The Ultimate Prescription: What the Medical Profession Isn't Telling You (2010) by Dr. James L. Marcum, BOOK REVIEW

The Ultimate Prescription: What the Medical Profession Isn't Telling You (2010)

by Dr. James L. Marcum, MD (with Charles Mills)

It's hard for me to ignore this: when the vaccines available for the public, I observe many people are eager to get shots for themselves and their loved ones. Try to get themselves and family members to register online and when the website jammed, they tenaciously try and try again. "Don't give up," a mantra that I read in one of my WhatsApp groups. Then when it's time for them to take the shot, people don't mind driving early in the morning, some even from miles away and very patiently queuing the long lines. There is no laziness, very few complaints, and little need for crowd control. But something is missing here: the same eagerness doesn't apply to most people's lifestyle when it comes to physical exercise, eating right, and mental health. It seems we are more concerned with which vaccines are the best but we are ignorant about how we treat our God-given bodies, minds, and spirits.

According to the World Population Review 2019, Malaysia has the highest prevalence of obesity among adults in South-East Asia at 15.6% (the 'fattest' country in Asia). According to the WHO, the top killer in Malaysia in 2014 was coronary heart disease (still is all around the world). The most recent epidemiological data, published in 2015 by the Malaysian Ministry of Health, identified that the prevalence of mental disorders among adults was 29% (that's about 3 in 10 people). Add these data with the effects of the pandemic and the stress of quarantines, we are doom if we don't take care of our health. Dr. James Marcum, in the back cover, argues that many of the diseases sending us to doctors' offices, surgical suites, and early graves are PREVENTABLE - and we don't need to be over-medicated (not anti-medicine) to cure them. "The painful truth is that we give the disease to ourselves by the choices we make over a lifetime. We create the chronic condition that brings about the acute event by placing endless stressors on our systems - stressors that eventually do us in."

Dr. James is a behavioral cardiologist, so he outlines many good scientific evidence to back up his claims, share lots of experience with his patients to authenticate his observations, and unapologetically tackle dozen of deadly misconceptions around us today. At the same time, he writes this book from a Christian perspective and believes that although modern medicines and technologies have done so much to combat the symptoms of diseases, only God, the Great Physician, through His Word (The Bible, 'owner's manual' as he called it), is the true source of healing. By gleaning truths from the Creation Story - Genesis chapter 1 to 3 - Dr. James skillfully let us see that God had already revealed His 'Health Plan' for us that is consistent with scientific findings. Perhaps I have issues with how he interprets some texts, but overall, he is theologically (but not a theologian) sound. Besides all the usual but often neglect natural ways to increase good health, he also highlights the spiritual aspect of love and worship. As cheesy as it may sound, this remains true: "Love [of God and with one another] is the solution to our global health care dilemma. Love opens the door for us to rediscover the ultimate prescription and find healing for our minds, bodies, and spirits. Love is the ultimate treatment. It's the final step to a full, long-lasting recovery" ❤ 
#LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #TheUltimatePrescription #HealthIsWealth #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

[P.s: In the final sections of this book, Dr. James gives very useful information about the symptoms, diagnostic testing, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Sweet!]

To read my other #1Book1Week book reviews on health in general, click links below 

1) Happiness Is A Choice: The Symptoms, Causes, and Cures of Depression (2007, Updated Edition) by Frank Minirth, M.D. & Paul Meier, M.D. CLICK HERE
 
2) The Clever Guts Diet: How to Revolutionize Your Body from the Inside Out (2017) by Dr Michael Mosley CLICK HERE  

3) Diet Rehab: 28 Days to Finally Stop Craving the Foods That Make You Fat (2011) by Dr Mike Dow CLICK HERE  

4) Spartan Up! A Take No-Prisoners Guide to Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Peak Performance in Life (2014) by Joe De Sena CLICK HERE   


FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/                       
Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/               
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LEGASItv/     

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Lord, Heal My Tongue: 6 Diseases of the Tongue (Part 5/9)

We have studied an example from the Old Testament that illustrates how "death and life are in the power of the tongue." We learned that the right use of the tongue will impart life, and, conversely, the wrong use will impart death. Now we will consider certain specific diseases that affect our tongues. These six (6) diseases that commonly infect our lives through the misuse of our tongues can, in some cases, be fatal if left unchecked.

