LOVING FAMILY

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The Loving Family Group Manual

A Christian Social Model Community Service Program

For Parents To Improve Family Living

Contains: The Loving Family Community Service Plan

The Loving Family Community Service Text

The Loving Family Overview of Christian Principles--Reflections of Love

New Writings

Loving Family

www.lovingfamilygroup.org

Our Families Give All Thanks, Praise, and Glory to

God Our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ God's Son, and the Holy Spirit

In Honor of Mom and Dad

Loving Family Is For All Parents Who Have A Desire To Improve

Their Family Life

Children Are Welcome

Created By Loving Family

Loving Family

www.lovingfamilygroup.org

Contact sharen@reninet.com 

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PART ONE

THE LOVING FAMILY

COMMUNITY SERVICE

 PLAN

            Workshop Leaders and spouse are responsible for the following:

We invite Christian guest speakers from all walks of life who live by loving Christian principles and who are knowledgeable about family living selected from the following:

PART TWO

THE LOVING FAMILY

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

TEXT

The Social Construction of Reality

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with what measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye', and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)

            Fear. We turn to Christ in prayer to be able to face fears that can normally trap and paralyze us when we try to act alone. Jesus gives us courage to walk through fearful situations, and in time we become stronger by not allowing fear to stop us from acting. As long as we are intent upon seeking God's will, we no longer act alone because the power of God goes before us to clear a path for us. We come to realize that God can do for us what we are unable to do for ourselves. We become stronger and more confident as we walk in the Lord's way, and we come to realize that we truly have nothing to fear but fear itself. "Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold your God will come with vengeance. With the recompense of God; He will come and save you" (Isaiah 35:3-4).

            Anger. Everyone experiences angry feelings from time to time. God Himself expressed anger towards His people. God became angry with Moses when Moses asked God to send someone else after God asked Moses to free His oppressed people of Israel from the Egyptians (Exodus 4). God was very angry at His people when they made a golden calf and worshiped it after He commanded them not to bow down to any images. God was so angry at His people for breaking His commandment that He was going to kill them and would have done so except Moses pleaded with God to turn away from His wrath so God spared His people for the sake of Moses (Exodus 32).
          Jesus was also capable of anger. Jesus taught that we  should have salt in ourselves, and have peace with one another (Mark 9:50). Yet, Jesus was not always able to have salt within Himself and be at peace with others. Jesus had deep angry emotions and He was fully capable of expressing His emotion.
            Jesus was capable of getting righteously angry. Jesus went into the temple of God and He angrily cast out those that bought and sold in the temple. Jesus overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves. Jesus was angry that His house of prayer was turned into a den of thieves by those who bought and sold in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus also got righteously angry with the Pharisees because they condemned Him when He healed a man with a withered hand on the sabbath day when He entered the synagogue (Mark 3:1-6).
            Jesus was also capable of irrational anger brought on by human hunger. When the fig tree that He saw from afar did not have any figs because it was not yet fig season, Jesus became so angry at not finding figs on the tree that he cursed the barren fig tree and it dried up from the roots and withered away (Mark 11:12-21).
            Jesus was not always a patient man and His speech could be cutting when He became weary by the multitudes. Jesus was clearly irritated by the man who asked Him to heal his son who had a dumb spirit after the man explained to Jesus that His disciples were unable to cast the dumb spirit out of the man's son. Jesus answered the man stating "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me" (Mark 9:19).
            If Jesus, the incarnation of God in man, was capable of expressing anger while He walked the earth, then who are we to expect that we should never get angry with one another?  The important point is that we learn to express our anger appropriately. We find that Christ can help us to deal with our anger constructively. We pray for those people and situations that anger us, and we ask Jesus to help us cope with our angry feelings and to forgive. We continue to pray for those people and situations that anger us and in God's time, God heals our angry and hurt feelings. If our anger has turned into hatred, deep-seated hostility, or resentment, we find it is best to avoid those who provoke such strong feelings within us. With Christ's help, we use our anger to correct injustices and overcome oppression by helping those in need to acquire adequate food, housing, health care, education, and employment. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city" (Proverbs 16:32).

           
            Hate. “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Proverbs 10:12)

            According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary hate is intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.  We can all be driven to hate if we are put under enough stress and our buttons are adequately pushed. What triggers bring out the hatred in you? How do you feel when you work hard and pay a high price with high interest rate  for a mobile home built with cheap particle board that disintegrates prematurely in the rain as time goes by? How do you feel when you buy a new car and it turns out to be a lemon? How do you feel when your trusted doctor or hospital charges you a price even the wealthy cannot afford to pay and then puts a lien on your home for services rendered because you can not afford to pay?  How do you feel when your banker gives you a bad loan and then forecloses on your home? How do you feel when your government turns you into an indentured servant with complicated student loan programs and then you can’t get a job in your chosen field because the economic policies of your elected officials have created an economic recession? How do you feel when the love of your life leaves you? How do you feel when a trusted friend or family member betrays your trust? How do you feel when you are repeatedly overcharged at the grocery store? How do you feel when your county employer provides you with health benefits and then retaliates against you if you visit a doctor? How do you feel if your county employer colludes with your pharmacy and local postal service to withhold needed mail ordered medication? How do you feel if your county employer withholds your W-2 form so you cannot file your yearly income tax return? How do you feel when you spend your life in service to your family and your family discards you when you grow old and feeble? How do you feel when others attempt to control your every thought and action? How do you feel when you are treated differently than everyone else? How do you feel when you make a mistake and everyone you know throws your mistake in your face year after year even though you have worked hard on a daily basis to make amends? How do you feel when you are judged? How do you feel when your priest or minister is more interested in earning a fat paycheck than in saving your soul? How do you feel when a family member dies due to inappropriate medical treatment? How do you feel when the prescriptions your doctor prescribes only make you sicker and more dependent? How do you feel when you end up in jail or a mental institution because you could not afford the cost of an effective alcohol or drug treatment program? How do you feel when your God gives you too many tests, makes you wait too long, and demands too many sacrifices?
            How do you feel when you hate? Does your heart beat fast? Do you feel dizzy? Do you shake and tremble? Do you have a hard time breathing? Does your head hurt? Do you get chest pains? Does your stomach hurt? Do you feel nauseous? Do you vomit or get diarrhea? Do you feel like you could lose control?
            What do you want to do when you experience hatred? Do you want to run away and hide? Do you want to get drunk or use a drug? Do you want to eat yourself into oblivion? Do you want to get a gun and shoot someone or grab a knife and stab someone? Do you want to start a fire? Do you want to steal something when someone takes something from you? Do you want to destroy your property to keep an exploiter from taking your property from you? Do you want to destroy someone else’s property when someone has been unfair to you? Do you want to loot or pilfer? Do you want to engage in white collar or blue collar crime? Do you want to poison or strangle someone? Do you want to torture someone or rip them apart with your bare hands? Do you want to castrate someone? Do you want to rape? Do you want to push someone off a cliff or drown someone in a pool of water? Do you want to electrocute someone by throwing a radio at them while they are in the tub? Do you want to hit someone over the head or chop off their fingers? What do you want to do when you feel mean and hateful?
            As Christians we know we are not suppose to hate. Jesus came to teach us to love. Yet, we can not know love without knowing hate.  We must know love to choose love and we must know hate before we can turn away. The mistake many of us make is in denying our negative hateful feelings. Yet stuffing our hateful feelings will only lead to illness, mayhem or murder. We like to think we are perfect and that we never feel anger or hate. This is unrealistic. Even Jesus experienced anger and maybe even hate. It is much better to acknowledge our negative hateful emotions and find acceptable ways of coping so we can avoid losing control and avoid resorting to unhealthy behaviors, crime, or violence.
            How do you get a handle on your hatred so that your hatred does not control you? Avoiding situations that trigger hatred is always a good idea whenever possible. “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.” (Proverbs 15:27). There are those who would hate you for no reason and it is best to stay away from them--bullies who are looking to take unfair advantage, those with unreasonable expectations who are out looking to pick a fight, those who have no regard for God or the law. Giving love to an enemy is a sure antidote for dispelling hatred. Once you busy yourself with trying to help the object of your hatred it becomes difficult to keep hating the other. If all else fails pray for the person you hate. Little by little God will help loose the power of your hatred. One way or another you must find a way out of your hatred because your hatred will keep you in darkness and away from God’s light. It does no good to blame others for your hatred even if others are the cause. You must own your feelings of hatred before you can even begin to let go of your hate. It is always best to attempt to resolve a conflict with your neighbor by talking through the problem before your resentment boils over into hatred.
            We should be cautious that we do not mistake God’s love for hatred. When Moses took God’s people out of the land of Egypt the people thought that God hated them when life became hard. Yet, God did not hate His people. He was leading His people to a better life. There are times we must suffer some hardship in order to reap a better reward. When building a new house, we must rough it a bit by camping out and sleeping in a tent for a while so we can eventually live in a palace. When building a new spiritual life we must weather the destruction of our old sinful life until we are born into glory.
            As Christians we must expect to be hated and persecuted. If you are hated by others during your time on earth remember that the world also hated Jesus. The world is jealous because Jesus chose you to be His forever. Free yourself of hate by standing your ground  within the eternal love of God.

