Thus Saith God's Word
by Rev. Ted Brooks, W est Saddletree Baptist Church
The cities of America built with wrong materials
"Then when lust hath conceived it bringeth forth sin. and sin when
it is finished bringeth death."
"Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may
bring forth." (James 1:15 - Ptoverb 27:1.)
During the last 24 hours approximately 260.000 people died of a
deadly disease. Through out the world thousands are mourning the death
of their loved ones, and 260.000 more w ill die w ithin the next 24 hours
of this plaque. James tells us the cause of this malady , "and sin w hen it
is finished bringeth forth death." Someone has stated that in 24 hours
more people will die. then there are person in Nevada. (Grooms).
From a recent report we learned that 60.000 per year are killed in auto
accidents in the United States. Every 9 minutes around the clock a body
lies sprawled on the highway, dead, because of an accident. Death is
sure. Often death is sudden. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die.
but after this the Judgment." (Hebrew 9:27.) My friend, voj r.or I have
any guarantee we'll see the suttTise tomorrow. (JD - Grooms. Treasure
Path).
My friend, you only need to ride the Interstate 1-95 north, every few
hundred feet there are crosses, markers, flowers, marking the place
where someone died. What is wrong someone asked. God warned us
of a people who would boast of self-sufficiency. God warned us "Boast
not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth,
where as ye know not what shall be on the morrow." ( James 4:14 Proverb
27:1)
Tecumseh of the.Shawnees once ask the question where today are the
Peguot? Where are the Narraginsett. the Mohican, the Poknaket and
many others once powerful tribes of our people? They have v anished
before the avarice and the oppression of the white man. as snow before
a summer rain. (See Brown. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee). You and
1 may ask that question, where are those who once penned it down on our
church covenant and spoke of prosperity: to sustain our ordinance,
discipline, and who sought to have strong doctrine? Where are those who
were once among us whose manners were decorous and were praiseworthy?
Now let me say this, 1 do not claim to be a community leader. God has
not called me to be an "organization leader." God has called me to preach
and to publish His word. But I do know what a leader is. They are those
who would rather stand alone than to creep and crawl with the crowd.
They are those who will stand alone for God rather than moping with the
multitude. And sincerity is the face of his soul. A leader is one who is
moved by the Spirit of God and-not by Inter-net. A leader is to be
conscious of the possession of adequate resources of power, endowed
with wisdom and courage, and he or she is able to judge rightly, to expose
and condemn the sin of the people. A leader of God will have his face
toward the unfolding of God's plan and purpose for humanity, and when
he has done all, he will still stand.
Tecumseh of the Shawnees wanted to know where were the leaders?
Why were there so many people being killed? Where were the once
powerful leaders of the tribes? You and 1 need to be concerned where
are the once decorous and praise-worthy who once preached to us and
warned us of sin. And told us that when it has been conceived, sin would
bring forth death?
Where are those praise-worthy who cried out for justice? Men who
were champions of the oppressed? My friend, a leader is one who sees
the sins of his people. Let me share with you the I ife of a real leader called
Micah. He was a prophet of God who cried out for justice, a man praiseworthy,
who lamented over the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
Micah walked through the streets and squares of the capital. Micah did
all this because he knew that sin when it was conceived would bring forth
death. Micah walked through the street stripped and naked, howling like
a jackal and screeching like an ostrich. (Micah 1:8.)
It was that kind of preaching that made a profound impression on
both, kings and the people.
Micah preached destruction of Samaria as recorded in Micah 1:67.
Perhaps you are thinking now that 1 am saying, a leader should walk
naked in our street. I would say yes if it would stop 260,000 people from *
dying and being killed on our highways.
But we could do something. I belong to The Burnt Swamp Baptist
Association with our sixty churches, hundreds of pastors and evangelists
and if we were to come together with our neighboring churches, and cry
as Micah cried concerning Samaria and Jerusalem, my friend, the
highway would not be lined with grave markers.
Micah's message was from God and all should harken, and that the
Lord God be witness against you, and the Lord will come down and trod
upon the high places of the earth. (Micah 1:3.)
Micah had no fear of Israel and Judah. They ware the two capitols of
Samariaand Jerusalem which should have been the center of law and order,
and justice My triend. our leaders hav e sit and done nothing Our roads
are mu'ked vvith death Our young girls are being assaulted, killed, homes
and families are destro>ed. Moral corruption has spread like a contagions
decease. Ml over this county is corruption There ought to be a leader like
Micah. Somebody ought to be able to say like Dr Martin L. King. "I've
been to the mountain top " Dr King was appalled at the wickedness and
the degradation, the selfishness and the violence, the innovating luxury,
and the gross materialism of the inhabitants of the great cities.
