By David Watts, MD

What if I told you that you could drink something... and it would dramatically improve the way your skin looks and feels?

Would you give it a try?

Well, today, I’m going to show you a beverage that does exactly that.

And I’ll also show you the fascinating science behind it.

Here’s how they work...

When your skin is exposed to the sun and other environmental elements — like dust and smog — nasty compounds called free radicals start forming in your skin cells.

These free radicals attack the oxygen in the cells, damaging your skin and accelerating aging. 4

But the antioxidants found in green tea bind to these free radicals to stop them in their tracks. 5

And that’s not the only thing green tea antioxidants do for your skin...

Research from the Medical College of Georgia revealed that the antioxidants found in green tea can actually reactivate dying skin cells. 6

Another study showed that drinking green tea not only helped protect skin from harmful UV radiation…

It also led to long-term improvement in skin hydration, density, and elasticity. 7

Simply put... drink green tea, and it’ll help your skin improve. That’s why I’ve started drinking it every day!

Now, before I go, I have two very important reminders for you…

First, green tea naturally contains caffeine.

So, if you’re caffeine-sensitive, decaffeinated versions are available.

(But be aware, the decaffeination process does reduce its antioxidant potency.)

Second, if you plan on drinking more green tea, avoid sugar and sweeteners — which actually damage your skin.

I hope you’ve found this info helpful. I have more tips coming your way soon.

To healthy and comfortable days ahead,

Dr. David Watts

Sources

1 Katiyar SK, Ahmad N, Mukhtar H. Green tea and skin. Arch Dermatol. Aug 2000; 136 (8): 989-94. DOI: 10.1001/archderm.136.8.989.

2 WebMD Staff. Green Tea Could Be Good for Your Skin, Study Finds. WebMD Website. http://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20000817/green-tea-could-be-good-for-your-skin-study-finds#1. Published August 17, 2000. Accessed July 13, 2017.

3 Id. at 1.

4 Gillespie K1, Kodani I, Dickinson DP, et. al. Effects of oral consumption of the green tea polyphenol EGCG in a murine model for human Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease. Life Sci. Oct 24, 2008; 83 (17-18): 581-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2008.08.011.

5 Berkeley Wellness Staff. Antioxidants and Free Radicals. Berkeley Wellness Website. http://www.berkeleywellness.com/supplements/vitamins/article/antioxidants-and-free-radicals. Published September 12, 2016. Accessed July 13, 2017.

6 Yamamoto T, Hsu S, Lewis J, et. al. Green Tea Polyphenol Causes Differential Oxidative Environments in Tumor versus Normal Epithelial Cells. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. Oct 2003; 307 (1): 230-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.103.054676.

7 Heinrich U, Moore CE, De Spirt S, Tronnier H, Stahl W. Green Tea Polyphenols Provide Photoprotection, Increase Microcirculation, and Modulate Skin Properties of Women. J Nutr. Jun 2011; 141 (6): 1202-8. DOI: 10.3945/jn.110.136465.

By Nicholas Bakalar

Psychological distress may increase your chances of dying from cancer.

Researchers interviewed 163,363 adults in England and Scotland using well-validated questionnaires on general and mental health. They followed the population in 16 studies conducted between 1994 and 2008.

After controlling for age, smoking, physical activity and other factors, they found that compared with those with the lowest scores on depression and anxiety, those with the highest had higher rates of cancer death. The associations were particularly strong for colon and rectal, prostate, pancreatic and esophageal cancers, and for leukemia. In instances of colorectal and prostate cancer, they found a “dose-response” effect: the greater the distress, the greater the likelihood of death from those cancers.

People might have had undiagnosed cancer at the start of the study, which would affect their mood, so the researchers accounted for this possibility by doing an analysis that excluded study members who died of cancer in the first five years. The results were largely the same.

Jalapeño-spiced black bean hummus.

By Dr. Eric Scalise

Childish or Childlike?

All of us have probably observed childish behavior… not only in young children, which is almost expected, but also in some adults, which is unfortunate and often produces a "roll your eyes" response. In many ways, we come into this world helpless, needy, and self-absorbed. Children must be taught, even trained to be giving, confident, caring, and other's-centered. Growing old is an automatic process; however, as a counselor, I have learned that growing up is optional. In his discourse on spiritual maturity and the need to grow in love (i.e., the ability to be "tuned in" to another person with a heart of compassion), the Apostle Paul said, "When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11).

