Where's God

 

Pandemics, earthquakes, tornadoes, civil wars, violence, famine, poverty, sickness, pain, death—the list of suffering in the world today gives rise to a universal concern, "Where's God?" To answer this question, we need to start at the beginning, in Genesis 1:1, where it is written that God was at work 'In the beginning....." creating a perfect world for humankind. When God had finished, this world contained everything humankind would ever need. In God's perfect world, sickness and death did not exist. It was a safe place where humankind could live together with God for eternity. 

So, what happened to that world?

Simple answer— humankind sinned, and caused corruption to defile God's perfect world (Genesis 3). Think of it like a computer file that works perfectly fine until one day it is corrupted by a malicious attack. When a computer file is corrupted, it is unuseable and no longer operates as it was intended. Likewise, that's what happened to the perfect world God created for us. This world is sin damaged so nothing operates as God intended. Humankind inherited a legacy of sin from the first family, Adam and Eve. And that legacy still binds and hinders us today.

What is sin? 

Although none of us were in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned, still God passed judgement on all future humankind because He knew that in time, we would commit enough of our own sins to deserve punishment. Sin is willfully disobeying God's laws or commands. You may have heard of The Ten Commandments which were given by God to protect us; and if obeyed, they would stabilize our communities so that we could live peaceful, successful and happy lives. The Bible is full of examples of how humankind ultimately sinned against God, and suffered dire consequences. Even now, commiting acts like greed, robbery, murder, stealing, lying, hating others, premartial sex, homosexuality, adultery, rape, drunkeness, drug abuse are ways we sin against God today. In truth, we all have 'missed the mark' in some way trying to live up to God's standards. 

 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." Romans 3:23 

Sin has its consequences

God has said, "The soul who sins shall die." Ezekiel 18:20 ESV

And as if that weren't bad enough, sin also separates us from God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were immediately kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Sin robs you of God's presence. Sin hinders your prayers. Sin prevents you from spending eternity in Heaven. Sin keeps you from enjoying what God has planned for you. God hates sin because of what sin does to you. 

 God's remedy for sin

God, in His great love and mercy for us, was not willing to let sin destroy His creation. God knew, even before the first sin was committed, that He would devise a plan to rescue and restore humankind to Himself. 

"Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him would not be lost but have eternal life." John 3:16  ESV

God's plan involved sacrificing His Son, Jesus, as payment for our sins. Jesus took the punishment we deserved. His death on the Cross was payment and pardon for our sin. Still, a pardon is worthless unless you accept it. The way back into God's good graces is through Jesus Christ, and accepting Him as your Savior. You may think of yourself as a 'good person,' but you still need Jesus to be fully reconciled to God. 

Peace with God 

The world's problems will never be solved through human effort. Jesus Christ is our only hope. True and longlasting peace only comes when you surrender your old life to Christ in exchange for a new beginning.

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

Ready to take that first step toward a new life? When you say this prayer, with a sincere and repentant heart, your sins are forgiven, and you are reconciled back to God:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and ask You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. Thank you for the gift of eternal life with you. In Your Name. Amen.

To learn more about your new life in Christ, contact peacewithgod.net  Someone is there 24/7 to talk with you.  

Deadly force: Guns in the hands of bad cops

The law does not require police officers to utilize the absolute minimum force necessary in a threat situation — only that the level of force used be reasonable to control a deadly threat.—Dr. Lawrence Miller

Ohio's Samuel DuBose and South Carolina's Walter Scott had a lot in common. Both men were driving their cars when they were stopped by police for an alleged traffic violation. Both men were unarmed. Neither man had been placed under arrest. Based on video footage, neither man appeared to present a threat to the officer or the community. But for reasons unknown, during questioning by the police officers, both men tried to flee and were shot and killed. Both policemen are charged with murder, and are currently awaiting trial.

It seems rare if ever that police use of deadly force results in the police being charged with a crime, According to the law, the police are allowed to use deadly force on anyone they reasonably deem to be a clear and present threat to them or to others. Use of deadly force is solely at the discretion of the police officer at the scene. Things can get murky when a police officer uses deadly force to subdue an unarmed citizen where there is no obvious or identified threat present, including that of self-defense. Police use of deadly force becomes a problem when a few law enforcement officers overstep the boundaries and intent of the law and execute innocent citizens.