            Gratitude. We express gratitude to each other for being dependable and responsible because we love one another and want each other to feel good about what we each are able to give. We encourage one another to act dependably and responsibly, regardless of what cultural ideas and influences are popular at any given point in time. We negotiate roles and schedule chores by communicating with each other maturely and clearly. We understand that we must be dependable with one another for our family to function well. We express gratitude to each other for following through on fulfilling negotiated roles and completing assigned tasks. We realize that our spouse's time and energy is limited as well as our own. We strive to divide up and schedule household chores, child care, home repairs, errands, and yard work equitably, in proportion to time spent working outside the home, so we can feel grateful to one another for what each is able to give. Higher earnings alone do not relieve the better paid spouse of his or her fair share of responsibilities at home. We love one another, and we do not attempt to turn our spouse into an indentured servant just because our earnings capacity is greater. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude goes a long way in constructing loving relationships. "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (Colossians 2:6-7).

This report brings together, for the first time, what has been learned about physical activity and health from decades of research. Among its major findings:

• People who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis.
• Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits.
• Greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration, frequency, or intensity) of physical activity.

• Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.
• Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease.
• Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
• Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.
• Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.
• Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Helps control weight.
• Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
• Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.
• Promotes psychological well-being.

WHAT IS A MODERATE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
As the examples listed in the box show, a moderate amount of physical activity* can be achieved in a variety of ways. People can select activities that they enjoy and that fit into their daily lives. Because amount of activity is a function of duration, intensity, and frequency, the same amount of activity can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activities (such as brisk walking) as in shorter sessions of more strenuous activities (such as running): +

EXAMPLES OF MODERATE AMOUNTS OF ACTIVITY:

* A moderate amount of physical activity is roughly equivalent to physical activity that uses approximately 150 Calories (kcal) of energy per day, or 1,000 Calories per week.
+ Some activities can be performed at various intensities; the suggested durations correspond to expected intensity of effort.

STATUS OF THE NATION - A NEED FOR CHANGE:

• More than 60 percent of adults do not achieve the recommended amount of regular physical activity. In fact, 25 percent of all adults are not active at all.
• Inactivity increases with age and is more common among women than men and among those with lower income and less education than among those with higher income or education

• Nearly half of young people aged 12-21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis.
• Physical activity declines dramatically with age during adolescence.
• Female adolescents are much less physically active than male adolescents.

• In high school, enrollment in daily physical education classes dropped from 42 percent in 1991 to 25 percent in 1995.
• Only 19 percent of all high school students are physically active for 20 minutes or more in physical education classes every day during the school week.

• Well-designed programs in schools to increase physical activity in physical education classes have been shown to be effective.
• Carefully planned counseling by health care providers and worksite activity programs can increase individuals' physical activity levels.
• Promising approaches being tried in some communities around the nation include opening school buildings and shopping malls for walking before or after regular hours, as well as building bicycle and walking paths separated from automobile traffic. Revising building codes to require accessible stairwells is another idea that has been suggested

• No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity. Of special interest to older adults is evidence that muscle-strengthening exercises can reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones and can improve the ability to live independently.

• Parents can help their children maintain a physically active lifestyle by providing encouragement and opportunities for physical activity. Family events can include opportunities for everyone in the family to be active.

• Regular physical activity improves strength, builds lean muscle, and decreases body fat. It can build stronger bones to last a lifetime.

• Regular physical activity burns Calories and preserves lean muscle mass. It is a key component of any weight loss effort and is important for controlling weight.

• Regular physical activity helps lower blood pressure.

• Regular physical activity improves mood, helps relieve depression, and increases feelings of well-being.

• Regular physical activity can help control joint swelling and pain. Physical activity of the type and amount recommended for health has not been shown to cause arthritis.

• Regular physical activity can help people with chronic, disabling conditions improve their stamina and muscle strength and can improve psychological well-being and quality of life by increasing the ability to perform activities of daily life.

             Rest and Sleep. Adequate sleep is necessary so that our hearing, vision, and perception are not impaired by tiredness and so that we can handle daily life efficiently. Sleep is even more important when we have difficult tasks, or if we want to develop our creativity. Rest periods during the day improve productivity, so we take short ten or fifteen minute breaks to sit quietly and relax and we provide our children with time for resting during the day. For good living, we establish and maintain healthy sleeping patterns and we help our children to establish and maintain healthy sleeping patterns. "When you lie down, you will not be afraid: Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet" (Proverbs 3:24).

            The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH Publication No. 06–5800, April 2006 provides the following information about the importance of sleep:

What Is Sleep?
Sleep was long considered just a uniform block of time when you are not awake. Thanks to sleep studies done over the past several decades, it is now known that sleep has distinctive stages that cycle throughout the night. Your brain stays active throughout sleep, but different things happen during each stage. For instance, certain stages of sleep are needed for us to feel well rested and energetic the next day, and other stages help us learn or make memories. In brief, a number of vital tasks carried out during sleep help maintain good health and enable people to function at their best. On the other hand, not getting enough sleep can be dangerous—for example, you are more likely to be
in a car crash if you drive when you are drowsy.

How Much Sleep Is Enough?
Sleep needs vary from person to person, and they change throughout the lifecycle. Most adults need 7–8 hours of sleep each night. Newborns, on the other hand, sleep between 16 and 18 hours a day, and children in preschool sleep between 10 and 12 hours a day. School-aged children and teens need at least 9 hours of sleep a night. Some people believe that adults need less sleep as they get older. But there is no evidence to show that older people can get by with less sleep than younger people. As people age, however, they often get less sleep or they tend to spend less time in the deep, restful stages of sleep. Older people are also more easily awakened.

Why Sleep Is Good for You—and Skimping on It Isn’t
Does it really matter if you get enough sleep? Absolutely! Not only does the quantity of your sleep matter, but the quality of your sleep is important as well. People whose sleep is interrupted a lot or is cut short might not get enough of certain stages of sleep. In other words, how well rested you are and how well you function the next day depend on your total sleep time and how much of the various stages of sleep you get each night.

Performance: We need sleep to think clearly, react quickly, and create memories. In fact, the pathways in the brain that help us learn and remember are very active when we sleep. Studies show that people who are taught mentally challenging tasks do better after a good night’s sleep. Other research suggests that sleep is needed for creative problem solving. Skimping on sleep has a price. Cutting back by even 1 hour can make it tough to focus the next day and can slow your response time. Studies also find that when you lack sleep, you are more likely to make bad decisions and take more risks. This can result in lower performance on the job or in school and a greater risk for a car crash.

            Air, Water, Land Pollution. "Woe to her who is rebellious and polluted. To the oppressing city!" (Zephaniah 3:1).
            To reduce pollution we recycle plastics, glass, newspaper, used motor oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, toner cartridges and printer materials. We reuse lunch and other containers, cups, and grocery bags. We conserve energy by by installing energy saving lights; turning down heat or air conditioning; turning off lights and appliances when not in use; increasing insulation in our homes to prevent heat loss; maintaining heaters, air conditioners, refrigerators and other energy using equipment; and by minimizing water use. We reduce air pollution and its detrimental health effects by using mass transportation, joining car pools, riding bicycles or walking whenever possible; keeping our car tuned up and our car tires properly inflated to increase engine efficiency; limiting air travel; conserving electricity; utilizing alternative energy sources such as solar power; and by supporting clean air legislation; We reduce water pollution by disposing of garbage and sewage properly; having wells, cisterns, and septic tanks inspected regularly; having water samples checked by health authorities; by using biodegradable cleaning products; and by getting involved in how local, state, and federal governments maintain our water supplies. We let our officials know we are concerned about the health effects of polluted water, and we insist on clean water that is safe to use.We reduce solid waste land pollution by using a copier that prints on both sides of the paper, purchasing rechargeable batteries, by purchasing products with minimal packaging, and by not littering our beaches, forests, highways, and communities.
            According to the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 6/2/08), air pollution is a mixture of natural and man-made substances in the air we breathe such as fine particles produced by the burning of fossil fuels, ground-level ozone, which is a reactive form of oxygen that is a primary component of urban smog, and noxious gases such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and chemical vapors. The health effects of air pollution have been reported in research studies over the past 30 years. These effects include respiratory diseases such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, changes in lung function, and death. There is mounting evidence that exposure to air pollution has long-term effects on lung development in children.
            According to the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institute of Health, 5/12/08), water pollution is any contamination of water with chemicals or other foreign substances that are detrimental to human, plant, or animal health. These pollutants include fertilizers and pesticides from agricultural runoff; sewage and food processing waste; lead, mercury, and other heavy metals; chemical wastes from industrial discharges; and chemical contamination from hazardous waste sites. Worldwide, nearly 2 billion people drink contaminated water that could be harmful to their health.
            The United States Environmental Protection Agency (2/6/07) provides tips for preventing pollution. According to the EPA, pollution prevention means not creating pollution in the first place. It primarily involves source reduction - - reducing the amount and toxicity of air, liquid, or solid waste at its source.
            “Whether you are a small business owner, a corporate leader, a student or a parent, EPA encourages everyone to make pollution prevention part of your daily life. Pollution prevention practices can help businesses become more competitive and individuals save money,” said Donald S. Welsh, EPA’s mid-Atlantic regional administrator. “It can also help save energy, prevent the emission of many greenhouse gases and water pollutants, encourage the development of greener technologies and conserve resources for future generations.”
            According to the Worldwatch Institute, the United States, with less than 5 percent of the global population, uses about a quarter of the world’s fossil fuel resources, burning nearly 25 percent of the coal, 26 percent of the oil, and 27 percent of the world’s natural gas. In addition, EPA estimates each individual generates about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year – about 4.5 pounds per person, per day. To help you get started, the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable, a non-profit organization devoted solely to pollution prevention, suggests:

