Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”

Our Bible verse for today: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “There is enough time for everything”

King Solomon (a very wise man) tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that there is a time for everything and there is a season for every activity under the sun. It’s in the Bible so it must be true, but many of us reading this right now find it hard to believe that it is true. That’s because many of us live life as if there isn’t enough time. We live like we’re trying to cram ten pounds of stuff into a five-pound bag. Our lives are bulging at the seams with stuff spilling out over the top because there’s just no room for it all.  

In one of my articles that I mentioned in yesterday’s devotional, “Room for the Singing of Angels,” I explained that many of us fill our lives right to the outer edges with activity and we leave no room or time to hear the singing of angels. In that article I make the case for intentionally constructing buffer zones of quiet inactivity which allow us the space and time to sit and reflect as the Holy Spirit renews and restores our exhausted souls. The idea is to structure our lives in such a way that we are not always hurried and frazzled and worn out.

Yesterday I also referred to God as “a three mile an hour God” who walks with us through life at a relaxed pace. God is not the author of confusion and frenzy, nor will He give us more to do than is reasonable and good for us. That’s one of the points of application of Solmon’s lesson in Ecclesiastes 3:1. There will always be plenty of time to do the things that God wants us to do. If you’re rushing and stressed and always in a hurry, you’re probably moving faster than He wants you to.

One of the factors discovered in the study of the Blue Zones is that many people who live long and well, have learned to downshift the pace of their lives. They’re intentional about reducing the amount of activity and noise they allow into their lives. They structure their days in such a way that they have time for quiet reflection and relaxation. They’re the kind of people who manage their time well and plan to arrive early rather than late, so they don’t have to rush.

There will always be plenty of time to do the things that God wants you to do. If you find yourself always rushing, it’s a pretty good bet that you are out of sync with God and either running ahead of Him, or you’re trying to do too much.  

So, slow down, relax, and enjoy life. Doing so is good for you and it’s one of the keys to living long and well.

