Community - Then and Now

As a child I grew up in a small backwoods town. If you drove through it you wouldn't even believe that we considered it a "town" and might even chuckle at the thought. We had, I think maybe about 300 people in our little town. My family lived on about a hundred acres, so our neighbors needless to say were not "just next door."

However, everyone seemed to know each other, or at least the adults did ~aka~ the "elders" - when you were twelve years old didn't everyone over forty or so seem old? Anyways, being a child, I didn't know it yet but we were a community not just a little town tucked away in the backwoods.

In our little community, as it pertained to anything that happened outside of one's home, there was none of the "that's not my kid nor my brother, so I'm not intervening" type attitudes that we often see today. Everyone made it their business to be mindful of all the other community members, especially the younger ones; even when a new kid popped up on occasion [probably visiting, but hey they might stay] they'd keep "one good eye" on him or her too. And if one of those "young-ones" looked to be "up to something" and it didn't seem to be settling quite right with them [the elders/wise ones] they didn't care whose young-one it was they'd intervene in some manner or the other.

Yep, we young folks were not so fond of our noisy "elders" [at least back then that is] they always seemed to ruin our grandest of plans! They "bossed" us, even when we didn't exactly know who they really were, they knew us often by name but when not, by parents name i.e. "That's Jimmy Barnes kid over there throwing them there rocks." I use Mr. Barnes kid as an example cause I'd of never been guilty of throwing rocks mind you; I might have missed my target via that method! ;-)

They were a real pain, or so we thought, with their meddling, minding our business, giving long lectures, unwanted [now known to be pearly] advice and even ratted us out to our parents sometimes! I mean really we had a most difficult time getting ourselves into much mischief in that one cart town!

Not to mention they were always picking on, I mean keeping an eye on me because I was pretty adept at mischief, usually the harmless type which they loved to laugh about, but sometimes -- you know like if Mary Jane pulled her puppy's tail, or one of the larger kids was picking on a smaller one -- I was prone to get involved and had no fear calling a cease your fire command or it's a dual with me you mean bully!

Nonetheless, if I only called for one well that might have been Okay, but those nosy elders had come to learn that I rarely backed down from my stance in defending those considered to be our weaker community citizens. Yep, I'd be ready to battle it out for sure [all seventy-five spit-fire pounds of me that is – did I mention I was also a tiny little elf looking child]. Hey, in all fairness, I did give them an option to stop being a bully; by nature I do not like strife. I've always strongly preferred getting along with all, peace and love over war, both - then and now. I was a determined one when it came to "justice" for the underdog though – then and still now.

Any whom - Getting on to the point – How many of us did not moan and groan earlier on that we'd never be like Mom, or Dad, or Sally Sue's parents or so-in-so…in moments of resentment at their all knowing ways?

Nonetheless, over the years I have come to realize most every young person's worst fear "Oh my goodness, I've become just like them!" Well golly, I'm more often than not, so glad that I did! :-)

Most of the time this resemblance, to my former community elders, it's a good thing......but sometimes -- you know like when an all grown-up Mary Jane is still pulling the puppy's tail, or when it appears that bigger people are just being outright mean bullies to little people -- I can become like that twelve year old spit-fire of a girl from yesteryear; desiring to help save or defend the weak and hence find myself wanting to call the cease fire command or it's a dual.

And thankfully, although the community has changed, even the new community has community elders around that notice when the [all be them well intending] younger folks are up to something that "doesn't settle quite right" with them.

I'm also thankful that I've learned from many of them that I'm much better off seeking their experienced counsel, before I go grabbing tigers by the tail or challenging the bullies to a dual at dawn...... And am even more thankful that there are still many that have not adopted the new and growing attitude of this world - "that's not my kid nor my brother, so I'm not getting involved or intervening" in any manner – that is as it pertains to me and my family anyways.

Yep, who'd of ever thought it - That we'd someday be grateful for the eyes, ears and even the [unmerited] advice of our concerned community, both – Then and Now.

I AM...

"I am the bread that gives life!" (John 6:35 -- His discourse with the multitude.).

