetics at Latrobe University, and loves his car a little too much.

C U L T U R E W A T C H // 3

worship in my

activewear

D

ID YOU KNOW THAT SINCE 2013 SALES OF woman’s activewear has increased by 50 per cent? More than $30 million is spent in Australia each year on activewear. That’s a lot of tights, tees and tops. But less than 30 per cent of this activewear is used in exercise. So what’s going on?

Why has activewear become everything wear?

Have you noticed 24-hour gyms popping up everywhere? We now have more than 3000 gyms in Australia with 3.3 million Australians having a gym membership. And what about all those ads for group “personal” training? Are Australians getting fitter? Well, some are. For others, having the right active look is more important than actual fitness.

People focus on their body for a whole lot of reasons. The way and why we look after our bodies says a lot about who we are.

Self-proclaimed “philosopher” and “pioneer of active living,” Lorna Jane Clarkson claims her brand is so much more than athleisure-wear—it symbolises a whole way of life, a complete belief system that gives “a reason to exist.”1 And she has many believers: “Lorna has amassed a cult following all over the globe.”

often a focus on the body is part of trying to keep the look our society worships.

Her catalogues of young, slim, sculpted girls who fit the Lorna Jane image overflow with motivational religious statements about belief, transformation and strength, including a centrefold reminder that all things are possible for those who believe in active living. In a world where consumerism 04 // F E A T U R E A R T I C L E

destroys community and undermines traditional religion, the Lorna Jane brand offers a pseudocommunity to belong to. In a world crying out for something to believe in, active living offers itself as an answer—a very lucrative answer for Lorna.

Mark Sayers describes how having the right body can become a devotional practise in itself. He points out that once people used to get up early in the morning to do a daily devotional time with God. Today, people still get up early to do devotions, but they are at the gym, the object of worship being themselves.2 Often a focus on the body is part of trying to keep the look our society worships. For some, time at the gym is not so much about health but rather getting the right body so they can be sexually attractive.

Magazines like Men’s Health focus on biceps, chests and abdominals so as to be more able to “get girls.” They often include a focus on which exercises to do to increase sexual performance.

Where sex has become a commodity, the right body is a currency to get that “product.”

In fact, many guys go to the extremes of supplements, even illegal steroids, to get the right body. The irony is that taking these drugs to get the “healthy” look is extremely unhealthy.

In a similar way girls, even in their teens, undergo cosmetic surgery to have the right look—taking fat from one part and putting it somewhere else to fit into a social convention—or pursuing unhealthy diet regimes to get a supposedly healthy look.

Middle age brings with it the societal pressure to have a “pre-baby body” or the abbs of a surfing teenager. Consumer culture worships 25 year olds. By worshipping youth, we can ignore the realities of ageing and the hollowness ageing shines onto consumer culture. Instead, stay young and make 40 the new 20.

So our gyms fill up with people trying to hang on to a younger or different version of themselves. We buy into the reality TV message that transformation is about a new body shape. Don’t worry about sorting through your hurts, problems and worldview—simply get a new body.

For some people, exercise is a stress release; for others, it is a place to be in control when everything else seems out of control.

This does not mean we should stop exercising!

Lorna Jane might well make excellent activewear that you buy for totally product-related reasons rather than the image. You might be at the gym for reasons very different to the ones outlined above.

It is important to be healthy, so a boycott on health is not the answer to society’s commodification of health. But it is worth thinking about why you care— or don’t care—about your body in the way you do.

The Bible gives us a far more encompassing reason for looking after our health. Lorna Jane is correct when she says that what you believe impacts your physical health. She is correct when she says positive movement leads to positive thinking. She is correct when she says that how we move, nourish and believe are all connected and shape our outlook on life. The way we treat our bodies really is spiritual. In a biblical worldview, everything is spiritual and our physical health is a spiritual issue.

However, for Lorna, it’s all about transforming through self-belief. In a biblical worldview, it’s not about us at all. Our focus on health is actually because we have given ourselves away. We’re a “living sacrifice” and we recognise that everything about us, including our bodies, belong to God and are for his glory (see Romans 12:1–3). In a biblical worldview, your time at the gym is not about you—it is all about honouring God with who you are.

Being healthy physically is a part of being healthy spiritually. The way we treat our bodies impacts our moods, energy and mental sharpness. Nothing stands in isolation; every part of what makes us who we are exists in relation with the other parts.

We allow God to work in and through us more effectively when we are looking after our bodies. God has given you an incredible body so that you can use it to honour Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.” A healthy body allows us to serve God more effectively. A healthy body can be an act of worship to God. Sure, we will get older. Sin ensures we are going to look older, become unwell and die. However, at each point in life, we can be as healthy as we can for that stage and allow God to use us to our best potential.

But keep in mind that a healthy version of you might not be the same as what is in the Lorna Jane catalogue or Men’s Health magazine.

Health is far more than body shape.

It includes rest, our environment, trust, relationships and outlook.

What do you think it means to honour God with your body?

