Families at Risk.

Families at Risk.

"Because sin will abound, the love of many will grow cold." - Jesus.

There are some excellent families, raising children to be responsible sound adults; however, these are outnumbered by people who know no other way than to be dysfunctional. Reasons to be dysfunctional abound and those who cling to them find that from within the dark cloud called life, they are unable to see how to end the pain.

Dysfunctional people often do not see the effects that others have upon them, nor do they understand why their dysfunctional behaviors exist. In addition, dysfunctional people rarely understand that they can end the dysfunctional behavior and change the outcome of their lives and the lives of the people they influence.

What is dysfunctional behavior?

We can leave this answer up to the writers of the "Simpsons," or watch a season of "Married with Children" who each graphically display a humorous look at dysfunction. Yet dysfunction is complex and will evidence itself in actions like, chaotic parents who behave in a wild inconsistent manor with their children. Some are childlike and act needy or incompetent; others are abusive, raising their voice, threatening, and even becoming physically aggressive towards them.

Dysfunction is also exhibited when parents are stiff spoken, ridged in their discipline denying an inner life for the child. They may smother the child or work towards isolating them from social mixing.

We can add to the list parents who allow their children to experiment with alcohol, sex, and drugs; however, less defined are the dysfunctional behaviors of controlling children by withholding praise, affection, love, money, or anything else a child needs or wants.

Some parent's dysfunction lies within their perception of themselves. Because they struggle with an addiction like weight control, or a social imbalance, they force their youth to live in like manor causing mental stigmas leading children to eating disorders, binging, and even poor understanding of good citizenship or financial practices.

The problem is dysfunction breeds dysfunction and people act and react in ways they do not understand, stemming from experiences with their parental influence. Even when children disagree with their upbringing, living in the dysfunction shapes them mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Why do violent crime occur?

Each action that people make is influence by their past. When interviewing people in the aftermath of tragedy, often it is found that the person acted because of a deficit or defeat suffered during life.

As children we are often influenced to take responsibilities to make up for the dysfunction surrounding us thus triggering in many an instinct to survive. Children will take the parental role, or become responsible for the well being of siblings. Some become quiet trying to be inconspicuous, ignored, or hidden.

Some will have difficulty expressing their emotions, where others will use comedy to divert attention away from problems. Others will capitalize on other people's emotions to gain what they want. They may also become selfish and demanding of attention from those they allow into their world.

Low self esteem, difficulty in expressing emotions, poor self image, angry, obnoxious, anxious, or depressed, are all byproducts of a dysfunctional environment. From this you can see why crimes occur.

Yet the Bible says, "For all have sinned and have come short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) thus labeling every human as having a deficit. This one statement by the Apostle Paul explains that because of sin, we all have some type of dysfunction and He explains that the answer is in a savior, Jesus.

A person who identifies their dysfunction can make changes to break the hold and change the outcome of their lives. This ending of dysfunction can change the lives of future generations and create families of honor.

Such was the case of the author of this article. Coming out of his teen years, he identified that his parental upbringing had left emotional scars upon his life. He determined to end the dysfunction by starting his own family, allowing God to be his guide.

Upon meeting his future wife, the young couple started to attend church services and committed their lives to Jesus Christ, being baptized and agreeing that they both would break the dysfunction they were raised to know.

It was no overnight conversion, but took time and care with ever yielding of their wills, emotions, and desires to the correction offered in the scriptures. Even after raising two children into adult life, the dysfunction that they sought to break still carried overtones into their personalities and the lives of their children. However, the family seeks the goal of ending the dysfunction.

Immediate change has a huge impact when choosing to break dysfunction; yet time is needed to remove the long term effects that dysfunction has and often that will occur in future generation. Yet it takes one person to start that change and many lifetimes to correct the past.

If you are one that seeks to break the dysfunction, contact ChristianWorker.org to tell us your story and open up the opportunity for us to encourage you today! Everyone needs an influence towards good actions, let us be yours. Write us at tcw@christianworker.org.

