New Year, New Attitude From a Princess!

So today ends the old year and tomorrow begins the New Year. How was this year for you? Full of stress? Yeah, mine, too. But tonight at midnight I will be acting in accordance with my "new attitude"!

I am a Christian who has allowed herself to become discouraged this year. I've cried, been downhearted, defeated and discouraged. I'm ashamed to admit I have not always trusted God to provide, comfort, or order my steps. Because my faith has wavered, my esteem has suffered. How silly of me! I know who I am in God's eyes: a cherished, protected, beautiful daughter of The King of Kings! I am a Princess!

As I look back over the years, I can see how my Heavenly Father has surprised me with so many little and big "trinkets" of blessing. His word says (Zephaniah) that He rejoices over me with singing! Can you imagine? The King of Kings singing over me? Oh, my heart can hardly contain itself with joy over that knowledge! I am just too blessed to be stressed!

I offer this well-known poem (the author is unknown) in hopes that it will start the New Year off just right for you, too!

Too Blessed To Be Stressed;
Too Anointed To Be Disappointed!

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.

I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who is Almighty; who is sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.

He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His name;

Though everything is changeable, my God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated.

My eyes are on God.

He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances, to heavens throne above.

My prayers have reached the heart of God.

I am resting in His love.

I give thanks to Him in everything.

My eyes are on His face.

The battle is His; the victory is mine;

He will help me win the race.

I repeat, "I'm too blessed to be stressed!"

(Author Unknown)

April Lorier Perspective

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Too Crazy Not To Share

I received this from my New York friend who's a little crazy, and it made me laugh. So if you need a laugh today, read on...

Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the office intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. In the memo field of all your checks, write " Diamond Smuggling"

4. Finish all your sentences with "In Accordance With The Prophecy."

5 . Don't use any punctuation

6. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat.

7. Specify repeatedly that your drive-through order is "To Go."

8. Sing along, real loud, at the opera.

9. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme?

10. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, "Rock Bottom".

11. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I Won! I Won!"

12. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run for your life! I think it's loose!!"

(Hope a couple of the ways made you laugh!)

April Lorier Perspective

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Mandisa, Living Out Her Faith On American Idol

As part of my morning devotional I was watching Mandisa sing "It's Only The World". You remember Mandisa. Even if you are not an American Idol watcher, clips of her response to Simon Cowell were played on almost every station during the fifth season of Idol.

Cowell, known for his sharp tongue had insulted her on national television, asking if they had a bigger stage this year to accommodate this over-weight contestant. She was devastated because, as she said in an interview with Raquel Dunn,

"It was my worst fear come true, because it’s been the biggest struggle of my life and because it’s something I feel so vulnerable about. For him to have said that and for it to air on national television -- I was devastated. After the show was over, just a bunch of my friends gathered around me and they began to pray for me. They began to pray for Simon. They asked the Lord to have mercy on him, and they began to ask the Lord to help me to forgive Simon. I realized in that moment that this was about so much more than me and my hurt feelings."

She told how the Idol producers were setting her and the other contestants up for confrontation that would boost Idol's ratings. They looked right at her and told her to go back out there and give him what for, and they would bleep out any words that were not "TV-friendly." But she shocked the world with her response to Cowell.

Keep in mind that Mandisa's father abandoned her when she was only two years old. She always thought it was her fault that Daddy had left. Then, at 16 years of age, she was brutally raped. She self-comforted with food and that led to a food addiction. Hence, the obesity.

Sexually abused females often hide behind a protective wall of fat. The subconscious tells them no one will want to come close enough to violate them if they are repulsively obese. Mandisa was no different in that respect. But she was different in how she responded to the mean spirited words of Simon Cowell for millions to witness.

"You hurt me,” she said to Simon on that show. “It was painful. It really was. But I want you to know that I have forgiven you. You don’t need someone to apologize in order to forgive somebody. I figured that if Jesus could die so that all of my sins could be forgiven, I could certainly extend that same grace to you.”

The look on Simon's face was priceless!

It was obvious old snarky Cowell had been totally disarmed. After gathering himself, he told her he was completely humbled and he deigned to hug her with appreciation for her Christ-like spirit. It was one of the best moments ever on television!