Does seeing your body as

God’s dwelling place

Being healthy is a part of worshipping God. When we forget God, we end up worshipping what He has created instead—and often that is ourselves.

God wants to work in and through you and staying healthy is a part of that plan.

So get your activewear on (apparently Lorna Jane is good quality), get outside or to the gym and do think about how you fuel your body. But make some time to think about why you do this and what it would look like for your exercise time to be an act of worship to God.

change the way you

treat it?

one step

What is you can take in the

next 24 hours toward being a

healthier version of you that honours God?

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 2, NIV).

1. “Will the real Lorna Jane Please Stand Up?” Latte, July 2015.

2. Mark Sayers, The Vertical Self, Thomas Nelson, 2010.

B R EN DON P R AT T is the Ministerial Secretary for the Australian Union Conference, and also an avid reptile collector—at one point housing over 120 reptiles!

F E A T U R E A R T I C L E // 05

FUT

UR E

TE H G I S

D

W

HEN I WAS 18 YEARS OLD, I THOUGHT I WAS BULLET PROOF. I WAS INTO fast cars and motorbikes. To me, it didn’t really matter what I ate or drank or how much sleep I had each night. My job as an apprentice carpenter kept me fit enough. Life was for living. Live for the moment. In my late 20s I had a massive wake-up call. After a number of tests, my doctor told me that I had cancer all through my body and that I needed to have chemotherapy within weeks. After an anointing service at my local church and a year of chemo, I came out the other side as a survivor of cancer. It was at that time that I started to seriously think about my health.

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you What if I made some changes to what I ate, drank and did? and that you are as healthy in body as What if I started to treat my body with more respect? When you are strong in spirit.

God designed us He knew that we needed some instructions.

—3 John 2. (NLT) The Bible has huge amounts of information to help us live a more fulfilled, healthy happy life.

Then God said, “Look! I have given Check out these word pictures you every seed-bearing plant from God’s inspired book. Read So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, throughout the earth and all the 3 John 2, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 do it all for the glory of God. fruit trees for your food.

Corinthians 3:16-17.

—1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT) —Genesis 1:29 (NLT) These are powerful pictures from God—they spoke directly to me.

How I look after myself right now will impact what I look and live like in the future. When I’m in my mid-30 or 40, will I look older or younger than my age? I was talking to a guy a few days ago who was 48. He told me he had very high blood pressure and that his doctor says he could have a heart attack any day.

In fact, he’d already had some mini strokes over the past couple of months. I thought to myself, how could a guy under 50 be in such a bad way? He told me that his problem was fast food (full Wine makes you mean, beer makes of high fat, salt and sugar). He ate at least one fast-food meal a you quarrelsome—a staggering day, sometimes two. I felt sorry for him. If only drunk is not much fun. he had realised that a few decisions he had —Proverbs 20:1 (MSG) made earlier in life could have impacted his You realise, don’t you, that you are life right now. the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with So what is God’s design for healthy living? vandalising God’s temple, you can be It seems that we should go as natural as we can. Not only with sure of that. God’s temple is sacred— food but with our mind and soul. and you, remember, are the temple.

—1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (MSG)

Read Genesis 1:29, Proverbs 20:1, Romans 12:1-2.

Do I get my healthy eating and living right all the time?

Definitely not. But my eyes were opened back in my 20s to better options for living. God’s recipe is right on target.

JEFF PARKER is the Youth Ministries Director at the Australian Union Conference, and enjoys taking out his Harley-Davidson Road King Classic on sunny days in Melbourne.

06 I BLLT EU RSET UWDAYT C H 04 // B CU

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

—Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

A decadent, yet super-healthy, sweet for that chocolate hit. Perfect to take to picnics and parties, and not as sickly sweet as some brownies.

Black beans are low GI and high in polyphenols, as are nuts and seeds. The spices add further antioxidants and tone down inflammation!

CHOCOLATE BROWNIES WITH WA LNUTS PREPARATION: 15 MINUTES COOKING: 30 MINUTES SERVES 24

1 cup walnuts + 24 walnut pieces for garnish 3 cups cooked black beans 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 300g pitted fresh medjool dates 1 /2 cup white sesame seeds 1 /2 cup raw cacao powder 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 3 tablespoons natural maple syrup 2 teaspoons alcohol-free pure vanilla extract 1 /2 cup sunflower seeds 1. Pre-heat oven to 180°C. 2. Lightly pulse 1 cup of walnuts in a food processor.

3. Add black beans and oil, and blend until combined. Add dates, sesame seeds, cacao powder, spices, maple syrup and vanilla extract, and continue to process until smooth.

4. Transfer mixture into a large bowl and fold in sunflower seeds with a wooden spoon.

5. Spread into a lined baking pan (30 x 23 cm) and flatten with a spatula. Cut into 24 squares and press an additional walnut piece in the centre of each square. Tip: Lining the pan with parchment (baking) paper will enable you to easily lift out the brownies when they are cooled.

