Being Better Summer 2015

Being

Summer 2015

Stuff that just might make your life better

better

How to survive the

Worst Finding hope when there isn’t any

ways to lose pounds

Real world options

Cleaning everyday things using everyday things

Get ready for

Parmesan grilled corn

Take this magazine with you. When you’re done, give it away.

Being

better

Being Better is created to help you achieve the life God wants for you. We hope to inspire you to seek the best life you can have, and that happens when you include God. For those who don’t know how to do that or why, we hope we can help. Ultimately, we want to help you find Jesus in a way that doesn’t freak you out. God just wants to hang out with you...(yes, you) and when you let Him, your life really will be better.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD...”

Jeremiah 29:13-14 If you want to find out more about God, you just need to start looking for Him. We’ll help. You can start at our website or one of the others listed in this issue.

Also, find a great Bible-believing church in your area and go­. Read the Bible.

Being Better is published four times a year. Subscribe for $6.99 per year or to buy in bulk quantities, go to our website.

To contact us for any reason: Being Better Magazine 221 31st Street Sioux City, IA 51104 www.BeingBetterMagazine.com

Contents 6

Nuggets of Wisdom: Stop writing stories ..4 How To: Make shadow puppets. . . . . 5 Home & Family: Have more. . . 6 The Cure for what ails you . . . . . 8 Top 5: Ways to lose 5 pounds in 5 days. . . . . . . . . 9 Health & Fitness: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Food focus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 When God shows up. . . . . . . . . . . 12 Answers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 A Better Way: To clean everyday things. . . . . . 18

11

©2015 B ­ eing Better Magazine. Please ask publisher’s permission before using content for other public purposes.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Cover: © Pavels Rumme | Shutterstock.com

www.facebook.com/beingbetterministries

2

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

18

The Best Stuff

Summer this season

Best Comeback

When people see me at the supermarket and they are like, “Hey, what are you doing here?”

I’m like, “Oh you know, just hunting elephants.”

Best Book NY Times bestseller, One Thousand Gifts, came out a few years ago. If you missed it, summer’s a great time to get it read.

It’s a beautifully practical guide to living a life of joy.

One Thousand Gifts draws you to wake up to God’s everyday blessings. Author Ann Voskamp discovered, in giving thanks for the life she already had, she found the life she’d always wanted.

Best Mosquito Repellent Mosquitoes don’t fly well in wind─even as low as a 5 mph breeze. When you’re outdoors, keeping a fan moving the air around you will reduce the bugs and keep you cool.

Best Quote “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.”

-Winston Churchill

Issue Ext r

ingbetterma

Best Dance Craze

e .b

to: w w •Go w as

VIDEO ga

k lic

If your feet aren’t so nimble there’s still hope with a new craze called “gloving.” The gloves have lighted fingertips that come in different colors and controls. You don’t need to go to the dance club, just grab your friends or kids for some backyard summer night fun. Watch a video on our website for some moves to try. Gloves start at under $10. z in e

.com &

c

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

3

NUGGETS OF WISDOM

“People think that stories are shaped by people. In fact, it’s the other way around.” ― Terry Pratchett

Someone else’s story

Stop writing

A

great story can change everything. When a “David” beats a “Goliath,” we believe the underdog can win. When a troubled marriage heals, the story gives us strength to try again. When alcohol ravages a life, the tale of overcoming the addiction gives another family hope. Stories matter and they can be the life or death of some things.

You may not realize it, but you write stories all the time. When something happens, your mind tries to make sense of it. You write a story based on what you know but you fill in the blanks with assumptions and this can get ugly fast.

A group of researchers took on the task of uncovering what makes someone a good communicator and published that insight in the book Crucial Conversations. Over two decades, they studied people who communicated remarkably well. One thing they discovered is that our perception of someone makes a

4

huge difference.

For example, if your spouse stays late at work you might try to figure out why.

If you write a negative story you set yourself up for a negative outlook. “Oh, late again! He/She loves her job more than me!”

But, what if you write a good story?

“My husband/wife works so hard for us!

I’m so lucky to have a hardworking partner!” Which story will give you a good evening? Which will get you to act in a loving way toward your partner?