Micah saw what it was about Israel and J udah that God recognized that
they were much like our cities today. loving the ev il and hating the good.
It was the men of rank and influence that have turned the moral order
upside down. In Micah's day. much like ours, our rulers, leaders, the
guardians of justice have betrayed their trust. L.ike the days of Micah.
Israel and Judah oppressed the people they governed and build prosperity
of Jerusalem on violence and injustice. ( Micah 3:9-10.)
You see. my friend. Jerusalem and Samaria were built, but they were
built wrong. In those days the prophets were much like in our day. They
were blind guides, leading the people astray. They were motivated by
money. They bless the man who satisfied their want, "materialism", and
declare war against him who put nothing into their mouths.
God will forsake them in the days that are coming He will have no
reservation to import to such mcn.( Micah 3:11)
In the day s of Micah judges and leaders could not be trusted. Instead
of administering justice impartibly, according to certain facts and legal
principles, their decision were influenced bv rnonev and bribes. ( Micah
3:11.)
In Micah's day the preachers also had their price. They would manipulate
the sacred orders and give instruction in accordance with the size of
the fee. (.Micah 3:1 I.) They had this mania for money which isall the more
officious because it is covered by the veneer of false pity. (Micah 3:11.)
While professing to lean upon the Lord the notable are in fact
worshippers of money.
Upon them all rulers, prophets, judges and priest. Micah pronounced
judgement. 'Therefore because of y ou Zion shall be plagued as a field.
Jerusalem shall become a hoop of ruins, and the mountain of the house
a wooden height." (Micah 3:12).
Because of poor leaders, corruption of the leaders. God promises them
that calamity will over take them.
My friend, our country, our United States, are on a road marked nowhere
going to a town called never.
Tecumseh ask the question where are the leaders. The valley and their
villages were filled with their dead. Where were their leaders.
Do you know where yours are? Does he stand like a man, or does he
creep and crawl with the crowd? Is he or she one that can ride the roads
and not be hurt by the markers of the death of our young and old? Oh my
friend, we need leaders who will sleep on what they plan tojdo, rather than
to stay awake on what they have done.
Tecumseh said, will we let ourselves be destroyed in our turn without
a struggle? Will we give up our homes, our country, bequeathed to us by
the Great Spirit? The graves of our dead and everything that is dear and
sacred to us? 1 know you will cry with us "never, never". My friend it is
time for us to start living now. so that we can live again. When we are placed
in that casket, what people say can't hurt or help us.
Pediatric Pointers
by Dr. Joey Bell, Pembroke Pediatrics
by Amy Wells,
Duke PA student
One of the most common infection
in children during this time of
year is a middle ear infection, also
known as acute otitis media. Acute
otitis media occurs when there is
inflammation behind the ear drum.
Bacteria and viruses travel through
the eustachian tube (a tube which
connects the nose to the middle ear)
to cause a build-up of pus in the
middle ear. Children are more likely
than adults to get ear infections
because their eustachian tubes are
shorter and straighter. Shorter tubes
make it easier for bacteria and viruses
to travel to the middle ear.
Common symptoms of ear infections
include ear pain, hearing loss,
and fever. Very young children may
be fussy, pull at their ears, or have
trouble eating and sleeping. Ear infections
are often associated with
colds, so children may also have
runny noses or cough. Sometimes
the infection causes the ear drum to
burst, allowing pus to drain out of
the ear.
Middle ear infections are generally
treated with antibiotics, such as
amoxicillin, septra, or zithromax,
depending on the duration and severity
of the infection. As the antibiotics
work to kill bacteria, the pus
in the middle ear will dissolve, and
children's hearing will improve. With
proper treatment, even ear drums
that have ruptured will usually heal.
Sometimes, however, children may
retain non-infected fluid in their
middle ear even after appropriate
antibiotic treatment. This fluid may
also cause temporary hearing loss
and may last for a month or more
following antibiotic use.
Some children are more likely to
develop ear infections than others.
Traits that increase the chance of
infection include being male, being
Native American, having allergies
or immune deficiencies, and having
anatomical abnormalities such as a
cleft palate. Children exposed to cigarette
smoke or those in day care also
have a higher risk of developing ear
infections. Breast-fed children are
less likely to get middle ear infections.
Ear infections are not contagious,
but the colds that often precede
them are.