6. Bake for 30 minutes. Leave to cool in the pan before removing brownies. Enjoy brownies freshly baked or store in the fridge for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen.

TIPS: Remove brownies from oven after 30 minutes even if they appear not fully cooked, otherwise they might burn on the bottom.

VARIATION: For a spicy version, swap cardamom with 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper.

Per serve: energy 1079 kJ (258 Cal); protein 6 g; fat 18 g; saturated fat 2 g; cholesterol 0 mg; carbohydrate 16 g; sugars 11 g; fibre 6 g; calcium 38 mg; iron 1.9 mg; sodium 4 mg For more deliciously healthy recipes, find the Food As Medicine cookbook in your local Adventist bookstore or visit <www.foodasmedicine.cooking> for more information.

thought for

A

S PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN THE WHOLISTIC nature of what it means to be human, Seventhday Adventists have long been people who take food seriously. Contemporary scientific research has repeatedly proven the health benefits of better dietary choices, often in the context of Adventist communities and drawing on our “health message” heritage.

But there are risks that have come with our Adventist focus on food. The first is the temptation to see food merely as fuel for our bodies as a kind of machine, with better fuel merely giving better function. The second is to assume that somehow God loves us more in proportion to the health or purity of our diet, a misguided belief in some kind of salvation-by-cheese-avoidance.

In the Bible’s overview, by contrast, food is not primarily about either health or holiness. Many stories throughout the Bible present food and its place in faithful living in a number of significant but sometimes overlooked ways.

Wonder & Gratitude At Creation itself, God made explicit mention of the supply of food for the first human beings (see Genesis 1:29), a miracle that has been repeated day after day, season after season, harvest after harvest.

Food could have been created as mere fuel for our physical bodies but instead it was created with flavours, aromas, colours and remarkable variety.

In some biblical instances, this miracle of food was made more overt. When Jesus fed the 5000 on the shore of Galilee, it was another act of creation that affirmed the importance and goodness of our physical lives—and points to God’s everyday creativity. As theologian Norman Wirzba sums it up, “To eat is to see, smell, touch and taste God’s provisioning care.”1 08 // D I S C I P L E S H I P

As such, while the Bible does not explicitly command “saying grace” before meals (the closest instruction is that found in Deuteronomy 8:10), the habit of giving thanks for our food is a valuable spiritual discipline, reminding us of our dependence on our Creator and the miracle we are about to share in. In 1 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul described gratitude to God as the most important ingredient of any meal. Similarly, among all the advice Ellen White gave about healthful diet, she repeatedly urged that we should “eat with thanksgiving.”2

Hospitality & Community While we don’t always have such opportunities, shared meals are vital social and community occasions in many of the world’s cultures, including the worldview of the Bible.

Inviting strangers to eat with us is the epitome of hospitality and welcome (see Genesis 18:1–8).

One of the most beautiful pictures of Jesus is that of Him cooking breakfast for His disciples early one morning after the resurrection (see John 21:4–14). But it was also a profound act of reconciliation and one of the foundational moments of the early church. As the church grew, food became both a barrier and a reconciler. The accusation against Peter after his experience with Cornelius in Acts 10 was that he “entered the home of Gentiles and even ate with them” (see Acts 11:3, NLT, emphasis added).

Food brings people together in awkward, important and transformative ways: “Joyful eating remembers that we’re never ‘alone with God’ and food. Food connects us to others—other people, and other creatures—in millions of ways, some visible, many hidden.”3

Generosity & Justice Our appreciation of food should never be only about us: “We produce enough food to feed the world but rather than harvesting with care, we are prodigal with God’s bounty . . . The daily reality is that 925 million people around the world go hungry every day . . . [We] need to realise that the production and distribution of food are basic matters of justice at an individual, national and international level.”4 In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (see Matthew 6:11). Recognising the physical importance of what we eat, many of us have taken this prayer a step further, insisting on it being biodynamic wholegrain bread with low sodium, no additives, and perhaps organic or gluten-free.

But can we insist on our eating well—as important as that is—while ignoring those who might not be eating at all? And such a question might sound like Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees, whom He accused of paying tithe on their (organic, homegrown) herb gardens while ignoring the “more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23, NLT).

Feeding the hungry is a core component of what it means to be the faithful people of God (see, for example, Isaiah 58:7 and Matthew 25:35). It is part of the Bible’s repeated call to do justice, to join with God (see Psalms 146:7) in helping ensure that the goodness of God’s creation is available to as many as possible of our human brothers and sisters.

Remembrance & Revelation From Creation to Passover to Communion to the heaven’s great feast, meals play vital functions of celebration and memorial in the kingdom of God. In the Christian church, the most significant example of this is the Communion service: “When Jesus wanted to explain to His followers the meaning of

food brings people together in Awkward, important and transformative ways .

His death, He didn’t give them a theory; He gave them a meal.”5 The representation of the life of God entering into our body and becoming a part of us is a cause for celebration. Such an intimacy with God, based on what Jesus did for us in His death, is worth remembering.

