Alertness Character Journal

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    991 blepw blepo blep'-oa primary word; TDNT-5:315,706; v

    AV-see 90, take heed 12, behold 10beware 4, look on 4, look 3, bewareof 3, misc 9; 135

    1) to see, discern, of the bodily eye1a) with the bodily eye: to bepossessed of sight, have thepower of seeing1b) perceive by the use of theeyes: to see, look descry1c) to turn the eyes to anything:to look at, look upon, gaze at1d) to perceive by the senses, tofeel1e) to discover by use, to knowby experience

    2) metaph. to see with the mind's ey2a) to have (the power of)understanding

    2b) to discern mentally, observeperceive, discover, understand2c) to turn the thoughts or directthe mind to a thing, to consider,contemplate, to look at, to weighcarefully, examine

    3) in a geographical sense of placesmountains, buildings, etc. turningtowards any quarter, as it were,facing it

    The Character Journal is a ministry of Home Life Ministries PO Box 152, Annville, PA 17003 Visit us online at www.hlm.org

    The Character Journal is designed to help parents teach Biblical character qualities totheir children. Each journal features a different character quality with suggestions forBible lessons and projects.

    The Character Journal is sent out free of charge. If you find these mailings helpful,please consider supporting our ministry by making an online donation using PayPal orcredit card at our web sitewww.hlm.org, or send a check to:

    Home Life MinistriesPO Box 152Annville, PA 17003USA

    Old Testament Bible VersesRelated to Alertness

    De 6:12 Thenbeware lest thou forget the LORD,which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, fromthe house of bondage.De 8:11 Beware that thou forget not the LORD thyGod, in not keeping his commandments, and his

    judgments, and his statutes, which I command theethis day:De 15:9 Beware that there be not a thought in thywicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of

    release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thypoor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cryunto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.Jud 13:4 Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drinknot wine nor strong drink, and eat not any uncleanthing:2Sa 18:12 And the man said unto Joab, Though Ishould receive a thousand shekelsof silver in minehand, yetwould I not put forth mine hand against thekings son: for in our hearing the king charged theeand Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touchthe young man Absalom.Job 36:18 Because there iswrath, bewarelest he take thee away with hisstroke: then a

    great ransom cannot deliver thee.Pr 19:25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hathunderstanding, andhe will understand knowledge.Isa 36:18 Bewarelest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, The LORD will deliver us. Hathany of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

    New Testament Bible Verses Related to Alertness

    Mr 8:15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and ofthe leaven ofHerod.Mr 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and lovesalutations in the marketplaces,

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    Ac 13:40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in theprophets;

    Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of theconcision.Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, afterthe tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

    Mt 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from myyouth up: what lack I yet?

    Mr 10:20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.Lu 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.Lu 8:29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Foroftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters;and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)Lu 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are inpeace:Lu 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed arethey that hear the word of God, and keep it.Lu 12:15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for amans life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

    Lu 18:21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shallkeep it unto life eternal.Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thougavest me I have kept , and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; thatthe scripture might be fulfilled.Ac 7:53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have notkept it.Ac 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put himin prison, and delivered himtofour quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring himforth to the people.Ac 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for tokeep , that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

    Ac 21:24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, thatthey may shave theirheads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, arenothing; but thatthou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.Ac 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written andconcluded that they observe no such thing, saveonly that they keep themselves from thingsoffered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and fromfornication.Ac 22:20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, andkept the raiment of them that slew him.Ac 23:35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept inHerods judgment hall.Ac 28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul wassuffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.Ro 2:26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision becounted for circumcision?Ga 6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, thatthey may glory in your flesh.2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep youfrom evil.1Ti 5:21 I charge theebefore God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe thesethings without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.1Ti 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane andvain babblings, andoppositions of science falsely so called:2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed,and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.2Ti 1:14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.2Ti 4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

    5442fulasswphulasso foo-las'-so

    probably from 5443 through the ideaof isolation; TDNT-9:236,1280; v

    AV-keep 23, observe 2, beware 2,keep (one's) self 1, save 1, be... ware 1; 30

    1) to guard1a) to watch, keep watch1b) to guard or watch, have an

    eye upon: lest he escape1c) to guard a person (or thing)

    that he may remain safe1c1) lest he suffer violence,

    be despoiled, etc. toprotect

    1c2) to protect one from aperson or thing

    1c3) to keep from beingsnatched away,preserve safe andunimpaired

    1c4) to guard from being lostor perishing

    1c5) to guard one's self froma thing

    1d) to guard i.e. care for, takecare not to violate1d1) to observe

    2) to observe for one's self somethingto escape2a) to avoid, shun flee from2b) to guard for one's self (i.e. for

    one's safety's sake) so as notto violate, i.e. to keep,observe (the precepts of theMosaic law)

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    2Pe 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing inthe flood upon the world of the ungodly;2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these thingsbefore, beware lest ye also, being led away with theerror of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.1Jo 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present youfaultless before the presence ofhis glory with exceeding joy,

    Mt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of yourFather which is in heaven.Mt 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.Mt 10:17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in theirsynagogues;Mt 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.Mt 16:11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake itnot to you concerning bread, that ye should beware ofthe leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?Mt 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade themnot beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine ofthe Pharisees and of the Sadducees.Lu 12:1 In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that theytrode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees,which is hypocrisy.Lu 17:3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

    Lu 20:46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love

    greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chiefrooms at feasts;Lu 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts beovercharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and sothat daycome upon you unawares.Ac 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves whatye intend to do as touching these men.Ac 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things whichPhilip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.Ac 8:10 To whom they all gave heed , from the least to the greatest, saying,This man is the great power of God.Ac 8:11 And to him they had regard , because that of long time he hadbewitched them with sorceries.

