Strength in numbers

A few days ago I attended a luncheon in downtown Salt Lake City sponsored by the Lighted Candle Society-a nationwide organization dedicated to the eradication of pornography.
I was impressed with their presentation and their approach.
They don't believe pornography is going to go away, but they do believe in creating a future where it is widely shunned and recognized as a threat to society, as well as a future where serious consequences await those that produce and distribute sexually explicit material. They support civil litigation against those that profit from pornography, finance scientific research to study the effects of pornography and publish information to help families combat the scourge of pornography.
They know realistically they can't change the world, but they do know they can make a difference. We all can. If we each do our part, even if it is small, collectively we can impact greatly.
If you are interested you can sign up for their email alerts, their newsletter comes out twice a month and keeps you updated without filling up your inbox. Staying informed is a critical step in creating change. (www.lightedcandle.org)

"Pornography is everyone else's problem until it becomes a problem in your home!"
- John L. Harmer, Chairman


Top Ten Things You Can Do To Protect Your Family

Provided by ContentWatch.

1) First educate yourself, then your child.
Banning a child from certain sites may only motivate them to spend more time on them, whereas educating that child on how to keep safe will give them the tools they need to navigate their online world without being hurt; from not posting personal information to a site to understanding that people they are talking to may not actually be who they are. If the parents know the dangers themselves, this sets an example to the child to understand them as well.

2) Teach children the obvious identity rules.
Tell your children NOT to put photos of themselves on the Internet or to give out their names, addresses, phone numbers, schools, or other personal information online.

3) Install an Internet filter or family safety software.
Family safety software is becoming extremely advanced and an effective way to filter dangerous content. Additionally, this software usually comes with tools like time management, remote monitoring and reporting, and keystroke recognition, giving families greater peace of mind and manageability.

4) Know the dangers associated with sites your children frequent.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether it's MySpace, Facebook or another social networking site, by knowing what people are doing on your children's favorite sites that could put them in harm's way, parents can educate their children and show them the warning signs of potentially dangerous situations.

5) Teach children what to do if they encounter pornography on a home or public computer, such as at a school or a library.
In a similar fashion to the fire warning of "stop, drop and roll," you can teach children to quickly turn off power to the computer monitor and go to get an adult. This can prevent a child from attempting to stop the situation by clicking more buttons (and thereby spreading the attack and being exposed to more porn).

6) Manage your children's time on the Internet.
Scheduling times when a child can be on the Internet and the amount they can be online ensures that you know when they are on the Internet and how long. By not allowing them to have free reign reduces their chances of being exposed to inappropriate content.

7) Set specific Internet guidelines for your children to live by and consistently enforce consequences, if they are not being followed.
Giving your children specific guidelines to follow will ensure they know where they stand when it comes to how they use the Internet as well as the consequences when they breach the rules. If a parent enforces consequences consistently, their children will be more likely to follow the rules.

8) Keep computers out of children's bedrooms and in open areas.
With PCs in the open, children will be less inclined to view and access material that may not be acceptable.

9) Create a relationship with your children that is conducive to open communication.
Open communication and trust is extremely valuable. By letting children know what is expected from them and that their safety is a top priority, they will feel that if something happens --whether they are approached by a cyber stranger or bully of receive an inappropriate e-mail - they can approach a parent to resolve the issue without feeling they are in trouble.

10) Understand Internet Privacy Policies as they apply to your child.
According to the FTC (www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/kidsprivacy.shtm)

Never Alone

So many times when I was discouraged about my situation,
doubting my self-worth and wondering how the man I loved
and trusted could hurt me so deeply, my solace was
prayer. Some days I prayed over and over,
asking for help to make it through the next hour,
and the next and the next. Thinking about surviving a
whole day with my heart broken and bleeding was too much.

The Lord was there, every day, every hour, every minute,
when I couldn't walk alone. He gave me peace when I needed it
most and the patience to trust in him when I had no idea what
I was going to do.

One of my favorites-

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”


Written by Mary Stevenson