Highest Health

Monday, September 07, 2009


Eat Broccoli for Your Heart’s Sake!


We have known for a long time that vegetables are good for us. But we did not always know why they are necessarily good. Scientists recently discovered from experiments with mice that sulforaphane (a chemical that broccoli and other green leafy vegetables are naturally rich in) is good for your heart. And they can explain why for the first time.

Paul Evans of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College, London explained that sulforaphane could “turn on” a normally protective protein called Nrf2 that is inactive in slow-flowing or hindered parts of arteries that are susceptible to blockage. I have shown in my book, The Amazing Heart, how such conditions—when allowed to prolong—can lead to inflammation and such problems as heart attacks and so on. Well, Paul Evans and his team of researchers were able to show from their study that sulforaphane helps to activate Nrf2 in endothelial cells by switching it on, thus activating its natural protective mechanism.

More research is being planned to further ascertain the efficacies of sulforaphane in the vegetable form for the heart.

While sulforaphane in its purified form was used in the study, I wouldn’t go to the extent of taking it in its purified form nor in its pill form. I would rather go for the vege form, come whatever scientist who may “prove” that the vegetable form of sulforaphane is “not so effective.”

Meanwhile, while we wait for science to further confirm that which was originally designed by our Creator for our health benefits, don’t wait to add in more ‘cruciferous’ vegetables in your diet. I understand that for some of you, these veges may not so palatable, but remember: Such vegetables will certainly not crucify you, but will definitely go a long way in strengthening your heart!


Meantime, go broccoli or better still, grow broccoli,
Ray Chee



Monday, July 06, 2009

Joyless Religion

The first man’s sin resulted in separation
And so physical death became an appointment
The wages of sin is death, spiritual darkness
And hence God’s judgment awaits the sinner
To live in the flesh is degradation and death
To live in the Spirit is life and inner peace

Joy and strength are linked, inextricably linked
No strength usually leads to error and sin
Confessing his own sinfulness from birth
King David after his sin of adultery prayed
“Restore to me the joy of my salvation
And give me a right and willing spirit within”

To restore implies David had the joy before
To reinstate joy requires repentance prior
And then dependence on your Source, your Creator
Coz’ dead idols are simply unable to aid
No restoration, no renewal
No renewal, no joy within dwell

Redemption entails a Redeemer, the Son
Coming down from Heaven above, here to hang
And on that old rugged cross suffered
Animal sacrifices were only replicas
Of the real eternal Sacrifice to come
And no Sacrifice, no salvation or crown

No Redeemer’s blood, no lasting deliverance
No Redeemer signifies no redemption
Without redemption, there's no forgiveness or cleansing
So no cleansing only means joyless, dreadful living
And no cleansing, no restoration
For the joy of the LORD is our strength

No point worshiping pow'rless mammon
No resurrection equals dead God
A son of man called himself Resurrection
It’s not so much rules and regulations
Necessary and important tho’ they may be
It’s more about true relationship with Almighty

Scripture reveals He’s jealous of your relationship
Apart from it, His wrath remains your companionship
In returning and rest you shall be saved
In rest, your mouth shall be filled with praise
In trusting His Word you shall find relevance
Your strength shall lie in quietness and confidence

It matters to which religion you belong
It does matter who you relate to or rely upon
Only in returning will there be true fellowship
Real Christianity stems from a right relationship
Precious intimate relationship with the Savior
With the Rock of all ages, and in that you will joy

So this relationship really matters
For the humble and believing, it flourishes
Anything else is but shifting sand
To say the least, futility to the end
Outer pomp often appears deceptive
Those who shall inherit the earth are meek

Joyless religion is easy to give allegiance
But not so when sincerely follow true religion
The kingdom of God is not food and drink
But righteousness and peace and rejoicing
Only when the Ruler’s reign prevail
In our daily life, joy will not sway