Think about what stories you are writing for other people in your life: your boss, co-workers, kids, family, etc. The stories you write will frame your relationship, your expectations, and ultimately your happiness─or the lack of it.

Write good stories and watch how your perception changes. Bb

If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!

Proverbs 11: 27

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

ark]

ed [play in th

Whether you’re camping in a tent, the lights go out during a thunderstorm, or you have a cell phone and a dark room you are ready. Let the hand-contorting begin. This isn’t brain surgery. Just follow the examples and have fun!

Elephant

Rabbit

Slight movements can make a big difference. Move around to perfect the image.

Goat

VIDEO

k lic

To watch a video on how people with way more time on their hands do shadow puppets, go to our website.

ingbetterma

Issue Ext r

e .b

z in e

.com &

c

Wolf

to: w w •Go w as

ga

Typewriter © Razihusin | Dreamstime.com . Camping © VGstockstudio | Shutterstock.com . Shadow puppets © lynea | Shutterstock.com

How to make shadow puppets

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

5

More

H O M E & F A M I LY

Have

by wasting less TE

S no WA

On their birthday, does your kid really care if there are four different flavors of cupcakes and that the tablecloth matches the napkins? Nope. They don’t even care if there is a tablecloth.

W

e’ve all had those postpurchase regrets. The designer jeans, the vacuum that the infomercial promised would eliminate dog hair, and adhesive bandages that look like strips of bacon. Then there’s the Internet. One online writer referred to the Internet as “a black hole of poor decisions.” We know he’s right. We’d have more money if we’d just stop wasting it. Here are some of the biggest money wasters.

Learn from others’ mistakes and instead of spending foolishly, let’s be better and save.

Feel good purchases

We think we’ll feel so much better.

1. Exercise equipment 2. Gym memberships

6

Why they are bad purchases: We don’t use them. We think we will.

We promise we will. But we don’t. You absolutely should exercise, but make sure you’re committed before you buy. Commit to walking around during commercials for the next month, then you may have what it takes to buy the exercise equipment or gym membership. But, hey, then you could just keep walking. That’s free.

Optimism purchases

Once we own these we say things like, “I was going to _______, but...”

1. Books 2. Organizing containers

Why they are bad purchases: We already have 27 books we haven’t read. If we need a book we can go to the library. When we have everything organized, THEN we’ll buy the exact thing we need. Not before.

Love purchases

We just want people to feel loved.

1. Kids/Spouse 2. Kid birthday parties

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

rs

Money Waste

Yo u ’ r e n o t a w a r e o f Why they are bad purchases: Our kids and our spouse don’t need stuff to feel loved. (You may need to explain this concept.) Instead, let’s show love by giving hugs or spending time together.

Kid parties...we get it. But, instead of party favors that might as well be bags of money, let kids decorate cupcakes and then eat them.

“Most of the things we buy are wants. And we call them needs, but they’re wants.”

-Dave Ramsey

A

re you wasting money that you aren’t even aware of? It’s not too late to change.

Guilt purchases

We feel like it’s just wrong to say no.

Brand name products

Why they are bad purchases: You don’t need what they are selling. There are a lot of good things to give money to in the world. Pick a couple you are passionate about and say no to the rest.

Personal care shortcuts

From skin care to medicine and food, if the ingredients are the same then the brand doesn’t matter. In some cases generics are exactly the same as name brands. Exactly.

1. Home shopping party invites 2. Kid fund-raisers Mom and son © Pavels Rumme | Shutterstock.com . Bacon Bandages and Hedgehog cheese grater available on Amazon.com .

You skip flossing your teeth, don’t wear socks in your gym shoes, and forget to wash your hands. This can cost you when you end up needing a trip to the dentist, doctor, or cold medicine aisle. Taking preventative measures can save you money.

Convenience purchases

We want to make life easier.

1. Specialized gadgets 2. Eating out

Why they are bad purchases: Specialized gadgets rarely make life easier and often clutter and over-complicate.

Remember we have to have a place to keep the hedgehog cheese grater and pancake maker conveyor belt. Eating out happens.

If it happens every Thursday night, plan and make it soup or crock pot dinner night.

