Many people have differing views about Halloween. We have a few articles about this holiday, including one on the history of Halloween (Bible verses are included), and an article full of ideas of fun fall costumes to wear. We also have articles just for celebrating autumn with instructions on painting pumpkins and recipes for movie night treats.

While we hope the article links above are helpful, we encourage you to think, pray, and study His Word when choosing what to believe and how to celebrate any holiday.

– Davonne Parks

I could not let the marriage issue of Pierce My Heart pass without talking about the biggest marriage debate in politics right now: same-sex marriage. It seems more and more frequently, law makers and political figures are talking about whether or not homosexuals should be allowed to marry.

There are currently six states that have voted to legalize same-sex marriage: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. California allowed it for five months and recognizes the marriages that were performed during that time. New York and Washington DC recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other states but do not allow them performed there.

Many homosexuals claim that they are discriminated against because of how they were made. They claim that women were liberated and slaves were freed, and they themselves should be seen as complete equals. However, unlike race, gender, or disability, which makes up who a person is, homosexuality is what someone does.

God’s word once again holds the answer to this great debate. Marriage is between one man and one woman. Leviticus 18:22: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is an abomination.”

In addition to how God biologically made man and woman for each other, he also gave both distinct roles (Genesis 2:18-25). God made woman to be a “helpmeet” for man (Genesis 2:18). God also told man to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28); in a homosexual relationship procreation would be impossible.

As Christians, it is important that we stand up for what God’s plan was for marriage. While this means that we should fight for our country to not give in to the tolerance of sin—homosexuality or otherwise—we also need to be sure that we are displaying the love of God to everyone, since we, too, are sinners. If we have a relationship with someone who is struggling, we can kindly tell them about God and His love for all people, and His desire for them to have a relationship with Him. That is the one relationship that truly matters.

By Sarah Ancheta

When someone thinks about college, usually going to classes online is not something that comes to most people’s minds. However, distance learning has some great advantages for those who are unable to go to a campus for school. For me, it has proven to be an excellent choice. I graduate with my associates in September and begin my bachelor’s program a week later. But, just because I study at home does not mean it is easy. I work hard, I study, I have to do research and write long papers. But, like any other school, I know the hard work will pay off.

How do I know if distance learning is for me?

If you are someone who works full time or have children, distance learning offers the greatest advantages for you. I was able to go to school online from the comfort of my home, after I had worked during the day. When I was pregnant, I was able to continue my education while on bed rest. But, contrary to what most believe, distance learning is not only for those who fit these circumstances. Many students just out of high school are beginning to use online classes. In fact, many community and state colleges are offering more and more classes in an online atmosphere. It saves on travel expenses and college or campus housing.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning?

Distance learning offers students quality education and the ease of receiving it from their home. However, it does have some drawbacks. Distance learning costs considerably more than conventional state or community colleges. Distance learning is also based on written communication. While different schools offer different types of classes depending on your field of study, some schools do require that students work in teams so that they learn to communicate through written and verbal communication (a telephone or voice messaging system is required).

Does distance learning accept financial aid?

Yes. Online colleges or universities accept government financial aid and student loans, as well as payments from students.

What equipment do I need to attend online classes?

Different schools may require different software, but you would definitely need to make sure that you have access to a computer with internet access that is reliable and meets speed requirements for the program you have chosen. Most programs also require that you have computer software that consists of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

How do I start?

The first place to start is to research schools with online learning programs. You need to make sure that the career field you have chosen is included in their program. Also, make sure that any school you choose is accredited. Programs with courses that are not accredited may not transfer to another school if you need to change classes or decide to go to a campus to learn.

Making the right decision for you

Choosing a career or even the college that will help you reach your goals is a very hard decision. Like any decision in our lives it is important to make sure that we allow God to lead us. Only with Him can we truly achieve our goals (Matthew 19:26).

By Sarah Ancheta

Choosing a career is not easy. There are so many choices and specialties out there that the possibilities are seemingly endless. From healthcare to accounting, business to law, there are many jobs, each claiming to be the best.

I wanted this list to be about more than the job salary. Actually, I didn’t want that to be a factor at all. Choosing a career is important because it is something that we plan on doing every day for about 30 years (or more). It needs to be something you enjoy doing and something that you will not be apt to get bored with quickly. This is a list of the careers that are projected to be the fastest growing in the United States. With growing fields it can make it easier to find work within that job market once you are able to meet the qualifications.

1.Physician’s Assistant (P.A.)––Believe it or not, being a P.A. is really becoming popular. Physician’s assistants are able to see patients without supervision (their charts are usually looked over and signed off on by a physician after treatment, however), and they can write prescriptions (for certain medications). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, a physician’s assistant is the fastest growing career field.