God’s Word is fun and delightful to memorize
Meditation upon It day and night is what He desire
Joy was what many found and savored while doing just that
T’was the delight of Prophet Jeremiah’s heart in fact
And till we find Jeremiah’s light
We shall never share his delight

It’s not about theology
It is about Life-ology
Many theologians don’t know the Life in reality
It’s not even about philosophy, but about Life’s trophy
Without Life, life is meaningless and purposeless
With Life, there’s abundant living and joyfulness

It’s not about perfection but performance
How you perform determines your rewards, not salvation
For salvation’s 'bout simple reliance on the Savior
In His right hand abides everlasting pleasure
He cares and always wants to impart joy to us
And complete joy is what we need to seek and ask

So relationship first with God and then with man
Service to mankind is pure religion's demand
Real joy comes from legitimate, warm relationships
Only then will there be rejoicing and lasting friendships
It’s all about obeying the Originator
Then you shall surely please the Life-maker

Celebrate nothing but the real Life-giver
You must be re-born, not re-incarnated
Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies to self
It remains alone; but if it dies, much fruit and joy manifest
So is life in the Holy Spirit
Full of the fruit of God’s Spirit

Regardless, there is only one real Joy-giver
How’s your religion? Doer or just believer?
Joyless, or just full of life and joy?
He only is Maker of us all
And peace you need to make with Him first of all
Then and only then shall true joy on you fall!

Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



Saturday, April 25, 2009

Hysterectomy Plus Ovary Removal may Cause More Harm


Early menopause caused by removal of ovaries in women (as a preventative measure against cancer) could lead to heart disease. This is according to a 24-year study directed by Dr William H. Parker of Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A. From a study1 of data from nearly 30,000 women who had or had not had their ovaries removed during hysterectomy, Dr Parker found that the risk for heart disease is higher for those women who had their ovaries removed during surgical removal of their uterus and/or the cervix (a procedure usually performed by gynecologists) compared with those who did not.

Removal of ovaries during hysterectomy for non-cancerous or benign disease (e.g. tumors) is very often done to prevent possible ovarian cancer.

“It (hysterectomy) is the most commonly performed gynecological surgical procedure. In 2003, over 600,000 hysterectomies were performed in the United States alone, of which over 90% were performed for benign conditions. Such rates being highest in the industrialized world has led to the major controversy that hysterectomies are being largely performed for unwarranted and unnecessary reasons.” ---Wikipedia, April 25 2009

During the period, it was found that removing ovaries may have reduced the risks of ovarian, breast, and all cancers, but the risk of lung cancer and death from any cancer actually went up.

The researchers estimated that for women who survived 35 years after surgery, one extra death would occur for every nine ovary removal surgeries done.

Dr Parker and his team concluded that preventative surgical procedures should not be carried out if it does not clearly benefit the patient.

The above is further testament to the notion that most surgeries are done unnecessarily, or without good enough reasons.

So, if you are planning on having your uterus and/or cervix and/or ovaries removed by your gyne for whatever reason, please think again…SERIOUSLY!

My Question to you, ladies, is: Do you have to have your ovaries or other organs/parts removed? Have you considered why they were put there in the first place? Have you considered alternative medicine?





Here’s Ray Chee signing off and wishing you right decision-making.




1 Published in journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, May 2009 issue



Saturday, February 21, 2009

Appreciate It?


On February the 4th, a sister in the Lord texted me this message that encouraged my heart. I was glad about one thing, after I read her note: That indeed someone was reading my websites or blogs, and appreciating it in some way! (Those of you who blog will understand what I am thinking here: Blogging can be very time-consuming indeed!!) So, readers, if you are reading my blogs, it would be nice if you can drop me a line or two!

