Day 26
Purify Body and Soul

Scripture to Memorize

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:16–17

Passage to Read

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;

according to your great compassion

blot out my transgressions.

Wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you are proved right when you speak

and justified when you judge. . . .

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:1–4, 7

Guided Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Amen.

Personal

If we want to remain vigorous and energized, it’s important to take time to care for our bodies. One of the best ways to do that is to be sure to eat cleansing foods. Here’s an example of the healthy cleansing diet set forth in my previous book, Becoming the Woman I Want To Be:8

  On arising, drink a cup of cranwater (one-quarter unsweetened cranberry juice and three-quarters water) with 1 tablespoon of freshly ground flaxseed (use a coffee grinder).

  Drink a cup of hot lemon water (one-quarter to one-half fresh squeezed lemon).

  Breakfast: two eggs scrambled with vegetables (for example, broccoli, onion, garlic, peppers)  or  a protein shake made with one cup cranwater, one cup frozen blueberries, one-quarter cup frozen cranberries, one tablespoon flax oil, and one scoop of protein powder. 9

  Midmorning: one serving of fruit or vegetable.

  Lunch: salad with one palm-sized serving of protein.

  Midday: one serving of fruit or vegetable.

  Dinner: one palm-sized serving of protein, along with steamed or stir-fried vegetables and a whole grain.

  Before bed: one cup of cranwater with one tablespoon ground flaxseed.

In addition to eating right, one of the kindest things you can do for yourself, body and soul, is taking time to bathe. Did you know that bathing is important for your physical well-being? A shower may be convenient, but it doesn’t accomplish the same degree of cleansing as a bath can. A cleansing bath can purify your body from the toxins that have built up in your body. This is especially important when you start to exercise and eat foods that promote detoxification. Ironically, you can actually begin to feel sicker as your body is trying to make itself healthier. That’s because your body is throwing off toxins. It’s like stirring up a hornet’s nest. And the more toxic your system, the sicker you’ll feel. Furthermore, if toxins are not rapidly eliminated from the body, they can become reassimilated.

For your bath, pour two cups of Epsom salts, two cups of baking soda, and a few drops of lavender or arnica oil into a hot bath. Soak until the water turns cold but not longer than thirty minutes. Be aware that you may feel dizzy when you emerge. That means the bath did its job. This process draws out the toxins and enables your body’s digestive system to function more efficiently.

Incorporate a cleansing bath into your EVENING ROUTINE at least once or twice a week. It’s a simple, pleasant way to care for your body, God’s temple. Light an aromatic candle, put on some relaxing praise music, and it will simultaneously do wonders for your soul and spirit. Another thing you might do is meditate on Psalm 51 as you soak, asking God to cleanse your spirit even as you cleanse your body.

Affirmation: I purify body and soul.

Practical

Eat a cleansing diet.

Obtain ingredients for your cleansing bath and incorporate it into your weekly or daily schedule.

Notebook: If desired, add CLEANSING BATH to your EVENING ROUTINE page.