Everyone has been hurt or wounded — whether physically, emotionally or spiritually. The lasting effects can be devastating.

Those hurt physically may carry scars the rest of their lives, a constant reminder of their negligence or the negligence of others. With each painful step, with each push of a wheelchair, or each glance in the mirror, the reminder is there.

Emotional injuries also last a long time, and their effects can be passed on to others — either consciously or unconsciously. Think about those who treat their spouses or children the same way they saw a parent treat another; or how those who were bullied turn into bullies later in life.

Spiritual wounds also have long-lasting effects. Through another Christian's careless words, false hopes that can be instilled, prayers answered in a way not liked or understood and church-goers' seeming hypocrisy, people can feel disillusioned, angry or bitter.

Yes, other people fail us. We fail them, too. We are all human beings and fall far short of perfection.

Please remember, however, that you have been loved long before the world knew who you were or hurt you.

Long before physical scars appeared, long before emotional bruises set in and long before people of faith disappointed you, God knew you and loved you.

A loving God brought you into this life. The world may appear to not care one whit about you. People may continue to dig at you emotionally. People in church — including pastors — may continue to disappoint you. But God is always faithful.

God never acts with evil intent. God never acts maliciously. God is constantly faithful and loving — which sometimes includes disciplining his children, just as any loving parent must do.

If you doubt God’s love for you and how God wants what is best for you, look at what he has done to prove it.

He came to Earth in the person of Jesus Christ and allowed Jesus to be nailed to a cross. That sacrifice alone — as unloving as it may appear on the surface — was the greatest act of love the world has ever seen.

The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: People disappoint, but God remains faithful

Autumn has officially arrived, and the weather has finally cooled some.

My collies — who spent most of the hot summer in the house — love playing in the backyard again. I enjoy watching them frolic outdoors, but I really look forward to turning off the air conditioning for the season.

And fall projects.

What do you plan to accomplish? Working in the yard and planting beautiful flowers? Painting a room in your home?

The leaves will turn magnificent colors soon; there are mums in lovely colors, and my potted hibiscus plants are still blooming. I enjoy seeing all the gorgeous flowers.

And making wreaths.

Have you made a wreath that incorporates all the lovely fall colors for your front door?

A basic wreath is simple to do and would make a great family project, so get the kids involved!

There are lots of instructions online. For instance, try this link:www.ehow.com/how_12340285_make-fall-elements-wreath.html.

I want to make a Mickey Mouse-inspired fall wreath.

What will you make?

Share photos of your hand-crafted wreaths on the Crestview News Bulletin's Facebook page. Just search for "Crestview Bulletin."

Please say "hi" if you see me on my jaunts around town.

Janice Lynn Crose lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Autumn — and wreath crafting season — are here

If you have an older car, you need access to authoritative auto repair guides to save money by doing work yourself and to understand “mechanic-speak!” 

With the city's new budget year, the Crestview Public Library has been able to re-subscribe to ChiltonLibrary. Now you can access Chilton’s car manuals — a trusted reference for more than 100 years — from any computer with an internet connection with your Crestview Public Library card.

The dynamic Chilton search engine helps users find specific procedures quickly and offers these benefits:

•Domestic and import vehicle information through the current model year

•Individual tables for repair, maintenance, labor estimating and bulletin/recall information

•ASE test prep quizzes for the most popular certification  exams

•Step-by-step instructions

•Videos and animations that show how to complete repairs

•Close-up photos and images to enhance understanding

•Wiring and vacuum diagrams

•Troubleshooting and diagnostic information, including “trouble code” explanations

•Maintenance and specification tables

•A print button that allows you to easily print out what is needed. 

Take ChiltonLibrary on a test drive today.

Sandra Dreaden is the Crestview Public Library's reference librarian.

Crestview Public Library card holders can access Chilton’s car manuals — a trusted reference for more than 100 years — from any computer with an internet connection.

DID YOU KNOW?

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DREADEN: Chilton free auto repair support available online

At various times, many people may feel frustrated by the their investments' performance.

For example, they expect growth, and they don’t get it — or they think their investment's value won’t fluctuate much, but it does.

However, some of this frustration might be alleviated if investors were more familiar with the nature of their investment vehicles. Specifically, it’s important to keep in mind the difference between long-term and short-term investments.

What defines long-term and short-term investments?

Long-term investments are those vehicles that you intend to hold for more than one year — in fact, you generally intend to hold them for several years.

On the other hand, you usually hold short-term investments for one year or less.

You can find several key distinctions between short-term and long-term vehicles. Here are a few to consider:

•They carry different expectations. When you purchase an investment that you intend to keep for many years, you may be expecting the investment to increase in value so that you can eventually sell it for a profit. In addition, you may be looking for the investment to provide income.

When you purchase a short-term vehicle, you are generally not expecting much in the way of a return or an increase in value. Typically, you purchase short-term investments for the relatively greater degree of principal protection they are designed to provide.

•They meet different needs at different times of life. You will have different investment needs at different times of your life.

When you’re young, just starting out in your career, you may require a mix of long- and short-term investments. You might need short-term ones to help pay for a down payment on a home, while long-term ones could be used to help build resources for your retirement.

But later in life, when you’re either closing in on retirement, or you’re already retired, you may have much less need for long-term vehicles, with a corresponding increase in your need for short-term investments.

•They can satisfy different goals. If you purchase investments that you intend to hold for the long term, you probably have a long-term goal in mind — such as building resources to help pay for a comfortable retirement or leaving a legacy.

On the other hand, a short-term investment would be more appropriate if you know that you will need a certain amount of money at a certain time — perhaps to purchase a car or to fund a vacation.

•They carry different risks. All investments carry some type of risk. One of the biggest risks associated with long-term investments is volatility, fluctuations in the financial markets that can cause investments to lose value. On the other hand, short-term investment vehicles may be subject to purchasing power risk — the risk that your investment’s return will not keep up with inflation.

As an investor, you’ll probably need a mix of long-term and short-term vehicles.

By knowing the differences between these two categories, you should have a good idea of what to expect from your investments — and this knowledge can help you make those choices that are right for you.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Short-term vs. long-term investments — here's the difference