[This is a reading from Derek Prince's Does Your Tongue Need Healing? (1986) by Derek Prince Ministries International. Published by Whitaker House] #ServeToLead #HealMyTongue

_____________

FB Page: https://facebook.com/LEGASI.tv/

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/LEGASI.tv/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/legasi.tv/

YouTube: http://bit.ly/LEGASItv

Blog: https://www.richardangelus.me/

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception (2010) by Pamela Meyer, Book Review

Liespotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception (2010)
by Pamela Meyer

People lie to us all the time. You and I lie to others all the time. We lie to each other all the time. In fact, according to studies by several different researchers, most of us encounter nearly two hundred lies a day (most of them are harmless lies, by the way). That's 200 times per day! That means if you get to sleep 8 hours per day, you're likely been on the receiving end of about 12 lies per hour. According to one study found that over one week, lies were detected in 37% of phone calls, 27% of face-to-face meetings, 21% of IM chats, and 14% of e-mails. There are many more facts about lying that if I were to list down it here, you'll soon think that I'm lying to you! Whatever happened to the 9th Commandment? "We have to trust to survive," writes Meyer, "[but] paradoxically, we have to lie to survive as well." 

Pamela Meyer reminds the readers upfront: "One doesn't undertake deception-detection training just to be able to point a finger at a liar. A little bit of liespotting training goes a long way toward strengthening many of our relationships, so we can develop a small inner circle of fiercely loyal, dependable colleagues and friends, sharpen our instincts, bolster our productivity, increase our confidence in ourselves, and improve our work environment." She summarized, "Liespotting isn't just about sniffing out liars in the short term; it's also about building a sustainable infrastructure of trust for the long haul." Agree! Pamela Meyer first intrigued me when I saw her TED Talk on deception and when I saw this book in the library, I quickly grabbed it and devoured its content. I love the first part of this book but the second half part is somewhat boring… probably because she refers to deception in the business world and I don't feel it's relevant to me now.

Liespotting is a 3-pronged approach that involves equal measures of scientific information, observation training, and interrogation practice. "It's not enough to recognize lies," she reminds her readers again, "It's the complex truth we're after." Spotting a lie is just the beginning, the truth to move forward is most important of all. As I said, this book is divided into 2 parts:

Part #1 Detecting Deception. It begins with a broad overview of lying (Chapter 1: The Deception Epidemic and Chapter 2: Deception 101 – Who, When, and Why) and explores three patterns of deception as the foundation (Chapter 3: Reading the Face, Chapter 4: Reading the Body, and Chapter 5: Listening to the Words). These first five chapters are very interesting. I get to test it on myself and others. Once I know (still learning and testing) how to read facial, verbal, and behavioral clues of deception, I'm tempted to look for them everywhere. But like what Meyer said we can't be perfectly accurate, we can only improve our detection ability. Then, Meyer introduces The BASIC Interview Method (Chapter 6) which combines facial recognition with advanced interrogation techniques. She taught me how to read the map of the human face and body, as well as how to decode human language and vocal tone, "exposing the myriad signs people inadvertently leave behind when they are working to hide the truth about something that really matters."

Part #2 Building Trust. Here she addresses the most common high-stakes business situations in which lying occurs – business negotiations and job interviews – and provides tailored strategies for countering deception in each situation (Chapter 7: Liespotting for High Stakes). She also introduces the deception audit (Chapter 8: The Deception Audit): simple steps "executives can take to identify pervasive sources of deception within an organization, and to prevent them from taking root again in its culture." Finally, Meyer taught readers how to confidently build a customized inner circle, a small, handpicked community of people "to whom you can turn to support you in the hardest moments" and what to do next (Chapter 9: Building Your Trust Brain, and Chapter 10: Putting It All Together).

To me, this book is valuable because detecting deception is a crucial skill that offers countless financial, psychological, emotional, and even spiritual benefits. "Liespotting requires that we push back," writes Meyer in her closing, "It demands that we step away from our machines, that we relearn how to communicate face-to-face, how to read people, emphasize, connect, and listen." Liespotting is more than detecting deception, it's about how to be human… again.

Recommended book: (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies (2015) by Dan Ariely

Recommended TV Series: Lie to Me

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

God's Perspective is the Best and God's Intention is Good (Genesis 3:1-6)

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’’ ‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it”

(Genesis 3:1-6, NIV).

The serpent promised Eve new “eyes” to see what God sees. Adam and Eve got a new perspective, of course, but it wasn’t God’s perspective. The serpent taught them to doubt God’s goodness. The serpent accused God as having hidden agendas when He commands them the straightforward: “You must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). God desires for them to joyfully obey Him – to choose life. But the serpent wants them to find misery when God had intended only good for them.

No longer pure in hearts, Adam and Eve hid from God. They believed that the shame they were experiencing must reflect God’s true view of them. The serpent, after all, had told them that eating the forbidden fruit would open their eyes. Lies! The truth is, Adam and Eve already had a godlike view of the world they inhabited. The serpent – the Devil – took away the very thing he promised to give.

