Month: September 2015

The Nurses and Health Ministry would like to encourage all members to take charge of your own health. The month of September is designated by the National Health Organization as Fruits and Veggies More Matters Month. True Love Health Ministry is proud to participate in this initiative.

During the month of September, we are encouraging members to take a serious look at your intake of fruits and vegetables. Are you eating enough? Fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended amount of fruits every day. Fewer than 1 in 10 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day. Eating a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits can help you maintain or reach a healthy weight and keep your body strong and active.

Eating fruits and vegetables has many health benefits. People who eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can help lower their risk for:

•   Some types of cancer
•   Heart disease (including heart attack and stroke)
•   Type 2 diabetes
•   High blood pressure
•   and Obesity
  Here are some ideas to help you and your family fit more fruits and vegetables into your day:

•   Keep a bowl of fruit handy where the whole family can see it.
•   Cut up fruits and veggies ahead of time so they’re ready for quick, healthy snacks.
•   Challenge your family to try a new veggie or fruit every week. Remember, eating more fruits and veggies can be fun – and it’s worth it!
  

  Make vegetables and fruits more appealing:

•   Many fruits and vegetables taste great with a dip or dressing. Try a low-fat salad dressing with raw broccoli, red and green peppers, celery sticks, cauliflower, strawberries or melons, or even make a fruit smoothie using bananas, peaches, or other berries.
•   Add color to salads by adding baby carrots, shredded red cabbage, or spinach leaves. Include in-season vegetables for variety through the year.
•   Include beans or peas in flavorful mixed dishes, such as chili or minestrone soup.
•   Decorate plates or serving dishes with vegetable and/or fruit slices.
•   Keep a bowl of cut-up vegetables in a see-through container in the refrigerator. Carrot and celery sticks are tradi-

  tional, but consider red or green pepper strips, broccoli florets, or cucumber slices.

•   Try unsweetened applesauce as a lower calorie substitute for some of the oil when baking cakes.
•   For fresh fruit salads, mix apples, bananas, or pears with acidic fruits like oranges, pineapple, or lemon juice to

  keep them from turning brown.

  Tips for children:

•   Set a good example for children by eating vegetables and fruit with meals and as snacks.
•   Top off a bowl of cereal with some berries, or other fruit.
•   Offer children a choice of fruits with meals.
•   Let children decide on the dinner vegetables or what goes into salads.
•   Depending on their age, children can help shop for, clean, peel, or cut up vegetables.
•   While shopping, allow children to pick a new vegetable or fruit to try later at home.
•   Pack a juice box (100% juice) in children’s lunches instead of soda or other sugar-

  sweetened beverages.

•   Offer raisins or other dried fruits instead of candy.
•   Look for and choose fruit options, such as sliced apples, mixed fruit cup, or 100%

  fruit juice in fast food restaurants.

•   Children often prefer foods served separately. So, rather than mixed vegetables, try serving two vegetables separately.

  Thank you and praying for your good health.

“I can’t” is a statement we so often hear when there is work to be done in and around the church.

I have this hardship—or—I have that handicap—or—I don’t have an understanding of the task at hand. Excuses, excuses, excuses that are without merit. One should never let hardships become handicaps; and conversely, one should never let handicaps become hardships. And, as for a lack of understanding, one is never too old to learn.

“I can” has fewer letters, but a greater significance, and a more dynamic impact on our lives and actions than “I can’t”. “I can” is an attitude instilled in us by the LORD! “I can’t” is an attitude that satan wants us to have.

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Believe this! Act on it! Be inspired by it! There is no one who can do nothing! God has imbued us with the ability to do something. Sometimes it takes a little exploration to find out what that ability is, but it is there.

Once you discover that you can, then you must!! Therefore, say not only “Yes I can,” say also, “Yes I will.

Prayerfully submitted by Trustee Alphonso W. Murphy, Jr.

By Bro. Michael D. Wynn

“It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude” ~ Zig Ziglar

Attitude: You have a choice in the way you perceive whatever is going on. You have the power to choose whether you think the glass is half full or half empty. Perception is the key, especially if you graduated from high school by a thin thread or you’re currently struggling with a college readiness plan. Well, the time is now — you must be pro-active and take a strong commitment to building and completing your educational career.

You may want to ask yourself the following questions:

•   What is your interest and attitude toward college?
•   Are you willing to pray more and seek motivation at your lowest point of frustration?
•   Is college really important or worthwhile to you?
•   Are you willing to give up whatever it takes in order to be successful in college?
•   Are you able to eliminate negative “self-talk?”
•   How clear are you about your own educational goals?
•   Do you really have a “Plan B” or second major in mind?

  Consider how a college degree will fit into your future and see for yourself. Attitude: If you think you can, you can, and if you think you can’t, you’re probably right. Your excellence is not a skill, but your attitude is everything. Try this — using the right words and thinking, “I have a positive attitude”; strive for optimism, keep positive people in your company; and know when you need to change.

  When you know you aren’t happy, admit it to yourself and take action to reverse it. Listen to what others have to say. Appreciate the things you have; don’t join in with negative conversations around you; and keep a journal of your positive attitude, list and document your progress in discovering new ideas. Your positive attitude which will affect your outlook on college.

  Blessings be with your new attitude and new journey.

The True Love laymen’s League was established in 1977, under the pastorate of the late Rev. Herbert B. Robinson, Sr. The Laymen were organized to serve as “de facto” assistants to the Pastor. Deacon W. R. Davis was elected as the first president. His elected staff consisted of: Deacon Jerry Cochran, Membership V.P.; Brother Charlie Hankerson, Program V.P.; Brother Linwood Davis, Secretary/Treasurer; Brother James Dunlap, Fellowship/Co-Op V.P. After the passing of Deacon W. R. Davis in 1993, Deacon Thomas Anderson was elected president, and still holds that position today. The other current officers are: Deacon David Jones, Secretary/Treasurer; and Trustee Alphonso W. Murphy, Jr., Program V.P. There are five committee chairs: Trustee Arthur Williams, Personal Faith/Christian Living; Deacon Thomas Dixon, Church Administration; Brother Donald Fails, Missions and Evangelism; Trustee James Jackson, Christian Social Service and Action; and Deacon Steven Henry and Brother Darren Partlow, Boys Work.

Some of the objectives of the Laymen are:

•   To persuade unchurched men to revere true fellowship with the church
•   To encourge men to be actively concerned with the betterment of the community
•   To help men in guiding their families toward fuller Christian development and co-operation
•   To promote Christian relationships
•   To inspire men in the Spirit of giving to the up-building of the church, physically and financiallyThe Laymen have been active in various outreach ministries, including: feeding and ministering to the homeless at the Detroit Rescue Mission and The Genesis House; collecting clothing and toiletries for C.O.T.S. and other shelters; street witnessing; and visiting with the sick and shut-in at homes, nursing homes and hospitals.The Senior Laymen nurture and mentor the Junior Laymen to prepare them to be the Senior Laymen of the future. The Laymen work in conjunction with the Department of Missions on several occasions such as: transporting Seniors to and from True Love during Mission Week; Delivering food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas time; and any other function for which they need our assistance.

  We are a missionary church and we are ALL missionaries; therefore, we fervently pray that more members will join with us to carry out the work of our Glorious God.

  ~ Submitted by Trustee Alphonso W. Murphy, Jr.