The closer we get to God

Remember when we were children, and the Christmas season began to approach us-we would begin to get excited! The closer we got to Christmas-the more we would dream and see visions of possibilities to come. It had a distinct effect on our behavior. This is the way it is when we draw near to God! The closer we get to God-there is a distinct affect that takes place within our spirit. We begin to find hope and joy-where we once thought there were no hope. When we come to God in prayer-switch over into praise! Thank God in advance-and thank Him often! When our spirit finds joy in the Lord, the enemy cannot affect our faith. Don't worry about the difficulties in your life. Our God thrives in difficult times. For the scripture says "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews11:6)

12 Foods To Eat When You're Totally Stressed Out

When work deadlines begin piling up and your social calendar is booked, the last thing you want to hear is to steer clear of the vending machine. Who has time for healthy eating? But when it comes to combating stress levels, what you eat may actually help relieve your tension. Indeed, some foods may help stabilize blood sugar or, better yet, your emotional response. Here, 12 foods to reach for when you've just about had enough. Green leafy vegetables. leafy vegetables It's tempting to reach for a cheeseburger when stressed, but go green at lunch instead. "Green leafy vegetables like spinach contain folate, which produces dopamine, a pleasure-inducing brain chemical, helping you keep calm," says Heather Mangieri, RDN, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. A 2012 study in the Journal of Affective Disorders of 2,800 middle-aged and elderly people and found those who consumed the most folate had a lower risk of depression symptoms than those who took in the least. And, a 2013 study from the University of Otago found that college students tended to feel calmer, happier and more energetic on days they ate more fruits and veggies. It can be hard to tell which came first -- upbeat thoughts or healthy eating -- but the researchers found that healthy eating seemed to predict a positive mood the next day. Turkey breast. You've probably heard that the tryptophan in turkey is to blame for that food coma on Thanksgiving. The amino acid, found in protein-containing foods, helps produce serotonin, "the chemical that regulates hunger and feelings of happiness and well-being," Mangieri says. On its own, tryptophan may have a calming effect. In a 2006 study published in the Journal of Psychiatry Neuroscience, men and women who were argumentative (based on personality tests) took either tryptophan supplements or a placebo for 15 days. Those who took tryptophan were perceived as more agreeable by their study partners at the end of the two weeks compared with when they didn't take it. (The study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.) Other foods high in tryptophan include nuts, seeds, tofu, fish, lentils, oats, beans and eggs. Oatmeal. If you're already a carb lover, it's likely that nothing can come between you and a doughnut when stress hits. First rule of thumb: Don't completely deny the craving. According to MIT research, carbohydrates can help the brain make serotonin, the same substance regulated by antidepressants. But instead of reaching for that sugary bear claw, go for complex carbs. "Stress can cause your blood sugar to rise, Mangieri says, "so a complex carb like oatmeal won't contribute to your already potential spike in blood glucose." Yogurt. yogurt As bizarre as it may sound, the bacteria in your gut might be contributing to stress. Research has shown that the brain signals to the gut, which is why stress can inflame gastrointestinal symptoms; communication may flow the other way too, from gut to brain. A 2013 UCLA study among 36 healthy women revealed that consuming probiotics in yogurt reduced brain activity in areas that handle emotion, including stress compared to people who consumed yogurt without probiotics or no yogurt at all. This study was small so more research is needed to confirm the results—but considering yogurt is full of calcium and protein in addition to probiotics, you really can't go wrong by adding more of it to your diet. Salmon. When you're stressed, it can ratchet up anxiety hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. "The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon have anti-inflammatory properties that may help counteract the negative effects of stress hormones," says Lisa Cimperman, RD, of the University Hospitals Case Medical