Service to Community It’s a delight to be Of service to your community Many people depend On our help To make their lives better   So why don’t you step forward? Give a helping hand to others. And in your own way Do what you can   Anyone can help At a soup kitchen in town Where you’ll be able To serve the poor and homeless There are some churches And community centers That has these facilities available Catering for people in need   Others may volunteer In their city Especially if they work At a hospital, school, or library These institutions have opportunities For you to give a helping hand That will benefit the community Monetary gifts are always welcome.   “Great Provider, help those that volunteer in their communities.   Let them see that the people who they serve are their brothers and sisters.   And bless their efforts in doing good for their fellowmen and women.” Amen  

  Taking Car Trips People like going places. They like travelling in their cars. And taking trips to different places But they have to do so safely That’s why it’s wise to wear a seatbelt.   It’s no use risking your life When you drive in places that aren’t safe That’s why it’s best to know about your destination Often this could be a problem in some cities.   Drivers could be caught up in rush hour traffic. It could be dreadlock trying to navigate this mess. Is your car in good working condition? Are you familiar with the area where you’re driving?   These questions are important for a driver’s safety. A number of other questions come to mind. What can you do if you have a flat? Do you have roadside service? Is the area safe to be in if you’re stranded? That’s why before going places do your homework. Make sure you have a smart phone for emergencies.   Safety matters most when you’re driving. So it’s good to o...

  Benefits of Cows The National Milk Producers Federation Represents 35,000 dairy farmers These farmers supply Americans with milk Milk is an essential commodity in our lives   The Hawthorne Valley Farm Are known for its Jersey cows These animals are gentle in disposition, And produce milk with high buttermilk content   But there is some problems present-day farming The coronavirus has led to a drop of consumption For the milk and other products by the public This is especially so the supply to schools stopped   Other issues have arisen with these farms Some criticized artificial insemination Others point to the problem of dehorning That many farmers do with pain-relief medication   People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Have raised some other concerns They even point to the use of mechanical scratching brushes And are opposed to the castration of young animals, Isolation of calves in pens, and separation of...

  Walking is Fun Walking is simple. It’s fun and good exercise. The elderly can benefit from walking. All that’s called for is a pair of good walking shoes.   Walkers can stroll in their neighborhood. It’s good to walk when the temperature is cool. Walking in bright sunshine comes with risks. This is especially so for people with a lighter complexion.   But if you have to walk in the sun be sure to use sun screen. This way you’ll be protecting yourself against skin cancer. Other than these concerns you’re all set for your walk. In colder weather you’ll need to bundle up. Having a good sweat shirt and thermal underwear are useful.   When it comes to how fast to walk depends on you. While walking a person should be able to carry on a conversation. That’s why a walking companion is a good idea for walkers. Such companionship will help a walker to be committed to walking. With a good friend one will think twice before giving up w...

  Smoking Health Risks Smoking is bad. It endangers a person’s health And causes some known problems   Women who become pregnant Smoking can have an effect on their baby’s life They can have a preterm delivery A baby can be still birth Or suffer from low birth weight   Smoking can also affect a man’s sperm count. Women that smoke can have weaker bones. Smoking affects the health of one’s teeth and gums. Cataracts can show up And smoking is known to cause diabetes   But people that quit smoking can reap some benefits. They are able to cut down on cardiovascular disease. Their risk of having a stroke will be reduced. Not smoking prevents cancers of the mouth from developing. The risk of dying from lung cancer is decreased.   “Great Advocate, help those that smoke deal wisely with this problem.   Let them take the necessary steps to ward off disease caused by this habit.” Amen  

  Rainwater Harvesting Rainwater harvesting is a source For collecting run-off water From structures for later use   This process can be simple Like using a barrel Or a huge cistern on the landscape This idea conjures up memories of farms But such harvesting has become An alternative of having a water supply   This supply can be for a household or business. It isn’t only used for farms that depend on water. In many countries like Germany and Australia Rain harvesting has become the norm And it’s growing in the United States   This collection of water is known by many names – Rainwater harvesting, rainwater collection, And rainwater catchment But this water collection is a viable alternative For usage in an urban environment   All that a user requires is being able To capture free water falling on their roof And directing the flow into a storage tank This collected water supply will replace A substantial por...

  Air Pollution   Solid particles and gases mix In the air to form pollution This mixture of hazardous substances Includes both human-made sources And is the result of nature   Our vehicles are culprits that emit fumes Oils and natural gases play their part By products of manufacturing generators Also cause problems in communities So does coal-fuel power plants And the fumes from chemical production These are all human-made pollution   Nature is also to be blamed When it releases hazardous substances in the air These come from smoke of wildfires Ash and gases when volcanoes erupt Gases like methane   From decomposing organic matter in the soil   These pollutions affect our health. Lung development is impaired That leads to emphysema, asthma, And other chronic ailments like COPD Cardiovascular disease becomes a problem Fine particulate matter can impair blood vessel function And speeds up calcification ...

  Compulsive Hoarding Compulsive hoarding is a serious health problem. In its worst form it can cause fires, Rat and cockroach infestations, And other alarming health and safety hazards   Most hoarders may collect a variety of worthless items – Old catalogues, magazines, and newspapers, Materials for making crafts, used clothing, Tables, chairs, or sofas, pots, pans and silverware That may be trash, cluttered, and beyond repair   Some hoarders are unable to return borrowed objects And will argue with family members about their clutter They may be residents of homes with unsanitary bathrooms So they keep their household shades drawn To prevent neighbors from seeing inside of their apartment   Hoarding is considered an obsessive-compulsive disorder Many of these individuals are depressed and anxious Because of the clutter there are always risks of falling Their bathtub and sinks are filled with items That cannot be useful for...

