An Introduction to the Set Apart Times of YHWH

Have you ever wondered what the set apart times are in the Bible? In addition to the weekly Sabbath, there are seven times of the year that YHWH tells us to set apart. These times are special, and not only because we are told to celebrate them. Each holiday has significance historically, prophetically, and in the life of the Messiah. Paul wrote in Colossians that these times are a shadow of things to come. That means we have a lot to learn from these holidays.

The set apart times are:

Passover
Matzah Week / The Feast of Unleavened Bread
First Fruits

Shavuot / Pentecost / The Feast of Weeks

Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets

Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement

Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles

While specific dates are given in Scripture, the Biblical calendar doesn't mesh perfectly with the Gregorian so the dates move a bit each year. 

Needing clarification is the truth that these are not "Jewish holidays." No, no, no. These are part of Scripture, so if you are a Bible believer these are yours, regardless of nationality or bloodline or family traditions. While these have largely only been kept by Jewish people, YHWH never, ever says that only part of his people should celebrate them. Deuteronomy 16:14 expressly tells us that foreigners who join the community of YHWH's people should celebrate these days too, so no matter your background the Creator invites you to these times. He made them for his honor, but also for our enjoyment and erudition. Two of the greatest gifts ever bestowed on humanity - YHWH's instructions for living and the Holy Spirit - were given at Shavuot. The Messiah was born during the Fall Feasts and of course crucified on Passover and resurrected during Matzah Week. Perhaps the most joyous time in history will be on Yom Teruah at the returning of Yahusha. These times are stunning in their significance.

A brief overview of the set apart times:

Passover: In the Biblical year Passover is the very first feast. We see the Israelites keep Passover just before the Egyptian exodus. They were instructed to brush the doors of their homes with blood from a lamb, we are reminded that the Messiah was the perfect sacrificial lamb. That's not just an allegory either, Yahusha was killed on Passover. 

The Feast of Unleavened Bread: This is a week long celebration that starts the day after Passover. Leavened/yeast bread and other products are forbidden this week. As yeast is a very small ingredient that rabidly transforms all the dough, we are reminded that the small things in our life make a huge impact. It was during this week when the Messiah rose from the dead.

First Fruits: This day happens during Matzah Week, but there is a lot of debate as to when. This is when the first of the barely harvest was to be presented before YHWH. First Fruits is the day the Messiah resurrected from the dead and presented himself to the Father. It is also when we are to start counting fifty days.

Shavuot: Fifty days after First Fruits we are to celebrate Shavuot. This is a day of great significance as the instructions on how to live were given at Mount Sinai and then shortly after Yahusha's ascension into heaven, the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Shavuot.

Yom Teruah: The first of the fall feasts, Yom Teruah means something like Day of Sounding. All those verses that talk about a trumpet sounding when the Messiah returns? It will happen on that day.

Yom Kippur: Under the Levitical priesthood this was a very significant day because it's the day that the priests made atonement for all of Israel's sin with the two goats. Today we can celebrate that the Messiah has atoned for our sins. Prophetically, it is thought that this will be the day that the earth is judged and the people who have been atoned for by Messiah will be separated from those who have not.

Sukkot: This is a beautiful look ahead to when YHWH will dwell or camp with us. With that in mind, it's no surprise that it is believed the Messiah was born during this time. This eight day celebration usually looks like a camping trip, with the commandment being to dwell in tents. Others build a temporary structure on their property and spend time there throughout Sukkot.

Why should we be keeping the feasts?

-We are told to keep these set apart times forever (Exodus 12:14). And you know what? This isn't a bad thing. These are times of joy. Thinking otherwise illustrates a lack of trust in our Creator, that we could think so negatively about him to believe he is hosting parties just so we can be miserable during them. This is not the case at all. Each set apart time is a gift from him; a time for celebration, rest, joy, thanksgiving, time with family and friends, delicious foods, and fun memories. I refuse to treat that like a burden.

-We see the Messiah celebrating these times in Scripture. He even hosts a Passover meal (also known as the last supper). And he is supposed to be our example, right? So one of the answers to those WWJD bracelets is, "celebrate the feasts!"

-Paul exhorts us to keep the feasts (1 Corinthians 5:8). Even after the Messiah was ascended into heaven we are told to keep these festivals.

