Thirst with Sheryl: season 2- Holistic Change

Isaiah 43:19

'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
 Now before we go and discuss this verse, for the sake of context, let’s back up a couple of verses. In verses 15-17, God reminds us that He is the Lord, the powerful Creator and King who orchestrated deliverance of the Israelites out of bondage from Egyptians.  God did this, by commanding the Red Sea to part & allowing the Israelites a way to escape; but as the Israelites were making their way out, the Egyptian armies were right behind them with their chariots and horses. And use your imagination to visualize this, as the last Israelian stepped out of the path of the parted Red Sea, God commanded the Sea to come back together to its natural flow, drowning the Egyptian army!
 
In verse 18, God tells his people not to dwell on the past because, by doing so, they are hindering themselves from moving forward and embracing the new things that God has planned for them. I can imagine God saying to the Israelites, “just keep it moving, do not worry about the drowned enemy!” Now this is what God wants for us as well…The emphasis is on shifting from old patterns and challenges to trust in God's ability to create new paths and bring new blessings.
 
Droplet Reminder: The past, whether good or bad, does not define the future God has prepared for us!
 
You see, for the last nine months we have discussed holistic change and building our spirit, soul & body.  And my prayer, is that you have not only been listening, but also acting/doing what was shared. James 2:17 says that Faith without works is dead. So, we have to make a decision to intentionally act, to make that change.  We can’t stick with our old ways of doing things, our old ways of thinking, our old mindsets and expect fresh new results. Mark 2:22says that we cannot put new wine into old wineskins. So therefore, forget about all that & move forward.

A Recap on What's Essential Part 2

1Cor6:19-20 CEV says Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.
Honor God with your body by getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, eat a well-balanced meal free from all unwholesome foods as mentioned above, and find some form of activity to participate in, at least 3-4 days per week.

A Recap on What's Necessary

A Recap on what’s necessary for our body: Sunshine, Fresh Air & Water.  These are things that we might not think about often, and may even take for granted. So, Lord, we thank you now for the sun, fresh air and water.

Poor Dentition

According to the National Institutes of Health, constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems in the U.S., affecting about 42 million people. Although, there are several causes, today we will discuss poor dentition. Dentition is the arrangement or condition of the teeth in a particular species or individual. Poor dentition can contribute to constipation and other digestive issues through impaired chewing.
In addition to constipation, I want to mention other issues that poor dentition may affect:
When poor dentition and severe gum disease or periodontal disease is involved, this can cause harmful bacteria from the mouth, to spread throughout the body.
In the instance above, when the oral bacteria enter the digestive tract, it can cause an interruption in your microbiome of the gut which leads to an imbalance in the good bacteria and the harmful bacteria in the gut. This disruption, not only can contribute to constipation, but other digestive issues as well.
Lastly, continued poor oral health, also creates chronic inflammation, which can further impact the digestive system. 
Help, what can we do? First, see a dentist. Address missing teeth by exploring options like implants or dentures to restore your chewing function. Also, improve your diet and hygiene. Focus on a fiber-rich diet and maintain good oral hygiene. And finally, if you experience chronic digestive issues, consult a healthcare provider. It is very important to address the issue holistically by considering both oral and digestive health.

Rise, Renew, & Release: The Watered Soul Mini Retreat

Saturday, September 6, 2025
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You Decide

The mouth is the only part of the gastrointestinal tract that we have a say over.  In other words, we can control what we do and how we do it in regards to our mouth. So let’s discuss those 5 actions…
We Decide what to eat; we choose whether or not to eat nourishing, wholesome foods or processed unhealthy foods. Will you eat that Whopper with fries or will you eat the salad topped with fresh veggies & olive oil & vinegar dressing? You Decide!
 
We Decide how much to eat; Now the stomach can only hold so much food; and overeating puts a burden on the stomach, causing it to expand beyond its normal size to adjust to us overeating.  Additionally, to digest the extra food, the stomach produces extra hydrochloric acid, which in turn may cause a backup into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn. So, will you go for seconds on that holiday dinner plus add desert or will you have one plate & take the desert home? You Decide!
 
