Proverbs 17:1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. KJV
Amy's Ambiance
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, ambiance is a french root word pronounced "om-bee-onts" in english. Have you ever paid attention to the atmosphere around you when you eat a meal? A basic anatomy class covers the fact that stress diminishes digestion and we know it is important to 'rest to digest' from our physical trainers. But what about while we are eating? Research shows certain music and decor can trigger different rates of eating. Why not create an environment that promotes thankful eating? This can get us back in touch with our satiety cues and provide a feeling of fullness to prevent overeating.
Positive, food-related attitudes have been linked to better diets..." Often I hear people say negative things like, "If it taste good, I can't have it." or "I can't have that food." or "Healthy food is too expensive." or "One bite of that ice cream will make me gain ten pounds." Disordered eating centers have found that positive declarations are key in enabling behavior change. Therefore, if this is a weakness for you or a loved one, I would strongly suggest soaking music and meditating on scripture to reprogram your negative thoughts about food. This is foundational for success. Here is a link where you can meditate on food-related scripture that may help keep things in perspective as well. We should not consistently confess that we are defeated by a food! Or even worse, laugh at the thought of it. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Food/
Explore instrumental or slow-tempo, Christian dining music to promote relaxation and aid in digestion.
His Foods
1 Cor 10:31 "...eat or drink...for the glory of God."
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). Thanking God for food allows our mind and body to prepare for eating. It can also release words of blessing over the food composition before it nourishes our bodies. Music therapists know sound is important. Faith behind the words we speak is another dimension to sound and as the Bible teaches, words have power. Therefore, we have power to curse or bless foods we ingest and this can play a part in our well-being.
Contact Amy for dining decor ideas, table etiquette demonstrations & food safety training.
Job 12:11 "The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods."
& 16:5 "...if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief."
Psalm 19:10 God's Word is better than red, ripe strawberries in the spring.
Benefits of Praying Over Food
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. [Genesis 1:28 is an example of how God blesses what he creates: 'Be fruitful! Multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!' Some choose to speak this over every blessing in their lives including their food.]
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. Savor the flavors!
5) It makes us ponder the quality of what we're eating. God will gladly bless the wholesome food He created for us. 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 better food choices.
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.
by Beth Bence Reinke, MS, RD
Exodus 23:25a: Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water” NIV
Fasting the Bad
Why did Jesus ask the mourners to leave His presence before He raised the dead? Atmosphere, many times, matters. Due to the high ratio of bad news to good news reports in our societies, everyone should consider a temporary media fast. Try fasting from all the bad news floating around on television, movies, newspapers and magazines. Many may make you wonder if anyone is going to survive into the next century. The truth is that life is not all bad. Instead of religiously watching news before dinner or bed, spend time watching clean comedy or listening to inspiring music with a family member. The benefits will be two-fold: bonding with family and ending your day with happy thoughts and laughter instead of trauma and disaster. I think you will find that when you limit what you expose yourself to, you will feel more joyful and less fearful. This is important for individuals who tend to eat for emotional comfort.
-Beyond Devotional Magazine
Proverbs 15:17 "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." NIV
Job 19:2-4 "How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words? ...if I have sinned, that is my concern, not yours
A Christian Quotation: "Whiles thou eatest or drinkest let not the memory of thy God that feed thee pass from thy mind; but praise, bless, and glorify him in like morsel, so that thy heart be more in God's praising than in thy meat, and thy soul be not parted from God at any time."
-Richard Rolle
Holy Hospitality
If you are having guests over for dinner, the point is to open yourself up to others by letting them see the real you in your natural habitat so that they will open up to you. Every person, no matter how beautiful or perfect or successful they appear, has a unique set of special hurts or worries. Maybe all someone needs is for you to pay attention to them and to love them enough to invite them over for an impromptu burger off the grill. God created people for relationship. Opening your home opens the door to new relationships, or more supportive ones. As you focus on the needs and pleasures of your guests, you actually take the pressure off yourself because you realize hospitality is not about showing off your cooking, cleaning, and decorating achievements. Your kind, intentional attention is more important to your friends than the fleeting pleasure of a spectacular dinner or decor.
Remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke Chapter 10. Martha had been missing out on the joy of fellowship with Jesus because of her business with preparing a meal. Jesus did not tell Martha that what she was doing was wrong. Cooking, cleaning, and serving are not bad things. Jesus simply told her that Mary's choice to sit at his feet and learn was a better choice. Mary's choice would have longer-term results in her life.