At Work:
Look into installing energy saving lights
Ride a bike, carpool, walk, or take mass transportation to work
Use reusable lunch containers
Use a copier that prints on both sides of the paper to reduce paper use
Recycle toner cartridges and printer materials
Use reusable cups for coffee and other beverages
Share the benefits of a recycling program with management
Seek business opportunities with environmentally sound companies

At Home:
Turn down the heat or air conditioning at night
Turn off lights and appliances when not in use - install sensors where appropriate
Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient fluorescent ones
Increase the amount of insulation in your home to reduce heat loss
Do not mow your lawn or fill your gas tank on Ozone Action Days
Minimize water use by purchasing efficient toilets, faucets and shower heads
Purchase rechargeable batteries, reducing the amount of trash going into landfills
Buy less toxic cleaning supplies or make your own
(Baking soda and water can be used as an ammonia-based all purpose cleaner).
Purchase products with minimal packaging
Limit fertilizers and pesticides, especially near lakes and streams
Recycle plastics, glass, newspaper, used motor oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid
Join a food co-op or buy locally
Reuse grocery bags by taking them with you to the store
Pack children’s lunches in reusable containers instead of disposal brown and plastic bags

SOURCES OF FIRE

Supplemental Home Heating

The use of supplemental room heaters, such as wood and coal burning stoves, kerosene heaters, gas space heaters and electrical heaters, has decreased, along with the number of residential fires. Even though there has been a decrease in fires associated with supplemental heaters, it is important to remember that about 120,000 residential fires still occur annually with the use of these heaters, or about 22 percent of all residential fires. These fires kill more than 600 people. Annually there are thousands of contact burn injuries and hundreds of carbon monoxide poisonings.

Wood Stoves

• Do not use wood burning stoves and fireplaces unless they are properly installed and meet building codes.
• Follow the label instructions on the stove which recommends an inspection twice monthly. Have chimneys inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep. Creosote is an unavoidable product of wood burning stoves. Creosote builds up in chimney flues and can cause a chimney fire. To cut down on creosote buildup, avoid smoldering fires.
• Use a code-specified or listed floor protector. It should extend 18 inches beyond the stove on all sides. This will reduce the possibility of the floor being ignited.
• Follow the instructions on the stove label for proper location of the stove from combustible walls.
• Never burn trash in a stove because this could over heat the stove. Gasoline and other flammable liquids should never be used to start wood stove fires. Gasoline will ignite and explode. Use coal only if designated as appropriate by the manufacturer.

Kerosene Heaters

• Check with your local fire marshal regarding local and state codes and regulations for using a kerosene heater.
• NEVER USE GASOLINE. Even small amounts of gasoline mixed with kerosene can increase the risk of fire.
• Use properly labeled containers. It reduces the likelihood of mistaking gasoline for kerosene.
• Place heater so it will not be knocked over or trap you in case of fire.
• Use l-K kerosene because.grades other than l-K contain much more sulfur and will increase sulfur dioxide emissions, posing a possible health problem. If you buy kerosene from a gasoline station make sure you and/or the attendant are using the kerosene pump, not the gasoline pump.
• Never fill the heater while it is operating. Always refuel the heater outdoors to prevent spillage on floors and rugs which could later result in fire ignition.
• Keep the room in which the heater operates ventilated (e.g. door open or the window ajar). This will prevent an indoor air pollution problem and minimize health problems. Kerosene heaters are not usually vented.
• Keep flammable liquids and fabrics away from an open flame.
• Never try to move the heater or try to smother the flames with a rug or a blanket if a flare-up occurs. Activate the manual shut-off switch and call the fire department. Moving the heater may increase the height of the flames and cause leakage resulting in personal injury.

Gas-Fired Space Heaters

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding where and how to use gas space heaters. Unvented heaters should not be used in small enclosed areas, especially bedrooms because of the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Do not use a propane heater (LP) which has a gas cylinder stored in the body of the heater. Its use is prohibited in most states and localities in the United States.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for lighting the pilot. Gas vapors may accumulate and ignite explosively, burning your hand or face.
• Light matches, if needed for lighting the pilot, before turning on the gas to prevent gas buildup.
• Do not operate a vented style heater unvented. It could allow combustion products, including carbon monoxide, to reach dangerous levels which will result in illness and death.

Portable Electric Heaters

Recommendations:

• Operate heater away from combustible materials. Do not place heaters where towels or the like could fall on the appliance and trigger a fire.
• Avoid using extension cords unless absolutely necessary. If you must use an extension cord with your electric heater, make sure it is marked with a power rating at least as high as that of the heater itself. Keep the cord stretched out. Do not permit the cord to become buried under carpeting or rugs. Do not place anything on top of the cord.
• Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture or the like. Never use heaters to dry wearing apparel or shoes.

Cooking Equipment

Cooking equipment is estimated to be associated with more than 100,000 fires annually, and almost 400 deaths, and 5,000 injuries. Gas cooking equipment accounts for about 30,000 fires, and electric cooking equipment for about 55,000 fires.

Recommendations:

• Never place or store pot holders, plastic utensils, towels and other non-cooking equipment on or near the range because these items can be ignited.
• Roll up or fasten long loose sleeves with pins or elastic bands while cooking. Do not reach across a range while cooking. Long loose sleeves are more likely to catch on fire than are short sleeves. Long loose sleeves are also more apt to catch on pot handles, overturning pots and pans and cause scalds.
• Do not place candy or cookies over top of ranges. This will reduce the attraction kids may have for climbing on cooking equipment, thus reducing the possibility of their clothing catching fire.
• Keep constant vigilance on any cooking that is require above the"keep warm" setting.

            Firearms. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign (NSKC) (Unintentional Firearm Injury Fact Sheet. Washington (DC): NSKC, 2004.) provides important information and facts about unintentional firearm injury as follows:

            To protect against fatal accidents, we never leave loaded or unloaded firearms around the house. If for some compelling reason a gun must be kept, we place the unloaded gun in a locked drawer or cabinet with the key kept on the person of the owner. We make sure all guns are unloaded before being brought into the home and locked up. We lock ammunition for a gun in a separate location that is also out of the reach of children. We use quality safety devices for every gun that is kept in the home. If a gun must be handled, we check the firing chamber for a bullet to see if the gun is loaded, and we never point a gun at anyone or pull the trigger. We prohibit children from playing with toy pistols, cap pistols, BB guns, real pistols, rifles, or shotguns to protect them from accidental shooting. We talk to our children about the dangers of guns and we teach them never to touch or play with guns and to tell an adult if they should find a gun. We teach our children to treat every gun as if the gun were loaded. We check with adults in any home where our children may visit to ensure they follow safe storage practices if firearms are kept in their homes. If we must keep and handle a gun we learn how to handle the firearm safely. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4).

