The best thing is that we have been taught that washing our hands well with soap can help to keep us healthy.  We have access to soap and water on a regular basis.  Not everyone is so lucky.  What they don’t know and don’t have access to can harm them or kill them.  Soap and water save lives and there is a Global Soap Project that you may not be aware of to get soap into the hands of people who are in need of it, to stay well.

The Global Soap Project was started by Derreck Kayongo.  His father was a soap maker in Uganda.  When Derreck came to the United States, he was amazed to discover that hotels put fresh bars of soap in the hotel rooms every day; discarding the used soaps.  This began the idea of the Global Soap Project as Derreck knew the importance of having soap to help combat sickness and disease.  Just imagine the difference having plenty of soap and water would make in refugee camps.

It is costly to get soap, in many areas of the world, and poorer nations cannot afford the luxury of throwing away bars of soap that are barely used.  The Bible says to those whom much is given, much is expected in return; we have a responsibility to do what we can to help those that are less well off.   This is such a simple thing to do.

Derreck began to think of how to recycle the soap and distribute it to people in need.  He began to contact hotels about donating soaps to be recycled.  He has a website that encourages people to get involved in the donation, recycling and distribution of soap that has been cleaned, recycled and inspected for impurities.  This has the potential of helping to save and improve lives.

In America, we understand that it is important to use soap and water anytime we are handling food or drinks; or when working with people who are sick, after using the restroom, or changing diapers or bathing young children who have not been trained yet about sanitation.  The Centers for Disease Control has a wonderful article about hand washing and gives the particulars on how to do it properly to prevent the spread of diseases or illnesses. If people around the world could have access to the soap that is thrown away in landfills every year it could help millions of lives that die from contact with diseases and symptoms such as diarrhea.

This time of year families are traveling on vacations and day trips staying at hotels.  Why not spread the word at the hotels, about the Global Soap Project, that you are staying at or saving the soap that your family is given to use throughout your hotel stay.  The project is based in Atlanta, Georgia.  This is a worthwhile way of contributing to a betterment of the world.  If nothing else, think locally.

There are many homeless people that could use individual bars of soap to use.  Why not donate to a homeless shelter in your area?  This is such a great idea to bless others with the things that we take for granted, won’t you do what you can to help others less fortunate.  Won’t you help Derrick and others like him who have a goal to save lives by donating soap, money or your time?  Visit his site and see what you can do to lend some support, won’t you?

You may say, I am only one person…what can i do?  You can support the National Association of Letter Carriers help stamp out hunger by leaving a bag at your mail box, on Saturday May 14, 2011, with non-perishable food items.  That is only 2 days from now.   Make sure that the items you are donating are not out of date or in danger of expiring any time soon.   Don’t have a lot to give; give what you can.  If you are blessed enough to have the means to give…give generously; we all have a responsibility to share our blessings with others.

Support businesses and organizations that sponsor the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.  This is an amazing grass roots program that blesses your local food banks.  All the food collected by your local mail carrier stays in your local area.  The people you help may be your own friends, family or neighbors. With the economy being so challenging in recent years more people are affected by not having enough to eat.  The numbers of children in homes without enough food is rising.  The elderly are having a harder time making ends meet.  Young wage earners are finding themselves without steady income to support their families sufficiently.   Natural disasters have hurt many families and those people still need to eat.  Churches can’t do it all…they need our help to provide food for those who are struggling with hunger!  Won’t you help?

Would you like to learn more?  Visit their website here:  Stamp Out Hunger and if you happen to have a Facebook account or a Twitter account…then Like them or Follow them to lend your support.  Spread the work online and off.  Tell others about the food drive…encourage others to donate.

Remember to thank your mail carrier.  They are dedicated to helping people stamp out hunger in your community.   Do you know someone who has had to use food from a food pantry or food bank?  Tell them about my friend Connie who heads up a website that teaches people how to eat healthier with the food that they bring into their homes through SNAP, food pantries, commodities, and farmer’s markets.  She does this in a way to help people stretch their budgets and to encourage the people who visit her website to form a community to share tips and ideas with one another.  Her site isn’t just for food stamp users…but for anyone on a tight budget who wants and needs to eat well.  Food Stamp Cooking Club

I first met Peppermint Jim back a couple of years ago in person in Michigan.  He’s had an impact in Michigan where he helped to save his family’s heritage mint farm from foreclosure.  He did this through hard work, and with the help of loyal customers.  Jim believes in using organic farming practices that help build up the soil and protect it from poor farming practices that harm the earth with dangerous chemicals and destructive, or careless techniques that don’t look beyond the season’s current harvest.