Untreated ear infections can lead
to serious complications, so any
child with a suspected ear infection
should be seen by a health care
provider. Other causes of ear pain
include dental problems, foreign
objects in the ear, damage to the ear
canal, or impacted ear wax. A pediatrician
or other health care provide
will best be able to diagnose the
exact cause of earache and prescribe
the appropriate remedy.
newsworthy trends
All-Terrain Vehicles Surge In Popularity.
(NAPS'?If it needs to be
hauled, hunted or hiked, chances
are^it's easier and more enjoyable
to do using an all-terrain vehicle
i ATVi. Sales of A TVs have skyrocketed
in recent years for a number of
reasons. These four-wheel or twowheel-drive
packhorses can travel
where hiking isn't practical and
using a four-wheel drive pickup or
sport-utility vehicle isn't possible.
ATVs are strong enough to
haul heavy loads, tough enough to
endure a barrage of pounding and
small enough to wind through
tight trails to distant locations.
"They're ideal for those who work
or play outdoors, such as farmers,
ranchers, hunters, campers and
explorers,," said Mark Blackwell,
vice president of Arctic Cat. a
leading U.S. manufacturer of
ATVs and snowmobiles.
In general, ATVs are sized (and
priced) according to engine size.
Yet several other features, such as
performance, comfort and durability,
are equally important to true
ATV enthusiasts. Before you buy,
look for these attribute's;
_A fully sealed and waterproof
engine, transmission
and magneto. Don't shorten the
life of your ATV by getting one
that's susceptible to water, dirt
and grime. "Not all manufacturers
seal and waterproof, but Arctic
Cat does," Blackwell explained.
More than six inches of
ground clearance. For riding
your ATV over logs, rocks or
bumps, you'll need at least six
inches of ground clearance, according
to Sports Afield magazine. And
the higher, the better, according to
Blackwell. "For example, all Arctic
Cat ATVs have between eight to
nine inches of ground clearance?
the most of any ATV?yet still
maintain a low center of gravity."
A fully independent double
A-arm front and rear suspension
(300cc and smaller
ATVs). Independent front and
rear suspensions are crucial for
steering and comfort.
A semi-independent rear
suspension (400cc and larger
ATVs). A semi-independent suspension
allows both rear wheels to
stay in contact with the ground
over obstacles, providing consistent
traction. "Without this, you're
just spinning your wheels,"
Blackwell stated.
At least 175 pounds of
cargo capacity. Again, the more
the better. "Arctic Cat ATVs lead
all other ATVs in hauling capacity,"
according to Blackwell. "Even our
smallest and least expensive ATV,
the 250, can carry 75 pounds in
front and 150 pounds in the rear."
Front and rear disc brakes.
Drum brakes require more adjust-'
ment and maintenance. "All Arctic
Cat ATVs have dual-piston hydraulic
disc brakes front and back,
controlled by a single hand lever,"
Blackwell noted.
Automatic transmission is
becoming a more popular feature
on ATVs, especially among those
who use ATVs for utility purposes.
The newest Arctic Cat ATV, the 500
4x4 Automatic, boasts the
Duramatic" automatic transmissiftn.
"Customers love the conve- "
nience of an automatic transmission,"
Blackwell said.
For more information on buy- !
ing an ATV or finding the nearest
Arctic Cat dealer, call 1-800-5874275.
You can also see the full line
of Arctic Cat ATVs at www.arcticcat.com.
Automatic transmissions are
becoming a popular feature on
ATVs of all sizes.
Reflections by Alia Nye Oxendine
New Year 2000
I've always assumed that my computer, though old, would be fine for
2000, since the software I bought for it had just come out in 1993. Nut,
just to be sure, on Friday, December 31,1 decided to check out the,
calendar's capability of rolling over to 200_p.
When I did the "Go to" command, and saw that the two months,.
December 1999 and January 2000 were right there, side by side, I was
relieved.
But then, when I turned the computer back on, shortly after midnight,
the calendar told me it was January, 1980!
So THIS is what all the experts have been saying could happen!
To my relief, my daughter, who has a computer science minor,
reminded me to simply type in the date each time I turn the machine on.
It worked!
She has used lots of different kinds of software in her various jobs,
but never this PARTICULAR one. Someone else may be able to show
me how to re-program my calendar for "2000: in place of the '80s or '90s,
os it will automatically STAY in this new decade!
Actually, since no damage has been done to my computer, it was sort
of fun to get in on the kind of action that caused ALL those months and
yeas of Y2K worry .
Y2K-YEAR 2000
Y2K
YIELDTOTHE KING
Did you see that two-line message on the sign in front of Tabernacle
Baptist Church between Pembroke and Lumberton? A timely thought,
I believe.
Vol tion C-OurJ!
