Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival

Unless you live under a rock, there is an energetic awareness to the number of people who are being shot and killed during confrontations with police.

PBS station WFYI, in partnership with the SALT Project, Trinity United Church of Christ and Christian Theological Seminary developed the short film: “Get Home Safely: 10 Rules of Survival.”

10 Rules of Survival if Stopped by the Police:

  1. Be polite and respectful when stopped by the police. Keep your mouth closed.
  2. Remember that your goal is to get home safely. If you feel that your rights have been violated, you and your parents have the right to file a formal complaint with your local police jurisdiction.
  3. Don’t, under any circumstance, get into an argument with the police.
  4. Always remember that anything you say or do can be used against you in court.
  5. Keep your hands in plain sight and make sure the police can see your hands at all times.
  6. Avoid physical contact with the police. No sudden movements, and keep hands out of your pockets.
  7. Do not run, even if you are afraid of the police.
  8. Even if you believe that you are innocent, do not resist arrest.
  9. Don’t make any statements about the incident until you are able to meet with a lawyer or public defender.
  10. Stay calm and remain in control. Watch your words, body language, and emotions.

I am adding an Eleventh tip…PRAY… for God’s guidance and protection.

Man Up and Get a Check-Up

When it comes to scheduling for a routine check-up, routine doesn’t always mean routine especially for men. Months, even years, go by before a man schedules just the simplest of health care screenings. Several reasons for procrastinating a routine check-up are: fear of what the doctor may say; too busy to make time; there’s nothing wrong or feeling good. Whatever the reason, a person should visit their health care provider for a regular check-up.  The purpose of these visits is to:

–       Screen for medical issues

–       Assess your risk of future medical problems

–       Encourage a healthy lifestyle

–       Update vaccinations

–       Help you get to know your provider in case of an illness

There are specific times when you should see your provider.  Below are screening guidelines for men.

Blood Pressure Screening

  • Have your blood pressure checked every 2 years unless the top number (systolic number) is between 120 and 139 or the bottom number (diastolic number) is between 80 and 89 mm Hg or higher.  Then have it checked every year.

Diabetes Screening

  • If you are age 45 or older, you should be screened every 3 years.
  • If your blood pressure is above 135/80 mm Hg, your provider may test your blood sugar level for diabetes.
  • If you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 and have other risk factors for diabetes, you should be screened. Having a BMI over 25 means that you are overweight.

Cholesterol Screening and Heart Disease Prevention

  • Men over age 35 and older should be checked every 5 years.

If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, you may need to have your blood pressure checked more often and start getting screened earlier, at age 20.

Physical Exam

  • During an exam, review overall health status:

–       20-39 yrs. / every 3 years

–       40-49 / ever 2 years

–       50+ every year

  • Your blood pressure should be checked at least every two years.
  • Your height, weight, and BMI should be checked at every exam.

Colon Cancer Screening

  • If you are under age 50 and have a strong family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should have a colon cancer screening.
  • If you are between ages 50-75, you should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Note: Screening may also be considered if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease or polyps.  You may need a colonoscopy more often if you have risk factors for colon cancer.

Prostate Cancer Screening

  • Most men age 50 or older should discuss screening for prostate cancer with their provider.  African American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer in a first degree relative younger than age 65 should discuss screening at age 45.
  • The potential benefits of PSA testing as a routine screening test have not been shown to outweigh the harms of testing and treatment.  If you choose to be tested, the PSA blood test is most often done very year.

It is never too late to schedule an appointment to see your health care provider. If you have not done so, then do it the Nike way, “Just Do It.”  Make it a Christmas gift to yourself.

So, Man-up, get a check-up, so you can live-up to your full potential of living a healthy lifestyle!

Please consult your health care provider as screenings may vary based upon your health. 

Information provided by medlineplus.gov. 

 

Be Thankful

In Everything Give Thanks for this is the Will of God In Christ Jesus Concerning You.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Life’s circumstances have its tendency to cloud the amazing blessings in our lives.  There are blessings we receive that we soon forget, but we must remember to give thanks in everything. Don’t try to carry the weight of life alone; instead, give thanks to God who says “cast your cares upon me because I care for you.”  Rather than walking through life with anxiety and worry, give thanks to God who says “I will never leave nor forsake you.”  One thing is always sure and true, God is with us, He is Immanuel.  Learn to praise God and give Him thanks even in what you think are the small things.  Realize that there are no small things in God, only big blessings.  Continue to diligently seek him and give Him thanks.  There are great rewards when you are obedient to the Will of God; in everything give thanks…this is His Will.

Christmas Spending

With all the Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday hype dying down, we now have a chance to let the Thanksgiving dinners digest while we catch our breath.  But Christmas is coming fast!  If you haven’t felt the pressure yet, it’s coming soon.

The not-so-subtle hints and wish lists, if you’re not careful, can cause you to spend more than you planned and put you in a bad spot, financially, going into next year.

In case you didn’t know, I want to let you in on a little secret.  It is OK with Jesus to have Christmas on a budget!  Trust me, He is good with it.  I have learned that budgeting Christmas spending is the best way to maintain order over the finances during these spend-happy holidays.  You can start by deciding how much money you are willing to spend on Christmas.  Notice I didn’t say gift-giving or traveling.  All Christmas related activities that are out of the normal day-to-days spending practices are lumped together.  Whether you are buying gifts, traveling, paying for special dinners, all Christmas spending could come out of the allocated money.  And when there is no more money…there is no more Christmas spending.  Period.  That is when you resort to giving the gift of love!

Christmas is the most celebrated holiday of the year.  You should enjoy it.  But you don’t have to celebrate until you’re broke! It’s O.K. to dial it back some, cut the wish-lists short, and budget your Christmas spending.  Jesus won’t be mad at you (although some of your family might call you cheap!).  Trying to please people is a losing endeavor, so why not take a different approach to the holiday spending this year?  Put your Christmas on a budget and hold fast to the spending limit you set.  You don’t want to still be paying for December choices in January.  That’s like living life in the rear view mirror.   Finish strong and go into 2017 with some positive momentum.  A major part of keeping your finances under control is developing disciplined spending habits.  It may be hard now, but you will be better for it in the future.  Or at least that is what the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 12:11. So enjoy your Christmas, but don’t go crazy!  God bless and we’ll see you in 2017.

 

Month of Miracles

Matthew 1:18

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

What is a miracle? One definition implies the divine intervention into the human experience. As Christians, we know miracles are when God does the impossible on our behalf. This month is the time when we celebrate the birth of our Savior. The very circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus shows the power of miracles. This verse says that Jesus was supernaturally conceived. No one but God could take the credit for the way things turned out.

Crisis in our lives creates the opportunity for God to do the impossible. I believe this month is going to be a month of miracles. As we turn our hearts towards celebrating the miraculous birth of our Savior, God is also going to demonstrate that same miraculous power in our lives. I believe that as the year comes to a close we become reflective. Perhaps we are looking at things that we believed for that have not happened yet. Maybe, we want to be victorious in an area before we enter the next year.

No matter what the conditions are in your life, I am challenging you to believe that this is a month for God to do the impossible for you and in you. Miracles happen in the atmosphere of faith. Begin to confess this is our month for miracles. God is able to do more than we can ask or think. God is going to exceed our expectations this month. What are you believing God for?

My Prayer

In the name of Jesus, we are victorious. As we celebrate the season of Your miraculous birth, we are also believing that the same power is at work in our lives. I pray that we would position ourselves for this month of miracles. God, do what only you can do. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Pastor Clinton House