2.Physical Therapist––Those in this career field work with the elderly and disabled/injured to help them move and keep their bodies physically able to move.

3.Manicurists and Pedicurists––Even through the hard economic times our country has faced it seems as though those in this career stay busy.

4.Environmental Scientist––Examining and cleaning up waste, protecting the environment from harm, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

5.Computer Software Engineers––Two words: Bill Gates. While there is no guarantee to be as big in the business as he is, this industry is quickly growing. There is room for imagination and there always seems to be something new available.

6.Database Administrators––These are the people who manage stored information (customer information or inventories). One part of this career field that is especially significant is patient data. It has to be secure and stored accurately or it could cost people their lives.

7.Dental Assistants––This field provides much preventative care to older patients and usually does the cleaning that you receive as well.

8.Social Workers––Whether you would be a child’s advocate or work with mentally disabled individuals or substance abuse patients, this is a growing field.

9.Veterinary Technologist––If you love animals, this may be a good field to consider.

10.Personal and Home Care Aids––These are people that go into people’s homes and assist them when they are ill. From helping them to the restroom to making sure they take the correct medication, this is a field that really helps others be able to stay at their home rather than go to a nursing home or hospital.

With the job market being so competitive these days, it can be tough to make a decision of this caliber. What if you make a decision and get into a field that has few jobs? That is always a risk. However, try to keep your mind open to other possibilities. If you say you are going to be a nurse and then have a hard time finding a job, be willing to try other jobs (such as a personal or homecare aid). Sometimes it is even necessary to step outside your comfort zone and try something completely different. You may not realize the array of talent God has given you unless you try something. No matter what career choice you make, remember that being a Christian should be your first priority above all else.

By Sarah Ancheta

Recently, an interesting case on the news caught my eye. I didn’t know anyone related to it; I didn’t know anything about it. I just found myself reading a live daily blog of what happened in court. This was a murder case. It seemed as though everyone was speculating which way the jury would vote, even myself. When the jury reached its verdict and it was announced, I found myself astounded. I questioned if perhaps they had reached the right decision. Many in the community criticized them because they felt the evidence they saw pointed to the defendant being not guilty.

Then some thoughts came to my mind. Our country has a legal system that affords people the opportunity to be judged by an impartial jury of their peers. This system selects randomly among registered voters to find people to come hear cases. Once they show up for duty, prosecutors and defense attorneys then ask different types of questions to find people who have not had prior knowledge of the particular case or who they feel will be impartial to the alleged offender.

The responsibility

These twelve people did not ask to be given this case. They didn’t choose to be on a jury, and they certainly didn’t want to send a man to prison for life. But they had a civic responsibility to make the best decision they could given the evidence. No matter their decision, they served their community to the best of their abilities and I had no right to criticize them for doing a job that many people don’t want to do. These people who are chosen cannot have any stakes in the outcome of a trial, but by the time it is over it can sometimes affect them for life because of the weight of a decision they had to make.

There are so many jobs in our society to which this relates. Any public or civic service seems to be the first to draw criticism. There is an old saying, “You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people, all of the time.” Those who criticize someone who is doing their best to serve others should consider how difficult that job may be.

To question, or not

Occasionally there are times when we must question our system. If it is not tested, we won’t be able to find and fix any problems with it. But questioning and criticizing are completely different. By questioning, we are able to ensure our legal system is set up in a way that serves the public as a whole. Criticizing only creates negativity and doubt in our system and could lead to a lack of trust in and discontent with the system as a whole. If people do not trust the legal system, it makes it harder for our government officials to do their jobs. Police officers would lose the trust of the community, judges would be despised, it would lead to more criminals being left on the street.

Many times people are asked to take on a responsibility within an organization, church, company, or community and then are criticized because of how they perform. Often, those who are quick to criticize are among the last ones who would volunteer to do the job. Perhaps that is another reason for us to be slow to criticize others.

Someone who is making decisions based on the facts and following after the Lord may not be popular among those of the world. But as long as they are doing what is right and just, we should support and respect the decisions they make. And, without criticizing, we should accept their decision because there could be more to the situation than meets the eye.

Beyond public service

This criticism stretches far beyond public service positions. This scenario can be applied to almost any situation. A teacher who must punish a student does not do so because they want to, but if they allow that student to go about breaking the rules, then all students will think they should be allowed to break the rules too. Pretty soon, you have no rules or structure and no learning. That teacher’s responsibility is to make sure he or she creates an environment that allows all students to learn.

A parent does not discipline a child because he or she wants to. But without discipline, a child will not be able to learn right from wrong, and God’s standards of obedience. It is not an easy job to be a parent. When I was growing up, I didn’t understand why my parents disciplined me as much as they did. There are so many days now that I thank God that I had parents who cared enough about me to discipline me. And we should all thank our parents more for caring, because without that caring and teaching, we may end up on the wrong side of the courtroom with twelve jurors deciding our future––or perhaps one Judge, the Lord, deciding our fate without us ever learning to serve Him above all else.