    Ac 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city ofThyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that sheattended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.Ac 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over thewhich the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which hehath purchased with his own blood.1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which ministerquestions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.1Ti 3:8 Likewise mustthe deacons begrave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall departfrom the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;1Ti 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

    Tit 1:14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time weshould let themslip.Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed , as unto a lightthat shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

    4337prosecwprosecho pros-ekh'-o

    from 4314 and 2192; ; v

    AV-beware 7, give heed to 5, takeheed to 3, give heed unto 1, takeheed 1, take heed unto 1, takeheed whereunto + 3739 1, misc5; 24

    1) to bring to, bring near1a) to bring a ship to land, and

    simply to touch at, put in2) to turn the mind to, attend to be

    attentive2a) to a person or a thing: of caring

    for, providing for3) to attend to one's self, i.e. to give

    heed to one's self3a) give attention to, take heed

    4) to apply one's self to, attach one'sself to, hold or cleave to a person ora thing4a) to be given or addicted to4b) to devote thought and effort to

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    Related Hymns and Choruses

    Rise Up, O Men of God Be Careful Little Eyes What You See Yield Not to Temptation Work for the Night Is Coming Count Your Blessings Dare to Be a Daniel

    I Am Resolved Will Jesus Find Us Watching? Open My Eyes That I May See

    Etymology

    a-lert-ness n 1: the state of being watchful and prompt to meet danger or anemergency 2: being quick to perceive and act 3: being in a state ofreadiness.

    In sixteenth-century Italy, the military call, "Alla erta!" meant "To thelookout!" The French adapted this command as l` airte, which laterbecame its own word: allerte. It is from this form that the English word alertis derived.

    Bible Stories

    Joseph, alert to immorality in Genesis 39 Philips alertness to evangelism in Acts 6 David: an example of failure to be alert (2 Samuel 11)

    Mordecais alertness saved the kings life (Esther 2) Pauls nephews alertness saved Pauls life (Acts 23)

    CharacterDefinitions

    Exercising my physical and spiritual senses to recognize the dangersthat could diminish the resources entrusted to me The Power forTrue Success.

    Being aware of what is taking place around me so that I can have the right response Achieving True Success.

    The I Wills of Alertness

    Keep my eyes and ears open

    Recognize and heed warning signals

    Choose to do right before I'm tempted Tell others of danger

    Stay away from unsafe places

    www.characterfirst.com

    Quotes

    Beware lest you lose thesubstance by grasping at theshadow.Aesop

    Beware of endeavoring tobecome a great man in ahurry. One such attempt inten thousand may succeed.These are fearful odds.Benjamin Disraeli

    Beware of little expenses. Asmall leak will sink a greatship.

    Benjamin Franklin

    Beware the hobby that eats.Benjamin Franklin

    Beware of no man morethan of yourself; we carryour worst enemies withinus.Charles Spurgeon

    I have never found it, when Ihave thought the battle wasover and the conquestgained, and so let down mywatch, the enemy had risenup and done me the greatestinjury.David Brainerd

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    Alertness in the home includes: Looking for and praising ways that family members have displayed good character

    Sensing that seemingly harmless activities could lead to bad influences and wrong friends

    Being aware that participation in certain activities and wearing certain clothing could attract the wrong friends andweaken the trust of authorities

    Practicing preventative maintenance with household appliances and personal health

    The Ring-necked Pheasant

    The pheasant has been called the most sly fowl a hunter and his dog ever faced. It will sit silent andunseen in the tall grass, intently listening. When it feels threatened, the pheasant can run well, stayinglow and weaving right and left to evade pursuers. If this escape plan does not work, the pheasant will"explode" straight into the air, often startling its pursuer enough to win precious getaway time.

    Because of its evasiveness, the pheasant became a favorite game bird of the ancient Greeks and Romans.As the Roman Empire spread, pheasants were transplanted into new locations, readily adapting to almostevery new territory, climate, and sportsman they encountered.

    In the late nineteenth century, turkeys, ruffed grouse, and other North American game birds were nearingextinction. When a small number of pheasants were introduced in Oregon, their adaptability andreproductive efficiency allowed them to quickly multiply. Thus, the pheasant took some of the huntingpressure off their native feathered friends and gave hunters a new challenge. "Ring-necked Pheasant" is acollective name for a number of subspecies and their crossbreeds.

    The Pheasant Radar SystemDuring World War I, several species of birds were enlisted to assist the war effort, including homingpigeons and the parrots at the Eiffel Tower. Not as well-knownbut equally as usefulpheasants servedwith particular distinction by giving early warning. Not only were pheasants alert with their sharp ears, butthey could also detect the slightest vibrations through the ground, such as the footfall of distant armies or

    the pounding of artillery.

    On January 24, 1915, a flock of pheasants reportedly "shrieked themselves hoarse," raising alarm overthe naval battle at Dogger Bank, 216 miles away.

    Pheasants Guard Their Alertness

    The pheasant's ear holes are covered with small feathers called auriculars. These auricular feathers coverthe bird's ears without obstructing the bird's hearing.