I have to say that I was impressed with the man’s knowledge not only of those issues; but also, the intensive passion he shares for mint farming and for supporting struggling independent producers who are trying to make a living in a very competitive world.  He’s done this by not compromising his faith or his belief in doing things in such a way as to honor God’s creation.  He does his best to educate others and to provide products that promote health and well-being for the consumer as well as the environment.

In fact, Jim supports Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce and Mrs. Greens World Care to encourage green practices in communities and businesses.  The Tucson Arizona community is familiar with this way of thinking and it is a great place to connect with like- minded people.

In the May edition of Guideposts magazine you will find an article on Peppermint Jim and the story of his legacy from the role that his family’s heritage mint farm played in his professional growth; to the place that he is in now and, the direction that his experiences are leading him to, in the future.  Don’t miss it…get the May 2011 edition of Guidepost’s magazine to learn more about Peppermint Jim and his life partner, wife Lilian and the role that their mint based business will play in the forward thinking communities who are wise to a greener and more sustainable world.

Jim has taken his knowledge, passion and purpose to Arizona and is introducing community members and loyal customers to his new line of products.  His commitment to sustainability is contagious and he educates others to this way of farming.  He is an encouragement to other farmers and independent producers of consumer goods; to do what they know is right and to have an opportunity to provide a living for themselves by bringing products to the marketplace that envelope all that they believe in.

You can see Peppermint Jim’s line of pure mint oils, body care products, farming tools, his handmade candies and goodies as well as his soil rejuvenator which feeds plants from seedling to bloom/harvest.  You can find out more about what’s good for you and your family at Peppermint Jim

So, how does someone who has a great product go about letting it be known that they have a great product and get people to buy without all of that ugly over the top hypey advertising.  How does an honest marketer revolt and let others see what they are doing online to make money in an honest and ethical way?  They do it by being genuine…they do it by being real; by creating great products your customers can use, and raising the standards of their own conduct and raising the standards of what their potential customers can expect.

This is what the Real Guys are doing…but their product is only available for the next few days until March 31, 2011.  Watch this and see if there isn’t a part of this message about what they are trying to do with their product and the way that they are getting the word out about how they do business.  They have a great product that teaches targeted traffic methods and list building and includes a private label rights aspect as well.

This video series helps teach people who are looking to make money online at home the best way to do it…and it includes a product that they themselves can market.  It is a product that provides great content and allows them to market online with every confidence that they are providing real value to their customers. They have over-delivered a quality product with which everyday real people can make money in an honest and ethical way.  The people behind the Real Guys are well known internet marketers who themselves have a strong and loyal group of customers who have great things to say about how each of them conducts their online businesses.  Check it out the program here:  Real Guys

*Just so you know…this article includes an affiliate link…and should you purchase anything from the Real Guys I would be compensated.  However, that doesn’t mean that this isn’t a great product…because it is a great product…but it is only available for a few more days.

The truth of the matter is, that some marketers have really hurt the internet marketing industry by false claims and advertising gimmicks.  The Real Guys Real Money creators , these guys all have a solid track record of producing IM products and teaching courses that have helped people to earn consistent income online.  All three marketers are Christians and they believe in being genuine, trustworthy, and conducting themselves with integrity.

The lessons that they teach really are tried and true marketing practices that get results.  This particular course is a series of 17 videos on list building and getting traffic=.  There is also a bonus that teaches four different ways to make one thousand dollars.  How many people could benefit from learning how to that?

This course is called a shortcut because this course puts all of this information together to help individuals make money online.  This is also private label rights.  It can be re-branded and rename and sold as PLR.   If you have tried to make money online and see the value of having a truly effective course.  This is a true teaching course with power points, sales page, thank you page and a download page.  There is also a squeeze page, and squeeze page templates for your customers.  The video course, includes everything you need.  This course can then be turned around and sold to others to help them.  It will include non transferable Master Resell rights, only to you, the original purchaser.

Don’t pass up this opportunity to get this product of the highest possible quality available online.  You will NOT believe the price…trust me and click here on the Real Guys Real Money .

*Just so you know, if you were to click on my affiliate link and actually purchase this product, I would be financially compensated for referring you to them.  It is still a great product…go and see for yourself.

