19 minute read
Seniors
The Reality Of The Afterlife: Heaven And Hell
By Greg Laurie
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By the age of 17, I felt like I was 70. It was because of my upbringing. My mother was a raging alcoholic who had been married and divorced seven times. As a result of that, I had to grow up fast. I felt as though I was more the parent in the relationship than she was.
As I tried to take care of her, I made my own bad choices in life. So, by the time I was 17, I felt so old, so empty, and so sad. But then on my high school campus, I heard about Jesus Christ. I heard there was a God in Heaven who loved me.
I had always believed in Jesus. In fact, I loved the story of Jesus. I had seen all His movies, and I was a big fan. But I never thought of Jesus as someone who could be known in this life. I just thought of Him as an amazing historical figure, and I thought it was too bad how He died.
But after I became a believer, I realized that the crucifixion was the point of the entire story. Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Jesus left heaven and came to the Earth on a rescue operation to be born in a manger in Bethlehem, live a perfect life, and ultimately die a perfect death on the cross for our sins, because we’re all separated from God.
I remember when I heard that as a high school student. I thought, “Well, I wish I could do this, but I don’t think it will work for me. I’m not the religious type.” But when I heard the promise that God loved me and that Christ would come and live inside of me, when I heard that He would forgive all of my sin, I took a step of faith that day. I prayed right there on my high school campus and asked Jesus Christ to come into my life.
The Difference that Jesus Makes
Honestly, I felt absolutely nothing after I prayed. But that is the day Jesus came into my life, and He satisfied the thirst in my soul that I had tried to satisfy with other things.
Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life” (Revelation 21:5
NLT).
Are you spiritually thirsty right now? Jesus encountered someone who was. She had been married and divorced five times and was living with a man at the time. She probably thought that men would fill the void in her life.
But one day as she sat by a well in Samaria, Jesus told her, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (John
4:13–14 NLT).
I think Jesus was using that well as a metaphor for her life. She had tried to satisfy her inner thirst with relationships, and a lot of people still do the same today. Others try to do this with possessions or fame. Still others try to do it with drugs or alcohol. And some even try to satisfy their thirst with religion by trying to be pious.
However, none of those things will work. We need Jesus. He is the answer. And the only way to live the best life in this life is to always be aware of the nearness of the afterlife. In other words, think about Heaven.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Colossae, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of
See AFTERLIFE on Page 24
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BEFORE AFTER
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By Dr Don Colbert
Are you getting enough fiber?
If you’ve cut down on carbohydrates, you need to be more proactive to make sure you’re getting enough fiber. Which goes beyond just what it needs for digestion.
There are many health benefits of fiber.
And you can certainly get enough on Keto Zone if you’re aware of good sources.
For example, inulin and psyllium husk are two great sources. Here’s what they are, how they are different, great sources, and the health benefits of fiber.
WHAT IS INULIN?
Inulin is a prebiotic fiber, meaning it feeds the healthy bacteria and cells in our digestive tracts.
Healthy bacteria, whether already in the gut or consumed via foods or probiotic supplements, need a food source to proliferate.
In nature, inulin is found in many plants, like chicory root. Inulin is made up of fructose molecules linked by bonds human digestive tracts can’t break down and digest.
In this way, it’s not a nutritive carbohydrate or calorie. Instead, inulin is consumed by healthy bacteria and converted into a shortchain fatty acid that further nourishes colon cells.
Our Keto Zone Shake and MCT Oil Powder both contain inulin powder to aid in healthy digestion.
WHAT IS PSYLLIUM HUSK?
Psyllium husk is made of both soluble (70%) and insoluble fibers (30%). This means twice the benefits.
Like inulin, the soluble fiber acts as a prebiotic, to feed and fortify healthy gut bacteria.
The insoluble fiber passes through the digestive tract, mostly intact. It provides bulk and softness to stools, subtle laxative effects, and can improve digestive health, in addition to other benefits of fiber.
TOP 10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF FIBER ON KETO ZONE (INULIN & PSYLLIUM HUSK) 1. PROMOTES WEIGHT LOSS AND CURBS APPETITE
For those looking to lose weight, inulin and psyllium husk are great choices. Multiple studies show that it can reduce intake and promote weight loss.
In fact, in one study, the inulin fiber group lost 2 pounds while the control group gained one. While consuming 21 grams of inulin per day, the inulin group experienced lower hunger-hormone levels and increased fullness.
2. OPTIMAL BLOOD SUGARS AND IMPROVED DIABETES CONTROL
For those with diabetes and prediabetes, several studies on inulin and psyllium husk suggest it may help optimize blood sugars.
How?