Impressive purchases

It will impress others if we have it.

1. Luxury items 2. More than we need

Why they are bad purchases: Our ego is a bad waste of money. These may be the most regrettable of all. We soon realize how unfulfilling they are.

Instead of a bigger house or a boat

Electronics

If you have items plugged in that you use infrequently, unplug them.

Even when they are not in use, simply being plugged into an outlet sucks energy and ups your utility costs. we’ll only use twice a year, let’s use that money to help dig a well in Africa and feed the hungry. Bb

From the Bible Then he said to them, “Watch out!

Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12: 15 (NIV)

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

7

The

but I have it and I’ll give it to you...for free.”

“What!?” You don’t know whether to believe it or not. Can it be true?

Suspiciously you ask, “But how did you pay for it?”

He holds out his hands to show the horrific scars. “I paid with my life.”

That is exactly why God sent his son Jesus. To pay for the cure for us. Not to judge us, or condemn us, but to save us. All of us. And he wants to save you.

for what ails you.

I

’m here. It’s going to be okay.”

If you need to hear those words from someone you’ll believe, keep reading.

We have a lot of hard stuff in our lives. Sometimes it’s self-inflicted.

Sometimes it’s something that happens to us. Sometimes a combination of both. We need someone to make it all better. To show us a bright future.

Here’s where hope enters...

The doctor comes in and the news isn’t good. In fact, it’s as bad as it gets.

“Sorry,” he says, “There’s no cure.”

You’re numb. A siphon hose opens up and your hope drains out. Terror seems to be taking its place. But then...

This guy comes in. He’s joyful, excited, and has something to share.

He touches your arm and says, “Don’t worry, I have a cure...for you.”

The siphon hose is kinked and your hope swells. You nearly shout, “How can I get this cure? How much is it?”

His face is serious now, “It’s very expensive. In fact, no one can pay what it costs.”

Is he kidding?! Why even bring it up then? Why tell me?!

Then he smiles. “You can’t pay for it,

What the Bible says:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16. ~ “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9.

Save you from sin and the evil in the world. Save you for heaven. How? You need to realize a few things: Who you are, who Jesus Christ is, and what you want.

1. You are the one in the story who is sick. Your sickness is sin. Sin that separates you from God. From eternal life.

2. Jesus is the savior. The payment for the cure.

3. What do you want? You have to decide if you want to accept the cure or not. It’s that simple.

If you want the cure─to accept Jesus, see page 17 for help.

To find out more about God and how Jesus saves us, read the Bible, find a local, Bible-believing Christian church, and check out our website.

8

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

TOP

5

Ways to lose 5 pounds

[Real world

options]

Cure image © Alexdans | Dreamstime.com . Lost © Alexdans | Dreamstime.com

A

ll weight loss has to start with the first few pounds. These tips will help you lose the first 5. Keep it up and you’ll see the next 5 follow. Nothing here is hard or unpleasant either. Boo-Ya!

1. Have fun

For many, calling something exercise is the kiss of death. The word alone makes us want to avoid it. Instead, find some activity (where you are not sitting and you move your body) that you enjoy. Walk with friends, take up tennis, try t’ai chi, go swimming, or put in a salsa dancing DVD. Do it a few times a week.

2. Do the math

You don’t have to give up everything you love. Instead, just subtract a bit. Start by simply reducing the amount you eat. Instead of a quarter pound burger and large fries get a hamburger and small fry.

3. Burn, baby, burn

Eating burns calories. If you skip meals and eat infrequently your metabolism goes dormant. Eat smaller meals more often - 5 to 6 times a day.

4. Embark on an adventure

If you are serious about losing weight, and getting healthy, you need to eat well. Summer’s a great time to find healthy foods you love. Make it your mission to find fruits and veggies you love. Try veggies raw or cooked and put them in with your favorites─add to pizza and chili to create a new menu for the new you.

5. Close the kitchen

About two hours before bed, stop eating. At 8 pm, get yourself a small snack, then shut the light out. Eating something with protein will keep your calorie fighting engine burning longest into the night. Try a handful of nuts, a hard boiled egg, or even a scoop of ice cream or yogurt with some fruit.

