I was discussing the issue of this ministry with one of my college professors from a previous Theology class. I pointed out Psalms 139:13-16 (I am not going to write it out for you, pick up your Bible and READ it!) and explained that if we view the special needs as having something “wrong” with them then we are in essence stating that God is prone to accidents. Not only that, but God is subject to make mistakes. Now, we know God does not experience accidents nor does He make mistakes. “Ooops”, is not in the vocabulary of God. What IS wrong with the special needs is how WE perceive them. They are different than the status quo thus, there must be something “wrong” with them. This could not be further from the truth. I would have hoped that you actually  picked up your Bible and read Psalms 139:13-16. If you had you would realize that even those with “special needs” are indeed perfect creations of God. My professor, a Godly man and a true Scotsman who walks closely with God and is much better trained than I am, posed the following statement that made me stop and think. “I wonder if our greatest handicap is not our fallen state. Running from this state of being fallen instead of embracing it (that we may come to know Christ intimately) may be the reason that we often times overlook our own deficits, and seeing the pronounced “deficits” in those with “special needs” take note of and highlight those deficits instead of our own.”

Wow! That is a mouthful of wisdom! I know that I would have come up with that if he had not beat me to it! Seriously though, there is a great deal to think about in that statement. Our society is one that laughs at the misfortune of others because it has highlighted the “deficits” of others to prevent them from recognizing their own. The sad fact is that the Church is much the same. Are the special needs really “special needs”? Are they really handicapped in God’s eyes? Who has the wrong perception? Is it society? Is it the Church? Is it God?

I believe that God has had it figured out for ages. He gives us the Word and the Holy Spirit that we may arrive at His solution, not necessarily our solution. That’s what we should all be striving for, God’s solution.

God’s blessings,

Lonnie Richardson

It has been a tough month. Cheryl has had bronchitis, I have had some  kind of head cold for two months now, and the grand baby has had a persistent cough that no one seems to know what the cause is much less how to get rid of it. The weather has been hard for travel to and from work. School has been very difficult and nerve wracking. But you know what? It will be alright. The only way that we are going to get through this, just as we have gotten through other difficult times, is by declaring a total dependence upon God. God tests us occasionally to see if we will remain faithful. He never promised smooth sailing, just a safe place to land. Indeed, with all that is going on, I know that we will come through intact and stronger for doing so. It is not the situations that we find ourselves in that get us down and weaken us. It is how we react to those situations. We must continually and unceasingly continue to “LOOK UP”.

Enough said for now. I will be back for a more relevant post Sunday afternoon.

Until then, God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Yes, it has begun. 2K10 is opening up a new year and God is opening doors in the process. Back in October of last year, a woman, her two daughters, and a friend came down to East Tennessee for a short weekend visit from the Chicago Area, Lombard to be exact. Her name was Roberta Beckman. Roberta is the single mother of three special needs children and believe me when I say that she has a story to tell of trials and tests in raising her children. Yet, she discovered a faith that has consumed her and despite the hardships that she has endured she has continued to “look up”. During our visit I “indoctrinated” Roberta in regards to my findings in the Bible regarding God and His Special Angels and their families. She listened aptly and praise God she understood exactly what I was talking about! Just kidding about the indoctrination but we did share a lot about our beliefs and how we came to accept those beliefs from the Word of God. Roberta confided in me after she left and had returned to Lombard that God had spoken to her in my house as she was packing. “Ten months,” is what He said to her. No more. No less.

