Teach the Children

October 2, 2018 20 Comments

In a recent Harvard study, researchers discovered that U.S. Christianity is growing stronger. We are, after all, still “one nation under God.” With all the divisions and confusion, we are remaining steadfast in our beliefs. If you attend church more than once a week, believe in the Word of God, “The Bible,” and pray, you develop an unwavering strength. According to this study, our country enjoys “persistent and exceptional intensity” with religion.

God gave us a intellect to discern and search for truth. Attending church helps families because Jesus is in the ministry of keeping families together. This includes single parents, who can also experience the same benefits when the family is ingrafted into a solid Bible-based church. If God blessed you with children, it is your responsibility before God to give your children the gift of understanding the positive benefits of being raised with a belief in God. In order for a child to experience a balance in life, he must be taught early on how to pray. Children must be taught that they have a family in God. As parents it is your duty to instill these golden nuggets early on in life. Whatever you share about God stays in their little spirits. If a child is lacks teaching about God, statistics clearly state that he will walk away because his faith is weak. How can we expect children to hold on to things that they were never taught?

Jacob and Lucas praying before the Blessed Sacrament

Do you want your children to be happier and healthier? In another Harvard study from the T.H.Chan School of Public Health, researchers found that people in their 20’s attending religious services or praying daily in their youth reported greater satisfaction and positivity in life. This report followed 5,000 youth in a span between 8-14 years. This study analyzed variables such as maternal health, socioeconomic status, and a history of substance abuse or depressive symptoms. People (ages 23-30) who attended regular church services at least once a week in childhood and adolescence, reported 18% higher happiness as young adults than those who did not attend religious services. They were 33% less likely to use illicit drugs, and 29 % were more likely to volunteer. These statistics are not surprising to me because when you put others before yourself, you understand the Christian role of servanthood. You are too busy serving God and doing God’s work to get caught up in drug abuse and the problems that come with not serving God.

Psalms 119:9 (NKJV ) How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word.

Those who prayed or meditated on a daily basis were 16% more likely to report being happier as young adults. When there is a balance of God in the lives of our youth, they are 30% less prone to having sex at a young age. Forty percent of young adults who pray regularly did not suffer sexually transmitted diseases.They do not suffer from low self-esteem or cave into peer pressure, because they are equipped with the Spirit of God as their guide.

When I taught Release Time Christian Education (a Bible-based program for public schools) I was amazed that more parents did not take advantage of the program. It was important for me to instill into the fourth-grade and fifth-grade students that they could get through life better with prayer. From my twelve years of teaching, I know that their little lives were altered for the better, because the Word of God was etched in their souls.

Junior was a fifth grader who had recently lost his mother. When I was walking the children back to class, Junior pulled me aside to tell me that he was having suicidal thoughts. I prayed with him and reported the incident to the principal of the school. I thank God for this program that made such a difference in Junior’s life. In another instance, the Lord revealed to me that a fourth-grade student was being emotionally abused, and she requested special prayer. Other students shared personal accounts with me, and I directed them to God and prayed for their needs. Some students had mothers with cancer, some had close relatives in prison, and they were operating in fear of the unknown. God’s comforting words guided all their uncertainties. Programs like Release Time have been around for over 60 years, and they remain focused on training children the way they should go.

Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NKJV)

³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;³¹but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

My Prayer:

Dear Lord, help all parents understand the importance of Your teaching in the lives of their children. Allow them to see that only You, Lord, who can make a difference. Be the light for all families seeking direction. May Your divine mercy fall on all those who are struggling in raising rebellious children. Be their guide in their hour of darkness, and bring all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of Your mercy. Amen.

Feeding The Homeless

300 Sandwiches

September 25, 2018 25 Comments

Mrs. Donaldson, her student volunteers and me

It starts at Nohl Canyon Elementary School: for ten years Mrs. Donaldson has opened her heart and classroom for the production of the sandwiches. This time we had over 20 volunteers, 3/4 of the class eager to help. After a short tutorial, all of the kids received an assignment, and, with all these helping hands, our loving task was completed in one hour.

