One Simple Step To End Abortion – From The Comfort Of Home!

Posted by icubook in Uncategorized and tagged with , , , , , ,

[This post is a step aside from the ordinary. Thank you for reading! It could save a life!]

If we were to be honest, we are all pro-life.

Human beings have a built in mechanism that desires to preserve life. We fight and struggle each day to survive – sometimes against great odds. This principle is present in the very core of our society, and Hollywood demonstrates this idea movie after movie.

We cheer on the hero who is trying to rescue the weak and innocent (or at least his own self), while we boo the villian who is trying to destroy the life of the innocent or weak. But…are we missing something?

What about the weakest and most innocent of all people – little children – particularly those in the safety of their mother’s womb. The same innocent children who would continue to live and laugh and love and dream, except perhaps that the child’s mother decides to end its little life because of the lies of the pro-choice movement.

Murder is never justified by convenience! If so, it would have been fine for Hitler to kill millions of innocent people. It would have been okay for Stalin to do the same. Because a human being has not had the opportunity to take its first breath, makes them no less human than you or I, nor is the act of ending their heartbeat anything less than murder!

Who is going to save the children from the abortion industry? And it is an industry, masterminded by the greatest villian ever. Shall we continue to cheer him on? Or shall we stand with the truth and our own convictions to preserve life! Children in the womb are indeed living beings – this fact cannot be denied.

I implore you to watch this powerful video. It could save millions of lives! Then click on this link to see the one simple thing you can do to help end abortion.

The Circumcision Principle

Posted by icubook in Healthy Blood, Living Under God's Design and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Regarding Circumcision

For a better understanding of this topic, please read Genesis 17: 9-11 and Leviticus 12:3.

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham in which the male foreskin was cut away. From a physical standpoint, this surgery was important for the preservation of God’s people in that the foreskin provided a warm, moist area for harmful bacteria to grow and thus pass what was unclean to the wives. It is interesting to note that historically, Jewish women have had the lowest rate of cervical cancer. This surgery also came to symbolize the need for the heart of man to be cleansed from the more deadly disease of sin.

Perfect Timing

Leviticus 12:3: “On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.” The sign of the Abrahamic Covenant was incorporated into the Mosaic law of cleanliness.

But why circumcise baby boys when they are eight days old?

Christian doctor, Rex Russell, answers this question in his book, Healthy Living (available at Amazon). He writes:

My first surgical case was a newborn male who was scheduled to be circumcised. After finishing the operation, I carefully bandaged the wound. Four hours later, I checked the patient and discovered that the bandage was soaked with blood.

We administered vitamin K to help clot the blood, but a slight bleeding persisted for several days before it completely stopped. A specialist checked the boy and found no evidence of hemophilia. No harm was done, but an infant had begun life with an unnecessary risk.

 Why?

It is routine procedure to circumcise babies during the first three days of their lives. The body’s natural supply of the blood-clotting vitamin K, however, is not yet present. Research has now shown that this clotting factor in infants is at its lowest level on days two through five. Vitamin K begins to develop in the intestine as the infant nurses. After five to seven days of breast-feeding, infants have built up enough vitamin K to allow blood clotting to withstand circumcision.

God in His perfect design for His creation has built in through circumcision proper hygiene. He loves us and therefore knows what is best, not only in practice, but in timing.

As creator of the human body, He knew when it was safest to administer a surgical procedure on an infant male – at eight days.

Let us not listen to man, but what God says, even though we may not at times understand.

Interesting Thoughts

It is interesting that God gave the reasons for circumcision as a sign for Abraham, and later gave circumcision as a symbol for the cleansing of sin from the heart in Jeremiah 4:4, but God gave no reason why it was incorporated into the Mosaic law. Nothing at all is mentioned regarding its physical benefits. Why? I believe that there are special secret blessings that come to God’s people who trust Him and obey Him – even more so than what we really understand or know. God has built into His design natural laws, certain physical benefits for living within His design. For everyone else, they suffer the consequences.

A true scientist would seek to learn more of the ways of God using true scientific method. When man begins with the idea that there is no God (fools as God calls them), they can never truly discover the secrets of the universe.