Well, it has begun. As I write, she is hard at work putting together a respite program. The first ever within Gods Special Angels. She has negotiated for facilities, and is preparing a web site, procuring volunteers within the health care profession and within that “Ten Months” time frame will have a working respite program for families. Now this is being done by one woman with little or no resources, an extremely limited income, and three special needs children. You want to talk about faith? You want to talk about obedience? Let me direct you to Ms. Roberta Beckman in Lombard, IL. She WILL NOT accept being told that she CANNOT bring forth this ministry. She KNOWS that she CANNOT do it, but she KNOWS that GOD can do it THROUGH her! And my friends, He is doing just that. She is building a ministry that God gave her and confirmed it through me that she is to do it. I can see a time when I will call upon Roberta to travel this nation to assist others in building similar ministries in communities throughout the land. She is a warrior for God. You know what? She does not have anyone there to pat her on the back, or offer encouragement when things do not go right, or to give her praise for what she is doing. She would not accept the praise even if it were given. She would say, “Give God the praise. I am just a tool He is using to break the ground so that seed can be planted.” Father, I pray that you would send me one thousand Roberta Beckmans.

Now let me say this. Roberta has a long, difficult road to travel. She has already traveled a long, hard road to get to where she is. Matthew 22:14 tells us “For many are called but few are chosen.” It took me a long time to understand this Scripture. God calls many every day to do His work but few will step forward to accept the calling. Roberta has stepped forward, accepted the calling, and has set about the work appointed to her. Have you accepted YOUR calling?

It HAS begun. God has taken writing from this ministry, taken it from East Tennessee to Lombard, Illinois to a woman whom He had prepared and called to do His work and set the wheels in motion. Thankfully, she stepped forward to be chosen and accept the call.

Having said all that I would like to challenge all of you. Have you heard the Holy Spirit calling you? Have you heeded the call? Or, have you ignored it? This is just one ministry that has begun to help special needs families in this great nation of ours. Will your ministry be the next? Pray about it.

May God pour His blessing upon you all abundantly,

Lonnie Richardson

Greetings to all! I do hope that the holidays are being kind to everyone. God has greatly blessed me in that my family is healthy, we had plenty to eat, and we were able to share a few gifts among ourselves. Nothing elaborate mind you but we had a wonderful Christmas. Darcie viewed her first Christmas without much excitement as if it were just another day which is what I expected from a six month old baby.

I regret that I have been lax over the last nine weeks or so in regards to posting on the blog. I was involved in Biblical studies that took up every spare waking moment and, I believe, more than a few hours of what should have been not to be spared sleeping moments. God allowed it for the time but has impressed upon me that now I know how classes are conducted that I am to plan ahead to take care of the blog as well. This post will be different in that I will begin explaining one of the “disabilities” that affect the population and provide additional resources for further reading and education.

Asperger Syndrome is a neurological disorder named after a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper describing a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development but exhibited marked deficiencies in social and communication abilities. It is noted that these deficiencies were autistic like in nature. However, it was not until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added into the medical world by being included in the DSM IV with diagnostic criteria.

Asperger Syndrome is a diagnosis that falls into the Autistic Spectrum of disorders. Individuals with AS have a normal IQ or greater and many exhibit exceptional skill or talent in very focused or specific areas. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich. However, persons with AS may be brutally honest or blunt and have difficulty using their advanced language skills in a socially acceptable manner. Some researchers think that Asperger Syndrome is merely a highly advanced state of autism known as High Functioning Autism (HFA).  As a nurse and the father of a HFA child, I do not agree with this thinking. AS individuals usually have too great a command of language even though they may use their language skills in a manner that is socially unacceptable. The Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger Syndrome according to DSM IV is as follows:

A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction.

2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.

3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people.

4) a lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities as manifested by at least one of the following:

1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.

2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.

3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms

4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C) The disturbances causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D) There is no clinically significant general delay in language

E) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

F) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

A few people with AS have been very successful but until recently were not diagnosed with anything. These people were viewed as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and physically awkward. Albert Einstein is believed to have had Asperger Syndrome as well as Isaac Newton and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Notables diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome include Nobel Prize winning economist Vernon Smith, industrial rocker Gary Numan, Vines frontman Craig Nichols, and Satoshi Tajiri who created Pokemon.