Constant exercise of faith in Christ, is the most important and
difficult part of the obedience required from us, as sinners seeking
salvation. When by his grace we are enabled to live a life of faith in
the Son of God, holy tempers follow, and acceptable services may be
done. God, even his Father, who gave their fathers that food from
heaven to support their natural lives, now gave them the true Bread for
the salvation of their souls. Coming to Jesus, and believing on him,
signify

the same. Christ shows that he is the true Bread; he is
to the soul what bread is to the body, nourishes and supports the
spiritual life. He is the Bread of God. Bread which the Father gives,
which he has made to be the food of our souls. Bread nourishes only by
the powers of a living body; but Christ is himself living Bread, and
nourishes by his own power. The doctrine of Christ crucified is now as
strengthening and comforting to a believer as ever it was. He is the
Bread which came down from

heaven. It denotes the Divinity of
Christ's person and his authority; also, the Divine origin of all the
good which flows to us through him. May we with understanding and
earnestness say, Lord, evermore give us this Bread. (see also John 6:36-46)

"I am the light for the world!" Follow me, and you wont be walking in the dark." (John 8:12 -- Christ's discourse with...)

Christ is the Light of the world. God is light, and Christ is the
image of the invisible God. One sun enlightens the whole world; so does
one Christ, and there needs no more. What a dark dungeon would the
world be without the sun! So would it be without Jesus, by whom light
came into the world. Those who follow Christ shall not walk in
darkness. They shall not be left without the truths which are necessary
to keep them from destroying error, and the directions in the way of
duty,

necessary to keep them from condemning sin. (see also John 8:17-20)

"I am the gate for the sheep." (John 10:7 -- Christ the Door.)

Many who hear the word of Christ, do not understand it, because they
will not. But we shall find one scripture expounding another, and the
blessed Spirit making known the blessed Jesus. Christ is the Door. And
what greater security has the church of God than that the Lord Jesus is
between it and all its enemies? He is a door open for passage and
communication. Here are plain directions how to come into the fold; we
must come in by Jesus Christ as the Door. By faith in him as the

great
Mediator between God and man. Also, we have precious promises to those
that observe this direction. Christ has all that care of his church,
and every believer, which a good shepherd has of his flock; and he
expects the church, and every believer, to wait on him, and to keep in
his pasture. (see also John 10:10-18)

"I am the good shepherd. ...and I give up my life for my sheep." (John 10:14-15 -- Christ the good Shepherd.)

Christ is a good Shepherd; many who were not thieves, yet were
careless in their duty, and by their neglect the flock was much hurt.
Bad principles are the root of bad practices. The Lord Jesus knows whom
he has chosen, and is sure of them; they also know whom they have
trusted, and are sure of Him. See here the grace of Christ; since none
could demand his life of him, he laid it down of himself for our
redemption. He offered himself to be the Saviour; Lo, I come. And the
necessity

of our case calling for it, he offered himself for the
Sacrifice. He was both the offerer and the offering, so that his laying
down his life was his offering up himself. From hence it is plain, that
he died in the place and stead of men; to obtain their being set free
from the punishment of sin, to obtain the pardon of their sin; and that
his death should obtain that pardon. Our Lord laid not his life down
for his doctrine, but for his sheep. (see also John 10:19-21)

"I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die." (John 11:25 -- Christ arrives at...)

Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his
blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep
sorrow from the heart, but not from the house. When God, by his grace
and providence, is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort, we
should, like Martha, go forth by faith, hope, and prayer, to meet him.

When Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary sat still in the house; this
temper formerly had been an advantage to her, when it put her at
Christ's feet

to hear his word; but in the day of affliction, the
same temper disposed her to melancholy. It is our wisdom to watch
against the temptations, and to make use of the advantages of our
natural tempers. When we know not what in particular to ask or expect,
let us refer ourselves to God; let him do as seemeth him good. To
enlarge Martha's expectations, our

Lord declared himself to be the
Resurrection and the Life. In every sense he is the Resurrection; the
source, the substance, the first-fruits, the cause of it. The
redeemed soul lives after death in happiness; and after the
resurrection, both body and soul are kept from all evil for ever.

When
we have read or heard the word of Christ, about the great things of the
other world, we should put it to ourselves, Do we believe this truth?
The crosses and comforts of this present time would not make such a
deep impression upon us as they do, if we believed the things of
eternity as we ought. When Christ our Master comes, he calls for us. He

comes
in his word and ordinances, and calls us to them, calls us by them,
calls us to himself. Those who, in a day of peace, set themselves at
Christ's feet to be taught by him, may with comfort, in a day of
trouble, cast themselves at his feet, to find favor with him. (see also John
11:33-46)

"I am the way, the truth, and the life! ...Without me, no one can go to the Father." (John 14:6 -- Christ comforts...)

