by B.J. Armstrong

December, the 12th and last month of the year is celebrated with many holidays. Christians celebrate Christmas as the birthday of Jesus Christ on December 25. Many people prepare for New Year's Eve parties at the end of December. This should be a month to reflect back over the year and be thankful for our great country. I love the following Thanksgiving poem:

Oh, God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home, help me to remember the homeless;
When I am without pain, help me remember those who suffer,
And remembering, help me to destroy my complacency and bestir my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. ------ Samuel Pugh

Since the beginning of time, this world has been sick, spiritually, mentally, morally, and physically. All sorrow and suffering, all sickness and pain are

result of sin. The physical body should be carefully guarded and developed so that we can be a blessing to ourselves and others. We should take care of our body, not disfigure it.

Body piercing is the rage nowadays. It has been on an upward climb since 2002. When I had my ears pierced (once) it was a major decision. And I was an adult!  Now, mothers think nothing of getting the tiny baby's little ears

pierced.

What happened to just getting the ears pierced? First, it was one hole. Next came two and three holes. Then came the belly button, and heaven forbid, even the genitals. On the beautiful face came the eyebrows, nose, lips, and ouch! the tongue. Will it stop there? Let us hope so. Dear young people, have you thought about getting an infection from this body piercing?

If not, here's a few tips that you might want to consider (if) you decide to defile your body:

* Disposable needles are a must.
* Clean plastic gloves over clean washed hands.
*Instruments should be sterilized with heat

* Have you had a tetanus shot in the past ten years?
* Have you really, really thought this over?

Did you change your mind yet? No!

O.K. you have decided to get it done. Did you think about the jewelry that you will be using? If not, the lowest risk factor in jewelry is gold, stainless steel, titanium, and platinum.

We should put ourselves in the best possible relation to life and health. Said the apostle Paul:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's .... I Corinthians 6:19,20.

Are you still set on getting pierced? Well, let us consider the side effects of this venture..... that is, if something happens and you have to have the jewelry removed.

* Broken teeth ..from pierced lips and/or tongue.
* Scars from torn skin
* Infections
* Pain (for any reason) especially pierced nerves.

Dear reader:
I hope you have read this and thought about it. When people talk to you..... Are they distracted by things on your body? If so, something is wrong. When you are having a conversation, the other person should be in tune to what you are saying.

We need to remember that when we afflict our bodies by the violation of the health rules, there is danger. There is only one answer. Prevention! The most priceless possession of anyone is "a good healthful body." It is indeed a priceless treasure never fully appreciated until it is lost. I

Corinthians 3:17 says: "if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

Reflect back over this past year of 2005. Look at your physical body. Are you happy with it? If not, decide now, before the year ends to change that, this next year. It pays to follow the laws of health. It pays physically. It pays emotionally. It pays in your sense of well-being.

I wish everyone " A very Happy, Healthful, and Merry Christmas!"
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