Center and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, Oregon State University medical students who took omega-3 supplements had a 20% reduction in anxiety compared to the group given placebo pills. One 3-ounce serving of cooked wild salmon can have more than 2,000 milligrams of omega-3s, double the daily intake recommended by the American Heart Association for people with heart disease. Blueberries. "When you're stressed, there's a battle being fought inside you," Mangieri says. "The antioxidants and phytonutrients found in berries fight in your defense, helping improve your body's response to stress and fight stress-related free radicals." Research has also shown that blueberry eaters experience a boost in natural killer cells, "a type of white blood cell that plays a vital role in immunity, critical for countering stress," says Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, Health's contributing nutrition editor. Pistachios. pistachios When you have an ongoing loop of negative thoughts playing in your mind, doing something repetitive with your hands may help silence your inner monologue. Think knitting or kneading bread—or even shelling nuts like pistachios or peanuts. The rhythmic moves will help you relax. Plus, the added step of cracking open a shell slows down your eating, making pistachios a diet-friendly snack. What's more, pistachios have heart-health benefits. "Eating pistachios may reduce acute stress by lowering blood pressure and heart rate," Mangieri says. "The nuts contain key phytonutrients that may provide antioxidant support for cardiovascular health." Dark chocolate. Calling all chocoholics: a regular healthy indulgence (just a bite, not a whole bar!) of dark chocolate might have the power to regulate your stress levels. "Research has shown that it can reduce your stress hormones, including cortisol," Sass says. "Also, the antioxidants in cocoa trigger the walls of your blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and improving circulation. And finally, dark chocolate contains unique natural substances that create a sense of euphoria similar to the feeling of being in love!" Go for varieties that contain at least 70% cocoa. Milk. Fortified milk is an excellent source of vitamin D, a nutrient that might boost happiness. A 50-year-long study by London's UCL Institute of Child Health found an association between reduced levels of vitamin D and an increased risk of panic and depression among 5,966 men and women. People who had sufficient vitamin D levels had a reduced risk of panic disorders compared to subjects with the lowest levels of vitamin D. Other foods high in vitamin D include salmon, egg yolks and fortified cereal. Seeds. pumpkin seeds Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are all great sources of magnesium (as are leafy greens, yogurt, nuts and fish). Loading up on the mineral may help regulate emotions. "Magnesium has been shown to help alleviate depression, fatigue and irritability," Sass says. "Bonus: When you're feeling especially irritable during that time of the month, the mineral also helps to fight PMS symptoms, including cramps and water retention." Avocado. You can't just reach for slice after slice of avocado toast during crunch time if you don't want to gain weight, but this superfruit might help shut down stress-eating by filling your belly and making you feel more satisfied. In a 2014 study by Loma Linda University (which, full disclosure, was sponsored by the Hass Avocado Board), researchers had participants add half an avocado to their lunches, which reduced their desire to eat more by 40% for the three hours following the midday meal. That full feeling will make you less inclined to reach for unhealthy snacks when stress kicks in. Cashews. One ounce of the buttery nut packs 11% of the daily recommended value of zinc, an essential mineral that may help reduce anxiety. When researchers gave zinc supplements to people who were diagnosed with both anxiety symptoms (irritability, lack of ability to concentrate) and deficient zinc levels over a course of eight weeks, the patients saw a 31% decrease in anxiety, according to Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. This is likely because zinc affects the levels of a nerve chemical that influences mood. If you're already getting enough zinc, then it may not help your mood to chow down on cashews (or other zinc-rich foods like oysters, beef, chicken and yogurt). But, cashews are also rich in omega-3s and protein, so they're a smart snack no matter what. 12 Superfoods For Stress Relief originally appeared on Health.com.

