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A Call to Stand Apart
in discipline, my personal meditation, and to answer questions from
boys of varying ages.
In this past summer’s search for ideal devotional material, my
thoughts turned to Ellen White’s work
The Sanctified Life
, specifi-
cally her stories about Daniel and his Hebrew friends in Babylon. I
now have adopted the (
Genesis 1:29
) diet and place a high priority
on whole, unrefined foods, very little sugar, plenty of sleep, and wa-
ter. Because these decisions have been so beneficial in the physical,
mental, emotional, and spiritual realms of my life, I wanted to share
with my campers the inspiration for, and potential benefits of, such
changes.
Each week I would demonstrate my health habits to my campers
by declining to eat fried, sugary, or otherwise unhealthy foods in lieu
of fruits, vegetables, and grains. “My” boys knew the value I placed
on sleep, water, hygiene, and healthy habits through my constant
interaction with them and by observing my lifestyle choices. This
led them to badger me with questions concerning the health benefits
or liabilities of a variety of foods and habits of their own. In turn,
our worship thoughts on Daniel and his friends allowed me to share
the biblical principles behind my actions and choices. Ellen White’s
writings on these matters have opened my mind to the benefits of
wellness, and I have been privileged to pass on the wealth!
Brian, age 23
Scripture
Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring
some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, young
[83]
men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch
of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to
serve in the king’s palace; they were to be taught the literature and
language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion
of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for
three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in
the king’s court. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah, from the tribe of Judah. The palace master gave them other