Had somewhat of a revelation yesterday that I would like to share. Since the length is so long I will paraphrase briefly. We all suffer from frustration. Frustration is that emotion that is felt whenever expectations do not meet in sync with reality. The amount of frustration depends upon how out of sync our expectations are with reality. Some frustrations open wounds in the heart that are years in healing if, in fact, they ever heal at all. Certainly, I am sure that we have all suffered from former frustration that has opened wounds in our lives that are so deep that it seems that healing will never take place. The sad thing is that many of us (and I must admit my own guilt here) tend to fence off our wounds and keep them “picked” open so that they will not heal. This is indeed a mistake. God heals all wounds if we allow Him too. Often times, these wounds are left open to maintain cherished memories no matter how unpleasant the final outcome was in regards to those memories. However, memories can be maintained, and without the pain I might add, If we merely hand our wounds over to God and are obedient to His Will and His Ways. An example of this is in Genesis Chapter 40 when Joseph found himself wrongly imprisoned by Potiphar. Things had been going good for Joseph. He was over all Potiphar’s possessions and household. It was the lustful, psycho (Potiphar’s wife) who had lied about Joseph’s intentions and had her husband throw Joseph into prison. In Chapter 40 Joseph deciphered dreams and asked the dreamers to remember him when they were in Pharoah’s presence. Of course this was not God’s will and Joseph stayed in prison for about another year before being called before Pharoah in chapter 41 when he became the most powerful man in the world second only to Pharoah. Now I’ve said all that to say this, After chapter 39 when Joseph was wrongly imprisoned and after Chapter 40 when Joseph was attempting to get out of prison on his own account came Chapter 41 when Joseph rose to power in Egypt. We are all in or have been in a Chapter 39 and 40 at some point in our lives. Some of us seem to be in several Chapter 40′s simultaneously whether it be physical, emotional, financial, or spiritual. Yet, just as in Genesis, after Chapters 39 and 40 comes Chapter 41. God always has Chapter a 41 waiting for us. Now, Let’s go back to our old, open wounds. Those who are in Chapters 39 and 40 in their lives and have old wounds that need healing do, in fact, have a trump card to play. If we are obedient, as Joseph was, then we turn our wounds and hurts over to God for Him to deal with in His way in His time and, before you know it, those wounds and hurts are healed! We have stepped out of chapters 39 and 40 in our lives and entered into chapter 41. I hope that this illustration is not confusing. If it is let me know and I will attempt to clarify it to some degree.

Church services were really great this morning. The Lord has allowed me another day and a busy day it is shaping up to be. We got home and fixed a quick lunch. Now I have some additional time for prayer seeking direction and method. Today I have a 10 page ordination document to finish that will hopefully be used to begin my ordination process in the near and foreseeable future. Within this document I must express my calling into ministry, list and confirm my qualifications, provide evidence of the fruits of the Spirit, and convey a doctrinal statement all with Scripture references. That alone should be easy enough. However, there are upcoming assignments that are just as long and physically draining. However, I have no doubts that God has amply prepared me and I am ready to run the course. Certainly, I have not attained Senior status with a 4.0 average on my own accord and intellect. God has gotten me through thus far and I have no doubts that He will continue to carry me.

Beginning in January 2011 I will begin a massive undertaking in conjunction with my present work and school load. I have been doing research for a book to be entitled, The Church and the Special Needs Family. In addition to that I will begin writing a series of articles for magazine publication as well as a series of  short articles to initiate a syndicated newspaper column. More importantly, I will begin visiting other churches in the area to make known the ministry God has called me to in teaching the church to reach out to Special Needs Families. I am calling upon everyone to keep me and God’s ministry deeply embedded in your prayer time. It is vitally important. There are souls at stake.

Heavenly Father, I pray as I prepare to go forth to do the work You have called me to do that I will in no way get in the way of what You plan to achieve. Send me with the peace of Your kingdom with Your knowledge and wisdom from Your Holy Word knowing that You will give me the words needed even if it be in the hour of need. I have surrendered all unto You, my home, my family, my finances, and all that you have made me to be. I desire only to see Your Will be done in any manner that You so direct. I pray for open ears that will hear and hearts to be rendered for Your cause. I pray that eyes will be opened and the joy of service will prevail throughout the land. Father, I am yours to do with as You please. Protect me and let me not falter and have the Holy Spirit prepare the way that Your kingdom may prosper. I am but a slave who is among the greatest of all sinners, yet You love me and forgive me. I am yours. Lead me into the ordered steps that you have for me that You may be glorified. It is in the Holy and Precious Name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