Stay in Agreement with God!

There are people in near and distant places who will be a blessing to you-and they are completely unaware of it. Through God's divine connection, blessings are on the way to you. Even if your situation doesn't change-in Christ Jesus-we know that we will change. He is indeed preparing us for His journey. God has equipped each of us to do great things! Stay in agreement with God to guide your life even when you don't know which way it is going. Without faith, nothing is possible! With faith in Christ-Nothing is Impossible!

We Finally Got It Right!

If we can't be trusted in tough times-how can God trust us in good times? Notice I didn’t say-If “WE” can’t be trusted. The enemy try to make some saints think and believe they missed their chance preparing for God’s purpose for them-in their past. God don't care about our past. He loves us in spite of our past. Only God can change people! No amount of money, education, social standing, or scientific achievement can prepare us for God’s intentions and objectives in our lives. The enemy will always try to entice you to doubt yourself in God’s plans. If you allow yourself to be led by the Spirit of God, you will end up just where you are supposed to be. Thank God for Christ Jesus! When we accepted Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior-we finally got it right!

9 Things You Can't Remember Anymore Thanks To Technology

1. Phone Numbers The most obvious one. You used to be able to cite all your closest friends' and family's phone number by heart. Now you have to look up your own significant other's number in your phone when asked to write down an emergency contact. Hey, what's the number for the pizza place we order from every Friday? Oh, that's right, we order on Seamless. trying to remember She's even more confused because she's still using a flip phone. 2. Birthdays Facebook has taken all the guesswork out of remembering when people are born. Does a generic "Happy birthday" message on someone's wall really mean anything when a push notification made you do it? Or how about when Facebook tells you it's like five people's birthdays and you just wish them all a happy birthday at once. You even use copy/paste because you're too lazy to write "Happy Birthday" over and over again. Where's the genuine sentiment in that? 3. Long Division Remember when your middle school math teacher said you need to learn this stuff because you're not going to carry a calculator around with you at all times? Well, try remembering how to divide numbers on paper and you'll be thankful that literally every cell phone comes with a calculator app. Figuring out the tip? There's an app for that. Dividing bills between roommates? There's an app for that. Until the day comes when someone threatens to kill you unless you tell them the area of an isosceles right triangle, you're probably going to be okay. frustrated math "Don't break out the iPhone in front of the class. Don't break out the iPhone in front of the class..." 4. How To Write A Check Thanks to Paypal, Apple Pay and apps like Venmo, paper checks are becoming part of the analog past. Do you have to write "and zero cents" on the amount line? What's the memo space for again? And you're telling me I have to physically go to the bank? Luckily it's cool if you forget to sign the back of one when trying to cash it because now you can just take a picture of it on your phone and then rip it up. 5. How To Write In Cursive You might be able to sign your name all right, but try writing a lowercase, cursive "K" or "Z" and you'll think it looks all wrong. Kids today don't even have to learn cursive in some schools, which is a bit sad. We all had to suffer through it so why shouldn't they? But in all likelihood, texting classes will be the next big thing and we'll soon evolve to have long, muscular thumbs as our primary communication digit. 6. Literally Just Writing In General This one is a little embarrassing. Have you noticed what your handwriting looks like lately? If you've been spending most of your time using a computer or phone, it's horrible. That beautiful penmanship of your teens has been replaced with barely legible chicken scratch and your hand hurts from writing after one or two pages. Good grief. 7. Giving Directions If someone invites you to meet them at a bar or restaurant and the first question you have is, "How do I get there?" you probably won't like your friend's response. Okay, a simple "What train is it near?" is acceptable, but you know you're just going to have to Google it to get the exact directions. The same goes for giving directions to strangers who stop you on the street. Chances are, if they're asking, they either don't have their phone on them, it's dead, or they're using Apple's impossible maps application. confused lost "I told you we should have just paid AT&T for the international plan." 8. How To Wait For Someone In Public Instead of someone saying, "Meet me by the fountain at 3:00," and you not hearing from them until you meet them there, you now receive up-to-the-minute updates from the person you're going to meet and will know their exact location. You can barely remember what it's like to have to stand around silently, looking at nothing in particular and letting your thoughts wander because you're too busy listening to a podcast, playing Candy Crush and tracking your friend's whereabouts. Did that cute stranger just say hi to you? Who cares, you just got a new Tinder match. 9. How To Spell Tricky Words Without Looking Them Up Spellcheck, predictive text and its quirky sibling "speech to text" make it pretty much impossible to remember how to spell words like "Receipt," "Pneumonia," and, ironically, "Misspell" (that second "s" just always looks weird). "I before E" goes out the window when you have squiggly red lines to tell you what's wrong. Combine this with #5 and the future isn't looking too hot for the actually written word. Thanks, technology!

5 Things You Don’t Know About Rain Jackets

1. You can bring an old rain jacket back to life. I’ve heard people say that their rain jacket just isn’t waterproof any more and they are going to replace it. Hold on, jackets have a DWR (durable water repellent) coating that was applied to the fabric at the factory. Over time that will break down and water won’t bead up and roll off of the fabric in the same way it did when it was new. Relax. You can easily reapply a DWR coating to your waterproof jackets with a simple wash with Nikwax wash-in waterproofing. 2. Breathabilty could be more important that waterproofness – You want to stay dry on your hike you so pick a jacket with the highest waterproof rating. A few miles in, and your body starts overheating. You’re drenched from sweat. This happens all the time. Avoid this by also considering how breathable a rain jacket is. That is, how much moisture can work its way away from your body and out of the jacket. You should also consider jackets with features such as pit zips to help with overheating. 3. Roll your rain jacket into one of its own pockets to make a small pillow. Simply stuff the jacket into one of its own pockets then slide the zipper pocket closed (at least a little bit to make it hold). Even if you don’t use it for a pillow, this is a great way to stow a rain jacket in your pack. 4. Use your rain jacket to keep your sleeping bag dry from tent condensation. Nothing is worse than a sleeping bag soaked from rubbing up against a tent wall covered in condensation. Simply pull your rain jacket over the foot of your sleeping bag and you’ll alleviate this common problem. 5. Not all ‘waterproof’ jackets are the same. Did you know waterproof jackets are rated by their ability to keep water out? It’s true, two jackets that are labeled waterproof could provide very different experiences in wet weather.

Carly Rose Sonenclar - "Fighters" @ UDance 2015