Keep watch over your mouth because it has the power to create abundant, overflowing life for you and your
entire household.
The word “watch” means “to keep awake, be vigilant.” Therefore, you and I must keep awake and be vigilant to
guard off any attack of the enemy. We have a responsibility to stay alert, so that we can skillfully use the
Word of God in prayer. In fact, the only way that we can pray effectively is when we diligently keep watch.
That is what Jesus taught us in Mark 13:33-37. During these scriptures, Jesus uses the word “watch” four
times. Being watchful doesn’t mean that we walk around fearful. It means that we stay in communication with the Holy Spirit throughout the day so He can give us up-to-the-minute instructions to stop the plan of the enemy.
The main area of attack the devil uses is the tongue. Spin, propaganda and lies are his trademark. He may
usepeople to speak lies, or bombard your mind with thoughts of fear. He may even try to get you to repeat his
lies and propaganda.
However, we should know that we don’t need to be concerned about the devil’s tongue. We must learn to
ignore his mouth and all the lies that he generates from it. The only tongue that really affects our lives is our own. We have to constantly work at keeping watch over our mouths every single day. Psalm 141:3 says “Set a watch O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
We should assign the Holy Spirit to our tongues and don’t be surprised when He tells us things that need to be
corrected. We shouldn’t back up and make excuses. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truth.
Get rid of words of death and destruction and replace them with words of life, joy, peace, and victory. It
doesn’t matter what the devil says, our reaction should always be: watch and pray!
Sister Health
Heart Disease in Women
One in four American women die of heart disease, and most fail to make the connection between risk factors—
such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol—and their personal risk of developing heart disease.
Challenges remain, and many women still do not take heart disease seriously and personally.
With the possible exception of those at highest risk—diabetics who smoke and are obese, for example—most
women simply don't have heart disease on the radar. They're much more likely to worry about breast cancer,
though cardiovascular disease (which includes high blood pressure and stroke) kills almost twice as many
American women as all cancers put together. Nearly 1 in 2 will develop it in her lifetime, and 1 in 3 will die
from it. Generally, trouble strikes women in their 60s, about a decade later than men, possibly because
naturally protective estrogen levels decline. But a lower risk of heart disease at a younger age doesn't mean
women in their 40s and 50s don't have to worry, especially if they're getting by on fast food and a once-a
- month trip to the gym.
What should women do to figure out where they stand and to protect themselves? Most urgently, pay
attention to any troubling symptoms and see a doctor: Two thirds of women who die of heart disease have
unrecognized symptoms. While most women having a heart attack will experience the hallmark chest pressure, some have symptoms uncommon in men: excess sweating, extreme fatigue, nausea, jaw pain, or even headache. And the standard male template of danger signals may overlook women headed for a stroke, or those whose major heart vessels are clear but who have "coronary microvascular syndrome," dangerous narrowing of the tiniest arteries.
Symptomatic. Women who come in with symptoms will be tested—anything from an EKG to look for abnormal
heart rhythms to a coronary angiogram, which threads a catheter into the blood vessels to search for
blockages. If the angiogram comes up clear, you might want to ask your doctor if tests for microvascular
syndrome are available locally. (One, an endothelial dysfunction test, uses a tiny probe to measure blood flow within the wall of the coronary artery.)
If you feel fine, your course of action depends on your individual risk. Women at high risk include those
who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and those with greater than a 20 percent chance of heart
problems in the next decade as measured by the Framingham risk score, which takes into account such factors
as smoking habits, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. "A woman in her 50s should have a good medical
history done, a lab assessment, a physical, and a family history," says Mosca. A fasting cholesterol profile will easure your LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglycerides; a fasting blood sugar
test, your risk of diabetes.
Those at so-called optimal risk have no risk factors, a Framingham score of less than 10 percent, and a heart
healthy lifestyle. That entails at least 30 minutes of exercise most days and a diet low in trans fats, saturate
fats, and sodium and high in fruits, vegetables, and fish. A huge group of women in between have at least one
major risk factor for heart disease, like a smoking habit, poor diet, obesity, high blood pressure, or a family
history of premature heart disease.
The AHA doesn't recommend routine imaging or invasive tests for anyone who's not having symptoms. But it's
pretty clear what high-risk women need: the usual lifestyle steps, plus a stricter-than-usual cap on saturated
fat and cholesterol intake and, very likely, drugs such as aspirin, blood pressure medication, or statins to stave off heart attack and stroke.