-D Hi v_y XV Q,? ,5 Z/??
CHIROPRACTIC
MM ? CENTER
W/m\mM) Specializing In
Auto Accident Injuries
Most Insurances Accepted O
"APPOINTMENTS PLEASE" jy\ 11
Free Initial Consultation
OFFICE: 739-5751 '?
Emergency Home Number
Dr. Woodrow W. Beck, Jr.: 738-3126
Call 1-800-438-5383
to learri more.
Or visit us at http://ndep.nih.gov.
I he future of American Indians is
threatened by diabetes. But we can
fight it by controlling our blood sugar.
We can work to keep our blood sugar
close to normal by choosing healthy
foods, staying physically active, taking
our diabetes medication, and testing
our blood sugar.
We need to control our diabetes
because our young ones look up to
us. We must take charge of diabetes for
future generations.
N A r I O N A I
0 < A11 r 1?
tDVCATION
floc it M
A joint program
of the National
Institutes of
Health and the
Centers (or
Oisease Control
and Prevention
Control your ^
m-i diabetes. ,
.POTT jfr
Northland 100% Juices Deliver More Than Great Taste
National Poll Reveals Why Americans Drink Cranberry Juice
(NAPS)?Great taste and health
benefits top the list of reasons
why Americans drink cranberry
juice beverages, according to a
recent study by Northland Cranberries
Inc. It's not surprising that
taste ranks so high with cranberry
juice drinkers. After all,
Americans have loved the taste of
cranberries, which are native to
North America, for centuries.
Plus, the fruit has been linked to
such potential health benefits as
the prevention of urinary tract
infections and gum disease.
While some cranberry juice
drinkers like the juice for its taste
and some for its health benefits,
nearly everyone agrees about one
thing?they want 100 percent
juice. In fact, 86 percent of cranberry
juice consumers want a juice
that's all-natural or 100 percent
juice, unlike cranberry juice cocktails,
which are sweetened with
high fructose corn syrup. This
helps explain the 93 percent jump
in sales of bottled 100 percent juice
cranberry beverages last year.
That's good news for Northland
Cranberries, which offers a line of
100 percent juice beverages in
eight tasty cranberry flavors: Traditional
Cranberry, Cranberry
Raspberry, Cranberry Apple, Cranberry
Grape, Cranberry Strawberry,
Cranberry Peach, Cranberry
Cherry and Cranberry Blackberry.
Consumers may know what
they want when they head to the
supermarket, but when they get
to the juice aisle?buyer beware!
With juice cocktails, juice drinks
and juice beverages there are so
many choices, finding 100 percent
juice can be confusing. Products
labeled "juice cocktails," "juice
drinks" and "juice beverages' are
not 100 percent fruit juice. Creating
even more confusion, some
cranberry juice brands offer juice
drinks, juice cocktails and 100
percent juice all under the same
brand name. To be sure they're
getting 100 percent juice, consumers
need to read the fruit juice
content which appears above the
Nutrition Facts box on most beverage
labels. Or, they can count on
Northland, which is and always
has been 100 percent juice.
The study also polled consumers
on their fruit and vegetable
eating habits. It found that
90 percent of Americans agree
that it's important to eat five or
more servings of fruits and vegetables
a day. However, nearly 80
percent don't reach the 5-a-day
goal. Unlike cranberry juice cocktails
and juice drinks, six-ounces
of Northland juice provides a serving
of fruit, according to the
National Canter Institute and the
produce for Better Health Foundation.
With the trouble most
Americans have meeting the 5-aday
goal, 100 percent juice is a
simple way to add a fruit serving.
Health conscious consumers
also mentioned the importance of
vitamin C, with 40 percent looking
for it in their cranberry juice.
Northland's all-natural cranberry
juices fit the bill, providing consumers
with 130 percent of the
recommended daily allowance of
vitamin C.
Overall, the study reinforces
that Northland's cranberry blends
deliver what cranberry juice
drinkers want?an all-natural,
100 percent juice that provides
more than the full daily allowance
of vitamin C. This is different
than cranberry juice cocktails and
cranberry, juice drinks, which are
less than 100 percent juice.
For more information about
Northland's 100 percent Juice
Cranberry Blends, log onto
www.northlandcran.com.
A nationally representative sample of cranberry juice drinkers was polled by Market Facts, August 1999.
By typing in such data as family
health history, current lifestyle,
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This "healthplanner" tool is
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Interactive Web Tool
(NAPS)?The Internet provides
a healthy dose of information on a
variety of subjects, including natural
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A new online tool at health
shop.com gives users personal
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