Health Bites

The Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in a “ministry of healing” by which people can be restored to wholeness. Reflecting on the life of Christ, the apostle Luke wrote that “Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Here we see the four dimensions of wholistic health: mental, physical, spiritual, and social. We believe in “whole-person care,” which addresses each of these dimensions.

We emphasize the prevention of disease and relief of suffering through simple lifestyle habits that correspond with the way God created us to live, and at the same time acknowledge the effectiveness of evidence-based therapy when disease has already occurred.

We believe that God is constantly working to heal people on the deepest level and that His healing power is available to us today, giving us wholeness in our brokenness.

In February 2009, U.S. News and World Report posted an article entitled “10 Habits That Will Help You Live to 100!”

Number 8 stated: “Live like a Seventh-day Adventist. Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists (sic) have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it’s important to cherish the body that’s on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts and get plenty of exercise. They’re also very focused on family and community.”

In summary, we want to be used by God to share His healing love with others. Jesus put it best when He said:

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)