Here are three words, upon any of which stress may be laid. Upon the
word troubled. Be not cast down and disquieted. The word heart. Let
your heart be kept with full trust in God. The word your. However
others are overwhelmed with the sorrows of this present time, be not
you so. Christ's disciples, more than others, should keep their minds
quiet, when everything else is unquiet. Here is the remedy against this
trouble of mind, to Believe.

By believing in Christ as the
Mediator between God and man, we gain comfort. The happiness of
heaven is spoken of as in a father's house. There are many mansions,
for there are many sons to be brought to glory. Mansions are lasting
dwellings. Christ will be the Finisher of that of which he is the
Author or Beginner; if he have prepared the place for us, he will
prepare us for it. Christ is the sinner's Way to the Father and to
heaven, in his person as God manifest in the flesh, in his atoning
sacrifice, and as our Advocate. He is

the Truth, as fulfilling
all the prophecies of a Savior; believing which, sinners come by him
the Way.

He is the Life, by whose life-giving Spirit the dead in sin
are quickened. Nor can any man draw nigh God as a Father, who is not
quickened by Him as the Life, and taught by Him as the Truth, to come
by Him as the Way. By Christ, as the Way, our prayers go to God, and
his blessings come to us; this is the Way that leads to rest, the good
old Way. He is the Resurrection and the Life. All that saw Christ
by faith, saw the Father in Him. In the light of Christ's doctrine,
they saw God as the Father of lights; and in Christ's miracles, they
saw God as the God of power. The holiness of God shone in the spotless
purity of Christ's life. We are to believe the revelation of God to man
in Christ; for the works of the Redeemer show forth his own glory, and
God in him. (Jn 14:12-17)

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." (John 15:1 -- Christ The True Vine)

Jesus Christ is the Vine, the true Vine. The union of the human and
Divine natures, and the fullness of the Spirit that is in him, resemble
the root of the vine made fruitful by the moisture from a rich soil.
Believers are branches of this Vine. The root is unseen, and our life
is hid with Christ; the root bears the tree, diffuses sap to it, and in
Christ are all supports and supplies. The branches of the vine are
many, yet, meeting in the root, are all but one vine; thus all true Christians,
though in place and opinion distant from each other, meet in Christ.
Believers, like the branches of the vine, are weak, and unable to stand
but as they are borne up. The Father is the Husbandman. Never was any
husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as God is about
his church, which therefore must prosper. We must be fruitful. From a
vine we look for grapes, and from a Christian we look for a Christian
temper, disposition, and life. We must honor God, and do good; this
is bearing fruit. The unfruitful are taken away. And even fruitful
branches need pruning; for the best have notions, passions, and humors, that require to be taken away, which Christ has promised to
forward the sanctification of believers, they will be thankful, for
them.

The word of Christ is spoken to all believers; and there is a
cleansing virtue in that word, as it works grace, and works out
corruption. And the more fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in
what is good, the more our Lord is glorified. In order to
fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must have union with him by
faith. It is the great concern of all Christ's disciples, constantly to
keep up dependence upon Christ, and communion with him. True Christians
find by experience, that any interruption in the exercise of their
faith, causes holy affections to decline, their corruptions to revive,
and their comforts to droop. Those who abide not in Christ, though they
may flourish for awhile in outward profession, yet come to
nothing. The fire is the fittest place for withered branches; they are
good for nothing else. Let us seek to live more simply on the fulness
of Christ, and to grow more fruitful in every good word and work, so
may our joy in Him and in his salvation be full. (see also John 15:9-17)

Prayer and Good Stewardship

Good stewardship is not only the giving, earning, or use of our money, but it is also
the use of our abilities, the use of our time, and the care we give to our family as well as others.

One thing I would like to make mention of first is to please be sensitive of the children in your presence when you are speaking about current events. One big mistake we seem to make as a society is to watch too many news bulletins and violence on TV instead of spending that time in prayer. It is of the upmost importance to realize that our children can hear and feel all of the drama flowing from our television sets. If we all would spend more time in prayer, instead of watching news and other programs on the TV, that prayer would help to bring peace to our families, our nation's leaders and the world in general.