I've thought about Mandisa ever since then. And now that she has a book out (Idol Eyes), I am even more grateful for the testimony she displayed before the viewers.

As I've mentioned before, I do not like watching Idol for many reasons. Besides the pain of watching people humiliate themselves on television, I also equate the Idol audience with the blood-thirsty spectators of the Roman Gladiator Games. So Mandisa's Christ-like response to Cowell was even more profound because it was in that kind of atmosphere.

She did exactly as Jesus taught in Luke 6:27-28.

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."

She did not wait for Cowell to ask for her forgiveness! She did exactly as Christ told His followers to do. Realizing this was about so much more than her hurt feelings, and she acted out her faith in Jesus Christ for the entire world to witness.

I'm guessing it would be redundant, at this point, to say that Mandisa is one of my heroes. But even more importantly, God is pleased with her. She brings her Father much pleasure, and in return, He has freed her from her bondage of self-protection. And she is looking "fine" these days with her weight loss, her book, her modeling career with Ashley Stewart, her CDs and all of her loyal fans.

I am one of them.

©2007 April Lorier Perspective

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Brian Wilson and The Power Of Words

Every year I watch The Kennedy Center Honors. This was the thirtieth year, and the most profound for me. I enjoyed the eclectic mixture of honorees once again. This year those honored were Diana Ross, Steve Martin, Martin Scorsese, Brian Wilson and pianist Leon Fleisher. It was, once again, a wonderful way to end the year. But it was also very sad for me.

Art Garfunkel gave an inspiring, poetic speech about song writer and Beach Boys founder, Brian Wilson. He called Wilson "our Mozart of Rock and Roll."

I guess one would have to be a musician to understand what a gift Brian Wilson was given. His early love for the vocal harmonies of the Four Freshman, plus his attraction for the energy of Chuck Berry inspired Brian to compose never-before-heard counter-point melodies of great sophistication, but with a beat for dancing.

I kept watching the face of this genius, Brian Wilson, and the sadness in me grew until I could no longer hold back the tears. We heard Garfunkel enumerate the successes of the Beach Boys, thanks to Brian, and then he said, “But Brian’s spirit was too fragile. He lived in the prison of his own days.” All during this entire tribute, the stoicism on Brian’s face was sad and creepy. No emotion, whatsoever, was visible through the entire tribute. Even when Hootie and the Blowfish were performing “I Get Around” and “California Girls” – the entire audience was dancing, clapping, singing along, including President and First Lady Bush – Brian never flinched. He eventually was able to clap his hands, but that face showed no emotion whatsoever.

Because I know something about Brian’s upbringing with his domineering, abusive father, and the guilt Brian felt over his father’s death after he fired his dad as manager, I was over-empathizing with his pain. I was being transported back to a time when I, too, was being physically and verbally abused. During this voyage, I realized something for the first time: The physical abuse, though it was bloody and painful at the time, was now only a fact like any other fact in my life. I no longer felt the pain of the physical abuse, nor did I have any emotions (or dreams) associated with it.

It was those words that still stung, all these years later.

Words have enormous power, either positive or negative, but never neutral. Those words my mother used still echo, at times, as if I were standing in a deep canyon and the words are playing in quadraphonic sound. If I am tired, sick, or if I have been let down by someone I trusted, those old tapes automatically turn on and beat me down – unless I immediately reject them.

Proverbs 18:21 says, The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Now I realize King Solomon literally had the power of life and death in his words. He was the King! But metaphorically, our tongues also have the power of life and death because words spoken, especially by parents, are potent. God’s words are omnipotent, and our words are potent because we are made in the image of God. And to a child, the parent is God. If Mama or Daddy says a child is stupid, it is gospel!

I don’t care what a child is hit with – a hand, a belt, or a switch – nothing does more damage to a kid than negative words. The damage is not apparent immediately, but it is much more pernicious in the formation of that child’s soul (mind, will, emotions).

I’ve known of cases where the parent verbally abuses a child, then tries to make up for it with toys, treats, or even hugs. But it never works!

Only words can wipe away words!

I was very blessed to have surrogates at critical growth times in my life. I know these surrogate mothers, sisters, and brothers were brought into my life by a loving God Who knew they could wipe away some of the damage I sustained in my family of origin. Margaret, the teacher who changed my self-perception was one of the most affirming people God blessed me with. She told me what a “wonderful story teller I was” instead of what a “liar” I was! She praised my creativity instead of telling me how I brought shame to my father! She made me see the talent God had given me in music, poetry, and writing.