For their protection, we are no longer allowed to share photos of the children, but I have their sweet little faces registered in my heart. I am very grateful for their help, and for the parents who have allowed them to participate in this ministry. To instill servanthood in a child is one of the greatest gifts a parent can bestow. Children learn an early life lesson, to think of others and to help the displaced. We had several parents helping to organize and pack the lunches as well, but they are also being great examples to their kids. The people on Skid Row love to hear that 6th graders have helped assemble the meals. They always tell us to thank the children.

Washers and dryers for Skid Row staffed by volunteers

I am very excited to announce that the Skid Row ReFresh Spot is in operation again. On Crocker Street, just off 6th Street, the Oasis from Heaven is now open daily. Showers, bathrooms, washer/dryers, and phone-charging stations are available for the citizens of Skid Row at no charge. Thank you, Councilmember Jose Huizar, for introducing the motion to secure the funding for this much-needed project. Evans, the project manager, took us on a tour of the personal care/hygiene facility. We know that this project coming to fruition was the answer to many prayers. This entire facility was manufactured in Indiana and is completely mobile.

The ReFresh Spot organizers keep it simple; if you are going to do laundry, you sign in with your first and last initials, and are given a number. Then you wait until your number is called when the washer/dryers are available. Volunteers are available to make sure that all is done in an orderly manner. If you need to shower, fresh towels, and all body-soap is accessible, and after every use of the showers and bathrooms, volunteers clean up for the next person. The facility is open from 6 a.m.. through 6 p.m. When a homeless person is offered these services, he or she is grateful and respectful of the gift. This gives an incentive for the people to look for employment, and also gives them the dignity and confidence to improve other areas of their lives.

On all of our outreach excursions, there are always several persons who leave a strong impression on our lives. The first young man we met was a few steps from The ReFresh Spot. His name is DJ, and he has a wonderful disposition. DJ, who is from Louisiana, did not appear to have a drug problem but was down on his luck. Transitioning from his first stop in San Bernardino to Skid Row, DJ is employed but wants to go back home; so we prayed that God would provide this goal for him and his girlfriend. DJ was respectful and received our prayer with much hope.

Shawn is a drug addict, a beautiful young man who has given up on himself. I asked Shawn if I could touch him when praying for him, and he agreed. Shawn said, “Look at me, I just shot up, my arms are all marked up.” I told him, “Shawn, we are not here to judge, but to offer you hope in knowing that God is real, and that He loves you. It doesn’t matter what condition you are in when you come to Him.” I asked Shawn if he felt anything, because his face was still set in stone. Shawn answered, ” I feel electricity in my body; it started at my feet.” The Lord was supernaturally healing Shawn, and what he experienced was a confirmation from God. We as a team were greatly elated to witness this wonderful manifestation of God for Shawn.

We walked past a man with a skin disorder. His face was hard on the eyes, but God showed us his heart. Andre was precious and received us with great love. How wonderful to be in the presence of someone who is frequently misjudged because of his appearance. I was hesitant to ask Andre if we could take a picture with him, but when I asked, he welcomed the gesture and obliged.

I always have an idea of who is going to help with the ministry, but it is the Lord who brings us together. We are a small group, but we make a difference in gaining lost souls for the Kingdom.

Luke 4:18

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…”

To be a part of this team you must learn to shut out most of your senses. Close your eyes to what the world sees, and look with the eyes of Jesus. Though we can see both human and animal feces, and dead rats, God closes our noses to the stench. We hear all the arguments and curse words, but this never affects our ministry because God protects our ears. We touch the people because we are their brothers and sisters, and we bring the love of Jesus to them, because this is our calling.

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers, starting with the hard-working students, the parents, and especially Mrs. Donaldson. To our team of dedicated servants of God, Mary, Gary, Robert, and John, your faithfulness will always be your blessing.