    Most bird feathers have hundreds of tiny barbules on each barb. These barbules hook together much likeVelcro, bonding the separate barbs of a feather into a surface that is flexible and virtually impervious towater and air. The auriculars that cover the pheasant's ear holes, however, do not have these barbules.Thus, they protect the ears from injury, but they do not obstruct sound waves from traveling to the ears.

    If the auricular feathers ever do muffle a pheasant's hearing, the pheasant can raise the feathers over itsears to allow maximum alertness for the slightest sounds.www.characterfirst.com

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    The following list is designed to pray one request perday, thus enabling you to pray through it each month.Pray

    1. That he would totally submit himself to theLordship of Jesus Christ.

    2. That he would love the Lord with all of his heart, soul,and strength.

    3. That he would be a man of wisdom, viewinghimself, me as his wife, our children, others,and circumstances the way God does.

    4. That he would grow in brokenness of spirit andhumility, longing for God to reveal areas of neededgrowth.

    5. That his heart would hunger and thirst for acloser, intimate relationship with God.

    6. That he would understand that though he is ahusband and father, he is a man under authority,respecting his authorities, as he desires his familyto honor him.

    7. That he would give first priority to spending timewith the Lord every day in Bible reading,mediation, and prayer, and that it would be asource of encouragement and strength to him.

    8. That he would realize his position of victory and power

    in Jesus Christ, casting down imaginations, andbringing every thought into captivity.

    9. That he would experience God's perfect sacrificiallove for him and because of that knowledge,love and cherish me, his wife, so that ourmarriage would clearly typify Christs love forthe Church.

    10. That he would be committed to and experiencemoral freedom, making a covenant to not look uponstrange women to lust after them, and settingnothing immoral before his eyes.

    11. That he would fully accept the way God hasmade him and me, understanding our

    differences as male and female, and enabling usto reach out to each other unselfishly.

    12. That he would continue to grow in the skill ofintimate, honest communication, reaching out to mein sensitive understanding, allowing a greateroneness of spirit between us.

    13. That he would be committed to making hismarriage a priority, delighting in me as awoman, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

    14. That he would be filled with wisdom to be the loving,wise, sensitive spiritual leader of our home.

    15. That he would (continue to) make it a priority tolead our family in a regular devotional time.

    16. That he would be a wise protector, shielding hisfamily from the onslaughts of Satan and the world.

    17. That he would value and understand each of ourchildren's needs and strengths, being and doingall he can for their spiritual and emotionalgrowth.

    18. That he would know how to express his love andacceptance to each of our children, alert foropportunities to praise and affirm them, and beenabled to meaningfully communicate with them.

    19. That he would make it a priority to spendquantity and quality time with our children.

    20. That he would be a loving, consistent disciplinarianof our children, not provoking them to anger.

    21. That he would grow in meekness, not given toanger, but when failing be given the grace tohumbly ask to be forgiven.

    22. That he would trust the Lord for the spacing andnumber of children in our family.

    23. That he would make wise financial decisions,being committed to tithing our income, and

    remembering that God is the ultimate Providerfor our family.

    24. That God would protect and guard him from spiritual,emotional, and physical danger.

    25. That he would be blessed with good health andstrength.

    26. That he would have a life purpose bigger than hisoccupation, keeping the vision of service andmissions before his eyes.

    27. That he would use his job to encourage andshare his faith in a dynamic way with others.

    28. That he would not compare himself with others,being concerned of God's evaluation of him.

    29. That he would view the irritations of family life,occupation, and all of life's trials as God's besttools to build and refine his character, and begiven the grace to delight in the Lord when thestresses of life increases.

    30. That he would experience purpose in life and enjoyGod's smile of approval as he lays down his life forhis family and others.

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    Pray for their relationship with God:

    That they may know "how wide and longand high and deep this love of Christ is,and know this love surpassesknowledge." (Eph.3:18,19)

    That at an early age they may acceptChrist as their Saviour. (ll Tim. 3:15)

    That they will allow God to work in theirlives to accomplish His purpose forthem. (Philippians 2:13)

    That they will earnestly seek God andlove to go to church. (Psa. 63:1 & 122:1)

    That they will be caught when guilty.(Psa. 119:71)

    Pray for Godly attributes:

    That they will be protected fromattitudes of inferiority or superiority.(Gen.1:27. Phil. 2:3)

    That they will respect authority. (l Sam.15:23)

    That they will hate sin. (Psa. 97:10)

    That they will deal with anger. (Eph.4:26)

    That they will exhibit the fruit of the Spiritin their lives. (Gal. 5:22,23)

    Pray for family relationships:

    That they will obey their parents in theLord. (Pro. 1:8,9 , Col. 3:20)

    That they will accept discipline and profitfrom it. (Pro. 3:11,12 & 23:13)

    That they will love their siblings and notallow rivalry to hinder lifelong positiverelationships. (Matt. 5:22)

    That we as parents may so live beforethem as to entice them to thebanqueting table, not drive them away.(Matt. 5:16)

    Pray for relationships with friends:

    That they will choose Godly friends, whowill build them up in the Lord (Pro. 27:9,Eccl. 4:10), and be kept from harmfulfriendships that will lead them astray.(Pro. 1:10)

    That they will be firm in their convictionsto withstand peer pressure. (Eph. 4:14)

