Guard your heart

It's another one of those days when I open the Bible and see it applies to today.  Love it when that happens.  The medical tests I need to take are for my heart.  I'm fine, really!  It's just when they did the EKG, my heart did a little dooley-whop.  I sing soprano, and it decided to do base... go figure.  First time it's ever done that for my doctor.  I don't have any other symptoms, except high cholesterol.  Just between you and me, while I was having the EKG, I started talking to the technician and we were having all sorts of fun...  Not so sure I shoulda done that at that particular time.  But no one is too alarmed, my doctor thinks it's just the stress of this year. 

I've been working out so I can "wow" the doctors when I do the treadmill stress test next week.  I made the mistake of believing it was more important for me to work than get up and walk for 20 minutes a day, or stretch.  I have had a lot of stress this year- and it wears on you.  Especially if you sit on your bum instead of letting it out with exercise!

Proverbs 4:20-27

Through my blog I've shared many of my favorite verses.  I would encourage anyone to memorize verses that stand out to you.  It's so great when they come to mind at just the right moment, the Holy Spirit brings them to memory.  They are a definite stress reducer.

20 Dear friend, listen well to my words;

tune your ears to my voice.

21 Keep my message in plain view at all times.

Concentrate! Learn it by heart!

22 Those who discover these words live, really live;

body and soul, they're bursting with health.

It's interesting that this is another of my favorite verses.  Only today, it has a new meaning.  Today it means take care of my body, my health.   Our physical hearts are so important to our health.  When I found there was a question, I zoomed in on that, without it we can't live.  It's the same for us spiritually too.  My heart is where my feelings are stored, my soul, what makes me love, hate, care.  It's where Jesus dwells. 

23 Keep vigilant watch over your heart;

that's where life starts.

Ephesians 3:16-17
16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
NIV

Of course, you hear about health and hearts these days and the first thing that comes to mind is to lower your stress.  It's interesting, but a lot of the stuff we're not supposed to do, does cause stress.  Like lieing, if I tell a lie then I have to remember it, and if I forget...  Gossip, who wants to wonder if what you said got back to the person you said it about.  Sin is stressful.  I think God is fine with harmless laughter and fun.  That's how He created us.  Except maybe during an EKG when you are supposed to be resting...

24 Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth;

avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.

Oy!  Another confession.  I don't always pay attention to what I'm doing.  I've mentioned that before, I'm clumsy.  But, this goes even further to help me consider what distracts my mind, is it healthy? or not so much? 
25 Keep your eyes straight ahead;

ignore all sideshow distractions.

26 Watch your step,

and the road will stretch out smooth before you.

27 Look neither right nor left;

leave evil in the dust.

THE MESSAGE

Ok so there you have it.  I'm no Super-Saint, just me : )  And, of course prayers would be appreciated.