This is the beginning of my series with quotes from the most insightful and discerning therapists that I know. 

Dr. Henry Cloud is well known for his work and development with the Boundaries Therapy.

Here is one of the things he says about relationships and boundaries in his newsletter.  

On hurt and wounds:

"We have natural responses to being hurt that are part of our imperfections. We do not always respond well to stresses in our lives. These responses come easily to us, but they are not helpful to our personal growth. Next time someone hurts you, try using these tools:

Acknowledge the Wound. Don't Deny it. When we are hurt emotionally, we tend to deny it. For example, an unloving wife may wound a husband's heart, but he may not want to appear weak or vulnerable. Or he may think he is being overly sensitive. Or he may think that admitting his hurt is being disloyal or mean to his wife. So he shrugs off the wound. However, he is living a lie. Just saying something doesn't hurt us doesn't make it go away, and the wounded heart stays injured.

Stay Connected. Don't Isolate. We tend to withdraw from relationship when we hurt. Some people are afraid of their dependencies on others. Others feel guilty about burdening friends with their problems. Still, others try to be self-sufficient. None of these responses helps a person heal and grow.

Love and Forgive. Don't Retaliate. People also "naturally" lash back when they are hurt, and they desire revenge on the one who hurt them. Like little kids, they will harbor murderous intentions and attempt to retaliate. For example, a woman who has been betrayed by a man she is dating may then do the same to him. Perhaps they had agreed to an exclusive relationship, deepening their commitment and trust. Then she found out he was seeing someone else. The problem with rationalizing retaliation is that while he certainly needs to know how he hurts others, it's more likely to help him justify his own behavior.

Practice Self Control. Don't be Controlled. Our initial response to being hurt is that we lose self-control. Our getting hurt in a relationship is proof of how little control we have over others in the first place. Many times we transfer power onto the person who has hurt us, which makes things worse. For example, a man may realize his parents have been emotionally unresponsive to him all his life. He may see how this unresponsiveness has made his relational life difficult, as he has not been connected enough to his inner self to connect to others. As he understands this, he may then also become obsessed with trying to get his parents to see what they did to him or get them to apologize, or get them to re-parent him and provide him for what they did not when he was a child.

Good relationships do involve confronting, forgiving, and reconciling. However, some people make the injured self the focus of their lives, letting the other person control them. In this way, they put their hearts under the power of the very ones who injured them. That's not a productive way to live.

Let's talk about more about healthy alternatives to addressing pain.

Until next time ...

Cheers,

Henry"

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  Scriptures and Verses on Purity 

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Psalms 24:3-4

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

1Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

1Corinthians 6:15-20

Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So, glorify God in your body.

Hebrews 7:26

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.

James 1:27

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Matthew 5:8 ESV

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Psalm 119:9 ESV

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Hebrews 13:4 ESV

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Romans 13:14 ESV

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Colossians 3:5 ESV

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Ephesians 5:5 ESV

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ...

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Psalm 24:3-4 ESV

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Hebrews 13:18 ESV

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Titus 2:12 ESV

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

John 8:34 ESV

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

2 Timothy 2:21 ESV

Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV / 80 helpful votes

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Psalm 119:37 ESV

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

Luke 11:34-35 ESV

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.

Matthew 5:30 ESV

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

1 Timothy 5:22 ESV

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Matthew 6:22 ESV

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

2 Corinthians 6:6 ESV

By purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

Psalm 86:11 ESV

Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Titus 1:15 ESV

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Ephesians 5:3 ESV

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

Colossians 3:9 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Proverbs 16:25 ESV

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Philippians 1:9-11 ESV

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

John 9:31 ESV

We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.

Psalm 18:24 ESV

So, the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

Matthew 5:28 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Job 4:17 ESV

‘Can mortal man be in the right before God? Can a man be pure before his Maker?

2 Peter 2:9 ESV

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

Hebrews 9:14 ESV

How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

2 Corinthians 11:2 ESV

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 51:7 ESV

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Proverbs 22:11 ESV

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

Psalm 73:1 ESV

A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

1 John 3:3 ESV

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Titus 2:5 ESV

To be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

James 1:27 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Galatians 5:19 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Habakkuk 1:13 ESV

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

Job 31:1 ESV

“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?

James 1:1-5:20 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

1 Timothy 1:1-2 Timothy 4:22 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ...

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Hebrews 12:1-13:25 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. ...

Proverbs 17:3 ESV

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Psalm 119:1-139:24 ESV

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...

Exodus 20:14 ESV

“You shall not commit adultery.

Genesis 2:24 ESV

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Leviticus 18:1-27:34 ESV

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord. ...

Leviticus 11:45 ESV

For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:22 ESV

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 Peter 1:1-2 Peter 3:18 ESV

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ...

Ephesians 1:1-6:24 ESV

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ...