A Model’s Life?

A Model's Life?

By Louis Austad. TCW Author.

The glamour in the world of modeling should be judged by the impact it has on those young people who strive to be the next cover shot. While largely ignored, the truth about modeling does need to be told, for the effects modeling can have on youth can lead to their death. Modeling is not as beautiful as the pictures make it to be.

This three part article will examine the start, progress, and possible results from seeking a life as an actor or model. Today we will discuss being discovered. In the following days, we will look at a models lifestyle, concluding with a focus on the end result of seeking this fashionable career.

Glamour, glitz, and provocative poses are enough to suggest to a young teen that success awaits them. Why work at the market, fast food drive through, or in the department store when magazines will pay big money to have models grace the articles of the world's publications? This is the thinking of young people influenced to run to the world of modeling.

Television shows like America's Next Top Model, expose a small selection of young women to the world of modeling with guidance. These girls have people watching over them, counseling them, and paying the bills for travel, lodging, clothing, and food. However, only a few girls are selected from tens of thousands who want to be models.

These shows create a mystique that few girls may experience – the rest will experience the world of modeling in a different way. This too will be filled with people who act as help, but are feasting on the careers that may or may not flourish.

How does a person become a model?

Pageants, cattle calls, and auditions to be a model only produce a very small fraction of people who will enter the modeling world. The main intent of these events, billed as "talent searches," is a business that feeds off parents by manipulating them to believe their Billy or Sally can command top dollar for their looks. From both angles, this business is greed driven and produces much disappointment.

Walking through a mall, you may be surprised to have a person approach you, claiming that your child looks the part and inviting you to an open audition. With promises of opportunity to be the star, youth subjected to this type of sales pitch are filled with passion and excitement. If a parent is not filled with pride that he or she produced said prodigy, the reaction of the child is often enough to drive them to attend the audition.

At an open audition, it is common to encounter excited youth in crowds of fifty, one hundred, and sometimes more. Standing in a waiting line becomes a tool in the hands of the promoter, who is setting the desire as a hook in the minds of their targets.

Step one is the Polaroid shot. The Polaroid is used in the modeling and acting industry for casting agents selecting candidates for their projects. Whether you are a seasoned model or actor, Polaroid shots are common and suggest that your aspiring star will be considered. Besides, it slows the line down.

Step two is an interview. Often billed as "Interviews with an agent," your aspiring star will speak with one, two, or more people who ask questions – prompting the person to exhibit enthusiasm. The panel displays various reactions which target an individual's emotions, building desire.

Step three is an on-camera interview. Taken into a separate room, our aspiring star has his or her five minutes of fame. The interview starts with your name and age, followed by sharing personal interests or continually repeating a line. Though it seems legit, many of these auditions are rarely viewed and they are designed to be one more time consuming events making people feel as if they have invested themselves in the process of the star's big break.

Time invested is a hook all of its own. You stood in line for over a half-hour, then you waited to complete each station, now you have one more step where you meet a responsible looking person who will tell you the good or bad news about your prodigy. At this point in the process, parents are ready to leave and the youth is restless and bored. The desire, however, could never be higher.

Now where the approach may differ in each situation, the company that has sponsored the open audition makes their money helping your star reach their potential. They feel that a person has a chance, but will prompt both parent and youth to work hard at becoming the next star.

They will tell you that an actor or model will need to have an agent, headshots, business cards, and a few training classes so they can go on casting calls. That is the business of the company, making the future's stars; "like the ones they proudly post on their office walls."

The company will help your child with the essentials that they need to get their start; however, it will cost you. For a nominal fee, compared to what the child could make, you will receive headshots, on-camera lessons, and assistance with finding an agent. It all is legitimate and can get your child to castings where they may get lucky to land a part. However, many never make it that far.

The company that invited the potential individuals to the open call will only offer its services to you if you sign a contract with them. The contract commits 5 to 10% of the child's earnings should they get work; which seems small enough. Yet to balance the costs of the company who provided the photographer, printer, and casting crews, that have interviewed your child, a small fee of $1000 to $3000 is due at signing.