So what does childishness look like? More often than not, the word has a negative connotation and can refer to behavior that is deemed immature, irresponsible, selfish, infantile, or juvenile. Adults who display childish tendencies have difficulty with emotional regulation. They are impulsive, pouty, and can have frequent outbursts of anger. Behaviorally, they are prone to lying, blame others to avoid responsibility, are predisposed to bullying, and frequently need to be the center of attention. In extreme cases, the evidence of clinical problems surface, such as those that are seen with certain personality disorders (e.g., dependent personality, narcissistic personality, antisocial personality, histrionic personality, borderline personality disorder, etc.). Healthy adults are tempered in their day-to-day interactions with people, have a more engaging approach, and work toward understanding problems while looking for mutually beneficial solutions.

Childlikeness, on the other hand, is often paired with a positive perception of innocence, as well as a posture of trust in God and others. People who are childlike are sometimes described as playful, creative, unselfish, and teachable. In discussing greatness, Jesus asked, "'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, 'Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 18:1-4). Here, we see Jesus referring to the simple faith and trust often found in a child. No wonder children loved the Lord and flocked to Him whenever He was present. They understood Him, He was easy to approach, and they could rest in knowing they were genuinely and completely accepted and loved. In fact, the heart of the Gospel is not that complicated. Adults are the ones who tend to convolute and intertwine the message with excessive rules, expectations, intellectual structure, and overt legalism.

The Apostle John learned an important lesson that day and later incorporated a similar concept in one of his Epistles. He refers to "little children" seven times in 1 John – not to imply a lack of maturity, but to define what it means to be a secure and trusting disciple of Christ. With Jesus as our role model and love as a compass, John highlights several benefits to having this childlike orientation: that we may not sin (2:1); that we may know we are forgiven (2:12); to have confidence and not shrink away in shame (2:28); to not be deceived, but to practice righteousness (3:7); to love in deed and in truth (3:18); to overcome the influence of false prophets (4:4); and to guard our hearts from idols (5:21).

Moving away from childishness toward true childlikeness begins early in the parenting process. It flows naturally out of deep, abiding, and safe attachments between a child and his or her primary caretakers. This sense of emotional and relational security is a priceless gift that fathers and mothers can give to their sons and daughters. The implied message is one that communicates, "I love you. I'm for you. I believe in the best for your life and am confident that with God's help, you will fulfill all He has for you. I give you my blessing. " From this secure base, a child grows into adulthood with an increased capacity to relate to others in a balanced manner and also exhibits greater emotional intelligence.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) or a person's Emotional Quotient (EQ), as it is sometimes referred to, is a subset of social intelligence that involves self- and social-awareness, the ability to monitor one's own and others' feelings and emotions, to discriminate between them, and to use this information to guide thinking and behavior. The concept was initially defined by psychologist Daniel Goleman and has become a critical competency for navigating change and upheaval, including within marriages and families – important environments that are often full of emotion and passion.

Five distinct categories of Emotional Intelligence have been identified and you can see how they are connected to a person's potential for success and wellbeing: (a) self-awareness, which includes emotional awareness and self-confidence; (b) self-regulation, which includes self-control, trustworthiness, conscientiousness, adaptability, and innovation; (c) motivation, which includes one's achievement drive, commitment, initiative, and optimism; (d) empathy, which includes service, understanding and developing others, and leveraging diversity; and (e) social skills, which includes influence, communication, leadership, conflict management, building relational bonds, collaboration, and cooperation.

Ultimately, having a childlike disposition before God shows a measure of peace and composure in one's life. When trust is present in your spiritual walk, there is less need to call attention to yourself, less selfishness, and less angst to be in control of everything and everyone. The emotional stability that ensues can release us to be humble servants in our marriages, families, workplaces, churches, and ministries. Humility is not a sign of weakness, but evidence of a quiet and secure confidence in God.

David was king over all of Israel, but first and foremost, he was a shepherd. He knew what it meant to lead his flocks beside quiet waters, to have them lie down in green pastures. He wrote Psalm 23 from a place of freedom and out of his own restored soul. Freedom from the fear of failure and the fear of rejection releases us to serve others with the same love that God does. When we find ourselves in authentic relationship with the True Shepherd, to be transformed by and through the Holy Spirit, then we will have a childlike faith. David understood this truth simply, but profoundly when he said, "O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me. Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother, my soul is like a weaned child within me" (Ps. 131:1-2).

