Can Your Child Find Porn on Your Phone?

By AMY O'LEARY

David Maxwell for The New York TimesSome parents neglect to consider how their children might access Internet content differently on mobile devices, versus a desktop computer.

Whether a six-year-old is tapping on Grover in “The Monster at the End of This Book” on an iPad, or a teen is blowing through “The Hunger Games” on a Kindle Fire, some parents don’t realize that many devices, marketed for reading, music listening or gaming, also provide Internet access — and sometimes a back-door to unwanted content.

When I was interviewing parents for “So How Do We Talk About This?”many said they had carefully set up parental controls on a home computer. But when I asked about the full range devices in their home like Wiis, PSPs, Nooks, and iPod Touches — all of which can access the Web—few of the parents had closely considered trying to extend those controls.

Gambling Your Health: How Air Quality Inside Casinos Can Make You Sick

When it comes to entertainment, the last thing a person wants to worry about is the possible health risks associated with a given activity. However, it is important to understand the possible health risks associated with leisure activities so that they can either be avoided or decreased. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, “indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors,” and much of that time is spent involved in recreation. So it is necessary to understand the effects poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can have on an individual and how such conditions can be improved.

Biological contaminants are part of poor indoor air quality and can contribute to health issues in people who are exposed. Such contaminants can be an even bigger problem in a casino establishing due to the sheer number of people that are present at any given time. Particular individuals, especially the elderly or those who have an existing respiratory condition, are at a high risk of being affected by airborne contaminants. Thus, avoiding high levels of mold in the air is very important. Moisture intrusion is necessary for the growth of black mold. If a building, such as a casino, has existing leaks, the structure can become a prime location for toxic mold to fester. In this kind of situation, it is very important to keep the building properly maintained and to fix any leaks or water intrusion sites as soon as they happen. If mold spores are present and water is added, mold can begin to grow rapidly, even within 48 hours. Those who are affected by black mold exposure will expect to suffer from the following symptoms: scratchy or irritated throat, watery eyes, congested nasal passage, coughing, sneezing, bloody nose, flue-like symptoms, skin sensitivity and rash. Severe reactions can cause damage to the kidneys, immune system, central nervous system or brain, and can even result in death. Not only does water intrusion lead to mold growth, which can cause serious health problems, but mold can also destroy the structural integrity of the building resulting in increased repair costs.

Beware of Pyramid Schemes

Beware of Pyramid Schemes

by Mark Buckley

There are several variations of pyramid schemes going on in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. right now. One entails people taking $2,000 to a meeting. The $2,000 is “gifted” to someone else and then the person takes eight other friends who “gift” others with $2,000. After their friends bring $2,000, the original person receives $16,000. This may seem like a great way to make money quickly. In reality, it brings pain, hurt, and confusion to many who get caught up in it. Pyramid programs by their very nature are designed to produce a great return for those who get involved early on, and anguish for those who are last to participate.

During the early part of 1997, Albanians were experiencing their first fruits of democracy. The people had not been exposed to many business practices, either legitimate or fraudulent, because of the Communist regime. When some devious individuals introduced a pyramid program to Albania, hundreds of thousands of people participated. When the nation was saturated with this program, the last people in realized that they had nobody to collect money from and the pyramid collapsed. At that point, thousands of the people went on a rampage. Anarchy broke out and a civil war began. To this day, the nation has not regained its stability. The people were naïve and somehow felt that they could get rich without really working, simply by investing in a pyramid scheme.

People should know better, but unfortunately there are many gullible people in the world. Most pyramid schemes are run by people who do not care about the other participants. They know that a great majority of them will lose money, but since their motivation is greed, that doesn't stop them.

There are ethical and scriptural reasons why Christians should not participate in pyramid schemes:

1. They are illegal. The operators of the schemes will often tell people that they are legal. They will also fight charges in court to delay the legal process from shutting them down, because the longer they keep going, the more money they make.

2. The Bible says “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that he shall also reap.” (Galatians 6:7). If you sow your time, energy or money into a program that ultimately causes financial loss, suffering and confusion to others, even if you made money temporarily, you will ultimately reap suffering, confusion and financial loss as a result.

3. Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12). We would not want anyone to get us involved in any endeavor, which would cause us financial loss. Therefore, as believers, we should not entice other people into a pyramid program which may cause them to experience financial loss. Is it really worth destroying relationships with people you know and love for money?

4. Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is better than great riches.” If you participate in a pyramid program, you are damaging your good name. People will begin to mistrust your motives. They will see you as a person who's willing to take advantage of them in order to bring profit to yourself.

5. The love of money motivates people to care more about self-interests than their neighbors or brothers. All pyramid programs will end up burning more people than they help. The basic mathematics of these programs necessitates that there will be many times more people losing than gaining money. That great majority of people will feel hurt, used, and abused. They will be disappointed and lose trust in anyone who got them involved in these programs. “The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10). As Christians, we should be promoting righteousness, peace, and joy. Our relationships should be built on love and trust.

6. The Bible says, “You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Swindlers take advantage of other people's weaknesses to make money for themselves. Greedy people are motivated by a desire for personal gain at others' expense. Covetousness is a form of idolatry (Colossians 3:5). We should flee such unrighteousness.