Who can forget the New York police shootings of Amadu Dialo, the unarmed African immigrant who was shot at 41 times on his doorstep by four plain-clothes officers in a case of mistaken identity; or an unarmed Sean Bell who was killed under questionable circumstances when undercover cops fired 51 shots into the car in which Bell was a passenger. Police claimed they felt threatened when someone in Bell's party was thought to have a gun, except no gun was ever found. In both cases, the police were not held accountable for their conduct in the shootings.

The U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on the issue of police use of deadly force by clarifying and restricting its use to certain circumstances. In response to the 1985 case, Tennessee v. Garner, the Court cited Fourth Amendment protections:

When a law enforcement officer is pursuing a fleeing suspect, he or she may not use deadly force to prevent escape unless "the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others.

Further, in his majority opinion, Justice Byron Clark wrote:

It is no doubt unfortunate when a suspect who is in sight escapes, but the fact that the police arrive a little late or are a little slower afoot does not always justify killing the suspect. A police officer may not seize an unarmed, non-dangerous suspect by shooting him dead,—Supreme Court Justice Byron Clark

Recent fatal police shootings of unarmed citizens for seemingly minor, non-violent offenses has called into question the use of deadly force. Either the police aren't aware of the Supreme Court's ruling on use of deadly force (highly unlikely) or a few officers have taken it upon themselves to shoot first and answer questions later. What's even more troubling is the police officers who have been caught lying about the circumstances that caused them to shoot and kill their victims. Without the benefit of police body cams and passersby videos, the officers would otherwise get away with murder, as some undoubtedly have.

The mega hit song, Inner City Blues, co-written by singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye and James Nyx Jr in 1971, is a fitting description of the tensions that exist between police and urban communities. The lyrics read in part—

Crime is increasing, trigger happy policing. Panic is spreading, God knows where we're heading.

Now, almost 45 years later, nothing has fundamentally changed in that relationship. In fact, things have gotten worse with more guns on the street, especially in the hands of criminals, making it harder for the police to always identify the community's law abiding citizens, especially when certain assumptions are made.

Policing is a tough and dangerous job. That notwithstanding, most police officers, like rookie Officer Jeffrey Kidder, do an admirable job of it. However, like in everything, there are always a few bad apples. A gun in the hands of a bad cop poses a danger to any community. No one is safe with a trigger happy cop on the street. Police departments must do a better job at identifying and taking bad cops off the street and off the force, if necessary.

A prime example is Texas State Trooper Brian Encinia, the arresting officer in the Sandra Bland case. Encinia had a known history of "unprofessional conduct" on the job for which he got off with only a written warning, Without behavioral counseling or other remedial therapy, it is highly probable that Encinia would repeat the bad conduct at some future point. That day came when Encinia pulled motorist Sandra Bland over for a minor traffic violation,

Encinia is caught by his dashboard cam clearly displaying unprofessional conduct toward Bland, He can be seen pointing his taser in Bland's face and threatening to "light her up." Encinia's aggressive behavior sparked the eventual confrontation that led to Bland's arrest. In his brief time on the force, Encinia has racked up two unprofessional conduct citations and disciplinary action for violating departmental policy in the Bland arrest. And he still has his gun.

Police commanders must be watchful for any officer with repeated conduct infractions, citizen complaints or a pattern of illegal arrests or questionable use of deadly force, which could be a sign of trouble down the road for the officer and the community. Police departments must police themselves by removing officers who abuse their power. It's vitally important for all of us that police departments aren't putting or leaving guns in the hands of men and women who have no business being police officers.

Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God.—1 Timothy 2:2 CEV

The hidden dangers behind the rainbow flag

The United States was already a nation at odds with its Christian values and acceptance of openly gay persons into the society long before President Barack Obama bathed the people's White House in the distinctive colors of the rainbow flag—a symbol of gay pride. As confirmed by his own legislative record, President Obama did more to facilitate the incursion of the gay rights agenda into mainstream American society and politics than any other U.S. president before him. Obama's actions gave the gay community the ammunition it needed to launch a full assault on America's values, morals, and ultimately, its culture. This wholesale endorsement of homosexual rights, coming from the leader of the free world, enabled what is happening now in America to play out strategically in other countries around the world. According to Christian author, Dr. Michael Brown, "As America goes, so goes the world."