From: Women’s Health ‑ http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/womens-health/2007/10/18.html
Giving Thanks in all Things
Today, I am thankful for the power of prayer that keeps us when we are faced with the shadow of death.
My son Dontrel was attacked and robbed on 11/19/2007 by two men accompanied by 2 car loads of men and/or boys. I am grateful to God that all they did was take his money and cell phone after pushing him to the ground upon his attempt to run.
I do not take it lightly that he was not hurt worse or even killed because I know that it could have been BUT GOD, I am certain without a shout of doubt confused those young men and let him go free without further injury or death. God will protect you in the valley of the shadow of death. He is our shepherd and He will extend His rod and staff to comfort you.
My son said he was not scared (he did not fear evil), but he was trying to protect his phone (go figure), but God's rod and staff comfort me in knowing that fear was removed from Dontrel and he was not hurt too bad.
Last night all I could pray was two words for approx 30 minutes I know, and they were "Thank YOU"! Although I started out with thank you Jesus for protecting Dontrel, it ended with Him and I knowing who I was giving Thanks.
God is a good God, He is mighty and He is Great!
Let us learn to pray and cover our children in prayer always. Have you prayed for your child today!
Sincerely,
Denise Burns
“One Sister to Another”
Share a testimony and give God thanks with One Sister to Another Time to Testify!
Heart Disease in Women, continued
What should women do to figure out where they stand and to protect themselves? Most urgently, pay attention to any troubling symptoms and see a doctor: Two thirds of women who die of heart disease have unrecognized symptoms. While most women having a heart attack will experience the hallmark chest pressure, some have symptoms uncommon in men: excess sweating, extreme fatigue, nausea, jaw pain, or even headache. And the standard male template of danger signals may overlook women headed for a stroke, or those whose major heart vessels are clear but who have "coronary microvascular syndrome," dangerous narrowing of the tiniest arteries.
Symptomatic. Women who come in with symptoms will be tested—anything from an EKG to look for abnormal heart rhythms to a coronary angiogram, which threads a catheter into the blood vessels to search for blockages. If the angiogram comes up clear, you might want to ask your doctor if tests for microvascular syndrome are available locally. (One, an endothelial dysfunction test, uses a tiny probe to measure blood flow within the wall of the coronary artery.)
If you feel fine, your course of action depends on your individual risk. Women at high risk include those who have diabetes or chronic kidney disease, and those with greater than a 20 percent chance of heart problems in the next decade as measured by the Framingham risk score, which takes into account such factors as smoking habits, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. "A woman in her 50s should have a good medical history done, a lab assessment, a physical, and a family history," says Mosca. A fasting cholesterol profile will measure your LDL ("bad" cholesterol), HDL ("good" cholesterol), and triglycerides; a fasting blood sugar test, your risk of diabetes.
Those at so-called optimal risk have no risk factors, a Framingham score of less than 10 percent, and a heart-healthy lifestyle. That entails at least 30 minutes of exercise most days and a diet low in trans fats, saturated fats, and sodium and high in fruits, vegetables, and fish. A huge group of women in between have at least one major risk factor for heart disease, like a smoking habit, poor diet, obesity, high blood pressure, or a family history of premature heart disease.
The AHA doesn't recommend routine imaging or invasive tests for anyone who's not having symptoms. But it's pretty clear what high-risk women need: the usual lifestyle steps, plus a stricter-than-usual cap on saturated fat and cholesterol intake and, very likely, drugs such as aspirin, blood pressure medication, or statins to stave off heart attack and stroke.
From: Women’s Health ‑ http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/womens-health/2007/10/18.html
Is Your Family Prepared in the Event of an Emergency?
In a basic emergency supply kit, it is recommended to include the following:
-
One gallon of water per day for three days
-
At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food such as canned meats, peanut butter, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola ‑ also pack can opener and eating utensils
-
Flashlight and extra batteries
-
Batter-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert and batteries for both
-
First aid kit
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Whistle to signal for help
-
Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
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Moist towelettes and garbage bags for personal sanitation
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Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
Also think of special needs of family members:
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Prescription medications and glasses
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Infant formula and diapers
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Pet food, extra water for your pet
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Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
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Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
A family emergency plan should be developed and put into place. It’s simple and you can get started by using a free family emergency plan template available at www.ready.gov