-Scripture tells us not to let anyone judge us for doing this (Colossians 2:16). In his all knowing, YHWH knew we would be facing some peer pressure to not keep the feasts. I think that's why in Colossians he reminded us to not let other's opinions make our decisions for us. It's not man's choice. It's YHWH's instruction.

Are there benefits to celebrating YHWH's set apart times?

To quote Paul, "Much in every way." Most people keeping the cultural holidays do so because they feel like they are beneficial. The benefit could be that it's something fun to look forward to, or that it's an excuse to spend time with family and friends or to take a break from work, or that it's a way to celebrate love or show people you care. And these are for times that are man made or have very dark origins. How much more then can the Biblical holidays bring goodness into our lives? Here are a few of the opportunities you will have in keeping celebrating the Biblical holidays.

-Deeper relationship with the Messiah. Everything about the festivals points to him. We are going to get a a better understanding of who he is when we start celebrating the feasts. It gives us a closer look at his life (we know what he was doing at these times of year), and we can prophetically see what his return will be like.

-Taking ownership for faith in a concrete way. Believing and trusting can feel a little abstract at times. It is nice to do something tangible to grow in faith and relationship with YHWH. These are regular times to slow down and refocus on faith.

-Understanding Scripture in much more depth! The festivals are a significant part of both Old and New Testament Scripture. We are going to miss a lot of details if we aren't at least somewhat familiar with what these are. And we know that all of Scripture is useful for teaching, correcting mistakes, and training in character.

-Sharing experiences that those in the Bible had. Keeping Passover is something Moses did. And Miriam and Joshua. And the Messiah and the disciples. King Josiah and Apostle Paul too. How cool is it that we can relate to them in this way? These set apart times bring members of our faith together over thousands of years, and can make Scripture come alive to us.

-Building relationships with other believers. A Passover meal or Sukkot celebration is a great time to journey to be with others in the faith. Sharing these special times together can foster lasting friendships and meaningful relationships.

This is just a brief introduction to the feasts. There is so much more richness to each one! For more on individual feasts, go here.

DIY Menorah Ring Dish

I have a fun and easy DIY project for you today! It seems as though we are overdue for a good DIY, the last one here was the Ten Commandments Gummies and before that it was matzah jewelry for the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 

As you've probably noticed, box stores and mass retailers are not exactly packed with things that represent the Hebrew faith. You won't find many menorahs or Happy Passover banners or Torah portion chalkboards readily available for purchase, so making an item for a feast or just faith encouragement is often the best option. (Though I am super happy to report a growing number of small businesses are making Hebrew minded items!) It's nice to have a few items in your home or workplace to remind you of your faith even when you aren't sitting down to study Scripture or getting ready for a formal Shabbat service. This ring dish does just that, while being lovely and functional.

Making this is a pretty straightforward process.

You will need:
air dry clay
rolling pin
knife or cookie cutter
bowl
menorah (this is what I used)
spray paint

Roll the clay out to about 1/8 inch thickness. You want this to be pretty even but it doesn't have to be perfect. Then cut out a circle, using either a large cookie cutter or set a bowl (or other round object) on your clay and use a sharp knife to cut along that.

Once you have your circle you'll need your menorah. If you follow me on Instagram, you'll recognize my small metal menorah from various photos. That's what I used for this ring dish but there are other options you could use too. Simcha Central's menorah cupcake toppers would also work, as would a stamp like this, or a fondant cutter. You could also press lightly with a menorah cookie cutter to imprint the design but don't go all the way through.

Position your menorah how you would like it and then lightly press to leave an impression in the clay. I used the rolling pin to apply even pressure and it worked well. There can be some trial and error to this, so if you aren't happy with how it's looking just start again. :)

If you're happy with that it's time to shape into a bowl (if you're not just re-roll the clay and start over). I used the same bowl I cut my circle from earlier to shape my dish. Just center it on the bottom and gently contour the edges around the sides. How you have it now will be the final shape of your dish, so don't stop until you are pleased. Keep your clay dish on the bowl as it dries. Check the package directions of your clay for how long this should take. I let mine dry overnight.

Once your dish feels completely dry to the touch, gently remove it from the bowl and you'll have something like this. So fun, right?!