You see, our nation has had an incredible, unprecedented impact on the world, both for good and evil, and if America has a complete moral and cultural collapse the ripple effect will be felt around the world. —Dr. Brown

The ripple that started in America is spreading rapidly to cities around the globe. It's commonplace nowadays to see images of the gay lifestyle and see openly gay characters portrayed on television and in social media, movies and commercial advertisements, often with implicit sexual overtones. More and more businesses and commercial interests are displaying the rainbow flag or its colors in a welcoming nod to the LGBTQ community. The rainbow flag has become a strategic weapon in the arsenal of the gay rights movement.

Historically, flags have either symbolized the conquest of an enemy after a war, or been used as markers to indicate territorial rights to occupied land. Similarly, the rainbow flag is a symbol of  conquest and of victory in recognition of gays having fought for and won their place in mainstream  society. The rainbow flag is both a visual and a visceral sign of the gay community's growing influence in our society. On a recent trip to London, Lisbon, Barcelona and Tel Aviv, the rainbow flag was prominently displayed nearly everywhere I went, including  atop some government and public buildings, in the windows of  homes, and on commercial and business establishments. And as if that weren't enough, pride organizers pushed to have the rainbow flag flown atop American embassies abroad during gay pride month, but were denied by the State Department. Still some embassy officials defied the order and flew the flag anyway. The U.S. embassies in Israel, Germany, Brazil, and Latvia are among those embassies that requested permission to fly the rainbow flag on their flagpoles. 

One has to wonder, where is this all leading? What does the gay community really want?  What's behind the gay agenda?

Nothing so far would suggest that the gay community is satisfied  with cultural acceptance,  protected class status under the law, or having certain equal rights on par with heterosexuals. Of course not, they want much more. Ultimately, gays want to transform America into a pro-gay society with all the rights and privileges this would entail. Could this really happen? Some like social analyst James R. Aist say the possibility is there:

The ultimate and most all-encompassing goal of the gay agenda is to force our society to fully accept their lifestyle as morally, socially, and religiously equivalent to the heterosexual lifestyle. This goal is for not only acceptance, but also affirmation and celebration of homosexual behavior as normal, natural, healthy and desirable.

So what's their plan? Gay strategists, Marshall Kirk and Hunter Madsen, outlined the agenda for gay activism some 25 years ago in a gay magazine article entitled, "The Overhauling of Straight America." In the article, Kirk and Madsen suggests a series of strategies aimed at "desensitizing the American public concerning gays and gay rights." Gay activists have been employing the strategies laid out by Kirk and Madsen with good results. According to the plan, gays have been manipulating the attitudes of heterosexuals from being adverse to 'gay rights' to being staunch defenders. And we see this happening now. Gay activists tell us that they simply want the same right as heterosexuals to love who they want. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. They also want our children. Gay writer Daniel Villarreal wrote in Queerty magazine:

They accuse us of exploiting children and in response we say, “NOOO! We’re not gonna make kids learn about homosexuality, we swear! It’s not like we’re trying to recruit your children or anything.” But let’s face it—that’s a lie. We want educators to teach future generations of children to accept queer sexuality. In fact, our very future depends on it.

I and a lot of other people want to indoctrinate, recruit, teach, and expose children to queer sexuality AND THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. —Queerty, May 2011

Having influence over the sexual development and natural selection of pre-adolescents is a perfect strategy for gays because it ensures the continuation of homosexual ideals and practice into future generations.

What can stand in the way of  the gay community achieving everything it wants?

To gay America, Christians pose the biggest threat to homosexuality achieving total acceptance by the Church. Christian opposition to the gay lifestyle is based on scripture that condemns sexual acts between persons of the same sex. Understanding this, Kirk and Madsen  devised a strategy to cause division among churches along denominational lines over their interpretation of the scripture and acceptance of homosexuality. Some denominations going so far as to allow homosexuals to hold leadership positions in the church, while others strictly forbid even church membership. To further neutralize opposition, gays have branded  Christians as homophobic, and have filed lawsuits against Christians who refuse services to homosexuals that conflict with their religious beliefs. All of this is intended to silence the objections about homosexuality from within religious circles. As a result, fewer church leaders and pastors are speaking out against homosexual behavior whether in society, or in their own congregations. As long as mainstream churches are divided in their views about homosexuality as sin, they will never be able to present a united front against the practice, which is exactly what gays want.