In eating, we remember God’s saving provision for us, as well as recognising His living presence with us, and His promise to eat and dwell with us forever.

Health & Holiness So where do health and holiness fit in our serious thinking about food?

If we eat—and live—with wonder and gratitude, hospitality and community, generosity and justice, remembrance and revelation, we will discover deeper health and wholistic holiness. Each meal becomes a sacred experience of God’s goodness and a call for our faithful response to God and to others. And by taking food still more seriously, we will find greater joy.

1. Norman Wirzba, Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, Cambridge University Press, 2011, page 180.

2. Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 87; Medical Ministry, page 274; see also Child Guidance, page 387; Manuscript Releases Vol 20, page 329.

3. Rachel Marie Stone, Eat With Joy: Redeeming God’s Gift of Food, IVP Books, 2013, page 39–40.

4. Amanda Jackson, Micah Challenge International, <www. micahchallenge.org.au/blog/n/our-daily-bread-111024 >.

5. N T Wright, How God Became King, HarperOne, 2013, page 238.

This photo was taken by Lauren McColl, and modeled by Alannah McColl. For more of her work, visit <www.lawnphotography.com> or @lawnphotography on Facebook and Instagram.

N AT HA N B ROW N is book editor at Signs Publishing. His book Why I Try to Believe is available from Adventist Book Centres.

D I S C I P L E S H I P // 09

SYNC : wholistic health “just do it” It’s 5:45 pm and the room is packed with sweaty bodies and bulging biceps.

I’m surrounded by perfectly made up women, a sea of trendy activewear. It’s intimidating, but I remind myself that I’m not here for a good time. I’m here to sweat off my winter-long health hiatus. As the dance music starts pumping, a woman probably twice my age but half my weight takes the stage. She’s as bubbly as the bath in which I’ll later soak my exhausted, exercise-weary limbs and I can’t help but find her enthusiasm infectious. Yes! It is time to say goodbye to my bad habits. Yes, energetic fit lady, I am ready to feel the burn!

Yet 15 minutes later, I’m a sweaty mess as I hobble out of class. Why does “good health” have to be so hard? The articles in this edition all have a common thread; health is not just about looking good, health is about our whole lives.

It’s about balance. That word—we hear it all the time—balance. As humans we love to operate in extremes; 24-hour juice fasts or overworking ourselves to the point of mental exhaustion. It’s time to take The only way to a step back, give ourselves a break and take our Adventist keep your health is to principles and really live them. We all know what we need to eat what you don’t want, do, in the words of the 90s Nike ad campaign, “Just do it.” drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.

—Mark Twain

“

”

let’s

unpack that

In his interview, Darren Morton suggests that “now the scientific community hold up the Adventist Church as a model for healthy living” and that we should “be proud of who we are and share these life-enriching insights.” How often do you hear Adventist health principles taught in your local church? In what ways are Adventists hindering or helping others to live out these principles?

Nathan Brown challenges the popular notion that food is “merely fuel for our bodies as a kind of machine” and instead suggests that the Bible presents food in significant and meaningful ways.

He explores the idea that each meal awakens us to a sense of generosity and justice. Are you truly grateful for the meal in front of you? How can living in a Western country desensitise us to the poverty in other parts of the world? If something so menial as food can be linked to justice and generosity, what other aspects of our daily life could have a deeper significance?

10 // Q U E S T I O N S & C O N V E R S A T I O N S

RSS Feed GOOGLE IT: “TED Talk Graham Hill Weekday Vegetarian.”

A champion of vegetarianism talks about the impact of curbing your animal protein intake.

READ IT: How can your faith impact your health?

Visit <www.relevantmagazine.com/life/surprisinglinks-between-faith-and-health>.

there’s an app for that: Try some of these apps to kickstart your health goals (there’s even one that has zombies chasing you to make you run faster). Visit <www.greatist.com/fitness/best-health-fitness-apps>.

Conversation

Starters

Ask someone oldeR Why do you think the Adventist health message is still relevant?

Do you follow the same health principles you do now as you did when you were younger? If you could give your younger self some health advice, what would it be? How is your health linked to your spirituality?

Ask someone younger How much time do you spend looking at some sort of screen?

Do you ever think about how healthy you are?

Ask

a trusted friend

Have you ever tried to improve aspects of your health and failed?

In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to be healthy?

Ask your -self Is health a part of my life or just something I feel guilty about every time New Year’s comes around? Is my health something that just takes care of itself or do I actively make choices that will give me the best physical, spiritual, emotional and social life?

CONflicting

ideas

The Bible teaches us health principles that specifically relate to clean and unclean foods, “You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God. . .

You must not eat any detestable animals that are ceremonially unclean.” (Deuteronomy 14:2-3, NLT).

Making It

Personal Brendan Pratt suggests that “. . . the way and why we look after our bodies says a lot about who we are. . . having the right body can become a devotional practice in itself.” What are some of the ways that you look after your body? Can you explain why you treat your body the way you do? The way we treat our bodies can be both negative and positive, aggressive and passive, what does they way you treat your body say about who you are? What perceptions need to change in your life to have a more positive outlook about your body?

