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The Family That Prays Together Stays Together
By Marie Coppola
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An article in a recent Huffington Post by Adelle M. Banks, Religion News Service, supports the old adage "couples who pray together stay together." A new study shows this may be true, especially for African-Americans.
A survey of religion, race and relationships found that African-Americans attend church more as couples compared to members of other racial and ethnic groups. In addition to worshipping together, African-Americans are more likely than non-Hispanic whites to participate in prayer and Scripture studies at home.
Four in 10 African-American respondents said they attended services regularly as a couple. In comparison, 31% of Mexicans or Mexican-Americans, and 29% of whites, said they regularly shared a pew. Couples who pray together really DO stay together. {Ref: August 2010 issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family}
An estimate of 40% church attendance is widely reported in the media. Andrew Walsh, editor of the "Religion in the News" and professor of religion at Trinity College, comments "Since the late 1930s, the Gallup Organization has been asking pollees if they 'happened to attend' church or synagogue in the past seven days.' Invariably, about 40% respond that they have done so....."This number is so commonplace that when polling data on church attendance is released, as it is several times each year, American journalists usually relegate 40% to news notes or use it as a springboard to other stories." Ref: Religious Tolerance, Org.
In general, researchers found that people in same-faith relationships and partners who attended services regularly were more satisfied with their relationship.
What is the Sabbath and why should we keep it holy? It is a directive of one of the 10 commandments given to Moses by God: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
Sabbath is described in the Bible as a weekly day of rest and time of worship. It is observed in Judaism and Christianity and informs a similar occasion in several other faiths. Sabbath is also a sign in respect for the day during which God rested after having completed Creation in six days (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11).
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The Seasons Of Our Lives
By Marie Coppola
Spring is the birth of our existence, propagating growth spurts of our personalities, hopes, discoveries and dreams. Seeded correctly and lovingly nourished, within 20 years or so, a budding person starts to bloom. This can be a gangly and sometimes disorderly growing crop; supports may be needed. Best grown in a sunny family atmosphere. Enrich generously with good faith. First blossoming is a sight to behold. Transplant into a bigger pot if needed or if roots start to tangle. If drooping occurs, it may be because they were neglected. It’s amazing how they bounce back with the right care and attention. |
Summer becomes the harvest which is cultivated from our Spring. Size and growth rates vary. Some become perennials; some are annuals and others are seasonal. Development continues through the 30s and into the 40s and 50s, refined from the acknowledgement, acceptance and sharing of our God-given talents and energies. Occasionally we are pruned, hoed, raked, and sometimes scorched and tested in fire and heat. We become hardy. We achieve self-knowledge, direction and life focus during this abundant time. This is the prime of life in physical and mental abilities. Life can be a single flower, a field of bouquets or a cactus.
Autumn arrives in our 60s and 70s; a dazzling array of acquired self-actualized splendor in that we display wisdom, understanding, compassion and acceptance of ourselves and others. A period of maturity and fulfillment. Thrives if transplanted to new soil or environment. This is a time when we become well anchored and rooted in our lifestyles and values. New life experiences abound at this time — the joys of new ‘Springs’ of grandchildren and relishing the ‘Summers’ of our children. Happiness creates flowering inwardly and outwardly.
Winter is inevitable. It gets cold and dank - it is accentuated in whiteness. For some - it comes quickly; for some it withers away. Life can ebb and some leaves start to fall. Like the frost coming in, there can be loss of life around us. This can happen in our 70s, 80s or 90s. Or 100s. Winter can be a bleak time; colorless, brittle or dry; the end of life’s journey. For others, it can be a satisfying contentment of life’s fulfilled dreams and aspirations. For those who are well nourished, devoid of weeds and religiously fertilized, it will be a blessed transplant into a new life - a spectacular garden of splendor, glory and harmony with God. For eternity.
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I Am A Statistic
By Marie Coppola
For more than 37 million Americans who chronically suffer from sneezing, running noses and itchy, watery eyes during seasonal changes, 2010 has been an exceptional, uncomfortable year. It is reported that the 2010 fall allergy season will be at an all-time high, as were allergies this past spring. According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), this fall's chief allergy trigger - ragweed - is projected to thrive due to increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere, creating one of the worst fall allergy seasons to date.
With the ragweed pollen count anticipated to be the highest it's ever been, allergy sufferers may develop sinusitis, a nasal congestion or blockage, of thick nasal discharges, producing facial pain and fever. Infections develop because the natural openings in the sinuses cannot normally drain fluids which become blocked. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to prevent infections, but unless the blockages are opened, the infections reoccur, causing chronic sinusitis.
| If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, which can last more than 12 weeks, you are aware of the impact on your physical, functional, and emotional quality of life. The good news is that there is a fairly new patient-friendly treatment that could help you put this common health problem behind you permanently. |
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Recently, this new procedure, Balloon Sinuplasty, was offered by Conway Medical Center for chronic sinusitis sufferers. Balloon Sinuplasty is an endoscopic sinus surgery that involves using a small, flexible balloon catheter that is placed through the nostril into the blocked sinus passageway. When the balloon is inflated, it gently restructures and opens the sinus passageway, restoring normal sinus drainage and function. This technology enables physicians to treat sinusitis entirely through the nostrils. The procedure is similarly compared to how angioplasty opens up clogged heart arteries. It is used in patients with chronic sinus headaches or pain or those who are fearful of sinus surgery.
Done under general anesthesia, the procedure takes about an hour and a half and the patient goes home the same day. Most people can return to work in 24 hours. Normally patients recover quickly.
More good news is that this new outpatient procedure is as revolutionary for sinuses as arthroscopic surgery was for the knees. The biggest advantages are less bleeding, a shorter recovery time and lasting long-term results.
And the best news is that the openings in sinuses generally stay open. The success rate is usually 90 to 95 percent after one procedure.
Dr. Osman, an otolaryngologist at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center says, "Chronic sinusitis is very common, especially in people with allergies or recurring respiratory illness. This procedure gives them a well-tolerated option for resolving the problem once and for all."
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