What a small amount to make millions, right? This is only the start, there will be 20% paid to the agent for the work the actor or model does. Then there will be transportation costs to the casting calls, food on the road, time away from work, and a very busy hustle and bustle where your aspiring star will join thousands of others trying to land 1 to 3 opportunities a week.

What people do not realize or stop to think about is that jumping in line is not the only way to become an aspiring artist. This truth can become a light in the darkness or a tunnel to deeper darkness, depending on what the industry life does to your child; however, there is an easier road and it does not cost you a bunch of money.

Simply enough, take a few photos of your star or yourself and write a short (very short) bio, add your phone number and email, then walk into an agency. Tell the receptionist of your intent and have a seat. Soon you will have a very busy person rush to see you who will hurl some comments towards you.

Ready to hear the truth?

You're too fat, you're too light, you're too dark, you need this or that. Rarely will you hear that you are perfect because everyone is a critic. This cold criticism will follow every aspiring star and their ability to change will make or break them. You will have either an invitation or a rejection; it is that simple.

Cold, hard truth faces actors, and models; the only liberating point is that they can choose to believe the critics or reject them. Enduring criticism and adjusting can advance one further than they imagine.

In the next article, we will look inside the world of modeling and explore the lifestyle of those selected and committed to be the next cover shot.

Nigeria Has 7m Orphans

Lagos

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Saudatu Usman Bungudu has revealed that there are about seven million orphans in Nigeria, with the loss of parents through HIV/AIDS accounting for more than 25 percent of the orphans.

She expressed fears that with the estimated 10-year leg between infection and death, the numbers of orphans would continue to remain high even with declining HIV prevalence rates and said this called for concerted action to address the attendant challenges.

Bungudu made the disclosure in Calabar when she paid a courtesy visit to the Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke while on an advocacy visit to the State.

She said her visit was to acquaint, solicit and mobilize support for the successful execution of the National Plan of Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NPA on OVC), adding that success of the program in Cross River would be very relevant to the overall success of the national exercise in view of its strategic location.

She called on agencies, organizations, NGOs, media and individuals to lend their support and give publicity to enhance its success.

The Minister appealed that children issues, particularly that of orphans and vulnerable children should be given priority in the State.

This, she said, can be done with adequate corresponding budgetary allocation to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development as the lead coordinator in the State and its other key partners in the implementation of the Plan of Action, namely, Ministries of Education, Health and Information.

She also called for the inauguration of the State Steering Committee, State Stakeholders Forum and State Technical Working Group for implementation of the National Plan of Action on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (NPA on OVC).

Governor Liyel Imoke in his response called for a close synergy between the Federal and State Governments to fight issues relating to situation of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Nigeria, stressing that the Child Rights Act should be fast tracked by the Federal Government and data bases provided to enable States implement it.

Imoke, who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham lamented that it is because OVC lacks Social Welfare Scheme in Government policy that prompted the State to create Ministry of Social Development headed by a woman, saying that issues which touch on OVC should not be handled by State alone but Federal Government should also be involved while commending NGOs in their efforts to create awareness on matters affecting women and children.

He said the State government was also worried about the incidence of child trafficking in the country, adding that the trend would continue to grow until the economy of rural areas is improved. He attributed the scourge of child trafficking to poverty and said the State Government has initiated series of programs geared towards empowering women to improve their skills and income.

Imoke disclosed that it is in line with this policy that Government initiated the Rural Development Agency and Rural Electrification Agency amongst others with the view of addressing the needs of rural women and children adding that it is also in order to reduce mortality rate in the State that Government came out with a free medical services for children under five years and pregnant women.

England’s Decline and Sharia Law

England's Decline and Sharia Law.

What if your country threw away its laws and adopted laws that Islamic nations live by? That is not just a question; it is a major push upon England's judicial system. English law was founded on Judaeo-Christian beliefs, now English Bishops are being split by the Muslim influence to change to Sharia law.

