A 2012 randomized clinical trial reports that people whose diet included a beverage containing Chia seeds, nopal (prickly pear), oats, and soy protein had striking improvements in triglycerides, levels of C-reactive protein (an inflammatory marker), blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, compared to those given a placebo beverage.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

Women who eat one ounce of tree nuts—including almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts, and hazelnuts—two or more times a week have a significantly lower risk for pancreatic cancer, according to a new study published in British Journal of Cancer. The study included more than 75,000 participants in the Nurses Health Study.

Although nuts are relatively high in calories, women who ate the most tree nuts had a lower rate of weight gain and obesity than those who ate the least. Tree nuts have also been linked to lower threat of diabetes.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

There is a new study on the health benefits of wild blueberries, from the University of Maine and published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism.

The researchers found that eating two cups of wild blueberries regularly can improve or prevent metabolic syndrome, a deadly gang of metabolic thugs that double risk for heart attack and quintuple it for type 2 diabetes.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

It may sound too good to be true, but the more chocolate teens eat, the less total fat and belly fat they are likely to have, according to a new study published in Nutrition.

This association held true even when exercise, total energy (calorie) intake, and a variety of dietary factors were taken into account. The study included 1,458 kids ages 12 to 17, and may the largest of its kind to date.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

One tangy fruit may be the ultimate antioxidant, as well as a natural painkiller, with a 2012 study reporting that it has “the highest anti-inflammatory content of any food.”

The researchers found that when osteoarthritis sufferers drank tart cherry juice twice a day for three weeks, their inflammatory markers fell significantly.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

Human clinical trials have been launched after researchers found that an immune-boosting probiotic from Suguki (a pickled turnip popular in Japan) blocked transmission of the H1N1 virus in mice that were exposed to it, according to a new study published in the SfAM journal, Letters in Applied Microbiology.

The probiotic bacterium, called Lactobacillus brevis, increases production of flu-specific antibodies, the scientists report, and may also help ward off other viral infections, including the deadly H7N9 flu, which has recently emerged in China.

Consider the Source

 Consider the First Source!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word choreographed an assembly of amino acids into an exquisite array of specific proteins. Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.” In so doing God demonstrated a penchant for genomic writing, preceeded by an amazing series of prebiotic events, in a highly orchestrated presentation of evolutionary overcontrol.

More about God’s Handiwork!

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it. — William James (1842-1910) Philosopher
There is some confusion about how to be True to what. We know we have our own subjective realities; beliefs and experiences we may or may not share with others. But if (or since) one of those Others is the source and center of all reality, there is an Objective reality. Being finite we are on a journey toward this Light. A personal choice to align with the objective will not get us there all at once, but will ensure us the opportunity to head in the right direction. As we learn and grow we will Flourish spiritually.
Peace,
Jim
             FLOURISHING
Definitions: (1) increasing in wealth or honor; prosperous; (2) at the peak of development, activity, or influence; to be in one’s prime
Derivation: Latin, “flowering,” “to blossom”
Synonyms: thriving, triumphant
            TRUE
Definitions: (1) conforming to fact; real; (2) genuine; pure; legitimate; (3) loyal to a friend, idea, or ideal; faithful; steadfast; (4) honest; sincere; upright; (5) reliable; certain; (6) conforming to an established standard <true north>; exact; precise; accurate; (7) reflecting the essential character <true meaning>; (8) in proper order; in alignment to an important point or ideal; (9) logically necessary
Poetry:
This above all: to thine own self be true
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
— William Shakespeare (1564-1616) King Henry IV
Consider the Source

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped. — Anthony Robbins (1960-) Motivational Speaker
In order to intervene as a Mediator one must have a larger perspective. Indeed all growth is a lesson in seeing the bigger picture. Our other quality this week is just the same. Happiness can be a result of an advantageous chemical reaction but a higher, and more permanent, state of joy is not grounded in such fleeting things.
Peace,
Jim
            MEDIATOR
Definition: One who intervenes between parties at odds for the purpose of reconciling their differences; serving as a go-between and occupying a neutral position; able to see both sides and draw the sides together; bringing accord
Quote:
Unsolicited advice is the junk mail of life. — Bern Williams
Advice: Notwithstanding Mr. William’s quote, I have offered advice in this book. I hope some of it is of value to you, but if it does not strike a cord, then indeed, modify it to the best the you and situation require.
Comment: It would be wise not to intervene, in most cases, unless invited. Although you can be an intercessor, in a sense, as one who prays for the parties at odds.
Sometimes your position includes in its definition the role of mediator. As a parent you are a mediator by default.
          HAPPY
Definitions: (1) having or causing a feeling of great pleasure, joy, or contentment; pleased; satisfied; delighted; (2) favored by circumstances; lucky; fortunate; (3) exactly appropriate to the occasion; suitable and clever; felicitous; apt
Synonyms: blissful, blithesome, glad, merry, prosperous, successful
Quotes:
Effort does not always produce joy, but there is no happiness without intelligent effort. — The Urantia Book (48:7.10)
I hope you find, as I did, that happiness comes from noticing and enjoying the little things in life. — Barbara Ann Kipfer (1954 – ) 14,000 Things to Be Happy About
No man is more unhappy than the one who is never in adversity; the greatest affliction of life is never to have been afflicted. — Tryon Edwards (1809-1894) American Theologian
The rules of a happy life:
1. Don’t sweat the small stuff
2. It’s all small stuff