“

Pure air and water, cleanliness, a proper diet, purity of life, and a firm trust in God are remedies for the want of which thousands are dying; yet these remedies are going out of date because their skilful use requires work that people do not appreciate.

”

—Ellen G White

But doesn’t Jesus suggest that what we eat may not be that important? “Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth’” (Matthew 15:10-11).

VS.

Or that either way we shouldn’t judge others for the choices they make: “Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them” (Romans 14:3, NLT).

VS.

LY N DEL L E P E T ER S ON writes from Sydney where she works as a pastor and lives with her pastor husband, Adrian. She believes all good ideas start with the question why and that breakfast food can be eaten at any time of the day.

Q U E S T I O N S & C O N V E R S A T I O N S // 11

12 // C R E A T I V E A R T S

My child, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words . . . keep them within your heart; for they are to those who find them and health to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whole body.

life

This artwork was created by Georgie Young. To see more of her work, visit <www.georgiedaphne.com.au> or search @georgie_daphne on Instagram.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Proverbs 4:20-22 C R E A T I V E A R T S // 13

Live your best life 14 // I N T E R V I E W

This photo was taken by Lauren McColl, and modeled by Alannah McColl. For more of her work, visit <www.lawnphotography.com> or @lawnphotography on Facebook and Instagram.

W

HEN IT COMES TO ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW TO LIVE AND MAKE THE MOST of life, we’ve got a guy! Dr Darren Morton is a writer, teacher and researcher who knows his stuff. Not only is Darren well qualified as an exercise scientist (he’s considered the world expert on the “stitch”), he also lives what he teaches. He’s a former national level athlete, an enthusiastic hang-glider pilot and still competes in triathlon and multisport events. So in among his position as a senior lecturer with Avondale College of Higher Education as a commercial consultant, MYEDGEMAG got a chance to ask him what he’s learned about healthy living.

HOW CAN PHYSICAL HEALTH IMPACT ON SPIRITUAL LIFE?

One thing that science is clearly showing is that the health and wellbeing of us humans is multifaceted— physical, emotional, social and spiritual—and all these components help and hinder each other. If you want to really thrive you need to have all of them going for you.

“BEING HEALTHY IS EATING A VEGAN DIET WHILE DOING CROSSFIT.” ARE “EXTREME” HEALTH FADS SOMETIMES MAKING GOOD HEALTH SEEM UNACHIEVABLE?

What we know is that when it comes to improving our wellbeing, taking small steps in the right direction makes a difference. For example, a New Zealand study showed that just eating more fruits and vegetables one day results in a happiness boost the day after.

Fascinating stuff. The point is that while it is true that the more you put in (in terms of your healthy behaviours) the more you will likely get out (in terms of health outcomes) but don’t be put off by thinking that you have to go to extremes to get any benefit.

WHY IS HEALTH MINISTRY SO IMPORTANT?

It is pretty simple to me. God is interested in life and He wants us to live our best life. Being healthy is foundational to that.

HEALTH IS SO TRENDY THESE DAYS WITH CELEBS LIKE MIRANDA KERR AND JESSICA ALBA LEADING THE WAY— DO ADVENTISTS HAVE ANYTHING UNIQUE TO OFFER?

Here is something that I would like every Adventist young person (and old!) to know. When our church was set up about 150 years ago, God gave the fledging church a unique and cutting-edge perspective on how to experience optimal health and wellbeing.

The message was and is so cutting edge that it took more than 100 years for some of the principles to be validated by science. Now the scientific and medical community hold up the Adventist church as a model for healthy living.

The point is, the Adventist church has a rich heritage when it comes to understanding how to live well—it is our distinctive flavour as a denomination. Today, there is more interest in the principles that underpin this

“Adventist Health Message” than ever before. It provides a great opportunity that we need to take up. Be proud of who we are and share these life-enriching insights.

DOES MY HEALTH AND FITNESS MATTER MUCH WHEN I AM YOUNG?

Yes, it matters no matter how old you are. Who doesn’t want to live life to the full?

WHAT ARE THE BIG THINGS AFFECTING THE HEALTH OF YOUNGER GENERATIONS?

I think screen time is the big issue. Screens make people (young and old) a lot less physically active and this is having a massive impact on the health of our bodies and brains. Second, screens contribute to us not really connecting. Staring at a screen will never compare to staring at someone’s face.

WHAT WAS IT THAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN BEING FIT AND HEALTHY?

I used to compete at a fairly serious level in sport and I was always wanting to know how to get the most out of myself in terms of athletic performance. In time, this grew to a passion for understanding how to get the most out of life in general. I discovered that the Adventist perspective on how to live your best life was so profound that I am captivated by it. I feel so blessed to work in the Lifestyle Research Centre at Avondale where I get to immerse myself in this space.

WHAT WOULD BE A SIMPLE PLAN TO GET MYSELF FIT AND HEALTHY AGAIN IF I AM NOT?