God bless,

Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)   Our thought for today: “Our three mile an hour God”   Several years ago, renowned Japanese theologian Koske Koyama wrote a great little book about the frantic pace of life in western civilization these days. The title was “Three mile an hour God.” The title reflects the fact that the average healthy adult human, walking at a relaxed pace on a level surface, travels at approximately three miles an hour. Koyama makes the case that God walks with us through life at our pace. He doesn’t push us to frantically rush through life at twice our normal pace. Instead, He walks with us, at a normal and relaxed pace – roughly three miles an hour.   However, the pace of our highly driven, technologically oriented, high-octane civilization does push us to move much faster than is natural or good for us. Koyama’s conclusion is that we all need to slow down for our own good and that God wants us to slow down (for our own good).   One of the common traits shared by those in the geographic Blue Zones who live long and well is that they have a calm and serene countenance and they live life at a relaxed pace. Dan Buettner reports, “People who’ve made it to 100 seem to exude a sense of sublime serenity. Part of it is that their bodies naturally slow down as they have aged, but they’re also wise enough to know that many of life’s most precious moments pass us by if we’re lurching blindly toward some goal.”   Dan tells of one encounter he had with a lady who was 107 years old but still sharp, active, and feisty. When Dan asked her if she had any advice for today’s busy young people she immediately replied, “Yes! Life is short. Don’t run so fast that you miss it.”   In Psalm 46:10 God calls us to carve out time to simply sit quietly before Him and contemplate the truth that He is God, and you are not. Psalm 23:2-3 reminds us that, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” Psalm 1:3 and Isaiah 17:8 both portray the spiritually nourished soul to be like a tree planted by fresh water which bears good fruit.   Some years ago, I wrote two articles on this subject, “Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times” and “Room for the Singing of Angels.” If you would like to receive a copy of them, please let me know and I will send them to you.   The Bible is clear that God does not want us living at a frantic pace, constantly pushing and driving ourselves. Life is meant to be lived at a normal pace in a contemplative frame of mind, with lots of time carved out for rest, reflection, and renewal. That also happens to be a common trait among those in the Blue Zones who have lived long and well.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “Don’t continue drinking only water but use a little wine because of your stomach and frequent illnesses.” 1 Timothy 5:23 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “The risks may outweigh the benefits”   This morning we will continue our discussion from yesterday regarding the use of alcohol as a beverage. As was noted, one of the factors people living in the geographic Blue Zones seemed to have in common was the lifelong habit of consuming one or two alcoholic beverages per day. Not drinking to excess, but one or two. The research showed:   “Epidemiological studies seem to show that people who have a daily drink per day of beer, wine, or spirits may accrue some health benefits. But the secrets of the Blue Zone suggest that consistency and moderation are key. In Okinawa, it’s a daily glass of sake with friends. In Sardinia, it’s a glass of dark red wine with each meal and whenever friends meet … A daily drink or two has been associated with lower rates of heart disease …”   However, the news is not all good and much of it is contradictory. While some studies show there may be some limited benefit to moderate alcohol consumption, some others show the opposite. Again, quoting from the book “Blue Zones”:   “Beware, however, of the toxic effects of alcohol on the liver, brain, and other organs – along with the increased risk of accidents … alcohol has also been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer … the risk of drinking can outweigh any health benefits.”   Additionally, studies sponsored by the American Heart Association and various prestigious medical schools and institutions show that even moderate regular use of alcohol raises your blood pressure both in the short-term and long-term. Some of those studies indicate that even two drinks per day over a sustained period can add 10-15 points to your resting state blood pressure and increase your likelihood of developing hypertension by 11% or more.   I personally do not believe the case can be made that the consumption of alcohol as a beverage is a sin. The Biblical evidence for that simply is not there. Drunkenness is a sin; having a glass of wine with dinner probably is not. Again, when it comes to letting the Bible speak for itself on this or on any other issue, we must trust that God has told us everything He wants us to know on the subject and that He has been as clear about it as He wanted to be. So, we need to let the Bible speak for itself without reading our own biases into it and without trying to make it say more than it really does say.   But in terms of living long and living well, I believe the evidence is not in alcohol’s favor. In addition to being a potentially addictive substance, the health risks associated with even moderate use seem to outweigh any potential benefits.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth, wine that makes human hearts glad – making his face shine with oil – and bread that sustains human hearts.” Psalm 104:15 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Use only with extreme caution”   This morning I’m going to address a subject that is controversial and for which many people have strong opinions on both sides of the issue. It’s the subject of Christians consuming alcohol as a beverage. The only reason I am bringing this up is because it is one of the factors for longevity that Dan Buettner and his team discovered among those in the geographic Blue Zones who tend to live long lives. Among the Blue Zone populations in his study, consuming alcohol as a beverage is customary in those cultures, and many of the people in the study who have lived long have consumed a glass or two daily for most of their lives.   My reason for addressing it this morning is simply because I said I would faithfully report the results of the Blue Zone discoveries. As Christians, we should not turn a blind eye to facts we are uncomfortable with. Instead, we should be able to critically evaluate the facts in-light-of Scripture, without trying to make the Bible say more or less than it does on the subject. We are not to add to or take away from God’s Word on any subject.   In Biblical times wine was a common beverage consumed by God’s people. It was one of the few beverages which could consistently be trusted as safe to consume. Milk and water were often contaminated or spoiled. Wine, which was fermented, was almost always safe to consume in small quantities.   There are many verses and passages in both the Old and New Testaments which address this subject. Psalm 104:15 (above) lists wine, along with other blessings, which are provided by God for His people to enjoy. In John 2:1-10 we find that Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding celebration. And not only did He miraculously provide the wine, but in the words of the master of ceremonies, it was the best wine, the good stuff. (If we are faithful to the context of the passage, we must acknowledge that the wine Jesus created was indeed a potentially intoxicating beverage). In 1 Timothy 5:23 the Apostle Paul urged his young protégé Timothy to use a little wine for medicinal purposes.   However, there are even more passages in both the Old and New Testaments that warn against the sin of drunkenness. While there may be many examples in the Bible of God’s people consuming alcoholic beverages in moderation, the Bible makes it clear that drinking to excess is a sin. Drunkenness is condemned.   