    That they will be a friend to the lonely,the discouraged, the lost. (Matt. 25:40,Phil. 2:4)

    Pray for protection:

    From the evil one. (John 17:15)

    From drugs, alcohol, and tobacco,ungodly music, pornography. (Pro. 20:1& 23:31,32)

    From wrong friends and influences (Pro.1:10-19)

    From pre-marital sex. (l Cor. 6:18-20)

    From physical danger accidents andillness. (Phil. 4:6)

    Pray for their future:

    That they will be wise in their choice of amate pray now for the one who will

    marry your son or daughter, that theywill be raised in a Christian home,remain pure, and that they will bring oneanother great joy. (Pro. 19:14)

    That they will be wise in their choice of acareer. (Pro. 3:6)

    That they will be wise in the use of theirGod-given gifts, talents, and abilities.(Matt. 25:21)

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    And, ye fathers, provoke not yourchildren to wrath: but bring them up in

    the nurture and admonition of the

    Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) Be ALERT tothe following ways parents can provoketheir children to anger

    By modeling anger. Proverbs22:24-25

    By not having marital harmony.Genesis 2:24 (Repeated fourtimes in the Bible); Hebrews

    12:15

    By consistently disciplining inanger. Psalm 6:1; 38:1

    By being inconsistent withdiscipline. Ecclesiastes 8:11

    By having double standards.

    Matthew 23:1-4; Philippians 4:9

    By not admitting when wrong.Matthew 5:23-26; Job 32:2;James 5:16

    By constantly finding fault. Job32:2-3

    By reversing God-given roles.Ephesians 5:22-24; Genesis 3:16

    By not listening to the childsopinion or the childs side of thestory. Proverbs 18:13,17

    By comparing them to others. 2Corinthians 10:12

    By not having time to talk withthem. Ephesians 5:18

    By not praising the child. 2Corinthians 2:6-8; Revelation 2,3

    By failing to keep promises.Matthew 5:37; Colossians 3:9;Psalm 15:4

    By scolding him/her in front ofothers. Matthew 18:15; John21:15-17

    By giving too much freedom.Proverbs 29:15; Galatians 4:1-2

    By being too strict. James 3:17

    By making fun of the child. Job17:1-2

    By abusing them physically. 1

    Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7; Numbers22

    By calling them names. Ephesians4:29

    By having unrealisticexpectations. 1 Corinthians 13:11

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    Be Alert to Signs of Anger

    Be ye angry, and sin not (Eph 4:26)

    Many people have used Ephesians 4:26 to justify their anger; however, our anger is never justified. James 1:20 says,For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Our anger is always carnal and it will never accomplishanything good. The following Scriptures reveal Gods perspective on anger:

    Psalm 37:8 says, cease from anger and forsake wrath.Proverbs 19:19 says, a man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.Proverbs 27: 4 says, wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous.Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, anger resteth in the bosom of fools.Galatians 5: 19-20 says, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleannesslasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, etc.Ephesians 4: 31 says, let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger... be put away from you.Colossians 3: 8 says, but now ye put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication ....Titus 1:7 gives one of the qualifications for a church leader: not soon angry. That means not prone to anger.James 1:20 says, for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

    The initial emotion of anger and its accompanying physiological signs are not wrong. They are red flags that God usesto alert us that we are about to do or say something that will have devastating consequences.

    Some physical signs of anger include:

    clenching your jaws or grinding your teeth stomach ache increased and rapid heart rate sweating, especially your palms feeling hot in the neck/face shaking or trembling dizziness

    Emotionally you may feel:

    like you want to get away from the situation irritated sad or depressed guilty resentful anxious like striking out verbally or physically

    Warnings to Christians

    While recognizing the eternal security of every believer who has put his faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ forsalvation, Scripture gives many warnings to Christians. These warnings have nothing to do with losing our salvation,(because our salvation is based entirely upon our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ); rather, they are concernedwith the believers gain or loss.

    It is commonly believed that the Lord will welcome every believer into Heaven with a Well done, good and faithfulservant regardless of how they have lived their Christian lives. The following verses, listed without comment, arestark warnings to believers that how we live our lives here and now, will have eternal ramifications.

    Mt 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it isthenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

    Mt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shallbe called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall becalled great in the kingdom of heaven.

    Mt 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one hisbrother their trespasses.

    Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, hepurgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

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    1Co 3:15 If any mans work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

    1Jo 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and notbe ashamed before him at his coming.

    Re 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his workshall be.

    David: An Example of Failure to be Alert

    King David was a great man. His stories found in First and Second Samuel are inspiring and teach us a lot

    about the character of God. However, Davids fall from success came from one decisive moment in which hechose not to be alert.

    When the Israelite army was in battle against the Ammonites, David chose to stay home. One night he walked

    around the roof of his palace and saw a woman bathing on a house nearby. He was not alert to the dangers of

    the lust that tempted his soul. Instead of fleeing from the temptation (as Joseph did in Genesis 39), David

    pursued the temptation and brought the woman to him.

    His inability to be alert to temptation brought severe consequences. First, she became pregnant. Secondly,

    David tried to cover up his sin and committed more sins by murdering the womans husband. Thirdly, God

    brought judgment on David and the child died. After that, Davids kingdom slowly spiraled out of controlrapes, murders, and treason characterizing his kingdom. He experienced all this pain because of one moment of

    Davids inability to be alert to the sexual temptation in his life.