On the common front, many people with Asperger Syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance or eye to eye contact and/or may actually turn away from people at the point of greeting. Most have a desire to interact with others but my observation has been that they seem to have difficulty in deciphering how to make interaction work. There seems to be a pre-occupation with certain and varied tasks or interests that is individualized. In adults this pre-occupation may well lead to a successful career in the desired field of interest. In younger cases this will appear as a rigid routine which, when interrupted, may cause the individual to become apprehensive. Many people with Asperger Syndrome are very blunt to the point of being brutally honest. To them it is merely stating what they consider to be fact. An example would be telling a singer, “You are singing out of key”, or “You might consider voice lessons.” Then, when the individual is made aware that their comments have hurt the feelings of others they seem greatly remorseful that their comments have hurt others. Tact is usually not in the tool kit of someone who has Asperger Syndrome. Although it is difficult, people with Asperger Syndrome can have relationships, families, and very productive lives.

I hope that this has been helpful. Many people in society may indeed be involved or have contact with someone who has Asperger Syndrome and not even know it. However, the church can be helpful in helping parents and adult individuals “fit in” better within the church setting and in the public at large.

Peace and Blessings

Lonnie Richardson

Well, the first eight week term at Liberty University has been completed. With over 3000 pages of text read, read every book of the Old Testament, about 10% of the New Testament, 70 hours of lecture on DVD, 8 papers written, 20 critiques written, two midterm exams, 8 quizzes, and two final exams God got me through with scores of 97.3% in Old Testament Survey and 98.6% in Theology. I can honestly say that it was 98% God and I contributed maybe 2%. Yes, God did it but He worked me hard to do it. As one of my dearest friends with a Phd. in Psychology once eloquently stated, “Lonnie you are a stuff knowing dude.” But that is not accidental either. My dad had a sister in law who was a teacher, a very dedicated teacher. She taught my dad in the second grade and held off on retirement until she taught me in the second grade. My folks were thirty seven years old when I was born so that should give you some idea of the time this lady spent teaching. She was an “old school” teacher and not learning in her class was not an option. She had my folks start reading to me when I was an infant Mom began by reading me nursery rhymes and dad read farm journals to me at night. By the time I was five I was reading newspapers. By the time I was eight I was reading on high school levels. Growing up in a very rural area where resources where slim to none and being an only child, books became the primary source of entertainment. I read everything about anything and I learned a great deal in the effect that I can talk to just about anyone about anything. Now that may sound like I am bragging but I assure you that I am not. Those who know me will tell you that I have learned to be humble with humility to a great extent. Those same people will tell you that I am not afraid to take a stand and fight for that which is right should the time and need arise. I have made mention of all this for one simple reason. To give God the Glory. He made me what I am. He gave me the intellect, skills, talent, and gifts that I possess. These gifts were developed, not necessarily at the time for His glory but ultimately that He may be glorified.

My reasoning behind all this is really simple although I may have made it appear complex without meaning to. Simply, I put myself into the Bible with prayer and a dedicated discipline to not simply know about God, but to know God. I have never read or studied so intensely or with such focus on anything in my life as I have in the past eight weeks. I have come to some primary conclusions. (1) I am confirmed that this course of study is what God wants me to do although I am as yet uncertain what His overall plan is for having me go through it at this time. Yet, I will be obedient in faith. (2) I believe that if you can get people into the Bible, the Bible will get into people. Once this is done the family will be stabilized and God can do His best work. (3) Pay attention pastors, I believe that if you apply the second conclusion and practice what you preach, then you will have prepared an army to go into battle of spiritual warfare winning souls to Christ whereby hell will be plundered to populate heaven.  (4) That II Timothy 2:2 “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” should have a very special meaning for all of us.

Get into the Bible. Allow the Bible to get into you. Therein lies the truth, wisdom, and strength that will be necessary to grow in spirit that will allow you to reach out and meet the needs of the special needs and their families. More than likely, you will find that many of your own needs have been or will be met in the process.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

I am neck deep into my studies as an online college student. I am currently taking Old Testament Survey and TheologyI. Let me say this. Online education cannot necessarily be translated into EASY education. There are five lectures each week for each class. Approximately 100 to 150 pages of reading each week in addition to reading the entire Old Testament in eight weeks. There are quizzes, exams, and critiques to write and comments about critiques to write, and then there are comments in regards to the comments to write. I am between overwhelmed and flabergasted. I get up at five a.m. and go to work. I return home about 4 p.m. and bury my head in the Bible or a text book about the Bible and I stay there until 9:30 or 10 p.m. everyday. Having said that, I am having the time of my life. Do not concieve the thought that I have abandoned this post. I am merely following in the direction that God is leading.

