Gifts in Men

Greetings Friends,

I am writing to you that you may remember to consider the God of Israel as a protector and provider of orphans and widows. James states that “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction . . .” (James 1:27) Brothers, I appeal to you to be unspotted from this world’s influence and intentions. Why do you think that YHWH or “Yahweh” [God] (Psalms 83:13 Old KJV) gives his sons & daughters the responsibility for caring for orphans and widows as our only means of true Christian worship? How do you view Jesus’ feelings toward the less fortunate - including those with no helper?

John 14:18 illustrates a metaphor by situation or circumstances in alignment with the apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 2:17, he speaks of “having been orphaned.” Furthermore Mark 12:41–44 highlights a faithful widow, who gives two small copper coins of very little value, “all she had to live on.” Jesus, referenced the widow in Zarephath’s story in Luke 4:25–26, and a widow’s son in Luke 7:12. Remember, Jesus did not appreciate scribes who “devour widows” houses (Luke 20:47). The account comes from the Book of Acts? in remembrance of his beloved disciples' efforts to quickly adapt to the needs of those grieving within the region. In Acts 6:1–7, “was increasing in number” (Acts 6:1 Acts 6:7) Greek speaking widows enduring neglect. Maltreatment? based solely upon language and cultural divisions by Aramaic-speaking believers. (Acts 4:34) Disciples discovered that those in need were being spiritually, socially AND economically neglected. (Acts 6:2)? The congregation appointed overseers to carry out responsive service work . . . servant people- leaders cared for widows, but also became integral in the spread of the GOOD NEWS into the world at large (Acts 7–8).

I ask you to act in love so that it is not hidden. It is better that I openly rebuke that which resists the holy writing. I question, does your household or congregation facilitate care for widows and orphans? If so, in what way are you fulfilling the law of the prophets? If not, why not? What issues regularly arise in your ministry of hospitality and in giving gifts of mercy? How does your family and congregation resolve those challenges? I pray your faith continues to translate into even greater works of love - which you are already doing! Let us not forsake the gathering of ourselves, as some are accustomed to do, in order that the body might be edified. All the while becoming doers and not forgetful hearers - offering our faith in unhypothetical action.

Suggested Reading:

Psalm 68:5

Deuteronomy 24:19)

Deuteronomy 14:28–29

Deuteronomy 27:19

Exodus 22:22– 24

Psalm 146:9

Earnestly,

Sister Nichols

Let’s talk about sex . . .

If? you are sexually active, with more than one sexual partnership, or your partner has multiple sexual relationships please get tested every six months.?

Many are guilty of “covetous sexual appetite.” Such sexual greed is condemned in the Bible.—Ephesians 5:3-5.

Why talk about STDs??

Compassion matters! Character is defined by how you treat those who can do nothing for you . Furthermore, you do not have to test positive to be an advocate for an AIDS free world. Did you know syphilis is plaguing the dirty south?! I may choose an abundance of peace by not putting myself at risk - yet it is not burdensome.

I follow the example of Liz Taylor in regards to her speaking out as an ally for a cause that I am not personally impacted by.? Yet, I illuminate her message with gentle admonition against unbridled passions. It is advantageous to reduce sexual partners to zero outside of a monogamous marriage - free of sex abuse,? intravenous drug use and other high-risk licentious behaviors. According to the holy writings, those who engage in unrepentant premarital sex or adultery are at risk of loosing favor with the God of all comfort.—Colossians 3:5, 6

Paul’s letters to Christians in Ephesus (5:25-27) mandate Husbands to continue loving their wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself up for it, in order that he might sanctify it, cleansing it with the bath of water by means of the word, so that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, without a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but holy and without blemish. The apostle Paul reminded Christian congregations that the will of God is for Christ’s followers to be holy and abstain from sexual exploitation.? Paul warns us that each of us should know how to control his/her own body in holiness and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:3).

DID YOU KNOW SYPHILIS IS TRENDING IN AMERICA?

Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more

Tax Talk

According to Mark 12:17 in the Message Bible Translation (MSG) Jesus said, “Give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.” Their mouths hung open, speechless.

Please keep in mind that you can not get pollinated if you keep your pedals closed. With current United States bans on the usage of public funds (for second or “Late” term abortions) it is time for an audit of sound moral reasoning ability via character development work. The apostle Peter (1:15, 16) was known as a fisher of men. The Holy One called each of us, to become holy in ALL your conduct, for it is written: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”?

Our tax dollars - our choice!

Intelligent Design Article by Sweetpea on December 2023

Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

Change-Agent: “They're the people who change the world and industries, start movements and businesses, and innovate when others are content. They inspire others to be better, and seek out situations where their impact can be maximized” (Forbes,, 2018).

HOT TOPICS - Intelligent Design Theory?

Did life spontaneously evolve or was it intelligently designed??

