m
Deflections
by Alta Nye Oxendine
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NEW NOTES
With a few exceptions, I always consider what 1 write as a 'work in
progress " I've just realized that if 1 make this clear to my readers,
ntaybe 1 can just plan to go ahead and share notes I've been working
on. rather than waiting to do a good job of writing them up, as my
thoughts and research grow Here are some revised, some still unfinished
notes I've been "jotting down" on the computer this week
PEOPLE VOTING IN IRAQ
On Tuesday. February 1, 1 realized that I had not thanked God for
the election turnout in Iraq I believe God is the Maker of our earth,
the Creator of the entire world' I believe that He desires the very best
for each individual, family, and nation throughout this earth It was
surely a time to stop and give thanks for the encouraging election
turnout that Sunday, and what it can (hopefully) mean to the people
of Iraq' In the 1960s, when I met our friend "Mike" and learned he
was from Baghdad, I was thrilled That place had always seemed so
far away, that 1 had thought of it as a mythical city
That first essential step that the Iraqi people have takken reminds
me of another essential step the time you or I choose to accept
Jesus' forgiveness and salvation, and become a new Christian Without
that necessary first step, none of us is able to live out the kind of
life Jesus taught, and lived, while he was here in this world
On that same Tuesday Chuck Swindoll pointed out, on his "Insight
for Living" radio broadcast, that Jesus' last instruction to his followers
(for those of us in the present as well as for that time) was to
make disciples of all people everywhere throughout the earth (Matthew
25). In Acts 1 8 we find Jesus' promise that (after his departure
to return to his Father) his followers would be empowered (by the
Floly Spirit) to become his witnesses in their own community, coun- j
try, and throughout the entire world' !
None of us can do this on our own, without first making that often
difficult choice to give up everything else (if necessary) in order to
focus our own life on following Jesus, and living out his kind of
lifestyle'
THOSE BRA VE IRA QIS
Braving the" wrath of the insurgents as they walked to the voting
places that Sunday, and casting their own ballots, was just the first
stgp toward building a new, freer Iraq But that vvas a very necessary
first step1 '"
WHY! CALL MYSELF A CHRISTIAN
Notes to be written out later; I "bug science" class?2 class comparing
religions of the world?proving that Christianity goes farther,
both objectively & subjectively?3 sociology class?the amazing
effectiveness of the friendly, subtle approach mv beloved first major
professor had in nearly destroying mv faith in God ?(learning years
later that he was "an avowed member of the CPUSA" J?4 later
recalling what we students discovered about the many values of
Christianity in the process of making our charts, comparing the "religions
of the world"
However, I care deeply about every person, no matter what their
religion, or whether they have even taken time to think about religion
I do not want to act superior, or in any way put other people down,
even though I am truly happy with the choice 1 have made'
4811 Fayetteville Road (910) 739-3323
Lumberton, NC 28358
John I. Adams
Authorized OPTOM TMC
Oakley ^11^ Charles L. Clark
Dealer fcYCV.IlIlt O.D. ....
dZZX. C NT R KatherinCjS. Harris
Available at: Carolyn M. Marks
Licensed Optician
3HE MASTEB
The oiher day I got to thinking Our daily life, here in this world, is
made up of all kinds of PUZZLES??mental, physical, emotional,
psychological, moral, spiritual
Most of the time most of us call these puzzles PROBLEMS To.be
honest, if we think of them as problems, they can knock us down
literally as well as figuratively!! They can keep us buried in worry, in
our personal "slough of despond "
But, as Brother Bob Mangum and others have pointed out, each and
every problem is really an opportunity!! Besides using the Bible as a
Guidebook, we who are sincere in following Jesus have SOMEONE
who can give us both a POSITIVE ATTITUDE and daily CLUES to
use toward solving each of the "PUZZLES" in our lives
TRUTH
For most of my first half century, I attempted to seek and then share
ETERNAL truth However, for most of the past two decades 1 have
been attempting to seek and then share, TEMPORAL truth, as well
The Bible tells us to be as harmless as doves, but as wise as serpents
Surely that means we need to become aware of false prophets
and false teachings, including some people in a leadership position
and much of our media
However, 1 have come to believe that most of the people who are
spreading falsehoods (at least in our part of the world) are sincere in
believing they are telling us the truth In fact, all of us likely operate
on misinformation more than we realize I am still urging the rest of
you to join me on my "treasure hunt" for the REAL truth concerning
our temporal world, something 1 was prodded into over 17 years ago
You will likely not be able to spend as much time studying both sides
of each issue as 1 have been attempting to do, all these years But you
can try to make sure not to jump to the conclusion that what you are
seeing or hearing is always "the God's TRUTH"?unless you can
find it in the Bible
Some of us are hoping to get together to study and pray about
international problems (including communism) that continue to impact
our own country and our current culture irr subtle ways that are
mostly hidden behind the scenes If you are interested, let me know ?