Colossians 3:22: “Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.”

By Sarah Ancheta

Lately it seems all the big news has to do with the word “bailout.” This bailout is the government helping companies find a way out of bad economic decisions, poor spending, and over-inflated salaries for executives. I could go on and on with reasons why this idea is good and bad, but really all of that is too late now as the bailout has already been approved. We just need to pray it is beneficial and productive.

For most, the bailout of these big companies is just another sign of our failing economy. Most of you are probably aware of job cuts, lay-offs, and lack of new job openings. Many people think this economy crunch only affects professionals but that just is not so. Because of job loss in their workplace or simply due to inflated costs, many people are taking part-time jobs that generally attract teenage workers (i.e., jobs at the mall and fast-food services). The economy is also affecting parents’ decisions to hire sitters for the evening. They are favoring staying home rather than hiring the teenager down the street so they can go out.

So, what can a teenager do in these times to get work? Trust me, I feel your pain. I like making my own money, and have the responsibility of paying for my own gas, car insurance, etc. My first advice would be to talk to your parents. Sometimes parents know people or they themselves have things that need done that they would have to pay someone to do anyway. As spring approaches, many people hire landscapers to clean out flower beds, plant flowers, and do yard work. This would be a great way to earn money and it would not cost them as much as it would if they hired a professional landscaper. If you don’t like to work outside, perhaps offer your services for spring cleaning. Most households do a deep cleaning in the early spring. Because so many people are working two or more jobs, they may not have as much time to get this done as they usually would. They also may not have enough money to hire a professional cleaner.

Interview tips

If you have been looking for a job at a business with no luck, don’t get discouraged. Keep your head up and keep applying. I like interviews and am sharing a few tips I have learned along the way:

1. When turning in your application, always try to talk to the manager on duty. Give them a brief synopsis of yourself and a firm handshake. (If you are willing to work weekends and nights, make sure to mention this.)

2. Dress based on the business. Don’t assume that because you are applying at a fast food joint, you can wear jeans and a t-shirt. In general, be prepared to wear modest business casual clothes for interviews, such as dress pants with a nice shirt (even if it is fast food), unless the job will require business attire, in which case you should wear the same.

3. Keep your hair out of your face. If you have to keep brushing your hair back during the interview, it is distracting to the person you are talking to. And this is especially true if you will be working with food.

4. Do not wear open-toe shoes to an interview. No matter where it is. Once you are hired, if their policy has nothing against them, then you can wear them, but until you know for sure, play it safe and wear shoes that cover your toes––even in the summer.

5. Keep jewelry to an acceptable amount and don’t wear anything too eye catching. No big hoop earrings. A good rule of thumb is to keep the earring within 2-3’’ of the bottom of your earlobe. Wear no more than 1 necklace, 1 bracelet, and 1 ring on each hand. Too much jewelry takes away from what you really want them to pay attention to––you.

6. Do not fidget. I know most of our mothers tell us this a hundred times, but in an interview it is best to keep your hands crossed at the wrist your lap. If you clasp your hands, they may get sweaty if your nervous. By crossing them at the wrist, it allows them to breathe, plus when you stand up, before shaking hands you can gently touch them to your pants or skirt to make sure they are dry.

7. Be honest. We should never lie, no matter what it is about, but when it comes to getting a job the company is looking for someone to be able to fit well with their organization, meet their job requirements and they also want you to be happy with the job. By lying, it could mean you end up with a job that you aren’t qualified for and end up not liking. This makes you and the company miserable.

8. Be Polite. Use “ma’am”, “sir”, “Mr.”, “Mrs.” And of course “please” and “thank-you”. Always use “yes” or “no”. Using “ya” or “nah” is not appropriate in an interview.

9. Speak clearly and slowly. I know you heart may be pounding, but don’t think you have to speak as quickly as your heart is beating. You want to make sure you are understood. Be thorough yet brief. More doesn’t mean better. The best thing to do is answer the question in its entirety without unnecessary detail. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. While it is good to know the basics of what a company does before you go to the interview, it is ok to ask a little more about them. It shows you are interested!

10. Be early. I always make myself leave home at least 5 minutes earlier than needed and walk into the business 4 minutes before my appointment. This way, when I check in I am early, but not to an extreme. No matter what, do not be late! When you arrive, make sure you have a copy of your resume (if you have one), and your ID.

Let’s not forget the One Who paid the biggest debt – Jesus Christ.

“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:12 NASB

By Sarah J. Ancheta

Many people like to outwardly, physically show their affection for their significant other, and in February (the month of love) we’re actually encouraged to do so! This PDA (Public Display of Affection) has become widely accepted in our society, but it’s actually contrary to God’s word.