There is an additional thought to keep in mind as it will relate to future posts. In the New Testament, God revealed that circumcision of the flesh was no longer necessary to enter into covenant with God. Yet, the fact that it was no longer a requirement to be spiritually associated with God, the health practice still had benefits. We will refer back to this principle in the future.

Application:

  • Trust the Lord’s Word
  • Follow His principles for health – He is our designer
  • God is amazing in wisdom and knowledge – keep this always in your thoughts
  • If you circumcise your males for the health reasons – wait until the 8th day

Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: The Semmelweis Principle

Posted by icubook in Philosophy of Health, The Life Principles and tagged with , , , ,

A True Story

Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis was a Hungarian-Austrian physician who made an amazing discovery in 1847 while head of the Maternity Department of the Vienna General Hospital.

Death Clinics

The Vienna General Hospital had two maternity clinics. One of the clinics had a postpartum death rate of one out of every eight new mothers due to a postpartum infection, known as puerperal fever. The second obstetrical clinic, had a much lower postpartum death rate – one out of 64 new mothers died from the same infection.

The death rates of the two clinics were well known among pregnant mothers – who would do all they could to give birth at the safer clinic, often giving birth on the street rather than being admitted to the first clinic, which could be their death sentence.

Search For Answers

The differing mortality rate among the two clinics perplexed Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis, who was residing over the maternity department at the Vienna General Hospital.

Resistance

Dr. Semmelweis began investigating the cause of the higher rate of postpartum infection in one clinic over the other, but he received resistance from his superiors who felt that the infections were unpreventable. They reasoned that both clinics were located in the same hospital and used the same techniques, therefore there was nothing that could be done about the situation.

Persistance

Semmelweis was not convinced by his superiors reasoning and continued the investigation. There was only one difference between the two clinics – they each had a different purpose.

The first clinic was a teaching clinic for medical students, and the second clinic was a teaching clinic for the instruction of midwives.

A Clue

The breakthrough for Dr. Semmelweis occurred in 1847 with the death of his friend Jakob Kolletschka. His friend had died from an infection that he contracted after his finger was accidentally punctured with a knife while performing an autopsy.

The autopsy of Dr. Semmelweis’ friend showed a pathological situation similar to that of the women who were dying from puerperal fever. Dr. Semmelweis immediately proposed a connection between cadaver contamination and the infection leading to the death of his friend.

He began a detailed  study of the mortality statistics of both obstetrical clinics and concluded that he and the students were carrying infected particles on their hands after performing autopsies. Their cleanliness standards (or lack thereof) did not require the sanitation of their hands (nor an isolation period) after the autopsy, nor before tending to other patients – including those giving birth.

A Successful Experiment

The germ theory of disease had not yet been developed at the time. Yet, Dr. Semmelweiss concluded that some unknown “cadaveric material” was causing this mortal fever among the new mothers. He immediately instituted a policy of washing hands with a solution of chlorinated lime between autopsy work and the examination of patients. As a result, the mortality rate dropped to one out of 64: the same as the clinic for instructing midwives.

During 1848, Dr. Semmelweis widened the scope of his washing protocol to include all instruments coming in contact with patients in labor. He was able to statistically document the success of virtually eliminating postpartum fever (and the resulting death) from both obstetrical clinics in the hospital ward.

In a previous post, we shared the principles that God had instituted for the Israelites concerning the touching of a human corpse.  God did not give His people any details as to why they should wash their clothes and body in water after touching a human corpse, nor did He give reasons for the subsequent isolation period. He just said (in essence), “Obey Me, and I will protect you.” He is the Lord God and that is enough. If He says it, we should listen.

A Nobel Prize?

Well, this was not the end of the story for Dr. Semmelweis. Would you not expect that he should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for saving hundreds if not thousands of lives and helping to eliminate the need for orphanages as more mothers could now be alive to care for their children not only from his clinic, but others around the country?

No, that was not the outcome for the medical pioneer.

Rejection

Instead, the majority of the medical establishment rejected his discovery. His observations went against the current scientific opinion of the time, which blamed diseases (among other quite odd causes) on an imbalance of the basic “four humours” in the body, one being blood. Too much blood in the body was the cause of disease, not “cadaveric material”.