Funny Stuff

I Did Not Have Plastic Surgery

September 18, 2018 6 Comments

My niece Leah is employed by an upscale eye institute in Arizona, where she has worked her way up to the position of surgical technician. Leah is always checking our eyes for any sign of cataracts, glaucoma, and/or macular degeneration. During her visit in February, when I caught her staring at me during breakfast.

“What are you staring at?” I asked. Leah said “ You need cataract surgery.” Then she added, “Your skin is really hooded over your eyes.”

At this point I got up from the table with mixed emotions. Was Leah insulting me or being helpful? Leah later explained that I should make an appointment with the specialist about the cataracts surgery and see if I was a candidate for the eyelid procedure.

Since I was planning a trip to Arizona to get my eyes examined for glasses, I went ahead and made an appointment for the examination to see if I really needed cataract surgery. It turned out that I did not.

The morning of my eye examination I told Leah, “You better make sure I can see the specialist about the hooding over my eyes.” Leah chuckled sarcastically and said, “That’s impossible. He is booked months in advance!” Under my breath I said, “I will see him today.”

Leah did the full medical eye examination. When we were done, I asked Leah about the ophthalmologist to examine my hooded eyes. Leah rolled her eyes and said, “He’s too busy!” I asked her to please check. Thanks to Leah, the kind doctor agreed to see me. He examined my eyelids and said, “You really do have a lot of excess skin, but we need to do some testing to see if you are a candidate for the operation,” as this was considered a medical procedure.

Another two weeks passed, and I was back in Arizona for the testing. The excess skin was causing problems with my peripheral vision, so and after the examination I was cleared for surgery.

I told my family about the this, and shared the news with a few friends. They all responded, “So you’re having an eye lift.” It was useless to try to explain: first it was not my idea, and second, the blepharoplasty was performed by an ophthalmologist rather than a plastic surgeon. I told my prayer group and they, too, thought the surgery was a cosmetic procedure. When they prayed for me, one of the men kiddingly said, “Lord, make Lynda young and beautiful.” Everyone broke out in loud laughter, including me.

On the morning of the surgery all was normal, and it was time to get the anesthesia. A kind nurse found a weak vein on my right arm for the sedation. The anesthesiologist came to explain that after the arm IV, he would follow with injecting the outer parts of my eyes. By this time both of my eyes were covered. They put some type of tape around my face and over my mouth; it was definitely sticky, and resembled the blue tape used by painters.

I could still speak, but my words were a little muffled. I asked the doctor if we could pray, and he sweetly agreed. “Dear Lord, guide his hands through this surgery, that all goes well and that no infection sets in.” With that I was out… well sort of.

During the procedure I could hear talking. I heard the sound as the skin was being cut around my eyes; it was an unusual sensation. While I was being patched back together, I could hear the needle penetrating through my skin and I heard the thread moving through the sewing motion.

Immediately after surgery, some type of heavy ointment was put into my eyes, causing extremely blurred vision. I was put in a chair that reminded me of a folding lawn chair, but I was coiled up in it like a groggy contortionist folded into a small package. I could hear the soothing voice of Andrea Bocelli playing in the background, so I felt that this was a confirmation that all went well.

Leah warned me about the bruising, and that it was going to look really bad, but I told her, “Leah, it’s not going to be that way for me.” Leah’s response was, “OK, I do this for a living, and you are going to be really bruised up.” Surprisingly, the bruising around my eyes was very minimal.

The doctor’s instructions were to take Tylenol because after the anesthesia wore off the pain would set in. I never once felt an ounce of pain, not once!

I returned to church the following Sunday,and wearing my regular glasses, it just looked like I had a little too much smoky eye shadow going on. There were no double takes from anyone.

The only thing I could not do was shampoo my hair because I could not wet the sutures. Misty, my hairdresser, came by a few days after the surgery to wash my hair. I had to bribe my granddaughter into shampooing my hair. She agreed, but only if I wore sunglasses.

I am not a vain person, and I never gave my hooded eyelids a second thought. To me it was just part of aging gracefully. Since I had never even googled this procedure, I’ve come to the conclusion that this surgery was a special gift from God.

Ephesians 3:20

²⁰Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

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