First, as a fiber, it slows digestion to reduce blood sugar spikes.
Second, it has been shown to decrease fat in the livers of people with prediabetes. Reducing liver fat can reduce insulin resistance and may help reverse diabetes.
What’s more, another study showed that 10 grams of High-Performance inulin per day reduced fasting blood by an average of 8.5% and hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C) by an average of 10.5%.
3. IMPROVES PROBIOTIC COLONY HEALTH
Healthy gut bacteria are at the center of overall health.
Both inulin and psyllium husk stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. When these bacteria proliferate, yeast overgrowth is inhibited, digestion improves, and the immune function benefits.
4. REDUCES CONSTIPATION
See KETO ZONE on Page 26
Don’t Get A Divorce Until You Check This
By Dr Don Colbert
You might be surprised to learn that a study conducted for AARP The Magazine found that women aged 40 to 60 initiate 66 percent of divorces! To top it off, 26 percent of men admitted that “they never saw it coming.” Now obviously there are many factors that can contribute to divorce, but what is so striking about this statistic is how the numbers so closely correlate to the age of menopause in women, which is 51 years on average.
The Mayo Clinic defines menopause as the single day exactly 12 months after a woman’s final menstruation. However, perimenopause (meaning “around menopause”) can begin up to ten years before the cessation of menses. Symptoms can include Irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep problems, weight gain and slowed metabolism, thinning hair and dry skin, loss of breast fullness, and mood changes.
Note “mood changes.” The symptoms of perimenopause are not merely physical. They are psychological as well. According to neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine, “the biggest time for changes for women in terms of behavior and symptoms is in the perimenopause, when estrogen and progesterone fluctuate the most in the female brain.” Brizendine continues saying “this is when the dialogue between the brain and ovaries begins to run out of fuel, and that may change our reality as we are going through our cycle.”
And it is very well established that hormone levels can drastically affect the brain thus changing how one perceives reality.
During perimenopause women can exhibit the psychological symptoms of irritability, sadness, aggression, anxiety, and tension. If unaware of the true underlying cause of these symptoms, women may attribute them to their partner.
Knowing this, it is easier to comprehend how the hormonal changes induced by menopause can be a significant factor in the prevalence of middle-aged women initiating divorce. However, this is not to indict women and their hormones as the sole contributing factors to divorce! Men and their hormones obviously play a significant role as well.
Male menopause, or andropause, basically constitutes a decrease in testosterone in middle-aged males. Although the term “andropause” is controversial as a distinct medical phenomenon, it is generally accepted that testosterone levels tend to decline with age. This hormonal change in men tends to happen much more gradually than the relatively expeditious shift of hormones caused by menopause in women.
The physical symptoms of andropause include Irritability, weight gain, muscle loss, low libido, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, insomnia, fatigue, low energy, and gynecomastia. As with women, the hormonal imbalance in men also includes psychological symptoms such as irritability, indecisiveness, and depression. These are not qualities many women find attractive, especially when dealing with their own symptoms of perimenopause.
As you can see, the hormonal changes caused by aging in both men and women have the possibility of contributing to marital difficulty. However, all is not lost. There is a simple, safe, and effective solution in the form of bio-identical hormone therapy.
This therapy uses natural plant derived hormones in rice-sized pellets placed under the skin that deliver consistent physiologically compatible ratios of hormones to compensate for the lower levels associated with aging. Bio-identical hormones have the same molecular structure as the hormones that are secreted by your own body and are therefore easily recognized and utilized for the regulation of various bodily functions. The introduction of these exogenous hormones can return levels to a more optimal and youthful range.
Functional medicine practitioner and hormone replacement specialist, Dr. Don Colbert, M.D., provides this cutting-edge therapy at his clinics in Longwood, FL and Southlake, TX. The treatment is quick and effective and can result in a healthier, happier marriage. You can visit divinehealthwellness. com to learn more and call (407) 3317007 to schedule your appointment.
With age, hormone levels decline in both men and women. The psychological difficulties that accompany these changes can be easily misconstrued as marital problems. So, before you consider divorce, get your hormone levels checked, as they may be contributing to the issues that you are attributing to your partner.
Here’s to a healthy, happy, and life-long marriage! © All rights reserved 2022 - Dr. Don Colbert. >
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AFTERLIFE
Continued from Page 21
heaven, not the things of earth”
(Colossians 3:1–2 NLT).
What Captivates Your Thoughts?
What do you spend most of your time thinking about? You are the air traffic controller, so to speak, of your mind. You decide what plane lands where and when. You decide what thoughts come in and what thoughts stay out. So guard your mind and think about heavenly things. Think about spiritual things. Think Heaven.