About The Author:

Eric Scalise, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, is the President of LIV Enterprises & Consulting, LLC and CEO for the Alignment Association, LLC. He is the former Vice President of the 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), as well as the former Department Chair for Counseling Programs at Regent University in Virginia Beach, VA. He is an adjunct professor and the Senior Editor for both AACC and the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation. Dr. Scalise is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 36 years of clinical and professional experience in the mental health field. ....

By Dr. James Dobson

Leading Children Through Tough Years

Question: OK Dr. Dobson, you understand the strong-willed child better than I did. But tell me how to get our son through these tough years. He is tough as nails. What specific suggestions do you have for us?

JCD Answer: Here is a summary of some approaches or ideas that I think are important:

1. You should not blame yourself for the temperament with which your child was born. He (or she) is simply a tough kid to handle, and your task is to rise to the challenge.

2. He is in greater danger because of his inclination to test the limits and scale the walls. Your utmost diligence and wisdom will be required to deal with him.

3. If you fail to understand his lust for power and independence, you can exhaust your resources and bog down in guilt. It will benefit no one.

4. For parents who have just begun, take charge of your babies. Hold tightly to the reins of authority in the early days, and build an attitude of respect during your brief window of opportunity. You will need every ounce of "awe" you can get during the years to come. Once you have established your right to lead, begin to let go systematically, year by year.

5. Don't panic, even during the storms of adolescence. Better times are ahead.

6. Don't let your son get too far from you emotionally. Stay in touch. Don't write him off, even when every impulse is to do just that. He needs you now more than ever before.

7. Give him time to find himself, even if he appears not to be searching.

8. Most important, I urge you to hold your children before the Lord in fervent prayer throughout their years at home. I am convinced that there is no other source of confidence and wisdom in parenting. There is not enough knowledge in the books, mine or anyone else's, to counteract the evil that surrounds our kids today. Teenagers are confronted by drugs, alcohol, sex, and foul language wherever they turn. And, of course, the peer pressure on them is enormous. We must bathe them in prayer every day of their lives. The God who made your children will hear your petitions. He has promised to do so. After all, He loves them more than you do.

And a concluding word: Remember that anyone can raise the easy kid. Guiding an SWC through the rebellious years takes a pro with a lot of love to give. I'll bet you're up to the task!

by Dr. Judy Williamson

"We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves; otherwise we harden." ~Johann von Goethe

We have all heard the saying "When you're green you grow, when you're ripe you rot." Unfortunately, this applies to all of us because the Universe thrives on activity and frowns upon inaction. If we become stagnant in our actions, thoughts, beliefs, ideas, interests, values, and even words, we fail to expand our space, but rather diminish it.

This week, let's focus on growing something. In the late winter, seed catalogs arrive and we enjoy paging through the beauty of spring bulbs, climbing roses, flowering hibiscus, and fragrant blossoms. Growing seeds and plants gives us pleasure in the undertaking because we assume a role in the purpose and plan of the Universe - to grow. But, creatively, we can grow other things as well. For example, we can grow:

1) friendships
2) finances
3) spiritual awareness
4) wisdom
5) positive attitudes
6) a definite major purpose
7) intuition
8) education
9) loyalty and
10) enjoyment

The above items are just "thought starters" for your consideration. Why not decide to grow an item of your choosing this week and dedicate time to the planting, cultivation, and harvesting of the results? By focusing on growth and increase, rather than the usual, customary, tried and true plan of your ordinary day, you will be expanding your Universe, your awareness, and your enjoyment of life. Just witness this by talking to anyone about their favorite hobby, and watch how enthusiasm takes hold and cares and concerns move into the background. No hobby? No interest? Better get one because the Universe thrives on expansion.

For example, if flowers are your passion, learn about flowers. Read books, visit the internet, grow some, give some, display some, make perfume or fragrant soap, smell some, and indulge your passion. It will invigorate you.

How to begin? Start with a verb - an action word - , and list ten actions that you will take now to indulge your interest. For example, if gardens are your passion, in the dead of winter, 1) visualize your garden, 2) review garden catalogs for potential purchases, 3) purchase the seeds you want to grow, 4) hoe your garden spot, 5) fertilize it, 6) plant it, 7) weed it, 8) water it, 9) harvest it, and 10) share your bounty with neighbors, friends and family. Every year, I anticipate growing tomatoes. I love the smell of the leaves, watching the growth of the plants, rejoice when the little yellow blossoms appear, and celebrate when the first tomato is harvested. It is a ritual, but one I enjoy participating in yearly. It brings me pleasure and good eating too.

