A Book of Good Medicine: An Affirmation of Life

By Arlyn L. Clary

A persons attitude about him or her self is an important factor in health and well being. Faith and prayer are strong elements of what we think life is about. We are not self-sufficient but are dependent on God and other people. I suppose nothing underlines this truth more than an illness, be it a headache or worse.
It is important to seek the medicine of comfort and inspiration. It is to such purpose that this book is dedicated.
This book may serve well as a book of prayer and devotion for the general reader. This is not to overlook the possibility that it might serve as a Pastoral Care tool as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 13, 2008
• ISBN: 9781465328014

Arlyn L. Clary

Rev. Arlyn L. Clary is a Christian Church (Disciplines of Christ) Pastor. He has served congregations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, Washington, Missouri, Colorado, and Mississippi. Rev. Clary has been active in the ecumenical Church. Rev. Clary has also served on the General Assembly Staff of The Christian Church from 1964-1979. He has been active in the Regional Church holding various responsibilities and offices. Mr. Clary has published articles in “THE CHRISTIAN”, “THE DISCIPLE” and in the Roman Catholic “PEOPLE” magazines. Rev. Clary has been fortunate to have circled the earth on water (55,000 mile trip). And he has toured Mexico and Israel. Rev. Clary is a graduate of Tarkio College which was in Missouri. He is also a graduate of St. Paul School of Theology Methodist in Kansas City, Missouri. Part of his work for the graduate degree in Theology was done at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma. (The Seminary has now moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma)

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Copyright © 2008 by Arlyn L. Clary.

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Contents

Preface

SECTION I: Affirmations For Life

SECTION II: Scripture Interpretations (The author’s paraphrase)

SECTION III: Prayer

Some Prayer Suggestions

THE DEDICATION

I express my appreciation to my Co-adventurer and wife, Wilma; and to our children, Michael, William, Lynne and Stephen. They have made my life most fortunate. I express appreciation to those to whom I have ministered and for the ministry which I have received.

•   [Scripture quotations are from] Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The praying hands book cover is by ChristiansUnite Clip Art

This book is not a book of medical advice. It, in no way, is intended to instruct in medical care. It is a book of prayer, and as such, is intended to be an affirmation of faith and trust.

Preface

We are body, mind and spirit. The physician turns his attention primarily to the healing of the body. But anger, despair, loneliness sorrow, fear and the host of other feelings are no less a matter of health. Physical reactions that take place in relation to our feelings are very real. One vivid example is that of weeping, your body produces tears both as a consolation and as a communication to tell the world of the inner condition of your feelings. Or notice that when tension and apprehension is high that the palms of your hands are cold and damp . . . Or witness the reaction of your heart to the closeness of a head-on collision in an automobile. These are some extreme examples as a reminder of how intensely our bodies are affected by our thoughts and feelings. With this in mind I present the theme of this book;

"A cheerful heart is a good medicine,

but a downcast spirit dries up the bones."

Proverbs 17:22 RSV

One of my aims in writing these thoughts was to achieve a varied style. I hope that to some degree I have accomplished that aim. I did not want the pages to be repetitious in phraseology or in emotional tone. Yet I hope it does seem consistent in theme and purpose and that God will use it for His good purposes.

If you recognize ideas that are familiar I will be pleased. Often we do not need to be taught the truth as much as reminded of it. What is unique is personality and newness of experience. We share a common reservoir of words and ideas. There is nothing new under the sun, perhaps, except my discovery of it and in the discovery comes the excitement and lessons of life. If one were to remove all that was contributed to a person by other people all that would be left of any of us would be a baby cry and, strictly speaking, even that is part of the package from our parents! Yet that leaves us with the most important part of our existence, the decision whether or not to cry or laugh . . . personhood, choice and action. It is an encouragement to choose the way of faith, hope and love; these are healing food and medication for the soul.

SECTION I: Affirmations For Life

1.   A Merry Heart

2.   Is this a special opportunity?

3.   Do not lose hope.

4.   Good medicine.

5.   A spiritual diamond.

6.   Be not anxious.

7.   You are a child of God.

8.   Pain.

9.   Newborn.

10.   Renewal.

11.   The body.

12.   On a rainy, stormy day.

13.   Many promises to keep.

14.   Pleasant scenes.

15.   Expect what is good.

16.   Accident.

17.   Bonus time.

18.   Forgiveness.

19.   Illness

1.   A MERRY HEART

The King James translation of Proverbs 17:22 suggests, to me, that laughter has a healing effect like good medicine. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine . . .. At first I thought that the translators had made it a bit too frivolous. It is true that religion is to be taken seriously but without joy or laughter it would be mainly a grim duty. And, does laughter always imply frivolity? Can heaven be heaven without joy and laughter? We will have an eternity of events to recount and stories to remember . . . and, surely some of them will seem funny in retrospect!

But, there is something of special importance I wish to share about laughter. There is healing therapy that is laughter. It won’t fix broken bones but it can do wonders for the soul and for attitude repair. A special application of healing laughter may work well on some kinds of fear; on some of those fears that are self generated, that come roiling up, unwanted, out of the subconscious.

Do a raucous, body shaking, belly laughter at yourself. You can even stand in front of a mirror! What I write now is very, very important. This laughter is not making fun of yourself as a person. Its purpose is to chase some dark attitude or feeling out of your life. It may be interior but it is kind of like a stain or a blemish that has gotten on a painting or a picture that doesn’t belong there. Laughter is the cleanser.

So stand up (at least figuratively) and bring to bear the loudest laughter you can muster. It is aimed, not at your person, but at that thing that is NOT you. It has no right in your mind. It is ridiculous! It is unbelievable that you are even thinking about it because it is not you. Again, the purpose of this is a very special kind of cleansing prayer. It is to recognize that what you are laughing at is not you or your nature. It has no right in your person. It could well be that it was a bit silly that some thoughts are given such power!

A MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE . . .

Proverbs 17:22 KJV

AMEN!

Dear God,

As I shape my person, as I choose, imagine and hope I ask for your creative, healing touch on my soul. Thank you for the creative eternal art that is me. Thank you that we can work on the me project together, Lord God.

Love, (from me)

A word of caution. There are disorders that are no laughing matter. If the body has a chemical imbalance it cannot be laughed off. Sometimes a person will have a thought that frightens them so bad they can’t get rid of it. When that happens a negative fear pattern develops. It would be funny if it were not so serious. Putting oneself in an in-escapable prison cell of the mind and throwing away the key. Trapped by ones self.

Wait a minute . . . that is funny.

But this is the word of caution. Sometimes we need help to escape, especially if it is a medical-chemical disorder. So the intervention or help of a physician may be necessary. But I feel strongly that you must choose a counselor carefully. The purpose of a counselor is to help you achieve stability and freedom, someone who will lay more fear, burden or guilt on you, be they religious figure