The push to change has taken on a different tactics than political pressure for change; the push to change is coming as Bishops are being asked to resign so their replacement can usher in the, Islamic friendly, change. This is the way of infiltration selected by Islam

Sharia would be in tension with the English legal tradition on questions like monogamy, provisions for divorce, the rights of women, custody of children, laws of inheritance and of evidence. Sharia is the body of Islamic law and the word means the "way" or "path to the water source."

Sharia promotes the Muslim way of life and reaches deep into business, politics, banking, contracts, family, hygiene, sexuality, and social issues. It is a system of how law ought to serve humanity, a consensus of the unified spirit and is based upon the Qur'an.

With the Islamic world in decline and western culture spreading into Muslim nations, the calls for reform became louder. Those leading the wave of Westernizing, sometimes pressured and sometimes forced nations to change to their law. For many years Western influence would be swallowed as bitter medicine and now the tables are turning as Islamic influence is quietly spreading its influence into Western culture.

Showing up in your town as peaceful loving people, are people devoted to the spread of Islam. As in England, they build their Mosques that open opportunities for other Muslims to move to the area able to practice their religion. Little by little they spread their influence until they grow into a sizable culture.

In England, the eventual spread soon outnumbered churches and now the growing populous is trying to affect the judicial systems. What was once a large world power is now become a dominated society unable to keep its own founding principles.

How does this affect Christian Workers?

Islam's Sharia law has guidelines that infiltrate the police and military. A bill purposed by lawmakers in Indonesia would impose Sharia law on all non-Muslims, the armed forces, and law enforcement officials.

Once in place the Muslim practice of killing Christians can become legal. Even today, Christian churches have gone underground as Muslim's have burned villages, killed people, and hunted anyone claiming to be Christian.

Indonesian Christians have written The Christian Worker with prayer requests detailing stories of being driven from their homes and having to take refuge in the jungles; none of these actions indorsed by Muslim leaders who blame religious extremists.

The spread of Islam teams many factions of Islam silently together; each side tied to faith in Allah. There are militant extremists who think them to be the sword of Islam, while quiet mild manor Islamic leaders preach peace and claim to be model citizens. Yet funding of the sword comes from quiet towns with nods from quiet leaders.

Why would Muslims do this towards Christians? Their scriptures tell them to.

Open-ended passages are interpreted by Muslims differently. One thing they all agree on is that Christians are named specifically by the Qumran and never will they be acceptable. The following are passages taken from the Qumran that detail the influence that formed Sharia law.

2:120: "Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with you till you follow their religion. Say: "Verily, Islâmic Guidance is the only Guidance. And if you were to follow their desires after what you have received of Knowledge, then you would have against Allâh neither any protector nor helper."

3:56: "As to those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe torment in this world and in the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers."

3:85: "And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers."

5:51: "O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as friends, they are but friends to one another. And if any amongst you takes them as friends, then surely he is one of them. Verily, Allâh guides not those people who are the wrongdoers."

9:123: "O you who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allâh is with those who are the pious."

Quran, 9:29: "Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not Islam as the religion of truth among the people of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah [religious tax] with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.".

Christianity is being pushed out of England and as Islam gains momentum, it will become violent towards those who remain; just like it has in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Islam is a threat to Christian Workers.

Steven Baldwin- The Celebrity is a Christian.

The Celebrity is a Christian.

Standing for his moral convictions, Steven Baldwin is a Christian Worker that is not afraid to say no।

Steven is an American actor, known for his amazing on camera talent. He is the youngest of four brothers who all have made television, movies, and celebrity life very interesting. Now the celebrity has turned apprentice.

Embarking on a new television venture, Steven Baldwin has joined the cast of The Celebrity Apprentice; a Donald Trump produced television show filmed on New York’s, Manhattan Island.

Each episode pits two teams of celebrities competing to complete challenges in an attempt to win money for charity. In this competition, the best and the worst of human performance are judged by Donald Trump and each week the individual with the worst performance is dismissed from the show.

