Living for yourself (constantly doing things that only benefit you) is bad for your health (whatever kind of health: spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, or occupational). The worse thing is that as you keep doing it gets worse. You need to keep doing more engrossing, more exciting things to keep being satisfy with the things you do.
Spending your free time helping out your mom or dad, reisdent old person (geriatrics, grandparents) is good for you. Spending time working with geriatrics in your community (whether neighborhood or religious community), mentoring children, giving a helping hand and a listening (supportive) ear to your peers, are positive actions that mean something to everyone involved. It gives you a warm feeling (which you'll never know the worth of until you feel it) inside and a positive memory of yourself.
There are great volunteer oppurtunities. That abound in the DC area. One website that is good to start with is volunteermatch.org. They have some awesome oppurtunities to get involved in the DC area. Volunteering is for all ages (be above 14 to be above adult supervision).
oh yeah...
Volunteering provide oppurtunities to learn commitment and various (valuable) job skills. Also, volunteering/interning can provide openings to lucrative employment.
Earl Best and Omar Shabazz are two that give back to the community. Omar Shabazz works in the Prison Resource Center of Newark, New Jersey. Earl Best was one of the mentees of Shabazz and now tours the Jersey area speaking to youth and young adults dissuading them from a life of crime. Their efforts are worth more than either will ever be paid and they deserve as many awards as the human race can afford to give them (much props to them). Look em up, read of the difference they make, go out and make one of your own.
Volunteer!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Fashion
Genesis 1:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
As far as i have observed, fashion is a way of saying I'm ok. After all if i wear the same clothes i wore for the past three days something is wrong. If wear the same clothes i wore for the last for years a change is needed. We often refurse to wear the same thing or even the same color everyday. Yes this adhering to cultural norms. Clothes are a luxury... not a necessity to life. Clothes can be a (emotional, somewhat unconscious) form of communication. This form is God given. He was the first to make clothes from skin. His act was an act of mercy an act of grace that said "Though disobedient and fallen you have become I still love you." This act/offer of mercy we accept everyday (unless we are in a nudist colony and THAT is an entirely different post!).
Clothing was first God's act to alleviate our guilt and shame (not to remove sin). It has become away for us to communicate our hearts (the highpriest robes, sackloth of mourners, the red boots of Ceasar).
In all the arguments on what and what should not be worn by Christians (especially youth), lets not forget what clothes are there to do in the first place (cover our shame of KNOWING SIN from ourselves and others) and what it does now (communicates heart-sets and mindsets).
This is not the end all and be all for all arguments on holiness and fashion... just a note.
As far as i have observed, fashion is a way of saying I'm ok. After all if i wear the same clothes i wore for the past three days something is wrong. If wear the same clothes i wore for the last for years a change is needed. We often refurse to wear the same thing or even the same color everyday. Yes this adhering to cultural norms. Clothes are a luxury... not a necessity to life. Clothes can be a (emotional, somewhat unconscious) form of communication. This form is God given. He was the first to make clothes from skin. His act was an act of mercy an act of grace that said "Though disobedient and fallen you have become I still love you." This act/offer of mercy we accept everyday (unless we are in a nudist colony and THAT is an entirely different post!).
Clothing was first God's act to alleviate our guilt and shame (not to remove sin). It has become away for us to communicate our hearts (the highpriest robes, sackloth of mourners, the red boots of Ceasar).
In all the arguments on what and what should not be worn by Christians (especially youth), lets not forget what clothes are there to do in the first place (cover our shame of KNOWING SIN from ourselves and others) and what it does now (communicates heart-sets and mindsets).
This is not the end all and be all for all arguments on holiness and fashion... just a note.
To my Youth and Youth workers: From the Office fo the Surgeon General
These are facts and myths on youth violence.
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/facts.htm
Fact Sheet
At A Glance: Myths vs. Facts
The Surgeon General's report challenges a number of false notions and misinterpretations about youth violence and debunks myths about violence and violent youth.
Myth: The epidemic of violent behavior that marked the early 1990s is over, and young people - as well as the rest of society - are much safer today.
Fact: Although such key indicators of violence as arrest and victimization data clearly show significant reductions in violence since the peak of the epidemic in 1993, an equally important indicator warns against concluding that the problem is solved. Self-reports by youths reveal that involvement in some violent behaviors remains at 1993 levels.
Myth: Most future offenders can be identified in early childhood.
Fact: Exhibiting uncontrolled behavior or being diagnosed with a conduct disorder as a young child does not predetermine violence in adolescence. A majority of young people who become violent during their adolescent years were not highly aggressive or "out of control" in early childhood, and the majority of children with mental and behavioral disorders do not mature into violence.