Yes, our feet must be on Earth, but our minds must be in Heaven. But do we really believe this?
Do you really believe the Bible is true? Do you really believe there is an afterlife? And do you really believe there is a heaven waiting for those who believe in Jesus and a Hell waiting for those who reject Him?
Yes, there is a Heaven. And there’s also a Hell, but it wasn’t created for people. According to Jesus, it was created for the devil and his angels (see Matthew 25:41). If you reject God’s offer of forgiveness and end up in the place called Hell, you’ll have no one to blame on that final day but yourself. The gates of Hell are locked from the inside. You will have sent yourself there by your rejection of God’s offer.
On the other hand, if you have Jesus Christ living inside of you, you don’t have to be afraid, because you have the promise of Heaven.
So, what will happen to you in the afterlife? Would you like to know that you will go to Heaven when you die? Would you like to satisfy your inner spiritual thirst? Would you like to be forgiven of your sin? Would you like to have your guilt taken away? If the answer to those questions is yes, then here’s what you need to know.
Jesus died on the cross for you and then rose from the dead. He now stands at the door of your life and knocks, and He says that if you will hear His voice and open the door, He will come in.
Are you feeling worn out, beat up, and even old? Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new”
(Revelation 21:5 NKJV).
You can ask Him to come into your life, and today can be the greatest day of your life. He’s only a prayer away.
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KETO ZONE
Continued from Page 22
Inulin and psyllium husk also decrease constipation, hemorrhoids, and other digestion issues.
Inulin relieves constipation with soluble fibers; Psyllium does so with both soluble and insoluble fibers.
For example, one 4-week study found that 15 grams of inulin per day improved constipation in older adults.
Psyllium husk softens stools and increases stool bulk to reduce constipation and hemorrhoids.
5. INULIN REPLACES HIGHCARBOHYDRATE THICKENERS
Inulin improves the texture of manufactured foods.
You can use it in home cooking as well. Use inulin powder in Keto Zone recipes to thicken sauces, soups, condiments and more. Stir it into a warm liquid and continue stirring until slightly thickened.
6. IMPROVES TRIGLYCERIDE AND CHOLESTEROL LEVELS
Psyllium husk and inulin are proven cholesterol reducer.
One study concluded that 6 weeks of psyllium intake resulted in lower cholesterol in obese and overweight participants.
What’s more, another study confirmed that 5 grams of psyllium three times daily for six weeks reduced triglycerides by 26%, compared to the placebo.
7. SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH
Bone health depends on the efficient absorption of minerals, including calcium and magnesium.
Lab studies have found inulin improves the absorption of both, resulting in improved bone density.
What’s more, studies of children (ages 9-13) have shown better calcium absorption and bone mineralization when taking inulin.
8. REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE
Studies have shown that psyllium husk can reduce blood pressure.
In fact, one study showed a diet with an additional 12 grams of fiber from psyllium reduced systolic blood pressure by 5.9 mm mercury in 36 participants with high blood pressure.
9. MAY REDUCE INCIDENCE OF COLON CANCER
Studies have supported inulin as an anti-colon cancer agent.
A review of 12 animal studies found that 88% of the groups given inulin saw a reduction in precancerous colon growths.
In terms of human studies, one promising experiment showed that inulin caused the colon environment to be less favorable for cancer cells.
10. REDUCES DIARRHEA AND LOOSE STOOLS
Since these fibers promote stools and reduce constipation, it’s a wonder they can also improve diarrhea. Digestion is about “balance.” With the right amount of fiber, you should experience regularity without constipation or diarrhea.
How does it work?
The fibers absorb water, thereby reducing diarrhea and increasing stool softness and bulk
ARE INULIN AND PSYLLIUM HUSK SAFE?
The safety of inulin and psyllium husk has been studied extensively.
For most people, it’s completely safe.
For those who have experienced small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, there may be side effects. Also rarely, those allergic to ragweed may experience worsening symptoms from inulin.
Overall, they are both extremely safe and beneficial in reasonable doses.
GET MORE FIBER WITH FIBER ZONE
If you don’t get enough fiber on a regular basis, there’s a Keto Zone product to help. Try Fiber Zone. It’s formulated with psyllium husk and inulin and will support health, as described above, in an easy-to-take powdered supplement.
BOTTOM LINE
There are many health benefits of fiber. Both inulin and psyllium husk can improve health from digestion to heart health to bones to blood sugars. If you’ve eliminated many carbohydrate sources from your diet, you can still get plenty of fiber. Choose whole foods like nuts, seeds, and vegetables, and inulin and psyllium husk as supplements.
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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 >
