The Best Expression of Love Is Time

By Rick Warren — October 12, 2016

“We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words” (1 John 3:18 GW).

The second truth you need to remember if you want to reduce the stress and overload in your life is this: The best expression of love is time.

You spell love T-I-M-E. The Bible says in 1 John 3:18, “We must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words” (GW).

The most desired gift of love is focused attention. I want to see your eyes. I want to talk. I want to listen. I want to commune. I want to fellowship. I want you! The greatest gift you can give anybody is your time. It’s the most precious and desired gift because your time is your life.

Time is your most precious commodity. You only have a certain amount of it. God’s already decided the number of days you are going to live. You’re not going to get any more. You can always get more money, but you cannot get more time. Every time you give someone your time, you are giving that person a portion of your life that you will never get back. That’s why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

Many people are in time-starved relationships. You live in the same home, but you’re passing each other by night like ships, with a goodbye kiss here and there, and your relationship is shriveling. It’s drying up for lack of attention.

A lot of things can rob a relationship. Work can rob a relationship. Activity can rob a relationship. Too much church involvement or ministry can rob a relationship. Hobbies can rob a relationship.

You may wonder, “How can I have more time for those I love?” Start by turning off the TV and unplugging the computer! It’s amazing to me that people sit and watch a program on TV called “Friends” instead of making friends. They will watch “Party of Five” instead of having a party for five. They will watch a show called “Talk to Me” instead of talking to those that they love the most.

If you want to revitalize a dying relationship, a dying marriage, or a dying friendship, it’s got to start with you investing more of yourself by giving away your time. You will find that as you express your love through time, you will be a blessing to others, and you will enjoy a deeper, more meaningful relationship with them.

PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>

Talk It Over
What are the things — even if they are not necessarily bad things — that are keeping you from giving your time to people in your life?
If you are in a dying relationship, what changes will you make to show that person that you want to give more of yourself by giving him or her your time?
Is quality time one of your “love languages”? Even if it doesn’t seem important to you, how do you think the people you love perceive quality time with you? 

Your body warns you 1 month before a heart attack - here's the hidden secret everyone should know

By Newsner 5 October 2016

Myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks affect more than a million Americans each year according to popular medical website WebMD.

Thanks to increased knowledge and intensive research, tens of thousands of Americans survive heart attacks each year, according to the American Heart Association.

But there is still a long way to go in educating and broadening awareness about this common and frightening experience - and becoming better at identifying those at risk is a must. en better at identifying people who are at risk.

But it's also good to know that half of all patients with acute myocardial infarction had in fact had warning signs over the previous days or month - without necessarily realizing it. 

1. Fatigue

We are all tired at times, which is perfectly normal. But if you're so tired that basic activities like grocery shopping suddenly feel like pure torture, then it may be time to investigate.

In addition, if you find yourself getting breathless rather quickly or suddenly, you should see a doctor right away in order for them to check your EKG. If you find yourself in a stressful situation and your heart is not doing well, you may suffer a heart attack.

2. Chest pressure

One of the most common warning signs of a future heart attack is a strong chest pressure or tightness.

Chest pain can also be felt in other parts of the body, sometimes radiating pain into the arm (often the left armpit or arm), but you can also feel the pressure in your throat, neck, jaw, back or stomach. The pain usually lasts at least 15 minutes.

3. Respiratory distress

Before a heart attack, individuals may experience severe shortness of breath. This is most often due to the fact that the lungs are no longer receiving enough blood because your arteries are blocked.

If you suddenly have trouble breathing, you should immediately consult a doctor. 

4. Exhaustion

If you often feel weak and exhausted, it may be because your muscles are no longer receiving enough blood. Fatigue Syndrome tends to be one of the first warning signs of an impending heart attack.
 

5. Dizziness and cold sweats

Excessive sweating can be a first sign of a heart attack. If you experience these symptoms, you should go see your doctor.

The dizziness may be caused by a reduced blood supply to the brain.
 

6. Cold/flu

Are you tormented by a bad cough, cold and fever? Don't panic right away, these are of course not immediately dangerous symptoms. 

However what many are not aware of is that cold symptoms may appear one month before a heart attack. This is thus something worth thinking about - especially if you have also experienced any of the above symptoms.


It's important to remember that the symptoms of heart attacks can be very different from one individual to another, and also particularly vary between men and women.

But by paying attention to these six points, I hope that future we can save even more lives.

Please share this article on Facebook and remember to care for your heart! 

 

 

Experts Say Knitting And Crocheting Can Have A Surprising Impact On Your Health

Laura Caseley

Knitting, crocheting, lacemaking, and lots of other string-based crafts have been popular for eons.

While in the past, knitting was a necessity to making warm clothing and blankets, now, it’s just a craft and pastime that people of all ages enjoy. It’s always so satisfying to make something with your hands!

But it’s more than making yourself a cute sweater or a fluffy pair of socks, it turns out. In fact, it’s much more.