• United States District Court, Central District of California
• Judge Otero - University of California Decision, Judgment released on March 28, 2008?
• Biologist Michael Behe - Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District

USA, CANADA & MEXICO: in accordance with the Paris Agreement peace treaty budgets are mandated to fund collaborative efforts between international institutional partners.

Certified - Youthworker

Wonder how advocates for youth may root developmentally appropriate and culturally humble; student-lead outdoor treatment programs for children removed from their developmental niche? Should feminism include favorable outcomes for young male and pre-teen men? Should orphans, wards of the court and or foster/kinship youth have access to vocational scaffolding in early childhood??

Q. What are the barriers and challenges you face in advocating for youth separated from their primary caregiver, home environment and family culture??

1. “Even if a child cannot be with their family it’s important we make sure that they stay connected as long as it's safe. This is a big shift in child welfare in the past 10 years.? We now train our foster and kinship caregivers to see themselves as working in partnership with a youth’s birth family.? For example, when a youth is separated from their birth family and transitions to a foster family we set up a call between the two families.? This allows the foster family to reassure the birth family that their child is safe.? They can ask questions of the birth family about a child’s likes, dislikes, routines, and traditions.? The birth family in turn can ask questions of the foster family so that they have a sense of who is temporarily taking care of their child. It was a huge challenge initially getting both birth families and foster families to get used to this idea but once they did they realized how valuable it was for improving the experience of the children and also helped reduce their own anxiety and worries.” —Nicole Stein, (CSU, Guardian Scholars Program)

Role of Educators: Self-awareness of personal bias; Metacognition; Uncovering the developmental niche of each student by showing sincere personal interest.?

1. Able to accurately discern the psychology of pupils; pupils’ caregiver(s) and/or relief caregiver(s).

2. Appreciation for learners' home culture and environment.

3. Celebration for each household's core values & beliefs.

Role of Administrators: NAEYC Standard - ?6c: Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource. 5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts – music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathematics; science, physical activity, physical education, health and safety; and social studies.

Seed - Sower

“...some seeds fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate them up.”?

—Matt. 13:1-9, NW

“Others fell upon the rocky places where they did not have much soil...and because of not having root they withered...Others, too, fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them.” —Matt. 13:1-9, NW

As reported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention 2019 Annual Report: In 2017, local facilities (those staffed by county, city, or municipal employees) held 38 percent, state facilities held 33 percent, and private facilities held 29 percent of all juveniles in residential placement.

Transition care is needed for children, youth and families in crisis - an established best practice policy and procedure to serve the hard to reach & and at risk. . . Over one hundred years a behaviorist approach has influenced the private education sector of the teaching field. Charter and Private Montessori schools from TK-12th grade are no longer serving the intended demographic. Rather than being applied in a residential setting or available for public application these methods have mutated into a philosophy bannering around white supremacy. Many programs with a varying degree of fidelity are found in the US. We know that brain development, from prenatal to adolescence, is impacted by early stage activity. We appreciate that children with adverse childhood experiences need high-quality instruction and consistency of care to overcome trauma. According to Felitti (1998),it is advantageous to resolve fearful attachment and memory function issues concerning the amygdala.?

The implication of untreated adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) leads to conflicts in self esteem. It may be concluded that later risk taking behavior clusters are born from a lack of autonomy, agency and identity in the first stages of cognitive and physical development. Consider a three year old learner seeking safety by healing trauma outdoors. The aim is to build foundations for learning; root healthy relationships with adults and improve self esteem via eco-psychology. For example Practitioners may be encouraged by bilingual learners to use a disposable, one-time use camera to photograph a home and garden environment. A specialist may gain insight into the interests of underserved children seeking safety by analyzing their uninterrupted work. Stressed pupils can practice psychomotor development as they learn to establish and maintain a working greenhouse garden with outside raised planter beds. Students cultivate a sense of empathy in their cognitive “Heart” whilst tending and harvesting shared meals. Empathy may be procured as students practice grace and courtesy manners associated with offering hospitality. Fine motor skills are a direct aim (repetition method).?

1. “You can't get housing, you can get an income and food and clothing. How can you help put people in housing? Homelessness comes with disorder and mental illness. We need programs for children in those transitional places - school, library, tech center; home gym, pool and spa, sauna, backyard plus a solar shower; greenhouse and garden, front lawn with landscaping too. Let the parents work where they live creating a home for children - offering games [developmentally appropriate for the stage of development]. Staff who works with a case manager need to be qualified - offer a rotating nurse as support staff. Surviving early childhood trauma to offer a positive contribution to society is the essence of breaking the cycle of abuse in connection to generational poverty. Everything has to be done decently and in order. Who is going to help the kids? God will reward you later in life if you advocate for the fatherless; the lowly.” —Melvin Ross, (Supervisor, Glide San Francisco)

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is a federal law created to support the enrollment and education of homeless students.?

ECOPSYCHOLOGY

According to King (2016), Theodore Roszak defined Ecopsychology. A principal fire-starter for who highlighted a radical movement in France!