    (II Samuel 11)Michael C. Lyons

    Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Joseph: Alert to Immorality

    Genesis 39 provides an example of a man exemplifying alertness. Joseph, son of Jacob, found his life at a

    crossroads where alertness saved him from falling prey to sexual immorality. He lived in the house of anEgyptian official, Potiphar. Because of Josephs intellect and charm, Potiphar placed him in charge of the entire

    household.

    In the midst of rising success and favor from his master, Joseph did not forget to be alert. He was on his guard

    against things that could destroy him. After working for Potiphar, Potiphars wife took notice of Joseph. Daily,she tried to lure Joseph [into immorality]. However, Joseph steadfastly refusedhe was alert to the temptation.

    The climax came when they were alone in the house one day and Potiphars wife grabbed Josephs cloak.However, because Joseph was a man of character, he was alert to the fact this was sexual immorality and could

    destroy himso he fled. In the face of temptation, Joseph chose to respond by fleeing the temptation. He onlycould do this because he was aware of his surroundings and knew his only chance to escape the temptation was

    fleeing. Joseph practiced alertness.

    Michael C. LyonsEditor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

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    Philips Alertness to Evangelism

    Philip was a man known to be alert to the Holy Spirit and wise in his actions. As a result, the apostles chose

    him in Acts 6, along with six others to care for peopleallowing the apostles to devote themselves to Godsword and prayer. But after Stephen was killed for his faith, Philip, along with others, headed in different

    regions to proclaim the Gospel.

    It was during this time that the Scriptures give an example of Philip being alert to an opportunity forevangelism. In Acts 8, he was traveling along the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, as directed by an angel.

    During his travel, Philip saw a chariot and because of his alertness to the Spirit of God, he went up beside it.

    Drawing near, Philip heard an Ethiopian official reading Isaiah 53. Sensitive to the key moment, Philip askedthe leading question, Do you understand what you are reading? (8.30). This opened an opportunity for Philip

    to join the man in the chariot and teach him about the Gospel. The Ethiopian official trusted in Jesus Christ thatday and then Philip baptized him. Philips alertness to the opportunity to share Jesus Christ brought eternal

    hope to an Ethiopian man.

    Michael C. LyonsEditor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, OH

    Spiritual Alertness

    Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can have the right responses

    I. INTRODUCTION

    An undisciplined, sluggish soldier with dull senses in battle will soon be sent homein a body bag. Combatrequires an awareness of what is taking place around you. A good soldier is an alert soldier.

    In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul exhorts his disciple, Timothy, to discipline himself like a good soldier. In fact, the

    Bible often portrays the Christian life with wartime imagery. Why? Because a spiritual war is being waged forthe hearts and souls of men. As God uses his people to draw others to Himself, Satan wars against Him in an

    attempt to stop the progress of the gospel. Christians, as Gods soldiers in this war, are commissioned tospread the message of salvation that comes by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ (c.f. Ephesians 2:8-9).

    Spiritual alertness is key to this endeavor. If we are going to be good soldiers for the cause of Christ, wemust maintain keen awareness of what is taking place around us in the spiritual realm, so that we can have the

    right responses.

    II. BE ALERT TO THE ENEMY (1 Peter 5:8)

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking

    whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

    Discussion / Thought Questions:

    What implications does this verse have for the Christian life?

    Have you ever felt attacked by the devil? When? How?

    Satan hates effective Christians who point others to Jesus Christ by reflecting his character and sharing their

    faith. He seethes in anger when God is glorified through the spread of the gospel. The devil would rather keep

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    people in the dark regarding what Jesus did for them through his death on the cross. The only way to do this isto make Gods soldiers impotent in their mission. So when people put their faith in Jesus Christ alone for

    salvation and receive the free gift of eternal life, the devil is reminded of his ultimate defeat and goes on theprowl. Satan loves nothing more than rendering a Christian ineffective through sin, discouragement, or

    complacency. We have an enemy that wants to destroy our lives and derail our mission to spread the gospel... be alert!

    III. BE ALERT IN THE BATTLE (Ephesians 6:10-20)

    The apostle Paul also exhorts believers to be alert:

    Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all

    perseverance and supplication for all saints. (Ephesians 6:18b)

    With what in mind? In the preceding context, Paul states:

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of

    God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and

    blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,

    against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

    Discussion / Thought Question:How can we, as Gods soldiers, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power?

    Communication is key in any battle. If the enemy can knock out our means of communication withheadquarters, the battle will soon be lost. Christian soldiers are given two means of communication that

    will keep them alert in battle: The Bible (God speaking to us) and prayer (us speaking to God).

    A. With Gods WordIn Ephesians 6, we are exhorted to put on the armor of God. A necessary component to t his armor is

    the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, the Bible. When Satan tempted Jesus three times inthe wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), how did Jesus fend off the attacks? You guessed it! Each time, he

    quoted Scripture. Knowledge of Gods Word is essential to our spiritual alertness.

    B. With PrayerInLet the Nations Be Glad, John Piper provides an excellent description of prayer. He states that prayer

    is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for advancing the gospel in the world (see Pauls instructions inEphesians 6:19-20). Prayer malfunctions when we attempt to turn it solely into a domestic intercom to

    call upstairs for more comforts in the living room! A spiritually alert Christian will be using prayer like awartime walkie-talkie, praying God would use him or her in the great adventure of bringing others to

    Himself.

    IV. CONCLUSION

    Review silently or in a small group, applications of the following I will statements: I will be alert to the fact that I am in a spiritual battle with a spiritual enemy.

    I will be faithful to my God-given mission to tell others about Jesus Christ.I will memorize Gods Word so that I can fend off Satans attacks.

    I will consistently support my fellow believers in prayer. I will pray for those in my sphere of influence who dont know Jesus Christ as Savior.

    Mark Irving

    Director of Discipleship Ministries at Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH

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    Alertness- A 4 Minute Sermon with Sermon Outline

    I. Alertness in Christs Return

    II. Alertness in Everyday LifeIII. Alertness as a Duty

    IV. Conclusion

    I. Alertness in Christs Return

    When I first looked at this title, I asked myself, what does this have to do with Christian character? Thedictionary indicates that this word means awareness, watchfulness, careful attention. In the light of the

    definition, the topic does reflect clear Scriptural teaching.

    For example, in Matthew 24, our Lord teaches about his return and urges His followers to be alert. In fact, inverse 42, He says, therefore keep watch. He continues in Matthew 25 and after telling a remarkable story

    about a sudden return, He again says, Therefore keep watch(v. 13). Paul writes on the same theme and urgeshis readers to not be surprised by the day of the Lord, saying, let us be alert (I Thess. 5:6). Peter issues the

    same warning in his letter (II Peter 3:11-13). These verses all relate to the return of our Lord and indicate theneed for careful and watchful attitudes. He indeed is coming back and we are to be ready; we prepare ourselves

    for readiness by being alert.

    II. Alertness in Everyday Life

    However, in addition to the pleas for attention to Jesus return, other places advise us on the need for alertness.When Paul writes to the Colossians he states, Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving

    (4:2). Back in the Old Testament, the Psalmist issues this plea: So teach us to number our days, that we mayapply our hearts unto wisdom (90:12). Ah, now we are getting to some real day-by-day practical application.

    We are called upon to daily be alert and watchful. We have an adversary and we need to walk carefully. Weneed to be aware of our enemy, of temptations, snares and trapsbe alert. We are encouraged to carefully

    prepare, by putting on the whole armor of God, so that we can take our standstand our ground, so we may

    stand firm, and with this in mind, we are to be alert and keep on praying(c.f. Eph 6:10-18).

    III. Alertness as a Duty

    After their long and weary exile in Babylon the people ofIsrael were set free to return to their own land.Spurred on by Nehemiah, they began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This aroused the hostility of the pagans

    around them, who threatened to undo their work. The people of Israel took two essential steps: they prayed toGod, and they posted a guard day and night. Even as they prayed for Gods protection and help, they did what

    they could. They knew that prayer is not a way to avoid responsibility, its not a shortcut to success withouteffort (Ron Klug,Bible Readings on Prayer, Christianity Today: 30:6) We are challenged again and again:

    Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord, and work (Haggai 2:4).

    Watch and Pray!! Be on your guard and trust God!! Our world is dangerous and filled with temptation. Wehave a duty. I recall reading sometime ago a story about the early days of our country. (The story is attributed,

    by way of source, to many people, including President Kennedy.) In 1789, in Hartford, Connecticut, the Houseof Representatives was meeting, under the leadership of Col. Davenport. Suddenly the sky darkened ominously

    and some of the representatives feared it might be the end of the world, and they called for immediateadjournment. Davenport rose and stated, The Day of Judgement is either approaching or it is not. If not, there

    is no cause for adjournment. If it is, I choose to be found doing my duty. Bring in the candles.

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    IV. Conclusion

    So alertness leads to duty and service for our Lord. He is returning and we need to be watchfuland stay busyand alert. The last words of Paul to his friends, the Ephesian elders, are significant: So be on your guard (Acts

    20:31).

    Dr. Paul E. TomsSenior Pastor (Retired), Park Street Church, Boston, MA

    Alert to Temptation

    I. The War We Fight

    II. Gods Divine Escape RouteIII. Knowing God: The First Key to Remaining Alert

    IV. Knowing Yourself: The Second Key to Remaining Alert

    I. The War We Fight

    We are in a wara war against our flesh. The struggle to resist sin can be unbearable at times. Paul himself

    exclaims, For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (Ro7.15). How can we overcome habitual sin in our life? First and foremost, our power only comes through Jesus

    Christ. Within that power though, we must learn to be alert.

    II. Gods Divine Escape Route

    Alertness is often the first prevention against sin in a believers life. In I Corinthians 10.13, Paul states, Therehath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be

    tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to

    bear it. When temptation comes to lure us into sin, God has promised to provide an escape. However, if weare not alert and ready for proper response, the temptation drags us away into sin.

    III. Knowing God: The First Key to Remaining Alert

    So how do we do this? How do we be alert to Gods divine escape route? First, know God. The more weknow God intimately, the more sensitive we are to his Spirit and can discern when he is warning us from a

    certain path. We will never know what to be alert to if we do not know God. His Word must be poured overand pondered, meditated upon incessantly. Psalm 119.11 states, Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I

    might not sin against thee. And in Psalm 1 the man meditates on Gods law instead of joining with sinners:Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor

    sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate dayand night. The more we study and meditate on Gods Word, the more we will know Him intimately. This

    intimate relationship with God helps us to be more sensitive to his Spiritthus recognizing temptation when itarrives.

