Archive for September, 2009

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