This product stands alone on a level of completeness.  Everything is there for the purchaser to make a lot of money from a high standard product.  This is not a hyped up product that is full of fluff or has empty spots where content should be.  It really is a product that overdelivers. It contains everything it says it does and more.  I believe that marketers Jeff Wellman, Paul Counts and Eric Holmlund have raised the bar of what a customer should be able to expect from a PLR product.

Internet marketing has gotten a bad reputation in the last few years because some marketers have thrown junk out on the market and promised customers the moon…and instead delivered blue cheese instead.  The bar needed to be raised in the quality of products for sale and the Real Guys believe that it is time to provide products that stand very high over and above the other products available to potential customers.  Each one of the Real Guys has a loyal customer base from past customers who are thrilled at the products and services that each brings to the table.

If you are looking to make money online, don’t get scammed by marketers that promise you jillions of dollars for merely clicking a button and having an instant online business.  That is never going to happen.  For one thing, an online business requires you to invest some elbow grease.  Anything worth having is worth working for.  The they have simply done a lot of the work for you…made it easier for you to make money in less time because they have eliminated a lot of the background work that goes behind each and every product that gets sold in the online money making products available for sale.

Go check out this product and see for yourself what the Real Guys can deliver to a person who is looking to earn some Real Money in a legitimate way online. Check out the comments left behind by satisfied customers from each of these marketers past products if you aren’t sure that they are who they say they are!

It seems that two of the children were delivered safely enough by a C-section; but, when the third child was delivered, the Dr. accidently nicked the uterus causing extreme blood loss and her brain was shortchanged of oxygen for a period of time.  She was paralyzed and can’t eat, talk or speak.  Her ex-husband thinks that the children visiting with their mother could be traumatized.  They have only allegedly spent 1 visit with their mother since they were born, from the sounds of it and they will be 5 years old this summer.

Apparently the husband divorced his wife approximately a year after the birth of the triplets.  He is under the impression that she is unaware of her environment.  Therefore, he didn’t believe she would be able to improve so he divorced her and has been raising the children on his own in California.

The grandparents on the mother’s side, who are caregiving, filed for the children’s mother to have a right to visit with her children.  The father has fought it…and now a judge decides.

In my heart, I started to wonder…how does a person who took marriage vows to love, honor, obey; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, for better or for worse…how do they then, get to a place where they not only leave the person; but, deny them a right to visit their children that they presumably created together in love?

That is not to say that I don’t understand that the mother’s physical & medical needs weren’t overwhelming at the time of the children’s birth but; still…how do you walk away from the person that you committed yourself to?  I understand that raising triplets and working at the same time is demanding.  It leaves a lot of questions about where exactly a person’s obligations lay.

Do people really understand what those vows mean when they speak them?  What happens if life’s circumstance really do turn out worse than better once you have spoken your vows?  Did or does the husband have a moral obligation to honor his vows?  The judge will decide if he must legally allow visits…but, I am curious about what others think on an emotional level.

At the very least, shouldn’t he allow his ex-wife to see their children?  After all, the young woman who went to that hospital that day to give birth to their three children.  I am sure she had every expectation that their lives were about to change for the better.  They were going to be parents…a family who lived and loved together.  Things did not turn out that way at all…and it begs a person to wonder…when things turn out worse than for the better in a marriage…can the spouses have any level of expectation from the one who professes to love them enough to marry them?  What are your thoughts?

Quite often today, many features of specific heirloom plants have been bred right out of plants in the name of hybridisation.  In the world of agriculture, scientists are always looking to improve a particular strain or species of a plant; either by shape, color, size or some other feature deemed to be valuable.  However, in the name of improving a strain…sometimes other things are lost in the process.  What makes a particular fruit, vegetable or flower a favorite is different which is why there are so many variations available today.

If you find one that you love…think about this; will that particular strain of plant that you love be available in the future? You may want to start thinking about preserving some seeds of some of your favorites now, just like our ancestors did out of necessity.  For trees and vines there are other ways to preserve and that may involve grafting procedures…but, that is for another post in the future. 

There is a process to saving the seeds most genetically desirable to produce the plants you love.  You will need to study up a bit about the process for that particular kind of seed but most process’ include sorting through the seeds to find the plumpest, and most appealing seeds from the best plants that you have grown.  There is a different kind of drying that needs to be done for certain seeds but you want them completely dried out and free from debris so that they do not mold or mildew which would render them useless for the next planting season.

