The Calf-Path One day through the primeval wood A calf walked home, as good calves should; But made a trail all bent askew, A crooked trail as all calves do. Since then two hundred years have fled, And, I infer, the calf is dead. But still he left behind his trail, And thereby hangs my moral tale. The trail was taken up next day By a lone dog that passed that way; And then the wise bell-wether sheep Pursued the trail o'er vale and steep, And drew the flock behind him, too, As good bell-wethers always do. And from that day, o'er hill and glade, Through those old woods a path was made; And many men wound in and out, And dodged and turned, and bent about And uttered words of righteous wrath Because twas such a crooked path. But still they followed do not laugh The first migrations of that calf, And through this winding wood-way stalked, Because he wobbled when he walked. This forest path became a lane, That bent, and turned, and turned again; This crooked lane became a road, Were many a poor horse with his load Toiled on beneath the burning sun, And traveled some three miles in one. And thus a century and a half They trod the footsteps of that calf. The years passed on in swiftness fleet, The road became a village street; And this, before men were aware, A city's crowded thoroughfare; And soon the central street was this Of a renowned metropolis, And men two centuries and a half Trod in the footsteps of that calf. Each day a hundred thousand rout Followed the zigzag calf about; And o'er his crooked journey went The traffic of a continent. A hundred thousand men were led By one calf near three centuries dead. They followed still his crooked way, And lost one hundred years a day; For thus such reverence is lent To well-established precendent. A moral lesson this might teach, Were I ordained and called to preach; For men are prone to go it blind Along the calf-paths of the mind, And work away from sun to sun To do what other men have done. They follow in the beaten track, And out and in, and forth and back, And still their devious course pursue, To keep the path that others do. Ah! Many things this tale might teach, But I am not ordained to preach. Sam Walter FossRomans 12:2 states: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Many patterns are set before us by this world. Ways which seem common and acceptable by those around us. We are in constant danger of following these "calf paths" if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Only this will keep our feet on the straight and narrow path.
A good diet, sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are major pillars to our resistance to illness. There are certain foods which promote optimal immunity.
Getting back to the natural wholesome foods will minimize your risk of disease. Herbal teas with no caffeine, fresh fruit and vegetable juices along with whole grains, nuts, legumes, herbal seasonings, cold-pressed oils, fresh made soups, no sugar, fresh vegetables (including plenty of fresh greens), and fruits will put you on the right road.
Stress and other emotional factors have a strong impact on our immune system. Even minor stress raises the level of adrenaline and cortisol, which depresses immunity when elevated. Just studying for an exam shows a decline in natural killer cells.
Our emotions can have a positive effect. "Minor events that are pleasant have a stronger impact on the immunity than upsetting ones do," says Arthur Stone, PH.D. In his studies it shows that an argument lowered immunity for that day, but seeing an enjoyable story on television boosted the immune system for two days! It pays to be good to yourself, for pleasant events help to make a drop in catching colds.
Good friends are body builders for the immune system lowering adrenaline for we feel safer and happier around friends.
Social isolation is risky. Those who receive social and emotional support had less anxiety, depression, and pain. Holding in our thoughts and feelings can be hard on our immune system. Dr. Pennebaker showed that people who wrote about their traumatic experience had a stronger immunity and were sick half as much as people who didn't.
How we react to stress has more effect on our health than stress itself. A positive self image and confidence in our ability to cope tends to reduce the stress hormones. Act like a winner! Convince yourself that you are in control and you have a better chance of being so and it will boost your immune system in the process.
A 12 Step Plan
The Antidote In all the Pharmacies of Earth, No Medication sold, Or Antidote for Age is found That stops our getting Old. No Remedy or Anodyne That Druggists may contrive Can halt the geriatric Trend, Or keep Mankind alive. The cancerous Germs of Sin infest Both Infant, Maid and Sire, Without regard for Man or Beast Thus all at length expire. But in the Heavenly Pharmacy There IS a Remedy, A healing Potion that our Lord Prepared for you and me. For every Sin-sick Soul on Earth This Antidote is free, And each Prescription bears the Seal Of Heaven's Guarantee. So why should any languish here, Afflicted by Despair, When all One has to do is pray The Sinner's contrite Prayer? Then Jesus will prescribe for you Eternal Life with Love, And every Sin-cured Soul will go To dwell with Him above. Adrian V. Boyer
by Rollo May
Tom White in Breaking Strongholds' How Spiritual Warfare sets Captives Free.
Samuel D. Proctor in the sermon, "The bottom Line".
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last updated 10/10/97 by Dean Saunders.