How should Christians respond to the gay agenda?

The answer is "the same as Christ would." Jesus Christ condemned sin of all kinds, but never the sinner. And those whom He freed from their sins were told to 'Go and sin no more.' As followers of Christ, we are not under denominational constraints. We can choose to follow Christ instead of man. Those of us who have received God's grace for our own sins, should extend that same grace to the homosexual who is no different from us in his or her need of  the Savior and of salvation. Jesus  promised He would settle everything when He returns. In the meantime, we are to continue sharing our testimony about God's love and mercy for all sinners, and lead those who would seek Him to find peace with God.

The Sting of Rejection

He [Jesus] had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3 NIV

Nothing hurts worse in this life than being rejected. Rejection is the ultimate 'put down' whether you're the one doing the rejecting, or the one being rejected. Rejection makes you feel unloved, unwanted, unappreciated, inferior, inadequate, worthless. Rejection can cause some people to become suicidal. Rejection hurts like a sucker punch to the stomach. And no matter how long ago it happened, the sting of rejection can linger for months, even years.

Rejection sticks out like a sore thumb. We see it on the faces of desperate people who spend their life on the streets. We see it in the self-destructing behavior of people who abuse harmful substances that they know can kill them. We see it in the actions of people who engage in criminal and other anti-social behavior without remorse. 

Rejection can take many forms— like being rejected in the womb, rejected at birth, rejected by family or friends, rejected for a job, rejected because of your race, religion, or physical appearance. The list of ways to be rejected is endless. Maybe you have been rejected at some point in your life, and it turned your world upside down. Maybe it’s been years, and you’re still struggling to get back on your feet. The promises you made to yourself to turn your life around haven’t been kept.

You are not alone. Jesus was the most rejected man in the history of the world. The Bible says that "He [Jesus] was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain." Sound like you? 

Being rejected didn't stop Jesus from fulfilling his purpose in life which was to die for the sins of the world. Christ's ultimate victory over rejection means that anyone who faces rejection —past, present or future—can look to Jesus Christ for healing and acceptance. 

It doesn't mean that you'll never face rejection in some form ever again; but if and when you do you'll be stronger, better able to handle it with Christ in your corner. Those persons who rejected you may never change their attitude, but you can change. When you know who you are in Christ, you can forgive those who rejected you and move on. Today is the day you throw off the chains of bondage that have held you a prisoner of rejection. Declare your freedom now with this simple prayer—

Dear Jesus, thank you for not rejecting me. Thank you for loving me and dying for my sins. I need you in my life. I am so sorry for the way I've lived and the things I've done. Please forgive me and help me to live the way you want me to. I put my life in your hands. Thank you God for forgiving me and giving me the gift of eternal life in Heaven when I die. 

To learn more about what awaits you as a new believer in Jesus Christ, go to peacewithgod.net  Friends are waiting online to help you. Need prayer? They can help there too.

How to get your life unstuck

"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God" - (Psalm 42:11).


The other day when I was getting dressed I picked up a garment to put it on and noticed the zipper was stuck. Being somewhat in a hurry, I tugged at the zipper trying to force it to move in either direction, but only made it worse. It was frustrating that this little zipper was taking up so much of my time. I stopped to examine the zipper more closely to determine where it was stuck, then proceeded to pull and tug on it, back and forth even harder—still it would not budge. My frustration was beginning to rise to a level of rage. This stuck zipper was holding me back from what I had planned to do. It was ruining my carefully laid out plan for the attire I wanted to wear, and making me late for the engagement I wanted to attend. Not only was the zipper was stuck, but so was I.

Like that zipper, we see people every day who are stuck in life. Stuck because of things they've done to themselves. Stuck because of things others have done to them. Stuck because they can't figure out a way to get unstuck, so they stay stuck. And remain stuck for years and years.