"My advice is that, first of all, there should be prayers offered for everyone – petitions, intercessions and thanksgiving – and especially for political as well as spiritual leaders, kings, and those in positions of authority, so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet." (2 Timothy 2:2; 14-26) [2001, Tommy Lane]

So let us pray for those in authority all over the world, that they may not disturb the peace of our world, "so that we may be able to live religious and reverent lives in peace and quiet." (2 Timothy 2:2)

Instead of focusing on the dreadful stuff that is going on all around us in the media and in some of our own lives, let us keep our focus on God... Let's choose not to waste time on worry, fear and dread, nor on TV newscasts and programs that propel such, but spend time in prayer.

Spending time in prayer, both individually and with your family is of vital importance to the spiritual well being of ourselves as well as that of our family members. If a Christian family does not pray together, it may be at risk spiritually. I understand that some families may think of it as too difficult to pray together because
some family members may not want to pray together or because they are coming and going at various hours. Therefore, they lay claim to difficulty in finding a time when all or most of the family are all home and cooperative. Families uniting and making firm decisions, in this time of our nation's instability, to pray together as a family every day may well prove to be an important part of our saving that which we claim to value most.

How to begin: Choose a room where there will be no distractions, a room in the house where others will not be coming and going. Make a set time for the prayer and begin. Even if you are the only person in your family who wants to pray, continue to pray on your own, in a designated place that your partner and children and/or other relatives/household members are (clearly) aware is open to joining should they so choose. In time, they very well may decide to join you. I recently heard of a family that decided to pray together at 10pm every night. Every night everything comes to a stop at 10pm and they pray together. Even if the phone rings while they pray they do not answer it. Those who know the family know they begin to pray at 10pm and that there is no point in phoning after 10pm on any day. Their family prayer comes first. That is just an example. Find a time to suit your family. [2001, Tommy Lane]


As well as finding a designated time for your family, you may also need to find a manner of praying that fits with the needs of your family. Prayer should uplift us (as well as others) and help us to rise above the burdens we all carry. Remember when Jesus suffered his agony in Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:37) "And being in agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." — Luke 22:44. At first, he prayed for his burden to be lifted from him. However, through the power of prayer, he found strength to face His cross and then he was able to say, "Not my will but yours be done." If our prayers are to work, they should be ones that uplift ourselves, our family and other Christians to the Lord, so that our families as well as our sisters and brothers in the body of Christ, as a whole, may be aided in facing the many difficulties of daily life.


Therefore, I urge you to find a way of praying that will do this for your family. There are many excellent prayer books available in religious bookshops, but you should also consider using some Bible scriptures as part of the family prayer time. Reading the Bible in not simply saying or reading its words, it is meant for us to meditate on, to live on the (every) Word of God as we go about our day as well as when in prayer. The words of the Bible were handed down to us in order to move us closer to God as well as to draw the Holy Spirit to us and hence has many beautiful scriptures that can be used during prayer.

Additionally, if you are not praying for our country, please wake up and pray every day for the body of Christ, our country, our world and its peace. I am convinced (as many of you are also) that if enough people prayed together, on a daily basis, the course of world history could be changed for the greater good of all humanity. In general, as Christians, it is saddening to know we do not believe strongly enough in the power of prayer… but the hour to embrace that belief with strong conviction is now truly upon the Christian body.

A perfect example of the power of prayer can clearly be seen in the following incident-a true testimonial by Dr. David Jeremiah.

"While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, I traveled every two weeks by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This required camping overnight halfway. On one of these trips, I saw two men fighting in the city. One was seriously hurt so I treated him and witnessed to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. I then returned home without incident. Upon arriving in the city several weeks later, I was approached by the man I had treated earlier. He told me he had known that I carried money and medicine. He said, "Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We waited for you to go to sleep and planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. Just as we were about to move into your campsite, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards. I laughed at this and said, "I was certainly all alone out in the jungle campsite." The young man pressed the point, "No sir, I was not the only one to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone." At this point of my church presentation in Michigan, one of the men in the church stood up and interrupted me. He asked, "Can you tell me the exact date when this happened?" I thought for a while and recalled the date. The man in the congregation then gave his side of the story. He stated, "On that night in Africa it was day here. I was preparing to play golf. As I put my bags in the car, I felt the Lord leading me to pray for you. In fact, the urging was so great that I called the men of this church together to pray for you. Will all those men who met to pray please stand?" The men who had met that day to pray together stood. . . there were 26 of them!"
(Dr. David Jeremiah's story about prayer was published in Prayer: The Great Adventure)