McDonald’s Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait has just 150 calories and 4 g of protein.

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

9

H E A LT H & F I T N E S S

Laughter “Laughter is the best medicine.”

People who shouldn’t text.

Body of Knowledge

[

Assume the position

Computer viewing tends to draw our heads forward. To avoid neck strain, keep your head back, over your spine. Take frequent breaks if you sit for long periods.

[

It’s a stretch

Stretch every hour if you work at a desk. Shrug your shoulders up and down. Pull your shoulder blades together and then relax. Pull your shoulders down while leaning your head to each side to stretch your neck muscles. Raise your arms above your head and grab one wrist and pull upward. Switch.

[

Be well adjusted

Adjust your desk, chair and computer to be body friendly. The monitor should be at eye level, knees slightly lower than hips, and feet flat on the floor (don’t cross your ankles).

10

Brain Bender Exercise your brain and see if you can answer these questions. Answer on pg 17.

Number these items from shortest to tallest (#1 is shortest):

__Niagara Falls __The White House __Empire State building __Washington’s nose on Mt. Rushmore __General Sherman (Largest sequoia tree in Giant Forest National Park, California)

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

Food focus

All-American

Sweet Corn

Man, cornflakes, and grilled corn © Dreamstime.com . Top corn photo © Clipart.com

Corn facts

The U.S. is the largest corn producer in the world. Corn is a 100% whole grain. It’s a good source of vitamin C and A, potassium, thiamine and fiber, and very high in antioxidants. Farmers today grow five times as much corn as they did in the 1930s on 20% less land.

• Corn byproducts are used in non-food items like fireworks, glue, paint, soap, aspirin, antibiotics, and cosmetics.

• Corn always has an even number of rows on each cob.

• On average, an ear of corn has 800 kernels in 16 rows.

• Corn colors include yellow, blackish, bluish-gray, purple, green, red, and white.

Parmesan Grilled Corn

In the U.S. we refer to it as “corn” but most of the world calls it “maize.”

Sweet corn is a gluten-free cereal and may be eaten by those with celiac disease.

Ingredients:

1/4 c light mayo 4 ears corn, husked 1/2 c shredded Parmesan cheese 1 T chili powder 1 t salt 1 t pepper

Serves: 4 Cal: 165 • Fat: 8 g Carbs: 20 g • Fiber: 4 g Protein: 7 g Sodium 476 mg

Directions: Preheat an outdoor grill at med-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Brush 2 tablespoons of light mayo on each ear of corn. Sprinkle the corn with the remaining ingredients. Wrap each ear with aluminum foil and place on the grill. Cook about 10 min. turning occasionally, until the kernels begin to brown. www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

11

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP

How to survive the

Worst

of the Worst

Finding hope when there isn’t any

by Jennifer Winquist

T

ypically, my job is telling other people’s stories. Remarkable stories. Stories that start out bad but have a happy ending. What happens when the worst thing happens and there’s no happy ending in sight?

Today is the day I tell my own story.

The reason you might want to read it is because it might be your story too.

The worst things

We remember certain days for good reasons: anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and when your friend fell down the stairs and you laughed so hard you could hardly ask if she was okay (Yes, Cheri, I was okay). But, we also remember the bad days. My “worst thing” happened on January 4, 2012.

In a split second, my entire life was unearthed. Nothing would ever be the same.

That date set in motion the hardest

12

year of my life. Followed by the second hardest year of my life. The problem with experiencing “the worst thing” is that to be categorized as “the worst thing” it is usually A) unexpected B) severe, and C) sustained.

Everyday, someone’s “worst thing” is happening and it looks different for everyone but I think one word sums up all of our “worsts.” Loss.

We lose our job, our home, our financial well-being, our freedom, our trust in our spouse, our relationship with our kids, our health, our peace of mind, our hope.

Well...we think we lose our hope. But that’s not entirely the case.

Initially, when my “worst” happened, I was a basket case. I felt like there was no fixing it, nothing could be done, it was settled. Final. But hope

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

“Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus.” -Rachel Barkey

to: w w •Go w as

ingbetterma

Issue Ext r

e .b

k lic

VIDEO ga

Hear Rachel’s talk titled “Death is not Dying.”