Philippines Mission Trip
A medical ministry team is being formed now for a Feb.
24 - March 10, 2005 mission trip to Aurora, Philippines.
The need for used eye glasses is great and we are asking
churches to begin collecting old eyeglasses for distribution
on this trip. If you have donations of eyeglasses,
bleasc drop them off al the Baptist Building or aj; the
Pembroke Optometric Clinic at 204 Union Chapel Rd. in
Pembroke
Diabetes Health Conference
Date: April 29, 2005
Quality Inn & Suites: 3608 Kahn Drive
Lumberton, NC 28358; (910) 738-8261
American Indian lay health advisors as well as
those who are involved in diabetes education within the
American Indian communities arc encouraged to attend
ihis event. The themes of the conference will be educating
yourself and others about the physiology of diabetes
and the proper management of diabetes, including propei
foot carc associated with healthy lifestyle practices foi
:hosc with the disease. No registration fee required. Foi
"riorc information about this event, contact Missy Bray
x>y, Director of Community Services at (919) 733-5995
or Quae at the Baptist Bldg., (9ID) 521-9850.
Pediatric Pointers
by Dr. Joey Bell, Pembroke Pediatrics
You arebotfhd to get conflicting advice about toilet training from
friends, relatives, and experts Despite what vou have heard or the
podding you may feel from well-intentioned relatives, the general rule
to remember is The later you initiate toilet training the more guickly
the deed will be accomplished Of course, all rules have expectations,
but children who are trained too early tend to have more accidents
For the parents, here are some general facts that may help you make
your own decision about when is the best time to toilet train your
child 1) Children begin to gain some control of the sphincter muscle
at around nine months of age 2) Most children have not developed
the connection between brain and body to control elimination before
the of one Simple awareness of the urge to eliminate must come prior
to control 3) Some experts believe that children will train themselves
when they are ready This appears true of some toddlers who have
older siblings. In general, though most children are ready to be trained
between the ages of two and three years They have adequate language
and motor skills to proceed with success at this time. 4) The
order of development usually follows this pattern nighttime bowel
control, daytime bowel control, daytime bladder control and then
nighttime bladder control Girls usually develop control before boys
5) Toilet training should not traumatize a child for life unless you are
unduly harsh and negative If a child has readiness skills necessary to
learn and you take a positive approach to this milestone, all should go
well
In order to initiate toilet training, you should teach your child the
necessary readiness skills to accomplish such a task The child should
be able to identify various body parts, including where urine and
bowel movements come from. You should use the names of body
parts when you talk with your child, letting him/her watch you go to
the bathroom and identify the action Designate words for elimination,
such as potty or poopy. Your child should be able to tell you
] when his is dry or wet and identify if He is soiled. If he does, respond
quickly and praise him for telling you The ability to discriminate between
wet and dry or dirty and clean is crucial Your child should also
be able to follow sirtjple instructions, such as flushing the toilet The
child should willingly follow simple directions and should be praised r-<
for following them For coordination and dexterity, your child should
be able to walk or run to the bathroom and be able to pull up and down
clothing. You should select loosemtting pants with elasticized waists,
practicing to pull them up or down and praise for accomplishing the
task Wait until you young child has long periods between wetting
before initiating training Be patient because children mature at different
rates. If your child is afraid of the toilet, overcome that fear before
beginning toilet training Let him practice flushing the toilet Let him
dump his own bowel movements in the toilet, but reassure him that he
will not go down the toilet. Explain to your child that urine and bowel
movements are made from the parts of what he eats and drinks that his
.
body does not need
There are several approaches that you can take to begin tpilet training
Keep these points in mind: Be enthusiastic. Be positive. Select a
child-size potty, potty seat or step-up potty. You may choose the nopressure
method if you don't care when your child gets trained; eventually,
a child will train himself. Twice-a-day training is a more direct
gradual approach that may take several months. It illicits the use of
praise and reward with trinkets or stickers when the child uses the
toilet One-day training is an intensive approach for children with the
appropriate readiness skills. It is a day of modeling training, and then
practicing toilet skills with your child A one-week approach is a posi1
tive approach that speeds the learning process, but does so within a
reasonable time span. With all of these approaches, don't go back.Stick
with it and don't overreact should your child occasionally have
' an accident Continue to make her feel good about the progress. After
following most of the advice given in this article, your child should be
r successfully trained before long. However, should repeated accidents
^ persist, consult your child's physician
Carolina Indian.Voice ?.....
j 910-521-0992