It was also “argued” that even if his findings were correct, washing one’s hands each time before treating a pregnant woman, as Dr. Semmelweis advised, would be too much work. Nor were doctors eager to admit that they had caused so many deaths. Also the medical profession believed that Dr. Semmelweis’ claims lacked scientific explanation, since no explanation was given to his findings.

Another problem was the fact that Semmelweis’ ideas were thought to give special significance to death and dying (it was mainly doctors not washing their hands after autopsies who transferred germs), an idea which was deemed “religious” or “superstitious” in the post-Enlightenment intellectual environment that dominated scientific circles at the time.

The establishment’s failure to recognize his findings led to the tragic and unnecessary death of thousands of young mothers, but he was ultimately vindicated, as we now practice the very washing principles that he instituted to preserve life – the same or similar principles that the Israelites had been practicing millennia earlier.

It has been said and we must say it again, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12).”

Tragedy

Unfortunately, Dr. Semmelweis suffered a tragic fate. Tormented by the knowledge that lives could be saved by applying his health practices coupled with the medical establishments seeming lack of concern, he was eventually placed in an insane asylum where he underwent cruel treatment, dying two weeks later in the year 1865.

Semmelweis Reflex

Though Semmelweis did not see the acceptance and implementation of his cleanliness principles in his lifetime, over time, a phrase was coined in his honor.  The Semmelweis Reflex is the dismissing or rejecting of an idea or information automatically without thought, inspection, or experiment.

Conclusion

We need to be careful not to dismiss an idea or health practice without sufficient reason or evidence. God’s Word is the supreme law. Do we use the Semmelweis Reflex to throw out God’s principles for health and living? Is the medical establishment today any different than the time of Semmelweis? Do they wrongly discount alternative and or preventative medicines simply because it does not match the current theory of medicine? We must be careful!

To further demonstrate why we should unwaveringly trust God’s Word for our health, our next post will address God’s instructions about circumcision.

Next: The Matter of Circumcision

Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: The Leprosy Principle

Posted by icubook in Healthy Blood, Living Under God's Design and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Watch A Clip of The Valley of The Lepers from Ben Hurr

When you hear the word leprosy, what do you immediately picture in your mind? A person with white skin and missing flesh as depicted in the movie The Kingdom of Heaven? Or perhaps you think of the social stigma associated with the disease as depicted in the classic movie Ben Hurr.

Those images may represent a partial view of leprosy, but they are a very incomplete picture compared with all of Scripture.

What Is Biblical Leprosy?

Biblical leprosy as seen in Scripture is a collection of various ancient skin disorders which were sometimes superficial and sometimes serious. This is distinct from modern day leprosy which is now called Hansen’s disease. Hansen’s disease is a disease related to decreased sensation in various body parts including numbness, muscle weakness, and skin lesions caused by the bacterium Mycobacteriumlepraeor. It is not known to be contagious. Read this article from the U.S. National Library of Medicine to find out more.

Biblical leprosy could have certainly included Hansen’s disease, but the description provided in Scripture is not enough to know for sure. A person who had biblical leprosy could be either clean or unclean depending on whether their disease was contagious or not. Biblical leprosy was disfiguring but not disabling. Whereas Hansen’s disease was and is disabling. Some of the skin symptoms listed in Scripture include scabs, boils, burns, scars, scaly spots, bright spots, eczema, swelling, and raw flesh.

God, in his love for His people, provided instructions in Leviticus 13-14 to help protect Israel from the onslaughts of the disease. This is done by giving the people a diagnosis from His Word, what to look for in observing the progression or digression of the disease, and the command to isolate infected people. In some cases biblical leprosy was curable.

Leprosy Was Not Isolated To Humans

Garments (Leviticus 13: 47-59) of wool, linen, or leather could have a mark diagnosed as leprosy. In this case the item was placed under observation and isolation. The infected garments would aid the priest in determining if the disease on the human was contagious. Depending on the severity of the disease on the garment, the garment was either burned, washed, or the leprous mark torn out.

Houses could also be marked with leprosy (Leviticus 14: 34-48), and it would be dealt with according to God’s outlined procedure. Again we see God’s hand of protection for His people even to the level of things which are nonliving.