The following is a simple prayer that I ran across and thought might be helpful:

"Lord, hold our political leaders, our military, spiritual leaders and their families as well as our own families in your all knowing and loving hands. Protect them as they attempt to lead and protect us. Bless them and their families abundantly for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

In closing, I would like to point out that someone must be the head of a home… in a Christian home with a healthy relationship; this is known to be the husband. When a Christian man leads his home with love and kindness, he will most often not find any tremendous resistance from his Christian wife. Love and kindness in a Christian home include praying with your family… with your wife… with your children and teaching them how to pray. It also includes teaching your children to love and respect the Word of God... this job does not fall solely on the church-it begins at home. These are not 'minor' activities, as some might mistakenly believe, they are vitally important to the nurturance… growth… and the continuation of a healthy existence within the family as well as each members (individual) lives. Additionally, for some families, during this current age of never ceasing daily trials… it may even mean the continuation of a family co-existing in the same household all together.

If a bit of guidance is needed in learning how to lead your home in prayer you might like to review the scriptures below or for guidance on leading in your marriage - like Jesus would– click here. Additionally, you may want to consider seeking the advice of a trusted Christian leader in your church or community.

Romans 8:26-27; John 14:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5;
as believers we are not left to our own resources to cope. Even when we do not know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. With God helping you to pray you do not need to be afraid to come before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you "in harmony with God's own will." Then when and as you bring your request to God, trust that He will always do what is best.

Lord, teach us to pray…
Luke 11:1-13
In Luke 11:2-13 notice the order in this prayer. First Jesus praised God. Then he made his requests. Praising God puts us in the right frame of mind to tell him about our needs. All too often, our prayers are more like a shopping list rather than a conversation with God. These verses focus on three aspects of prayer: its
content (11:2-4), our persistence (11:5-10) and Gods faithfulness (11:11-13)

References: NLT 2oo4, 2^nd Ed. Life Application Study Bible

Middle Tennessee Idealist Network & Nashville Nonprofit Organizations Meetup

The Middle Tennessee Idealist Network and Nashville Nonprofit Organizations Meet-up event is Scheduled for May 10th at 2:30 PM in Brentwood at the COURTYARD by MARRIOTT.

This event will bring together corporation leaders, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, practical dreamers, professionals, students, policymakers, and many others for a time of sharing and networking.

You will also be delighted to know that Mrs. Colette Bercu has agreed to be our guest speaker. Colette is a passionate and articulate speaker who is very sought after... She is the founder of Free For Life Ministries, her organization is fighting human trafficking and the sex slavery of children worldwide. Colette will be sharing with us how she was called to get into the fight against the growing epidemic of human trafficking and more specifically the exploiting of children. She and her husband, Dan, now serve in 6 countries, are proven and devoted leaders in advocating for the victims of this appalling crime... A crime that has happened right here in our own city as well.

It will truly provide to be a special day and a memorable treat having Colette as our guest speaker as well as to combine this event with their Nashville Nonprofit Organizations Meet-up network...

You will definitely want to be at this event! :-)

Everyone will get a chance to share a little about what they are
working on, interested in, or needs that they have.

You are welcome to bring others with a
similar interest. Please RSVP to let us know if you are coming, but
come anyway even if you aren't sure you can make it until the last
minute. All are welcome.

Please feel encouraged to contact us with any questions that you may have.

Please join us to Learn, Share and Make connections beyond your network—across industries, divisions, organizations and foundations.

The Middle Tennessee Idealist Network partnering with the Nashville Nonprofit Organizations Meet-up Will Bring Together the Leaders of Today to Share with Our Leaders of Tomorrow Turning Practical Dreams Into Action!

Be sure to join us on May 10th at 2:30 PM and Don’t Forget Your Business Cards! ;-)

Please Advance Register Today for This Free Networking event either by the link below.

http://care.events.live.com/

This is an opportunity to meet and network with an uncommon group of quality people who value the gift of life, friendship and humanity. People who laugh, love, enjoy life and aspire to help others to live life as well as their career passions to the fullest. People who are striving to live a life of integrity, while sharing, volunteering and promoting one another, their causes, careers, and organizations along the way.