Okay, it has been a few weeks since I posted. I’ve been busy getting enrolled in school at Liberty University and getting classes scheduled, and attending webinars. But then one excuse is as good as the next one and none of them are worth the breath it takes to express them. So I’ll not waste anymore time making excuses.

Roberta Beckman, her daughters, Anna and Danielle, and her friend Sally came down to East Tennessee all the way from Lombard in the Chicago area to visit the first weekend in October. We really had a good meeting where I laid out the entire vision of the ministry to her and I think that she was somewhat impressed by the entire scope of things. Not that she was impressed my me at all but with what God has shown me and the work that He has ordained.

We took them all to church Sunday morning and had a good meal afterwards. Then we took them into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park for a drive around Cades Cove. I believe that they had a good time as Roberta’s daughter, Anna, was  ready to move lock, stock and barrell to East Tennessee. We enjoyed having them and treasured the moments we got to spend sharing, praying, and enjoying God’s great creation around us. God Bless!

You know, I must admit that at times I have been legalistic and judgmental in my beliefs. I guess that the faith was weak and I was looking for an excuse to be disobedient to our Heavanly Father. I have come to realize that we are all sinners despite what ever position is held. This applies to Pastors, Evangelists, Deacons and other people who may or may not be in Church Leadership. I know that I have been guilty of harboring ill and judgmental thoughts towards someone for slight inconsistancies in conversation. Now it is true that we all (Church Leadership and those of us who are not in Church Leadership) should be mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions. Matthew 7:1-5 states: (1) Do not judge so that you will not be judged. (2) For in the way you judge you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. (3) Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (4) Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, and behold, the log is in your own eye? (5) You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (NASB)

It doesn’t get much plainer than that. It is not our place to judge or strike out in an ill manner at others, especially our leaders at church. Yes, they are leaders but they are human and humans will disappoint you from time to time. Even in the best marriages spouses will disappoint each other from time to time. It is pure love that keeps them together. Likewise it is pure love that we should show towards others when they falter in the slightest. Many people are so legalistic that even the slightest infraction or sin will cause them to condemn the other to no resolution. I know because I have been guilty of it myself. The Holy Spirit led my wife to show me a piece of scripture that explained clearly what I should be doing when I am genuinely slighted or I merely think that I have been slighted.

2 Corinthians 13:7-9 (7)  Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. (8) For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. (9) For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete.

Father I pray that when I see or hear one of your servants falter that You do not allow my faith to be decreased. Grant me the faith and love to lift them up to you in prayer that You may convict their heart that they repent. I pray that You make them complete. Let not the thoughts of legalism, judgement, or contempt even flicker within me. I am Yours as they are. Forgive us all and place us upon your path of righteousness.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Hello to everyone! I do hope that you are all having a blessed day. If you feel that you are not having a blessed day, then I can assure you that spending some quality time with God in prayer and meditating upon His Word will soften the hard knocks you have taken today.

For the longest time I felt as if my calling in regards to teaching the church about programs for the special needs and their families was a ministry of two. Well, actually three. I know that God is in on it because He is the one who told me about it and called me to serve Him in this area. I know my lovely wife, Cheryl, was with me because I have her support, as it should be. That adds up to three right?