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Isaiah 52:1-15 ESV

Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake yourself from the dust and arise; be seated, O Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus says the Lord: “You were sold for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.” For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at the first into Egypt to sojourn there, and the Assyrian oppressed them for nothing. Now therefore what have I here,” declares the Lord, “seeing that my people are taken away for nothing? Their rulers wail,” declares the Lord, “and continually all the day my name is despised. ...

Titus 1:1-3:15 ESV

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— ...

Proverbs 6:32 ESV

He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself.

Psalm 5:1-12 ESV

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. ...

Psalm 51:1-19 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. ...

1 John 1:8 ESV / 18 helpful votes

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 ESV

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

Romans 12:1 ESV

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Psalm 24:3-5 ESV

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

1 John 3:1-3 ESV

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Galatians 6:7-8 ESV

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Galatians 5:17 ESV

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Galatians 5:13-25 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ...

1 Corinthians 12:12-20 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. ...

Romans 8:7 ESV

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. ...

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 19:8 ESV

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

1 John 3:2-3 ESV

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Acts 17:10-11 ESV

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Psalm 51:6 ESV

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Ecclesiastes 10:17 ESV

Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

1 Timothy 6:11 ESV

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

https://www.openbible.info/topics/purity_for_womenBottom of Form

Hebrews 13:4 ESV

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

1 Corinthians 6:18 ESV

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Colossians 3:5 ESV

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Philippians 4:8 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 ESV

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Matthew 5:28 ESV

But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Psalm 119:9 ESV

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Galatians 5:19-21 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 6:13 ESV

“Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.

John 8:34 ESV

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

Matthew 5:8 ESV

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Genesis 2:24 ESV

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:5 ESV

For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Matthew 5:30 ESV

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

1 John 4:1 ESV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Hebrews 13:18 ESV

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

Hebrews 12:1 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Titus 2:12 ESV

Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

1 Timothy 5:1-2 ESV

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

Colossians 3:9 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Galatians 5:19 ESV

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2 Corinthians 6:6 ESV

By purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love;

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:1-20 ESV

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...

Romans 13:14 ESV

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 12:17-21 ESV

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

John 3:17 ESV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 19:9 ESV

And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”

Matthew 15:19-20 ESV

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 6:24 ESV

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Genesis 2:18 ESV

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

1 John 3:3 ESV

And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

1 John 3:2-3 ESV

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

2 Peter 2:9 ESV

Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

1 Peter 3:1-2 ESV

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

James 5:16 ESV

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 1:27 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Titus 2:3-5 ESV

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 1:15 ESV

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 ESV

For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ...

1 Thessalonians 4:3 ESV

For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

Colossians 3:18 ESV

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Ephesians 5:33 ESV

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:1-33 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ...

Ephesians 5:1-3 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 7:39 ESV

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:2 ESV

But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

Romans 8:1-39 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...

John 3:16-17 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Song of Solomon 2:7 ESV

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Proverbs 21:9 ESV

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 18:22 ESV

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Proverbs 14:1 ESV

The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:1-25 ESV

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace. ...

Proverbs 10:9 ESV

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

Proverbs 7:1-27 ESV

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. ...

Proverbs 5:18-19 ESV

Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Psalm 18:26 ESV

With the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.

Deuteronomy 22:13-21 ESV

“If any man takes a wife and goes in to her and then hates her and accuses her of misconduct and brings a bad name upon her, saying, ‘I took this woman, and when I came near her, I did not find in her evidence of virginity,’ then the father of the young woman and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of her virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. And the father of the young woman shall say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man to marry, and he hates her; and behold, he has accused her of misconduct, saying, “I did not find in your daughter evidence of virginity.” And yet this is the evidence of my daughter's virginity.’ And they shall spread the cloak before the elders of the city. ...

Numbers 32:23 ESV

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Genesis 3:16 ESV

To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

Can't get your kids to sleep? Can't get to sleep yourself? 

Helpful hints for sweet dreams for our children.

by Jessica Furino Koinonia Professional Coaching & Counseling Center, Scotch Plains, N.J. 908.663.2111

Provide the same routine, nightly for your children.

Help them pray and give thanksgiving before bed.

Music and white noise:

Exercise daily.

Healthy nutrition and diet:

Find out if anything is worrying your child:

Family movie time:

Pets:

Diffuse or apply topically Young Living essential oils, lavender is wonderful to help promote relaxation. 

Recommended bedtime tools to help children get a good night’s sleep (and parents too.) 

By Jessica Furino https://www.kpccounselingcenter.com Scotch Plains, N.J.

Provide the same routine, nightly for your children.

Start quiet, relaxing activities 1.5 hours before bed. Begin an hour before bedtime with a fun, relaxing bath (lavender and chamomile oil with help to relax your child.) Turn off all games and electronics 1.5 hours before bed. Let your child play board games, draw, color, build Legos, or other quiet activities. Remove phones until morning. Read to your child or if they are older, have them read each night for 15 minutes or more. Have your child do relaxation techniques at bedtime.

