Archive for July, 2009

I understand the wrenching of the heart when someone in the health care field steps forward with authority and announces to you that there is something indeed “wrong” with your child. All the fears and uncertainties come flooding in and there seems to be no end which only brings on more fear and uncertainty. Well, I have learned the hard way. Let me give you some facts. The first fact is that Satan is taking this vulnerable situation as an opportunity to attack. But to understand that, Imust digress and begin at the starting point. Let’s begin at the beginning.

God is Soveriegn over all things. Always. When good things happen, God is there in the process. However, when things happen that we interpret as “bad” God has a hand in that as well. Isaiah 45:5-7 states,  (5)”I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known me. (6) That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no other but Me. I am the Lord and there is no other. (7) The one forming Light and creating darkness, causing well being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these things.”

Isaiah is saying that God is in control. Even if you have not known God, God will provide for you if you submit that there is no other God. My father died a horrible death of cancer. I was devastated. But if my father had not died, then I would never have become a nurse and helped (literally) the thousands of people that I have known through my nursing career. Good can come out of the bad.

We should not question God when He delivers to us a specially wrapped child. Nor should any one else. Let no one question the gifts that are given from God. Do not grow bitter at God because your child is special. Likewise, no one should ever question you, the parents, about your child’s condition.

Isaiah 45:9-10 (9) Woe to the one who quarrells with his Maker – an earthern ware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands?” (10) Woe to him who says to a father, “What are you begetting?” or to a mother, “To what are you giving birth?”

This next passage is one of my favorites. Psalms 127:3 Behold, children are gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Our children are a reward! The Bible does not say that our children is a reward unless they are born with special needs in which case they are a punishment. Speaking of punishment. I know many parents often wonder what they did that God would punish them by giving them a special needs child. Well, the Bible is very clear on this issue as well.

John 9:1-3 states, (1) As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. (2) And His diciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he would be born blind? (3) Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Our children were created so that the great works of God may be displayed in them. The man in this passage was healed. As I have shared previously, Megan can sing with the angels. Your child may be the one who moves a heart to become a pastor, a teacher, or an evangelist. We do not know how God will use our children but I believe that He has a divine purpose for each child he creates. I’ve heard parents complain, “If God is so great, then why did He make my child this way?” (Refer to Isaiah 45:9-10) My answer is Romans 11:33 which states, “Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable His ways.” Basically, the answer is, no one really knows. God has a purpose. Just as God had a Son that He allowed to die that we may escape the penalties of sin. There must be faith.

Psalms 139:14 is perhaps my favorite passage. (14) I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.

To say that our children are flawed, defective, or that something is “wrong” with them is saying that God does not know what He is doing. God is not prone to accidents. God does not make mistakes. “Ooops!” is not in God’s vocabulary.

Yes, your child may require extra care and provision. Yes, you will experience heart ache dealt by a society that gains pleasure from others pain. Yes, you will be stressed and tested. So was I. Still am at times. But the one verse that brings it all back into perspective for me is as follows and I will write in bold letters for emphasis only

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say unto you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.“ 

My daughter has her angels. So do your children. Megan claims to see her angel occasionally and I believe her. I believe that your children know that they have angels as well even if they are unable to communicate it to us in a way that we would recognize. I wonder. Lucky them.

God Bless and remember, you and your children are significant to God.

Lonnie Richardson

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Well it’s been a couple of weeks since the last post and there’s a reason for that. I took actually took a week’s vacation the first week and spent some time with my Step son, Shane, and his family who came in from Colorado to visit with us. Got to spend some quality time with two grand daughters (Phoebe and Ayva) whom we’ve not seen for almost three years. This past week had to do with pure exhaustion from work. We were two nurses short which meant that I had to float between two floors to pass medications, do treatments, and attend to the minor and major emergencies that pop up from time to time. Found out that I am too old to run like that as doing so completely burned me to the ground. In addition to that, Darcie (one month old grand daughter) has been ill and extremely fussy. No one has been getting much sleep. I’ll be posting something relevant to the blog very soon. Right now Darcie is giving her grandma and mama a fit and I must leave to see if I can assist in calming her.