Myth: Child abuse and neglect inevitably lead to violent behavior later in life.
Fact: Physical abuse and neglect are relatively weak predictors of violence. Most children who are abused or neglected will not become violent offenders during adolescence.
Myth: African American and Hispanic youths are more likely to become involved in violence than other racial or ethnic groups.
Fact: While there are racial and ethnic differences in homicide arrest rates, data from self-reports indicate that race and ethnicity have little bearing on the overall proportion of nonfatal violent behavior. There are also differences in the timing and continuity of violence over the life course, which account in part for the overrepresentation of these groups in U.S. jails and prisons.
Myth: A new, violent breed of young "super-predators" threatens the United States.
Fact: There is no evidence that young people involved in violence during the peak years of the early 1990s were more frequent or more vicious offenders than youths in earlier years. There is no scientific evidence to document the claim of increased seriousness or callousness.
Myth: Getting tough with juvenile offenders by trying them in adult criminal courts reduces the likelihood that they will commit more crimes.
Fact: Youths transferred to adult criminal court have significantly higher rates of re-offending and a greater likelihood of committing subsequent felonies than youths who remain in the juvenile justice system. They are also more likely to be victimized, physically and sexually.
Myth: Nothing works with respect to treating or preventing violent behavior.
Fact: A number of prevention and intervention programs that meet very high scientific standards of effectiveness have been identified.
Myth: In the 1990s, school violence affected mostly white students or students who attended suburban or rural schools.
Fact: African-American and Hispanic males attending large inner-city schools that serve very poor neighborhoods faced - and still face - the greatest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of a violent act at school. This is true despite the recent series of multiple shootings in suburban, middle-class white schools.
Myth: Weapons-related injuries in schools have increased dramatically in the last five years.
Fact: Weapons-related injuries have not changed significantly in the past 20 years. Overall, schools - in comparison to other environments, including neighborhoods and homes - are relatively safe places for young people.
Myth: Most violent youths will end up being arrested for a violent crime.
Fact: Most youths involved in violent behavior will never be arrested for a violent crime
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/youthviolence/facts.htm
Fact Sheet
At A Glance: Myths vs. Facts
The Surgeon General's report challenges a number of false notions and misinterpretations about youth violence and debunks myths about violence and violent youth.
Myth: The epidemic of violent behavior that marked the early 1990s is over, and young people - as well as the rest of society - are much safer today.
Fact: Although such key indicators of violence as arrest and victimization data clearly show significant reductions in violence since the peak of the epidemic in 1993, an equally important indicator warns against concluding that the problem is solved. Self-reports by youths reveal that involvement in some violent behaviors remains at 1993 levels.
Myth: Most future offenders can be identified in early childhood.
Fact: Exhibiting uncontrolled behavior or being diagnosed with a conduct disorder as a young child does not predetermine violence in adolescence. A majority of young people who become violent during their adolescent years were not highly aggressive or "out of control" in early childhood, and the majority of children with mental and behavioral disorders do not mature into violence.
Myth: Child abuse and neglect inevitably lead to violent behavior later in life.
Fact: Physical abuse and neglect are relatively weak predictors of violence. Most children who are abused or neglected will not become violent offenders during adolescence.
Myth: African American and Hispanic youths are more likely to become involved in violence than other racial or ethnic groups.
Fact: While there are racial and ethnic differences in homicide arrest rates, data from self-reports indicate that race and ethnicity have little bearing on the overall proportion of nonfatal violent behavior. There are also differences in the timing and continuity of violence over the life course, which account in part for the overrepresentation of these groups in U.S. jails and prisons.
Myth: A new, violent breed of young "super-predators" threatens the United States.
Fact: There is no evidence that young people involved in violence during the peak years of the early 1990s were more frequent or more vicious offenders than youths in earlier years. There is no scientific evidence to document the claim of increased seriousness or callousness.
Myth: Getting tough with juvenile offenders by trying them in adult criminal courts reduces the likelihood that they will commit more crimes.
Fact: Youths transferred to adult criminal court have significantly higher rates of re-offending and a greater likelihood of committing subsequent felonies than youths who remain in the juvenile justice system. They are also more likely to be victimized, physically and sexually.
Myth: Nothing works with respect to treating or preventing violent behavior.
Fact: A number of prevention and intervention programs that meet very high scientific standards of effectiveness have been identified.
Myth: In the 1990s, school violence affected mostly white students or students who attended suburban or rural schools.
Fact: African-American and Hispanic males attending large inner-city schools that serve very poor neighborhoods faced - and still face - the greatest risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of a violent act at school. This is true despite the recent series of multiple shootings in suburban, middle-class white schools.