Please understand me, this devotional is not intended to be an argument for or against consuming an alcoholic beverage as a beverage. It is intended to make two points: First, we must let the Bible speak for itself and do not try to make it say more, or less, than it does on this or on any subject. We must be careful that we are not reading our own biases into it. And second, I am simply reporting a fact that Dan Buettner and his team discovered in their research.   Tommorow I will share more of that with you and then we will learn that if you are going to use alcohol at all, you must do so with extreme caution.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “Our lives last seventy years or, if we are strong, eighty years … indeed, they pass quickly and we fly away; Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts.” Psalm 90:10;12 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Make the most of your life”   Last December, right at the end of the old year and as we were about to turn the calendar into the New Year, Aimee and I went away for a week. We rented a secluded Airbnb on the beach, and we spent the week prayerfully thinking through and discussing our plans for the New Year. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we each developed a list of personal goals as well as another list of things we hoped to achieve as a couple over the course of the upcoming year. Our reason for doing that is the truth expressed by the Psalmist in the verses above – life is short and we should make the most of it.   Aimee and I are both in our senior years now. We are both healthy and active, we are both still happily pursuing our careers, and we both make it a point to take good care of ourselves. But still, we have limited time left and so, we intend to make the most of that time. Being intentional about what we do, when we do it, how we do it, and why we do it is critical. Otherwise, we could end up wasting time – and once the time is gone, it’s gone – you can never get it back.   I came home the other night to discover that Aimee had taken her planning to another level. Based on our study in these devotionals about Blue Zones, she developed a detailed written plan to create her own Blue Zone life. Although she was already being careful about her diet, and she already goes to the gym 3-4 times a week, the plan she developed is much more specific and comprehensive. I’m proud of her for how intentional she’s being about this. (She is very much a creative, artistic, musical, free spirit. I’m the structured and disciplined military man. So, she is helping me to lighten up a little and I’m helping her so tighten it up a little.)   My point is that it’s important for us to be intentional about how we approach life and how we use our time. Having a clear purpose in life is a proven key to longevity and quality of life. Having a plan to guide you as you fulfill that purpose is critical to your success in achieving your goals.   I encourage you to make the most of your life. Time is fleeting and your days are numbered. Don’t waste them.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “You need a clear purpose”   I have a friend who is a successful businessman. He’s in his mid-seventies and he still leads his company. He has no intention of stopping any time soon because he loves the work and he uses his business as a platform for ministry. It provides an opportunity for him to interact with many people, and his profits are also a source of funds for charitable purposes. He keeps himself healthy and fit, and he also lives a balanced life that includes family and friends, rest and recreation, hobbies and ministry.   My friend has a clear purpose in life that gets him out of bed in the morning, keeps him focused throughout the day, and keeps him moving into the future. As Dan Buettner and his team discovered in their research for National Geographic regarding longevity, having a clear purpose in life is essential. Those who live long and live well all seem to have a defined purpose that keeps them going.   In his book Dan tells us, “Dr. Robert Butler and collaborators led an NIH-funded study that looked at the correlation between having a sense of purpose and longevity. His 11-year study followed highly functioning people between the ages of 65 and 92 and found that individuals who expressed a clear goal in life – something to get up for in the morning, something that made a difference – lived longer and were sharper than those who did not.”   Dan and his team found this to be true across the spectrum of Blue Zone populations. “Okinawans call it “Ikigai”, Nicoyans call it “Plan de vida”, in both cultures the phrase essentially translates to “why I get up in the morning”. The strong sense of purpose possessed by older Okinawans may act as a buffer against stress and help reduce their chances of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and stroke.”   In Ephesians 2:10 the Apostle Paul reminds his readers that God has a purpose and a plan for each of us. It includes “good works” that He has planned for us to do, and for which He has prepared us. That’s true through all the seasons of life and it’s essential for each of us to have identified that purpose and then to actively pursue it each day. Having a clear sense of purpose in life is so important that we will continue thinking about it tomorrow.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.” Proverbs 25:16 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Eat less”   In general, slender people live longer and healthier than overweight or obese people. The reasons for that are obvious. We’ve covered many of those reasons already in this series and so rather than rehashing those, we will spend our time this morning thinking about ways to address the issue.   Reducing caloric intake is one of the Blue Zone strategies recommended by Dan Buettner. Moderate eating is one of the traits held in common by those who live long and healthy lives. One of the Blue Zone population groups Dan studied for his National Geographic research was Okinawans. As a group they tend to live longer and healthier than almost any other population group on earth today. They have a cultural saying that they often repeat to each other just prior to beginning a meal “Hara Hachi Bu”, which, roughly translated means, “Stop eating when your stomach is 80% full.” That’s because when your stomach is 80% full you are no longer hungry, but you are not yet stuffed either.   For most of us, simply reducing your calorie intake by 20% per day can result in as much as a 10% loss of body weight. Losing 10% of your body weight will significantly improve your overall health and your quality of life. Counting calories works. Eat a moderate amount of reasonably healthy food and get some exercise every day and before long, you will begin to experience positive results.   So, reduce your calories. Perhaps the most important way to do that is to control your environment. One of the primary reasons we overeat is because food and temptation are all around us. The Blue Zone researchers found, “We overeat because of circumstances – friends, family, packages, plates, names, numbers, labels, lights, colors, candles, shapes, smells, distractions, cupboards, and containers.”   Serve yourself smaller portions. If you are eating out in a restaurant, ask for a “to go” box when the food arrives and immediately remove one-half of the portion from your plate. Restaurants serve large portions so they can charge you more money. It’s typically much more food than a normal healthy serving. Also, eat your meals with other people who also make smart food choices. We are influenced by those around us. And control your environment. Avoid buffets. If donuts are your downfall, don’t park in front of the donut shop at the strip mall. Don’t fill your refrigerator or cupboard with snacks and foods that are unhealthy.   You can train yourself to eat less. Eating less will result in losing weight. Being thinner will improve your health and increase your chances of living longer and better. Step one to better nutrition and a longer and healthier life is to simply eat less.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”