That is a good question and of course depends on what you are presently doing. For most people however, moving more, eating more plant foods and connecting more with others (in the old-school way, face-to-face way) is a great way to boost your wellbeing.

DR DA R R EN M OR T ON is the course convenor for Postgraduate Studies in Lifestyle Medicine at Avondale College of Higher Education. He loves life and is passionate about helping others to get the most out of it!

I N T E R V I E W // 15

from

wagga wagga to

ethiopia G

IVE US A RUN-DOWN ON WHERE YOU ARE and what your role is at the moment.

At the start of this year we moved from our little home in Wagga Wagga to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Doug is working as the Country Director for ADRA Ethiopia, where he is overseeing the work of 12 projects around Ethiopia. Sherryn is working as a Health Project Coordinator for ADRA Ethiopia. From supporting an orphanage, to building schools and water supplies, to constructing toilets for refugees, the work ADRA Ethiopia has done and is doing impacts the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. There are approximately 80 staff working for ADRA Ethiopia at this present time.

what inspires

me is the focus the ethipoians have on community.

What do you find most challenging about living in Ethiopia?

The most challenging thing about living over here is seeing such immense need but not being able to help as much as we would like—sometimes feeling guilty about the blessed life we have been able to live for ourselves when so many people here have not had the same opportunities.

16 // H E R O S O F T H E F A I T H

How do you prioritise your health, when faced with challenges like sanitation, fresh produce, shortages from drought, etc?

Preparation is key—when there is water, save it!

When there is a toilet, use it! When there is fresh food—think of every possible way you could use it!

Always having a plan for if something goes wrong— know what resources you have and how to use it.

We have learned not to be fussy, but to be creative and resourceful—everything has a use! Nothing gets thrown out!

What impact do you see health has on the community around you?

Lack of safe drinking water imposes huge health risks throughout Ethiopia, even in the big cities like Addis Ababa. Acute watery diarrhea is a huge issue here at the moment, completely debilitating and life-threatening for many. Malnutrition also has huge impacts throughout the country. Millions of people in Ethiopia currently lack nutrition, which may either lead to death or severe developmental issues, like stunted growth or birth defects.

What inspires or interests you about the people and community?

If you could order three Australian products to be delivered to your door tomorrow, what would they be?

D: What inspires me is the focus the Ethiopians have on community. What interests me is the rich history of Ethiopia, especially its links with the Bible.

D: Australian Mountain Bike magazine, Arnott’s Shapes (Original Nacho Cheese) and a jar of fresh Aussie air.

S: What inspires me the most is the incredible patience and perseverance the people of Ethiopia have, not to mention their hospitality and humble surrounds.

S: Three Aussie products . . . hmmm, only three?!?!

Honey and eucalyptus lollies, Hamish and Andy’s Gap Year and a laughing kookaburra.

3 1

2 Has your new situation changed your relationship with God? Yes, definitely! Our new situation he has us here for a reason has challenged us to trust more and we are growing fully in God, even when we can’t see a solution for ourselves. We in him as a result. have had to trust in Him in many things—more than ever before.

We have also learned to give Him thanks for many things that we know are only a result of His love toward us. We completely believe that the Lord has led us here and, although times can sometimes be incredibly challenging, we know He has us here for a reason and we are growing in Him as a result.

Do you have any advice for the young people back here in Australia, or how we can help?

God loves a willing heart—God can lead you in ways you may never have imagined were possible. Just be willing to follow His lead, He will do the rest.

Want to DO something PRACTICAL to serve God? Start right here.

Health Ministry Youth Traineeship (starting Jan or July 2017)

10-month traineeships. Practical, hands-on training, working alongside qualified health professionals, and finishing with 2 x nationally recognised qualifications. More information at <www.cedarvale.org> or call 02 4465 1362.

3

tips to your Mental health

GET TO THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE. Mental health issues arise from three main areas—the physical, emotional or mental aspects of our lives. At a physical level, a poor diet does not give our bodies the right ingredients to make serotonin. Serotonin is the “feel good” chemical our bodies produce. Diet plays a major role in this. Physical activity also helps us to naturally feel good. Normally, diet and physical activity can be overlooked, as we tend to eat “comfort” food and isolate ourselves. Emotionally, we can often encounter times of relational stress in our lives, as well as fears and anxiety. Mentally, we can be overloaded with the stress of study, exams, work or lots of worry. It is important to pinpoint in which category our problem lies. It could be in all three. Get to the source of it.

FIND THE SOURCE OF YOUR FEAR When we fear something—whether it is a fear outside of us or a fear within our mind—the “fight or flight” response is triggered.

This is an important warning system that our body engages to protect us. The downside is that if we don’t take action, the response is not deactivated. It keeps our body and mind in a state of high stress. The key is to be aware of your fears. The fear of rejection, the fear of failure or the fear of imperfection, these are some of the fears that can sub-consciously drive us to hold onto harmful behaviours. To safeguard your mental health, understand your fears and take action to deactivate them.