Since that day in the Garden, our perspective has been tainted. We find it very hard to believe what may be the simplest, most fundamental truth of all: God loves us, and He wants what is best for us. It is forever be true.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Is God's Son: The Liar & Antichrist Denies This Truth (1 John 2:22-23)

“And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also”

(1 John 2:22-23, NLT).

Remember, the Apostle John was writing this letter to Christians, not to non-Christians. So, he reminds us here that the ultimate lie from those who called themselves ‘Christians’ is to deny that Jesus is God’s Son. In fact, if some people lie about this, they really can’t be trusted on anything else important. As I read the Scriptures, God’s Word clearly teaches that a person cannot know God without knowing the Son, Jesus Christ.

Again and again Jesus Himself said that to know Him was to know God Himself; to reject Jesus was to reject God. “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Luke 10:22). One time, Jesus insisted that He and God were one and the same: “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me… I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. and I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say” (John 12:44-45, 49-50); “The Father and I are one” (John 10:30).

We see that our faith as Christians depends on the unique relationship that Jesus, the Son had with God the Father. It was so unique and different from the relationship an ordinary human being could have with God; it was a one-of-a-kind relationship. I know this can be difficult to understand, just as it is difficult for me to explain. But all I can gather from what the Scriptures and the Spirit teach is that to deny that Jesus is God’s Son is to deny God the Father as well; to believe that Jesus is God’s Son is to have a correct view of who God the Father is. We can know God partially from nature, even the world around us. But we can know God fully only through and by knowing the Son, Jesus Christ.

Friends, it’s all wrapped up together in one package. You can’t have Jesus without God the Father, and you can’t have God the Father without believing that Jesus was God’s Son. To believe otherwise, according to John, is to tell a terrible lie. “Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus Wants Us to Beware of Antichrists and False Teachings (1 John 2:18-21)

Jesus said: “Watch out for false prophets. 

They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15). 

“Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this, we know that the last hour has come. These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise, they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies”

(1 John 2:18-21, NLT).

The Apostle John is making a few startling comments here: First, there is “the Antichrist” who is coming; and second, many “antichrists” have already come! Don’t be confused. Let me try my best to clarify what is being written.

We might begin by asking what “the Antichrist” is. The term refers either to a person who opposes Christ (is “anti” Christ) or to a person who tries to take the place of Christ (“anti” also means “instead of”). Thus anyone who is against Jesus Christ, anyone who teaches false doctrine about Christ, and anyone who tries to take Christ’s place by claiming to be a new savior or messiah or redeemer, is an “antichrist.” Earlier, Jesus had warned about the coming of “false Christs and false prophets” who will do everything they can – even performing miracles and temporary healings – to deceive the Christians and lead them away from the true Christian faith (read Matthew 24:24). Some would even claim to be Christ himself (read Mark 13:6). These people can be called antichrists. John also says that some of the false teachers or antichrists had voluntarily “left our churches,” they were defectors. They “proved that they did not belong with us.” Good! They were the counterfeit Christians, those who looked and sounded like Christians but turned out not to be so.

People throughout history tried unsuccessfully to identify who this “the Antichrist” figure is. Some thought it was Nero. Later, some people thought the antichrist was Napoleon, then Adolph Hitler, or more recently, Barack Obama and even the Vatican Pope! But all of these thoughts proved to be wrong. To me, what we can learn from this is not to spend our energies (and Internet data to watch YouTube videos about this issue) to identify one Antichrist who is going to bring about the end of history and the return of authentic Christ. Instead, we should be aware of people and groups who in their own ways – whether quite directly or more subtly – try to convince people that they alone have all of “the truth,” “special knowledge,” and that they have a “special” relationship God which no one else can have. Let me tell you: All of us have access to knowledge of the truth – we can, I’m convinced, understand the essentials of faith.

God makes it clear in His Word that we can all know enough about our faith to be saved and live as believers. No matter know smart or dumb we may feel we are; no matter how many Bible verses we have memorized or how many details of Bible history we know, we can know enough to be God’s children; and that’s what really counts (but this is not an excuse to not read and study the Bible). The Scriptures remind us that we don’t need any “new truth,” that we have been told and know enough to help us “know the difference between truth and lies”; to know “what is right” (2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, we have enough light to show us where to walk – if we choose to use it.