“Theodore Roszak coined the term counterculture to describe the youth‐led uprising he observed happening around the world against the previous generation's ideals and attitudes towards politics, education, the arts, and social relations” (p. 1).

“It is not true that I invented what is called the Montessori Method... I have studied the child; I have taken what the child has given me and expressed it, and that is what is called the Montessori Method.” —Dr. Maria Montessori

Care for the Person - Dialectical Behavioral Therapy may treat stress, anxiety, depression and ADHD. Practitioners, stewards and mental health professionals must unite to ensure the best learning outcomes for military dependents, foster youth and their families recovering from trauma - including caregiver separation anxiety. Peer Resource education and training is recommended for adverse childhood experience screening (ACEs), premature death prevention and intervention; education reformation and gang prevention.

Care for the Environment - Vocational exploration with mentor Environmental Scientists, Biochemists or Microbiologists, Ethnobotanists; Technicians/Engineers (Aerospace, Industrial, Biotechnology, Chemical, Marine, Materials, Civil, Renewable Energy); Producers/Members of the Associated Press; Data Analysts

Naturalist Activities

Professional ? Scientific ? Technical

Montessori education, action research and scientific lens learning may include garden classrooms for investigation of carbon sequestration in land and sea based plants, deep dives into the prosocial behavior clusters of caregiving animals and wild propagation of native species. Certified Naturalist is committed to the instruction of nature journaling, fine art & consensus discussion via seasonally guided “Ecosystem Exploration '' by county/parish.

Minor Child Study

Observing Childhood Development in the First 12 Years?

Age of Consent

Did you know the age of consent per online branding and content distribution of the likeness of minor children, in the United States of America and outlying territories, is thirteen years old? Caregivers and Practitioners have three viable options: stop violating the privacy of minor children sans consent to post/publish; hide identifying facial features from the camera or wait till age 12 to ask AND be granted permission to collaborate on an upcoming online campaign.?

Social /Emotional?

Emotions and Temperament

Dependence/ Autonomy?

Impulse Control

Relations with Peers

Relations with Adults

Antisocial and Prosocial Behavior

Pretend Play

Cognitive

Oral Language

Literacy

Learning Disposition

Upcycle/Recycle

Mathematical principles found in nature: sacred geometry; logarithmic spiral, Fibonacci Sequence etc. Activities are appropriate for reading-age learners in 3rd grade & up with adaptations for accelerated, emerging adult, and lifelong learners.

STEAM Engineering + Art Therapy = Maker’s Faire

3D Modeling

Drawing & Painting

Drafting

Display Architecture

Photography & Origami

Recycled Paper Folding: Origami is a compound word: “Ori” meaning folded + “Kami” meaning paper. This standard practice and skill building developed from “Orikata” meaning folded shapes. Origami, as a Japanese fine art, is transformed into a Montessori exercise. An origami helix involves folding tangent lines to a given parabola - elementary geometry, radian angle measure, and calculus. Emerging artists use mathematical principles to create equilateral triangles, pentagons, hexagons, special rectangles; double a cube and to trisect an angle from a square.

Physical and cognitive exercise combined may encourage mindfulness, meditation and relaxation. Skill building practice and standard review support amygdala functions to improve memory, concentration and spatial perception. Paper folding projects cluster aspects of geometry, convertible or space-efficient engineering and computer aided design. True beauty, and the three dimensions of life, may be logically understood in order to imitate intelligent designs of our natural world.?

Silent Hike - Observe, Document, Share

The scientist is a lover of truth for the very love of truth itself, wherever it may lead. —Luther Burbank?

Unit Lesson Theme(s):

1. Invertebrates: flatworm, nematode, annelid, mollusk, arthropod?
2. Herpetofauna: salamander, lizard, frog, snake, turtle, tortoise?
3. Birds: owl, raptor, scavenger, generalist
4. Mammals: insectivore, herbivore, omnivore, carnivore

"Learn by taking pictures - by observation" —Billy Boothe

Nature Pedagogy: language arts includes nature journaling, poetry & songwriting. Biomimicry study offers postpartum (new) mothers prosocial behaviors of keystone species with their newborns. Oral language arts encourage cultural humility through storytelling: folklore, myths &? legends. Science and math interest areas are clustered around scientific drawings; data entries per record and observation journaling. Didactic exercises strategize adaptations for all stages of human development. Students are able to share their unique perspectives and backgrounds with each other while engaging in sensorial activities.

Projects Certified Naturalist Inc Administers via iNaturalist

AYA Naturalist

Chickasaw Walk and Talk A. Chickasaw Plant ID - Ethnobotany with emphasis on plants of culinary and medicinal significance.

Chickasaw Hunt and Find

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Mah Wah Ta

Mah Wah Ta means to, "Hunt or Find"

Mariposas de Mexico

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LEAN IN

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