God Bless,

Lonnie

So why aren’t more families with special needs loved ones in the church? Well, we live in a cruel society that gains pleasure from other people’s pain and suffering. The special needs family has had to protect their loved ones from the said society. The truth be told, many of these families see the church as being made up of the same society that they have had to protect their children from so why should they believe that the people at church would be any different than the people walking around on the street. The sad truth is they may not be far from being right.

The church is not prepared for the special needs or their families. Isaiah tells the story.

Isaiah 59:10 ¹⁰We grope along the wall like blind men, We grope like those who have no eyes; We stumble at midday as in the twilight,
         Among those who are vigorous we are like dead men.”

Without being properly prepared the attempts will fail. How does the church become properly prepared? Well, begin by being obedient to God’s Word. Begin by becoming prayer warriors, by bringing the tithe, and by giving offerings and gifts of giving. The church can be prepared by opening their hearts and ears to the Holy Spirit. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and the directions given. However, that cannot be done by a mere five minute devotional two or three times a week. You see our faith is not about religion. I believe that our faith is about a relationship.

Let’s think about a relationship for a moment. When you enter a relationship with someone of the opposite sex or if it be a friendship, you want to spend as much time with that person as is possible. I don’t want to leave home to go to work because I want to spend more time with my wife and children. I have friends that I enjoy spending time with. Well, why shouldn’t we have that kind of relationship with Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit? We say we love them so why shouldn’t we be willing to spend time with them on a daily basis? Well, we should want to spend time with them daily. In our fast paced economy parents complain that their children will not listen to them. Could it be that they are not spending time with their children to teach them, listen to them, and be there for them? Could it be that in this fast paced world that we live in that we are too busy to spend time to our Heavenly Father so that we can be taught, listened to, and that we may be sensitive to the words of God and the Holy Spirit? God is NOT too busy for us. WE have become too busy for God.

Not only do most churches not know about the difficulties faced by the special needs family, but most churches do not even suspect that they don’t know. Churches cannot serve or even appear to be able to lead someone to a changed life if they are not displaying a changed life in their daily walk. Believe me when I say, until the church is overtaken by God’s love for other people, they will fail. They will grope about in the day as the blind and stumble about in the night with nothing or no one to save them. Only through obedience will eyes be opened and hearts shipwrecked for the cause of leading these families to Christ.

The church does not recognize that there are two types of people who come through the doors. There are those who need salvation and there are those who need discipleship. Parents of many special needs individuals are believers. However, they may be babes in their faith and need loving discipleship. Yet these parents are usually extremely dedicated to the well being of their special needs loved one. I slip of the lip the wrong choice of words in regards to their loved one could send them packing never to be seen again and even worse, turned from God and the church forever.

The short story told simply. The church is unaware of these families in the communities because they rarely, if ever, see them out in the community. The church has no direction as to how to serve the needs of these families or how to contact these families in an outreach program. The church is unaware as to how to provide the proper care for the special needs individual so that moms, dads, and siblings can enjoy church services and fellowship with their peers. The church is not prepared to teach from the nursery to the elders about how to love and how to welcome these families and to show them that they are truly loved and accepted.

Now I’m going to step down from my soap box for a moment not because I’m out of soap but to prepare you for something else to think about.

I have been to a FEW churches that have exceptional programs for the special needs and their families. They have excelled at what they are doing and the fruit has been greater attendance, greater offerings, and tremendous spiritual growth throughout the church. I have seen many churches attempt special needs programs and their programs fluctuate. They are up some. They are down some. Most times they fluctuate into non-existence. Which church do YOU want to be? Do you want to be a church of EXCELLENCE or a church of mediocrity?

Which church will yours be?