Please mark your calendars for this event.

Bring your business cards, any materials you'd like to share and a desire to help one another in the true spirit of networking.

Please Register Today. This will be a free networking event.

http://care.events.live.com/

This meeting is for:

Any and All individuals 18 years And Older who are interested in Networking and helping one another in Success.

Please, No Children-because we do love them dearly, we have an obligation to express that this is an adult only event.


Location:
Courtyard by Marriott-Brentwood
103 Eastpark Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027

Date and time:
Saturday, May 10, 2008
2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Hosted by:
Marilyn Magallanes & Dan Bercu

Contact number:
(615) 656-4540

a Reason, a Season, a Lifetime

April 17

a reason, a season or a lifetime

I received this messages from a FaceBook friend and thought it was really nice...

Your response will be interesting. Pay attention to what you read.

After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a Reason, a Season or a Lifetime.

Marilyn M.

TTTC is interviewing New Board Members Visit our Homepage today to learn more. www.TeachThemToCare.org

Can we talk about the Child Next Door?

Child Watch® Column By Marian Wright Edelman A CHILD NEXT DOOR MAY NEED YOUR HELP When four sisters were discovered dead in a Southeast Washington, D.C., rowhouse on January 9, the community and city were shocked. According to newspaper reports, the girls' bodies had been decomposing for many weeks before their discovery. Compounding the tragedy is the fact that for the better part of a year, numerous agencies in the District of Columbia were aware of disturbing signs that the children were in danger. But no one was successful in reaching out to the children or their mother to prevent this appalling calamity. The girls' mother, Banita Jacks, 33, has been charged in their murders. This case is a loud alarm bell for all of us and serves as a reminder that in cities and smaller communities across the nation, there are children, sometimes just next door, who need our help. Neighbors suspecting something was wrong could have been more aggressive in inquiring about their well-being. Several local agencies failed to persist to get help and follow up on what was happening to the children. Sadly this case is not unique. Many thousands of children have died or been grievously abused or neglected in communities in every region of our country. Every 36 seconds a child is confirmed as abused or neglected. Many of these children remain invisible to those who could help them. How do we stop the neglect and abuse? We start with the understanding that protecting our children is everyone's responsibility, and not solely that of public social service agencies. Caring vigilance—child watching—should be the watch word for all of us. As individuals, we can begin by reaching out to relatives and neighbors struggling to care for children—even when familial tension makes that uncomfortable. Get help for a child you believe is being abused or neglected. Become a foster parent or adoptive parent. Offer to give a break to grandparents who have taken in their grandchildren by caring for the children several days a month. Volunteer to stand up for an abused or neglected child as a court-appointed special advocate. Be a mentor to a child who is still at home or in foster care. Contribute your time or money to a program that helps prevent family crises or protects and treats children when abuse has occurred. We must get our own faith and community-based organizations to do more. Educate your congregation about protecting children and take action to help. Find ways to support parents who need help. Offer space in your facility for special events. Make sure that children in foster care are involved in your youth activities. Arrange for scholarships to colleges or universities with which you are affiliated. Support national, state and local policy initiatives that will keep children safe and in permanent families. If just a fraction of the faith congregations in our nation found an adoptive or foster care family for a child, we wouldn’t have children alone in the world without loving families. Employers can also make valuable contributions. They can make sure their leave policies recognize the needs of foster and adoptive parents. They can provide internships and longer term employment for youths in foster care. Businesses also can adopt local agencies or groups that serve children who have been abused or neglected. Just as important, we must push for significant improvements in our child welfare agencies, our courts, and our schools to better protect children in communities throughout our nation. And we must invest in the health care and mental health and early childhood development programs that will help give our children a healthy start in life. As a memorial to the Jacks girls and for the sake of millions of other neglected and abused children, all of us must recognize that keeping children safe is everybody’s business.

Marian Wright Edelman is President of the Children's Defense Fund
and its Action Council whose Leave No Child Behind^® mission is to ensure
every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe
Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood
with the help of caring families and communities.

Talking About Facebook & Networking...

In case you missed the tele-seminar with Mari Smith about how to use Facebook to grow your network, the replay is available at:
http://www.jimdonovan.com/tele-seminars-archive.html

While you're there, be sure to register to be notified about upcoming free business and personal growth tele-seminars.

