Laughter offers numerous benefits for the mind, body, and soul. It's a pleasant physical reaction that can release inner tensions and bring a sense of balance to life.

Neurophysiology indicates that laughter activates the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, leading to the production of endorphins, which are associated with rewarding activities.

Laughter is also noted for its ability to relieve stress and emotional pain, serve as a coping skill, and even help lift momentary depression. Historically and presently, it has been considered a form of "medicine" for healing and improving one's overall well-being.

This we can also see as we examine the Bible in respect to laughter, joy, and humor. We can assert that "the Joy of the Lord is your strength" and that divine joy brings balance and hope.

As also indicated in the scriptures, laughter is a "good medicine" for the soul.

We encourage you to take your medicine, even in challenging times. When life gets hard and you start to cry, instead, laugh about it.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

In this episode we emphasize the transformative power of faith in achieving mental stability and a healthier lifestyle. We assert that God's presence and guidance are crucial for overcoming personal struggles like anxiety, anger, and insecurity, advocating for reliance on biblical principles and the Holy Spirit for emotional regulation and wise decision-making.

We highlight the importance of personal responsibility, developing healthy boundaries, and seeking God's approval over societal acceptance, presenting a framework where faith in Jesus Christ provides hope, healing, and a secure foundation in an ever-challenging world.

Listen as we present Part 4 of this series on Religion- How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

An intimate relationship with God, specifically through Christ Jesus, is crucial for mental stability. It moves beyond mere religious experience to foster a deep, personal connection. This relationship is described as providing endless spiritual wisdom and a pathway to becoming spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically whole.

When religion is practiced erroneously, it can significantly impair mental stability. Instead of fostering closeness to God, it can leave individuals feeling empty, confused, and emotionally maimed.

This can stem from legalistic or ungodly religious practices, or from being controlled and manipulated by those who seek to dominate others within a religious context. Such practices can lead to depression, suppressed inner anxiety, inner turmoil, and stress, rather than true relief and self-control.

God is capable of healing fears, wounds, residual hurts, and trauma that may shackle individuals, enabling them to live healthier lives by applying divine principles daily.

Listen as we continue with Part 3 of this series, "Religion - How It Helps or Impairs Mental Stability".

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

As we continue with this series, in this episode we explore the transformative power of Christianity, as a lifestyle centered on God, contrasting it with secular perceptions and rigid religious systems.

We highlight that true Christianity, is focused on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and guidance by the Holy Spirit, offers purpose, spiritual growth, and eternal life, filling a void that cannot be satisfied by worldly pursuits. We also critique how ritualistic or man-made religious practices can sometimes obscure this true spiritual connection, leading to insecurity or a false sense of peace.

Ultimately, we emphasize the importance of knowing God's Word and having an intimate relationship with the Lord for genuine inner peace and stability.

Listen as we continue with Part 2 of this series, “Religion: How it Helps or Impairs Mental Stability

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

In this episode we explore the concept of religion and its connection to mental and spiritual well-being, arguing that life is a spiritual journey leading to a relationship with a Creator.

We highlight Christianity as a specific lifestyle of following Jesus Christ's teachings, distinguishing it from merely being a religion. We further explain that true godly religion, as defined in the Bible, involves caring for others and remaining uncorrupted by the world, and emphasize that God's Word and the Holy Spirit guides believers to truth and understanding.

"Religion" broadly encompasses diverse cultural views, beliefs, and systems worldwide, with thousands of forms and practices. While religion can be a commitment to organized systems, "Christianity” goes beyond just being a religion . It is a "way of living" and a "daily lifestyle" based on following Jesus Christ and applying God's Word.

This episode is Part 1 of a four part series that we will be bringing to you over the next four weeks. We pray it will answer a question that we used to ask years ago in a call & response song, which is: “Have You Got Good Religion ?”

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

Grief is a normal reaction to significant loss. Initial reactions often involve shock and numbness, followed by feelings of hopelessness, abandonment, and asking "why me?" Anger and resentment, leading to ambivalence, are also common initial symptoms.

How can a Christian find solace and comfort during grief?

For Christians, finding solace in God's Word is a significant resource. Spending time with God, even if not feeling like talking, can lead to experiencing His abiding presence as the "Comforter." Embracing God's promise to "never leave us nor forsake us" and focusing on Him can bring joy and a peaceful sense of well-being, even amidst suffering. Daily prayer, praise, and studying God's Word are encouraged to gain a spiritual perspective and strength.

Focusing on God, even in the midst of grief, can lead to a favorable outcome. While it doesn't mean the absence of hurt or sadness, it provides joy and a peaceful sense of well-being. This joy stems from knowing God as the ultimate source of strength and comfort. Developing an intimate personal relationship with Him, and believing and applying His Word, can transform one's mind to think spiritually, helping navigate grief and other trials.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

What is Sin ? Is it a list of rules you're not supposed to break? I can recall years ago that certain denominations considered the following to be sin:

• Going to the movies.
• Dancing
• Women wearing make-up or pants. Always had to wear long dresses. I remember years ago, Elder DeBorrah was a guest speaker at a women's event at a local church in one of these denominations, when she addressed this subject.

I'll never forget how you could hear a pin drop when she stated, "Even a barn door knows when it needs paint".

Sin is an offense or immoral act, a transgression against divine law, and anything that contradicts God's desires for humanity. Ultimately, anything that separates us from God is considered sin.

Humanity inherited a "proclivity towards sin" from Adam and Eve's fall. Their "original sin" was disobeying God by eating from the forbidden tree. Their sin was not eating the fruit, but "disobedience" to God's word. They decided to do what God told them not to do. As a result, humanity became separated from God.

But God provided a way back, by sending his son Jesus Christ, to save us from the power of sin reigning in our lives. Jesus Christ came to restore humanity's connection to God. His sinless life, death, and resurrection redeemed believers.

Listen as we take this deep dive to answer the question, "What Is Sin?".

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...

In this episode we explore the majesty and power of God, as described in Psalm 8. This Psalm depicts God's supremacy and love for humanity. It emphasizes God's immense greatness and power as the Creator of the universe, and concurrently, His profound value and care for humanity, His most cherished creation.

Believing in God as the Creator can be "a challenging subject for some," as their minds find it "difficult to conceive this to be true." This difficulty is because they have not discovered the pathway to FAITH.

Individuals can understand and connect with God through "FAITH" and belief in Him and His Word, Jesus Christ.

If you have ever wondered about the Supremacy of the LORD camp right here, and let us share with you the greatness of God.

Send us a text with your questions or comments.

Email us: alpha7ministries@outlook.com

Also, be sure to visit the following:

Alpha 7 Ministries website where you can find more guidance, spiritual insight, and advice on Life & Living, Parenting & Family, Marriage & Relationships, Spiritual matters, and more.

Elder DeBorrah K. Ogans Amazon Author Page - Review and learn more about books she has written, including her latest two books:

"Proverbs Daily Devotional - Goldmine of Spiritual Wisdom"
Learn how to make better decisions in every area of your
life.

"How Do I Love Thee - Food For Thought Before You Say I Do"
This is a mini-premarital guide to be used by couples, counselors, and clergy.

Elder Randall Ogans Sr. Youtube Channel
Smooth instrumental music that will calm the agitations of your mind, body, and soul.

...