            Toys. It can be difficult at times for parents to know which toys are safe and appropriate and which toys are not. To help parents make those choices, the following guidelines are recommended by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; Administration for Children & Families; Office of Head Start (1995):

BUYING TOYS

• Choose toys with care. Keep in mind the child's age, interests and skill level.
• Look for quality design and construction in all toys for all ages.
• Make sure that all directions or instructions are clear - to you, and, when appropriate, to the child. Plastic wrappings on toys should be discarded at once before they become deadly playthings.
• Be a label reader. Look for and heed age recommendations, such as "Not recommended for children under three." Look for other safety labels including: "Flame retardant/Flame resistant" on fabric products and "Washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.

• Check all toys periodically for breakage and potential hazards. A damaged or dangerous toy should be thrown away or repaired immediately.
• Check edges on wooden toys that might have become sharp -- surfaces covered with splinters should be sanded smooth. When repainting toys and toy boxes, avoid using leftover paint, unless purchased recently, since older paints may contain more lead than new paint, which is regulated by CPSC.
  
• Examine all outdoor toys regularly for rust or weak parts that could become hazardous.

STORING TOYS

• Teach children to put their toys safely away on shelves or in a toy chest after playing to prevent trips and falls.
• Toy boxes, too, should be checked for safety. Use a toy chest that has a lid that will stay open in any position to which it is raised, and will not fall unexpectedly on a child. For extra safety, be sure there are ventilation holes for fresh air. Watch for sharp edges that could cut and hinges that could pinch or squeeze. See that toys used outdoors are stored after play -- rain or dew can rust or damage a variety of toys and toy parts creating hazards.

• New toys intended for children less than eight years of age should, by regulation, be free of sharp glass and metal edges.
• With use, however, older toys may break, exposing cutting edges.

SMALL PARTS

• Older toys can break to reveal parts small enough to be swallowed or to become lodged in a child's windpipe, ears or nose. The law bans small parts in new toys intended for children under three. This includes removable small eyes and noses on stuffed toys and dolls, and small, removable squeakers on squeeze toys.

LOUD NOISES

• Toy caps and some noisemaking guns and other toys can produce sounds at noise levels that can damage hearing. The law requires the following label on boxes of caps producing noise above a certain level: "WARNING -- Do not fire closer than one foot to the ear. Do not use indoors." Caps producing noise that can injure a child's hearing are banned.

CORDS AND STRINGS

• Toys with long strings or cords may be dangerous for infants and very young children. The cords may become wrapped around an infant's neck, causing strangulation. Never hang toys with long strings, cords, loops, or ribbons in cribs or playpens where children can become entangled. Remove crib gyms from the crib when the child can pull up on hands and knees; some children have strangled when they fell across crib gyms stretched across the crib.

SHARP POINTS

• Toys which have been broken may have dangerous points or prongs. Stuffed toys may have wires inside the toy which could cut or stab if exposed. A CPSC regulation prohibits sharp points in new toys and other articles intended for use by children under eight years of age.

PROPELLED OBJECTS

• Projectiles -- guided missiles and similar flying toys -- can be turned into weapons and can injure eyes in particular. Children should never be permitted to play with adult lawn darts or other hobby or sporting equipment that have sharp points. Arrows or darts used by children should have soft cork tips, rubber suction cups or other protective tips intended to prevent injury. Check to be sure the tips are secure. Avoid those dart guns or other toys which might be capable of firing articles not intended for use in the toy, such as pencils or nails.

ALL TOYS ARE NOT FOR ALL CHILDREN

• Keep toys designed for older children out of the hands of little ones. Follow labels that give age recommendations -- some toys are recommended for older children because they may be hazardous in the hands of a younger child. Teach older children to help keep their toys away from younger brothers and sisters.
• Even balloons, when uninflated or broken, can choke or suffocate if young children try to swallow them. More children have suffocated on uninflated balloons and pieces of broken balloons than on any other type of toy.

ELECTRIC TOYS

• Electric toys that are improperly constructed, wired or misused can shock or burn. Electric toys must meet mandatory requirements for maximum surface temperatures, electrical construction and prominent warning labels. Electric toys with heating elements are recommended only for children over eight years old. Children should be taught to use electric toys properly, cautiously and under adult supervision.

• Infant toys, such as rattles, squeeze toys, and teethers, should be large enough so that they cannot enter and become lodged in an infant's throat.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

• Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act and the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Commission has set safety regulations for certain toys and other children's articles. Manufacturers must design and manufacture their products to meet these regulations so that hazardous products are not sold.

RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS AND OTHER ADULTS

• Protecting children from unsafe toys is the responsibility of everyone. Careful toy selection and proper supervision of children at play is still -- and always will be -- the best way to protect children from toy-related injuries. To report a product hazard or a product-related injury, write to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C., 20207, or call the toll-free hotline: 1-800-638-2772. A teletypewriter for the deaf is available at 1-800-638-8270. For information visit www.cpsc.gov

            Bicycles. With gas prices now inching toward $5.00 per gallon many of us are riding bicycles more frequently in an effort to save on gas money. Bicycle riding is good exercise and it can be a fun activity to share with family and friends. Please take time to learn about and practice bicycle safety so your family members can have a safe and enjoyable riding experience. To avoid head injury all bicycle riders should be sure to wear a helmet when they go out riding.
           The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (DOT HS 808 763 reprinted 9/1998) provides the following Ten Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety:
1. Protect Your Head. Wear A Helmet.
            Never ride a bicycle without a helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommend that bicyclists wear a helmet that complies with the CPSC standard. Bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by 85 percent. Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on the head. For children, use the extra padding that comes with the helmet to ensure a proper fit. This padding can be removed as the child’s head grows.
2. Assure Bicycle Readiness. Make Sure Your Bicycle is Adjusted Properly.
            Make sure you can stand over the top tube of your bicycle. Adjust your bicycle to fit you (see Owner’s Manual). Before using your bicycle, check to make sure all parts are secure and working well. The handlebars should be firmly in place and turn easily. Your wheels must be straight and secure. Add a carrier to the back of your bicycle if you need to carry things.
3. Stop It. Always Check Brakes Before Riding.
            Always control your speed by using your brakes. If your bicycle has hand brakes, apply the rear brake slightly before the front brake. Always keep your brakes adjusted. If you cannot stop quickly, adjust your brakes. Consult your Bicycle Owner’s Manual or have a bicycle shop adjust the brakes. When your hand brake levers are fully applied, they should not touch the handlebars. Each brake shoe pad should wear evenly and never be separated more than one eighth inch from the rim. Ride slowly in wet weather and apply your brakes earlier – it takes more distance to stop.
4. See and Be Seen.
            Wear clothes that make you more visible. Always wear neon, florescent, or other bright colors when riding a bicycle.
5. Avoid Biking At Night.
            It is far more dangerous to bicycle at night than during the day. Most bicycles are equipped for daylight use and need to be adapted for nighttime use. If you must ride at night, you should do the following:
            Ride with reflectors that meet CPSC’s requirements. These should be permanently installed on bicycles for daytime use also. If a carrier is added, make sure the                 rear reflector remains visible.
            Add the brightest lights you can find to the front and rear of your bicycle.
            Wear retro-reflective clothing or material – not just white or florescent – especially on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet.
            Only ride in areas familiar to you. Brightly lit streets are best. Always assume you are not seen by a driver.
Young children should NOT ride at night.
6. Stay Alert. Always Keep A Lookout for Obstacles in Your Path.
            Stay alert at all times. Watch out for potholes, cracks, expansion joints, railroad tracks, wet leaves, drainage grates, or anything that could make you fall. Before going around any object, scan ahead, and behind you for a gap in traffic. Plan your move, signal your intentions, and then do what you planned. If you are unsure, or lack the skill to handle an especially rough area, pull off to the right side of the road and walk your bicycle around the rough area. Be especially careful in wet weather and when there could be ice or frost on your path. Cross all railroad tracks at a 90 degree angle and proceed slowly. Use special care on bridges.
7. Go With The Flow. The Safe Way is The RIGHT Way.
            Ride on the right side in a straight predictable path. Always go single file in the same direction as other vehicles. Riding against traffic puts you where motorists don’t expect you. They may not see you, and may pull across your path, or turn into you. Young children, typically under the age of nine, are not able to identify and adjust to many dangerous traffic situations, and therefore, should not be allowed to ride in the street unsupervised. Children who are permitted to ride in the street without supervision should have the necessary skills to safely follow the “rules of the road.”
8. Check for Traffic. Always be Aware of The Traffic Around You.
            Over 70 percent of car-bicycle crashes occur at driveways or other intersections. Before you enter any street or intersection, check for traffic. Always look left-right-left, and walk your bicycle into the street to begin your ride. If already in the street, always look behind you for a break in traffic, then signal, before going left or right. Watch for left or right turning traffic.
9. Learn Rules of The Road. Obey Traffic Laws.
            Bicycles are considered vehicles. Bicyclists must obey the same rules as motorists. Read your State drivers’ handbook, and learn and follow all the traffic signs, laws, and rules for operating a vehicle on the road. Always signal your moves. Be courteous to pedestrians and other vehicle operators. Never wear headphones while riding as they impair your ability to hear traffic. Become familiar with the accommodations that are available for bicyclists in your area. These include bicycle lanes and routes as well as off road paths. Take advantage of these whenever possible.
10. Don’t Flip Over Your Bicycle. Wheels Should Be Securely Fastened.
            If your bicycle has quick release wheels, it is your responsibility to make sure they are firmly closed at all times and to use the safety retainer if there is one. Check your wheels before every ride, after any fall, or after transporting your bicycle. Read your Owner’s Manual for instructions and follow them. If you are even slightly confused about what “firmly closed” means, talk to your bicycle dealer before you ride your bicycle.
            The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission cautions us to remember to read our bicycle owner’s manual thoroughly before operating our bicycle and to consult our State Department of Motor Vehicles for more information on safety and rules of the road,.
            In Loving Family we follow the Ten Smart Routes to Bicycle Safety provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission. When riding a bicycle we always wear a helmet to protect our head; assure bicycle readiness by making sure our bicycle is adjusted properly; stop and check our brakes before riding; see and be seen; avoid biking at night; stay alert and always keep a  lookout for obstacles in our path; go with the flow--the safe way is the RIGHT way; always check for traffic; learn the rules of  the road and obey traffic laws; don’t flip over our bicycle and we make sure our wheels are securely fastened.
            When riding a bicycle, we observe all the "rules of the road" that apply to drivers, such as riding in the same direction as traffic, signaling when turning, and obeying traffic signs. We wear bright retro-reflective clothing or material, and we put rear and side reflectors and a front light on our bicycles. We keep bicycles in good repair, and we check brakes and tire pressure often. We look for an ANSI or Snell Memorial Foundation tag when shopping for a helmet and we make sure the helmet is approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). We purchase bicycles for our children only if they are old enough to keep a bike in good shape and there are safe places to ride a bike. We make certain our children get proper instruction in bicycle safety before being permitted to ride in traffic. We never permit our young children to ride a bicycle at night. When buying a child a bicycle, we avoid hand brakes that are too large for small hands, gear shifts mounted too far back, sissy bars protruding from behind the seat that makes dismounting difficult, and a small front wheel that makes the bike hard to steer. We equip our child's bicycle for maximum safety with headlight, taillight, warning bell, chain guard, and coaster brake. We do not allow children to ride a bicycle without wearing a helmet that complies with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). If children are bicycle passengers, we make certain they ride in an appropriate child carrier. We allow older children to ride minibikes only if the bike is properly equipped and the rider is licensed. We make certain the rider of a minibike wears a helmet and goggles and avoids riding on loose gravel or on wet or slippery pavement.