God Bless,

Lonnie

The previous post was published a little pre-maturely. What that means is that while I was writing the post I rec’d a call from my wife that one of our friends had broken his leg. I hit the published button without proof reading the post, grabbed the crutches and other things I thought we would need and she picked me up to go and minister to our fallen brother. Short side of the story is this. This blog is important to God and it is important to me. I prefer to not have any mis-spellings or grammatical errors. But, a brother was down and in need and I went immediately to see what I could do for him. Jesus said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. At the moment my brother in Christ’s  well being was more important than the post so there may be some errors. I thought about going through and editing the post but if there are any errors I think that I’ll leave them. It serves as a reminder to me that I should never be too busy to reach out and help someone in need. Which is what we should all be doing. We should all be open and mindful to identify these opportunities to minister to others who are hurting and in need regardless of what our own agendas may be. Rest easy tonight.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson

Okay, a young couple go into the hospital to experience the blessed event of bringing a child into this world. However, the Doctor comes in to tell them that there is something “wrong” with their child. Words like “syndrome” or various “isms” my be thrown around. Other words like “birth defect”  or “abnormal” may be used. All the parents know is that their baby is not like them or anybody else. Their baby is different. Their hearts break and hopes for a wonderful future for their baby collapse. How do I know? Because I’ve been there. The parents begin to think about what they may have done wrong to cause these “defects” in their child and at one time or another will turn and question God as to why their child was born specially wrapped. Many go as far as to be angry with God for punishing them for something when they have no idea what they are being punished for. Well, let’s get it all straightened out.

Psalms 127: 3 Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.

How can a baby with something “wrong” with it be a reward when it seems to be burden? Well, I’ll get to that soon.

John 9: 2-3 (2) … who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind? (3) Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

My daughter, Megan, is autistic. While I am writing this, she is at church attending choir practice. Megan loves singing in the choir. She has tremendous difficulty putting together a single, simple sentence. She cannot follow a simple three step progression of instructions that is spoken to her. She has no concept of abstract like value or patience. The only abstract that she understands is love. But praise God when Megan opens her mouth to sing, the great works of God become displayed through her and are manifested. As I have mentioned before, when the Holy Spirit descends upon that child, whe will raise chill bumps on the coldest heart. This is only an example. Not all individuals are able to display God’s great works so dramaticly but they are displayed to those who know and are listening for the Holy Spirit to speak.

I had a young girl with Rhett’s Syndrome who had never smiled in her life. Never. Not one grin. Nothing. But when she was brought into Church and shown a pure love and acceptance, she smiled the biggest smile that absolutely lit up the room. I mean the room lit up with her smile, literally. I praise God that he allowed me to experience that little girl’s smile. Her mother cried almost hysterically because it was the first reaction that she had ever seen out of her child. Friends, those are God moments.

“But if God is so great why would He make my child special?” I’ve asked that question myself a time or two. I found my answer in the book of Romans.

Romans 11:33 Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable His ways.

For many people it may not be intended for them to ever really know why. Myself, I have suspicions. I believe that God gave me a special needs child so that I could grow in spirit, patience, knowledge, compassion, and strength to do what I’m doing now. My child is not a burden. My child is a blessing. It doesn’t matter why. God made my child. God’s creations are perfect. It does not matter if I or anyone else may see it as imperfect. God’s creation is perfect. God is not prone to accidents. God does not make mistakes. “Ooops!” is not in God’s vocabulary. My child is significant to God. God has made provisions for my child as she will never understand the abstract concept of salvation. My child is closer to God than I can ever hope to be. I mean that with ever fiber of my being. Not only do I believe this with my daughter but I believe it with every child born and labeled as “special needs” which is the “politically correct” term now days.

Church! Wake UP! I have a newspaper clipping with headlines telling how a mother murdered her special needs daughter and took her own life because she could no longer cope with her daughter’s “disability”. That kind of “STUFF” happens every day! Satan is running rampant among us! I failed that family! And the Church failed that family. How many families across this nation and around the world are being failed each and every day?

The CHURCH is supposed to be about PEOPLE! Why do we not have this sizable demographic in our churches? I’ll let you think on that a day or two. I’ll be back with you soon.