Positive, food-related attitudes have been linked to better diets..." Often I hear people say negative things like, "If it taste good, I can't have it." or "I can't have that food." or "Healthy food is too expensive." or "One bite of that ice cream will make me gain ten pounds." Disordered eating centers have found that positive declarations are key in enabling behavior change. Therefore, if this is a weakness for you or a loved one, I would strongly suggest soaking music and meditating on scripture to reprogram your negative thoughts about food. This is foundational for success. Here is a link where you can meditate on food-related scripture that may help keep things in perspective as well. We should not consistently confess that we are defeated by a food! Or even worse, laugh at the thought of it. http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Food/
Explore instrumental or slow-tempo, Christian dining music to promote relaxation and aid in digestion.
His Foods
1 Cor 10:31 "...eat or drink...for the glory of God."
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). Thanking God for food allows our mind and body to prepare for eating. It can also release words of blessing over the food composition before it nourishes our bodies. Music therapists know sound is important. Faith behind the words we speak is another dimension to sound and as the Bible teaches, words have power. Therefore, we have power to curse or bless foods we ingest and this can play a part in our well-being.
Contact Amy for dining decor ideas, table etiquette demonstrations & food safety training.
Job 12:11 "The ear tests the words it hears just as the mouth distinguishes between foods."
& 16:5 "...if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief."
Psalm 19:10 God's Word is better than red, ripe strawberries in the spring.
Benefits of Praying Over Food
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. [Genesis 1:28 is an example of how God blesses what he creates: 'Be fruitful! Multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it!' Some choose to speak this over every blessing in their lives including their food.]
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. Savor the flavors!
5) It makes us ponder the quality of what we're eating. God will gladly bless the wholesome food He created for us. 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 better food choices.
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.
by Beth Bence Reinke, MS, RD
Exodus 23:25a: Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water” NIV
Fasting the Bad
Why did Jesus ask the mourners to leave His presence before He raised the dead? Atmosphere, many times, matters. Due to the high ratio of bad news to good news reports in our societies, everyone should consider a temporary media fast. Try fasting from all the bad news floating around on television, movies, newspapers and magazines. Many may make you wonder if anyone is going to survive into the next century. The truth is that life is not all bad. Instead of religiously watching news before dinner or bed, spend time watching clean comedy or listening to inspiring music with a family member. The benefits will be two-fold: bonding with family and ending your day with happy thoughts and laughter instead of trauma and disaster. I think you will find that when you limit what you expose yourself to, you will feel more joyful and less fearful. This is important for individuals who tend to eat for emotional comfort.
-Beyond Devotional Magazine
Proverbs 15:17 "Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred." NIV
Job 19:2-4 "How long will you torture me? How long will you try to crush me with your words? ...if I have sinned, that is my concern, not yours
A Christian Quotation: "Whiles thou eatest or drinkest let not the memory of thy God that feed thee pass from thy mind; but praise, bless, and glorify him in like morsel, so that thy heart be more in God's praising than in thy meat, and thy soul be not parted from God at any time."
-Richard Rolle
Holy Hospitality
If you are having guests over for dinner, the point is to open yourself up to others by letting them see the real you in your natural habitat so that they will open up to you. Every person, no matter how beautiful or perfect or successful they appear, has a unique set of special hurts or worries. Maybe all someone needs is for you to pay attention to them and to love them enough to invite them over for an impromptu burger off the grill. God created people for relationship. Opening your home opens the door to new relationships, or more supportive ones. As you focus on the needs and pleasures of your guests, you actually take the pressure off yourself because you realize hospitality is not about showing off your cooking, cleaning, and decorating achievements. Your kind, intentional attention is more important to your friends than the fleeting pleasure of a spectacular dinner or decor.
Remember the story of Martha and Mary in Luke Chapter 10. Martha had been missing out on the joy of fellowship with Jesus because of her business with preparing a meal. Jesus did not tell Martha that what she was doing was wrong. Cooking, cleaning, and serving are not bad things. Jesus simply told her that Mary's choice to sit at his feet and learn was a better choice. Mary's choice would have longer-term results in her life.
Other Christian radio stations:
http://christianmusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=christianmusic&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.HeadzUpFM.com
http://www.premierradio.org.uk/listen/live
http://cjsi.streamon.fm/
http://christianmusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=christianmusic&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritfilledradio.com%2F
http://www.christianrock2.net/player.asp?speed=High&site=CRDN
http://christianmusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=christianmusic&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.HeadzUpFM.com
http://www.premierradio.org.uk/listen/live
http://cjsi.streamon.fm/
http://christianmusic.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=christianmusic&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spiritfilledradio.com%2F
http://www.christianrock2.net/player.asp?speed=High&site=CRDN
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. KJV