Let me write out our text conversation as follows, so I can preserve it, hopefully for the benefits of some people. (For your info, these exchanges took place in the context of a dear brother and pastor who recently WENT on to be with the Lord. He served God faithfully for many years. Being obese was one of his challenges. Said by some to have been called to be with the Lord, we both kind of agreed that he could have served longer, had he been more careful with his diet):

Laura, 2219Hr:
i like yr website very rich n relevant esp health concerns when I c so many men of God out of size by eating n lifestyle

Ray, 2241Hr:
Praise e Lord! Thank you So much Laura 4 ur taking time to browse thru my website & 4 sharing ur thots. Free to make comments there. I’m honored & v. Appreciative of ur encouragement. It’s all about Saving & enhancing & lengthening lives! For God’s greater glory! If I Can be of help in Any way I’m ready to b used by Him. The Lord is ur Blessing. He provides e very Best –Ray

Ray, 2250Hr:
If u r willing n available to help w educating & encouraging these men & women of God Who obviously need some assistance, feel free to come fwd & be counted by e Lord to fight these life-degrading & even life-threatening habits. Pl pray hard, as e Devil is taking away e effectiveness & ministry of our elite forces! Rgds, Ray

Laura, 2255Hr:
Ok beloved br

Ray, 2305Hr:
Many thanks sis. God is great & worthy to be praised & Served at all times! Blessed be e Name of e Lord God! He’s Almighty!!> Even then, I feel His hands are tied when we r not walking in His wisdom. Good nite & hv a wonderful renewing rest!

Ray, 2323Hr:
Thank God, a pastor narrowly escaped death (given 3 months to live). Had it not been 4 his dear and WISE wife, he would have been dead by now. (Thank e Lord for wise women! Wise people are v rare these days. You might want to meet up w her one of these days. ??? Can introduce u, if u like? U’ll be uplifted and blessed. V nice woman!) Pastor has gone out of danger now, and recuperating. Such scenarios as e above, unfortunately, are quite hard to come by. Instead, I hear of pastors weakening or even perishing well before their time.



Hope the above short (but lopsided!! He!He!He!) conversation has been helpful to you. If you like it, forward it to your friends.

Bye, Ray Chee



Sunday, December 21, 2008

Secret Place


Prayer of Jabez

Below are the lyrics1 for this lovely song (I have added chords for those who want to play them on a musical instrument; hope they are right…he, he, he!):

D D D
Oh that You would bless me indeed!
D D A
Oh that You would bless me indeed!
G A
And enlarge my border
G A
That Your hand would be with me
G Bm
That You'd keep me from evil
A F#m
That I might not cause pain
Em G D
Oh when I call on Your name
Em G D
Oh that You would bless me
Em G D
That Your hand would be with me


The above's a great prayer to pray DAILY...



Oh, if only we do that in faith!
How much more will the LORD be able
To enlarge our tents and strengthen our pegs

Oh, if only we'd do just that!
How much more will He change us and use us
So that His Name be more glorified

For without prayer,
How can we ever hope to achieve anything?
Apart from prayer,
How can we conquer the highest peak for the King?


To sing along, switch on your speakers, prepare your heart, and (Note: you can listen if you are using Internet Explorer) <--click the PLAY button to the left, and wait for a few moments to enter into your "secret place." This is where it's promised: Your Father, who sees you in secret, will reward you (Matt 6:4). Our heavenly Father sees things in the secret places. It is not just what we do that He sees; it is what we think (unknown to other people), and the words that we utter under our breath that He "sees." It is not so much the evil things that we think, say or do that is meant here, though it's important that we confess them before we can enter into the intimacy of His Presence (Ps 66:18, 1 John 1:7-9). Rather, what God's more interested in are the kind thoughts we entertain, the gracious words that we mumble, and the righteous acts that we do in the secrecy of our heart and room.

It is paramount for us to invoke the protection of God in our daily walk. That’s not a problem at all for most people; they don’t mind praying that for themselves. Some people, including Christians, however, tend to think that it's selfish to pray for blessings for themselves. "Bless me, bless me, bless me, Lord" kind of sounds selfish. But no! It is our Father's good pleasure to bless us with every good thing. In fact, He already has!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Eph 1:3)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, … (James 1:17)


God wants to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others.