I spray painted mine in a metallic gold but you could obviously use any color of spray paint. Or you could paint just the menorah and the rim. Or leave as is if you like. My air dry clay was white but there are some colored options as well. You could even try for a marbled effect with a couple of colors. It's totally up to you!

This has been my ring dish for a few months now and I love the pretty reminder of YHWH's presence and Kingdom. It's also very functional to always know where my wedding ring is if I am not wearing it. It's held up very well; I was concerned the paint may scratch off but so far it has not. These dishes also work to hold keys or spare change. They could be used as place card holders for Passover or another feast...how fun would that be?

PS - If you decide to try making a menorah dish, use your leftover clay for matzah jewelry! :)

What is a Hebrew? (Biblical Meaning)

Today we are taking a look at the Biblical definition of the word 'Hebrew.' While Hebrew is a language, it is also a word that is often used to describe God's people in general, and specific individuals in Scripture. We are also familiar with the New Testament book of Hebrews. When we see the correct understanding of this word as the Creator intended, we will realize that it's not about our bloodline or ancestry, but that God's family is inclusive to all people.

What is a Hebrew in the Bible?

The term 'Hebrew' first appears in Scripture in Genesis 14:13 where it is used to describe Abraham. In addition to Abraham, Jonah, Paul, and Joseph are identified as Hebrews. Joseph's brothers were known as Hebrews when they came to Egypt and Moses often identified YHWH as "God of the Hebrews." And this term appears throughout Scripture as a blanket statement for the people of Israel (those serving YHWH). This did not end in the 'Old Testament' either, since there is literally a book of Hebrews about how to follow the Messiah.

What does this title mean? What does it mean to be identified as a Hebrew?

Hebrew is defined as one who has crossed over to the other side. Strongs says it as, "one from beyond," and I think that's lovely. You aren't where you started. You've come to a new place. We see this in the literal sense in Scripture when Abraham and Sarah journey from their family home in Ur to the Promised Land, and when the Israelites cross the Red Sea leaving Egypt. But it also symbolizes leaving our culture's customs and crossing over to the things of YHWH. It symbolizes arriving in a new place with our faith and lifestyle. The image of journeying is very powerful. A Hebrew is anyone that is walking with YHWH.

Some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, have been grafted in among them. -Romans 11:17

The olive tree analogy is of course a parable for the Hebrew people. Paul is calling our attention to a truth with it: whether or not you can trace your family lineage back to people in the Bible, you can be a Hebrew. The term Hebrew longs predates Judaism, so you don't need to be Jewish to be included. Whether or not you are grafted in, you are still part of the olive tree. Make sense?

In Scripture being a Hebrew is synonymous with being part of Israel. To be part of Israel means that you are walking with YHWH. Israel in the Bible is not the same as the modern nation-state of Israel in the middle east, though the land space itself is similar. Living in modern Israel does not necessarily mean you are part of YHWH's definition of Israel. You are not made a Hebrew by where you live. As Romans 9:6 says, "Not all Israel is truly part of Israel."

Israel is the collective community of those walking with YHWH, those Hebrews who have crossed over to him.

What does it mean to cross over?

-Choosing to examine our faith and valuing truth more highly than tradition.
-Making changes and adjustments in our lives as we better understand truth.

-Getting our values and morals from Scripture instead of the culture.

-Choosing to follow YHWH's ways, even when it's not religiously popular.
-Walking the narrow road instead of the broad.

Hebrews listen to the Word and Holy Spirit to direct their steps. It is Hebrew to implement resting on the Sabbath into your life. Hebrews make the choice to celebrate the Biblical Passover instead of the masquerade of Easter. It is Hebrew to lay aside family or church traditions to try and live more like Scripture says we should. That's crossing over, and that's what we need to think of when Scripture talks about a Hebrew or Israel. People or a person who walked away from the culture to follow YHWH's ways. We are going to get very confused reading Scripture if we make Hebrew to be synonymous with Judaism or the language.

Hebrew is a lifestyle that loves and honors YHWH and Yahusha.

A Hebrew is a person who loves and honors YHWH and Yahusha.

I hope you can see that being a Hebrew has nothing to do with your nationality or family lineage and everything to do with the choices you make in following YHWH. No matter your past or background, you can choose today to follow YHWH's instructions in your life and to become a Hebrew.