The tension runs high and egos get in the way; yet in the midsts of controversial business practices Steven Baldwin stands strong in his Christian faith, even when pressured to speak about his short comings as a human.

The episode that shows Steven’s true faith to Jesus Christ occurred when the project manager for Steven’s team, resorted to espionage and spying on the planning of the opposing team. In this controversy, Steven represents Christian ethics to the television audiences as he is vocally abused by his project manager. “I think God is watching us all and as a result of that, I will not compromise who I am.”

Like most sin, what started as a light hearted joke, Steven quickly identifies as being wrong and cheating. His outspoken stand for what is right brought much response from the project manager who accuses Steven of trying to hypocritically reclaim his public persona, being a man of ministry.

What is admirable of Steven is that though he was involved in the creation of the espionage, he repents and then continues to offer salvation to his project manager. “I certainly need you in the future for one challenge I have in mind. And that is to give your life to Jesus; do you think that day will ever come?”

When you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, you know which one you hit by the one who yelps the loudest and the response from the project manager became a torrent of accusations designed to silence Steven.
“You’re the one whose life is so sick and depraved that you have to crawl out of the abyss by finding something decent with your life.” The answer to which, Steven does not deny, for Steven knows that we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Later in Donald Trump’s board room accountability was being served and there, it became apparent that though distancing himself from poor business ethics, the earlier actions of Steven would be linked the indiscretion by onlookers who saw him associated to the project manager.

In this confrontation, all Christians would become on trial with Steven, as Donald Trump pointedly asked, “Steven, do Christians spy?” Sheepishly, Steve would have to answer, “I can only speak for myself; I am not a judge.” After this answer, the conversation turned away from Christians towards the management of the project; yet, for a moment the world watched as Steven Baldwin became a spokesman for Christ.

I admire Steven Baldwin in placing himself in this difficult situation, for the good news of Jesus Christ must be taken to the whole world, including Mr. Trump’s board room. Christians often times hold back from participation because of the ethics of others. Choosing to insulate themselves from the world, they lose on opportunities like this one which Steven identified and ran to.

Good job, Steven Baldwin. You are a Christian Worker.

Are Christians foregoing Mission Trips?

01/31/2008 Christian AP New Wire

Mission trips are no longer the soul target for Christian evangelists. Yes, there are still people that are hands on field experts; however, missionaries are now grabbing keyboard and mouse and clicking their way to foreign countries without leaving their own.

One such example is Louis Austad of Bellflower California. Ten years ago, Louis became a writer of Christian literature. With an interest in the internet, Louis saw opportunity to have an entity that could house his work.

In 2003, Louis started The Christian Worker website; a magazine devoted to Christian encouragement; what he did not anticipate was that http://christianworker.org would soon be viewed by people from countries around the world.

"The host provider I selected provided real time statistics, tracking where my publication is viewed. Counting the countries I found that The Christian Worker was being viewed in over ninety one countries."

Not long after the first issue was posted, letters from Christians around the world flooded into The Christian Worker email. Not only were people reading, they wanted to ask questions. As a Bible teacher, Louis found not only was his writing fulfilling, but he also enjoyed counseling people on their beliefs and problems. This made Louis rethink who he was; no longer was he just a writer, he had become a missionary, caring for the needs of others.

What was once a desire to write material to encourage people in his own country became a torrent of responses from around the world. Daily Louis sends out an email devotional Bible study that readers subscribe to receive. Teaching scripture by scripture through books of the Bible, each email uniquely speaks to how to apply the Bible to daily life.

"One day I sat down to process sign up requests and to my amazement there were over fifty responses from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I do not know how they translate it, but being written in English does not stop people from reading it."

When asked if missionaries no longer should travel to foreign lands, Louis replied, "The need for missionaries has never been greater, and though the internet is a great way to encourage Christian workers, it will never replace the person in the field completing the great commission. I only want to encourage them, not replace them"

For more information you can contact Louis Austad by writing tcw@christianworker.org or at his website http://christianworker.org.