Lord, Bless My Plate

Asking God to bless our food is a tradition most Christians follow when breaking bread together as a group. But do we say grace over a bagel and latte as we zip through the drive-thru? Do we ask a blessing over lunch alone at the kitchen table or in the break room with colleagues? Sometimes I catch myself digging in before I remember to thank God for His provision. Have you ever done that?

The Bible has much to say about returning thanks for our food. Jesus set an example for us by offering a blessing at a miraculous picnic. "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves" (Matthew 14:19). Jesus also gave thanks before breaking bread at the Last Supper (Mark 14:22). The apostle Paul blessed the food while aboard a ship. "…He took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat" (Acts 27: 35).

Praying over our food has numerous benefits:

1) It reminds us that God is the source of all we have, including food. We show our gratefulness to God by praising Him and recalling the blessings He has heaped upon us. Joel 2:26 says, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God…"

2) It allows us to honor God during everyday activities like eating. "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God" (Psalm 50:23). When we ask a blessing over our food, we honor God by acknowledging His provision.

3) It is a good witness to other Christians and non-Christians. Saying grace shows that we're willing to publicly acknowledge our dependence on Almighty God for the gift of food. Teaching our children to consistently ask a blessing at meals sets an example they will remember when they become parents.

4) It slows us down for a moment. In our fast-paced lives, stopping all conversation and activity is uncommon. But as we bow our heads, close our eyes, and focus on our gratitude, our spirits are refreshed. In addition, relaxing aids our digestion and helps us enjoy the psychological benefits of eating.

5) It makes us ponder the quality of what we're eating. God will gladly bless the wholesome food He created for us. But what if our plates hold processed foods that barely resemble their original form and have little nutritional value? Could you ask God to bless a donut? A soda? When we ask the Lord to bless our food, it makes us think about what we put into our bodies, perhaps convicting us to make dietary changes.

In his book Living in Divine Health, Dr. Don Colbert recommends praying fervently over our food at each meal as part of a healthful eating plan. Saying grace is important not only for spiritual health, but physical health, too. When we ask God to bless our food, we're unleashing His power to bless our bodies through what we eat.

Many people make detailed requests in their prayers. Likewise, we should think about exactly what we desire food to do for our bodies and then pray specifically about it. I often say something like this: "Dear Lord, thank You for providing this nutritious meal. Please bless the food and allow it to nourish and energize my body. Protect my cells from any harmful impurities that entered the food from the environment or through processing. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Asking God to bless our meals is wise from a spiritual standpoint and prudent for our health. He wants the best for us in everything, including our food. Whether you're dining alone or chowing down with a football team, make it a point to pray over your next meal.

Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water” (Exodus 23:25a).

All verses taken from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible.

Reposted from another website.

My New Favorite Thing!

Last night Daniel, JD and I met my Dad for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack. It's been over a year since I've seen him. He lives in a different state. Anyways, after dinner went to Wal-Mart to get some grocery shopping done.

While we were there we found those Crystal Light singles you can add to your bottled water! How cool are these things? They're in the Kool-Aid section. Well, Daniel got the Crystal Light packets and I got the Vita Splash packets.

This is my new favorite product! I bought the Immune Boost because they are high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. I put a packet in my water and BAM! Very cool stuff. You have to try it. They have more products other than one's for the immune system. It was $2.50 for 8 packets. Very cheap!

Hospital Visits: What do you talk about?

Most of us have had the opportunity to go and visit someone in the hospital. It can be a pleasant experience as they welcome you with a smile, or they may cry as you offer prayer and comfort. It can also be awkward. For those members in your church, all of these situations can be frightening. Despite the fact that yesterday you were easily conversing as you hit golf balls together, today, he sees you coming and plunges under the covers. Do people really want you to come see them in that scanty gown? Should you bring a card? A gift?

What are you supposed to talk about as the nurses breeze in and out of the room? Should you try to cheer the person up? Pray? Here are some suggestions from chronically ill people who have spent time in the hospital. Feel free to edit this to use in your church newsletter as a resource guide to better equip your church with some special tools.