"I am a Hebrew, and I worship YHWH, the Elohim of Heaven, who made the sea and the land." -Jonah 1:9

Related posts:

How the Bible Defines Sin
Non Jews in Scripture
How the Bible Defines Food

Some Great Thing and Health

"If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?" -2 Kings 5:13

This is from the story of Naaman seeking healing for leprosy. From a servant, he had heard that there was a prophet in another land who could possibly heal him. If you've gathered that Naaman must have been pretty desperate to travel so far based on a suggestion from someone so low in rank, you're right. Leprosy is a disease that can be so contagious that you can no longer live with your family. If you were dealing with something that nearly cuts you off from your community, you would try about anything to cure yourself, right? Imagine the expensive doctor consultations and bizarre therapies sufferers like Naaman must have undergone in an attempt to regain their lives. It seems too familiar.

As I'm sure the rest of you do, I know way too many people who have been given a life changing diagnosis. I think of my friend's mom who died of cancer before seeing her daughters get married or meeting her grandchildren. I think of a friend my age who is preparing for a double mastectomy. I think of my grandmother who passed away after multiple rounds of chemotherapy. I think of community members still working to pay off the massive debts accumulated for treatment, long after their loved one is gone.

In my community, cancer diagnoses are met with heroic resolve. Families put on a brave face, and seek out the most aggressive treatment for their loved one while hoping for the best. Top oncologists and clinics are sought out and no expense (stacking up well over the six figure mark) is spared. Communities rally with meal deliveries and prayer meetings and fundraisers. In high school the entire basketball team and most of the boys in school shaved their heads in support of a classmate who was losing his beloved long hair to chemotherapy. I just watched a video of a college student who dropped out of school to help a leukemia-diagnosed friend fulfill his bucket list. Those diagnosed with cancer are willing to undergo horrendous chemotherapy and a slew of nasty side effects in hopes of clinging to life. We are willing to do the big things.

And that's basically where Naaman was. Something difficult, sure. Something impressive sounding, absolutely. Remove body parts, endure radiation, yes. Do something so small it seems to lack significance? Not so much.

In the past few months I have been able to watch the documentary series The Truth About Cancer and that's been incredibly eye opening. The premise of the series is that cancer is a curable with a variety of nontoxic treatments found all over the world. There are nine episodes and you hear from dozens of people who were given scary diagnoses and conquered cancer. And what was surprising to me is how simple some of these things are.

"One of the most unfortunate detox memes that has emerged over the past few decades is the idea that detox must be "heroic" to be effective. This idea says, essentially, that an effective detox can only be achieved through tremendous suffering and pain." -Mike Adams

Who hasn't felt this way before? I've heard from many friends who gave up on their health goals because, "it wasn't worth it." Isn't this the idea that leads us to believe that a scary disease must be met with a state-of-the-art, high-risk, big deal plan for treatment? It seems like this was Naaman's belief too. After dealing with the physical pain and social stigma of leprosy for who knows how long, Elisha told him that all he needed to do was wash in the Jordan River seven times for restoration. And what was his response to the news of how to get his life and health back? Naaman was angry. He expected something bigger.

"I thought surely that he would come out to me and stand before me and call upon the name of YHWH Elohim, and he would wave his hands and cure the leprosy." -2 Kings 5:11

Naaman was offended with how simple the path to healing was. Imagine him saying, What does bathing have to do with anything? That's never helped me before or The water quality is higher at my home so I would have seen a difference there if that was going to work or Does he seriously think I haven't tried bathing? And honestly, that completely echoes with what I hear from others, not only about cancer treatment but healthy living in general. Small changes don't lead to big differences. Simple things don't work.

But a little thing worked for Naaman.

"So he went and washed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the prophet, and his flesh was restored and became like the skin of a child; and he became clean." -2 Kings 5:14

Are you willing to do a small thing for the sake of your health? Whether you are facing a life-threatening illness, dealing with allergies, feeling sluggish and tired, or simply want to be around as long as possible for your family, there are straightforward steps you can take to better your health that are truly doable. If you believe your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit then you should believe that it's worth it to invest time, finances, and effort into caring for it. The following are simple things that anyone can do, you don't need to be an expert, a millionaire, or a fitness fiend to incorporate these steps into your life. I am not a doctor so of course seek specific advice for you and your family from a qualified holistic professional.