Our Bible verse for today: “Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest. How long will you stay in bed, you slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the arms to rest, and your poverty will come like a robber, your need, like a bandit.” Proverbs 6:6-11 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Stay active”

We can tell from his words in Proverbs 6:6-11 that Solomon had little patience for lazy people. But I also think he was preaching to the choir – he was preaching to himself. If you’re familiar with his story, especially as recorded in Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, you know that Solomon himself went through a long period (maybe years), of lounging around on the couch eating junk food and watching television (or the equivalent as it existed in his day)

The point is that inactivity is a killer. It wastes your time and therefore it wastes your life. It reduces your productivity and your sense of self-worth, and it destroys your health. The less active you are, the more likely you are to be overweight or obese. The less active you are, the weaker your heart and lungs will be. The less active you are, the less energy you will have. In short, the more active you are the more alive you are, and the less active you are the closer to being dead you are.

As Dan Buettner and his team of researchers discovered and reported in their National Geographic book “Blue Zones”, one character trait people who live long and live well seem to have in common is that they stay active. Even in their retirement years they exercise, take daily walks, do yardwork and gardening, play with the grandchildren, and do household projects; they enjoy hobbies, they go places and do things, and they keep moving.

In the final chapter of the book, Dan gives us a list of recommendations we can employ in our own lives to create our own Blue Zones. In other words, there are things we can learn from those who have lived long and well which we can incorporate into our own lives, and which will help us to live long and well also. As we learned already, one of them is to develop, maintain, and practice a vibrant life of faith. Now we learn that another is to stay active.