If the earth is indeed billions of years old then everything that we believe in Christianity comes into question. Death was preceded by the fall of man when God used animal skins to cover Adam’s nakedness. That was the first death. If there were billions of deaths (evolution view)  prior to Adam and the initial fall to sin, then death (a physical death) being the wages of sin in Romans 6:23 is not true. If the death in regards to the wages of sin is merely a spiritual death, then why would Jesus need to die a physical death on the cross to cover our sins that we may have everlasting life? The earth did not taste death until after the fall of man for death is the wages of sin and indeed Jesus did die a physical death that we may escape the penalties of our sin. The glorious thing is that Jesus defeated hell (our sin), overcame death (our wages), and over powered the grave (His promise) in resurrection to ascend to the right hand of the Father in heaven. Our children and our grandchildren are being taught evolution in school. Evolution is not “hard science” as is often supposed. Evolution is a historical science as is Creation. Neither evolution or Creation can be “scientifically proven” by empirical evidence and either of them requires some faith to accept. Evolutionists choose to deny God or God’s works.  However, one cannot believe part of one while believing in part of the other. They are mutually exclusive. Our children and grandchildren are being indoctrinated in the public schools using our tax dollars to do so and I am yet to hear the church howling. As I mentioned in today’s earlier post a man was once tried for teaching evolution in Tennessee. Now, teachers are losing jobs or being re-assigned to other subjects for opposing evolution with scientific data. Why is it that the data collected for and against evolution cannot be presented in our schools?  Who elects the school boards?

You may wonder what evolution or Evolutionized Christianity has to do with God’s Plan for the Special Needs Family. Bear with me a few moments and you will see. I am coming through the “back door” with this message.

The theory of evolution teaches that all living things have a common ancestor. That means you, trees, grass, frogs, dogs, monkeys, fish, snakes and whales all evolved from what today is considered pond scum on the microbial level. It would appear to be philosophically correct to consider that if pond scum has no “live value” then how are we, as humans, to be considered as having “life value”? Where in the evolutionary chain, which is filled with broken links, have we obtained life value? The truth is that we haven’t, at least according to the theory of evolution.

Ota Benga, a pygmy captured in the African Congo, was displayed at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair as “a human sub-species in the intermediate stages of evolution”. He was then displayed at the Bronx Zoo for a number of years with an Orangutan. Afterward, he was released to become “civilized”. Instead he committed suicide after realizing that he would never see his home or people again. Evolution serves as a foundation for racism and superiority. Not all evolutionists are racist or supremacists. But evolution serves as a foundation of such wrongs. In 1927, thirty states passed eugenics laws where the “feeble minded” were sterilized by laws of the state to prevent the “feeble minded” traits to continue in society. Buck vs. Bell was a controversial case if any of you care to research it. Most people do not know this. What most people also do not know is that Adolph Hitler took our laws and carried the philosophy to the next logical level. He euthanized 70,000 of Europe’s “feeble minded” before the death camps of World War II were ever conceived.

I am amazed that many church leaders are buying into the concept of an earth that is billions and billions of years old. Instead of standing firm that God created the earth and the universe in six days as Genesis states, it is accepted that the length of days have changed into millions of years. Genesis 1:5 states, “God called the light Day, and the darkness He called night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.” That looks like a normal twenty four hour period of time to me. I can find no where in the Bible that even remotely implies that God has changed the length of a day. Some people mistakenly take II Peter 3:8 that the length of day is different  for God. “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” This verse is taken completely out of context and authorial intent. This verse is part of a passage where Peter is telling people that the time of God’s promises being kept is not for us to discern but that God’s timing is so that more will come to know Christ as Lord and Savior as indicated by verse 9. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but, is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Pastors, to accommodate science, have put billions of years either before the six days of creation, during the six days of creation, or after the six days of creation. Each of these “theories” has a distinct name and reasoning that I will not go into here because of space and time limits. However, Scripture does not confirm any of these theories and, in fact, flatly denies them. By expressing these theories they nullify the power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who have divinely given us God’s Word in which these “theories” are debunked. Just to to debunk some of the evolutionary “science” that is commonly known. Carbon 14, a radioactive isotope, has a half life of approximately 5700 years, yet Carbon 14 is found in coal beds supposedly 300,000 years old. If the coal beds were, in fact, 300,000 years old all of the Carbon 14 would be gone! What is even more amazing is that Carbon 14 is still found in diamonds that are considered millions and millions of years old! Carbon dating to date the age of rock and fossils is not accurate nor precise. In fact there are three “assumptions” used in radiometric dating that cannot be verified or documented. Assumption #1 is that the amount of parent or daughter isotopes have not been altered by anything but radioactive decay. Assumption #2 is that when rock was formed, it contained a known amount of the daughter isotopes, in many cases, believed to be zero. Assumption #3 is that the decay rate has remained constant throughout time. The Institute for Creation Research, a group of Creation Scientists, have proved all these assumptions wrong. You can see their work at www.icr.org .

In 1924 a man teacher by the name of Scopes was tried in a court of Criminal Law for teaching evolution in the state of Tennessee. Today, teachers are being persecuted and losing their jobs for presenting scientific evidence that evolution indeed has fallacies.

Now, let us consider that the special needs individual is considered a “sub-citizen” by today’s society. Indeed, even the Church sees these individuals as there being something “wrong” with them. Psalm 139: 13-16  “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.” I believe that it is an Evolutionized Christianity that prevents the church from seeing them as anything but a perfect part of God’s Creation.

It would appear that God has much work for me to do.

In today’s church service, our pastor reminded us that every child deserves Christmas. Indeed, Jesus said, ” Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in MY name receives Me;” Indeed, all children deserve Christmas but maybe it is a different kind of Christmas than many of us are accustomed to. Every child deserves a warm coat in cold, wet weather. Every child deserves a hot meal and clean drinking water. Every child deserves clothing and school supplies. Sadly, many children and orphans in Appalachia, and around the world, will not have those things this Christmas. The Lord’s Child, our church’s humanitarian organization, will be serving 500 orphans and their families this Christmas with much needed food, clothing, and supplies. Certainly, there are many among us who have been blessed beyond our needs and are in a position to bless others. It may mean not getting everything that you wanted or wanted to give this year for Christmas. I certainly have no needs that need to be met. I ask you all who visit here to think about a time when you really needed help and had no one to turn to. I tell you all that Jesus is always there for us. However, there are those who are unfortunate that they do not have Jesus and cannot provide for the children under their care and have no where to turn to this Christmas. What better way to show those who are without Christ the love of Jesus by providing something that is really needed this Christmas? If you have a computer, electricity to operate the computer, and the time to be on the computer, then certainly you have much more than these children have and WE can do something to help them! It may not be much you say but I say that a little can go along way in showing people that Christ loves them and that they are significant.

God LOVES children! Psalms 127:3 states that children are a gift, the fruit of the womb. Verse 5 states that we will not be ashamed when we meet their enemies at the gate. The enemy for many of these children is hunger, sickness, exposure, and extreme poverty. Will we bring ourselves shame by not helping them in their time of need? Matthew 18:10 Jesus states, “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the Face of My Father who is in heaven.”

At the end of service, our Pastor called upon the grand-daughter of one of the staff whose dad had died and her mother was addicted to abusive substances. Her grand-parents had adopted her. She sang “Jesus Loves the Little Children”. He called several to the front including my daughter, Megan, and me. Megan, Chuck Laney, and myself sang “Jesus Loves the Little Children”. Megan and Chuck did quite well while Pastor said I sounded like a mule braying in a hail storm. Pastor then spoke to the congregation and informed them of my burden for the Special Needs Family and asked, “Lonnie, I dare say that God loves those children with special needs as much as He does orphans and other children.” I confirmed and guaranteed his presuppositions.

People, let’s not take Christ out of Christmas. As we sit warm and snug with our loved ones enjoying a hot meal and gifts we really don’t need, let us be mindful that there are children who are cold and hungry. Let us be mindful that there are families with a special needs loved one who feel burdened instead of blessed. I cannot, in good conscience lift a fork knowing that I have not done all that is possible to ease the suffering of some others as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus. Do you really need those new shoes? Does Junior really need one more video game? This Christmas, the turkey may not be as big, the side dishes a little smaller, and the gifts may not be overflowing from under any Christmas tree. However, there will be at least a few kids this Christmas that will go to sleep with a hot meal in them and know the love of Christ expressed to them by others who love them as well. I’ll probably sleep a little better too.

God Bless

This week was somewhat difficult at work. We had a state survey team in house and the stress of completing work within the necessary time frame and providing for the surveyors questions provided for a hectic work day. God gave me the opportunity to test the limits of my patience. I am happy to report that the survey seemed to go well and I did not submit to either anger or frustration.

I had a visit from Paul Danis the founder of Live It Ministries this week. Cheryl and I do their website for Paul and Terri as an act of planting seed in their ministry. Paul was encouraging and has agreed to assist us in ironing our the legalities of establishing God’s Special Angels Ministries. I encourage you all to visit their website at
www.live-it.tv. We spoke of many things that were causing some frustration. One was the fact that “a prophet has no honor in his home land” which is something that I pretty much suspected all along. A good friend, Dr. Stephen Anderson who was instrumental in diagnosing Megan with autism when he was completing his Doctorate at LSU, confirmed the discussion. He said, “You have no authority because they think that they know you when, in fact, they do not know you at all.” It was the same for Jesus in his homeland of Nazareth.

School is going well this session. Pastoral Duties is challenging as well as enlightening. In it we delve deeply into the Scripture as well as texts from Toler, MacAurthur, and Spurgeon. Creation Sciences has really been interesting and exciting. In this class we examine the scientific evidences for Creation vs. Evolution. Thus far, it has been a glorious confirmation in regards to my system of belief and presents a Biblical World View that I hold dear. Many people look upon Evolution as “hard science” when, in fact, it is a historical science the same as is Creation. Eye witness accounts are the best measure of historical sciences of which evolution has none past the 1800′s. Creation is a Biblical eye witness account of how the origins of the earth and universe came into being. Sadly, most refuse to acknowledge the validity of the Bible as an eyewitness account of origins. I suspect that if they did so, they would realize the truth contained in God’s Word and find themselves convicted to answer to a higher authority than themselves. The study of the Theory of Evolution (and it is truly a theory) has provided additional insight in regards to why society views those with special needs as having something “wrong” with them. That is something that I will get into in greater detail in a later post. I am amazed at how God is opening doors of understanding for me. So much so that I am awed beyond any possible expectations. Which only proves that I have yet a ways to go in my spiritual growth for I realize that even as I know God is capable of anything, He surprises me with His glorious illuminations and revelations. God is indeed the one true living God.

I would like to welcome Deanna Cruse to our subscribers. Thank you for your interests. Certainly, I remember you.

God’s Blessings upon you all,

IN HIS GRIP,

Lonnie Richardson

My goodness but it has been awhile. I fear that is all my fault (as if you didn’t already know that). Some of it can be accounted towards laziness. Father forgive me for that. But Satan has indeed been running rampant tossing out stumbling blocks that I have stumbled over. Father, forgive me of that as well. Most importantly, my absence can be attributed to sickness within the family. My grand-daughter, Darcie, has been ill constantly with ear infections despite having tubes put in her ears twice and having her adenoids removed recently. My lovely wife, Cheryl, and my oldest daughter Leslie have been fighting with bronchitis for nearly three months and can’t seem to shake it. I have not been immune either I am afraid. I have been battling against vertigo off and on for two and a half months with the last episode knocking me out of work for four weeks. In the midst of all the sickness we all have been working  jobs, attending classes in school, and attempting to provide care for each other. Certainly, it has been a difficult time but it has brought the family closer together. Still, as far as posting on the blog goes, I have been remiss in my duties.

School has been  a roller coaster ride for all of us. As of now I am considered a Senior at Liberty University pursuing a B.S. in Religion with a 4.0 overall average. I must admit to all that I am not that smart. I am of no great intellect. It has all been God’s doing.  I will turn in papers and finish exams thinking that I have failed miserably only to have grades far better than I could hope for using my own intellect. Way to go God!!! Currently I am taking classes in Pastoral Duties and Creation Sciences which is a counter to Evolutionary Theory.  There is, as usual, a tremendous amount of reading and writing to be done, yet God keeps me hacking away to walk away with the grades to honor Him. Thank you Father for never leaving me even though I fail you countless times.

I realize that ministry is more than mere academics. Certainly, knowledge without application is fruitless. God is beginning to open doors and I am seeing some light during this once dark journey. So I continue in faith and obedience that God has a plan, a plan that has been partially revealed to me yet not complete in revelation. I have the faith that revelation will come when God is ready. Sometimes, a part of me wants to know how it is all going to play out. But I have come to realize that is not for me to know at this time. My part is to continue in prayer, study, and daily ministry to all who are hurting bringing to them the Gospel of Christ prayerfully that they will come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If anyone thinks that ministry is not hard work then they truly do not understand ministry. They have not suffered the heartache experienced when someone rejects Jesus. Yet, we must continue praying and working.

Forgive me all and I ask the heavenly Father’s forgiveness for becoming lax in posting. Certainly I am human and He is God as only He can be. God Bless you all.

Home sick today! Sick most of yesterday. But there is good news. Got final grades in Philosophy today. Scored 91% for another A! I am now considered a Junior with a 4.0 average. Is God not awesome!  Been to the doctor. According to him I have some kind of viral bug going around. He will not sign off for me to go to work tomorrow. Bummer. God knows I need the money and time at home is lost income. But He has always provided. I have no reason to think that He will not continue to do so. More good news. I have the first draft of bylaws completed. I expect that there is still a lot of work to do on them. Now, I have other documents that must be drafted. I’m so tired. I think the medications the Doc gave me for nausea are beginning to take effect. I’ll lie down for a little while and go at it again shortly. Thanks for being here and thanks for your continued prayers.

God Bless,

Lonnie

Greetings everyone! April was a dry month here and I sincerely apologize for that. School at Liberty University has had my hands tied to the extent that I have been bobbing to the surface now and then just to get some air. There is good news however. This session is complete or nearly complete and I have about six or seven weeks to work on some writing and to get things together for ministry. More good news! I scored 98.6% in my Evangelism course! My professor in philosophy has yet to grade my final paper so I am still hanging in and waiting. Hopefully, I have an “A” but I’ll take a “B” and run with it! Philosophy is an exasperating discipline. The first thing that we are told is that there is no correct answer. How do you pass exams with no correct answers???!!! The answer to that question is that there is an amazing amount of reading and more terms and definitions than I care to commit to recall. Also, there is a great deal of writing involved in regards to providing answers or solutions to given situations and circumstances. It really makes my head hurt.

Sitting here at the moment, I can say that I really don’t know what to do with myself. I have nothing to study for or do research on in regards to school work. I’ve done nothing but study and do research since January. A season of rest is welcome. But what do I do with myself while I rest? I find that sitting and doing nothing leads to a nervous energy that borders on anxiety. So, I am back at work after two afternoons off. I am writing Bylaws for the ministry and drafting other documents that are necessary for non-profit organizations and 501 (C) 3 entities. I am developing ministry materials that have been put off too long. Also, I am learning the enjoyment of journaling. I’ve been journaling for some time now during my quiet time with God but I am also journaling for myself as well. I find that I can vent, express new ideas, and explore my inner most thoughts in a way that harms no one. It is a means of getting rid of all that could potentially hold me back. It feels good. It offers an exercise in the use of words and language that is comforting. I’d like to keep up the practice. Another thing I plan to do is actually spend some much needed time with family. They have sacrificed so much in my absence while chasing after academic excellence. Darcie, my grand-daughter, is enjoying playing with Papa and I must admit that my wife, Cheryl, as well as my daughters, Leslie and Megan, seem to be enjoying my return to household participation as well.

There is some breaking news. I have been asked about heading a Special Needs group at our church. I attempted this three years ago without success but on this occasion the staff has approached me in regards to this issue. I am praying that God will open doors that need opening and that His will, not mine, be done. I have been a busy man lately. It would appear that things are not going to slow down any time soon. God knows that I am tired. This year He is granting me and my family the first vacation we have had in three years. Thank you Father for that. We (I) really need that.  I feel that God is telling me at times, “Suck it up Lonnie! We have work to do! Rest is soon coming but don’t stop now! We are so close to the next chapter not only of your life but in the lives of others as well.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Well there is news. The new session of school began yesterday. I am taking philosophy and Evangelism. Evangelism is something dear to my heart and I believe that God is going to get me through without a great deal of angst. Philosophy, however, appears to have the potential to cleave my skull and induce major headaches. I know that God will get me through it. He has gotten me through thus far. I’m just wondering if there will ever be a class that just cruises through. The answer is decidedly NO! Anything worth accomplishing is going to require real dedication and effort. I know God has a plan in regards to subjecting me to all this study. Sometimes I wish that He would let me in on it. But somethings have to be done in faith. This seems to be one of those things. My abilities to read and comprehend have been greatly expanded and my writing skills have improved dramatically. God is a great God and I am honored that He has moved me in this direction of learning.

The meeting with Dr. Sandra Newsom Saturday was enlightening. She was a fountain of information and posed serious questions in regards to planning the legal formation of the ministry. She also had sound answers for many questions. The search for a Board of Directors is on. There is so much to do. There are surveys to be written. Contact information to be gathered. There are many documents to be drafted and filed. Dr. Newsom is also helpful in that she has contacts with attorneys and certified public accountants that will help with setting up the structure that will benefit the ministry. God has granted me a vision and held me for so long while He grew me to the point that I can be used. The growing pains have been tremendous yet I know that the growing pains are only just beginning.

“For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (Zechariah 4:10)