Simple changes for a healthier lifestyle:

Drinking more water. Your body needs to be well hydrated to eliminate water-soluble toxins. Therefore, a simple (and free) way to support your body's detoxification abilities is to drink plenty of water. If you replace pop or sugary processed drinks with water, all the better.

Going for walks. Exercise is key to a healthy lifestyle, we've all heard this before, but you don't have to be a P90Xer or bodybuilder to be active. Seriously, if a hardcore workout regimen is intimidating just start with walking. In addition to the physical benefits of activity, exercise is a great way to manage stress. So walk around the block after dinner, catch up with a friend via a walk instead of a coffee shop, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

Letting fresh air in the house. It's -3° outside as I write this so I get that there are days when you don't want to open up the windows, but unfortunately homes can be filled with with pollutants from building materials, carpet, and furniture; not to mention toxic air fresheners, carpet cleaners, fumes from the garage, etc. Even in winter I open my windows for a few minutes a week to help air these out. In the summer I try to have them open as much as possible but I keep them shut on days nearby farmers are spraying fields.

Taking time to rest. I can't speak enough what a difference making it a point to rest on the Sabbath day has made in my emotional health and well being and I feel like I physically have more energy! Many others have told me the same thing. Make sure you are leaving adequate amounts of blank spaces in your calendar so that you have plenty of time for sleep and restoration.

Earthing. This is really just being barefoot while touching the ground. Since the earth carries a negative charge it works as a powerful antioxidant to our bodies. Earthing or grounding has been shown to relieve pain, reduce stress, reduce inflammation, improve sleep, speed wound healing, and more. You can ground by walking through your yard barefoot, laying on the beach, or kicking off your shoes when you sit at a picnic table or bench.

Getting a houseplant or two. Plants help to purify the air and emit oxygen in their environments. They are also shown to bring joy to people. There are plenty of low maintenance choices that can do both. Who knew that a few plants could significantly improve the air quality of your home?

Buying organic instead of conventional. While this will typically cost more upfront, making the change is pretty straightforward. You won't have to learn new recipes or techniques and you'll be greatly cutting back on nasty chemicals. While you remove herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides from your diet you're supporting jobs for farm workers to keep them out of those poisons as well.

Cleaning out your cleaning supplies. Do you want to be "cleaning" your home with things that require warning labels? The internet is filled with recipes for homemade cleaners using common and safe household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. Dr. Bronner's soaps are a good alternative to most and can be found at major retailers.

Switching deodorant with a non toxic one. Studies have shown that aluminum from antiperspirants can get lodged in breast tissue. Studies also show that aluminum can cause cancer. Unfortunately, many popular antiperspirants and deodorants contain aluminum, among many other substances of questionable safety. Health stores have various replacements from sticks to pastes to sprays. I use a spray that works better than the conventional deodorant I was using before, and it sells for the same price.

Adding more vegetables to your diet. Obviously the healthier your diet, the better, but even if you aren't willing to consume less processed foods or switch to organic, adding veggies to what you already eat is a great starting point to a healthier you. Add an extra side of veggies with whatever you are having for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's especially easy to finely chop greens and add them to pasta, casseroles, scrambled eggs, enchiladas, soup, etc. Even picky eaters won't mind.

Consuming probiotics. Most of us were not taught that health issues like chronic fatigue, thyroid imbalances, joint pain, and even autism originate in the gut. A healthy gut is critical to having a healthy immune system to fight off sickness and infection. Benefits of probiotics include everything from help with battling cancer, to fewer colds, to clearing acne, to reducing depression, to preventing cavities! Increasing your probiotic consumption can be done inexpensively by fermenting some veggies yourself, or conveniently by taking a probiotic capsule. 

Filtering your water. This goes for drinking water and your shower. It's crazy what sorts of heavy metals can be found in public drinking water and the crisis in Flint, Michigan a few years ago showed us that. Installing a filter on your shower or sink is a one time project that can greatly cut down on the load of toxins in your home.

Adding a few essential oils to your life. This could mean rolling on oil when you have a headache, replacing a toxic air freshener with an oil spray, diffusing oil to lift your mood, or adding a few drops to up the potency of your homemade cleaners. For years, I dealt with multiple sinus infections and tried all sorts of things to get them under control with little success. The first time I used an essential oil blend for sinuses I felt 60% better within a minute! While there are some very expensive essential oils, many are very affordable. Inexpensive oils to start with include, clove, grapefruit, cedar wood, lemon, tangerine, and rosemary.