Does that sound like you? There's hope. Nothing will change until you get tired of being stuck, and decide you want to be free. Back to the example of the zipper. After I calmed down and stopped tugging the zipper back and forth, back and forth, it dawned on me that there was only one way to free that zipper, and that was to keep moving it forward. I realized in doing that the zipper would free itself from the point where it was stuck. Moving it backward and forward had only made things worse. The solution was simple—don't go back, move forward.

Like the zipper, you may be stuck in a place or a situation that you need to get out of, or one from which you think you can't escape or change. It may be a job, a family situation, a run-in with the legal system, a medical crisis, a crisis of faith or any number of things holding you back from making forward progress. And perhaps you think there is no way things are going to change or get better. You've  become discouraged and, now the enemy has you right where he wants you. Things are bound to go downhill from here.

The moment you give in to being stuck you will remain stuck, unless—

you start moving forward against the thing or situation that has you bound. Make up your mind that you will no longer remain in the same dry place where you are today. Do whatever is necessary to move forward one step at a time. You may need help doing it. Seek out the help you need. Don't say you can't because you can. As my mother used to tell me, "There's always a way."

There's no shame in being stuck. You may be stuck, but you don't have to stay there. At peacewithGod.net you just may find the answer you've been searching for to help you get unstuck.

Mother's Day grief: Celebrating memories helps ease the pain of loss

Not everyone will be able to celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday. For those who have lost a mother, it can be a painful day of mourning, especially if this is the first Mother’s Day without Mom or if young children are grieving, too. This may also be a hard day for women who have experienced infertility, pregnancy loss or the loss of a child." —Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support

I remember my first Mother's Day without my mother like it was yesterday. Mom quietly passed away at home on December 26th after a valiant 22 year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Looking back, one of the best things I did after Mom died was join a grief support group facilitated by a trained grief counselor. One of the most helpful things I learned from the counselor was that everyone experiences grief differently, there is no time limit on grief that it takes as long as it takes.

Some Grief experts will tell you that we grieve in stages designed to move us from denial to acceptance of the death. Others say that grief is different for everybody, that there's no set pattern to follow. There's probably some truth in both points of view, depending on the one doing the grieving. One thing is certain, it helps to have a coping strategy in place for those difficult times, like birthdays and holidays. The Good Grief Center for Bereavement Support says that coping with grief on Mother's Day can be especially hard on women, men and children. The Good Grief Center offers these tips for getting through this highly celebrated day:

• Do something positive in memory of your mother. Choose an activity that will connect you to her.
• Ask a trusted friend or coworker what helped them when their mother died.
• For children, Explain that this is a good day for good memories of Mom. Break out the photo album and reminisce with them.
• If you’re a woman who never held your baby due to a pregnancy loss, celebrate your baby by lighting a candle or planting a flower that blooms every year.

Those for whom the pain of grief at losing a mother still lingers, it may be helpful on Mother's Day to celebrate your memories of your mother. Recall stories of good times, her favorite sayings or special occasions. Share your memories with family or a good friend. And if tears come, let them come. Tears are God's way of cleansing our soul. Don't shrink from this day or let it control you. Rather, meet it head on as your mother would want you to. Whatever way you choose to celebrate, make yours a Happy Mother's Day!

Since my Mom's passing, I have not missed celebrating her on Mother's Day. Usually, I mail her Mother's Day card to me. On that special day, I read the card aloud, and wish her a "Happy Mother's Day in heaven." Afterwards, I may have dinner with a friend or cook one of Mom's favorite dishes. It brings me such joy and helps me to get through this day. Following is my tribute in memory of my dear Mom. Please use it as a model to write your own if you'd like.

I Remember Madre (Mother)

I remember her hugs, her smile, her laughter, her hazel eyes that changed color when she scolded me. I remember her coconut lemon pound cakes, her Hungarian goulash, apple cobblers, pigs feet and potato salad dinners that raised money for our church.

I remember her voice, her advice, her unconditional love and encouraging words as I went off to college. I remember how smart she was, how forgiving, how funny and how simple things brought her so much joy.

