Seniors

God's Favorite Fragrance

By Gwen Plauche

Have you ever really thought about the miracle of smell? How can there possibly be enough variations in perfume smells to produce the hundreds of different brands available?

I have a favorite perfume. What I just don't understand is why dear husband believes that slick salesclerk who swears that some less expensive brand smells just like my brand, but I can tell it is not the same! No imitations accepted!

Scripture teaches us about God's favorite fragrance, and He doesn't like imitations either. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For, we are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

Wow - the fragrance of the knowledge of Him - the aroma of Christ - have you ever considered what aroma you are giving off?

My Great Grandmother lived in a home full of aromas. She was frequently cooking grape Jell-O or stewing down some fresh okra. As I sat down on her worn out couch, I would be surrounded with that musty-old-things smell and the ever-present mothball smell when she pulled things out of her closet.

My favorite aromas from Grandma Craig are somehow captured on the pages of her Bible. Perhaps it is because her Bible was open so much that the smells are still captured in there. It is amazing to me that today, twenty-plus years after her death, I can open that old white KJV Bible, hold it up to my nose, close my eyes and imagine Grandma sitting right next to me. The power of aroma!

As a woman today, we need to be alert as to the fragrance we leave behind. Is it one that our loved ones will cherish when they get a whiff of it years after we are gone?

So, to have the fragrance of the knowledge of Him, what does that smell like? Just like my dear 14-year-old son gets a special fragrance after his lacrosse matches, we also get a fragrance from the activities that fill our days. Consider yourself a purveyor of fragrance, ladies, spraying it on all around. The real question is what fragrance have we been filling up with?

Ephesians 5:1 says, "Be imitators of God as dearly loved children." This is not a "who died and made you king" attitude. Instead, fill your days with love, long-suffering attitudes, merciful and gracious actions.

The next verse from Ephesians says to "live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Many of us just bounce through life, but as aroma bearers of Christ, we must choose purposefully to love. Do you speak love? Do you act love?

Think of walking through your house, past your family with the bottle of the aroma of Christ. It is up to you whether they smell it or not. That touch, that time spent together, that hug, that special note, those favorite cookies - it all smells of Christ.

The power is released when someone smells the fragrance of Christ. I love, love, love it when Christ has revealed Himself to me, especially during a crisis. I always try to address it as the fragrance of Christ and remind myself that He is on the premises. When you are aware of His aroma, the love that passes all understanding but do not see Him, be reassured that He is there.

So, picture a cute purse atomizer. It's empty until you fill it. Then, it's up to you to spray the world around you. Spray the aroma of Christ - let those around you realize that He is near.

Blog: www.GwenPlauche.com

Copyright 2022, Gwen Plauche. ©2022 FaithWriters.com All Rights Reserved >

Our easily-maintained walk-in tubs provide a safer bathing experience for those with limited mobility! Get pain relief and improved circulation with:

HYDROMASSAGE • AIRMASSAGE CHROMOTHERAPY AROMOTHERAPY • OZONATOR

Save time and money on your bathroom remodel with a tub to shower conversion…often completed within just one day!

BEFORE AFTER

504-456-5858 directsourceweb.com

"The Separation of God and Man"

The separation of God and man occurred when Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. Their sins of disobedience caused all of humanity to be separated from God.

This means that each person born into this world is separated from God, doomed to Hell, and will not be allowed to enter Heaven. However, God in His love for us provided a way of restoration.

God has created humanity with the desire to worship Him. People from every area of the world have an inborn desire to worship. Many, in their search for God, attempt to worship 'things' such as man-made Idols, or even animals. Some fall into witchcraft or astrology.

These forms of worship are detestable to God. God is alive, not dead as are these objects of worship. He calls it a sin to worship anything, or anyone, other than Himself. "You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God," (Deut 5:7-9)

God wants you to worship only Him and has a plan wherein you can end this separation of God and man and be completely restored to Him. And how did He do this? He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." (John 3:16-17)

Jesus paid the price for our sins when He willingly allowed Himself to be crucified (killed) by being nailed to a wooden cross, where he suffered until He died. He freely gave His life for us so that we might be saved.

What Does it Mean to be Saved?

To be saved, born again, or to become a Christian, all mean the same thing:

• To be delivered from the terrible separation from God • To be restored to Him, as in the beginning • To be delivered from Hell

• Being Saved Will Enable You to:

• Approach God in prayer and talk with Him personally • Receive His guidance and protection • Spend eternity in Heaven with

Him

There is Only One Way to be Saved and end your Separation from God

God and the things in Heaven are without sin (perfect). God demands perfection, but it is impossible for man to live a perfect life. We cannot do enough good deeds or live good enough, to earn our way into Heaven.