Then God sent me a tall woman from Kentucky who grew up in a poor background (as I did) and resides here in Knoxville. Her name is Dr. Sandra Newsom. Sandra is a Speech Pathologist whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the past and I know her have a heart for God, a heart for the special needs, and she is dedicated to her cause of helping people. I have seen her stand toe to toe with Medical Doctors advocating what she knows to be best for her patients. I have seen her go to the point of being reprimanded by her employer for seeing that her patients have what they need. Basically, she knows what she is doing and she is not afraid. She has a brilliant intellect and was instrumental in starting a non-profit in the State of Tennessee in regards to Brain Trauma victims. On top of all this, Sandra is not afraid to be Sandra. Sandra has a style and taste all her own that she likes and if someone else doesn’t like it, well, that’s just too bad. She pays them no mind and keeps on being Sandra. The good Dr. Newsom has volunteered to be a part of the advisory council that I am putting together and I am glad to have her. Her knowledge and experience will prove greatly beneficial as will her heart and desire to help others know God. Sandra is also talking to other people who will become great members of the team when the time comes to begin dealing with the legalities of setting up this ministry.

Okay so that’s four that is in the boat. There’s me, my loving wife, Dr. Newsom, and God. Now I actually have three to talk to. But wait, it gets better. God went all the way to Lombard, Illinois and dragged a woman by the name of Roberta Beckman to my web site. Roberta contacted me in regards to a booklet that I’d written and asked a LOT of REALLY good questions. Other than my wife, Roberta was the first person that I talked to that could actually finish sentences that I’d started. Roberta is a single mom with three (count them) three special needs children. She knows where I am coming from. Roberta is working diligently to establish a major respite program in Lombard which is in the Chicago area. She has recently been appointed to chair the PPC in her Parish. Yes, Roberta is Catholic. Now before my Protestant brethern gets their hackles up let me say this. Roberta has forgiven me for being Protestant. I have forgiven Roberta for being Catholic. And you know what? God has forgiven us all. Jesus said that we are to love God and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. It just happens that God gave me a neighbor in Lombard, Illinois who is Catholic and has a burning desire to bring God’s people back to HIM. As Forrest Gump would say, “That’s all I have to say about that.” Roberta is driven by the Holy Spirit. I could tell you everything that she is involved in but I’d be writing for quite some time and I still have some Bible study to do this evening. Just let me say that Roberta  is a Johnny on the spot get up and go get it done kind of girl. She is also working with her contacts to assist in getting the ministry untracked and up and running. She and her family will be visiting with us here in Tennessee next week and I can’t wait. I am looking forward to the blessings to rain forth.

In the mean time, I have applied to Liberty University Online to persue a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion with an emphasis in Pastorial Leadership. This is what God has laid on my heart. Are my intentions to become a pastor? Well, God has not dropped that bomb on me as yet. However, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, this program will best prepare me for the long term management of God’s Special Angels Ministries. I’m not asking God “why” I am simply going to be obedient and let God work things out from there. I have applied and all Liberty is waiting on is my ancient college transcripts to arrive before granting acceptance. YEA! Go God!!

There is so much going on. God is sending me people who love Him and are not afraid to work for His kingdom. He has me in school and has provided the financial means to attend. He has given me a great church to attend and a Pastor who teaches me God’s Word. Now Father, at sometime in the early part of next year I have this Subject coming up in which  there are at least four classes called GREEK. Father, I’m putting you on notice. I am beginning to pray NOW about this subject for your Divine help and intervention.

As tough as it has been, it has been a blessed day, God bless you all.

Lonnie Richardson

Been awhile since the last post. I can give many reasons. Hard drive crash. Personal sickness. Sickness in family. ect. But reasons are just excuses. One excuse is good as another and none of them are worth the effort it takes to express them. I have been properly flagellated and spanked. Having admitted that and asked for forgiveness it is time to move on.

I’ve heard several pastors ponder whether or not to baptize an individual with special needs or mentally challenged. Most have had problems with the idea stating that the individual was not aware of what was going on or why. My reply has been, “How do you know that?” This question has been met with frowns or other facial expressions of deep thought. I continue to say that these individuals may actually be aware  more so than is thought possible. When these pastors ask how this can be my reply is, “Just because an individual cannot express their thought in a way that we can readily recognize does not obliterate the possibility that they are aware.” I gather further looks of questioning when I tell them that possibly it is their lack of understanding and awareness that these individuals should be baptized.