I remember her kindness, her courage, her faith, her final words, "Don't forget, I love you...up to the sky and back." I haven't forgot, Madre, I never will. I will always love you—up to the sky. —by Carolyn K. Erwin

A Mother's Day tribute to family caregivers who care for aging parents

Sixteen years ago, Carolyn Johnson gave up her job and her home to take care of her mother Florence. At 81, the frailties of Florence’s age are compounded by Multiple Sclerosis. She can’t bathe or clothe herself and needs someone with her all the time. "They [doctors] wanted to put her in a nursing home initially, but I resisted that. And the trade-off has been, she's lived [a lot] longer," Carolyn shared as she combed her mother’s hair. Many Americans agree with Carolyn’s decision. Today, one in four US households must find care for an elderly relative, and the majority of them are choosing to take care of their relative at home. ---Thalia Assuras, CBS News

That was me back in 2000. I was my mother's caregiver for 18 years until she passed away at the age of 83, two years after that article appeared. As a family caregiver, I was blessed to be in a special league with many other dedicated daughters and sons, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law who were also taking care of their mothers. All of us made personal, financial and professional sacrifices to care for our aging or disabled parents. Although it wasn't always easy, knowing that we were giving unselfishly of ourselves to help our parents in their time of need made it all worth it. For my generation, taking care of our parents was expected of us, and still promises a special reward.

Without a doubt, family caregivers are the linchpin that holds America's long term care system together. Without them, the whole system would collapse (and everybody knows that). It's family caregivers who bear the bulk of the responsibility of caring for this nation's aging and disabled population. Currently, there are an estimated 66 million family caregivers in the United States (see statistical breakdown).

Traditionally, federal and state governments have counted on the willingness of families to care for their own. The economic value of the unpaid assistance that family caregivers provide to aging and disabled relatives is estimated at 450 billion a year. That's money the government has yet to pay out to family caregivers for the vital work they do.

Many family caregivers perform personal, intimate activities like bathing or dressing. Other common tasks include paying bills and managing finances; scheduling and accompanying a loved one to doctor appointments; managing multiple medications; operating medical equipment; and performing wound care. Family caregivers also coordinate care and help their loved ones navigate health care services and community supports that might be available. ---Lynn Friss Feinberg, AARP blogger

Selfless is a word that describes family caregivers. They are often on-call 24 hours a day responding to someone else's care needs. Family Caregivers may forfeit days off, report for duty even when they're sick and pass up holidays because the needs of their loved one comes first. In the beginning, you don't always realize the extent of the demands caregiving places on you but you learn, and most important, you adjust. You have to in order to survive; or risk caregiver burnout. If you are a family caregiver know the signs of caregiver burnout.

As all-consuming as it is, becoming someone's caregiver is truly an act of love.

You have many reasons for providing home care. The most frequent reason is love for your friend or family member and a desire to provide care in familiar surroundings. It could be that home care is your only option, because outside care, even if it’s available, is often too expensive. You might also be motivated by a sense of obligation, or concern that no one else can provide the same quality care. ---James R. Sherman,Creative Caregiving

Family caregivers have not always had the recognition and support that they have now. It took family caregivers and their advocates joining forces to lobby Congress to pass legislation supporting family caregivers. A momentum shift occurred in 2000 when Congress amended the Older Americans Act to create the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). This groundbreaking program not only legitimized the importance of family caregivers but also entitled them to basic services, not the least of which is respite care to enable them to take a break from caregiving. For the first time in a long time, family caregivers could see light at the end of a long, lonely tunnel.

But that was 14 years ago. The torch has been passed to a new generation of family caregivers. Elected officials and public policymakers will need constant reminders of why it's important to fully support family caregivers as Congress considers new programs and funding levels. Administrations come and go but the role of the family caregiver remains just as indispensable today as it has always been. Providing care to aging and disabled loved ones who can't care for themselves is a noble calling. If you know of a family member, friend, neighbor or co-worker who's a family caregiver, why not give'em a hug or bake a casserole to let them know how much you appreciate them. It's a good word that will go a long way.

THERE ARE ONLY FOUR KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CAREGIVERS, THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY CAREGIVERS, THOSE WHO WILL BE CAREGIVERS, AND THOSE WHO WILL NEED CAREGIVERS ---Rosalynn Carter, founder, The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving