Who am I? Well if you’ve taken the time to read the “About Me page” you would know quite a bit about me, but that’s not who I am. Who I am is not about what I’ve done or where I’ve been nor is it what I have seen. Who I am is revealed by what I believe. I’m not a pastor although I was once. I’ve never set foot in seminary but I do have four degrees. I’ve lived life to the outer edge and I have the scars to prove it. I have seen men die in battle but now I would only raise my hand to protect my family. Yet none of this has shaped who I am, not directly anyway. Though I am sure it was grieved, the Holy Spirit allowed me to walk many paths in my life. Some paths very crooked while others were somewhat more straight. But I finally found the gate to the straight and narrow path God had intended for me all along.

Who am I? Well, I’m the same person that you are if you are a God fearing, Bible reading, praise shouting, thanksgiving, worship driven, tithe giving, follower of Christ that we all should be. Who am I? How much time do you have? Here is just a tiny taste of who I am.

…yet it is not me, but Christ who lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me that I do not frustrate the grace of God. No weopon formed against me shall prosper because greater is He who is me than he who is in the world. For I serve Him who can do abundantly, exceedingly beyond all that I may ask or think, according to the power that works within me. For I may say to this mountain, “Be taken up and cast into the sea,” and do not doubt it in my heart, but believe what I say, it will come to pass.  For if God be for me, who can be against me?

That is paraphrased just a little to make things flow. I challenge you to find those scriptures. In finding just these scriptures, you will read your Bible more in one day than most people do in a year. Yet everyone of those scriptures (and there are many more) is significant to me in realizing my identity in Christ.

That’s who I am. Am I perfect? Not by a long shot. I’ve never met anyone who is perfect. Yet there is one who died for me that I may escape the ultimate penalty of sin. I am a believer. I am a worshipper. I am a joyful tither. I am a listener for the voice and touch of the Holy Spirit. I am the possessor of promises and great rewards if I am obedient and my motives are pure.

I would much rather wear myself out working with God to accomplish His will in my life than to rust out sitting in a church seat waiting to see if God shows up. That’s who I am. Who are You? Are you seeking your gifts and callings?

I’ll let you chew on this awhile and see if any of it is digested.

May God’s Peace descend upon you all,

Lonnie Richardson

I’m a country boy. I grew up in the country during a time that if we did not grow our own food then we went hungry. We raised our own vegetables. We raised and slaughtered our own pork, beef, and poultry. We raised chickens so that we had eggs. Until I was ten years old, we milked our own cows for milk and made our own butter. My dad always said that you can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country  out of the boy. I guess he was right. There is something to be said for the old timer’s philosophy.

I get a lot of chuckles from friends and church family when they ask what I’m doing and I tell them that I’ve been working in the garden. They say that I just do not seem to be the type to work in the garden. Well, I hated it when I was growing up but I tolerate it pretty well now. I love it when the crop comes in and my family and I sit down at the dinner table to enjoy the bounty of what God has blessed us with. The funny thing is that when we started taking the first ten percent of everything out of the garden to the church for the church staff’s enjoyment or for a family that was in need. They couldn’t believe that we did that. It still elicits a shake of the head and looks of disbelief. However, the Bible says to bring the whole tithe to the temple. That is what we do. God has blessed us with our garden. Each year there is an overabundance and we are happy to share eagerly and joyfully.

But there are different kinds of gardens. There are vegetable gardens. There are flower and botanical gardens. Then, there are gardens like the one I am planting here  on www.godsspecialangels.com. Here in this garden I am planting seed. Seed that will be sown throughout the nation and the world. Someday, someone will come upon this blog and the Holy Spirit will enlighten them to the point that they will demand to see a special needs program in their church. They will contact me and I will water the seed and the Holy Spirit will make it grow to the point that souls will be won for Christ. This garden will plunder hell to populate heaven. I’d like to see a whole lot more empty parking spaces in hell. My garden is growing. A lady in the Chicago area is setting up a program as we speak. We communicate and I water the seed and she feeds my spirit as I watch the Holy Spirit make her program grow. There will be others and I will water those seed and watch the Holy Spirit grow them through maturity. The great thing is that I get to watch as well as help partake in the great harvest that is coming.

We should all have a garden. A friend or a relative needs to know about Jesus and how the Holy Bible, Salvation, and the Holy Spirit can and will change their lives. The lost do not care to be impressed. They need to see the love of Christ through us all. They need to see the change made in us. They need a caretaker to disciple them and train them in the Word so that they can be watered and grown.

So you see, you don’t have to be a cornbread fed country boy like me to grow a garden. You don’t even have to break a sweat.

My garden is growing. How does your garden grow?

God’s blessings and peace to you all,

Lonnie Richardson

I am constantly amazed at how loose so many people’s tongues are. It is no surprise to me that people who are in the world have loose tongues as they do not know Christ nor do they have the Holy Spirit or the desire to read God’s Word. In nursing I constantly hear those whom I provide care for  as “crazy”.  I have  heard the special needs referred to as “crazy”, “weirdo”, “retards”, “whacko”, or “off the chain”. I am appalled that these terms are used by not only by worldly people but people in the Church as well. Do you not see how demeaning and disrespectful that is? When I hear someone say, “Wow, that just makes me feel like a retard.” or “I feel like I took the short bus to school.”, I call their hand and ask them what they mean. When they give me a confused look I elaborate. I point out that my daughter is mentally challenged (according to man’s wisdom) and that she took the short bus to school. I further elaborate by telling them that they make these things sound as if being “metally challenged” or “taking the short bus to school” were bad things. Most of the time these folks will apologize and attempt to dodge the issue by saying that they were just joking. But I don’t let them off so easily. To the parents and family of special needs individuals these things and the use of these terms in regards to their loved ones is not a joking matter. I have heard it from the lost, and I’ve heard it from the saved. I will step up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. They are not crazy. They are not simply retards that don’t have any significance. The special needs individual and their families are very significant to God I assure you.

The Bible is chocked full of scripture telling us to mind our hearts for what is in our heart is revealed through our tongue.

David, the only man in the Bible of whom it was said was a man after God’s own heart gave us these thoughts in Psalms.

Psalm 15:3 ³He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Psalm 39:1 ¹I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”

Solomon, because he asked not for himself but for his people and was granted the greatest wisdom and wealth gives us these thoughts in Proverbs.

Proverbs 10:31 ³¹The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs 21:23 ²³He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

The great prophet Isaiah issued this warning in regards to common flippant remarks.

Isaiah 54:17 ¹⁷“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn
         This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Finally, and this one is my favorite at the moment, James laid all on the line and I don’t believe he could have been any more clear than he is in this passage.

James 1:26 ²⁶If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

Guard your hearts for what is in your heart will be revealed by your lips and tongue. The souls of these special needs families is no laughing matter. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in prayer and stated, “These special needs individuals are already mine. YOU bring the family to Jesus.”

So mind your words. I might be listening and if I am, I will lovingly correct you. But there is one thing that you can be sure of, I may or may not be listening but God is always at hand to hear what you are saying. So the next time you make a comment that would put one of His Special Angels in a demeaning light you can be assured that their angel is in God’s presence and that God knows. (Matt. 18:10 I’ll let you look that one up.)

Just something for you all to chew on. I cannot judge for I am not the judge. But I can teach that which I know and I can issue warnings that might assist in the prevention of a loose tongue.

Bye for now and God Bless you all,

Lonnie Richardson

All my life I’ve always heard people talk about this child being “not normal”, or that child being “abnormal”. I’ve heard people talk about babies being “flawed” or “defective”. Today I hear people laugh and joke about moments that make them “feel like a retard” or “like they rode the short bus to school”. I’ve even heard it in church from people who follow Christ! I see a whole society that laughs at the “misfortune” of others. You know what? A lot of the same people that make up this society also go to church, or a good many of them do. Well, let me express a few thoughts on that matter. Since I am the father of a special needs child and a follower of Christ, I believe that I have something relavent to add to this thought process.

My daughter is twenty one years old and reads on a fourth grade level. She writes on a fifth grade level. According to the wisdom of man she is menatally retarded and she is autistic. She has difficulty carrying a meaningful conversation with someone who doesn’t know her very well. She cannot carry out four step instructions. She cannot do her multiplication tables. At best, the only work that she will do is what is known as “menial” labor. Because of these things she is considered “abnormal” or “unacceptable”.

Well, let’s stop and think about what is considered “normal” and “acceptable”. It is normal for Hollywood to put out movies calling God’s Name in vain and exploiting every abomination and sin in God’s eyes. It is normal for someone to laugh at someone else’s pain. It is normal for parents to neglect and abuse not only their spouses but their children as well. It is normal for drug dealers to sell drugs on our street corners. It is normal for stalkers and pedophiles to stalk their prey on the internet. It is normal for the Christian to not bring forth the whole tithe. It is normal to turn on the news and hear the most heart rendering news 99% of the time while the good news takes a side bar. It is normal for the Church to say, “It can’t be done.” It is acceptable for our nation’s leaders to have affairs. Homosexuality is considered normal and acceptable. Families breaking up and divorce is considered normal and acceptable. Pornographic magazines on the book shelves are common place and acceptable. Maybe normal and acceptable are not the most precise description of what I’ve mentioned but it occurs and takes place everyday so I guess, for the most part, it is acceptable or rapidly becoming so. Honestly I do not consider any of these things “normal” or “acceptable.