There is only one way to enter Heaven, and that is through Jesus. "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by whom we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

To begin your walk with God, and receive your gift of eternal life, there is something you must do:

• In addition to believing in the

existence of God, and that

Jesus is the "Son of God," you must:

• 1. Believe that Jesus died for

your sins and that God raised

Him from the dead.

• 2. You must ask Jesus to come

into your heart/being, and then you must tell others that you believe Jesus is who He proclaimed Himself to be, that "Jesus is Lord!"

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."(Rom 10:9-10)

Samuel Mills

© Copyright 2006-2022 Trusting-in-Jesus.com. All Rights Reserved. >

Super Agers And Youthful Brains: A Current Study

Have you ever noticed that some people seem to escape brain-aging symptoms such as memory loss more than others? A new study focuses on these “super-agers” and how their brains are structurally different in older age.

In fact, this new study was conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators to examine this phenomenon. The study was published in The Journal of Neuroscience and may be important preliminary information for brain-health recommendation moving forward.

Why does this matter?

If scientists can identify structural differences in super-agers, they may be able to unlock the mystery of what habits contribute to the structure of youthful brains.

It’s an emerging and interesting science. Here are more details about the study and our tips for healthy aging – you can put them into practice today!

SUPER-AGERS AND YOUTH-

FUL BRAINS: THE STUDY

MEMORY IMPAIRMENT BACKGROUND:

While older adults experience a gradual decline in memory ability, some researchers have described older adults, termed super-agers, with unusually resilient memories.

For many people, aging means a high likelihood of developing memory loss. There are different forms.

The mildest form is called ageassociated memory impairment and it is characterized by the self-perception of memory loss. It is also characterized by a standardized memory test score with a trending decline in objective memory performance compared with younger adults. Approximately 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-associated memory impairment in the United States (about 16 million people). Thankfully, only about 1% of them will progress to dementia each year.

The next form is called mild cognitive impairment. It represents a more severe form of memory loss. It’s often defined by important memory deficits without functional impairments. Most patients with mild cognitive impairment can continue to live independently, but they often show objective memory impairments similar to those seen in people with very mild Alzheimer’s disease (4). About 10% of people aged 65 years or older have mild cognitive impairment, and unfortunately, nearly 15% of them develop Alzheimer’s disease each year.

STUDY BACKGROUND:

However, these investigators were interested in a different group.

According to their statements, “Previous research on super-aging has compared people over age 85 to those who are middle-aged,” says Alexandra Touroutoglou, Ph.D., MGH Neurology, co-senior author with Dickerson and Barrett. “Our study is exciting because we focused on people around or just after typical retirement age — mostly in their 60s and 70s — and investigated those who could remember as well as people in their 20s.”

THE STUDY:

(60–80 years old) based on their performance compared to young adults (18–32 years old)

Ninety-one participants (48 males, 43 females) were recruited from the greater Boston area, comprising young adults (ages 18–35; 24 males, 23 females) and elderly adults (ages 60–80; 24 males, 20 females). They were phone screened to ensure MRI scan eligibility and compensated with payment for their completion of the study. All individuals were right-handed native English speakers and had normal or corrected-to-normal vision. No participant reported a history of neurological or psychiatric disorders. Additional exclusionary criteria included MRI safety incompatibility, substance dependence, and CNS-active medications.

The team enrolled 44 elderly

Turning 65? Need a new Medicare Plan?

Let me fi nd the best Medicare Health Insurance Plan for you.

I will search multiple insurance companies throughout Louisiana and do the comparison shopping for you to fi nd a plan that includes your physicians, hospitals, and prescription medications.

The best news is - my service is FREE to you!

Donna Dugue

YOUR DEDICATED AGENT 504-330-5000 • donnad@fgiala.com

Covington's Premier Destination for Short Term Rehabilitation & Long Term Nursing Care

985-892-6900

1330 Ochsner Blvd. Covington, LA 70433

www.forestmanor.com See SUPER AGERS on Page 22

Skilled Nursing Rehabilitation Long Term Care Hospice (985) 542-8570

42250 North Oaks Dr. Hammond, LA 70403 www.landmarkhammond.com

Making Every Moment Meaningful

504-504-818-2723

Open 24/7 www.ccanonhospice.org

Quality Nursing Care • Hospice Care • Medicare Skilled Nursing Unit Intermediate and Respite Care • Short and Long Term Rehabilitation Ventilator Dependent Unit • On-Site Dialysis Positions available for RN • LPN • CNA 4500 Hayne Blvd. • New Orleans 70128 (Between Paris Rd. and Bullard Ave.) 504-246-1426 | www.ferncrest.com

Imagine your life here.