Storing your seeds is a matter for which you must put some thought into.  You will want to store them in a cool, dark place in a sealed envelope which is clearly labeled with the type of seed it is as well as the date when it was stored.

I like to think of seeds as a way of not only saving money but also of preserving seeds that will  best grown in your geographical location.  Seeds that have been harvested from plants grown in your own environment are already proven to do well.  On top of that, you understand how your plants have been grown…you can be as organic as you like.  Health is a concern too because our world is becoming filled with toxic substances that filter down into our foods and plant life.

Keeping your own seeds and starting your plants also is a great way to help the world be more green in your growing practices; instead of buying plants or seeds that are shipped across states using more fossil fuels and leaving a bigger carbon footprint than absolutely necessary.  Teaching children how to grow their own foods is an extra bonus because it gives them some control over the foods that they put into their bodies which can help them to live healthier.

There are many experts on seed saving…but one of the best is The Seed Savers Exchange.  They have officially been around since 1975.  If you are interested in learning more about them you can check out their website here:  Seed Savers Exchange .

Fashion Eyeglasses Charms Even The Most Self Conscious

Let’s be honest, most children who are told that they must wear glasses will often not be thrilled with the idea of having to wear eyeglasses.  For many children, it is the idea that others will make fun of them or, cause them to be viewed as being different from other children their own age.  Being bullied because you are visually impaired and have to wear glasses can cause a child to refuse to wear them, out of fear of being made fun of.

No one want to be made to feel self conscious about themselves, especially at certain ages when it is most important to fit in with their peers.  We’ve come along way since the days of having  a choice between wearing heavy black plastic frames or  wire frames that were basically your only choices.

Still, everyone likes to look their best and there are many fashion frames from which someone can choose to fit the shape of their face and their sense of style.   On the other hand, if you are looking to change things up so that you don’t get bored with a certain look once you’ve purchased your eyeglass frames; there wasn’t much you could do except buy multiple sets of glasses…until now.

Ros Guerrero is the owner of a company that has solved this problem.  She invented eyeglass charms that add a bit of decorator style to your eye wear frames.  Some of these charms are classic styles that are a great way to dress up your lenses for a night out…others are kind of funky colorful and fun charms.  There are charms for adults, for girls and for boys too.  I like the fact that there are charms that a child can choose from in their area of interest of art or sports.

There are also seasonal charms, pets/animals, colorful flowers, or charms that create awareness of issues such as breast cancer.  Ros has created a variety of charms for you to choose from.   These make great gifts too for just about any occasion!  They are easy to attach and the fun is in the conversations that take place when others notice the charms attached to the glasses.  It is a wonderful way to break the ice for children who may have trouble initiating conversations with others.

The really neat thing about Ros’ company is that her daughter Gem was her inspiration.   One day, Ros designed and attached her first set of charms to Gem’s glasses and sent her to school.  Gem received so many compliments, in her special needs class, that the idea of Ficklets was born.  Getting noticed wearing glasses, for a child, is not always a positive experience.   Ficklets charms can positively influence how a child perceives wearing their eye wear.  After all, if a child won’t wear their glasses how can they possibly help their eyesight?  Much of a person’s education is learned visually.   If a persons vision is impaired in any way, it is only logical that getting them to commit to wearing their glasses is important, right?

Ros & Gem ~*~The designer & The inspiration

As you know, children aren’t the only ones who wear glasses.  What’s really great about eye wear today is the fact that there are so many choices.  Still, it is the same for adults…who wants to wear the same old- same old look, day after day.  There are classic charms for female adults as well.  The added touch of these charms can dress up your look at work or, for a night out making you feel stylish and attractive.  Everyone is at their best when they feel confident and assured about their appearance.  Changing your look can be costly.   It’s a lot more affordable to change up the look of your present glasses by purchasing Ficklets than it is to go out and purchase an extra set of frames.

Do you know someone who refuses to wear their glasses because they are self conscious about the way they look?  Have you ever known someone whose life was changed because their vision was improved by wearing glasses?  If so, then you understand the importance that Ficklets can play when it comes to self esteem and wearing prescription glasses.  Are you thinking of someone in your life who would appreciate a pair of Ficklets?  If so…what are you waiting for?  Thanks Ros & Gem for helping us to see things more beautifully!

