^{Tips & Hints}

Putting your best foot forward

Our feet help us balance, and carry us the equivalent of five times round the earth in an average lifetime. In return, we rarely give them the attention they deserve, hiding them away in shoes and forgetting about them… until they rebel.

Along with our eyes and hands, your feet do more work than most parts of our body, so it's little wonder that things sometimes go wrong. Our feet are also mirrors of our general health. Signs of diabetes, arthritis, circulatory and neurological diseases, often appear first in the feet.

Proper foot care is essential to healthy, painless feet, and should be as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth. It's never too early or too late to start caring for your feet, and there's a lot you can do for yourself.

Follow these tips for good foot health:

• Wash your feet every day in warm soapy water (don't soak them, as this might destroy the natural oils) and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.

• If your skin is dry, apply moisturising cream all over the foot, except for between the toes.

• Lightly apply a foot powder

• Remove hard skin gently with a pumice stone, but not if it is over a boney area or joint. If this is the case, or if the hard skin is painful, consult your state registered chiropodist/podiatrist.

• Remove hard skin gently with a pumice stone, but not if it is over a boney area or joint. If this is the case, or if the hard skin is painful, consult your state registered chiropodist/podiatrist.

• Trim your toe nails regularly, using proper nail clippers. Cut straight across, not too short, and not down at the corners as this can lead to in-growing nails.

• Keep feet warm, and exercise to improve circulation.

• Always wear the right shoe for the job.

In an average lifetime, we walk about 100,000 miles, which is tough on our feet. Yet our bodies were designed for moving - not standing still, so walking is good exercise for our feet.

Walking helps the muscles and ligaments in our feet to work more efficiently, and helps keep them supple and flexible. So even if you have to sit around a lot in your job, or at home, try to get up and walk briskly for at least 30 mins every day.  

Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

When using flags, ribbons, streamers or any other type of worship tool, please be aware of your surroundings.  Other worshippers may be beside, behind, or in front of you and will be worshipping also and would like to use the available space.  Limiting the movements would help.  Either move the tool from side to side or perhaps over your head.  I realize that is not easy and the more space allows more freedom in worship.  I encourage you thank the Lord for the space you do have and

As parents and teaches, we also need to show our children the proper use of worship tools.  I know that my kids love to poke people with the flagpoles.  Taking the time to properly teach them is essential.  Children learn from example.  So, grab a flag or streamer and worship, they will follow along.  You may have to break away from worship yourself to show or correct them.  That is okay because once the children get the hang if it, they will truly bless those around them.

 

Caring for your Worship Tools

It is important to look after your worship tools.  In a worship setting, consider a good spot to put you flags, streamers, etc.  For example, on a table, chair, or the floor away from high traffic areas.  At home, fold, wrap, hang, or roll up your worship tools and store in a safe and dry place.

There are times when you would like to borrow someone else’s worship tools.  I think that is great.  It gives you variety in how you worship.  Before using, ask.  I have people ask me all the time, and appreciate that because it shows that they will care my flags during the worship time.  Some worship tools are very costly, so please handle them with care.  Like it was your own.