Increase your consumption of B17.  One theory on why cancer rates have risen so much in the past 100 years is that we have greatly decreased our consumption of B17. Before hybridization and genetic engineering most grains contained large amounts of the vitamin. Good sources of B17 include buckwheat, millet, lentils, alfalfa, sorghum, peas, berries, and apricot and apple seeds.

Replace plastic storage containers with glass ones. If you've ever seen a plastic container that has picked up some red or orange coloring, you're seeing the food get into the plastic. That means that plastic is also getting into your food. Pyrex and mason jars are affordable ways to switch to a better option.

Swapping out regular candles with beeswax. So those scented candles at the stores contain tons of iffy stuff. Rather than burning one of these and filling your home with the chemicals, light up a candle made from beeswax. By releasing negative ions into the air, beeswax candles reduce indoor pollution and allergens. Burning these can be especially helpful for people with asthma or allergies.

Start dry brushing. This is believed to stimulate your lymphatic system, which is responsible for the elimination of cellular waste. Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease, and taking a few moments a day to stimulate can help your system to function better. Dry brushing also exfoliates your skin, improves digestive function, and increases circulation.

Reheat food in the oven instead of the microwave. Microwaving is known to have some pretty powerful effects on what we eat, greatly diminishing the nutrition of our meals. Consider eating leftovers at room temperature (just take them out of the fridge or your lunch bag an hour or so before you plan to eat), or heating them up on the stove or in the oven. I have found that most meal portions heat up within about five minutes in my oven. Replacing your microwave with a toaster oven would be a convenient option. If you opt to microwave food, don't do so in plastic. A better choice would be in a glass container or ceramic plate. 

Take your shoes off at home. Slip off your shoes when you walk in the door as a way to keep germs on your footwear and off your flooring. Particularly if you have small children, you don't want the sludge and grime of what you may have walked in on your carpet. Mop wood and tile floors regularly.

Change out of sweaty clothing. Your body uses sweat to eliminate toxins through your skin. These toxins are absorbed by your clothing when it gets wet from sweat. Make it a point to change after a workout or manual labor and then wash those clothes so you don't give your skin a chance to reabsorb the toxins.

Stop using plastic water bottles. Bottled water is not necessarily any better than tap water, plus the plastic is known to be able to leach into the water, more so when it's heated. Glass or stainless steel is a better choice, plus you'll be cutting back on trash. My transportation for beverages on the go is a large mason jar, which fits in most car cup holders.

Swap traditional laundry detergent with a natural one. You know how it can be hard to breathe in the detergent aisle at the store? Do you really want that lingering on you and in your home 24/7? Detergent stays in your clothing and sheets after washing, so your skin is constantly touching those chemicals. I spend about 10 minutes a year making laundry soap using Kelly Barry's method and have found it works very well. It also only costs about $1 a gallon! If you don't want to make it yourself, Ecos is a brand recommend by Mike Adams that isn't terribly expensive.

Wash your hands. This is an easy way to prevent infectious disease. The germs that cause colds, influenza, pneumonia, stomach infections, and other illnesses can be killed by simply washing your hands. Use warm water and soap and wash your hands before eating or preparing food, after using the bathroom, and when you get home - these are all opportunities to cut back considerably on the germs that get into our bodies and environments.

Stretch. Stretching increases our flexibility, helps prevent injuries, and generally helps us to feel better. Feeling better means we are more likely to make healthy choices for ourselves, like getting exercise or preparing a homemade meal. Especially after a day on your feet or doing unusual activity, spend a few minutes stretching that night and you'll be less sore the next day! 

There are many, many more things you can do to increase your health, both great and small. Naaman almost missed out on healing because he didn't see the point in such a small, low-key step. I hope you see that as a Temple of the Holy Spirit these adjustments are absolutely worth taking! Yes, some of these steps have a cost to them, but there is a greater cost to not caring for your health. That cost can be increased risk of disease and physical discomfort, expensive medical bills, loss of cognitive function, and so on. Don't wait until you need to take a huge step, small changes today make a big difference later on. Pick a few of these things to incorporate into your life and add more as you get used to the changes.

May the Messiah heal us of every disease.