THE COMMON TOUCH

June 2, 2011Read: Matthew 9 "She said to herself, "'If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be whole.'" --Matthew 9:21

If you've spent any time here on PrayFit, you've realized by now that we love America's pastime. We agree with Babe Ruth when he said, "Baseball is the greatest game God ever saw fit to let man invent."  And after watching some good ball this weekend, we found another reason to love it even more. Ever notice that the managers wear the same uniform as the players? Think about it. There's not another sport like it. Ever see a football coach with a helmet? Or a basketball coach wearing a tank-top and shorts? No, baseball is the only sport where its managers blend in with the team.

I think Jesus could relate, because he chose to relate. Rather than standout among us, he blended in with us. Though He created the universe, His appearance was universal. He became our up-close-and-personal savior. In order to reach us, He let us touch Him.

--J.P.

SAVING ON MEDICAL CARE

While the debate over government-mandated health care has come to a slow simmer on Capitol Hill, we are all left to ponder one very important question: What can we do as individuals?

With an estimated $147 billion spent in the U.S. annually on obesity-related health issues, the first thing we can do is to collectively drop a few pounds. One study found that the average overweight patient saved $380 per year in medical care by sticking to a weight loss program consisting of exercise and proper nutrition. This can be for a number of reasons. Weight loss for overweight or obese individuals can...

--lower blood pressure --lower bad cholesterol --improve energy --improve mood --reduce joint pain --improve heart health --extend life expectancy --reduce risk of adult-onset diabetes

Improvement in your heart, joints and overall well-being is worth a nightly walk and a few less visits to the drive-thru. Perhaps our national health care situation would be better served by us simply being more committed to our national health?

>> SHARE: Do you think we can impact the cost of health care by taking better care of our bodies? Have you ever been denied coverage because of your weight? Has a doctor ever assigned you to a weight loss program? Share your experiences in the comments section below.