Go to our website for the link.

z in e

.com &

c Worst image © kwest | Shutterstock.com

doesn’t stand for that thinking. As I was crumpled on the bathroom floor, sobbing in despair, hope paid me a visit.

I figured I had two choices.

1) Continue wallowing and end up in a rubber room, or 2) find out IF there was hope.

Two sounds like the right answer but choosing it was almost as frightening. I knew that if I discovered that there was no hope, knowing that answer would be unbearable. But hope is stronger than fear.

but it’s not as bad as what I’m going through. NOTHING can be worse than this. Nothing.”

Rachel Barkey’s family would probably disagree. In her early 30s she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

During her trek she shared updates with friends─happy times of remission and lows of treatment and bad news. She had a hard journey for four years. At 37 years of age, Rachel lost her battle. She had a husband and two kids.

A very bad thing

But amazingly, my “worst” is worse.

When I heard about other people going through suffering at that time I would think, “Yes, that sounds bad,

Friends and experts

In my scared, yet hopeful, quest I

“We are friends.

Remember, if you fall I will pick you up... after I finish laughing.”

-Unknown (probably this chick!)

Me (on the left) and my best friend Cheri at my daughter’s wedding. Studies show that having good friends make your life better. One study found women who had a supportive circle of friends outlived those who lived in social isolation by many years. www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

13

Sometimes prayers don’t get answered the way we want. Eyes that See: Judson’s Story of Hope in Suffering follows two-year-old Judson Levasheff. His mom Christina shares the inspiring account of her family’s journey as Judson is afflicted with a heinous disease. Her honesty as she cries out to God is powerful and compelling. Filled with laughter, tears, and a hope that is contagious.

Into the fire started with friends. Not experts in my problem, but hugs, shared tears, support and a belief that I was right to have hope kept me going. They also gave me some thoughts and pointers on experts to consult. A plan was coming together.

As I researched my “worst” there were days of high highs - followed by days of low-lows. I talked to the experts, listened to videos on the topic, and explored the vastness of Internet resources. I remembered someone once saying the Internet was, “a place to confirm your worst fears.” I treaded lightly. A few misguided clicks and you’re suddenly reviewing symptoms of Cotard’s Delusion. (It’s a rare mental disorder in which a person sincerely believes he or she is missing body parts—such as their brain.)

Minus the Internet rabbit trails, all of it was helpful, but true hope was proving elusive. Fortunately, I felt I had some time.

Not like Drake and Christina Levasheff.

When their son was 29 months old, he was diagnosed with Krabbee Disease. Judson was active, talkative, funny, smart and enjoyed singing. He went blind, became unable to walk or talk, and died just 5 months after his diagnosis. Their “worst” came in like a freight train.

You may have seen The Willis Clan on America’s Got Talent last year. They are 12 siblings who form a singing, dancing, entertainment group.

They range in age from preschool to 20-somethings. They are very good. But they almost weren’t at all.

About 20 years ago, something tragic happened. Their dad, Toby, comes from a family of nine kids. On a brisk November day, his parents Duane “Scott” Willis and Janet took six of Toby’s brothers and sisters to visit an older brother. As they drove their van to Watertown, Wisconsin, a piece of a taillight assembly fell off a tractor trailer ahead of them. When they ran over the debris the gas tank was ruptured and burst into flames. The van was immediately consumed in fire. The five youngest children died instantly. The parents and 13-year-old Benjamin made it out of the van but were all seriously burned. Benny later died at the hospital.

Their “worst” came like a plague.

But unbelievably, my “worst” is worse.

14

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP But still, my “worst” is worse.

Rope © Jose Gilt | Shutterstock.com

Where is hope?

Hope is a powerful force. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. Years ago, I read a Bible verse that stuck with me.

John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Never? Never.

But what about the three stories we just read? Wasn’t hope extinguished when Rachel Barkey’s cancer killed her? Wasn’t it snuffed out when baby Judson deteriorated? Wasn’t hope taken out when six children died in a fire? No. Hope is a messenger that points us to something better.