Here is what would happen in Israel if a house showed evidence of leprosy:

  • If the owner of the house saw evidence of leprosy in the house, he would tell the priest.
  • The house would be emptied of all it’s contents
  • The priest would diagnose the mark
  • If the mark appeared deeper than the surface, the house would be quarantined for 7 days
  • If the mark spread, then the affected stones would be removed and replaced and the plaster scraped off the inside and the plaster replaced.
  • If the mark returns, then the mark is considered malignant and the house unclean
  • The house is then torn down – stones, lumber, and plaster and removed to an unclean place outside the city.
  • If any person enters the house, lies down or eats in it during the quarantine they shall be unclean and will need to wash their clothes
  • On the other hand, if the leprous mark does not spread, the house will be considered clean

Leprosy on a home might be equivalent to molds and toxins which can cause sickness and disease.  Only recently have these principles come to our awareness in America.

An Interesting Thought

Notice who is diagnosing leprosy throughout this procedure – the priests. Yes there is a connection between sin and illness that God is trying to demonstrate, but I believe there is a greater application.

It Demonstrates:

  • That believers should first go to God for their diagnosis
  • It demonstrates God’s love and concern for the health of His people
  • It demonstrates God’s love and concern for the health of the community

Conclusion:

God has shown His protective love for us by safeguarding communities from contagious diseases. The protective principle is demonstrated by diagnosis, treatment, observation, and necessary isolation, and the safeguarding includes personal cleansing, the washing of garments and linens, and the keeping of one’s house.

Those communities and individuals that practice such principles will be blessed – whether they are believers or not.

Application:

We don’t have priests to diagnose and isolate today. So how do we apply this information? God clearly teaches that His Word (all of it) is nutrient rich with living principles – i.e. wisdom principles. What wisdom can be gleaned from these passages? Seek God for wisdom how to apply these principles personally. Here are some practical ideas to consider.

Some Practical Ideas

  • Obviously there is great importance in washing hands, clothes, walls, etc.
  • Isolate ourselves from others when we are sick (contagious)
  • Destroy clothes and items that show evidence of permanent contamination
  • Be careful about mold and toxins in the home (and do not hide it from others)
  • Consider the warnings that skin conditions may signal in overall health

There are some other practical ideas (wisdom principles) that will be shared in future posts that relate to the Leprosy Principle and the Do Not Touch Principle.

But next we will share a phenomenal story about a man who fought to bring some cleanliness principles into the medical establishment in order to save the lives of new mothers. The opposition he received (from the establishment) ultimately led to his death.

Next: The Semmelweis Principle

Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: What Do The Scriptures Say?

Posted by icubook in Healthy Blood, Living Under God's Design and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Principle: Do Not Touch

There are many warnings in the Old Testament about what believers should and should not touch. The overarching reason that God forbid the Israelites from touching certain items had to do with separation. Israel was set apart and separate from the rest of the Gentile nations. However, there is more to it than that.

God did not sit arbitrarily in His Heaven and dictate what the Israelites should and should not touch – just to keep them separate. He knew what was good for them, what was best for them. And as Israel obeyed God, He protected them – not just supernaturally, but also practically. Recall that God promised the Israelites that if they obeyed His commands, He would keep them from the diseases of the nations. See Exodus 15:26.

Let us look at some of the things that God told the Israelites:

Do Not Touch:

  1. Animal and Insect Carcasses: Leviticus 5: 2; 11:7-40; Deuteronomy 14:21
    1. It was forbidden to touch the carcass of a ceremonial unclean animal
    2. A person became unclean from touching the carcass of a ceremonial clean (i.e. for food) animal
    3. Objects that contact the carcasses of unclean animals and insects become unclean
    4. Do not eat animals that have died natural deaths
    5. The Prescription
      1. Wash clothes and hands that touched the carcass
      2. Wash, break, or smash the items that touched the carcass depending on item
  2. Human Corpses: Numbers 19: 11-22
    1. Anyone who touches a human corpse is unclean for seven days
    2. A person becomes unclean even without touching if in close proximity with a corpse in an enclosed area such as a tent or room
    3. A vessel is unclean if it’s cover is not fastened down given the same enclosed situation
    4. Prescription:
      1. Wash clothes
      2. Bathe in water
      3. Purification
      4. Quarantine
  3. A Diseased Male with Unnatural Discharges: Leviticus 15: 2-12
    1. Man with discharge is unclean
    2. His bed is unclean
    3. Anything on which he sits is unclean
    4. A person becomes unclean if the man with the discharge spits on him
    5. A person is unclean if the same man touches him with unwashed hands
    6. Prescription:
      1. Wash clothes and bathe in water
      2. Quarantine
      3. An earthenware vessel touched must be broken
      4. A wooden vessel touched is rinsed with water
  4. Males with Natural Seminal Discharge: Leviticus 15: 16-18
    1. Anything on which the discharge touches such as the man, any garment or leather, or a woman is unclean
    2. Prescription:
      1. Bathing for the man/woman
      2. Washing of other items that touched the discharge
      3. Quarantine (til evening)
  5. A Menstruating Woman: Leviticus 15: 19-24
    1. A menstruating woman is unclean
    2. Her bed is unclean
    3. Anything on which she sits is unclean
    4. A man become unclean by having relations with a menstruating woman
    5. Anything upon which the man lies shall be unclean
    6. Prescription:
      1. Wash clothes
      2. Bathe in water
      3. Quarantine
  6. A Woman with an Unnatural Blood Discharge: Leviticus 15: 25-29
    1. The same requirements as above
    2. Plus a sacrifice
  7. Human Wastes: Deuteronomy 23: 12-14; Leviticus 5:3
    1. Human waste is unclean and must be separate from the camp of the Lord
    2. If a human is defiled by any human uncleanness (including excrement) he is unclean
  8. Biblical Leprosy
    1. The issue of biblical leprosy is different than what most have grown up to understand and believe
    2. For this reason, this topic will be addressed in a separate post

Conclusion

God was very concerned about what the Israelites did and did not touch. Touching many of the items above was not an issue of sin. For example, it was not a sin for a man to have relations with his wife. Yet, if he did have relations, He was required to cleanse himself. If he failed to do this cleansing, then according to Leviticus 5:2-3 he was guilty – whether he knew about it or not.

Clearly this would be a burdensome way to live, but it was a constant reminder of the Israelites inability to live a sinless life before a holy God – which should have led them to seek grace and mercy from the same God. But that truth is not the focus of this study. This study is examining the practical outcome of following the above cleanliness laws.

We have heard our entire life that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” In fact Trader Joe’s has created a line of cleaning products based on this idiom called “…Next to Godliness.”

Before the Israelites knew about “The Germ Theory,” they were already practicing a principle that would guard against germs: Do Not Touch.

Many of these principles have be passed down to us in America, though we do not practice the identical cleansing rituals.

But perhaps, there are changes we can make to step closer to these principles. The most obvious is the importance of washing our hands. But what about our clothes and bedsheets? Do we wash as often as we should? What about our cooking utensils? What about a house in which a loved one has deceased? In future posts, we will look at some additional “wisdom principles” that can be derived from these ideas. There are applications (not specifically addressed) that are relevant to our lives today in the chemical infested world in which we live.

We will look at leprosy in the next post and see how our ideas of leprosy differ from those in the Bible. I think some people will be in for a surprise.

Next: Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: The Leprosy Principle

Happy Thanksgiving From Reformed Health

Posted by icubook in Personal Wishes and tagged with , ,

In order to prepare for the holiday and spend time with family, we at Reformed Health will be taking this week off.

May you all enjoy your holiday as you consider all the things we have to be thankful for.

Need help counting your blessings?

Read This Post!

We’d also like to share these thoughts from President George Washington for your consideration this Thanksgiving:

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.

Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor– and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be– That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks–for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation–for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war–for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed–for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted–for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

and also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions– to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually–to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed–to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord–To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease of science among them and us–and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.

Go: Washington

Click To See Larger Version

Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: Introduction

Posted by icubook in Healthy Blood, Living Under God's Design and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Cleanliness: Introduction

God has given us in His Word various principles regarding cleanliness which if applied will protect us from various diseases and illnesses. Here we are dealing with various environmental toxins that enter our bloodstream apart from eating food and drinking water. The primary mechanism of entry has to do with what we touch or what touches us as we shall shortly see.