  Pandemic Blues The coronavirus pandemic Has struck with some drawbacks It isn’t always a rosy picture Like some people working from home find   Working parents are experiencing other trials. They not only have the responsibility of their jobs But they are bothered by the additional stress of childcare Some of these adults are also in a bind of caring for aging parents. As seniors they are quite vulnerable to Covid-19 infections.   Quarantined parents have to schedule appointments for their loved ones. It’s stressful thinking about risks, wearing masks, and social distancing When attempting to shop for the necessities of life, and have doctors’ visits Its true there has been times when there are online medical visits. But working parents may have to leave the home to fill prescription medications.   Other problems may arise if some employees are living alone. Some may feel exhausted by the isolation without communicating with fr...

  Holy, but Dirty Water Holy, but dirty water can kill believers When they emerge themselves In the Jordan River to be baptized Or, take a dip in the Ganges River As part of a ceremonial rite   Many people might be unaware That these waters are polluted They are filled with human waste, and chemicals From agricultural, and industrial waste This is the case of the Jordan River That flows southward through northern Israel Where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ   The same is true for India’s Ganges River That flows from the Himalayas With raw sewage, And remains of cremated corpses, Chemical dyes from tanneries, And animal carcasses Yet Hindus fulfill their religious duties By emerging themselves in this water   Infectious diseases could be spread Through contaminated water Like typhoid, cholera, paratyphoid fever, Dysentery, jaundice, and malaria, From chemicals and pesticides These pollutants are dangerou...

  A Life of Prayer  A Life of Prayer is empowering.   It fulfills its role with the spirit of love as people walk in God’s creation.   It focuses on the Supreme Light that enlightens their hearts and minds with the depth of the divine truth.   Moreover, prayer motivates believers to have an unconditional love for their neighbors. Through devotion the earth heals. Disruptions and eruptions from natural phenomena - earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and wildfires become natural again.   Miracles abound, and there’s hope.   Believers as they do homage to God, Allah, Brahma, and Dao sanctify their environment - homes, communities, and the world.   With these blessings they discover God’s peace that surpasses all understanding. Prayer ushers in a renewal of life, and seeds of joy blossom throughout the earth.   The sick is healed.   The lame walk and believers help the poor with their unique gifts.   People live in confidence. ...

  Religious Naturalists Religious naturalism Is like a breath of fresh air. Unlike the monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam Religious naturalists don’t believe In sin, heaven, or the resurrection Naturalists focus on scientific proof About how all aspects of the universe works   Religious naturalists see the world as “sacred” They extol the millions of galaxies That adorns the night sky – The moon, stars, and planets of all sizes Those we can see, and those that are unseen They celebrate the cyclical seasons of the year – Spring, summer, fall, and winter And all the wonders of our daily lives - The air we breathe, the water we drink, And the fire we light to be warm in winter   With religious naturalists “faith” and “hope” Are based on scientific proof This religious orientation always acknowledges The “sacred” as opposed to the “profane” People are considered in a real way Interrelated with other speci...

Mexican Migrants Mexican migrants take the responsibility Of loved ones back in Mexico seriously That’s why they send remittances To keep their families fed, And help to provide for their medical needs   Billions of dollars are received by the Bank of Mexico From immigrants working as fruit and vegetable field hands These migrants earn as much as $80 U.S. dollars per day It was thought that the pandemic would have eclipsed their efforts But still these workers have shown resilience to their families.   48 percent of Mexicans aren’t earning enough in their own country What they are paid isn’t able to buy a basic basket of food In Mexico there aren’t jobless benefits or Medicare And workers and businesses have received little relief during the pandemic   But low-income Mexican field workers in the United States Play a very important role in helping their families in desperate need Despite the back breaking work in the fields of America These field hands have stepped up to t...

Lives of the Disabled Disabilities impact some of our citizens. They suffer emotionally, physiologically, and psychologically. But these individuals aren’t spiritually disabled. Help the disabled concentrate on things That their disabilities don’t prevent them from doing They shouldn’t regret the things they can’t do.   In ancient Jewish society lepers were considered unclean They were forced to live in segregated communities Many Jewish citizens viewed these disabled persons as unclean But there were those brave caregivers that socialized with them And their acts annoyed many in the Jewish communities Some of the religious leaders were angered.   Christian theologians teach about the redemptive nature of suffering. Disabled believers should walk in the light and offer up their suffering to God. Yet in contemporary times persons with disabilities are portrayed negatively. They are often shown as criminals, sexual abusers, thieves, and portrayed as violent. On the media viewers...

  Comparative Religions Comparative religions were shaped By a euro-centered culture This formed the basis Of what students know about world religions   Much of this trajectory was lit by missionaries. They came from Europe and traversed the globe. Many were religious as they encountered colonists. Their basic strands became the bedrock Of how they interpreted the various religious faiths - Like Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Daoism, Shintoism, and secular humanism   These interpreters ushered their thoughts about religion They revived an emphasis on Greek and Latin That led to the shape of comparative Christianity Becoming prominent in the Protestant Reformation Some European theologians became famous – Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Desiderius Erasmus   But the world of religion was born with the Peace of Westphalia And by the 17 th century there existed a noteworthy guide That included all the known religion...