    IV. Knowing Yourself: The Second Key to Remaining Alert

    A correct understanding of Gods Word will lead us to a more intimate relationship with him. While cultivating

    this relationship, we must also remain alert to ourselves. Think about sin in your own life. What time of theday are they most often occurring? What habits contextualize the specific sin you struggle with each day? Be

    alert to yourself and your surroundings. Alertness requires that you are aware of situations that could lead to

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    sin. But being aware is not enoughalertness goes the extra step and quickly responds to the situation bychanging directions. Furthermore, knowing yourself requires that you admit and acknowledge your inability to

    flee sin. Being alert means you are aware of your own inabilityforcing yourself to rely wholly upon the onlyone who has the power to sustain you in times of great temptation. Ask God to grant you grace that you may be

    more aware and alert of yourself and give you the initiative you need to change directions when temptationlurks around the corner.

    Michael C. Lyons

    Editor of Faith Outreach, Character Council, Cincinnati, Ohio

    Missing Something?

    A fellow stopped at a rural gas station to fill his tank and buy a soft drink. After pumping gas, he leaned againsthis car to drink his soda and watch a couple of men working along the roadside.

    One man would dig a hole two or three feet deep, walk about 25 feet, and begin digging again. The other mancame along behind and filled the hole, carefully smoothing it out and leaving a slight ridge around the

    circumference.

    "Excuse me," the fellow said. "What are you doing?"

    "We're working," replied the second man.

    "But one of you is digging a hole and the other is filling it in. What are you accomplishing?"

    "You don't understand, mister," said the first man as he leaned on his shovel and wiped his brow. "Normallythere's three of us: me, Joe, and Mike here. I dig the hole, Joe sticks in the tree, and Mike puts the dirt back."

    "Yea," said Mike. "Just because Joe is sick, doesn't mean we can't work, does it?"

    Alertness recognizes how our work fits into the process and contributes to the overall goal. We waste a lot of

    quality effort when we become too wrapped up in the details of a particular job and miss the larger picture.

    www.characterfirst.com

    When is a revival needed? When carelessness and unconcern keep thepeople asleep.Billy Sunday

    Kate Shelley

    Born in Ireland, Kate Shelley in 1881 almost overnight became an internationally-known railroad heroinewhose story is still being told more than 100 years later.

    On July 6, 1881, 15-year-old Kate was living with her widowed mother and three younger children in a

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    farmhouse near the east bank of the Des Moines River in Boone County, Iowa. The North Western Railroad'ssingle-track line, which Kate's late father helped to build, passed in front of the Shelley home and then went

    over the river to the town of Moingona.

    Honey Creek, a normally-placid stream, flowed past the Shelley home, then passed beneath a railroad trestlebefore entering the river. Late that afternoon, a storm generally described as one of the worst of the century

    struck Boone County; cloudbursts turned Honey Creek into a raging torrent and washed out timbers supportingthe trestle. A locomotive sent out from Moingona to check the condition of the track was able to cross the Des

    Moines River bridge safely, but disaster struck when it moved out over the Honey Creek span just to the east.The locomotive with its four crew members plunged into the flood waters below; two men drowned, while the

    remaining two saved themselves by grabbing onto tree branches, but were trapped in the surging water.

    By now it was about 11 p. m.; the storm continued to rage, but despite continuous lightning and thunder, Kateheard the engine crash. She knew that a passenger train from the west was due to stop at Moingona in about an

    hour, then head east over the now-ruined trestle. She told her mother she must go to the crash scene,see what had happened to the engine crew, and then go to Moingona and warn that the passenger train must be

    stopped.

    With only a hastily-repaired lantern to light her way, Kate took a circuitous route through the hills behind her

    home to reach the tracks between the ruined trestle and the Des Moines River bridge. She shouted to thesurviving crewmen that she would get help, then turned to start across the river span -- 673 feet long. Herlantern had snuffed out, and lightning flashes provided her only illumination as she crawled across

    on her hands and knees. When she reached the other end she ran more than another half-mile to the Moingonadepot and sounded the alarm. Then, in spite of exhaustion that would make her desperately ill for weeks later,

    she led a rescue party back to the other side of the river and helped rescue the two engine crew survivors.

    The 15-year-old girl almost immediately became the object of nationwide praise. Hundreds of newspaper andmagazine articles, poems, songs and other tributes have been written about her. At least four

    children's books telling the story have been published in the latter part of the 20th Century. The state of Iowagave her a handsome gold medal, crafted by the famous New York jewelry firm, Tiffany's. Philanthropists sent

    her to Simpson College. The combined management and labor unions of the railroad industry placed a bronzeplaque, affixed to a granite marker, on Kate's grave 75 years after the deed. The Boone County Historical

    Society maintains a depot museum in the now-tiny village of Moingona, on the exactsite where the railroad station stood that stormy night in 1881.

    Kate died in January, 1912, at the age of 46. Her name deserves a place in this "Plaza of Heroines." As the

    plaque on her grave in Boone's Sacred Heart Cemetery says: "Hers is a deed bound for legend ... a story to betold until the last order fades and the last rail rusts."

    www.las.iastate.edu/kiosk/1066.shtml

    CarelessnessTime Magazine, Monday, Feb. 23, 1942

    The Lafayette lay on her side like a dead whale, belly exposed, in the dirty ice mush of her slip in the Hudson River. Snowfell gently on the mammoth, fire-scarred hulk. Thousands of New Yorkers trooped to the waterfront to stare at her. Shewas a heartbreaking sight.

