To be healthy physically, we must eat a balanced nutritious, healthful diet. Analogously, to be spiritually strong and healthy, we must eat a balanced and healthful diet of spiritual food. Just as our physical diets are easily compromised with "junk foods" and "fake foods" that detract from our health and sense of well-being physically, there are spiritual "junk food" and "fake foods" we also must avoid. The apostles Peter and Paul present to us two physical analogies of milk and solid food (meat, KJV). The message explains what is meant by "milk" and "solid food" in scriptures and presented in sermons, messages, and studies. There is a caution not to focus on prophecy to the extent we allow it to distract us from the really important spiritual food that will cause us to grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

James Cowell

United Church of God Elder

James Cowell is a former high school mathematics and science teacher who for years was involved with adult education programs in technology companies in which he managed training centers in North America and Europe. He has been a member of the Church of God community since 1964 and received a bachelor's degree in theology in 1970. He currently serves as an elder in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania congregation.