            Skateboards.  According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Publication 93), more than 104,000 persons were treated in hospital emergency rooms in the year 2001, with skateboard related injuries. Sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions were the most common types of injuries. Deaths due to collisions with cars and from falls also are reported. Several factors, including risky stunts and irregular riding surfaces like steps, ramps and railings, are often involved in these incidents. Most of the emergency room reported injuries were to adolescents and young adults.
            Before riding, skateboarders should screen the area where they will be riding by checking for holes, bumps, rocks and any debris. Areas set aside especially for skateboarding generally have smoother riding surfaces. Skateboarding in the street can result in collisions with cars causing serious injury and even death. Before using their boards, riders should check them for hazards, such as loose, broken, or cracked parts; sharp edges on metal boards; slippery top surface; and wheels with nicks and cracks. Serious defects should be corrected by a qualified repair technician. Protective gear, such as helmets, wristguards, and elbow and knee pads, is recommended because it can reduce the number and severity of injuries.
            The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following suggestions for safe skateboarding:
                Never ride in the street.
                Don't take chances:
                Complicated tricks require careful practice and a specially designed area
                Only one person per skateboard
                Never grab onto a car, bus, truck or bicycle.
                Learning how to fall helps reduce your chances of being seriously injured.
                If you are losing your balance, crouch down on the skateboard so that you will not have so far to fall.
                In a fall, try to land on the fleshy parts of your body.
                If you fall, try to roll rather than absorb the force with your arms.
                Even though it may be difficult, during a fall try to relax your body, rather than stiffen.
            In Loving Family, we instruct older children who skateboard of the following: not to skateboard on public streets or driveways that incline into the street; not to take chances; not to grab onto a car or any other moving vehicle; to use only skateboard parks or paved surfaces that are free of holes, bumps, cracks and debris; to wear tennis shoes or shoes with nonslip soles; to wear elbow pads, arm pads, knee pads, wristguards, and helmets; to emphasize control of the skateboard and not speed; to check the skateboard before use to be certain the skateboard is in good repair, that the skateboard is not broken or cracked, and that the wheels are not loose or damaged;  to ride only one person per skateboard; and we teach our skateboarders the correct way to fall to reduce their chances of being seriously injured.

            Boats. "Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat (Luke 5:3). We always check the weather forecast before going boating, and we stay ashore if poor weather conditions are indicated. We do not tow a water skier when we are alone because we cannot look ahead and watch the skier at the same time. We keep an approved fire extinguisher aboard in case of fire. We never sit on the bow of a small boat or allow children to set on the bow. We never overload the boat. We always make sure that each person aboard has and wears a lifejacket to protect against drowning in case of an accident. We make certain our children wear life preservers at all times when on the boat. We do not operate a boat unless we receive basic boating safety instruction and education and we never allow our children or adolescents to operate a boat unless they receive basic boating safety instruction and education. Since alcohol and drug use impair judgment, we never operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to prevent accidents and death from occurring when operating a boat.
            B.M. Salerno, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, 7/17/2006, provides important information about the use of lifejackets to reduce the number of boating fatalities due to drowning. Coast Guard regulations require that each recreational boat be equipped with an appropriate lifejacket/personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. Many states have established laws or regulations further requiring that children, water-skiers, persons being towed behind a recreational vessel, and riders on personal watercraft wear appropriate lifejackets/PFD's. Coast Guard regulations passed in June 2002 require boaters to wear lifejackets/PFD's, specifically children under thirteen years of age. The proximate cause of death in over 70% of all boating accidents each year is drowning and approximately 85% of the drowning involve victims who were not wearing lifejackets/PFD's at the time of the drowning. The Coast Guard strongly encourages lifejacket/PFD wear at all times particularly those aboard a vessel less than 21 feet in length in order to increase their survival in a boating incident and unexpected entry into the water. Studies show that lifejacket/PFD wear by adults on open motorboats, rowboats, and canoes less than 21 feet in length is minimal and there is a need to increase the wear rate of lifejackets/PFD's among the boating public to reduce the number of boating fatalities due to drowning.
            B.M. Salerno, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, 7/17/2006, also provides important information about the use of personal watercraft (PWC) in accidents involving children and adolescents when compared to other types of recreational vessels. There is an upward trend in the number of personal watercraft (PWC) in accidents involving children and adolescents when compared to other types of recreational vessels. While the overall number of PWC in accidents and resulting injuries have shown a remarkable downward trend since 1996, children and adolescents are injured with greater frequency riding PWC when compared to other types of recreational vessels. In one year 112 children under the age of 12 were injured on PWC. Lack of experience and excessive speed caused 60% of the accidents when the operator was less than 12 years of age. 20% of these were operators in violation of State laws and manufacturers' recommendations. 80% of these operators did not have formal training, and most PWC accidents occur in the first 20 hours of operation. Current estimates show over 1.48 million PWC are in use with an annual rider-ship of over twenty million Americans. Currently the majority of the States and Territories have adopted laws specifically aimed at PWC operation and address one or more of the following: mandatory lifejacket wear, minimum operator age, prohibition of night operation, and prohibition of unsafe operation such as wake jumping within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake, weaving through congested traffic, excessive speed, and operation too close to another vessel. The Coast Guard strongly advocates basic boating safety instruction and education, especially for children, before riding a PWC. Supervising adults should be aware of all manufacturers' recommendations and local laws concerning PWC use by children. The Coast Guard further recommends that rental businesses provide basic boating safety instruction and education on the safe and prudent operation of the PWC or require proof of prior eduction before renting to anyone, and require renters to wear a personal flotation device (lifejacket).
            B.M. Salerno, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, 7/17/2006, also provides important information about the use of alcohol in recreational boating. The Coast Guard believes that alcohol involvement in recreational boating accidents is under-reported and remains a significant factor in recreational boating accidents and deaths. Although fatalities have continued to show a downward trend, the number of fatal accidents reporting alcohol use as a primary contributing factor has remained constant at 16% of all fatalities. The Coast Guard published a final rule on 12/14/87 that established behavioral standards of intoxication, chemical standards of intoxication by blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10% for recreational vessel operators, and an implied consent provision. On 5/11/01, the rule revising the Federal BAC standard for recreational vessel operators from .10 to .08% became effective. The rulemaking also adopted any State BAC standard of intoxication that varied from the Federal BAC standard. In 1987 only 21 states defined "intoxication" or "under the influence" by BAC. Today all 56 State and Territorial jurisdictions have Boating Under The Influence (BUI) laws, and 33 have adopted a BAC standard for intoxicated operation at .08%. Section 46 U.S.C. 13101encourages uniformity in boating safety efforts, which would foster better cooperation and reciprocity between Federal, State, and local enforcement agencies and help ensure uniform enforcement of laws across all bodies of water, regardless of jurisdiction.