Check out this young girls reaction to her Ficklets: http://www.youtube.com/user/Ficklets?feature=mhum

I believe that just being aware of the world around you and noticing where the acceptance of God is lacking and doing your best to be of service in some way; of bringing a light or help to those who are in need, is a ministry itself.  Some have a pull on their hearts to teach, preach, do missions work, or evangelize.  There are others who are drawn to a particular effort of outreach which may be to take Bibles into areas of the world which have little or no access to the word.  Then again, there are those with an online ministry to edify or build up disciples such as the Live Sticky movement which encourages people to spend a portion of their online time being dedicated to bringing awareness of God to those that they impact. These are all ministries that are needed.

A ministry might mean that you take meals to someone who is home-bound, lonely or spending time with someone who is depressed.  It might mean providing comfort and help to those in poverty, a hospital/jail setting; or it could be a position of raising funds for someone to go out and do missions work.   Some of those ministries can be dangerous; but still, God puts a calling on those individuals hearts.

Today in the news there is some sadness which highlights that statement.  In recent days, there have been four Americans held hostage, on a yacht, which were hi-jacked by Somali pirates allegedly.  It basically is a form of human trafficking…to hold humans against their will in the hopes of making money off of them.  There was a military warship that was tailing them and as the shots rang out, the Navy warship took action capturing and killing the pirates.

Today, unfortunately the news says that all four American hostages were murdered by the pirates.  The yacht was owned by Jean and Scott Adam and they had two passengers on board, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle.  Jean and Scott often traveled distributing Bibles around the world on their yacht.

They knew the risks of traveling this part of the world where pirates have been wreaking havoc on ships traveling through the area.  Still, they were committed to doing what they loved to do and felt called to do.  This required tremendous courage on their part.  They believed in more than just life here on Earth and it is a terrible loss to those who knew them and loved them.  May God comfort their friends and families during this time of grieving. They sacrificed their lives to do what they felt called to do; many people do not understand that kind of commitment.  It is a love that goes beyond the general human attitude of thinking only about oneself.

Did they want to die…no, I am sure they did not set out with the purpose of loosing their lives.  There are many examples of people who have lost their lives for Christ.  I believe that God has welcomed them home.  They faced this danger knowingly…but it is still a tragedy in human terms.  Spiritually, God will deal with those who took their lives.

There are many parts of the world which are hurting and struggling with war, with natural disasters, with political unrest and with spiritual warfare.  Those areas of the world have people in need; just as there are people suffering and hurting in your own local neighborhoods and countries.  Whether you feel the call to do missions work, teach/preach or evangelize in person or online…know that lives are being affected and changed for the good.

This is important work that you do, wherever God places you to do it. It is important to pray for those who set about doing the work of God…no matter where they do it.  There are forces at work intending to persuade Christians to stand back and let the world take care of itself.  That is not what God asks of us; be about the business of God.  Be an encourager, support ministry in any way that you can.  If it is working with children, in administration, or in actively pursuing those who don’t know Jesus…find a way to be in service.

I have friends and family who are doing amazing things because of their love of God.  There is Friends Like Us who work with children with cancer and their families.  They provide chemo bears to the pediatric patients that they work with…as well as providing gifts for the patients siblings.  They talk with and support parents of those patients.  They often send blankets from another organization called Layers of Love and a book on living with cancer from an author that they work with. Please visit them and support the work that they do.  These are all ministries at work, in my humble opinion, because they show love and help people who are hurting and in need of some sort.  This is just a small sample of people in my circle of influence.

My daughter recently went to Haiti and worked in an orphanage where the love of God is at work trying to improve the lives of those they touch.  I intend to do a series of blog posts soon about some of the work being done there.  Here is a link to the Haiti Foundation Against Poverty through which she felt called to work on a recent missions trip. http://haitipoverty.org/Updates.aspx

I just want to recognize those who are about the business of doing the work of the Lord.  Thank you for the sacrifices of your time, your money, and your efforts. Never forget that the time is short and that God is coming soon.  He alone knows the day and the hour…so when you get weary or feel burdened; remember that the life that you connect to God will have the opportunity to go to Heaven rather than the destination of Hell, a place of eternal suffering. This reason alone is why God gave us his word in John 3:16  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life”.

What type of work do you do for the kingdom of God?  What do you feel called to do or share?  Are you actively involved in some kind of outreach ministry? Have you ever felt in danger while doing your ministry work?  Will you tell us about it here? What do you do for the love of God?