Talking About Shrinking!

SHRINKING BACK
by Gail Rodgers

We met in Starbucks. She was just passing through town and it was a treat to get together in person. As usual, we jumped in at the deep end and wanted to share what God was teaching us these days. As she raised requests I suggested we pray. Quietly, with open eyes, I asked God to meet the needs of her life.

We talked more and then she said she wanted to pray for me. With not so quiet a voice and with eyes pressed closed and hands grasping mine she lifted her heart to our Heavenly Father.

And I felt my heart shrink back. Could she pray a little quieter or a little less intensely? I am ashamed to say I felt a twinge of embarrassment enter my heart.

Very shortly after that God put a book in my pathway that challenged just this very thing in my life. In essence I was denying Christ. I thought of Peter and how easy it was for him to deny Jesus on that night of Jesus' death. Then in my own devotions I read these words:

"For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back I will not be pleased with him.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." Hebrews 10: 38-39

It took me by surprise that I could find myself in that same position as Peter found himself in ..... only I was in Starbucks where there was no threat at all to my faith or my life.

How good God is to reveal the very nature of our hearts to us when we feel we are being "faithful" followers. What a challenge it is to grow in our boldness in following our Lord and Savior.

Today, whether you are a quiet Christian, a bold witness, or somewhere in between why not join me in asking God to fill you with a greater boldness and more courage to stand in persevering faith... one never knows when in this world we will be called upon to stand firm. We need to be determined not to shrink back. God will help us as we ask Him to.

Heavenly Father,

Forgive me for shrinking back when You call me to boldness. May my heart be ever more courageous to stand for You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

Questions: Have you ever felt your heart shrink back from standing boldly for Jesus?

Are you willing to ask Him today for a courageous and bold heart to stand for Him always?

Please feel encouraged to call or email me if you need to talk about it...
God Bless,
Marilyn M.
615-656-4540

Talking About Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck!

Fast Money Secrets! Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck with Jim Donovan
Jim is hosting a FREE Tele-Seminar,
interviewing Mari Smith of "Facebook Fortunes".
Next Tuesday, Feb 11, at 9:00 PM (est)

You can register here:
http://www.jimdonovan.com/tele-seminar.html

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New York Classes: Course 858MNY Section A
Increase Your Income Now!

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Are you ready to stop worrying and free yourself of financial stress? Here's your chance to learn several fast and simple ways to increase your income immediately, without mortgaging your home or quitting you job.

Internationally renowned author and seminar leader Jim Donovan will provide you with easy-to-follow strategies so you can create the life of your dreams!

You will learn about:

* 8 types of businesses that will provide you with instant income
* Setting up an easy-to-run eBay business
* Creating a cash machine with skills you already have
* The ins and outs of network marketing
* Packaging your knowledge to cash in on the information boom
* And much, much more.
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Jim Donovan is an author and seminar leader. His books have been published in 22 countries, with titles including "Handbook to a Happier Life." "This Is Your Life, Not A Dress Rehearsal," "Reclaim Your Life," "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck," and "Don't Let an Old Person Move Into Your Body." He has also created audio programs entitled "Make More Sales," "This is Your Life, Not a Dress Rehearsal," "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck," "Successful Self-Publishing (ebook & audio)," and "How to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book." Since 1991, he has published Jim's Jems, an internationally syndicated newsletter. Jim's articles regularly appear in newspapers and magazines, and on various websites.

Talking About Failure!

""This week, let's spend some time looking at how we can "fail forward." If we're going to fall, we should pick something up while we're down!

"The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked." Proverbs 24:16

LET'S LITERALLY LEARN FROM FAILURE. Let's use it as an acryomn:

F - FAILURE is a part of life.

It is a part of everyone's life. If you have failed, you are NOT alone!

We all have to admit to ourselves more times than we'd like to that we've been failures since we've become Christians. We don't have to live the Christian life very long before we understand that we are going to fail. Some of us have failed miserably! Some of us have failed publicly, others have failed privately, or secretly, but we know we've failed. And we know the shame that accompanies failure.

There are all kinds of ways people fail. Some fail in their careers, others fail as parents or see their marriages fail. We fail in different pursuits. We can fail serving God, some fail morally or spiritually.

Someone has said, "Failure is not a crime. Failure to learn from failure is.""

--Walter Wriston