What is amazing to me is that my mother was loaded with artistic talent. She was a brilliant artist, dress designer, and a musician. But she never inspired me to anything but failure because of her words.

However, because of Margaret’s words I later earned a living as a pianist and as a vocalist. I was able to earn two degrees in Music Composition. Because of Margaret’s encouragement, I won dozens of awards with my piano and vocal performances. (This made my parents value me. How ironic.) Because of her words I became an award-winning poet and writer. Oh, genetically I was set up with natural talent in the arts; but bound by the negative words planted during my childhood, I would never have made it without the healing words of Margaret.

Margaret’s words of inspiration and encouragement literally saved my life. There were times when the pain was so bad I did not want to live. But then Margaret’s words – those words inspiring me, encouraging me, praising me – would come to me like a sweet refrain of God’s fresh spring rain, washing away all of the negative power binding me.

I wondered, as I watched Brian’s face, did he ever have inspiring, encouraging, healing words to wash away the ones from his father’s voice? I realize Brian became very self-destructive after his father was gone; but the words spoken by his dad lived on.

That’s why I was so sad watching this brilliant man, totally incapable of expressing any emotion at all. I thanked God, right then, right there, for the gift of healing He had given me through surrogates’ inspiring, encouraging, and wonderfully healing words. I pray Margaret is eating the fruit of her life-affirming words, for I am truly blessed.

©2007 April Lorier Perspective

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Bible Answers For Seekers: A Christmas message from Aaron

I hope this post finds you happy and in good health. Rhiannon and I have just finished opening our presents and are looking forward to going over to my Aunt Rose's house in a couple of hours to enjoy the annual Christmas Turkey and gift exchange with the extended Taylor family. Rhiannon will start making her world famous corn casserole in a few minutes-world famous at least in the Taylor household!

As we're all supposed to do this time of the year, I've been reflecting a lot about the true meaning of Christmas over the past few days. My heart goes out to the worlds pastors who have to find new shades of meaning and spiritual insight every single year as they prepare their Christmas sermons to deliver to their congregations. Being that it's Christmas day, this message may be a little late for pastors and missionaries looking for last minute enlightenment, but it's not late in terms of relevance for the new year.

First I'll start with what we all know and understand. Unless your last name is Scrooge and your first name is Grinch, you probably realize that Christmas is about the generosity of giving and not the vanity of commercialization. With the slew of Hallmark and ABC Family Christmas specials this time of year, I find it odd that even Hollywood sells the message of faith, family and values this time of the year.

This next thought may be a bit Pollyanna-ish, but I think that both sides of the "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" war need to lay down their arms and take a breather, if not for political and theological reasons, then at least for practical ones. Having to correct people every time they use a holiday greeting that you don't like can get exhausting after a while. As much as I would like to continue my soapbox on this one, you can consider that a freebie.

The real message I'd like to share with you this Christmas is this. In light of my debate with a radical jihadist in London and my recent trip to the West Bank, one of the ideas that has turned my world upside down and caused me to reevaluate nearly everything I have held dear in terms of my identity and values is the idea that one of the central themes of the New Testament is a complete and utter rejection of the value of exercising earthly power and authority over others. When Jesus said, "The meek shall inherit the earth," the people of His day knew exactly what He meant. On the day of judgment, those who will be left standing are not the Caesars and the centurions, but the cooks and the carpenters. Practically the entire life and ministry of Jesus conveys the idea that the Kingdom of God belongs to the powerless, not the powerful.

Jesus said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them." In an age where politicians, even sincere politicians, are all-too-eager to invoke the name of Jesus as a stamp of divine approval upon their bid for the White House, I think a re-evaluation of the role of the Church, and how the Church interacts with earthly power is in order. Just as not everything that glitters is gold, I have a feeling that not everything that calls itself Christian is truly Christian.