But those things are becoming the norm and are gaining acceptance. Having said that, I praise God that my child IS NOT normal. Megan loves without condition. She is trusting to a fault. She has great compassion for the hurts of others. She will give you her last dollar if she even suspects that you might need it. And, get this, she forgives instantly and forever. Now THAT is what “normal” should be.

I spoke a little bit about what Megan cannot do well let me tell you what she can do. She can sing. She can sing with the angels. I mean she can sing and raise chill bumps. She likes to write short stories which are really very basic but they are her stories. She does house chores and goes to work every day and earns meager pay which she very seldom spends. She also loves singing in the church choir. I mean a full blown choir with lighting, sound, a live band, microphones and the whole works. She loves it. She loves singing to God and, in my opinion, is pretty good at. it.

Now, wouldn’t it be wonderful if THAT was considered “normal”?

Just something for you all to think about.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Hello! I must confess that I am a bit tired and bedraggeled today. I worked in the yard and garden most all day yesterday in 90+ degree temperatures and stayed up most of last night with Darcie. She had a bit of a tummy ache and the only way she would quiet down and get some sleep so that Cheryl and Leslie could get some sleep was to place her on her belly across my chest. I didn’t dare fall asleep for fear that she might get rolled off my chest and into the floor. So if I have some misspellings and leave out an occasional word here and there it is simply because of sleep deprivation.

Now, onto more about God’s Special Angels. I have had visions of thousands of churches reaching out to the special needs families across the world. I have seen hell plundered to populate heaven. I have seen the heavens rejoice at the souls won for Christ. I have seen stadium overflowing numbers of pastors, evangelists, teachers, missionaries, and prayer warriors that will arise out of these families. I have seen summer camps not only for the special needs individuals but their siblings as well. I have seen workshops and retreats for parents. I have seen respite programs for the families. I have seen a network of facilities for occupational therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy for the special needs. I have seen a network of day care centers for the special needs so that their parents can work to provide for the family. I have seen wheelchair and assistive device programs not only in the United States but abroad as well. I have seen educational opportunities for the parents (single and married) so that they can provide a better life for their special needs loved ones. I have seen college scholarships for young men and women (siblings) that will come forth dedicating their lives to God to attend Bible Colleges to spread the Gospel throughout the world. A few people have said that I was just dreaming. More than a few people have said that I’ve broken off my chain. But I know that these visions were delivered by none other than the Holy Spirit. This, as overwhelming and as far fetched as it seems, is my gift or my calling.

It will all begin within the church. Whether it be a church in Sevierville, TN or Chicago, IL, or where ever. It will have to begin with the church. The society in which we live is driven too much by an, “It’s all about ME!” attitude. Sadly, many within the church whether they realize it or not or whether they will admit it or not, are driven by this same attitude. I have grown to love God’s Word. I find myself reading and writing from it on a daily basis and for longer periods of time. However, most Christians would prefer to show up at church and be “fed” God’s Word than actually opening it and delving into it for themselves. That’s a shame because the Bible really does have all the answers. If the answer is not in that book then God simply does not wish for us to have that understanding as yet.

I am developing a program that is made up of awareness, discipleship, education, training, and support. Without awareness there is no realization that there is a void. Without discipleship we do not have the strength, resolve, and courage to allow God to work through us. Without education and training we stumble in the mid-day sun like the blind man groping his way along at night. Without support, all will crumble and fall.

I cannot do any of these things that I have spoken about. I cannot achieve anything. But according to the Bible with God all things are possible.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Hello everyone! I’m Lonnie Richardson and I suppose that before I can begin blogging about what God’s Special Angels Ministries actually is that it would be relevant to express the vision given to me by the Holy Spirit on July 17, 2007. Now I know that date is almost two years ago and you may be wondering why you haven’t seen or heard of God’s Special Angels before now. Well, to be honest, no one would listen. I mean NO ONE! I became frustrated and then I became disobedient. I ran from my calling. I tried to be distracted by every means concieveable. I went as far as to say, “I’m not going to do it!” But the Holy Spirit was always right there tugging on my arm. God has forgiven me for my disobedience and I’ve managed to forgive myself. So I’m going to take it to the world and be obedient. I’ll leave it up to the Holy Spirit to lead those who have ears and will listen to this place and others that I will share my calling.

God’s Special Angels Ministries is a great burdon to my heart. If you have read my “About Me” page, you will know that I have a daughter with special needs. You will know that I’ve developed programs and advocated for those with special needs. You will know that I have worked extensively with the special needs and that I live with it every day. But this ministry is not about me. It is about the special needs individuals that God has given us and their families. Allow me to share some statistics with you briefly.