God Bless,

Lonnie

I was going about my duties at work today and happened to notice that Michael Jackson’s Memorial seemed to have taken over most of the television sets of my patients. I was amazed at the numbers of people that had gathered for this man’s service. It reminded me of Elvis’ funeral back in the ’70s. It amazes me how many people will spend untold amounts of money to say farewell to a man but will not take half a step to say hello to a Savior. Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley were great entertainers for sure. I’m sure that they did some good with their wealth. But from where I sit, Elvis died a miserable man. Michael was so unhappy with himself that he spent a fortune to become someone totally different. Well, at least in appearances he did.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see Jesus draw those kinds of crowds? So many people dedicated to mere men simply just blew me away. When spending that kind of money just to be in the same vicinity of a corpse is more important than feeding the hungry, dressing the naked, educating the illiterate, and winning souls there is a major problem in our country.

I enjoyed Mr. Jackson’s music and I enjoyed Mr. Presley’s music. My concern is not that they are gone. My concern is for their souls. Wonderful entertainers both of them with a fiercely dedicated following. Yet, I believe that Jesus Christ is the only one who walked this earth, died, and arose from the grave that I may escape the penalty for my sin. Jesus is much more deserving of such a following. Michael and Elvis? I love you guys but GIVE ME MORE JESUS!

I know that many of you have followed Michael’s death in the news and today during his memorial. My sincerest condolences go out to the Jackson family. But, I ask again. Which God do you serve… MOST?

God’s Peace and Blessings upon you all,

Lonnie

O Brethern, Which God do you serve… most? To most of you that may sound like a ridiculous question. But to me (and my twisted manner of looking at things) it is a question that makes a lot of sense and deserves to be addressed. I know that many are wondering what my intent is, so let me explain. I serve by providing care to those who are unable to provide care for themselves or care that their families cannot provide. I serve as head of my household by directing the spiritual growth of my family and the financial well being of my home. My wife and I serve by helping out with our church’s web sites, email accounts, and IT problems when needed. I serve God by being obedient by posting to this blog on a regular basis on topics that are pertinent to those issues that He deems to be important. What that means is that I pray each day about what I am to blog about. The Holy Spirit then drops into my spirit what the topic of the day will be. So before I answer the question in the title completely I’d like to ask another question. What does it mean to be a Christian? Or, What is being a Christian all about? Chew on that for a few moments before going on.

Some say that they can live a life more pleasing to God. Some say to gain salvation for their sin. Some may say that they may recieve God’s blessings and promises. Others may say that it is what their parents taught them to do. Most of these answers, excluding the latter, may be partially true. But friends, being or becoming a Christian is not about YOU. That being said, I’ll add that it is not about ME either.

Jesus said that He came not to be served but to serve. He said that He came not to destroy the law but to uphold the law. Then, He even raised the bar a little above the law.

Now, back to the point and I’ll be done and move along. I have seen grown men cry over the outcome of a football game and never shed a tear over the lost souls that they come into contact with on a daily basis. I’ve seen men and women get more excited over going fishing or playing golf than they would be if their child had come to know Jesus. I see hundreds of people who would rather cruise the highway in hot rods and on motorcycles than they would be a witness for the Lord. I see thousands (literally) who sit in a church seat and be fed while they will not lift a finger to point someone who is lost to our Lord Jesus.

Now I have nothing against being a sports fan, fishing, golfing, or hot rods and motorcycles. What I do not understand is how “Christians” can sit in a seat Sunday after Sunday and do NOTHING to further God’s Kingdom. I do not understand how Christians can put more emphasis and exhibit more excitement on sports, fishing, golfing, cruising, and whatever kind of hobby they may have than they have for God. I have nothing against rest and relaxation. I need some R & R now myself but it’ll be at least another week before I get any. But I will not put my interests and hobbies at a higher priority before God.

What does it mean to be a Christian? It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about all the lost souls in the world. Just think for a moment. I was once one of those lost souls. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, so were you. It’s not about US! It’s about THEM! When we allow our hobbies and/or interests to get in the way of doing something to further God’s Kingdom, then we are worshipping those things as our God. Hobbies can be a God. The pursuit of money can be a God. I have interests and a hobby (sort of ). But I spend more hours with God and for God than I do with those interests and hobby. I’ll make it clear. GOD comes first. Then family comes next. I am somewhere way on down the totem pole so to speak.

I love and serve the one all knowing, living God. He comes before all else. So, my brethern, which God do you serve….most?

God’s peace and blessings for you all,

Lonnie

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