Jesus was born in a stable and raised the son of a carpenter. He never levied a tax and He never waged a war. Although He could have used His birthright as heir to the Davidic throne to "restore the Kingdom to Israel", He deliberately chose not to. Instead, He put the priority on taking on the form of a servant and establishing God's true kingdom in the hearts of men. He had no earthly agenda but to love and to serve, especially those who lived with a different set of values than His own. Jesus managed to befriend the tax-collector, the zealot, the Samaritan, and the prostitute alike, calling them to repent.....without pursuing an earthly agenda to push them to the fringes of society.

As we head into the new election year, I think it would be wise for us all to remember that the world's only true "Christian" king (or ruler or politician or whatever term you would like to insert to denote earthly power) died on a wooden cross, suffering for the souls of the very people who were crucifying Him. May the example of Jesus be the true inspiration for us all to build a better world as we head into the new year.

Merry Christmas,1997

Bible Answers For Seekers: A Christmas message from Aaron

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Tragedy on Christmas Eve Day

It was Christmas Eve yesterday, and I was busy writing when I heard a frantic knock at my door. I looked out the window and saw my neighbor, Rachael. She was hysterical and incoherent, but I figured out a strange man had just appeared in her front room, sat in her easy chair and refused to leave. Rachael lives alone and she’s in her late seventies, but she was demanding that this man leave immediately. He appeared to be drunk, so she left her house and came running to mine, phone in hand.

She had called 911, and was trembling so bad I thought surely she would fall. I put my arms around her and asked her, in a calm voice, if her grandchildren were in the house. No. OK, was the strange man still in there? Yes. OK, we would wait for the police to arrive, and we would wait on my porch. All of this time, I was rubbing her back, trying to calm her down.

About six minutes later, out came the man. It was clear to me he was not drunk, but was mentally in trouble. He shuffled past my house, never looking at us, and kept shuffling to the next house, then the next. He sat down on the ground and looked back to see if we were watching him. Boy, were we ever watching him!

Eventually, he struggled to get up, opened the mailbox, saw there was nothing in it, then started up the sidewalk to enter the house. I knew that was the house where a woman had died on Thanksgiving, and I feared for the surviving aged husband who lived inside. I ran to the house next door, banged on the door, and asked Alan to help us. I explained what was going on, and he said, “April the deranged man is Bub. He lives there. His wife died on Thanksgiving.” I argued with him because this man did not look like the Bub I had seen, but he asserted it was, indeed, the same man.

For the next two hours, we were surrounded by twelve policemen in six cars, lots of commotion, then the Crisis Team, and eventually the Paramedic Van. The police had asked Alan if Bub had any family, and Alan had told them of a niece who “lived in L.A. and visited about three times a year.” So, there was no one – no family member, no friend available to help Bub. They drove poor Bub off to a mental hospital and left his two little dogs behind in an empty house.

Later that day, we learned Bub’s niece lived in the same gated community! She was a five-minute walk away from his house, but didn’t care enough to know what was happening to this poor man who couldn’t deal with the loss of his 50-year partner in life! My heart screamed as tears flooded down my face. How could a family member be so insensitive to this lost man? It was an “Eleanor Rigby Christmas” all over again!

This morning, I’m having my Bible Study in I Timothy 5, and I get to verse 8:

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

I thought of Mama, the woman who had abused me so severely in my childhood. She was ebullient, funny, talented and very moody. Years later, she was widowed and wasn’t making it financially. I had gone through all the therapy, counseling, and struggling with God, and had come to a place of total forgiveness, acceptance, and an understanding of her problems that led to her moodiness.
I asked God what He would have me do about Mama’s financial condition and I felt God was showing me, through His Word, that it was my responsibility to support her, even if it meant tithing to her, as unto The Lord. Some of the people in my life thought I was crazy, but I felt I had heard from God. So, five years later, when she was killed coming out of church, I had no regrets over how I had treated her. I had total peace because I had followed the leading of The Holy Spirit.

Today my heart aches for the niece and for Bub. I tremble when I think of what’s in store for the niece, and I want to cry for this poor abandoned man. Oh, Lord, it’s such a broken world I live in. There’s so much pain all around me, and I’m but one person. But I promise You I will do what I can whenever You present a need to me. Today I’m grateful I know Your Son as we celebrate Him coming down to earth to meet our needs.

(c) 2007 April Lorier, Christmas Day

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Hurry Up And Grow!