CONNECT TO THE SOURCE OF LOVE As 1 John 4:18 says “fear involves torment” but in the same breath, He gives us the cure: “perfect love casts out fear”. God also says, “Love thy neighbour as thyself” (James 2:8). It is important that we have self-care and love toward our own life. Second, get support.

When we are struggling, it’s important to reach out to our community and connect with friends and professional help for support and encouragement. Trying to do it by ourselves is detrimental to our health. Finally “God is Love”, He is the perfect Source to gain unlimited strength and wisdom to get through life’s obstacles. Love is a powerful healer for our body, mind and soul.

J EA N E LL E I SA AC S is a counsellor at Cedarvale Health & Lifestyle Retreat.

H E A L T H // 17

D What is

health to you?

ESPITE BEING DEFINED SIMPLY AS “THE STATE of being free from illness or injury,” health is an abstract matter. But it goes beyond the physical perception of one’s bodily state. Media advises that a healthy life is through a sugar-free diet or hot yoga—and some of these things might help. You might become fitter and your immune system might love the absence of artificial sweets—but is this what makes you healthy? God knows and understands the limitations we bind ourselves in by evaluating external appearance, presuming handsome exterior means handsome interior. However, we are made sensitive, complex and diverse. So why are we so adamant about looking healthy without being healthy? We should all nurture the nature of our soul, while embodying the character of Christ. If your health begins and ends with physical, wouldn’t we lose the aspect of being human?

R AV I A N A SA I LO attends Oasis Church in Victoria.

18 // V O X P O P O P I N I O N

The digital illustration above was created by Stephanie Powell, a year 11 student from Nunawading Christian College, Victoria.

“

Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.

—John 7:24, NLT

”

t

HE MAIN ISSUE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IS THAT THEY ARE OFTEN forgotten and overlooked as being “not a real sickness.” Over the past few years, many people have worked at erasing this stigmatism, though it is not entirely eradicated.

health

How can we—young people of the 21st century—maintain a positive mindset in terms of both our own mental health and that of others?

I’m sure there are many possible solutions, but the overarching one that I stand by is this: Drop the judgment!

Judgment is such a heavy part of our culture, whether it is of ourselves, those surrounding us, TV personalities. We can’t seem to help ourselves but critique.

It is surprising to see just how much the world around you will change if you progress to having an open mindset, to looking for the best in everyone— including yourself.

EL LA R A N K I N attends Wantirna Church in Victoria.

V O X P O P O P I N I O N // 19

let’s do it health is a

W

HEN WE DISCOVER A NEW INTEREST OR hobby, we often get really excited to kick start our new thing, and we go all out. We buy the gear, look the part, talk the talk . . . and then when we actually try it, it’s often not what we expected. This happens so many times, particularly with exercise.

It looks good, it looks easy, it looks beneficial, but when we start out, it feels like our body is slowly shutting itself down out of revenge. Health is a commitment, but it doesn’t have to be that terrible.

A survey conducted by Health Ambition in 2016 found that the top five reasons people avoided exercise, were: 1.

I’m too tired.

2.

I’m on my feet all day, that’s enough exercise.

3.

I never see any results.

4.

I don’t have time.

5.

Gyms are too expensive.

Let’s address reasons one, two and three first.

“I’m too tired.” This is a valid reason, as sometimes your body literally may be too tired to push it any further. But there is a fine line between exhaustion and excuses. Frequent exercise benefits our energy levels overall, by improving blood circulation and strengthening the heart muscle.

It has been scientifically proven that one of the

20 // L I F E C O A C H I N G

most effective ways in beating fatigue and boosting energy levels is by exercising more frequently, not less.

commitment but it doesn’t have to be terrible

“I’m moving all day already, that should be enough.” Exercise doesn’t simply mean “movement”. Exercise means raising your heart rate to a level where your heart muscle needs to work harder to supply your muscles with enough blood to support the increased movement.

Walking around all day will definitely keep your muscles active, but it will not necessarily improve your fitness or build your strength.

“I’ve tried exercising for a while before, but I didn’t see any changes.” This is a tough one, as it’s not just about the physical activity.

The exercises we do, whether they be cardio, resistance or flexibility work, all rely heavily on what foods we power our bodies with. Often we exercise with the intent of toning up or losing weight, but this isn’t going to work effectively if the fuel is dodgy. Protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and healthy fats are essential for muscle repair and energy. Without these, we will be counteracting all our hard work and ultimately wasting our time. When we don’t see results, we lose motivation, and we miss out on the reward.

The final two reasons are the big ones, and often the main hindrances.

5-Minute full body workout MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS 30 SECONDS

don’t wish for it.

JUMPING SQUATS 30 SECONDS

work for it.

STOMACH CRUNCHES 30 SECONDS

“I don’t have enough time”. The thought of squeezing a fitness session into our day can sometimes be overwhelming, as we often really don’t feel like we have much time. However, recent studies have discovered that the average person spends just under two hours a day browsing social media.

