O valor da vida ao ar livre

"Amado, desejo que te vá bem em todas as coisas, e que tenhas saúde, assim como bem vai a tua alma." 3 João 1:2



As coisas da natureza são bênçãos de Deus, providas para comunicar saúde ao corpo, à mente e ao espírito. São elas dadas aos sãos, para conservá-los com boa saúde, e aos doentes para torná-los sãos. Associadas ao tratamento por água, são elas mais eficazes no restabelecimento da saúde do que toda a medicação de droga do mundo.T7 76.2

No campo encontram os doentes muitas coisas para desviar-lhes a atenção de si mesmo e de seus sofrimentos. Por toda parte podem eles considerar e apreciar as belas coisas da natureza — as flores, os campos, as árvores frutíferas carregadas de seus ricos tesouros, as árvores da floresta a projetarem sua agradável sombra, e as colinas e vales com sua variada vegetação e suas muitas formas de vida.T7 76.3

E não somente são eles atraídos por esse ambiente, mas aprendem ao mesmo tempo lições espirituais muito preciosas. Rodeada pelas maravilhosas obras de Deus, sua mente é levada das coisas que são vistas para as que se não vêem. A beleza natural leva-os a pensar nos encantos sem igual da Nova Terra, na qual nada haverá a estragar-lhe a beleza, nada a macular ou destruir, coisa alguma a causar doença ou morte.T7 76.4

A natureza é o médico divino. O ar puro, a alegre luz solar, as belas flores e árvores, os belos pomares e vinhas e o exercício ao ar livre, em meio desse ambiente, são transmissores de saúde — o elixir da vida. A vida ao ar livre é o único remédio de que muitos doentes necessitam. Sua influência é poderosa na cura das doenças causadas pela vida social, vida que debilita e destrói as energias físicas, mentais e espirituais.T7 76.5

Quão agradáveis aos enfermos deprimidos, acostumados à vida da cidade, ao clarão de muitas luzes e ao ruído das ruas, são a quietude e a liberdade do campo. Com que ansiedade se volvem para as cenas da natureza! Quão satisfeitos se sentirão eles pelas vantagens de uma casa de saúde no campo, onde podem sentar-se sob céu aberto, deleitar-se com a luz solar e respirar a fragrância das árvores e flores! Há propriedades que comunicam vida no bálsamo do pinheiro, na fragrância do cedro e do abeto. E há outras árvores que são promotoras de saúde. Não permitam que essas árvores sejam impiedosamente derrubadas. Tratem-nas com carinho onde elas existirem em abundância, e plantem mais onde há poucas.T7 77.1

Nada contribui tanto para restaurar a saúde e a felicidade como viver em meio ao atrativo ambiente do campo.... Que Deus nos ajude a fazer o nosso melhor para utilizar o poder vivificante do sol e do ar puro.



Testemunhos para a Igreja, Volume 7, páginas 76 e 77.
Imagens: Google Images

The Health-Giving Value of Outdoor Life

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2

The things of nature are God's blessings, provided to give health to body, mind, and soul. They are given to the well to keep them well and to the sick to make them well... 

In the country the sick find many things to call their attention away from themselves and their sufferings. Everywhere they can look upon and enjoy the beautiful things of nature--the flowers, the fields, the fruit trees laden with their rich treasure, the forest trees casting their grateful shade, and the hills and valleys with their varied verdure and many forms of life. 

And not only are they entertained by these surroundings, but at the same time they learn most precious spiritual lessons. Surrounded by the wonderful works of God, their minds are lifted from the things that are seen to the things that are unseen. The beauty of nature leads them to think of the matchless charms of the earth made new, where there will be nothing to mar the loveliness, nothing to taint or destroy, nothing to cause disease or death. 

Nature is God's physician. The pure air, the glad sunshine, the beautiful flowers and trees, the orchards and vineyards, and outdoor exercise amid these surroundings, are health-giving--the elixir of life. Outdoor life is the only medicine that many invalids need. Its influence is powerful to heal sickness caused by fashionable life, a life that weakens and destroys the physical, mental, and spiritual powers. 

How grateful to weary invalids accustomed to city life, the glare of many lights, and the noise of the streets are the quiet and freedom of the country! How eagerly do they turn to the scenes of nature! How glad would they be for the advantages of a place in the country, where they could sit in the open air, rejoice in the sunshine, and breathe the fragrance of tree and flower! There are life-giving properties in the balsam of the pine, in the fragrance of the cedar and the fir. And there are other trees that are health-promoting. Let no such trees be ruthlessly cut down. Cherish them where they are abundant, and plant more where there are but few. . . . 

Nothing so tends to restore health and happiness as living amid attractive country surroundings.... May God help us to do our utmost to utilize the life-giving power of sunshine and fresh air.

Images: Google Images
Text: Bible Universe

Apple Special Event 9.17

Ok, here is my extensive review and recap of today's Apple's Special Event:

Steve Jobs is dead.



A good read: "7 things Steve Jobs would have hated about Apple today"

Is God good? Why is there suffering?

Privacy is Dead

Is there such a thing as privacy anymore? Watch VICE's 'State of Surveillance' with Edward Snowden and Shane Smith (FULL EPISODE).

“In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.” Bertrand Russell

Shun the World's Pleasures

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall, or the bowling saloon. He will not unite with the gay waltzers, or indulge in any other bewitching pleasure that will banish Christ from the mind.

To those who plead for these diversions, we answer, We cannot indulge in them in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.... Go in imagination to Gethsemane and behold the anguish which Christ endured for us. See the world's Redeemer wrestling in superhuman agony, the sins of the whole world upon His soul. Hear His prayer, borne upon the sympathizing breeze, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39). The hour of darkness has come. Christ has entered the shadow of His cross. Alone He must drink the bitter cup.

Of all earth's children whom He has blessed and comforted there is not one to console Him in this dreadful hour. He is betrayed into the hands of a murderous mob. Faint and weary, He is dragged from one tribunal to another. . . . He who knew not the taint of sin pours out His life as a malefactor upon Calvary. This history should stir every soul to its depths. It was to save us that the Son of God became a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. . . . Let a sense of the infinite sacrifice made for our redemption be ever with you, and the ballroom will lose its attractions.

Not only did Christ die as our sacrifice, but He lived as our example. In His human nature He stands, complete, perfect, spotless. To be a Christian is to be Christlike. Our entire being--soul, body, and spirit--must be purified, ennobled, sanctified, until we shall reflect His image and imitate His example. . . . We need not fear to engage in any pursuit or pleasure that will aid us in this work. But it is our duty to shun everything that would divert our attention or lessen our zeal.

Bible Universe

40 years of Apple with Walt Mossberg

"We asked Verge executive editor Walt Mossberg to show us some classic Apple gadgets from his personal collection and tell a few stories about the company — and Steve Jobs."



From The Verge youtube channel.