Would you expect a four-month-old baby to be able to play hide’n’seek, or to carry on an articulate conversation? No? Why not? That’s what some of us Christians expect from four-month-old Christians! We expect that “new nature” to kick right into high gear and immediately mature into perfection!

I’ve been thinking about the growing process for born-again Children of God. What provoked my thought was remembering one of my children’s friends who was born-again, but there was no instantaneous life change as we all expected. We wondered if he was truly saved? It’s a good thing God protected this teenager from our self-righteous, unreal expectations!

In 2 Peter 3:18, we are admonished to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What exactly does that mean?

All plants have a growth “time table” built into them by their Creator. Even plants of the same species will have a different time table, depending on the environment, the genetics, and the care given to each plant. It’s even more prominent in human children!

I remember when my daughter’s son, Jacob, was born. Boy, the game was on and it was a competitive game, too! Did he smile as soon as his cousin? Did he stand up at the same age as his cousins? What was wrong with Jacob that he didn’t start walking the very week his cousin did? Oh, my! It was a desperate, vicious game that I hated! Of course, being an only child, Jacob has far surpassed his cousins, especially in the writing of his name, memorization of scripture, and memorization of songs. No competition!

The four stages of growth for a newly born Christian are as follows

1. “Baby Stage” (Carnal Christians) found in I Corinthians 3:1-4. These are lives to be served by more mature Christians. They are not to be criticized, any more than we would criticize a six-month old baby for not running, jumping, or carrying on an articulate conversation.

2. “Little Child Stage” (Childish, easily flattered, resentful, gossipy, making scenes like little children do) found in I John 2:13. These are the ones we must be patient with, but also teaching them by example as parents do.

3. “Young Man Stage” (Strong, virile, able to overcome the enemy) found in I John 2:13. These are the Christians with vision for the future and sufficient faith to tackle it! These are the ones we back up with prayer, for they are the future of The Church!

4. “Father or Mother Stage” (Mature spiritually) found in I John 2:13. These are the ones who have peace with God, have learned contentment under all circumstances, and rejoice in their own spiritual children. These are the ones who will teach most effectively, both with words and by example.


It takes years to move from one stage to another, which is why we’re told that new Christians should not have positions in The Church that belong to the last two stages. The Baby Christians and the Little Child Christians are too easily side tracked and can end up back at the beginning too easily.

When a person is born-again, he (or she) will have two natures: one worldly and one brand new Christlike nature. It takes time in the Word to put on the mind of Christ, to renew our minds through the regeneration of The Word. (Romans 12)

I pray God will forgive those of us who put our own expectations on these exuberant baby Christians. We dare not offend one of His little ones, for we know what the consequences will be.

I don’t know why we expect a new Christian to suddenly be acting as a mature Christian would. Maybe it’s our own spiritual immaturity that causes us to expect more than God expects. All I know, is it’s a good thing God is as patient with us as He is with His newly-born babes in Christ.

(c) 2007 April Lorier Perspective

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Best Gift For All Kids from Mom and Dad

The short answer is for the man to set the example of love for them to emulate. To love their Mamas in an obvious way! And for their Mamas to make it clear that she respects their Daddy as the head of the house. Why?

Paul said it so plainly:

The wife sets the example of submission.

The husband sets the example of loving.
Each makes it easier for the other by taking the lead in his or her own unique contribution to the Christian home. What’s hard to understand about that? Children need both examples of submission in order to grow up as healthy children who are respectful of God, and of love so they learn how to walk out their faith in love.

Here is what Paul, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit said:

Eph 5:22-33 NIV

* Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
* Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
* Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
* In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."
* This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

What’s the hardest for women, ever since the Garden of Eden?

Submission! Trust!

What is hardest for men who need respect first and foremost?

Loving unselfishly! Being a Servant!

I am sick to death of professing Christians twisting these scriptures in Ephesians to suit their own dysfunction. Men who need to dominate use this passage to prove it’s pleasing to God for the woman to be hammered by it. Women who do not understand what “headship” means surrender their hopes, talents, and even their identities in an effort to be obedient to what they think Scripture is teaching.These women are more likely to be manipulative, saying, "If you really loved me, you would..."

Paul likened loving your wife to as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy. Headship to Christ didn’t mean domination. It meant self-sacrifice! Headship didn’t mean “I’m your boss.” It meant, “How can I meet your needs?” Christ was a Servant!

