There is no doubt that Carl Lewis was in most perfect condition of his life while eating a vegan diet. Should we not follow the same example as we strive for eternal life? A healthy diet affords a healthy body and mind and strengthens the moral powers to resist temptation. This is the main reason I am  suggesting a non-stimulating diet and one free of animal blood and fat. A flesh diet can stimulate and excite the blood. Adrenaline pours into the blood when the animal senses it is going to be slaughtered and then we eat that adrenaline in our burgers and steaks. A flesh diet can stimulate the lower passions and lustful propensities, and the use of one stimulant, like flesh, can lead to the desire of another stimulant like sugar or alcohol. 
     Paul also warned: "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection [or I keep my body or lower passions in subjection to the higher powers of my mind]: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." He also wrote: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:17. He understood that the divine nature which is promised in 2 Peter 1:4 must control the lower passions of the carnal or fleshly nature. Would it be wise then to avoid all stimulants as you run the race of eternal life and seek the prize of heaven?
     Let us now look at the dietary program Carl Lewis followed as he trained for many world-class competitions. It is a fact that that he ate no cholesterol or saturated animal fat. He also ate no animal protein or flesh that commonly contains hormones that cause the animals to grow larger and cancer to grow faster. To the contrary, Carl chose a diet of only plant food rich in phytochemicals, flavonoids, antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, life force, live enzymes, and fiber-all of which fight cancer. Carl said no to beef, chicken, fish, and whey protein shakes. He chose a strict vegan diet like the one Adam and Eve ate in Genesis 1:29 when God said: "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."
     Let me point out that many people argue that you cannot get enough protein or calcium from a pure vegetarian diet. Not only is this a ridiculous argument and myth, and one that is not supported by science, but Carl Lewis's track record proves the contrary -- that a whole plant-based diet is nutritionally superior to a meat-based diet and one that is fortified with all the macro and micro nutrients necessary to propel Carl into the winner's circle on many occasions. Charlotte Gerson, a vegan for most of her 87 years challenges the erroneous view by asking: "Where does the cow get its protein and calcium? From the vegetation of course!
     I have watched my son Daniel, age 22, build large muscles by eating a vegan diet and supplementing his bodybuilding program with pea and rice protein. Whoever said you must get your protein from dead animals anyway? Certainly not God! If plant protein, which contains the building blocks of protein called amino acids, can build flesh and bone in animals, then why can't the same protein source build flesh and bone in humans? It reminds me of the Sabbath/Sunday argument. It doesn't matter how many Bible verses you use to prove the seventh day of the week, Saturday, is the Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, a skeptic will argue, having no Scriptures to support his position until he is blue in the face, that Sunday, the first day of the week, is the Lord's day. 
     Likewise, you can cite all the scientific research you want to prove animal fat and protein causes cancer, heart disease, diabetes and stroke, and that animal protein makes tumors grow faster. And the fact that hormones in meat contribute to breast and other cancers, and still the skeptic refuses to move an inch from his carnivore dietetic position, just like the Sunday-keeper who refuses to keep the true Sabbath holy as commanded by Almighty God in Exodus 20:8-11. On the other hand, you can hand him the references that a vegan diet prevents cancer and reverses chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease; you can show him The China Study by T. Colin Campbell that is packed with solid evidence or Diet for A New American and The Food Revolution by John Robbins to prove the same; you can give him CDs and DVDs by Dr. John McDougall and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn from the Cleveland clinic who has proven that a vegan diet reverses heart disease and lowers cholesterol; you can email him published scientific papers by Dr. Neal Barnard and the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and he will still refuse the truth and believe the lie that animal food is good for you and necessary to maintain a healthy life. Rather than adopt a Carl Lewis awarding-winning dietary program of plant foods, he will continue to dig his grave with their teeth-gold medal style!
    So what about you? Do you believe the words of the apostle Paul: "And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things?" "True temperance teaches us to abstain entirely from that which is injurious, and to use judiciously only healthful and nutritious articles of food." What really woke me up was the realization that "the brain nerves which communicate with the entire system are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man and affect his inmost life. Whatever disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind." Temperance, p. 13. I also believe that "Satan is constantly on the alert to bring the race fully under his control. His strongest hold on man is through the appetite, and this he seeks to stimulate in every possible way." Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 150. 

     Thus, Satan is using caffeine -- a psychostimulant drug that is a central nervous stimulant; sugar -- which causes hyperactivity; amphetamines -- potent psychostimulant drugs known as speed; excitotoxins -- substances added to foods and beverages that literally stimulates neurons to death, causing brain damage; adrenaline -- meat contains adrenaline that is helpful in a dangerous situation for fight or flight, but is also a hormone that taxes and stresses the body and creates feelings of anger and aggression; nicotine -- can acts as both a stimulant and a sedative. Immediately after exposure to nicotine, there is a "kick" caused in part by the drug's stimulation of the adrenal glands and resulting discharge of epinephrine (adrenaline). The rush of adrenaline stimulates the body and causes a sudden release of glucose as well as an increase in blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate. Nicotine also suppresses insulin output from the pancreas, which means that smokers are always slightly hyperglycemic. In addition, nicotine indirectly causes a release of dopamine in the brain regions that control pleasure and motivation. This reaction is similar to that seen with other drugs of abuse-such as cocaine and heroin -- and it is thought to underlie the pleasurable sensations experienced by many smokers. In contrast, nicotine can also exert a sedative effect, depending on the level of the smoker's nervous system arousal and the dose of nicotine taken; alcohol -- increases the risk of various health conditions such as heart and liver disease. Alcohol works directly on the central nervous system, impairing brain function. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can destroy brain cells, resulting in various degrees of brain damage.  The heart can beat so irregularly that it can stop. People experience a decrease in mental alertness when drinking alcohol and may make poor decisions. Alcohol dulls the senses and alters one's perception of situations and surroundings. Alcohol also affects memory. Alcohol is drug that works directly on the central nervous system. Alcohol kills more male teenagers and young men than any other drug taken to affect mood and behavior (heroin, cocaine, marijuana). Men fight more, drive more recklessly, and engage in more risky behaviors. Alcohol also puts you at greater risk from sexual behavior and sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy;  and intemperate eating to stimulate you in every possible way: "It is not necessary to drink alcoholic liquors in order to be intemperate. The sin of intemperate eating, eating too frequently, too much, and of rich, unwholesome food, destroys the healthy action of the digestive organs, affects the brain, and perverts the judgment, preventing rational, calm, healthy thinking and acting. And this is a fruitful source of church trials. Therefore, in order for the people of God to be in an acceptable state with Him, where they can glorify Him in their bodies and spirits, which are His, they must with interest and zeal deny the gratification of their appetites, and exercise temperance in all things. Then may they comprehend the truth in its beauty and clearness, and carry it out in their lives." Counsels on Health, p. 50. 
     Now the choice is yours. Please pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to break any hold the stimulating habits listed above have on you. God is able and waiting to give you the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen." Jude 24, 25.  Send me an email and I will pray for you too, and please share this newsletter with others who you feel might need it.