REIMAGINING LIFE TODAY
Connect:
  • Home
  • Vision
  • About
  • Multimedia Center
    • Photo Gallery
    • Videos
  • RLT Calendar
  • Resource Center
    • RLT Websites
    • Friends and Partners
    • Groups and Organizations
    • Helpful Resources
  • RLT Blog
  • Contact

The Parables of Popular Culture: God's Message in the Arts

3/25/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Back in 2008, I was considering writing a book about the arts from a spiritual perspective, but God had other plans in this department. Still, I've always gravitated toward God's work in the arts and their influence not only in culture but in the lives of individuals. 

I can't even count how many times God has used lyrics from a song, a line from a movie, a TV storyline or some other artistic expression to convey His love, truth, grace and provision. Whether we realize it or not, God has a 'patent' on truth. Truth belongs to Him; it originates from Him and He can use whatever means He chooses to communicate it. 

I believe God is always speaking but it doesn't mean we're always listening. Sometimes, we're so caught up in our own thoughts and circumstances, we neglect the very One that deserves our attention most. Fortunately, the Lord doesn't hold this frailty against us. He knows our thoughts are futile and He remembers that we're dust (Psalm 94:11; Psalm 103:14). It's no wonder He reminds us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

In 2009, I was spending some time with my parents at their home when I told them about the new film I purchased called Joshua. I saw the movie several years before but I just had to buy a copy and add it to my movie collection. Well, little did I know what the Lord would do with this 'modern-day' depiction of Jesus and the impact it would have on my father. 

I brought out the movie, put it in the DVD player, and from the time it started, we were all glued to the TV until the very end. When Joshua concluded, I could see the tears in my father's eyes. I knew at that moment, Jesus revealed Himself to my dad in a powerful way through this film--something that probably would have never happened through an 'obvious' religious setting. Jesus met my dad right where he was at in his own living room using what? A movie. 

The Holy Spirit really does utilize the arts as the parables of our culture to bring forth God's eternal message. He uses them to draw us to Jesus and remind us of everything He said and promised. God isn't confined to culture, but we are as human beings. So, the Holy Spirit operates in a context we can understand just like Jesus did in His culture when He walked the earth. Isn't this amazing? The Lord really is, "the same yesterday, today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). His methods for communicating with us may vary but His purpose never changes. His desire is and always has been to have an eternal relationship with us.

Can we hear Him calling? Today, let's surrender our hearts and allow Him to live His life in and through us in all possible ways so He may reveal Himself in our world.

0 Comments

The Science Behind Low-Carb Diets and Why They Work

3/24/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
​If we're honest with ourselves, we want stronger muscle tissue and less body fat. But, we often think, can we really reduce our body fat percentage? Sure we can. The fact is, we can’t shed  excess body fat without an effective diet and the most effective type of diet for losing that excess body fat is a low- carbohydrate diet.

Let's Look At The Low Carb Diet

Weight-loss experts and diet program writers all believe that much of our extra bodyweight comes from the high-glycemic carbohydrates we consume, especially the highly refined or processed ones such as cooked goods, pastas, breads, rice and other practical foods. To make the problem worse, if we don't get the excercise we need, our bodies store the extra fat from our high carbohydrate consumption resulting in excess weight gain.

The basic science behind the low carb diet is simple: to limit our consumption of high-glycemic carbohydrates. My favorite low carb diets are the Zone and Alkaline diets. In my experience, these two diets provide the best balance percentage of protein, non-saturated fats and low-glycemic carbohydrates for optimum body performance.

Does the Low Carb Diet Really Work?

Our bodies need carbohydrates (carbs) for survival along with the other food groups. Carbohydrates come in two types – sugars and starches. Sugars are simple carbohydrates and are usually sweet such as cookies and candies. They're also easy to digest. On the other hand, starches are complex carbohydrates such as breads, pastas, noodles and rice. They take longer to process and digest than the simple carbs.

The body converts all these digestible carbohydrates into glucose, the glucose that that the cells in our bodies use as energy or fuel. When glucose molecules travel from the bowel into the bloodstream, the pancreas produces blood insulin, a hormone that activates cells to soak it up. Muscle, fat and other cells then absorb the excess glucose from the blood. As a result, the body's levels of blood insulin return to normal.

After a high-glycemic(ranking of foods according to how fast their carbs are freed into the bloodstream) meal, the body's blood-sugar levels increase at higher and more rapid rates. The blood insulin needed to saturate all the sugar into our muscles and fat cells weaken the activity of glucagon, the hormone that alerts the body to burn saved energy when blood-sugar levels fall below a certain point. Glucose levels then fall so low, it makes the body deprived of energy. The brain and bowel then send out starvation alerts. New cravings are created in the body demanding more carbohydrate intake. We then overindulge which leads to more fat, a rise in blood insulin levels, more hunger, and more excess weight. As we can see, the cycle just goes on.

On the other hand, maintaining a low-glycemic carbohydrate diet brings an end to this cyle. Consuming low-glycemic carbohydrate foods result in decreased blood insulin levels, improved glucagon levels, proper excess fat weight-loss, strengthened triglycerides (fats carried in the blood which are necessary but when extreme cause coronary damage), a decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol), and an increase in HDL (good cholesterol).

How Can The Low-Carb Diet Work For You?

The main point to gain from what we've learned here is to consume high-glycemic carbohydrates in small moderation. As we've seen, these foods cause rapid changes in glucose levels, trigger hunger and motivate unnecessary eating habits which lead to excess bodyfat resulting in unwanted weight gain.

Consider how the low-glycemic diet can work for you and the results you'll get. There are many programs and books out there that advocate the low-carbohydrate diet such as the Atkins and South Beach diets. However, I strongly recommend the Zone  and/or the Alkaline diets as they encourage a solid balance between protein, non-saturated fat, and low-glycemic carbohydrates. They're real simple to follow and make losing that excess body fat an irresistible goal. Plus, you'll actually enjoy eating again a lot more and not worrying where 'the pounds' are going. 

Check out the Zone diet HERE.  Listed below are some resources you may find helpful as well:
Check out the Alkaline diet HERE.  ​Listed below are some resources you may find helpful as well:
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    ARTS AND MEDIA
    BUSINESS & FINANCE
    CULTURE & WORLDVIEWS
    HEALTH & WELLNESS
    LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
    PERSONAL & RELATIONAL GROWTH

    Archives

    September 2018
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015

    RLT PARTNERS
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.