Considering it only takes between 20-30 minutes to get a decent workout in, we should be alright . . . right? Even if half an hour seems too much, though, we can combat this by increasing the intensity of our workout, and decreasing the time. Although shorter, these workouts can be extremely effective.

Right up there with lack of time, includes finances.

“Gym memberships are expensive!” Especially if you see a trainer on the side. The thought of forking out $60 a month to pay for a service where you have to do all the work is sort of frustrating. The fitness-centre industry is huge, and they bank on people not knowing what to do if they don’t have “all the essential equipment.” What they don’t want you to know is that it is still very possible to get a great workout with just yourself and a bit of floor space.

Here is a mini workout that, if done often, can produce incredible benefits. You can smash out a quick full body workout or combine specific muscle group workouts to make up a longer session. This small workout requires no equipment, and is a good place to start if you’re looking for something quick and (seemingly) easy.

EL LES HA KNI GHT lives in Melbourne, Victoria, and is studying a Masters of Occupational Therapy at La Trobe University.

BURPEES 30 SECONDS

ALTERNATING LUNGES 30 SECONDS

JUMPING JACKS 30 SECONDS

BICYCLE KICKS 30 SECONDS

PUSHUPS 30 SECONDS

HIGH KNEES ON-THE-SPOT 30 SECONDS

PLANK 30 SECONDS L I F E C O A C H I N G // 21

rosny Youth Group O

N THE SUNNY EASTERN SHORE OF HOBART lives Rosny Church youth. We’re a lively bunch who love to get involved in all aspects of church life. We get behind each other and encourage one another’s spiritual growth.

Our Sabbath schools have been blessed by having a professional development teacher lead us to understand how important it is to have quality relationships with our church family and community. These personal-development-focussed lessons train us to be open with our relationship with God. We encourage each other to find ways to let God be ever-present in everything that we do while aiming to live a life that brings glory to God. Our praise-and-worship program is a powerful ministry that is strongly youth driven. It gives us the opportunity to build life skills such as teamwork, public speaking, performance and program organising. We are also encouraged to try new instruments-and-trained and mentored by talented worship leaders.

Being involved means connecting with a lot of members and non-members in our community. So we help run prayer breakfasts once a month before church service. It is an outreach opportunity to bring friends and family who don’t attend church to mix and mingle with us. It’s an enjoyable time that incorporates some informal speeches from a large range of people and announce achievements that have happened in the past month. Sometimes there are prayer stations to connect with God through activities. Our leaders and elders strengthen and mentor our leadership skills and we strive to develop a sense being involved means of community that is encouraging, loving and Christwith a lot of members focussed.

connecting

and non-members in our community.

22 // Y O U T H G R O U P

TeenX, Northern Australia

Young Adult Conference, South Queensland

The Bridge, North New South Wales

www.NAyouth.adventist.org.au www.facebook.com/NorthQLDandNTsdayouth Coming up // Mackay Youth Rally November 26, 2016

www.SQyouth.org.au www.facebook.com/SQyouth Coming up // Summerfest January 16-22, 2017

www.NNSWyouth.com www.facebook.com/nnswyouthministries Coming up // Shark Tank February 18, 2017

Pathfinder Drug Free Walk, Greater Sydney

Big Camp Banquet, South New South Wales

Youth Rally, Victoria

www.SYDNEYadventistyouth.com www.facebook.com/sydneyadventistyouth Coming up // Youth Rally December 3, 2016

www.SNSWyouth.adventist.org.au www.facebook.com/SouthNSWYouth Coming up // Big Camp January 6-14, 2017

www.VICyouth.com www.facebook.com/vicyouth Coming up // Leadership Weekend February 24-26, 2017

Tween Camp, Tasmania

Youth Rally, South Australia

Pathfinder Camporee, Western Australia

www.TASyouth.adventist.org.au www.facebook.com/tasyouth Coming up // Teen X January 29 - February 5, 2017

www.SA.adventist.org.au www.facebook.com/SAyouthministries Coming up // 18+ Camp January 15-18, 2017

www.WA.adventist.org.au/youth www.facebook.com/wayouth Coming up // Corroboree December 3, 2016

Tonga Youth Rally, South Pacific Division

Teen Expedition, Pureora, New Zealand Union

Chosen IV, Australian Union

Black Transparent Box is not part of logo.

MINISTRY.

www.youth.adventistconnect.org 02 9847 3221 Coming up // Move With The Power IV September 27 - October 1, 2017

MINISTRY MINISTRY.

www.NNZC.org.nz/youth www.SNZyouth.adventist.org.nz Coming up // Ignite Youth Congress January 2-7, 2017 MINISTRY.

MINISTRY.

MINISTRY.

MINISTRY.

www.AUCyouth.com www.facebook.com/myedgemag Coming up // Converge February 10-13, 2017

Australia-Wide 18+ Festival

10-13 February, 2017 // Stuartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Point, NSW

apply online at aucyouth.com PHOTO TAKEN BY CHARMAINE PATEL, AT CONVERGE 2016

com