Today, cleanliness is an area that has not been discussed as much regarding health, but rather, the focus has been on what we eat and how we should exercise (which are important). In God’s Word though, much is said about cleanliness (and what we touch), so we must give this area special attention. The nations today who do not practice these simple principles typically have a high incidence of disease; whereas those countries who have been most influenced by God’s Word in this area have seen relatively little disease – particularly various Jewish communities throughout Europe and North America.

As disease and health conditions in America are on the rise, despite the increase of so called medical technology and prescription drugs (which only treat symptoms not the cause), it would be extremely wise to protect our bodies from these almost pending conditions. The best way to do so is to keep our bodies as healthy as possible and apply the cleanliness principles that God has instituted and that have been practiced with great benefit for many years in various Jewish enclaves.

In addition to what we touch, we have environmental toxins and poisons that enter our body through our mouth. It is estimated that up to 80% of all cancers are a direct result of chemicals in our air, water, and food. In fact, it is said that 4.5 billion pounds of carcinogenic chemicals are released into our air and water every year. We have more chemicals today than ever before in our history. As a result, it is absolutely essential that our immune system be topnotch to handle this influx. We will talk more specifically about this in the future.

All of the cleanliness principles that we will share will come from the O.T. Law. Though today, as believers, we are not under the penalty of the law of Moses, we certainly have an obligation to apply the principles of the law except where the N.T. specifically precludes this (Sabbath day, ceremonial law rituals and animal sacrifices, various feasts, etc. Col. 2:16ff). To not do so would violate what God has clearly taught in the New Testament Scriptures.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable…

Please read the following verses:

Matthew 5: 17-19 None of God’s law has passed away. Having the law fulfilled in Christ does not negate its profit for living. The Ten Commandments are part of God’s law – we do not question their validity.

Romans 7:12 – Paul calls the law of God holy.

Romans 15:4 – This passage specifically is in reference to the Old Testament. It was (and is) written for our instruction.

When Christ came to fulfill the law, He released us from the curse of the law. God knew we could never keep His law perfectly, so He sent Christ to keep it for us. This in no was takes away from the  value of the law for living.

When Paul wrote in II Timothy 3:16 that all Scripture was profitable for teaching, correcting, rebuking, and training in righteousness – he was including the Old Testament.

Let’s not ignore such a treasure from God. Our next post will begin to look specifically at what God has said regarding cleanliness and what we should and should not touch. Future posts will add additional applications to this wisdom principle.

Next: Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: What Do The Scriptures Say?

Living Under God’s Design: Introduction

Posted by icubook in Living Under God's Design, Philosophy of Health and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

The last several posts have elaborated on the Life Principles, namely that the Life of the Flesh is in the Blood. This principle was divided into there sub-priciples: Blood Quality, Blood Circulation, and Blood Cleansing.

We will now be looking at the overarching principle of Living Under God’s Design, which will include seven principles derived and applied from the Scriptures for maintaining a healthy life force, namely blood.

As we work through this study, we must continually remember that the life of the flesh is in the blood.

These seven principles will likely require many more than seven posts as they are lengthy to discuss, and as with much of the other information on this site, the principles are not difficult to understand (in fact they are quite simple).

Simplicity

Do not let the simplicity of these subjects cause you to turn away without examining the information. It is in the simple things that healing comes. You may want to reread Authoritative Principle Two: Simplicity Under God’s Design as a reminder. Improved health is in the reach of all who are willing to humble themselves before God and apply His simple protocol for living, which has complex and amazing results on our intricate human bodies.

No doctor or scientist will ever fully understand the human body. Let us trust out maker and designer!

Application

So far on this site we have been mostly dealing with the philosophy of biblical health. Understanding is the foundation of application, but it is not enough. We strongly urge you to apply the principles that you will be taught in these upcoming sections. In many cases, we will give specific applications to follow – but we are also giving you all the knowledge to discover your own unique application of the principles.

Application is the key to good health!

The first principle we will be discussing is cleanliness. And no, we are not talking about washing your hands before you eat (though it would be a proper application). God has announced in his Word cleanliness principles that when obeyed, bring us one step closer to improved health.

And there are applications here that you have probably never considered. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the title.