            Kidnapping. "So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive" (1 Samuel 30:3). To protect children from disappearance and abuse, we have them fingerprinted, and we keep the cards readily available with pictures and descriptions updated every six months. We teach children their telephone number, area code, and address, and we show children how to dial 9-1-1, and we tell them what to say. We supervise our children at all times, and we never let them go into a public restroom alone or leave them in the car alone. We do not put our child's name on hats, caps, jackets, bikes, wagons, etc., because our child will respond to a person using that name and not be fearful. We teach children to avoid strangers, and we do not leave children in the toy section of a store or wandering about a mall. We tell children to go to the cashier, security guard, or police if they should get lost or bothered in a store. We know our children's friends, and we are involved in our children's activities. We make it clear to our children whose home they may go to play or visit and whose home is off limits. We listen to our children if they do not want to be with someone, and we find out the reason why. We notice if someone pays undue attention to our children, and we talk with that person and find out the reason why. We maintain good communication with our children, and we let them know that if they are ever lost or kidnapped, we will look for them no matter how long it takes to find them. We organize safe houses in our neighborhood with signs in the windows, and we teach our children to go to a safe house in an emergency or if they are afraid.

            Halloween. "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease" (Genesis 8:22).

            Halloween has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain, the Christian holy day of All Saints’ Day, and in the Christian holy day of All Souls’ Day. According to www.history.com, Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31, they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter. To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.
            By A.D. 43, Romans had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of "bobbing" for apples that is practiced today on Halloween.
            By the 800s, the influence of Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. In the seventh century, Pope Boniface IV designated November 1 All Saints' Day, a time to honor saints and martyrs. It is widely believed today that the pope was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, but church-sanctioned holiday. The celebration was also called All-hallows or All-hallowmas (from Middle English Alholowmesse meaning All Saints' Day) and the night before it, the night of Samhain, began to be called All-hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween. Even later, in A.D. 1000, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas.

            The Consumer Product Safety Commission (Halloween Safety: Safety Alert CPSC Document #100) provides the following important information about Halloween safety to protect children who go trick-or-treating on Halloween:

A few safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission can protect children who plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Treats: Warn children not to eat any treats before an adult has carefully examined them for evidence of tampering.

Flame resistant Costumes: When purchasing a costume, masks, beards, and wigs, look for the label Flame resistant. Although this label does not mean these items won't catch fire, it does indicate the items will resist burning and should extinguish quickly once removed from the ignition source. To minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition, avoid costumes made with flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts.

Costume Designs: Purchase or make costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.

• For greater visibility during dusk and darkness, decorate or trim costumes with reflective tape that will glow in the beam of a car's headlights. Bags or sacks should also be light colored or decorated with reflective tape. Reflective tape is usually available in hardware, bicycle, and sporting goods stores.
• To easily see and be seen, children should also carry flashlights.
• Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
• Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes . Mother' s high heels are not a good idea for safe walking.
• Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
• Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose-fitting mask that might restrict breathing or obscure vision. If a mask is used, however, make sure it fits securely and has eyeholes large enough to allow full vision.
• Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft and flexible material.

Pedestrian Safety: Young children should always be accompanied by an adult or an older, responsible child. All children should WALK, not run from house to house and use the sidewalk if available, rather than walk in the street. Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clotheslines present dangers.

Choosing Safe Houses: Children should go only to homes where the residents are known and have outside lights on as a sign of welcome.

• Children should not enter homes or apartments unless they are accompanied by an adult.
• People expecting trick-or-treaters should remove anything that could be an obstacle from lawns, steps and porches. Candlelit jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from landings and doorsteps where costumes could brush against the flame. Indoor jack-o'-lanterns should be kept away from curtains, decorations, and other furnishings that could be ignited.

            Many churches offer children and teens a autumn harvest party with a Christian theme as an alternative activity to trick or treating. We seek out church based Christian alternatives to trick or treating whenever possible. If we allow our children to go trick or treating we are cautious so our children can have a safe trick or treating experience. During Halloween, we do not allow children to eat treats collected until we have checked the treats carefully. We accompany our children when they trick or treat. We do not allow our children to go into any stranger's home, and we avoid the homes of anyone known to be intolerant of children. We provide our children with flashlights, and we sew bright reflective tapes on their costumes to increase visibility and prevent accidental injury on roads or streets. We remind our children of basic safety rules when crossing streets. We provide our children with costumes that are fire-resistant and short enough to prevent tripping. We make certain our children's masks and facial disguises do not restrict their vision or breathing. We also offer to throw our children a fun home party as an alternative to collecting treats.

PART THREE

THE LOVING FAMILY

♥

OVERVIEW OF

CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES

            "This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground; but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground. And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold. And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." And the LORD God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

            Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed." (Genesis 2: 4-25; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

            "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then He allowed him. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3: 13-17; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

            "And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him--from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan." (Matthew 4: 23-25; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

          Jesus healed ten men who suffered from leprosy:

            “Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
(Luke 17:11-19)

            Jesus is motivated to do good by healing those who are ill. Jesus gave His disciples power to heal and He expects His followers to help others to recover. If you believe in Jesus, He will give you power to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. Jesus will even give you power to cast out demons if you pray and fast. Jesus understood that we must do something good after we are awake in Him otherwise our motivation will lead us only to build castles in the air. True healers of Christ manifest their belief in the healing of others.
            Charlatans parade themselves as healers but their patients die instead of recovering. Quacks kill their patients with empirical procedures making noisy and showy pretenses to knowledge and ability but they are only fraudulent fakers. You do not need a M.D. after your name to heal others. You only need faith in the healing power of Jesus. Through faith we can help the hungry to recover by providing food, the homeless to recover from cold by providing shelter and warm clothing, and the hopeless to recover by being a good friend.
            If you are ill and you want to recover you must seek the Lord. Do not look for healing where it is not to be found. Do not expect physicians to heal you. You will die in your illness if you do not seek healing from the Lord. Healing may come from the Lord through a good physician who is a M.D. but if you want to recover you must seek healing from the Lord.
            A good physician is a priest of God and a holy instrument for healing. A good physician is called by the Lord for His higher purpose. A good physician delivers those who are suffering unto the Lord. A good physician understands that only the Lord can cure a fever, open the eyes of the blind, unstop the ears of the deaf, make the lame to run and leap, and cause the tongue of dumb to speak intelligently. A holy priest of the Lord has compassion on those who are suffering; a good healer will heal when healing is needed and will not make the sick wait. A good healer will always ask the sick person if they want to be made well before attempting a healing. A person must want recovery before they can be helped. Any attempt to heal someone of an affliction before the person is ready will only result in a worsening of the condition. There are many reasons why someone might choose illness over health. As a healer, you must be careful not to cause additional harm by forcing an unwanted healing.
            There is a balm in Gilead and Jesus is His name. Jesus is the only true physician who can bring recovery and health to all His people. If you are looking for healing seek the Lord and you will be healed. Take the balm from Gilead and be cured. Turn away from the vain use of many medications without faith. Only Jesus can cast out demon-possessed spirits with just a word. Jesus can bear our illnesses and heal those who are sick. Jesus has the power to forgive our sins and raise us from our sick beds. Jesus can wake up those who are sleeping and He can bring the dead and the dying back to life. Reach out and take the hand of Jesus and you will recover from your disease. The healing touch of Jesus can heal the multitudes of all who are afflicted. Jesus only requires that we have faith and that we believe in Him. Jesus can do no mighty work of healing where there is only unbelief. Reach out and believe in the power of the healing touch of Jesus. Jesus will bless you if you are not offended because of Him.
            When Jesus heals you be sure to give God the glory. Don’t attribute your healing to yourself or to some other person, place, or treatment. Humbly fall on your knees and give God thanks. Sickness is for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified when there is healing.
            We are the body of Christ and members of His holy church individually. God has given each one of us a particular gift and calling. In His church some are called to be apostles, others prophets, teachers, miracle workers, healers, helpers, administrators, and speakers. We should earnestly desire the best of gifts. Yet, Jesus shows us a more excellent way, the way of love. No matter what your particular gift or calling, do it with love.
            The Lord’s grace is sufficient for each one of us and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. None of us are perfect and none of us can boast except when we surrender to God in our weakness. We are all just miserable sinners in need of the Lord’s healing love. When we suffer we should pray. When we are joyful we should sing. When we are sick we should seek the Lord’s healing and our healers should pray for us in love so we can be healed by love. Don’t be like the nine lepers who failed to give thanks when they were healed. Be the one leper who returns to Jesus. With a loud voice glorify God in heaven. Fall down at the feet of Jesus and give Jesus your loving thanks.