Help them to pray and give thanksgiving before bed.

Teach your children to appreciate and verbalize all their personal gifts (help them to understand how loved, unique and special they are.) Teach them to appreciate and be thankful for their family, friends and school. Help them to lift their concerns to our Father in heaven and develop a personal relationship with Him. Help them to know that He will answer their prayers, keep them safe through the night and help them to be the wonderful child He has created. As they lift their concerns in prayer, you will hear what is on their hearts.

Relaxing instrumental music and white noise:

Play soothing classical music or instrumental music (you can follow me on Spotify and play my playlists.) Some children and adults benefit from “white noise.” A small fan can provide this and helps with sleep.

Exercise daily.

At least an hour each day. Walking, swimming, running, playing at the gym or after school.

Family games; twister, running, playing ball, dancing, biking, going to the playground, hiking and so much more.

Healthy nutrition and diet:

Try to have nightly family dinners. This is a time of sharing for everyone. Start the dinner by asking each member to share 3 good things that happened and 2 not so good.

Have your doctor check your child for allergies; especially food and lactose. 

Make sure your child has a healthy snack after school, drink lots of water, and eats their dinner 2-3 hours before bed.

Make sure your children have a healthy, nutritious meals throughout the day. A small snack 2 hours before bed is helpful (protein and vegetable ie..peanut butter and apple.)

Reduce or eliminate processed foods. Stock up on fresh vegetable, fruit and meats.

Reduce or eliminate sugar. Make sure your child does not have any sugar after 6:00 pm, as it can interrupt their sleep.

Find out if anything is worrying your child:

Go for a walk, spend one on one time talking and listening to your child. Find that quiet time to talk with your child and see if anything is worrying them. Many of us will have nightmares and bad dreams if we have unresolved worries.

Family movie time:

Find encouraging, uplifting, funny movies for everyone to snuggle and watch together.  Youtube kittens, puppies and other funny videos to enjoy together.

Pets:

Puppies and kittens provide comfort, comical relief and a chance for little ones to be responsible and caring for those other than themselves. They also help little ones sleep with a cherished friend.

Diffuse or apply topically Young Living essential oils:

1 drop of lavender on your child’s right toe may help them sleep. You can diffuse 4 drops in their diffuser and keep it running as they sleep.

As a counselor, I frequently work with adults and children who have sleep problems, stress, anxiety and other challenges. Young Living is a Christian company who manufactures and produces nontoxic, pure, products. The therapeutic oils they distill prove to be very effective. Because of this, my family, friends and many of my clients use their products.

Please feel free to look at their catalog of oils, natural,non toxic baby, pet, household, personal, supplements and home products from my link. You can purchase, retail directly from the link or if you are interested in purchasing wholesale (24% off products) you can buy their new member kit for $160.00 (retail value is $320.00) and receive their diffuser, 11 therapeutic oils, supplements and other items.

www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?site=US&sponsorid=3316083&enrollerid=3316083

My member number (for enroller and sponsor) is 3316083. Young Living’s customer service number is 800.373.3515. 

If you have, consistently, implemented the above recommendations and your child is still having difficulty sleeping please see your pediatrician.

I would be happy to work with you, your child and family.

Jessica Furino Koinonia Professional Coaching & Counseling Center, Scotch Plains, N.J. 908. 663.2111

[email protected] www.kpccounselingcenter.com

Simple Solutions:

Natural, non toxic oils provide a multitude of benefits.

  Please click the below site to look at these non toxic products (baby, household, pets, culinary, and so much more.)

www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?site=US&sponsorid=3316083&enrollerid=3316083

You know that old song by the Monkey's "I'm a believer?" That is me and about a million others! My family, friends and many of my clients are amazed with the results and benefits of Young Living's pure, non toxic essential oils.  A little drop goes along way!  Please watch this video, from a renowned and respected physician, concerning the benefits of therapeutic oils.

Please feel free to check out my Young Living site, catalog and products. Feel free to order from this link too. If you are interested in purchasing wholesale, PM me. Pm me if I can help you or answer any questions.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SByG4wKFvb4      General overview of the benefits of therapeutic oils by Dr. Axe

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RfQkn1tJUk         Sleep benefits of essential oils by Dr. Axe.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMvWIAZ21KU       Essential oils as medicine by Dr. Axe.

Healthy Bodies...healthy minds. 

Stress reduction and relaxation tools.

By Pastor Jessi Furino

Good lifestyle habits are crucial in reducing our stress. Some these habits are good nutrition, healthy sleep habits, relaxing walks, affirmative self talk, prayer and meditation, thankfulness, breathing exercises, and making sure you physically, emotionally and spiritually well.

