Little Serena Archer busied herself drawing, reading and writing as the morning worship got under way.
Some teenagers engaged themselves in matters relating to the study of God’s Word, while most adults paid rapt attention to the “church notices” which were being read.
It was Sabbath service at Cane Vale Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Christ Church.
As the title of the first song was announced, worshippers rose to lustily sing There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today.
It was a fitting song, not only because of the heart-warming vision it presented of individuals having the light of God shining in their hearts, but because of the heat of the day. A number of people made use of hand-held paper fans while the congregation prayed, praised and worshipped.
The message, delivered by Sister Barbara Spooner following ministry in song by the Cane Vale Praise Team, was definitely food for thought. It was not your usual tongue-lashing sermon but a teaching on factors of longevity – those things we should practise if we are to live long, healthy lives.
Stressing that when we look after our health we are pleasing God, Spooner noted that both the written Word, which is spiritual food to the body, and the manner of physical food we eat were both important in God’s eyes.
Taking her main text from Proverbs 3:1-2, she stressed that “as long as we are doing the right things in life, we should have good health”.
Taking some findings from work carried out by the Breslow Belloc researchers, Spooner listed seven basic health habits related to longevity. They were: adequate sleep, daily eating of a healthy breakfast, regular meals, moderate or non-use of alcohol, no smoking, regular exercise and moderate eating.
She also told the congregation that children of God should show forth joy – one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, do the will of God and be prepared to meet God when He comes.
Spooner said adequate sleep was vital to good health and that individuals who got seven to eight hours of it each night, lived longer. She added that adequate sleep was also essential to one’s overall daily performance, while a lack affected individuals mentally, physically and socially.
She also proclaimed that “smoking is the greatest preventative form of death”, since “each individual makes the choice of whether or not to smoke”.
In looking at obesity, she said it was a known risk factor for several diseases. She urged mothers to breast-feed their children rather than give them formula.
Spooner advised worshippers to reduce weight gradually rather than go on crash diets; choose foods low in sodium, sugar and animal fat; eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; choose an inexpensive form of exercise and enjoy nature as God intended.
“A healthy body and mind will allow us to do God’s work the way He wills,” she stated.