            Jesus could bring those who died back to life with the touch of His hand and with His word:

            "Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man. I say to you, arise." So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen up among us"; and, "God has visited His people." And his report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region." (Luke 7: 11-17; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).   

            "Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. (Mark 6: 45-51; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

             With very little food, Jesus could feed multitudes of people until they had plenty to eat and they were full:

             Jesus also instructs us how to pray and that we should pray simply. He states the following:

            Faith. Jesus wants us to have faith in God and to believe so that everything we ask for and pray for will be ours:
           
            "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:22-24; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

            What do you want? Do you want good health? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for good health in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have good health. Live as though you are healthy. Eat good food, drink good water, and exercise. Use your good health only to save life. Never use your good health for destroying life. Enjoy God’s gift of good health now and forever. Thank God for good health and stop giving all of your money to doctors, hospitals, and drug companies!
            Do you want a good education? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for a good education in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you are as smart as anyone else. Register for classes, pay your fees, attend classes regularly, study hard, do all your assignments, and hang your diploma proudly up on your wall. Use your good education only to save life. Never use your education for destroying life. Enjoy God’s gift of intelligence now and forever. Thank God for your good education and stop acting like you are dumb and stupid.
            Do you want a good job? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for a good job in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have a good job. Live as though you have a good job. Develop your talent. Do work that you like doing. Show up for work every day. Do the best job you can do. Use your good job only to save life. Never use your job for destroying life. Enjoy God’s gift of a good job now and forever. Thank God for your good job and stop dreading poverty.
            Do you want good friends. No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for good friends in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have good friends. Live as though you have good friends. Be a good friend and a good neighbor. Use your good friendships only for saving life, Never use your friendships for destroying life. Enjoy God’s gift of good friendships now and forever. Thank God for your good friends and stop making enemies.
            Do you want family harmony? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for family harmony in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have family harmony. Live as though you have family harmony. Kiss your spouse. Hug your children. Spend time with your family eating meals and having fun. Enjoy God’s gift of family harmony now and forever. Thank God for family harmony and stop arguing with your family members!
            Do you want world peace? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for world peace in the holy name of Jesus during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have world peace. Live as though you are peaceful. Be still. Meditate on the wind blowing through the trees. Hear the waves splashing on the shore. Listen to the song of the birds in the early morning. Rest in the big hand of God. Enjoy God’s gift of world peace now and forever. Thank God for world peace and stop killing.
            Do you want eternal life? No problem. Accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Ask God for eternal life during quiet times of prayer. Believe that you have eternal life. Live as though you are eternal. Love your neighbor as yourself. Enjoy God’s gift of eternal life now and forever. Thank God for eternity and stop thinking about dying. If you can believe in the eternal, all things are possible to those who believe.

            "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they have not hurt me..." (Daniel 6:22)

   Some may say that Daniel was nothing but a dreamer but Daniel, be what he may, can be counted  with the men  of great faith, along with his friends, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach), and Azariah (Abed-Nego).
    Daniel prayed every day and he worked hard for King Darius. Daniel found favor with King Darius until Daniel's jealous enemies decided to bring dear Daniel down by passing a law declaring death to anyone who prayed. Now King Darius was not a man of great faith and he placed man's law above God's law. King Darius listened to the angry crowd instead of  listening to God and he decided that Daniel must be put to death because he broke man's law by continuing to pray. King Darius liked Daniel and he did not really want him to die but he ordered his men to take Daniel to the lions den where hungry lions waited for their next prey. Daniel put his trust in God and he prayed for God to send help. God loved Daniel because he was a man of great faith so God answered Daniel's prayer by sending him an angel who protected him by shutting the lions' hungry mouths. King Darius was astonished when he returned to the lions den and found that Daniel was still alive. King Darius was glad to find that Daniel was still alive and he commanded that Daniel should be taken out of the lions den. King Darius then commanded that the men who accused Daniel be cast into the lions den and so they were. Daniel's accusers lacked faith and so the lions made a meal of them before they even reached the bottom of the den. King Darius was so impressed by Daniel's great faith that he made a decree that in every dominion of his kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel for He is the living God and His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed.
    Likewise, King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace because they refused to serve his gods or worship the gold image he set up. King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished when he saw a fourth man who appeared to be the Son of God in the burning fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego and that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were not hurt. King Nebuchadnezzar then asked Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to come out of the fire so the king's counselors could see that the fire had no power over them. King Nebuchadnezzar then blessed their God and he made a decree that no one could ever speak against their God because no other God could deliver like the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego.
    Jesus, of course, was King of all men of great faith. Who else but the Son of God himself could have faith so great to give Himself as a living sacrifice so that all sinners who put their faith in Him could be counted worthy to live with Him in His resurrection.
    Imagine what the world would be like if all men and women put their faith in Jesus. Imagine that we are all one in Jesus.  Imagine a world of peace, love, and wisdom. Imagine that everything can change in just a twinkling of the eye. Imagine seeing only Jesus. Imagine heaven on earth. Imagine spending an eternity with only Jesus. Dare to be counted with the men and women of great faith. Dare to put your faith in God and accept His beloved Son Jesus.

            “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.” (Luke 12:22-23)

            As time marches on it is good to remember that a year can only be lived one day at a time, and a day can only be lived one hour, one minute, and one second at a time. If we spend our time worrying about what will happen later today or tomorrow or next year we deplete our energy making it difficult to accomplish the task at hand. We must all make decisions about how we will spend the time on earth that God has given us to live. Will we face each day worrying about trouble that may not even occur or will we face each day confident that God will provide the resources necessary to do the work He has given us to do?
            In the beginning when God created the earth He divided the light from the darkness. God called the light day and He called the darkness night. During the day we do our work and we face life’s many challenges. We must interact with others who think and believe differently than we do in order to accomplish our work. Getting along with our adversaries while standing our own ground is always a challenge. During the night we rest from our work and we gather strength to face yet another day.
            To live with confidence we must turn to the Lord and give our life as an offering each and every day. We must ask for our faith to be strengthened and seek knowledge of His will for us each day. We must trust that the Lord will prepare a way for us even when no way is readily apparent. If we spend our moments loving others time will pass quickly and joyously. A moment spent in strife and anger can seem like an eternity in hell. Yet, only God controls time and only God can save us from our enemies. How much better to live each moment in love than to wish morning was night and night was already day! How much better it is to seek the Lord both night and day!
            Even those who are on a long pilgrimage can tread time in love by seeking the Lord. Are you chained to a job that saps your pride and dignity? Seek out the Lord. Are you a young mother with small children at home facing many more years of child rearing ahead?  Seek out the Lord. Does your high school graduation seem like a very long way away? Seek out the Lord. Are you just starting college with a head full of dreams facing years of study and hard work? Seek out the Lord. Are you a young priest or nun with raging hormones yet devoted to the Lord’s service but facing a lifetime of celibacy? Seek out the Lord. Are you facing a long prison sentence? Seek out the Lord. Are you nearing retirement and wonder if you will be able to work to your full retirement age so you will have enough money to live? Seek out the Lord. Are you already retired with the realization that your life is drawing to a close? Seek out the Lord. Each of us in our own way are on a long pilgrimage. Our days on earth are numbered and they pass like a shadow. One generation passes while handing off the torch to the next generation as it comes. Each one of us can only endure our time on earth by turning to the Lord and living a life of love in the Lord’s service. God knows all time yet we know only our present moment. We can only obtain the bliss of eternity by living a life of love according to His Word.
            On earth we find comfort in what is familiar. We cherish our memories about the good old days and cling to joyful moments lived in the past. Yet, if we were honest with ourselves and each other we would admit that the good old days had trouble a plenty and they  were not so grand as we like to think. When we spend time glorifying our past we only end up diminishing our present. It is in our best interest to stay focused on the present so we can experience each moment lived so life does not pass us by. On the day when the Son of Man is revealed we do not want to miss the mark because we were too busy living in the past or too busy worrying about the future. We can not know what will happen tomorrow so why should we waste our time worrying about what might happen. We must stay awake in the present moment so the Lord does not pass us by because we were too busy dreaming. We must be like the infirm man who waited by the pool in Bethesda for 38 years before the Lord arrived and healed him by telling him to rise and take up his bed and walk.
            As our bodies age we must not lose heart as we continue to nourish our spiritual inner life. We must have faith that our old earthly bodies are only temporary and what is eternal is currently blocked from our view.  In the twinkling of an eye we will be renewed as we receive our glorious heavenly bodies. If we listen for the Lord today and always we will never lose heart. Even when confronted with evil we must listen for the timeless voice of the Lord. The wrath of Satan is great because Satan knows he only has a short time to get us while we are on earth. If we persevere for only a short time the Lord will claim us as His own for all time. While we remain on earth time can be short and time can be long but God’s love for us is always eternal. 