The worst worse

All of the stories here are hard stories. Many, many people have hard stories. The reason I say mine was worse is because I know where hope points. It points up. It points to God. My “worst” was not an illness or an accident. My worst was believing that I had committed a sin that was unforgivable. My worst was believing I was separated from God. People go to God when terrible things happen. But who do you go to when you feel that God has thrown you away?

I didn’t want to do what I did, but it happened anyway. I’m nobody. Nothing special. I’m not even average. He was justified to condemn me. It’s a very dark The Willis Clan features 12 brothers and sisters who sing, dance, and entertain.

They were part of the 2014 lineup on America’s Got Talent. Today, they perform across the country and around the globe. Check out www.thewillisclan.com for event dates.

place when you believe you are bound for hell. People think about taking their own life when things get too hard here.

But when you think you’re going to hell there’s no escape.

The worst worse is being without God. That is the absence of all hope.

The greatest great

If you talk to any of the people in the three stories, they all had something in common. Not just that they experienced tragedy, but because they had the most important thing. Faith. Faith in an Ultimate Savior. Faith in Jesus Christ.

That faith carried them through the hard things they had to face. It didn’t take away bad, hard, trouble, heartache, or pain, but it allowed them to see beyond this temporary earthly life. They believe something better is after this. Something amazing.

Something eternal.

Frances Chan is a Christian author, pastor, Jesus lover, motivational speaker, husband, dad, and pretty much a normal guy. I once saw him talking about heaven (aka: eternity). He had

a long white rope. The first couple of inches were red and he said to imagine that the white part didn’t have an end.

As he held the rope, you looked at the red part because that was where we were at...the beginning. But, in comparison to the rest of the rope, it’s

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

15

WHEN GOD SHOWS UP such a small part. Yet, we spend most of our time living in and for the red part.

The earthly part. Instead, when we get our eternal life secured, we live focused on what’s coming and we realize we don’t need to worry about the red part.

God will take care of us.

Rachel knew where she was going.

Somewhere without pain. Drake and Christina, Scott and Janet knew their little ones were leaving them and walking into the arms of an even greater love. That’s how you go on. That’s how the worst is bearable. That’s how you find joy in sorrow and suffering.

Me too

I used to think that the Bible was filled with stuff I didn’t want to know. Rules, condemnation, and requirements that I could never live up to...or wouldn’t want to. Man, was I stupid!

It is a book of love and encouragement. A friend of mine says it stands for Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.

My friends and the experts were a great help but I needed the Ultimate Expert─God. I needed to know if there was any hope for me.

I was scared...so scared...but God. He showed me how much he loves me. That he would never throw me away and that he is always, always, always there...even in the hard stuff. The Bible told me who God was, and I found out who I was... loved by God. Kept by God forever.

I realized later that even though I thought I was abandoned by God, that I instantly started talking to him. I knew Jesus was with me. I had accepted him when I was a teenager, but I hadn’t taken the time to truly know him until this bad thing happened. I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on anyone, but I wouldn’t have missed what I learned for anything. Not anything. The hard things

16

bring extraordinary blessings when you take them to God. Okay...I lied just a little. I said I wouldn’t wish “a worst” on anyone, but if that is what it takes for you to know how much God loves you then it will be worth it. C.S. Lewis said, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

“Pain insists upon being attended to.

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

─C.S. Lewis

Are you listening?

My story and the other three stories here could be your story. Not that you have to go through pain to find God, but that you live in hope─eternal hope.

The hope that will get you through whatever this life throws at you. God loves you and wants you to be with Him forever. Yes, you. Hear me on this: If you want God─if you want to be saved for all eternity─God wants it more. And he made a way for you to have it. The answer is in the Bible verse I remembered: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it.” In that verse, “the light” is a person. If you look back one verse to John 1:4 you’ll see who the

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

Owning eternity Salvation [sal-vey-shuh n]

1. Being protected from harm, risk, loss, destruction, etc.

2. Deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. Redemption.

1 3 2

How to accept God’s free gift of salvation:

Admit that you are a sinner and that

you need God. We are all sinners and our sin separates us from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NIV) “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 (NIV)

Believe God sent His son Jesus

Christ to die for your sins. Sin created a gap between us and God. Sin has to be paid for. Jesus came to die in your place and pay your debt. He fills that gap.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NIV) “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

Jesus rose from the dead, and if you believe in him, you too will be raised from the dead to live forever.

light is: “The Word [Jesus] gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.” Jesus is the answer. Jesus is our hope.