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]. Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. (2 Cor 9:8, 11, AMP)

But why is it that some of us do not receive His favor and earthly blessings? James makes it very clearly:

…ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (4:2b,3)

In our prayer closets, we should reach out in faith to God our Heavenly Father to appropriate (receive) that which He has already promised or given to us. But having received God's blessings, we must not stop there! We want to enlarge our border so we can accommodate more people, so we can extend His kingdom. Outsiders are excluded from certain benefits. That’s why because of His grace, He has extended His invitation to all peoples—regardless of race, class, creed, color, size, shape, persuasion, philosophy or religion! “Come to Me, and I shall certainly not cast you out. I shall never leave you nor forsake you,” He says (John 6:37, Deut 31). Inside His kingdom, our gracious God indeed wants all of us to accept for ourselves all His goodness and mercy, all the days of our lives, for it’s only in His glorious kingdom that we can enjoy His manifold benefits as rightful subjects of His. It’s also in His everlasting kingdom that we can relish the highest and everlasting health, among other things!



1 Based on 1 Chronicles 4:10. Copyright © 2005 Ray Watson - The Secret Place



--



Addendum to Secret Place

Here’s an another invitation to enter into the Secret Place, for a refreshing experience:

If you would like to accept the invitation, turn on your speakers, and press



Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Many Christians Aspire, Few Attain

Many Christians desire to and even aspire
to serve the Lord during their pilgrimage
on earth. They love their Lord and they are
grateful for what He has done for their
lives, having been changed from something
ash-like (useless, meaningless, purpose-
less) to something joyful and full of
purpose and meaning in life.

Well and good if that can be sustained
in the long haul. In reality, however,
it’s unfortunate that our usefulness
can be stopped short just when we are
performing at our peak, as it has
happened to so many. Of the Christians
mentioned above, there’s a significant
proportion which will never make it to
do what the Lord laid on their hearts
to do. Not because of lack of resources
or time or determination in many cases,
but simply because of the lack of health
or time left on earth to accomplish
what some of them wish for so long to do.

No doubt, Scripture exhorts us to do
everything “with your might.” (Eccl 9:10)
But how can we do anything let alone doing
it with our might, when we are stricken
with so many physical, emotional and even
mental handicaps?

A recent article in the Straits Times titled,
“Singaporeans Live Longer but Suffer
8 years of Poor Health” may cause some
surprises and pull some heart strings. This fact,
I believe, is not confined to Singapore alone
but is replicated throughout the civilized
world. In addition, WHO (World Health
Organization) said the world’s population
spends an average of 11.6% of their lives in
a disability. What does that mean for you and
me? It means that we lose 8 or more years in
disability and/or poor performance for Christ,
the Savior of our soul. It also entails our
losing the most useful years of our lives in
terms of spiritual maturity as well as personal
knowledge and experiences---to say the least---
in the service of God and man.

What good can we be if we get a stroke for
instance and be confined to a wheelchair,
always needing the services of another,
instead of being of service to our fellow men?
Not much good!

If so, how then can so many of us attain
what we set out to do? The solution is
obvious: Total health is vital, not just
spiritual health (it’s very unfortunate
that so many Christians are unconcerned
or unaware of how they can make a
difference to their own physical, mental,
emotional and even social health, but they
love to play up the spiritual aspect---
nothing wrong with that---but fail to do
something concrete about building the
other aspects of health in their lives;
this is where I believe the Church has
failed miserably!). We must address this
problem, or else we might face rejection
by the living God!

....Please ponder over
this and carefully consider my blog,

“Saints Rejected by God?”




Tuesday, December 25, 2007

A Diabetic Living on One Leg

Today is Christmas Day, December 25, 2007.