One out of ten people in the United States is affected by Mental Retardation to some extent. In 1980, one out of one thousand babies were born with autism. Today, according to the CDC, one out of one hudred and fifty children are affected by a disorder under the Autism spectrum of  disorders. Today, 90% of pregnancies diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome are terminated. Of the remaining 10%, a good portion are born with no disorder nor health problem. The national rate of divorce for the United States is 3.7%. The divorce rate in families with a special needs child ranges from 15% to as high as 35% on the yearly count. Special Needs Individuals are the most often abused, neglected, and taken advantage of people in our society. It would seem that it has become acceptable to ignore these individuals and their families and turn a blind eye so that they cease to “exist”.

The Holy Spirit began to impress upon me that the Church should be reaching out to these special needs individuals and their families for, on the whole, the Church has turned a blind eye upon them as well. I’ve been to alot of churches in a lot of areas and the church population might (and I stress MIGHT) be composed of 0.1% of the special needs individuals and their families. O.1%!!! This is SAD when the CDC calculates that 10% of our population is affected by mental retardation and that’s NOT including moms, dads, and siblings. The Church is lagging behind in major league style. The Holy Spirit spoke to me in prayer one day and said, “These special ones are already God’s Special Angels, God wants you to bring Him the family.

So, God’s Special Angels Ministries is being developed to teach churches how to put together and initiate outreach programs not only for the special needs individual but more so for their families. Many families are really angry with God because their child/children were born with special needs. I’ve heard, “If God is so great then why did He make MY child with special needs? Indeed, even 99.9% of the Church (including many pastors) cannot answer this question. The problem lies with perception and faith. The public, these parents, and sadly even the Church sees these special needs individuals as flawed or that that have something “wrong” with them. Nothing could be further from the truth! To say that these very special people have something “wrong” with them is to say that God doesn’t know what HE is doing.

Psalms 139: 13-16  (13) For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. (14) I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; and my soul knows it very well. (15) My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; (16) Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

It sounds to me as if God knows exactly what He is doing. God is perfect. God does not make mistakes. God is not prone to accidents. “Ooops” is not in God’s vocabulary. God’s creations ARE perfect. What is IMPERFECT is how WE percieve God’s creations. Because these specially wrapped gifts that we  recieve from God are not like us or are different in some way, they are labeled as flawed, imperfect, or they have something “WRONG” with them. There is nothing “WRONG” with them. What is WRONG is how we as believers in Jesus Christ SEE them. Instead of looking at them through the eyes of God, the public, most parents, and the CHURCH are looking at them through the wisdom of man. So in essence, my job, initially, is to teach the CHURCH how to SEE in a way in which God intended.

Jesus said that the two greatest Commandments were: (1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And, (2) Love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus then went on to say that on these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.

Now, that may not mean much to you, but it’s pretty heavy duty stuff to me. Once, my daughter, Megan, (remember she’s the one who is autistic?) was crying because someone had teased her and rejected her and I was trying to console her. “Why daddy?” She cried. “Why don’t they want to be my friend?” I tried to comfort her by telling her that they did not understand what a good friend she could be to them and that they didn’t understand because she was just a little different from the rest of the world. She sat up and immediately stopped crying. She looked me straight in the eye and said, “But dad, I’m not different from the rest of the world. The rest of the world is different from me.”

Truer words were never spoken considering that her birthday wish on her thirteenth birthday was, “To be friends with everyone in the whole world.”

“Nuff said for now. I’ll be back later to tell you more about God’s Special Angels.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

6/27/09 Hello to everyone. Initially I’d intended to start this blog on Father’s Day. But my grand daughter (yet to be born) decided that she would head butt, punch, and stomp her mama (my daughter) unmercifully. In doing so, labor pains would ensue so we were watching closely for the sure signs of labor onset. However, no labor ensued and Darcie Fallon Richardson was born at 7:48 a.m. June 23, 2009. She was eight pounds eight ounces and twenty one inches long. She came home on June 25 and as of this writing is a little over four days old. How has it been? Well, she has attitude. She wants her diaper changed immediately. She wants to be fed immediately. She has the art of pouting down to perfection. Woe unto those who do not attend to her needs immediately. When her needs are met she wants to drift quietly off to sleep and shame on anyone who chooses to disturb her for any reason at any time. Simply said, she is the typical, perfect, beautiful, adorable, sleep depriving  baby.

Father I thank you for my grand-daughter. I praise you that mama and baby are doing fine and are both healthy. I praise you for these wonderful gifts, Your wonderous grace, and Your unabounding love. Forgive me Father if I seem to be bragging about this grand-child and the fact that the first post on this blog features Darcie instead of the calling that You have laid on my heart. But it is with thanksgiving and praise that I offer my grand-daughter, my other grand children, my children, my wife, my family, and my household back to You for without You I would have none of these things that I consider dear to my heart. Thank you Father for your gifts, Your grace, and Your endless blessings.

Amen

Hey! What's Up?