An engaging, social lifestyle. Excellent ameni�es that can make every day special. Services that help you live the life you want. Apartments big enough for the grandkids’ visit! All these and more are wai�ng for you when you choose to make the move to our community—and we can’t wait to welcome you home!

Schedule your visit today!

Andi Richardson & Bob Conley, Owners IN HOME SITTING AND MEDICAL SERVICE 504.754.0021 985.246.6475

skilled nursing • rehabilitation Serving Slidell and the surrounding st. tammany Parish community, extending our reach over the border to serve residents of biloxi and Picayune, Mississippi.

106 Medical Center drive, slidell, la 70461 • 985-643-0307 www.heritagemanorslidell.com

HM

Heritage Manor

Mandeville

Health Care and Rehabilitation Center

985-626-4798 • www.heritagemanormandeville.com 1820 W. Causeway Approach • Mandeville, LA 70471

Your One-CallFor Foundation Repair Lauricella & Sons

(504) 737-1114 | (985) 429-1430 www.dlshoring.com

Insured & Bonded Call for a FREE Estimate

Uptown’s Newest Senior Living Live it up. Uptown.

Enjoy The Good Life at Every Stage of Life at The Laurel Engaging Independent Living for Active Seniors, Robust Assisted Living and New Orleans’ Only All-Female Memory Care

• Locally owned & operated • 3-story atrium with lush gardens • Restaurant-style dining with 3 meals a day • 24-hour licensed nursing care • Safe & secure community • Complimentary housekeeping & laundry • Full-time Activities Director • Customized wellness & fitness programs • Scheduled transportation OPENING JANUARY

NOW ACCEPTING PRIORITY RESERVATIONS Be a Member of the Founder’s Circle with a Lifetime Rate Lock

Limited opportunities available!

Contact Kelly Martin

Executive Director CALL OR TEXT (504) 810-9637

1101 Aline at Magazine Street – blocks from Touro Infirmary (504) 350-2244 or LaurelNOLA.com

SUPER AGERS

Continued from Page 21

adults (aged 60-80, 24 males and 20 females) and 47 younger adults (ages 18-35, 24 males and 23 females) for the study. Super-agers were identified as adults in the elderly group that performed as well as those in the young-adult group.

These super-agers’ brains were then imaged.

THE STUDY RESULTS:

Seventeen of the elderly participants performed as super-agers.

Imaging studies revealed that these super-agers’ brains had youthful characteristics in structure. Typically, the cortex (the outermost sheet of brain cells that is critical for many thinking abilities) and other parts of the brain shrink with aging. But in super-agers, those regions are comparable in size and structures to those of young adults.

The investigators also imaged regions of the brain known as the salience network (involved in identifying information that is important and needs attention quickly for specific situations) and found it to be similar in size and structure to younger subjects.

Further, the scientists found that the size of the brain region was correlated with memory ability. A very strong correlation was found also in the communication of the salience region and other brain networks. Function, structure, and size all mattered.

From here, the researchers know that the next steps are to understand how some older adults can preserve brain size, structure and function very well into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s.

MOVING FORWARD FOR

YOUTHFUL BRAINS AND SUPER-AGERS

We will continue to study and report on habits that improve brain aging. For now, here are known habits to preserve your brain’s youthfulness: Adequate Daily Hydration (all tissues in your body require fluid to function and age well) Foods that Expedite Aging (specific, processed foods age cells) Foods that Slow Aging (high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods can keep cells younger) Intermittent Fasting (fasting has known anti-aging benefits) Adequate, High-Quality Sleep (sleep is the only known time that brains repair themselves) Vitamins and Minerals that affect Hormones (specific vitamins and minerals support healthy hormone levels) Active and Flexible (your body, bones, and arteries become stiffer with each year, but you can turn back time with daily exercise and flexibility routines)

BOTTOM LINE

This current study shows that some people, termed “super-agers” maintain youthful brains in structure, network communication, and in function. There are daily steps you can take to improve the aging of your body and brain. Look at the habits listed above, and begin incorporating them into your day, every day, starting today. And stay tuned for more on habits that cause brain shrinkage and expedite aging. © All rights reserved 2022 - Dr. Don Colbert.

Dr. Don Colbert is a graduate of Oral Roberts School of Medicine and shares his years of experience and research in nutritional medicine in all of his work. He is a national speaker, bestselling author and host of a national talk show titled Your Health Matters. © 2022 Dr. Don Colbert, MD PA www.drcolbert.com >