The #1 Exercise to Improve Health

There are endless exercise choices to keep us healthy- from boot camps to the rhythms of Zumba, from pumping iron to the flow of Tai Chi. One can find a style to suit any taste. They each promise to improve the body and aid well-being. But one stands above the rest. It alone is proven to foster health, enhance performance and extend life. It requires no special equipment, training or money. What is it? The exercise of kindness

Over 50 scientific studies have shown acts of service lead to improved wellness and increased life expectancy. Surprised at first by the link they discovered, scientist have now identified multiple psychological and biological changes that occur when we spend time helping others. Brain chemistry changes, stress chemicals lower, antibodies increase and psychological improvements occur. Service to others is even more effective than exercising 4 times a week in improving long-term health.The benefits aren’t influenced by sex, age, race or even prior health.

This link is new to the world of science but not to Christianity. The Bible calls believers to love and care for others and promises blessings to those who obey. Even Jesus said He "came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life away as a ransom for many.”

The simple fact is doing good is, indeed, good for you. God has gifted each of us with talents and abilities to be used with love in service to others. When used as intended, our gifts help others and in turn us as well.


Have you exercised today?




Message for the Journey:

The best way to live a long, healthy and happy life is clear. If you desire blessings for yourself, start by blessing others.

                                                                                                        ©AnnWilds2011


“the one who blesses others is richly blessed; those who help others are helped.”
Proverbs 11:25





Need a few serving ideas to get started? Try these:

• Sing in the church choir
• Teach Sunday school
• Mentor a student
• Work with a housing project
• Volunteer at an animal shelter
• Help an older neighbor with their yard or home
• Write notes of encouragement or pray with people
• Visit nursing homes
• Deliver meals to shut ins
• Baby-sit for a new mom
• Donate blood


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How to Kill the Weeds of Doubt

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 94:19


PawPaw, my grandfather, had a beautiful yard which he lovingly tended with painstaking care. Every blade of grass was neatly cut and every hedge trimmed in a perfect line. PawPaw worked in his yard daily. Rising early, he would carefully walk the yard surveying his domain. If water was needed, he gave it. If nutrients were missing, he fed it. I loved the feel of his lawn on my bare feet. The grass was always thick and lush, a deep shade of green. You needn’t worry about stepping on a briar for he didn’t permit anything but grass to grow in his lawn. He was diligent in watching out for weeds, keeping a vigilant lookout any time he was in the yard. If he saw one beginning to emerge, he would immediately take his trusty penknife out of his pocket ready to do battle. PawPaw would insert the blade into the ground right next to the weed, press the weed against the blade with his thumb and then pull them out together, removing both the weed and its root. He was a warrior and weeds were his enemy.


Just like a weed in PawPaw’s lawn, doubt can grow in the garden of our faith. It may sprout from a seed within our heart or it may be planted by the enemy. Either way once there it seeks to take root and grow spreading from one into many. Yet, every single weed of doubt must be removed for even one can weaken our faith and the power of our prayer. In the book of James we are told that doubt even blocks our prayers from being answered.

If you experience doubt, you aren't alone. We don’t start with a full and perfect faith. We're all like Thomas who doubted what the others had seen or Peter who faltered while walking on water. Thomas failed to believe Christ’s promise of resurrection. Peter failed to believe in His power. When we doubt, we fail to understand the awesome character of God.

Just as we don’t start with a perfect faith, we don’t each start at the same faith level. In Romans we learn that God gives each of us a different measure of faith. Our task is not to achieve the faith of someone else but to grow whatever measure we are given until the one day “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13).

While we grow towards the whole measure, weeds of doubt will creep into our faith garden but we have a much better tool than a penknife to eradicate them. God’s word is more powerful than any manmade tool. Along with prayer, it's the most powerful weapon to battle that which would weaken or destroy our faith. Be proactive, ready with scripture to combat doubt when it comes.

When doubt says:

  • God’s love is conditional. Faith says God’s love never fails for it's written, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness”.(Jeremiah 31:3)

  • God will hold my past against me. Faith says God forgives completely for it's written, “as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”. (Psalm 103:12)

  • My sin is too big for God to forgive. Faith says God forgives all things for it's written, He “forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases” (Psalms 103:3)

  • God isn’t good because bad things happen. Faith says God is always good for it's written “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose”. (Romans 8:28)

  • God is distant and far away. Faith says God is near for it's written“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth”. (Psalm 145:18)

  • I can’t count on God to take care of me. Faith says God meets all my needs for it's written, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”. (Psalms 34:10)

Doubt is the primary weapon of the enemy's arsenal and was the first used against man. It was successful against Adam and Eve and it's still effective today unless we're vigilant. When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He was also speaking to us. To Peter, He said “you have so little faith, why did you doubt me?” (Matthew 14:31) To Thomas, He said “Stop doubting and believe." (John 20:27)  The enemy is unable to destroy God's word but he strives to cause us to doubt it. Turn the power of what he strives to pervert back against him and remain strong.  


