Michigan—Members of the Buchanan Seventh-day Adventist Church want to build better lifestyles—mentally, physically, and spiritually. Because of this, they attended the Lifestyle Matters® seminar entitled "Living Free: Finding freedom from habits that hurt." The seminar was put on by fellow church members for six nights between Aug. 18 and Aug. 29.
A welcome by Karl Tsatalbasidis, pastor, preceded the get-acquainted time, during which members tasted delicious healthful food samples. Recipes for each of the samples were provided for those who wanted to start on their healthier lifestyle (two recipes are available for readers in the November online issue at www.lakeunionherald.org). Following was an informative video presentation from Lifestyle Matters that gave tips on how to change lifestyle choices and bad habits. The video emphasized that bad habits need to be replaced with good habits. It also included helpful ideas on how to incorporate good habits into our lives, whether it's at home or away from home, and included tips on what to eat at a restaurant. One seminar participant commented that changing bad habits with good ones "really does work if you challenge yourself to follow the principals presented."
Audience interactive lifestyle features followed the video to provide visual input on how bad habits affect us. One demonstration, illustrated by a young volunteer being wrapped in rope as each addiction was called out from the audience, showed how addictions can literally tie up your life. PowerPoint presentations concluded the seminar, and shared other great ideas on how to change your lifestyle habits, including putting God in the empty hole of your life, exercising, taking time to rest/relax, drinking water instead of soda, making time for family and friends, and getting a support group. The interactive lifestyle features and PowerPoint presentations were led by professionals from the church.
To end each session, everyone divided into discussion groups to review the evening's worksheet. Each person went home with new ideas to put into practice for making a better life as well as information they could share with their families and neighbors. This seminar provided good training for church members so they can invite the community of Buchanan to another seminar at a later date.
On the last night, when asked what good habits had been put into place in their lives since being to the seminar, participant responses included "reading labels," "looking at servings," "paying attention to exercise," and when under stress telling themselves to "let it go."
To learn how your church can hold a seminar like this, visit www.lifestylematters.com on the Web, and click on Living Free: Finding freedom from habits that hurt.
Judi Doty, Buchanan Seventh-day Adventist Church member and Lake Union Herald back pages editor