Next: Healthy Blood Through Cleanliness: Introduction

Life Principle #3: Blood Cleansing

Posted by icubook in Philosophy of Health, The Life Principles and tagged with , , , , ,

Blood Cleansing and Interstitial Fluid

The last post discussed the importance of the capillary exchange of nutrients and wastes at a cellular level. There is another system involved in this exchange.

Blood from the capillaries does not come in actual contact with the cells of the human body. Components of the blood which are to make the cellular exchange enter into a fluid called Interstitial fluid (which can be simply called tissue fluid).

Interstitial Fluid

  • Is found in the spaces between tissue
  • Is similar to blood plasma
  • Is able to communicate with blood plasma
  • The human body has about 2.9 gallons of interstitial fluid
  • Functions include
    • Feed nutrients and chemicals from the blood to the cells
    • Remove toxins from the cells
    • Cellular communication
  • Contents
    • Fluctuate depending on surrounding tissue
    • Generally composed of
      • water
      • amino acids
      • sugars
      • fatty acids
      • coenzymes
      • hormones
      • neurotransmitters
      • salts (minerals)
      • cellular waste
      • lymphocytes (white blood cells)
      • lymph

Relationship With Capillaries

As discussed in Life Principle #2: Blood Circulation, capillaries are so small that blood cells can only enter one cell at a time. These same capillaries will not allow red blood cells, platelets, or plasma protein to pass through their walls, but they do allow the other substances in the blood (see Life Principle #1: Blood Quality) to pass into the interstitial fluid. This is the process that allows the capillary to make the cellular exchange.

An osmotic process (osmosis) pushes these exchanged elements from the (arterial end) capillaries into the interstitial fluid and then back into the (venous end) capillaries returning to the heart (see image).

Relationship With The Lymphatic System

In order to prevent a build up of interstitial fluid, which can cause swelling (particularly of the ankles due to gravity), the lymphatic system can absorb a portion of the fluid and transport it back into the blood.

The Cellular Wastes

Through the processes of osmosis and lymphatic exchange, cellular wastes are forced into the blood stream. From there the cellular wastes are transported to four elimination stations.

Four Elimination Stations

God has designed the human body to eliminate waste in four primary methods.

  1. Lungs
  2. Skin
  3. Kidneys
  4. Colon

We will discuss these elimination organs in much greater detail in the future. For now, let us say, that if the body cannot properly eliminate cellular wastes, they will build up in the body and cause disease and all kinds of health related problems.

Conclusion

Not only do we need to nourish every cell with the proper nutrients, but every cell needs to be cleansed of toxins as well.

Blood quality, blood circulation, and blood cleansing work together

  • To provide a healthy immune system
  • To provide proper nutrients to our cells
  • To cleanse the cells and tissues of our body

If one of Life Principle elements are out of balance or not working properly, some tissue, organ, or part of our body will start to malfunction (beginning slowly at the cellular level) and symptoms of poor health will start to appear. Each of these three Life Principles must be operating properly in order to have a healthy body.

So, how do we maintain the proper blood quality, blood circulation, and blood cleansing so that our bodies will function according to God’s intended fullness?

By Living Under God’s Design

Next: Seven Biblical Principles For Living Under God’s Design: Introduction

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Most research for the interstitial fluid and lymphatic system, etc. was done on Wikipedia

Life Principle #2: Blood Circulation

Posted by icubook in Philosophy of Health, The Life Principles and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Blood Circulation

The previous post, Life Principle #1: Blood Quality, should be read prior to this post for full context.

Now that we know the major components of a person’s life force (i.e. blood) and the primary functions of each component  (as much as science can apprehend), let us look at blood as a whole unit – primarily how blood functions within the human cardiovascular system.

The Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system is made up of three primary units.

  • The Heart
    • Has four chambers
      • Left Atrium
      • Left Ventricle
      • Right Atrium
      • Right Ventricle
  • Blood (see previous discussion) 
  • Blood Vessels
    • Ateries (carry blood away from the heart)
      • Pulmonary artery (carries deoxygenate blood into the lungs)
    • Arterioles (sm vessel connecting arteries to capillaries)
    • Capillaries (exchange nutrients, water, and chemicals with human tissue and organs down to a cellular level)
    • Venules (connect capillaries with veins)
    • Veins (carry blood away from the capillaries back to the heart)
      • Pulmonary veins (carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart)
    • Coronary vessels (supply the heart with oxygen)
    • Hepatic portal vein (transfers nutrients and chemicals from the digestive tract to the liver – but is not connected directly to the heart)

There are two primary types of circulation that exist within the cardiovascular system.

