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The Way I See It Larry Thornton The News That Matters Host
MOTHER’S MILK
When I was growing up, my parents and grandparents often called their coffee “mother’s milk”. Now that I am the older generation in our family, I find myself repeating this phrase. It is especially good after taking my dog, Maggie, outside to ‘potty’ at 5:15 AM each morning. I take my first sip and tell Maggie those very words. Coffee is just so satisfying.
Over the years, people often tell me that too much coffee is not good for me. They never define what is “too much”. I usually drink two mugs in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. I’ve had many doctors warn me but most, if not all, are now deceased. When my new doctor started to warn me about too much coffee, on our first appointment, I held out my hand, and quickly said, “don’t even go there, doctor”. He didn’t.
Several years ago, I read that coffee actually has more positive than negative attributes. I decided to research it for my own satisfaction. A Harvard University scientific study had more than 100,000 participants over a 20-year period. This study found coffee provided a significant benefit in fighting Type 2 diabetes. People who increased their intake by one cup a day experienced an 11% lower risk of getting Type 2 diabetes. Participants who reduced their intake by one cup experienced a modest increase in the risk of getting this disease.
Other positives found in this study were:
- The cognitive function of older adults was improved and it boosted awareness. Wow - I must be Albert Einstein.
- Coffee drinkers were much less likely to develop liver disease.
- Coffee increases our metabolism, which can help with losing weight. Unfortunately, that didn’t work for me.
- It can improve exercise or work performance by increasing your endurance and lessening fatigue.
- A separate study showed there is a 15 to 18% lower risk of developing heart disease in men and women who drink 1 to 4 cups per day versus non-coffee drinkers.
Unfortunately, there can be several negative side effects such as:
- Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can lead to excess acid production (Acid Reflux)
- On rare occasions, it can irritate one’s stomach lining, and lead to ulcers.
- Some people can’t drink coffee after lunchtime or they have trouble sleeping. Not me. I have more than once fallen asleep while drinking coffee spilling much of it.
- Coffee can increase heart rates in some making them feel jittery.
The bottom line is that coffee is a stimulant that helps wake us up and gives us a boost of energy during the day. However, probably the most dangerous aspect of drinking coffee is dehydration. In late February, I got out of bed at 1:30 AM to go to the bathroom. The next thing I knew, I woke up on the bathroom floor in a pool of blood. Evidently, I blacked out and did a faceplant on the tile floor. My face took the brunt of the fall as I experienced 2 black eyes, a busted nose, and 2 broken teeth.
My heart doctor cleared me on the ‘heart’ being the cause and said it was most likely caused by a combination of low blood pressure and dehydration due to drinking a lot of coffee and not enough water. I’m sticking to low blood pressure as the cause, not coffee/dehydration. I do now try to drink several cups of water a day. After all, doctors are “usually” right.
I could use prayers for my continued recovery and prayers for my stupidity. Maybe the old adage is wrong and you can teach an “old” dog new tricks.
- Larry
The News That Matters Podcast Co-host
Youth Room
...To give you a future and a hope
Lyla Belle King is the youngest reporter on staff at The Missions Tribune.
She writes in each edition about life through the eyes a young devout
Christian girl. She sets an example of how to always stand for Christ - no matter what!
Hello Youth Room! How is everybody? I hope you all are staying safe and having a fantastic week so far. I’m praying for all the readers out there that you guys are all being blessed and protected. How’s school? We are more than halfway done this school year so keep on carrying forward! Anyways I wanted to let you guys know a little bit of Christian news before we get started! Not too long ago, the Kids’ Choice Awards took place. I watched it with my cousins, and it was very fun. But my favorite part was when singer, songwriter, and actor Joshua Basset won. Specifically, because his speech was focused on Jesus! I was so happy that he talked about the burden on so many people that Jesus Christ can and will lift! If you want to see what he said head over to Joshua’s Instagram and check it out! I feel like it’s so important for people with a large following, especially with youth, to speak out about God and encourage others too as well. Anyways, that doesn’t have much to do with this edition of Youth Room, but it simply made me happy to see.
Today I want to talk to you guys about one of my greatest challenges, Perfectionism. I know this is going to be difficult to write and maybe difficult for some to hear but God really put it on my heart to speak about. To me, the term perfectionism is evil. It takes away from my life and it takes away from my walk with God truly. It’s just another distraction and it’s a hard one to shake. Now, what I’m not saying is that to try and be perfect in the way that Jesus is perfect is wrong. We want to fight to be like Jesus! However, perfectionism really refers to what the world thinks perfect is. You know, straight A's, hundreds of Instagram likes, partying every night, popularity, an hourglass figure. I’ve watched as reaching for these things has completely destroyed a few of my friends and even chipped away at myself. That’s why it’s evil. One is because it makes us so self-obsessed, we say we don’t have time for God. And two, because it took some of our living away. Kids shouldn’t have this pressure and should spend their childhood making memories and laughing. Luckily, our generation is not hopeless. We are not lost. Jesus can bring our light back.
God doesn’t care if everyone loves you, he doesn’t care if you fail a class, he doesn’t care what you look like, but he made you beautiful just the way you are. God loves you as you are. His love is unconditional and that’s why it’s so freeing to walk with him. I know how hard it can be to feel like these things that we feel can only be one way. To feel like it’s life or death. I know the feeling of not doing enough. Not being enough. You are not alone though. And it’s not your fault you feel that way. But let me help you help yourself by telling you to choose God. Please, choosing God is choosing true happiness. You deserve to be happy even if this world tells you there’s only one way to be. I want to share a verse with you from Jeremiah, 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” You are so much more than a grade. You are so much more than a number on an Instagram post, a scale, or a rating. Much much more.
Youth Room, I appreciate you so much. I love all of you readers and Jesus loves you infinitely. If you haven’t chosen him and you are struggling, get saved and see how he picks up all the burdens off your shoulders. The Lord can do remarkable things beyond belief. So, you are not beyond fixing. You are not too broken. And it is never too late. I want you to know that you are loved, you are beautiful, and you are worth it! You got this; I believe in you. If you remember one thing from this article let it be that God loved you before you were even born and that love is unconditional. It is not defined by your worldly body or accomplishments. This is Lyla Belle signing out.
This is Lyla Belle signing out.
Heart 2 Heart Moment…
As we walk on my heart today, is perfectionism. Perfectionism,
n. the tendency to demand of others or of oneself an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation. It is associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health problems. This highly stressful tendency comes at a cost that is just too high to pay. It takes the joy out of life because of the constant pursuit of the mirage. An illusion that one could even obtain this level, let alone maintain it is illusive. One may experience traveling this road because of past trauma. For some, the root is believing their self-worth is based on their achievements. Efforts to feel in control, low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy, and highly critical shaming. This list is not an exhaustive one these are just a few. When we recognize outward behavior is just a symptom of a deeper issue we should dig deeper, to uncover what has taken the life out of us. Then seek to unlearn those patterns and ways of thinking in order to live a better quality of life. Some may read in scripture. Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48NKJV) Thinking it supports their behavior, however, the meaning here does the opposite. So, to be “perfect” in this sense is to be completed in Christ. Our completion is the work of God through and in us when we give God our heart. We must cooperate with God’s work in us, submitting to him and his perfection of us. When we belong to him, we can rest and trust in him. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6NKJV)
From My Heart 2 Yours,
Danielle S. Washington