Throughout the Church Service which I
attended, I was in a celebrative mood,
remembering and praising God for the
birth of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who emptied Himself to become the
vulnerable Son of Man many years ago.
He came that we might regain our health,
including our eternal well-being.

But at the end of the service, I was
shocked by what met my eyes! My dear
friend had done an irreversible thing!
I saw him in a wheelchair, his wife
standing next to him. He will forever
be without his leg! The leg bypass I
spoke about which purportedly was going
to help his foot receive supplies from
his heart did not work. And now within
a short span of time, he has to live on
one leg, amputated from just below the
knee! I felt a great sense of loss for
him. It grieved me even though he
managed to maintain a positive mood
when people including myself greeted him.

To think that I could have helped him
further! But no, I couldn't. Or could I,
if I had tried harder to persuade him?

Perhaps, I had failed in not explaining
in a serious enough manner to him that
I had expected his eventual leg loss if
he carried on going the way he was.

Not that I have powers to heal people.
But I know of many diabetic patients,
including those who have suffered for
two decades or more, who have now
completely stopped taking diabetic
drugs like metformin and Avandia, and
even insulin. Their solution was very
simple. Write to me if you want to know.

But what was meant to save my friend’s
life (the amputation which was to keep
the rest of the body from getting infected)
had by no means solved his root problem,
nor had the leg bypass. It was merely a
functional thing that doctors routinely
do for so many patients, especially
patients who suffer from poor blood
circulation to their extremities. Doctors
don’t lose anything when they perform the
operation on patients. But patients do!
Such patients include diabetic patients,
of whom my friend is one.

The number of people who lose their legs
are on the increase. Sad, but it is true.
And diabetes is one of the greatest
culprits.

Unless my friend solves the root causes
of his problems (something I was endeavor-
ing to help him with), the risks are very
high that he will develop other complicat-
ions. In addition, I regret to say, he may
suffer other losses, if not already. So to
help other diabetic or similar patients,
I will discuss some of these complications
or losses in a future blogpost.



Monday, December 03, 2007

Buy Knowledge, Buy Wisdom

Cont’d from previous posting dated Nov 18 2007.

Didn’t the Lord Himself say in Hosea 4:6?


My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:
because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will
also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest
to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of
thy God, I will also forget thy children.



Not many of God’s people are aware that there
is another way to help them get out of their
physical sickness and pains. They are still
praying despite the fact that the good Lord
has answered their prayers. They are looking
for miracles whereby they need not do any-
thing or spend anything; all they want is to
go forward to the altar and receive their
long-awaited miracle. But like the Jews who
missed the Messiah even though they had been
looking forward to His coming, because of
wrong expectations, they have indeed missed
the solution to the problem they have been
seeking.

Sadly, even when presented with the logical
and obvious answer, many are simply not
heeding! Some are too spiritual as to neglect
or defer whatever they know is right to do
in the physical realm (including taking the
right food or food supplements for particular
conditions). Or, are they simply blinded by
a lop-sided faith that is not scripturally
based?

In view of the above, I really believe God
is saying to His people:

Explore a bit further. Look at the options.

Don’t give up or give in too soon.

Increase in knowledge. Invest in (yes, BUY,
if you have to) sound knowledge (in the form
of e.g., great ideas, informative books,
effective products, …).

Also, do the same with receiving worthy
instruction, expert advice as well as true
understanding and wisdom. Keep seeking, and
you WILL find.

Be open to reason, which is part of the
wisdom from above (James 3:17). Are you
wise enough to listen to, and reason out,
the solution with those who care enough to
share with you? You may be meeting an “angel”
sent by God Almighty to heal you of your
disease!

Don’t save pennies now and pay pounds* later!


Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom,
and instruction, and understanding.

--Proverbs 23:23




* perhaps hundreds of thousands of pounds!