Myth: Weapons-related injuries in schools have increased dramatically in the last five years.
Fact: Weapons-related injuries have not changed significantly in the past 20 years. Overall, schools - in comparison to other environments, including neighborhoods and homes - are relatively safe places for young people.
Myth: Most violent youths will end up being arrested for a violent crime.
Fact: Most youths involved in violent behavior will never be arrested for a violent crime
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
For the Poor...
America has poor people.
As of 2006 according to the American Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p60-233.pdf), there are 36.5 billion people who are under poverty.
The world in general has poor people.
America is part of a global economy.
An economy that happens to include human trafficking.
If America would stop unfair trade practices like:
subsidies on rice and corn that make it nearly impossible for poor farmers in under-developed countries to support themselves;
and tariffs that make it harder for the poor of America to buy necessities like clothes and shoes,
maybe poor people in America would not be as poor, maybe poor people in South America and West Africa would not be so poor that they would sell their children into modern slaves (some of whom end up serving in America), maybe the less fortunate of America would not have to compete against slave wage and slave labor. Maybe America would not suffer from so much hate from country that have been economically abused by America's practices.
Maybe...
All in all slavery has not stopped. It has gone underground. It is now called human traficking. Some (like 48 hours...http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/12/48hours/main708481_page2.shtml) say that human traficking is a billion dollar industry.
Efforts are being made to end traficking. More efforts (and sacrifices) must be made in order for this form of slavery to end. Though, Slavery might (more than likely will) shift to a different form that doesn't we shouldn't fight it. Wrong is wrong... right is still right... honoring God as individuals and as a nation is still what matters.
As of 2006 according to the American Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p60-233.pdf), there are 36.5 billion people who are under poverty.
The world in general has poor people.
America is part of a global economy.
An economy that happens to include human trafficking.
If America would stop unfair trade practices like:
subsidies on rice and corn that make it nearly impossible for poor farmers in under-developed countries to support themselves;
and tariffs that make it harder for the poor of America to buy necessities like clothes and shoes,
maybe poor people in America would not be as poor, maybe poor people in South America and West Africa would not be so poor that they would sell their children into modern slaves (some of whom end up serving in America), maybe the less fortunate of America would not have to compete against slave wage and slave labor. Maybe America would not suffer from so much hate from country that have been economically abused by America's practices.
Maybe...
All in all slavery has not stopped. It has gone underground. It is now called human traficking. Some (like 48 hours...http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/12/48hours/main708481_page2.shtml) say that human traficking is a billion dollar industry.
Efforts are being made to end traficking. More efforts (and sacrifices) must be made in order for this form of slavery to end. Though, Slavery might (more than likely will) shift to a different form that doesn't we shouldn't fight it. Wrong is wrong... right is still right... honoring God as individuals and as a nation is still what matters.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
To The Leaders of Africa
I just recently read of the problems that are going on in Somalia. I read of the reported death (maybe house arrest) of Vincent Otti at the hands Joseph Kony. To leaders of the rebellions of Africa: Please do not fight for a country that you do not seek to adequately rule. Do not take up arms to end injustice if you have no real plans to administer justice to the people. Millions of people are dying because of bad governments and even worse rebellions that do nothing but murder and loot. God has created positions of leadership for the good of the people, don't dishonor that by seeking only your gain or the gain of your own people in open rebellion. If you do a rebellion do the hard and responsible job of being able to create and administer a government in the interest of the entire civilian population and not just a privileged few.
1Peter 2:13-14 (what is expected of a government concerning justice)
Ezekiel 22 (Biblical reasons why Israel was punished and then disbanded)
1Peter 2:13-14 (what is expected of a government concerning justice)
Ezekiel 22 (Biblical reasons why Israel was punished and then disbanded)
Sunday, November 18, 2007
My wish for youth (adolescents)
I hope that anyone between the ages of 13 and 18 (should they ever see this page) will find encouragement enough to go on and wisdom enough to travel well.
This is my cry...
This is my cry, this is my shout to me and the rest of the world. We must honor God. "Jesu[s], thou art the sun of our soul; thou art to us the river of which we drink, the bread of which we eat, the air we breathe; thou art the basis of our life and thou art the summit of it, thou art the prop, the mainstay, the pillar, the beauty, the joy of our being! If we have but thee, we can ask nothing besides, for thou art all in all, and if we have thee not, we are wretched and undone." Charles Spurgeon. He is so important to everyone and everything. To honor him is to honor the very source of life and sustenance.
I am no where near perfect but i endeavor to try.
I am no where near perfect but i endeavor to try.
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