The best

Invite Jesus to come in and take over your life. This happens by prayer─that’s simply talking to Him. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV)

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 (NIV) No matter what, God loves you. He’s just waiting for you to reach out to Him for help. Your life doesn’t need to end.

It can continue for eternity with Jesus.

Here’s a prayer example that can lead you~

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You sent your son Jesus to die for my sins. I know He rose from the dead so I could be with Him in heaven forever. Please come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

In the name of Jesus I pray this. Amen.

To find out more about changing your life with God, go to our website: www.beingbettermagazine.com and click Change your life.

Want a FREE Bible?

Jesus is the savior. He’s the one God sent to pay for you. His death cancels your debt. Erases your sins. To have eternity secured with God, to never be without hope again, you just need to say yes to Jesus. Sounds pretty awesome to me! No more “worsts”─the best is yet to come. Bb

Contact us at Being Better Ministries 221 31st St., Sioux City, IA 51104

Answers:

Pg 10­, Brain Bender: 1. George Washington’s nose is 21 feet. 2. The White House is 70 feet high. 3. Niagara’s Horseshoe Falls is 180 feet.

4. The General Sherman tree is 275 feet. 5. The Empire State building is 1,250 feet tall.

www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

17

Clean

A Better Way

S

ome things don’t lend themselves to being cleaned easily. Or, we feel we’ll need something complicated or chemical to deal with it.

We have some quick fixes for everyday issues.

Gross Grill If you don’t have a wire grill brush you can use a piece tin foil balled up or half an onion. Get the grill hot.

Using tongs or a long-handled fork rub the foil or cut-side of the onion on the grate to remove the crud.

These methods won’t leave it spotless but it doesn’t need to be. But, it will be ready for your next grilling adventure.

Houseplants For small plants, put them in the sink and spray them with lukewarm water.

For larger plants, put them in the shower under a lukewarm spray. Let them dry naturally. If large leaves get dusty use a microfiber cloth or damp soft rag. Support each leaf in the palm of you hand and wipe gently.

Curling Iron Hair products gunk up your curling iron’s barrel. To get it looking like new just use a piece of steel wool when the curling iron is cool.

Mattress While you can’t really wash or deep clean a mattress, you can freshen it up. Sprinkle a box of baking soda over the mattress surface. Let it sit for awhile then vacuum it off.

18

Being Better Magazine | Summer 2015

everyday things

with everyday things Houseplant © Homydesign | Dreamstime.com . Grill, family, shower head, cutting board © Clipart.com

Shower Head

Dryer Hose This is something you probably don’t think of often...or ever. If lint builds up, it can be a fire hazard or just reduce the dryer’s performance and efficiency. Just slip the hose off the dryer connection and use your vacuum hose to clean out the dryer hose and the dryer vent opening.

If your shower head starts getting build up, put some vinegar in a plastic sandwich bag and secure it with a rubber band.

Let it soak for about an hour. Wipe it with a sponge and rinse.

Shower Curtain/Liner Plastic shower curtains and liners get gross and mildewy. Put them in the washing machine with a load of towels and they’ll be like new.

Think Good Thoughts 100% polyester shower curtain by Lisa Weedn

Hair Brushes & Combs

Cutting Boards

Remove hair then soak them in a sink of warm soapy water. Put some soap on an old toothbrush and scrub between the teeth. For combs, brush down the teeth (not across) to allow the bristles to get between the teeth.

Rinse and dry.

Eliminate bacteria on your cutting boards. For wood cutting boards sprinkle some course salt over it then scrub with 1/2 a lemon. For plastic boards, soak them in bleach water for at least an hour. www.beingbettermagazine.com | Summer 2015

19

Being Better Magazine • 221 31st Street • Sioux City, IA 51104 • www.beingbettermagazine.com