The problem

Even though PDA seems to be everywhere and is generally acceptable in the world’s eyes, it is not something that we, as Christians, should participate in. We are to be an example to others around us (Titus 2:7-8), and to not conform to what the world is doing (Romans 12:2). We’re also told in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 to “abstain from all appearance of evil,” and displaying affection in public can give an appearance of evil even if we don’t mean for it to.

If someone sees us being physically affectionate with our boyfriend at the mall or school, they may assume (and possibly rightfully so) that we are doing more than that when we’re not in public, which goes against what we’re told to do in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God.” Even if we’re not behaving inappropriately in private, displaying affection in public can give the appearance of immorality, and we need to make sure that we’re proper, pure examples to others around us.

The other problem with PDA is that it may cause others to stumble, which we’re warned against in 1 Corinthians 8:9-12. If someone sees us kissing our boyfriends in public, they may automatically assume it’s okay for them to kiss their boyfriend whenever they want, too. They may not see you exercise self-control when you’re not in public, and they may end up stumbling in that area because they’re not prepared for the temptations that come with kissing (which needs to be kept to a minimum anyway). Be careful not to place temptation in front of your boyfriend either by encouraging this display of affection, whether public or private.

PDA can also lead to gossip. Even though gossip is sinful (Romans 1:28-32), if people see us displaying our affection, they may begin to gossip about us, which can start rumors, whether true or untrue. Rumors are impossible to retract, and they can tarnish our reputation as a Christian, even if we’re innocent. Although we can’t control others’ tendencies to gossip, we need to be careful not to participate in questionable activities that may fuel the fire of a gossiper!

Avoiding PDA

Avoiding affection in public is not always easy, especially since it seems to be accepted everywhere. One of the easiest ways to avoid PDA is to closely monitor physical contact. Allowing ourselves to get caught up in the moment is easy to do, but is important to remember to stay more focused on Christ than we are on our date (1 Corinthians 15:3).

It is also important to remember that just because other people may not be around, it doesn’t mean that it is appropriate Christian behavior. Whether others are there or not, God knows our innermost thoughts, and dwelling on impure thoughts and desires is sinful. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). God knows when we’re giving away a small kiss to our boyfriend, and He also knows when we’re allowing ourselves to want more sexually.

Remember

How we conduct ourselves in public sets our reputation. We should want our reputation to be that of a godly, Christian one. We want people to see Christ through us (Colossians 3:15). If we are caught up in worldly activities such as PDA, that perception will not be achieved. The next time you are out, remember that pure thoughts and pure actions go hand in hand (Matthew 12:34-35), so make sure your actions reflect what should be in your heart.

By Sarah J. Ancheta

When I was a teenager, politics really didn’t interest me all that much. I couldn’t vote (until I was 18, of course), and I really didn’t pay any taxes because any money I paid was returned to me with a simple tax form every April. So, why should I care about all the uproar that goes along with choosing a candidate and showing support?

Then came my first presidential election. I was so excited. It was 2004, and although I really hadn’t been too interested before, I decided that perhaps I needed to look at the candidates and see what issues they supported and give politics a little more thought than I had before. My friend and I went down to our political party’s local headquarters and got buttons and bumper stickers. We volunteered to put signs in our yards and make phone calls if needed.

Even if you are not really interested in politics all the time, it is important that, as an American, you vote. It is our voice. It is what separates us from other countries that do not have that right. The great thing in America is that even if you are not old enough to vote, it doesn’t mean you have no voice. There are many laws, statutes, and even city ordinances which have been challenged by someone under the age of 18 and changed for the better of the community.

As a Christian it is important that we choose to vote for a candidate with good moral values. Although it is sometimes difficult to find someone to vote for who matches our ideals––and God’s Word––exactly, it is our responsibility and right to research and see who best lines up with our priorities. Look at all candidates’ websites for whatever race they are in.

Sometimes the candidate you like wins; sometimes they lose. Either way, it is also important that we accept whichever candidate is elected and pray that they lead our country well, and in a godly way. Try to look at the positive. Always be thankful that our country has the right to vote for its leaders.

There are elections every year (not just every four years). Offices that are up for election, and the election dates, depend on your state. If you want to do more to get involved, or just get the voting dates, go to www.vote411.org. Just click on your state––it will give you a link to your state’s offices. Most states provide a yearly calendar with information for voting and names of all candidates.

Whether you are old enough to vote for them or not, state representatives represent the people of their state, not just those over 18. If you have a concern or see something that needs changed, write your state representatives. Voting is not the only way to make a change. As Americans, all of us have the right and responsibility to make changes that will make our country better.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Sarah Ancheta

If there’s a topic you’d like to see covered in this new political column, please let us know!