Here are a few tools that may be helpful.

SLEEP: 

 A full 7 hours of sleep ( if you have difficulty sleeping, email me for some suggestions.)

DIET:

Good nutritional eating habits (reduced or no sugar or caffeine,) stop eating processed foods, triglycerides, etc. Eat foods with tryptophan (as they naturally relax your body..turkey, chicken, basil, tomatoes, warm milk.) Most of us don't get the recommended 8 servings of vegetables, 4 servings of fruit and 4 servings of protein a day.:

VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS:

It is important to take a good daily vitamin, and needed supplements ( such as Vitamin D3.) A complete physical should show what minerals and vitamins you may need to supplement. 

Pure therapeutic oils: lavendar, chamomile, cedar wood and others are very helpful in providing help in relaxing and calming many people.  I am a distributor for Young Living Essential Oils and Products.  My family, friends and many of my clients find their products helpful. Please feel free to look through their product catalog, order from my account and ask me any questions concerning these products. 

www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start?site=US&sponsorid=3316083&enrollerid=3316083

 

EXERCISE:

Moderate exercise, a 30 minute walk 3-4 times a week.

 

HYDRATION:

Good hydration (6-8 glasses of water each day.)

SELF TALK AND PRAYER:

Positive self talk...dispute those negative injunctions. I believe in prayer, I am a pastor. I firmly believe that everything isn't under our control. That God is a loving, caring and protective Father who willingly will help us through our difficulties. Faith is a gift, one you can ask for. Asking Him to take on your burdens and helping them through will ease your stress and burden.

COUNSELING:

Talk therapy with a counselor to help find the source of your anxiety and to help relieve it. Relaxation techniques work! Focus on a single word (calm, peace, etc..) to distract yourself and provide calm. Please contact me if you would like to come in for a session on my technique. I can also help you on Face Time or Skype.

BREATHING EXERCISES: 

Breathing exercises (breathe in through your nose, slowly to the count of 7 and breathe out, deeply, to the count of 7...7 x.) Remind yourself that this is only a feeling and it will pass with in a short period of time, probably within 10 minutes. As you breathe you are telling your body that there is nothing to fear, to relax and be calm. When you focus on one word, ie calm, you are only able to think of that one thing. This will help with those what if and panicky thoughts.

NATURAL AND WARMING DISTRACTIONS:

Music, animals, nature, writing, drawing, crafts, and other activities are wonderful and healthy distractors.

HAVE A SAFE SUPPORT PERSON WHO YOU CAN REACH OUT AND TALK WITH:  

If you are feeling badly, have a safe support person who you can speak with. As you practice these steps, you will find that your attacks should eventually diminish.

HELP SOMEONE IN NEED:

Service heals us and focuses our attention on someone else. It brings you together with other loving, caring persons.

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK:

Love yourself! Have your expectations for you based on your goals, not others. Relax, enjoy and grow. Surround yourself with others who are positive, solution oriented and loving. Learn how to be assertive and say no. You do not have to please others. Write down your goals and figure out how to achieve them. Live, love, learn and enjoy this life.

HAVE A FULL PHYSICAL AND CONSULT WITH A PROFESSIONAL:

If you continue to experience these episodes, please consider seeing me or another qualified counselor and see your physician for a complete physical.  Anxiety, depression and stress are frequently caused by physical ailments or illness.  

Please share information that can be helpful to our readers or email me if I can be of further help. 

Simple Solutions...

Healthy Bodies equal Healthy Minds...

A simple truth to nutrition is....

Eat fresh vegetables ( atleast 4 servings a day, but there is no limit on consumption...fresh and more colorful is prefered over cooked), fruits (2 servings a day) and protien (2 servings a day.)

Drink atleast 8 glasses of water a day.  

Cut back or eliminate triglicerides (frequently found in processed meats.)

    Cut down and eliminate sugar...."the 10 day detox" is an excellent program to eliminate sugars from your diet.  Many people have lost up to 10 pounds in their first 2 weeks on this program.   

Here is a great article on the nutritional value of foods by Dr. Axe (wonderful resource for nutrition, exercise and overall wellness!)

https://draxe.com/essential-nutrients/

Genesis 12, "I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others."

https://youtu.be/XQan9L3yXjc?list=RDXQan9L3yXjc

Love the Life you Live Part 4.  Embrace your passions.

Your passions are gifts for you to persue and share.  What do you love to do? Enjoy nature, listen to music, sing, dance, emerse yourself in art, read,  enjoy your pets, write, play music, sing, cook, spend time with your family, teach, take nature walks, enjoy water sports, organize, write blogs, help others, garden, create, make movies, make people laugh, do outreach,learn, ..... Whatever it is, do it!  Do it well! Share your passion with others to lift them up.  Life is a gift worth living and sharing.