It really is true that the more active you are the more alive you are, and the less active you are the closer to being dead you are. That’s true figuratively, but also literally. Therefore, I encourage you to stay active.

God bless,

Pastor Jim

 (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23   Our thought for today: “This is why strong faith is most important”   Of all the factors held in common by people who live in the geographic Blue Zones (as discussed in previous devotionals in this series) which contribute to a long life lived well, I believe strong faith to be the most important. As supported by the research of Dan Beuttner and reported in his book “Blue Zones”, strong faith is a shared trait by a large percentage of those who have lived long and well. But why? Why is strong faith such a powerful positive contributing factor to long life?   While I can’t answer that question regarding the practice of any faith other than Christianity, for the Christian the answer is illustrated well for us by the Apostle Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. There we read of what the apostle calls “The fruit of the Spirit.” They are character traits of Jesus which the Holy Spirit develops in the life of a committed disciple of Christ. As the person grows in spiritual maturity, they begin to experience more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in their lives.   Over time those character traits begin to define who that person is at the very core of their being. That then has a positive impact on every other part of the person’s life. Deep in their soul they are at peace. The person is calm, settled, joyful, and content – as opposed to being agitated, anxious, unhappy, and unsettled. Every aspect of life becomes better because that person has the Holy Spirit forming the fruit of the Spirit in their heart.   In previous devotionals we have considered the truth that as human beings we are composite beings who consist of a physical body, mental/emotional capacity, and spirit/soul. All three parts of us are interrelated and impact each other. All three parts are essential parts of our being and all three need to be kept as healthy as possible for as long as possible. But our spirit is by far the most important part of us, and it is the part that has the most profound impact on the other two. If you are unsettled in your spirit, then the rest of your life will be unsettled too. But if you are at peace in your spirit, your emotions will be stable and even as your body slowly deteriorates with age, you will handle that challenge with dignity and grace because deep in your soul the most important part of you is strong, healthy, vital, and thriving.   I urge all of us to take proper care of our entire being – all three parts – but the most important part of you is your spirit. Take good care of yourself spiritually.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571

Good morning, everyone,   Our theme for this month: “Live long, live well”   Our Bible verse for today: “Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47 (CSB)   Our thought for today: “Create your own Blue Zone”   As we approach the end of our study on living long and living well, we are considering some of the suggestions offered by Dan Buettner and his team of researchers as published in his book, “Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.” A Blue Zone is a region in the world where a large percentage of the population tends to live long and healthy lives, often to 100 or older.   The idea behind the lessons the author offers us is that although most of us cannot move to and live in one of the geographic Blue Zones referred to in the book, we can all implement changes in our lives that help to create a Blue Zone for us and for those we love. And as I wrote in a previous devotional, the lifestyle habit that most of those in the Blue Zones shared and which I think is most important and most helpful, is strong faith. Statistically, people of faith tend to live better and longer than unbelievers – and Dan Buettner’s research bore that out. And the healthiest and most impactful practice of faith occurs in community, when you are surrounded by likeminded others and everyone is strengthened and encouraged by each other’s faith.   In Acts 2:44-47 we’re reading about the early church in Jerusalem. At that point the Christian Church was only months old and already they had established the importance of having a strong community of faith to be a part of and to support you. This is church life at its best.   The model of the early church shows us an ideal setting and one that was necessary at that early stage of the establishment of the new faith. It is not intended to be a blueprint for every church everywhere throughout history. However, the principles of love, support, fellowship, sharing, caring, and much time spent together, are the basis for healthy church life and the more of that that is practiced in any church, the healthier that church will be.   As we discovered in an earlier devotional on this topic, numerous studies have statistically shown that people who have a strong faith and who practice it in a community of likeminded believers tend to be happier and to live longer than those who don’t.   Perhaps the most important element in establishing your own personal Blue Zone is to develop a strong faith and practice it in community. You need to be part of a good church family.   God bless, Pastor Jim   (If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Copyright © 2026 Oak Hill Baptist Church, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Oak Hill Baptist Church 3036 Genesis Road Crossville, TN 38571