1 Corinthians 11:27-31 So if anyone eats this bread and drinks from this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, he is guilty of sin against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why a man should examine himself carefully before eating the bread and drinking from the cup. For if he eats the bread and drinks from the cup unworthily, not thinking about the body of Christ and what it means, he is eating and drinking God's judgment upon himself; for he is trifling with the death of Christ. That is why many of you are weak and sick, and some have even died. [Living Bible translation]
According to Mary Fairchild in "What is Communion and Why Do Christian Observe Communion," "unlike Baptism, which is a one-time event, communion is a practice that is meant to be observed over and over throughout the life of a Christian." See, About.Com: Christianity. During this time of worship, the church body comes together to remember and to celebrate what CHRIST did for us. We celebrate HIS life, HIS death and HIS resurrection. See, About.Com: Christianity.
WASTE REMOVAL
One of the reasons why fruits, leafy salad greens, vegetables and legumes (e.g. beans, soy, peanuts, peas) are so good for the body is that they are high in fiber. Food fiber, also called bulk or roughage, includes those parts of plants that the body cannot digest and which therefore pass through the small intestine, into the colon and the body. Foods high in fiber help to clean out the colon. They also promote regularity and help to prevent constipation.
Constipation
Although many people do not like to talk about it, constipation is problem for many Americans. According to Webmd.com, approximately 4 million Americans deal with constipation regularly. In "The Basics of Constipation," Webmd.com defines constipation as having two or more of the following for at least three months:
- Straining during a bowel movement more than 25% of the time
- Hard stools more than 25% of the time
- Incomplete evacuation more than 25% of the time
- Two or fewer bowel movements in a week
The causes of constipation can vary. Some of the common causes listed in "The Basics of Constipation" include:
- Inadequate water intake
- Inadequate fiber in the diet
- A disruption of regular diet or routine; traveling
- Inadequate activity or exercise or immobility
- Eating large amounts of dairy products
- Stress
- Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which is sometimes the result of pain from hemorrhoids.
- Overuse of laxatives (stool softeners) which, over time, weaken the bowel muscles
- Hypothyroidism
- Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
- Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
- Medicines (especially strong pain medicines, such as narcotics, antidepressants, (or iron pills)
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Colon cancer
It is interesting to note that some of the causes of constipation are not only physical but mental as well. However, if you are concerned about constipation or any other medical problem, rather than "guess" or "stress," you should always consult your personal physician, who knows your history, and who can make an accurate diagnosis and work with you.
Relief
Some of the suggestions that Webmd.com offers in "Constipation Relief Guide" for "keeping things moving" is:
- Eat vegetable that have plenty of good fiber like Brussels sprouts, carrots and asparagus;
- East fresh or dried fruits such as raisins, apricots and prunes;
- Drink water;
- Exercise regularly because if your body is moving, your bowels are moving too
Webmd.com suggests limiting foods that are high in fat and low in fiber---like cheese, dairy products, processed foods [i.e., junk foods] and meat, because "they can make constipation worse."
Moss Greene, Bellaonline.com's nutrition editor, suggest that when you buy fruits and vegetables high in fiber that you "just start thinking of fiber as nature's natural scrub brush!"----"since [fibrous foods] clean out the inside"
SELF-EXAMINATION FOR WASTE REMOVAL
Although many think of communion as just eating "the bread" and drinking "the cup" and remembering what CHRIST "did" for us, one of the most important parts of the communion service is the self-examination. It is during the self-examination that we search ourselves to see if there is anything "unclean" in the sight of GOD that would prevent us from taking communion. In this during this period of honest, prayerful self-examination we should ask ourselves and GOD if we have knowingly or unknowingly sinned.
Once the sin and "unclean" matters in our lives have been examined, then we can
celebrate what CHRIST (our HIGH PRIEST) "can presently do" in forgiving us for our sins and removing "the waste" by "HIS cleansing POWER." Self-examination makes HIS life, HIS death and HIS resurrection presently meaningful by our act of self-examination. We can go immediately to our HEAVENLY PHYSICIAN for "spiritual relief" and become direct and present recipients of HIS love and sacrifice for us, knowing that HE died on the cross for all of our sins. After we have dealt with "the waste," and become thankful recipients of HIS GRACE are we then ready to take communion as "one body in CHRIST."
Like eating dietary fiber, to stay healthy as Christians, we worship GOD in Communion. We celebrate when HE removes "the junk" from our life. Like eating dietary fiber, self-examination has to occur with regularity---over and over and over and over again throughout the life of the Christian.
Waste removal is never "pretty" but it is necessary. And, it is healthy! So as you eat foods with fiber celebrate GOD's GIFT for sinful waste removal, JESUS CHRIST!
Let us all eat, pray, examine ourselves, and Stay "Regular," and Be Blessed!