            The Problem of Evil. “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.  So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’” (Matthew 13:24-30)

            We must confront evil as a force within ourselves and as a force outside ourselves as well. It was Satan who entered Judas and caused him to betray Jesus with a kiss. People can be filled with evil and that is a fact with which we must contend. Some of us are more evil than others. Those who are evil to the highest degree give every intention of their thoughts and hearts to evil continually. No good can be found in those who are continually evil. Most of us have both good and evil and we must fight the good fight within ourselves to keep good in control since we were born with a sinful nature. Good remains stronger than evil when we put our faith in God. If we hate evil and persevere in faith God will bless us and protect us from the curse of evil.
            God, creator of all, created both good and evil to use for His purpose. It is the Lord who turns the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers. God can also allow our hearts to be hardened and permit us to stray from His ways. God can fill us with a distressing spirit that troubles us just as He can fill us with a peaceful spirit that provides a sense of security and well-being.
            There are times that the Lord will permit us to act outside established traditions so that His will can be put into effect. Sometimes God will let certain desires to be put into our hearts to fulfill His purpose so we can be of one mind. It was the Lord at work when Samson went against established tradition and chose a wife from the Philistines. The Lord was seeking an occasion to move against the Philistines who had dominion over Israel at that time and He found such an occasion when Samson married the Philistine woman.
            God will permit a lying spirit to be put into our mouth if someone must be persuaded to act according to His will. It was the Lord who permitted a lying spirit to fill the mouths of Ahab’s prophets so that Ahab would fall at Ramoth Gilead so the Lord could avenge the blood of His servants at the hand of Jezebel. It was the Lord that permitted Simon to be delivered to Satan to be sifted as wheat so Simon could strengthen his brethren when he returned to the Lord.
            The Lord allows Satan to have his way with us so we can learn the difference between what is good and what is evil when we are drawn away from Him by our own desires. God has given us free will because He wants us to love Him willingly and He wants us to willingly choose good over evil.
            God does not permit evil to triumph over good indefinitely. Those who act with evil intention find joy for only a brief while. When confronted with evil we should stand firm in faith and not return evil for evil. When we are provoked, we should rise above the evil doer and wait on the Lord. We should choose our battles carefully and save our strength to fight the good fight. If we love what is good and hate what is evil the Lord will bless us with happiness.
            We should be careful to discern between evil intention and careless human error so we do not attribute evil to folly. Better to give someone the benefit of the doubt until that person has proven to you time and again that his or her intentions are mostly evil. How evil is it really when someone cuts you off in traffic?  Is it really worth engaging in road rage putting you and others at risk of an accident? Better to take a deep breath and slow down. How evil is it really when someone cuts in line in front of you at the grocery store? You might feel like you want to give the person a verbal lashing but better to keep your peace and not make a public spectacle of yourself. How evil is it really if your spouse forgets to drop off your suit at the cleaners? Better to take care of it yourself than to put your marriage at risk by indignantly insisting that you are in the right and your spouse is in the wrong. How evil is it really if your child steals a candy bar from the corner store? Better to take the theft as an opportunity for a lesson and inform the child that the candy bar must be returned than to brandish the child forever as an evil doer.
            What is crucial is that we are vigilant concerning our own intentions. We should continuously monitor our own thoughts and actions to make sure we are not acting and thinking from evil intention. The way to life eternal will never be found by those who choose evil rather than good. Troublemakers and liars only bring trouble onto themselves. God hates liars, murderers, the perverse, the proud and arrogant, those who devise and run to evil, and those who sow discord. God does not tolerate those who rage against Him. Evil doers die in the presence of God. We must guard against trusting in our own evil and avoid getting warped by our own wisdom and knowledge. We must never think that we are the only person who is important. God can cause us to fall if we slip back into evil. We must always remember that Jesus came to destroy the works of Satan not to propagate them and that in Him there is no sin.
            We must also guard against those who would try to trick and deceive us. We must seek to live  righteously and avoid sinful living. If we live righteously as a servant of the Lord, we can rest assured that the Lord will condemn those who deceitfully rise up against us. We can only know that a spirit is of God if the spirit confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. If the spirit does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh then the spirit is not of God. Let us strive to grow as good seed during our time on earth so the good Lord will gather us into His barn at the time of His good harvest.

            We follow the advice of Jesus so we can inherit eternal life.

            "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7: 12; Holy Bible, NKJV, 1982).

            For most of us, the natural inclination is to treat others as we have been treated rather than as we would like to be treated. We act as if inflicting pain and injustice onto others will somehow relieve our own suffering. We settle for vengeance and grudges rather than risk loving others as we would like to be loved. Too often we strike out in retaliation justifying our misdeeds with an "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" sort of logic. We like playing God even though our knowledge is limited. Yet, only God is God and only God knows the full picture and only God can justly inflict vengeance unto His good purpose. We conveniently forget that we cannot know for certainty why others behave as they do. Often the offenders do not even realize why they act as they do. Their reasons are often unconscious buried deeply beneath a lifetime of abuse and misuse. Still we prefer to control others rather than lend a helping hand. If we help others to dispel their inner demons we must of course first dispel our own inner demons. Just the thought of facing our own inner turmoil is more threatening than most of us can bear. Yet, the demons that loom so largely in darkness quietly vanish when the Lord shines His loving light.
            Many find it easier to love a stranger than to love close friends and family. A stranger is after all just a stranger. It is easier to maintain a safe distance with someone who is just passing through your life. Extending yourself to a stranger for a short period of time is much less threatening than extending yourself to someone you must interact with on a daily basis for an entire lifetime. We fear being manipulated by those close to us if we let our guard down so we prefer to build walls. We don't trust because we don't want our loved ones to take unfair advantage of us. And what are we really defending but our own sense of vulnerability. We are fearful of setting limits with our loved ones so we become miserly with our affection. We prefer to withdraw into silence than to be honest and say "no, I don't have the time to do that now" or "no, I don't have that to give".
            Others take undue advantage of a stranger. They pervert justice by swindling the poor, orphans, widows, and the disabled. They attack the tired and weary instead of offering rest and safe shelter. They fail to consider that when they shut their ears to the cry of the oppressed the Lord shuts His ears to their cries of distress. Not because the Lord is mean-spirited, but so He can lead us to fruitful action.
            How difficult we find it to return a lost wallet stuffed with a wad of fresh bills and a big pack of credit cards. The natural inclination is to pocket the wallet rather than returning the wallet to it's rightful owner. We justify keeping our find by mentally chanting "finders keepers". We don't stop to think how we would like to be treated if the lost wallet belonged to us. Instead of warning others we pass on the road of an impending danger, such as a rock slide ahead, we continue traveling on in the opposite direction, telling ourself that the others will find out about the road closure soon enough on their own.
            To grow spiritually, the Lord requires that we treat others as we would want to be treated. The Lord requires that we do good even when others reward us with only evil. The Lord requires that we give love even though others treat us hatefully. The Lord requires that we render to others more than according to their works. The Lord requires that we act with compassion and that we forgive others their debt. If we are rich in mercy to others, the Lord is richly merciful to us in return. If we fail to show mercy the Lord will deliver us to our tormentors until we learn the true meaning of forgiveness. If we judge others we will be judged until we choose to understand. The Lord wants us to grow in spirit so we do not bite and devour one another. Those who cause undue grief to others already suffer condemnation by the community. The suffering inflicted by the majority is sufficient and should not be too severe. As Christians, we should forgive and comfort our transgressors so they are not swallowed up with too much sorrow. We should reaffirm our love to our transgressors to keep evil from taking unfair advantage. If we always render evil for evil we will never understand what is good. If we seek only our own well-being we become limited individuals trapped in hell. By seeking the well-being of others, we become spiritual giants free to enter the community of saints for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.