We Decide how long the food stays in the mouth. Now, the stomach does not do all the work when it comes to digestion. The teeth are very important for breaking down food into small fine pieces. This breakdown is the beginning of the digestive process; it increases the surface area for enzymes and saliva to break down food, and release nutrients. When food is not effectively chewed, the process of digestion is compromised. Your food should be chewed slowly and thoroughly. As a matter of fact, for optimal digestion, some experts suggest chewing each bite 20-30 times, depending on the consistency. If you “wolf” down your food and don’t chew it thoroughly, it can lead to bloating, gas, stomach pain or indigestion; therefore, You Decide!
 
We Decide how often we eat. The stomach squeezes food and mixes it with acid and enzymes to break it down. Now this process takes about 3-4 hours to digest a meal; therefore, it is very important to give this process time so that the stomach, can rest at least an hour after digestion. Why? So that the gastric glands have time to replace the stomach juices, in preparation for the next meal. If you decide to eat prior to the 3-4 hours, you run the risk of indigestion, bloating, or acid reflux. So, You Decide!
 
Lastly, We Decide what environment we eat in. Mealtimes should be pleasant and relaxed. If you rush to eat, discuss controversial issues while eating, eat in the car while driving or even eat while looking at the news, the digestion process is suppressed, and the “fight or flight” process is triggered. The brain will slow down the contractions of the digestive muscles, and decrease the amount of hydrochloric acid, which is required to process the food. Eating your meals in any of the scenarios above will interrupt the digestive process. Will you allow the “fight or flight” process to occur while eating or will you “rest & digest?” You Decide!
 
Listeners, when you know better, you do better! Please consider the 5 actions as mentioned above while eating.  A healthy meal, not overloading your plate, chewing your food thoroughly, giving your food time to digest and eating in a pleasant environment are all very crucial factors to a healthy gut. In 1 Cor 6:19 the apostle Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and therefore to glorify God with our physical bodies. 

Helpful or Harmful

Today, we want to continue discussion by focusing on nutrition, herbs or actions that may be helpful or harmful to the most important muscle in our body, the heart. While all muscles play vital roles, the heart is essential for life, pumping blood and oxygen throughout the body. Let’s consider Prov 4:23 NIV says Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do, flows from it. And just as the heart is the core of the person spiritually, physically it is also the center keeping us alive!
So let’s begin with some helpful nutrition, herbs or actions:
Cayenne Pepper- this herb is not only is an effective blood thinner, but also a dilator. It dilates the blood vessels and strengthens the arterial walls.  You can take in capsule form or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of hot water. 
Both Garlic and ginger contain blood thinning and cholesterol lowering active ingredients in their chemical structure. 
Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid found in flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts. With 3 double bonds in its chemical structure, this oil has a blood thinning effect. Many fish contain Omega 3, but are commonly found to contain high amounts of mercury as well. So, you need to eat it, yes, but in moderation. 
Fats that are healthy, like avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts and seeds, contain essential nutrients that are required for heart cell membrane function and repair. 
The most effective exercise for heart strength, is High Intensity Interval Training otherwise known as HITT. HITT is known as intervals of high intensity of 30 seconds and recovery of 90 seconds.  This may be done in cycles of 3, 6, 9 etc.
Now, for the harmful nutrition, herbs or actions
Licorice root. This herb, sometimes used for digestive issues or sore throats, can raise blood pressure and potentially interfere with blood pressure medications. It can also cause a dangerous drop in blood potassium levels; and potassium is crucial for the heartbeat. 
People with irregular heartbeat, should abstain from having wheat in their diet. The complex structure of wheat is hard for the gut to digest and can cause, partially or undigested particles to enter the bloodstream. This, can potentially cause an allergic reaction or response, which in turn, may produce irregular heartbeat 
Red Meat. As good as that burger may look and taste, red meat and processed meat have been associated with increased deaths from cardiovascular disease. There are also some studies that associate red meat, with a higher risk of strokes. 
You are four times more likely to die of heart disease. With its 4000 chemicals, tobacco has the potential to damage the heart muscle. The carbon monoxide, that is released by the cigarette, competes with oxygen, which effectively robs the heart cell of oxygen. And may I add, smoking of cigars, pipes, vapes etc., is just as harmful. 
You’ve heard the saying, “A glass of red wine, is healthy for the heart.” While this may be true to a degree, drinking it in excess, can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure or stroke. Excessive drinking can also contribute to cardiomyopathy, a disorder that affects the heart muscle.