Where will you grow this week? Create a plan of purpose, and take immediate action on the plan. Don't linger, just do, and you will reap an ongoing harvest of good results.

Be Your Very Best Always,
Judy Williamson

by Adrian Rogers

It was 20 years ago last month. Adrian Rogers found himself at the helm of a radio and TV ministry expanding almost as rapidly as the flock he pastored—one of America's largest churches. Someone was needed to help build and oversee this growing broadcast ministry. Answering God's call and Dr. Rogers' appeal, Bill Skelton came alongside.

In prior years Bill served side by side with Dr. Rogers at Bellevue church. But here at LWF his gifts for processing, organizing, and planning bore ever-increasing fruit. In the fields of God's harvest together, Bill and Pastor Rogers saw God expand the ministry from 95 radio stations in 1991 to 2,369 radio and 11,578 TV stations worldwide along with an ever-increasing online ministry reaching all nations.

Oftentimes people asked Bill, "What's it like to work with Adrian Rogers?" Bill always told them, "When I get used to it, I'll let you know!"

When Dr. Rogers went home to be with the Lord in 2005, under God's guidance and Bill's faithful and steady hand, the ministry never faltered. The clear teaching of His Word, presented passionately, is timeless—always relevant. And one of the many reasons this outreach of the Gospel has not only continued but increased is the foresight and careful administration of Bill Skelton.

But Bill would be the first to "amen" the quote, "This isn't about me, but about God working through me!" On his 10th anniversary at LWF, Bill penned a note to Dr. Rogers. He wrote, "It has been my joy to serve you as you served Him. We do what we do for God and His kingdom. And when we do it for Him, two things happen: we get joy and God gets the glory!"

Completing his 20th year at LWF, now Bill senses God's call once again. On September 1, Bill retires as CEO and Chairman of the Board, but says, as Dr. Rogers once did, "I've not retired, I've refired!"

Although stepping back from daily on-site duties at LWF, Bill will remain active at Love Worth Finding, continuing to serve on the Board of Directors ("I'll be around!") and an ambassador for LWF wherever he goes. "I'm available," he says, "for whatever may be needed."

In some ways, this call is similar to his initial call to the ministry. "With me, at least, I believe a 'call' begins with a seed thought. Then it grows and intensifies. I don't make snap decisions. Long-range planning and thinking ahead are my way of operating. For this decision, it began with the thought, 'God, is this the time?' which became stronger and clearer over time.

"Long ago when we left California, we stepped out on faith to come cross country to 'a land we did not know.' Yet if we had not been obedient and taken that step of faith, responding to His leading, we would have missed so much.

"Dr. Rogers once wrote, 'The strength of this ministry was and is not Adrian Rogers. It is the power of the Holy Spirit working through the proclamation of His Word and through our leadership.' I've learned God isn't looking for our ability—

He looks for our availability. When He has that, God will show in us His power. What He asks of us is a separated and yielded life."

Bill's vision for the future of LWF is as firm and clear as it was 20 years ago. "This ministry and the message are so relevant to our culture today. It's been almost six years now since Dr. Rogers' home-going, yet the ministry is still stable. I see a long and wonderful future. This ministry is blessed with a wonderfully seasoned staff that loves the Lord, loves this ministry, and loves the LWF family. And I hope to see LWF explore and participate in all the new avenues of ministry, where there's unlimited potential!"

When asked if his own future seems a little scary, he admitted, "Truly, I've reached a point in my life where nothing really 'scares' me. To the changes I say, 'Whatever God has in store.' To the challenges, I have no apprehension. My life verse is Jeremiah 33:3, 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.' And for this time of transition, Psalm 84:11 and Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.'" And Bill's plate is filling up already.

But some are asking him, "Are you sure?" To that Bill responds, "Yes! I'm reminded of Luke 9:62, 'No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.' And I'm not looking back—instead, I'm looking forward with excitement and anticipation, keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith!"

Keep me from becoming talkative and possessed with the idea that I must express myself on every subject.

Release me from the craving to straighten out everyone's affairs.

Keep me from the recital of endless detail.

Give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my aches and pains. They are increasing with the years and my love to speak of them grows sweeter as time goes by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I may be wrong.

Make me thoughtful but not nosy; helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom and experience, it does seem a pity not to use it all. But You know, Lord ––

I want a few friends at the end!