— George Elliot [born Mary Ann Evans] (1819-1880) English Novelist

Comment: The difference between happy and joyful is situational. It is hard to be happy while you are in pain, but the higher quality of joy can be experienced even in the face of great difficulty.
Suggestion: Decide to be happy – sincerely and completely – in the manner of the third definition above, “exactly appropriate to the occasion.” When you are happy in this way you are truly on your way to being content.
We all want to be happy, but sometimes it seems impossible. Even when you find yourself in an unhappy state of mind, you have to move forward in time anyway, so move forward with a positive, hopeful attitude. This will partially displace your actual attitude. You will be living on two levels: the level of your practical, realistic, daily life and the level of a higher, farseeing life. As you move through the present, project your sensibility and understanding toward how you want to feel and think. Gradually you will be in that better future.
Symbols: 1) water maidens; 2) cherry blossoms; 3) a leaf (Chinese); 4) the bat (Chinese); 5) the sun (American Indian); 6) the thunderbird (American Indian)
Consider the Source

Picture yourself vividly as a winner and that alone will contribute immeasurably to your success. — Harry Emerson Fosdick (1874-1969) Clergyman
There are ideas of inherent Perfection. Can this be fit in with our experience of growth via choice? We finite beings are on a sliding scale of perfection. Eventually, in eternity, we will be able to look back on our progress and ahead to the distant possibility of absolute perfection. Even now we can have a relative idea of what is perfect, but this too grows as our perspective expands. In the mean time if we can be Concise with our language, visions, and next steps we will be achieving a larger view.
Peace,
Jim
            CONCISE
Definitions: (1) brief and exact; focused and to the point; comprehensive; (2) giving precisely what is needed
Synonyms: condensed, succinct
How to Live This Quality Today: Notice if the person you are talking to is very busy. If so, chatter about the kids and the weather will be a waste of their time. Courtesy sometimes demands being concise.
            PERFECT
Definitions: (1) complete in all respects; without defect or omission; faultless; (2) thorough excellence in skill or quality; expert; proficient; (3) completely correct or accurate; exact; precise; (4) without reserve or qualification; pure; (5) totally effective; meticulous; (6) a fine physical specimen; sound; flawless; (7) appreciative of the character or nature of someone or some thing; most admirable
Balancing Qualities: common sense, down‑to‑earth
Compatible Qualities: compromising, realistic
Quotes:
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. — The Bible, matthew 5:48

The most important question to ask at any one moment is, “How is this perfect?” — Joe Burull (1947 – ) American Photographer

When we realize a total of something as we are experiencing it, we are for that moment, perfect. — Jacquelyn Small, Transformers, the Therapists of the Future
From the Universal Father who inhabits eternity there has gone forth the supreme mandate, “Be you perfect, even as I am perfect.” — The Urantia Book (1:0.3)
The word “perfect” as the Bible uses it of men, does not refer to sinless perfection. Old Testament characters described as “blameless” or “wholly devoted” were obviously not sinless. Although a number of Hebrew and Greek words are translated as “perfect,” the thought is usually either “completeness in all details” (Hebrew: tamam; and Greek: katartizo) or “to reach a goal or achieve a purpose” (Greek: teleioo).
Scripture recognizes that Christians do not attain sinless perfection in this life.
— Cyrus I. Scofield (1843-1921) American Biblical Scholar, The Scofield Reference Bible
Three Stages of Perfection
1. Positional perfection, already possessed by every believer of Christ (Hebrews: 10:14)
2. Relative perfection, i.e., spiritual maturity, especially in the will of God, love, holiness, patience, and “everything good.” Maturity is achieved progressively, “perfecting holiness” and “Are you now being made perfect?” Perfection is accomplished through the gifts of ministry bestowed.
3. Ultimate perfection, perfection in soul, spirit, and body
— Cyrus I. Scofield (1843-1921) American Biblical Scholar, The Scofield ReferenceBible
Tip: Perfect is doing the next thing that is possible for you to do, and doing it with positive intention.
Comment: One does not become instantly perfect, but one is as perfect in the moment as one allows oneself to be. There are both absolute and relative perfection. Since we are finite beings, we should accept the fact that we are in the realm of relative perfection. If we compare absolute perfection to finite perfection there is a dramatic gap. But there need not be any negative connotation applied to relative perfection simply because the gap exists. Perfection is still perfection even in its most immature or childlike manifestation.
Question: Can I be perfect if I can not deal with my own perfection?
Symbols: 1) the circle; 2) the number ten
Consider the Source

Undoubtedly, we become what we envisage. — Claude M. Bristol (1891-1951) Author
It is not often easy to be Frank. It must be accompanied by tact, diplomacy, a keen understanding and respect of the other person’s point of view, sincerity, and even humor. Children are naturally innocent and without guile. As we grow, we should make an effort to master the subtleties of communication. Foxy, in order to remain positive, also needs these softening edges.
Peace,
Jim
          FRANK
Definition: free in expressing what one thinks or feels; candid; free from reserve, disguise, or guile; open; ingenuous; clearly evident; plain
Derivation: Middle Latin, “free,” “at liberty”
Synonyms: honest, sincere
Balancing Qualities: articulate, compassionate
Too Far: brusque, piercing, tactless
          FOXY
Definitions: (1) slyly clever or cunning; crafty; sharp; (2) physically attractive <especially in an alluring way>
Consider the Source