In 3 John, the Apostle begins his writing with a prayer. He says, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”  He is asking God to allow Gaius to be as healthy and wealthy as his soul is prosperous. Think about it. What if your checkbook and doctor’s report were based on the evaluation of your soul. I admit I would have seasons where I would be in bankruptcy court and intensive care! John is telling us to take care of our soul. “Watch over your heart…” is the way Proverbs says it. Be certain you are in good shape when it comes to spiritual things as well as in your  walk with Jesus.
 
Now on the other side of the coin we should also watch after our physical well being. Here are some items to think about.
 
1. DIET ~ It is most important that we watch what comes out of our mouth. But it is also imperative we be mindful of what goes in it. Do some study and make sure your diet is the best for you. The holiday season is a time we can become gluttons if not careful.
 
2. EXERCISE ~ I am hot as I write this today. My treadmill is still cooling off following my morning walk. Make sure you get the needed exercise for a person your age. The ROC workout room is provided to help you to stay in shape. Or you may prefer another venue. Keep stretching and walking.
 
3. DOCTOR ~ All of us need to have a physical from time to time. And if you are over 50 the colonoscopy is a must. Best afternoon of sleep you will ever get!
 
4. FLU SHOT ~ Not everyone believes in this one. My grandmother would never take one. A few years ago my doctor suggested I get a flu shot every year. Being around as many people as I am it is a good practice to take precaution. If you have not had yours you can get one Wednesday from 4:30- 6:00 p.m. in the ROC at Olive.
 
Our bodies are not made to last forever. Thank God we will get a new design one day – fit for eternity. Until then I encourage you to take care of the one you have. We all have friends and family with physical challenges and sometimes those illnesses come upon us.

We tend to pray the most about physical needs. Today I ask you to join me in praying for my good friend Dr. Keith Thomas. He is pastor of the Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile. He received a diagnosis of cancer on Monday. I ask you to pray for his healing.

To end today’s blog, I want to share with you a message I received from one of our members, Martha Raley, who served this year as Olive’s coordinator of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Collection:

Pastor Traylor,
     The final count for our shoe box collection is 1,662 shoe boxes collected from Olive Baptist members with a total of 14,020 shoe boxes collected here at Olive’s collection center.
    Thanks to all who helped to make this a wonderful collection year for the children of the world. 

Martha Raley
Collection Center Coordinator

I want to add my thanks to all who made this happen; our OCC volunteers, our OBC housekeeping and maintenance personnel, and all those who packed a shoe box that quite possibly will make an eternal impact one child at a time.

Pastor Ted Traylor

Posted on Tuesday, November 27th, 2007 at 11:50 am.
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