Lights of the World Week 4: Kawah Ijen Volcano in Indonesia

Photo by Daniel Julie at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:DSC00316_Java_East_Kawah_Ijen_Volcano_Caldeira_and_acide_Lake_and_Sulfured_(6224356958).jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 4, starting September 17 and ending September 23, features the stunning blue glow of the Kawah Ijen Volcano on the island of Java in Indonesia. Atop the volcano lies Kawah Ijen Crater Lake, a large body of water filled with hydrochloric acid. This acid makes the lake appear green.

Those visiting the area may see a spectacular glowing blue show resulting from the combustion of sulfuric acids. The acids ignite as they come in contact with oxygen in the air, sometimes sending glowing blue flames into the air up to 16 feet. Some of these gases condense into liquid sulfur that flows down the sides of the volcano, giving the appearance of bright blue lava.

If you want to see this light show up close, don't forget your gas mask to protect against toxic gases released from these chemical explosions. You'll also want to stay after dark because the bright blue colored phenomenon can only be seen at night. Click here to see the glowing blue nighttime photos.

Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:13

Lights of the World Week 2 Totals

Week 2 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from September 3 through September 9, 2017. Thirty-three participants turned in totals for week 2. Altogether, participants exercised over 9,000 minutes during week 2 - looking good, y'all!

Here are Week 2 totals:

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 3: Light Pillars of Laramie, Wyoming

Photo by Christoph Geisler at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Light_pillars_over_Laramie_Wyoming_in_winter_night.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participant to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day.

Week 3, starting September 10 and ending September 16, features the light poles or pillars of Laramie, Wyoming. This phenomenon is actually in the family of halos and requires several circumstances in order to appear: a fairly large town with bright lights at night, temperatures below -4 degrees Fahrenheit, no wind or very little wind, tiny ice crystals in the air. This icy fog then reflects lights from below that appear to be poles or pillars of light reaching toward the sky.

Light sources for this optical illusion may also come from natural sources such as the sun or moon. Have you ever seen a light pillar? If so, were did you see it?

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

Lights of the World Week 1 Totals

Week 1 of the Woodleaf United Methodist Church Lights of the World fitness challenge ran from August 27 through September 2, 2017. Thirty-two participants turned in totals for week 1 - a record week for any of our fitness challenges to date! Participants were physically active through a wide variety of activities, such as walking, exercise classes, weight lifting, yoga, and one participant has been working particularly hard helping folks down in Houston after the hurricane.

Here are Week 1 totals:

Lights of the World Week 1 Totals

To learn more about this or other fitness challenges offered through our health ministry program, click on the site map for links to all articles on our Healthy Woodleaf blog.

Lights of the World Week 2: Blue Grotto

Photo by Glen Scarborough at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Grotto,_Capri,_IT.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day for eleven weeks.

Week 2, starting September 3 and ending September 9, features Blue Grotto in Capri, Italy. Known by locals as Gradola, Blue Grotto is a sea cave illuminated with a dazzling blue reflection as sunlight sparkles through the seawater. Items placed underwater appear silver due to air bubbles that surround the object.

The mouth of the cave is about two meters wide and one meter high; those wishing to enter the cave must time the trip during low tide when the sea is calm. The cave is accessible via rowboat; visitors enter the cave by lying flat on the bottom of the boat that is then pulled in by chains.

During Roman times, this grotto was a marine temple and the personal swimming area for Emperor Tiberius. This sea cave has inspired several writers, including Mark Twain, August Kopisch, Alberto Moravia, and Ann Weil.

Have you ever traveled to a sea cave? If so, what was the most memorable part of that experience for you?

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Lights of the World Week 1: Antelope Slot Canyon

Photo by Lucas Loffler https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USA_Antelope-Canyon.jpg

The Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge encourages participants to be physically active an average of at least 20 minutes/day for eleven weeks.

Week 1, starting August 27 and ending September 2, features Antelope Slot Canyon in Page Arizona. Upper Antelope Canyon is also called "The Crack." The Navajo name for this section means "the place where water runs through rocks." Lower Antelope Canyon is sometimes referred to as "The Corkscrew," and the Navajo name for this section means "spiral rock arches."

This slot canyon was formed as the result of erosion of Navajo Sandstone. Flash floods still occur within both canyons, but the natural beauty of sunlight streaming through areas of the canyons and brightly illuminating the multicolored canyon walls attracts a large number of photographers and tourists each year.

Have you ever visited Antelope Canyon? If so, what was your experience?

Then spake Jesus again to them saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge

2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge at Woodleaf United Methodist Church

Woodleaf United Methodist Church's health ministry is excited to present our Fall 2017 Lights of the World Fitness Challenge! This challenge begins Sunday, August 27 and continues for 11 weeks through Saturday, November 11. Each week, we'll focus on a different naturally occurring light in the world with a "light" Bible verse for reflection.

If you are interested in joining the challenge, feel free to email NurseforWoodleafUMC@gmail.com. Each week runs Sunday through Saturday; participants submit how much total time they exercise each week by Tuesday of the following week. Submissions may be in person at the church, by phone, or via email. Results are then displayed in graph form on our blog - no names are published with the results.

Regular exercise has been shown to have a multitude of positive health benefits. The challenge encourages participants to exercise an average of at least 20 minutes/day, but you are welcome to set your own individual fitness goals for the challenge as well. Children who would like to participate should get permission from a parent/guardian. We'd love for you to join us on this healthy journey!