SPOTLIGHTS
Pastor's Message
August 2023
It's the first thing a lot of people do as soon as they reach their destination. Be it vacation, conference, or public gathering place, you can be
sure someone will ask the inevitable question: "What's the WiFi?" Even
though most cell carriers don't charge for data usage by the bit anymore,
there's just something about connecting to the WiFi that makes the web
surfer feel more secure. (Although experts will tell you that public WiFi is one of the
least secure things you can connect to.)
So, you've gotten the password from the owner, manager, librarian and now comes the
wait. You look for that WiFi symbol on your phone, tablet, laptop to pop up gladly
proclaiming your connection to the world wide web. But then you notice that there's
only one bar for its signal strength. You try to go to a webpage and it takes about 3
minutes. Before you suffer from any painful flashbacks of listening to the AOL screech
30 years ago, you switch off the WiFi and just use your data.
The little WiFi signal that we rely upon so much got me thinking about our own
reception as Christians. If we walked around with little Wifi-like symbols on our
foreheads, what would be your signal strength? How receptive are you? Would you
have one bar, repelling people left and right? Or, would you have full strength, inviting
anyone to a conversation about Jesus and his love for them? Make sure your "network"
is regularly up to date so you are always ready to fulfill God's wireless plan.
God's Blessings,
Rev. Russell Williams
Monthly Spotlight
July 2023 - Mission Garden
In an effort to provide the community with access to fresh fruit and vegetables and encourage “neighbors helping neighbors,” New Beginnings Moravian Church started our Garden Ministry on our black farm property. The beneficiary is Angels & Sparrows Soup Kitchen here in Huntersville.
Want to help? Speak with John Marek!
You can weed, pick veggies, water the crops, learn about gardening, and more...all while helping to feed your neighbors!
For more information, please visit our NBMC facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NBMGarden
Health Beat
August: Digestive Tract Paralysis
What is Digestive Tract Paralysis?
Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP) is the overall umbrella term used to refer to any paralytic condition of the digestive tract. This type of paralysis is just like one of any other organs where the body’s ability to move food through the digestive tract is inhibited. In a normal stomach, the contents are emptied into the small intestines at a reasonable pace. But with gastroparesis, the muscle contractions that move the food along the digestive tract do not function properly. Therefore, the stomach empties too slowly. This is also known as delayed gastric emptying. In rare cases, the condition is life-threatening especially if ignored or neglected. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels and nutritional deficits may also occur if left untreated.
Signs & Symptoms
Signs and symptoms vary among every individual who experiences the medical condition. A few common DTP symptoms are excruciating abdominal pain, fullness after a few bites of food, bloating, reduced appetite, dehydration, heartburn, reflux, excessive belching, and sudden weight loss. Some patients have also reported vomiting and frequent nausea. As with any other disease, it is best treated in its early stages.
Diagnosis & Treatment
A gastric or duodenal manometry, abdominal scan, as well as a gastric emptying scan will be performed to diagnose the condition. Once a diagnosis is made, the proper treatment will be prescribed. Certain medications may be recommended in addition to a change in diet. Certain foods may help ease the condition. Sadly, 1 in 25 Americans have these digestive conditions and there is no cure. Not much is known about the cause of the condition which is why Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP) Awareness Month is imperative. The medical community wants to promote awareness, raise funds, educate the public, and support patients and their families with hopes of overcoming and finding a cure for the gastric condition.
Reference : Quest Medical and International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
—submitted by M. Hauser