7. “Those who do not work should not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The desire to make money without working for it is an unrighteous desire. God uses work to build and shape our character. He delights in providing for those who put His Kingdom and His Righteousness first. Some people talk about using wealth that they are going to gain from pyramid schemes or gambling to promote God's Kingdom. God's Kingdom is not promoted by unrighteousness. It is promoted through the loving sacrifice of those who are obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Why is it that some Christians lack significant spiritual responsibility? One reason can be found in Luke 16:11 where Jesus said, “If you are not trustworthy in the use of unrighteous mammon, who will trust you with the true riches?” The way we handle our money is something God uses to determine whether He will trust us with the true riches of His Kingdom, which includes caring for His people and the release of spiritual gifts in our lives.

I urge you to flee from any unrighteous business dealings, pyramid programs, gambling, or activities that are promoted by greed. God's work is promoted most fruitfully by people who learn to love and give wisely, from an obedient, cheerful heart. If you keep God's Word, you will grow in the knowledge of Him and prosper in your soul. If you seek His Kingdom first and His Righteousness, He promises that you will always have enough of everything you need to enjoy this life. We only have one life to live; let's live it God's way!

The basic mathematics of these programs necessitates that there will be many times more people losing than gaining money. He who separates himself seeks his own desire; he quarrels against all sound wisdom. Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Summation of Ethical & Scriptural reasons to avoid pyramid schemes:

1. They are illegal.
2. You reap what you sow.
3. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
4. A good name is better than riches.
5. The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil.
6. You must not associate with...[the] greedy, or a swindler.
7. Those who do not work should not eat.
_______________

This article was taken from the Living Times magazine July, 1997 issue, published by Living Streams Church. Used With Permission.

Mark Buckley pastors Living Streams Church located in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a gifted and anointed author and has had his works published in Ministry Today and Charisma magazines among others.

E-mail Mark at: MarkBuckley@juno.com

Or write to: Living Streams - P.O. Box 44800 - Phoenix, AZ 85064

You can be blessed by reading more of Mark Buckley's articles at the Living Streams Website: http://www.livingstreams.org/

GROWING ADDICTION OF GAMBLING

GROWING ADDICTION OF GAMBLING

By Betty Miller

Studies show that lotteries are the favorite legal gambling game for teenagers. Statistically, one of seven who play will become addicted. But teenagers aren't the only ones affected. One out of 10 adults who gamble will become addicted too. In fact, gambling is the fastest growing addiction in America. Like alcoholism and drug addiction, compulsive gambling is costly to the economy. Families are the ones who suffer the most. Many people feel gambling is only a game that is fun, but the Bible tells us this evil is a terrible sin that will lead to poverty.

"He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him" (Proverbs 28:22).

Gambling in our nation is spreading as the number of states operating lotteries has more than doubled since 1980, making them the ultimate "get-rich-quick" schemes. As gambling spreads to more and more states, Christians need to have the Bible's instruction about this money robber. The Bible declares that it is wrong to bet money on the possibility of becoming instantly rich.

"He who oppresses the poor to get gain for himself, and he who gives to the rich will surely come to want" (Proverbs 22:16).

States who legalize lotteries and gambling are oppressing the poor for gain. According to a 1988 study of the Michigan lottery, that state sells the greatest number of tickets in low-income and ethnic neighborhoods in urban areas. Lottery tickets made available in grocery marts and drive-in markets make it easy for people to purchase these "chances to win the big hit." Some spend money on the lottery tickets instead of groceries for their families. Many compulsive gamblers wreck their lives and their families as they are encouraged to risk money that they usually cannot afford to lose. An estimated 15 million people are compulsive gamblers.

The lie that is used to promote this evil in our society is that legalized gambling doesn't promote crime and will lower taxes. Actually just the opposite is true -- gambling promotes other vices which attract the criminal element. This results in higher, not lower taxes as the cost for additional policing must be increased. Indian reservations and the big gambling centers of Las Vegas and Atlantic City are taking in billions of dollars. Casinos rob those who play the games with them as the odds are stacked 80% to 90% in favor of the casino. Even those that do win big on occasion statistics have proven that within two years most winners have totally spent the money they won.

Proverbs 21:20 says, "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."

People who gamble give to the pool of money that composes great wealth. This causes them to give to the rich and as Proverbs 22:16 says "...he who gives to the rich will surely come to want." Our states are also reaping a type of "poverty" where gambling exists because it undermines the American work ethic. The result is lowered productivity, use of work time to gamble, absenteeism, high rates of business failure, and repeated non-payment of loans, mortgages and other financial obligations. Gambling is, to many, a scheme to escape labor.

Some Christians argue that gambling does no harm. However, the scripture is clear that this activity is sinful. Anytime someone is enticed to gain money at someone's else's certain loss, this is definitely not practicing the principals taught by Christ. Also, the practice of gambling takes away from the Bible's principals of economics -- working, saving and giving. Discipline and accountability for spending are ignored. Gambling preys on the weakness of others.

Let me mention here that entering free sweepstakes or drawings are not sinful as they are advertising ploys paid for by the sponsors. They use these to advertise their products while giving their customers a chance to win in a drawing. There is no gambling involved as the participants give no money for a chance to win the prize.

However, many Christians are guilty of supporting lotteries, bingo, horse racing, and even playing at the casinos. Video poker has become so popular it is now referred to as "the crack cocaine of gambling." Some do not realize the gravity of their sin. They justify gambling simply because they have needs that cannot be met through their present earned income. The Lord desires to meet those needs for them and will give them a plan for becoming debt free if they seek him and His economic principles in the Bible.

The Lord can bring deliverance to those caught in this web of compulsive gambling. Through admission of this sin and repentance God will break the bondage of it in those who desire to be set free. Gamblers need love and acceptance but they must repent in order to be free. The Lord loves those who are addicted to gambling and will help all that call upon Him for deliverance.
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