  • Systemic Circulation (feeds and cleanses the body)
    • Oxygen rich blood leaves the left ventricle of the heart.
    • It then travels through the aorta (the largest artery).
    • The aorta branches into smaller arteries, through arterioles and into the capillaries.
    • Capillaries exchange blood at the cellular level
      • leaving nutrients, oxygen, chemicals, and toxins.
      • taking cellular wastes
    • Next the blood exits the capillaries and enters into the venous system through venules.
    • Eventually the blood returns to the heart through the upper and lower vena cava and enters the right atrium where pulmonary circulation begins.
  • Pulmonary Circulation (oxygenates the blood)
    • Oxygen depleted blood exits the systemic circulation when it is pumped back into the right atrium of the heart.
    • From there the blood is pumped into the right ventricle of the heart, preparing to exit the body.
    • The right ventricle  pumps the blood into the pulmonary artery and then into the lungs.
    • As the blood travels through the capillaries in the lungs
      • it releases carbon dioxide (and other chemicals) 
      • and picks up oxygen (and other chemicals).
    • Re-oxygenated blood travels through the pulmonary veins and enters into the left atrium of the heart. 
    • The blood pumps into the left ventricle and enters back into systemic circulation.

The heart circulates its own blood in a different system called Pulmonary Circulation. 

The Significance

Now that we have a basic understanding of the way blood circulates in the human body, let’s consider some implications.

Capillaries

Capillaries, the tiniest of all vessels, are the key to cellular nutrition and cellular waste. It is here that blood products are delivered to the cells. It is here that waste products are removed from the cells.

Capillaries are so tiny, that blood cells must form a single file line [1] in order to pass.

Our bodies are made up of cells, our organs are made up of cells, and our tissue is made up of cells; and capillaries are the portal of their life.

Diminished Blood Flow

If blood flow becomes blocked or damaged or diminished, it can cut off the life supply to various portions of your body.

Consider a diabetic who must have their feet amputated. This results from poor circulation (blood flow) to the feet. In addition, they succumb to sores that cannot heal [2].

If blood circulation is not up to God’s intended par, there is no way for blood’s healing properties (as discussed in Life Principle #1: Blood Quality) to reach the damaged areas of the body.

It is estimated that 90% of American adults have diminished capillary flow causing chronic symptoms of one kind or another [3].

This Occurs At The Cellular Level.

If one cell does not receive its life saving blood, it will probably not have a big impact on the body. But if the blood flow continues to diminish in that area, the damage will grow.

Cancer never begins as a tumor the size of a baseball. It begins at the cellular level, one cell at a time.

Disease never begins with a rush. It begins affecting one cell at a time until it gets to the stage of causing noticeable symptoms.

Macular Degeneration does not begin with blindness. It begins one cell at a time.

Fill in the blank: ____________ begins one cell at a time.

Conclusion:

When blood flow is restricted to an area (or the quality of the blood is imbalanced), two things happen.

  • Cellular nutrition cannot occur
  • And cellular wastes cannot exit
  • Portions of your body become toxic dumps and wreak havoc on your health

Tying Things Together

It is impossible to consider blood circulation without considering blood quality. You cannot have good health with one missing.

  • If your blood flow is good, but your blood quality is bad, your cells will not be supplied with the proper nutrition.
  • If your blood quality is good, but your blood flow is bad, your cells will not be supplied with the proper nutrition.

They must work together, and we will be discussing (in the future) how Living Under God’s Design will allow for both good blood quality and good blood circulation. But there is a third principle dealing with the life principles of blood: blood cleansing.

Next: Life Principle #3: Blood Cleansing.

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Acknowledgments: Most blood research was done at Wikipedia. All else is footnoted below:

[1] http://biology.about.com/od/anatomy/ss/capillary.htm

[2] http://ruralhealth.und.edu/pdf/diabetes.pdf

[3] Sinclair, Russ. Family Health Media, Inc., 1998: The Systemic Health Home Study Course Part 1 Systemic Exercise page 15