Let me tell you about Megan’s baptism. We were in church one day and the service had wound into the altar call. Megan pulled on my sleeve and said, “Dad, I need to talk to that man.” I asked her why and she merely repeated the statement. “Dad, I need to talk to that man.” Well who was I to tell her that she could not talk to the pastor during altar call. Afterall, she was autistic and only twelve years old. When we got to the pastor the pastor turned to Megan and asked her, “Megan, do you want Jesus to come into your heart?” To which Megan replied rather matter of  factly, “No, I know Him.” The Pastor looked at me and then back to Megan. “Megan,” he asked again, “Do you want Jesus to come into your heart?” Now Megan became frustrated with this line of questioning. “No!” Megan was almost shouting now. “I told you I already know HIM!” The Holy Spirit revealed it to me in a split second. “Pastor,” I said, “She is trying to tell you that Jesus does not have to come into her heart. He has always been there and it is only now that she is able to express it.” The depth of this concept shook the man of God who had preached his entire adult life (over forty years) to the point that he was visibly shaken. “My God,” he exclaimed, “Lonnie I’m sorry I didn’t realize.” He then turned to the congregation and told them that we were going to have baptism the following Sunday. “No!” Megan exclaimed. “Tonight!” The pastor tried to explain that baptism usually took place the following Sunday but Megan stood her ground. “Nope, Tonight!” The pastor turned with a smile to the crowd and announced that we were having baptism that night.

Megan stepped into the baptismal pool that night and the pastor immersed her in believer’s baptism. However, he failed to pinch her nose well enough to prevent water from getting into her nasal passages and Megan came up spitting and sputtering. It was then that she announced to the church that the pastor had attempted to drown her! Hey, who said that God has no sense of humor. But it was at this time that things began to get serious.

The next day, Megan told us that there were three men in black robes in her room but they had left. This sent a chill through my core. “What did they want?” I asked. “I don’t know Dad.” Megan seemed very non-chalant and unconcerned about this. “I don’t like them though. They are not good people.”

I told Megan that if these men in black robes came back to ask who sent them. If Jesus sent them they could stay but if the “devil” sent them for her to tell them that Jesus said they had to leave. She agreed, still not very concerned.

The next day Megan announced that the three men in black robes had returned and she had told them that Jesus said they could not stay. “And Daddy, there are three angels in my room.” I dropped the book I was reading. Megan stood there before with a perplexed look on her face. “But Dad, all three angels are men.” It was apparent that she was confused because all the pictures and depictions of angels she had seen had been feminine.

“It’s okay sweetheart,” I said, “there are men angels too.” Megan studied over this for a moment and seemed to accept it. “Oh. Okay.” She replied. “But dad the big one at the foot of my bed, he has a beard and he told me that his name was THOMAS.” By this time I was officially weeping and crying big crocodile tears. Megan to this day does not know who Thomas was. She didn’t just pull that name out of a hat. I have no doubt that Satan’s crew had shown up thinking to snatch a simple minded child and she merely turned them away with the name of Jesus. I have no doubt that God sent Thomas and two other angels to watch over Megan, indeed, my household. Megan never exhibited any fear or doubt.

Now pastors you can say that I’m making it all up. You can say that Megan made it all up. I say God used my daughter as a tool to teach me a valuable lesson. I believe that Megan is much more “aware” than you or I who supposedly have awareness. According to the knowledge and wisdom of man I would never have expected it. But by the grace and power of God I do not doubt it. So I ask again, “Since most, if not all, are unable to express themselves in a manner that we would recognize, who are we to say that they are “unaware”.

Now about my statement earlier in regards to a special needs individual not being aware should be baptized. Were Adam and Eve aware of the knowledge of good and evil before Adam ate forbidden fruit? Were they aware that they were naked? No. It was in their “unaware” state that all was well and good. It was when they became “aware” that their problems actually began. Just something to chew on.

Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit. Don’t miss the blessing. Baptize them!

God Bless!
Lonnie Richardson