    Evidence grew that the catastrophe need never have occurred. While rumors of sabotage still persisted, evidence at handshowed something worse than sabotage: carelessness. The story was pretty clear:

    Workmen had been stripping the onetime Normandie of her peacetime elegance. She would have been ready for U.S.military service in about two weeks.

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    Already aboard were 400 U.S. Naval officers, sailors, 300 Coast Guards. Working on her were 1,500 civilians. In the grandsalon on the promenade deck, a workman with an acetylene torch cut through the last of four ornamental steel stanchions.So close to him that his back touched them as he worked were piled kapok life preservers, wrapped in tar paper andburlap.

    Sparks from his torch must have shot into the pile. Smoke puffed up. Flames spurted. Only two buckets of water were athand. Workmen had to flee. From the deck outside they poked a hose through a window. A feeble stream had no effect.Fire licked along ceilings, cabin walls, panelings.

    All that afternoon the Lafayette burned. Held back by policemen, Army & Navy patrols, crowds choked the streets,jammed skyscraper windows. Among the watchers was a small, greying man with a heavy accent. With agonized eyesVladimir Yourkevitch, naval architect, designer of the ship's hull, watched the Lafayette burn. Suspicious policemenrefused to let him through the lines. In the pier shed beside the ship, tall, urbane Rear Admiral Adolphus Andrews, Chiefof the Third Naval District, watched too.

    Admiral Andrews was still watching at 2:35 in the morning, when the doomed liner, listing heavily now from the tons ofwater poured into her from fireboats, turned quietly over on her side.

    Who Was to Blame? Angry and shocked, the country scowled around for a scapegoat. The blistered decks were scarcelycool when New York's tabloid PM released the story of a gumshoe investigation, made weeks before the fire by ReporterEdmund Scott, a story which PM had suppressed at the time because it was "a blueprint for sabotage." Masquerading as alongshoreman, Scott had got a job with a crew hired to lug furniture ashore.

    Scott found that almost anyone could get aboard, longshoremen were hired by minor labor bosses who could be greased;Federal authorities made no checkups; there was no real surveillance; no fire drills; no fire stations had been assigned. Inshort, the Lafayette had been wide open to sabotage. PM said these facts had been reported to Captain Charles H.Zearfoss, the Maritime Commission's anti-sabotage chief, who denied the findings (said PM), merely replied: "Get yourreporter out of there before he gets shot."

    FBI nosed around. District Attorney Frank S. Hogan questioned more than a hundred witnesses. Not until all the evidencewas in could the question of sabotage be determined. But the story of carelessness looked worse & worse. The Navymaintained that responsibility for fire precautions was up to the Robins Dry Dock & Repair Co., conversion contractors

    This week a court of inquiry under Rear Admiral Lamar R. Leahy, retired, sat down to try to fix the blame. Did theLafayette's elaborate fire-detector system operate? What had happened to her fire-fighting equipment? Was a fire patrolon watch? Why allow men to operate acetylene torches so close to inflammable kapok?

    And why had the ship been allowed to capsize? The fire had been doused in some six hours. When she showed signs ofoverturning, she might have been scuttled (to settle securely in the mud, only eight or ten feet below her bottom), or tankson her starboard side might have been correctly flooded to counteract the weight of the water on her portside. One attempt

    at flooding was made, but it was unsuccessful.Design and operating experts thought the primary negligence was in not having aboard a trained crew that really knew theship. Said Designer Yourkevitch sadly: "She was helpless, like a sick man, unable to fight to save herself."

    Engineers studied salvage plans. Designer Yourkevitch had one. After divers had sealed all openings, one after another ofher compartments could be sealed and pumped out until she was buoyant. If water was then pumped into her doublebottoms and deep tanks, Yourkevitch believes, the ship would finally right herself. At week's end, as she must for many acoming week, the Lafayette lay, desolate and shameful, in the river's grey ice.

    www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,884442,00.html

    Due to Carelessness, Survivor Declares

    Washington Times

    Friday 19 April 1912

    NEW YORK, April 19---C. H. Stengle, one of the first passengers off the vessel, said that

    the collision of the Titanic with the iceberg was the result of "criminal carelessness."

    "The ship was going 22 knots an hour when she struck," he exclaimed.

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    Stengle said that the impact was so terrific that great blocks of ice were thrown on the

    deck and a number of people were killed when these blocks slid across the decks. The

    stern of the boat rose in the air. People ran shrieking from below.

    Women and children immediately rushed to the lifeboats. As fast as possible they were

    lowered away to the sea.

    Sailors took the women and hurled them bodily into the boats, tearing them away from

    their husbands to whom they were clinging.

    Stengle did not confirm the report that men were shot down because they tried to pushwomen and children away from the boats. He said he was so far aft that he could not tell.

    One of the women told him that she heard a seaman threaten to shoot men who tried to get

    into the boats. She also told him, he said, that she heard two shots fired, but he did

    not know whether this was so.

    Stengle said that 1,500 men leaped into the sea when they saw there was no chance for

    them on board of the boats.

    "How they died, I do not know. I caught a lifeboat by the gunwale after I had jumped into

    the ocean. I was not dragged on board. There were not enough sailors in the lifeboats to

    operate them and the women were compelled to pull oars themselves. Some of these women,

    working at the oars, could be heard shrieking the names of their husbands."

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