Knitting actually brings with it a slew of health-boosting benefits. Besides being a cool, classic skill and a method of creative expression, sometimes in unexpected ways, it actually has mental, physical, and emotional benefits.

And if you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Those who knit know how nice it is to relax after a long day with their current project and just be still for a little bit. It’s really soothing!

If you’re not a knitter, these unexpected side effects might just convince you to pick it up!

And if you are, these fascinating facts just might inspire you to start that project you’ve been planning, or to dream up a completely new one!

Check out the benefits that this ancient craft can bring to you, and break out the knitting needles!  

 

Why Knitting And Crocheting?

Knitting and crocheting might seem like crafts of the past, but they’re not at all. In fact, knitting has experienced an uptick in popularity among people of all ages.

But besides being a useful skill, what else is knitting doing for you? 

Knitting Benefit #1: Lowers Heart Rate And Blood Pressure

If you knit or crochet, you probably know how relaxed you feel after wrapping up a good session.

But relaxing is way more than just feeling good. It’s healthy!

Relaxation lowers levels of stress hormone cortisol, which, in excess, is harmful to the heart and circulatory system, and stress can cause all kinds of other nasty health problems, too.

 

Knitting Benefit #2: Keeps Fingers Nimble

Knitting and crocheting require a number of small, precise movements, often executed rapidly.

This repeated exercise is actually great for keeping the finger joints flexible and the muscles in the hands toned and steady.

It might seem counterintuitive, but keeping the fingers moving by knitting is great for maintaining mobility in those with arthritis.

Naturally, as with any activity, be gentle and don’t overdo it, and make sure to take frequent stretch breaks. 

Knitting Benefit #3: Improves Math Skills

Believe it or not, you can sharpen your math skills without doing rows and rows of arithmetic — or at least, that’s what it will seem like.

Knitting and crocheting is all about counting, multiplying, measuring, and patterning, which are all math skills.

When you knit, you do most of that stuff subconsciously, though. But the effect on your brain is the same: stronger mathematical skill. 

Knitting Benefit #4: Calms Anxiety

Besides physically relaxing the body, knitting also soothes the mental state.

For many, the practice of knitting is meditative, and allows the mind to pause and refocus, and soothes worries. 

Knitting Benefit #5: Sharpens Memory

Just like with math, knitting is all about remembering what you’re doing. When to knit and when to purl, what color stripe comes next, and how many rows go into which part of the project.

Knitting makes your brain actively rely on its memory, and the more you use it, the stronger your memory becomes. 

Knitting Benefit #6: Helps Manage Pain

Knitting requires focus, which means that you have to concentrate on it and not on, say, pain.

People with chronic pain may find that knitting allows them to think about something other than the discomfort, and makes them less aware of the pain for at least a little while.

And it’s not just physical pain. People with clinical depression and eating disorders also reported feeling better after taking up knitting. 

Knitting Benefit #7: Reduces Mindless Eating

If your hands are busy, you can’t reach for junk food! People who knit tend to be less likely to engage in mindless eating, and thus tend to have better diets.

If you’re looking to eat more mindfully, try taking up knitting while you’re hanging out at home or watching TV.

Your hands will be occupied with the project, and so they won’t be scooping up chips. 

Knitting Benefit #8: Keeps Your Brain Healthy For Years

Studies have shown that among older people, those who knit or crochet had a decreased chance of age-related cognitive impairment or memory loss.

Among people aged 70 to 89, the studies showed that the knitters and crocheters had the healthiest brains and memories.

It suggests that crafts like this help the brain create and maintain the neural pathways that keep the mind and memory sharp. 

Knitting Benefit #9: Gives A Sense Of Purpose

 

One of the worst feelings is that you’re just kind of there.

But having a project gives you a goal and a sense of purpose. You want to meet that goal, and getting closer and closer to it is a great, inspiring feeling.

Even better is creating handmade gifts for friends and family, or creating necessities like scarves and mittens for the needy.

The feeling of creating something for someone you care about is deeply fulfilling. 

Knitting Benefit #10: Boosts Confidence And Self-Esteem

If working on a project is fulfilling, completing one is even better!

When you’ve finished something, you have a physical thing that you can hold up and look at and say, “I did that!”

Knitting is a skill that you learned and mastered, and it’s something you can do.

You can turn a piece of yarn into something wearable! That’s awesome! And you’re awesome for doing it. 

Knitting Benefit #11: You Get A Neat, One-Of-A-Kind Craft At The End!

Along with a sense of accomplishment and ability, you also get a cool craft when you’re done with a knitting project! And the best part is that there’s no other one like it in the world.

Maybe you’ll end up with a perfectly fitting sweater, or a blanket that looks perfect in your bedroom, or a scarf in your favorite colors. Whatever it is, it’s yours!

Do you knit or crochet? Would you like to start? Let us know in the comments, and show us some of the things you’ve made!

And be sure to SHARE these unexpected benefits with your friends!