Love It With All Your Heart!

The great and first commandment says love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and soul and mind. And I believe we are to give this our all!  Now, we can say that loving something with all our heart, can mean loving with our deepest affections, our entire being, our thoughts, and our physical resources.  And, as far as this podcast goes, which is named, love it with all your heart, the “it” in the title is the HEART!
The heart is a muscle, therefore it can be strengthened, just like any other muscle; on another note, this muscle can be weakened as well if we do not take care of it. The blood, which carries water, nutrients, and oxygen to every cell in the body, is pumped by the heart. The “highway” in which the blood travels throughout the body, are the blood vessels.
Heart disease is the number one killer in the world today. Why is this? I believe it is because of our ignorance of the cause. Hosea 4:6 says we are destroyed by the lack of knowledge.  Listeners, if we can get a better understanding how the heart, blood and blood vessels function in the body, we will gain knowledge on how to give them the optimum conditions to prevent and conquer heart disease. Prov 14:6b says that knowledge is easy to him that understands.
Listeners, a healthy heart to a body is like a new engine to an automobile! Just as we educate ourselves on what Octane of fuel to put in our automobiles so that it may run properly; we must educate ourselves on what foods/herbs/supplements are best for the heart & what foods etc. to avoid!

Natural Relief

This podcast is a brief discussion on some natural ways that may be used for respiratory relief. There are some herbs that have a cleansing and toning effect on the respiratory (bronchial) system. They may be taken as a tea, swallowed as pills, used as aromatherapy or bought from an herbalist in high potency tincture form, making them easy to take. We will discuss 5.
Licorice- Licorice root has anti-inflammatory effects and at the first sign of a cold, take licorice root as a tea. It will stimulate your immune system by coating and calming your mucus membranes.
Thyme- Thyme has a bronchodilator effect and acts as an antifungal, antibacterial, & anti-microbial for the lungs. It works as an expectorant and brings up phlegm or mucus.
Peppermint- Peppermint oil is a natural decongestant which can ease breathing in people with coughs. When inhaled, the menthol in the peppermint creates a cooling sensation that can help relax the muscles in the windpipe and soothe a scratchy throat. It also acts a fever reducer.
Lemongrass-Lemongrass has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help coughs, colds & flu. It also has high levels of vitamins C & A and antioxidants trigger the immune system and keep diseases at bay. Brew a hot cup of lemongrass tea with a dash of turmeric to ease congestion, move mucus from the chest and soothe a sore throat.
Echinacea- Echinacea’s is a plant where it’s upper parts and roots can be used in tablets, tinctures, extracts and teas for the prevention or treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. You can combine Echinacea with ming or other ingredients, such as the lemongrass to make a more pleasant tasting tea.

Respiratory B&M

The respiratory system brings O2 into the body and removes CO2. It includes the lungs, airways of the nose, throat & trachea, and the diaphragm, facilitating gas exchange. Without the proper functioning of the respiratory system, one would experience health complications and ultimately death.
 
This title of this episode is Respiratory B&M; But what is B&M? Well in this session, B&M will stand for breath & mucus!
 
The Bible often references breath and/or breathing as symbols of life and divine presence. God is the source of breath and life for all living things. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into Adam, in Ezekiel 37:5, God promises to breathe life into dry bones and in Acts 17:25 Paul explains that God is self-sufficient and gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." Every one of these scriptures mentions God breathing life into or giving life and breath to.  God breathes life into us; therefore, breath is necessary.