"I wish people would just ask 'What can I do to help?' If they could just bring me a sandwich or make me some iced tea...little things. Words like, 'I admire your strength in what you're going through' would bring me comfort." -Martha

"Someone brought me a little bottle of perfume and it just what I needed!" -Laurie

"When I am ill enough to be hospitalized, lots of visitors are not comforting. I feel I have to entertain. I prefer that they not stay too long and add to my distress. I do appreciate when they bring sources of spiritual healing, for example, a Guidepost magazine." -Donna

"To keep me occupied in bed, I enjoy spiritual tapes to listen to and spiritual music to keep me occupied." -Robin

"I have a friend who is a great laugher. It's infectious and I always feel better being around her." -Martha

"I would like friends to say, 'Is there anything I can do for you? I know that you are hurting; Could I say a little prayer for you to maybe ease the pain a little?'" -Judy

"I wish friends would offer their help and just call to say hi. Nice words are a pick-me-up. 'You're in my prayers' is a good one. It makes me realize that someone is praying for me. That seems better than praying by myself. The disease is lonely enough." -Beverley

"The best gift while I was in the hospital was a box of crayons and a color book from my 5- year-old granddaughter." -Marilyn

"Humor is always good (except just after surgery). I just had a spleenectomy and my friends came in and started cracking jokes thinking that making me laugh would be good. At that point it did make me laugh, but I ripped my stitches a bit and had lots of pain. So..." -Beverley

"My daughter sent updates to all of my on-line friends. Then she made copies of their encouraging words, scriptures, and prayers and brought them to the hospital." -Martha

"Things that have brought me comfort were a new crochet book and a skein or yarn or thread, a pretty get-well card, a phone call from an old friend, some homemade cookies and can of soda." -Judy

"I love to get mail, or pick up the phone to find a friend on the other end. I hope they understand that if I don't respond enthusiastically it may be that my medications have me kind of zoned out or I'm just having a bad day, but I always appreciate their call." -Terry

"I enjoyed the candy, flowers, books, hand cream, shower things, perfume. My favorite gift though was a burger from my favorite fast-food restaurant." -Beverley

"Having my husband be there as much as he could helped the most. When I was in pain, having my daughter and a friend rush to my side and pat me and show love helped so much." -Martha

Lisa Copen is editor of HopeKeepers Magazine, http://www.hopekeepersmagazine.com a consumer publication for those with chronic illness, and founder of Rest Ministries, http://www.restministries.org. Daily devotionals, a free magazine, dozens of e-groups, books by Lisa, including "Why Can't I Make People Understand?" http://www.comfortzonebooks.com http://www.comfortzonebooks.com - A wonderful book for pastors, chaplains, nurses or just anyone who cares for those who are hurting.

Home Remedies for Fever Blisters

Fever blisters or cold sores are small red blisters that usually appear on the lips and outer edges of the mouth. They often display a clear liquid and form scabs after a few days. They are caused by herpes virus that becomes active when something triggers them. There is no cure for cold sores, but there are remedies that will reduce the severity and frequency. They appear after colds, fever, exposure to sun and stress during menstruation.

Foods that contain chocolate, peanuts and other nuts, grains, peas, seeds, oatmeal and whole-wheat products should be cut out or reduced from the diet. Cold sore is preceded by tingling, burning or itching sensation, fever, and enlargement of lymph nodes close to the sores and a general feeling of malaise.

- When you feel the tingling, burning or itching sensation, rub juice from aloe plant on the affected area. Dab of aloe gel is effective too. Aloe will begin the healing process immediately and not allow the sore to grow.

- Apply cornstarch paste to the affected area.

- Mix a drop or two of grapefruit seed extract either with aloe or olive oil and dab it on the sore.

- Rub ice cube on the sore for 10 minutes every hour at the onset of fever blisters. It will prevent the movement of the virus to the skin.

- Extract of lemon balm reduces the symptoms and speeds up the healing process.

- Combine equal parts of tinctures of echinacea, calendula, oats, burdock, and lomatium. Take ½ tsp four to fives time a day to soothe the inflamed tissue, remove the toxins from the body and kill the viruses and bacteria.

- Topical application of extract of mint will speed the healing of the blister.

- Drink several cups of sage tea with a dash of powdered ginger till the blisters are not cleared up.

- Steep an ordinary tea bag in boiling water, cool it and then apply to the blister. The blister should disappear within few days.

- Vaseline will help to moisturize and soften blisters to prevent them from cracking and bleeding.

- Dab a drop or two of St. John's Wort essential oil. It not only soothes, but reduces the pain and speeds up the healing process.

- Apply Witch Hazel on sores.

- Put some common salt on your moistened index finger and press it on to the sore for a minute twice a day for 2-3 days.

- Apply spirit of camphor on the sore.

The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader, not the site, and the writer.

Article Source: Health Guidance

---- I posted this because my husband gets these religiously. I figured someone else could have used the info since I just looked it up for him.