Imagine you have a flashlight in your hand as you walk down a dark, spooky street at night. If you don’t turn on the flashlight you won’t get the light you need to walk, but if you take advantage of the flashlight you will have enough light to show you the way and where to go. You have enough light (or knowledge or “the truth”) to tell you what to believe and do. Don’t look for “new” truth as it was being proclaimed by false teachers and prophets [In summary, there are 7 lies in the church today: 1) Overemphasis of prosperity, 2) exaggerated view of grace; 3) antinomianism; 4) deification of man; 5) challenging the authority of the Word; 6) rejecting the existing of actual hell; and 7) universal reconciliation] Stand firm. God “has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth” (1 John 2:20). Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Jesus, God's Forgiveness Assured: Confess Your Sin, Don't Hide It (1 John 1:8-9)

“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”
(1 John 1:8-9, NLT).

This “if we claim” statement introduces a worse lie among Christians. In verses 1 John 6-7, the lie was to claim to have “fellowship with God” and still walk in the darkness. The second lie (here) is to claim to be without sin. Some people just do not want to take responsibility for their sins. They say, “It was my upbringing – my parents didn’t do a very good parenting,” or “I come from a poor family that’s why I…” Or maybe it was too much pressure from friends. Whatever the reason, some people convince themselves that they are without sin, not guilty – it’s always somebody else’s fault; they thought that they are just victims of somebody else’s sins.

But the truth is that not only did all of us sin before we became Christians (see Romans 3:23), we still sin when we are out of fellowship with God. Even though we were created in the image of God, people have been sinning since the time of Adam and Eve. It’s just inborn in us. There is great danger in concealing or hiding something like sin. Very dangerous! It only gets worse and leads to more problems. This is true in our physical bodies. When I noticed some syndromes of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), I didn’t go for a check-up but instead I let it become worst. If I didn’t do anything back then, the disease will continue to grow and maybe even threaten my very life.

With sin, an open attitude is important. In the Proverbs we read, “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). What God wants is not only a general confession such as “Please forgive me of my sins,” but confessing sins specifically – “Lord, forgive me for the way I treated my friend;” or “Forgive me for the way I yelled at my mother,” and so on. As we call these sins to mind, God will forgive them, “he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness,” as He promised. He will not condemn or ridicule us but will show mercy. Making excuses or justifying ourselves doesn’t lead to forgiveness. It is through an attitude of being truly sorry that we repented from them and admitting these sins to God that we can experience forgiveness.

What a relief it is to know that we have been forgiven! No pilgrimages. No animal sacrifices. No monetary offerings. Many years before Apostle John wrote his letters, King David described how he felt when his sins had been forgiven: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (Psalms 32:1-5).

Can you sense the relief and joy that David felt? And even though David was a great leader for God’s people, he committed many sins that needed God’s forgiveness. He felt so guilty that he thought he was wasting away. But when he was honest with God and confessed his sins, he was greatly relieved. What sins you haven’t confessed to the Lord today? Don’t wait. He is ready to forgive you.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Believe It or Not, I Met Gossip Girl

“Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?” (Proverbs 18:8, The Message).

“Gossip needn’t be false to be evil
– there’s a lot of truth that shouldn’t be passed around” (Frank Clark).

Hi friends and good readers, believe it or not, I met Gossip recently. 3 days before Gawai celebration. She introduced herself this way, “My name is Gossip, I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.”

“Wow! You’re somewhat very powerful… but negatively powerful. If this is what you can do, you must be very dangerous too” I said to her, trying to avoid mental contact with her.

She continued, “I’m not finish yet. I flourish at every level of society. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no exact face [I said to myself, ‘No wonder I can’t see her face clearly’]. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody’s friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages [Suddenly GE13 gossips and news comes to mind]. I ruin careers, and cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and indigestion.”

“Wow!” I said to myself. I stopped responding to her because I’m so displeased with her attitude.

Proudly she continued speaking and by now I already hated her for who she is, “I also spawn suspicion and generate grief. I make innocent people cry in their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip. I make headlines and headaches…” Her voice tone decreased rapidly.

Suddenly, she disappeared. I can’t explain how – but she disappeared before I can say WAIT or GO AWAY. Both are longer to pronoun compare to her quick disappearance. She comes and goes but stayed in my mind for quite awhile, I guess that is what Gossip do. Now, I can almost hear you ask me question: ‘Richard, is the story above true and reliable?’ Well… depend. Before you believe this story or any news or any gossips at all, ask yourself, Is it true? Is it fact? Is it necessary? If not, stop believing it and shut up!

Oh wait… maybe that was why Gossip suddenly disappeared, I shut up and stop responding to her. So next time you meet her or him, try your best not to respond to ‘it’ – and shut up.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.