Sunday, November 18, 2007

An Example of Lack of Knowledge & Wisdom

I know of natural therapies that can and have
helped people with different chronic diseases
or conditions. No guarantees though, since
every person is a variable. But the odds are
very good indeed as there have been many
joyful testimonies.

There are just too many people who are
suffering and dying prematurely. Yet many of
them would never avail themselves to trying
other options because they have far too much
faith, so to speak, in their doctors who
can't help them with their degenerative
conditions anyway, although doctors can help
manage their pains with chemicals or do
surgery on them.

I've had one such person, a diabetic for 30
years, who had his two left toes (including
his big toe) already amputated by his
physician because of infection. He ought to
be congratulated as he did initially try
out an alternative therapy I recommended.
The problem was he gave up too easily and
too soon. After trying it for 13 days!
(Yes, that’s right. Merely 13 days’ trial
versus 30 YEARS he’d given himself to
taking man-made drugs, and many of these
years on insulin. The drugs ingested, I
noticed, were already taking their tolls
on him!)

The reason for stopping the
therapy? He found so much energy after
taking this natural, God-given stuff that
he couldn't go to sleep immediately, so
much so that he had to stay awake for
some hours every night. He said he was
simply not tired. Instead of thanking God
for his new-found energy of which he was
obviously lacking and for the extra time
he’d found on hand to do more things for
God, he started complaining. Yet, prior
to starting the therapy, he could hardly
have the energy to stay more than 30
minutes in the office where I saw him
with his beloved wife who drove him there;
because of fatigue, he was inattentive
and cranky, and a few times was almost
begging to go home early.

Faced with the surplus energy, a result
of taking the highly nutritious plant
food, he was asked to reduce the dosage
so he could get to sleep. But he just
ignored my suggestion. In fact, he even
told me that he wanted to throw it all
away! (There's no known side effects
whatsoever from this food, except that
if taken too late in the day it might
affect sleep because it actually is an
energy booster, among many other benefits.)

Imagine, he had given 30 years of chance
to conventional medicine, having changed
medications at least a couple of times
during that period. Still he could not
get well; rather, his condition only got
worse. In fact, it got so bad that he
went ahead with his doctor’s recommendat-
ion to hastily perform a left-leg bypass
surgery* due to clogging in the artery there.
And he did so not long after our meeting.
I am convinced that had he known how, the
surgery could have been avoided, thus
saving all the expense. In fact, I know
another friend in a similar situation who
managed to escape the loss of his toes and
was able to walk up and down the stairs
freely without any operation!

Hence, much as I had wanted to, I couldn't
help him anymore.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh
is weak! Or should I say, it’s the reverse:
“The flesh (body) wants to get well, but
his spirit (heart) is not willing?” And in
this case, it was probably due to a lack of
trust and of knowledge. The two are linked.
This is because you need to know (at least,
a little bit at first) before you can
believe in something (unless it’s blind
faith). And then you will know more even
as you act upon what you know (this is
experiential knowledge). An example is
crossing a very narrow though soundly-built
footbridge, which initially appeared a
bit risky to cross over. Going across it the
first time might have been scary and very
uncomfortable. But subsequent times would
be a lot easier because of experience
gained, and faith had increased.

Well, I fear for the worse for this
friend of mine




* a surgery that reroutes, or "bypasses,"
blood around clogged arteries to improve
blood flow and oxygen to the affected
part.


...cont'd next posting



Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Saints or Sinners are not Spared !

God, our Creator, is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of troubles (Psalm 46:1).

I noticed, however, that He is not always there especially where it comes to wilful disobedience or violation--whether deliberate or unknowing--of the laws of health.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," saith the Lord in Hosea 4:6.

I've seen it again and again. Over the years, I have seen too many early or untimely deaths (irrespective of persons--saints or sinners, holy or unholy) for me to take comfort in complacency and careless living.

TOO MUCH unnecessary suffering...It grieves my heart greatly.

I hope and pray I can be of help in some minute ways in as many lives as possible.