Message for the Journey:


Like PawPaw we need to be diligent, ever ready to go into battle against our weeds of doubt for we're God’s warriors and doubt an enemy.

© Ann Wilds 2011



(Revision of PawPaw's Penknife- original post 8-2010)






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4 Steps to Move Your Mountain

if you have faith..say to this mountain move…and it will move.”
Matt.17:20



In American history, the land that's today our western states was called the Oregon Territory. Both the United States and England claimed ownership so agreed that whichever had the most settlers there would rightfully possess it. And so it began; ordinary Americans with a dream packed up their families and belongings in covered wagons and headed west. They came from all walks of life but had one thing in common; they all believed in a better future -their own promised land.

Covering thousands of miles, the journey was fraught with danger across landscapes difficult to traverse. I’ve often wondered, when hiking in the mountains, what it must have been like for them. After weeks crossing flat prairies, they were greeted by the intimidating sight of the great Rocky Mountains- a moutain range stretching 3,000 miles across, 300 miles wide with heights over 14,000 feet. It's hard to fathom the struggles they must have encountered crossing those rugged peaks. As terrifying as it must have been their faith wasn’t shaken. They pressed on to the other side and settled in their promised land.

Our lives, too, can be filled with trouble amidst complex terrain. The path may be smooth and level only to take us by surprise with a mountain around the bend. It may be a single peak- a lost job, a secret betrayed or a minor accident. Or when the diagnosis is cancer, our spouse leaves us for another or our child is severly injured we find ourselves facing a mountain range as high and vast as the great Rockies.


There are four key lessons from the early pioneer's experiences we can apply to help us sucessfully navigate the mountains of our lives.



  • Take it Step by Step - No matter how big the mountain tackle it one step at a time. You may not be able to run a marathon but you can cover the same distance by taking one step today and a few more tomorrow. Today's one step may be all that you can handle; that's okay just don't stop moving forward.

Does He not see my ways and count my every step?
Job 31:4



  • Follow the Path - To cross the Rockies, the pioneers used a mountain pass that earlier scouts had safely traversed. Whatever your mountain, you're not the first to face it. Follow the path of those who've gone before. The Bible is full of examples of the faithful navigating their peaks. Study and learn from their example.

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
Proverbs 4:11


  • Don’t Travel Alone- The inherent dangers of traveling alone were well understood by early settlers. At night or any sign of danger they'd circle the wagons for protection. God designed us to be in relationship with Him and with others not to travel alone. Solomon, in his wisdom, teaches us why in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; together we lift each other up when we fall, we provide comfort when the night is cold and only together are we certain to withstand the attacks of the enemy.

The Lord God said, "It is not good for man to be alone.."
Gen.2:18a


  • Never Lose Faith- When faced with the massive expanse of the great Rocky Mountains the pioneers may have been intimidated but they did not lose their faith. They knew they would make it across. You already know the end of the story. Until you're with your Father in heaven rest assured no matter how overwhelming this may seem it's not the end. Don't focus on how big you think your mountain is; focus instead on how big you know God to be.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."
Matt.19:26



Message for the journey:


Your present difficulty is not your promised destination. Don’t let your mountains move your faith. Instead, be it all at once or one stone at a time, let your faith move your mountain.

© Ann Wilds 2011



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The Power of Yielding

He builds His lofty palace in the heavens and sets its foundation on the earth; He calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out over the face of the land- the Lord is His name. 
Amos 9:6




Nearly 6 million cubic feet of water careens over the edge to the boulders below giving the iconic scenery of Niagra Falls both its beauty and energy. There are actually two falls as the Niagra river splits around Goat Island creating waterfalls on both the Canadian and American sides. The force of the water is so great that the crest of the falls has receded nearly 7 miles from where it first began.

When we were there last year to celebrate our 25th anniversary, we took a boat ride to the base. We could feel the sound and force of the falling water resonating through our bodies. It was breathtaking.

Waterfalls are not alone in molding our landscape. The might of waves shape the coastlines of our planet from the shores of east Africa to the coast of California. The vigor of rivers carves canyons as vast as the Grand Canyons of the Colorado River in the United States to the Great Canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet. Yet with all the influence water has to transform the environment, it is powerless by itself. The source of its strength is simply that it yields completely to gravity. As a result, it can do great things.

There is a greater source of power in the world than gravity, the One who formed it all. Yet often we operate as if we were the source of strength for our lives and for the tasks God has called us to. Living a yielded life is living a life in obedience to God. Jesus provided us with a perfect model of this level of obedience. By emulating the nature of water we become more Christ-like and better tools for the kingdom. God is more concerned with our willingness than our ability. What He calls you to, He will equip you for.



Message for the journey:

Imagine the change we could affect on the world around us if we, like water, fully yielded and let God's power work through us.




©Ann Wilds 2011



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