Any husband who loves his wife in that way will put her needs beyond his own. He will do everything possible to help her reach her full potential as a person and as a Christian. He will love sacrificially, as Christ loved.

Women are by nature, responders. So when a husband loves her in this way, she will submit with joy. She will do it freely because she knows she can trust the love of this man! She feels secure and cherished by this self-sacrificing man!

Being the head of the home means accepting your responsibility – notice I did not say privilege – to take the lead in love.

Theodore M. Hesburgh is the man credited with saying, “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” But he has been quoted by many since he said it. And it’s so true! For little kids to see Mama and Daddy being affectionate with each other, playing around, having fun in front of the kids… well, it shows the kids what marriage should be like, and can be. It’s a valuable, lasting gift for the kids, no matter how old they are!

©2007 April Lorier Perspective

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Denzel Washington and My Self-Esteem Bucket

I watched an interview with two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington today. His new movie (he directed and acted) , coming to theaters on Christmas Day, is called The Great Debaters. The story follows a black southern debate team during the Great Depression as they pursue the challenges of debating the white teams. Denzel knows exactly who he is!

He told how he starts and ends his day with prayer, asking for guidance, protection, and even more "thank You's". He talked about how everyone has his little bucket of self-esteem and all day long people are tipping his bucket, trying to empty it out. He said he has to refill that bucket, sometimes several times a day, and the only way to refill it is to maintain his inner peace. How does he refill it? Denzel runs to the Lord for His refills. His mother always told him, "Man gives the AWARD, God gives the REWARD."

He struck me as a very humble man in spite of his huge accomplishments and awards. His comments also brought up a question inside of me. Do I know who I am? If I do, how do I know? And where do I run to fill up my own bucket of self-esteem? Here's my refill station and what I know about myself.

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15 )

I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17 )

I am bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a saint [set apart for God]. (Eph. 1:1)

I am a personal witness of Christ. (Acts 1:8)

I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)

I am a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27)

I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)

I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31 -34)

I am a minister of reconciliation for God (2 Cor.5:17-21)

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)

I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom.8:35-39)

I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)

I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)

I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16 )

I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12 )

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)

I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16 ).

I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)

I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).

I have been justified (Romans 5:1)

I am God's co-worker (1 Cor.. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).

I am God's workmanship (Eph.2:10 )

I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil 1: 5)

I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col.1:14).

I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)

I belong to God!!! I am God's Girl and He cherishes me! Now that builds my esteem! Yep, my bucket is full today!

(c)2007 April Lorier Perspective

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A Blessing by Email Today!

Some time ago, I wrote a post called Clapping Though My Tears for Barbara Johnson. Barbara had requested that we clap, not cry, when she "moved on" to her place of Glory. The post was written out of love for a lady who had helped so many hurting people with her wisdom wit and humor. I mentioned she had formed Spatula Ministries to continue the help long after she left this earth. Today, I received an email from her son, David. I'm reprinting it here, with his permission, and hope it blesses you as it blessed me.

Dear April,
I want to thank you for your recent article concerning my mother,Barbara Johnson. I've asked our webmaster to link it to our website,if that is OK with you! And thank you for your kind words concerning my mother's passing. There have been many people that have told me of my mother's encouragement and how she had saved so many lives.

I know my mother would want you have the DVD of the Tribute we held for
her at the Crystal Cathedral this last September.  So I'm sending you
an order form and we'll sent it FREE.  Just write on the form where
you want it mailed along with your email address and pen the words
"GRATIS PER DAVID" and send it back to the foundation and we'll get
it out to you right away.  Or you can just email me back your address
and I'll personally mail it to you myself.

I'm sure you'll find the service very inspirational and encouraging.  We have clips of my mother speaking and, well it's good for sharing in groups, but nice
to have as a remembrance of her.  There is a preview of the Tribute
on the website which is about 5 minutes long and can be downloaded
for free also. I hope you'll register for the Spatula Community and
"LoveLine" Newsletter on her website.

We are making some very nice changes beginning January.  Including a Joy Room / Bookstore so we can direct people on where to purchase her books, calendars, cards, etc.  The Encouragement Project will be coming and we welcome others
tell their story how my mother has changed their lives and also
become an encouragement to others.

And finally, I've just set up the Spatula Ministries Yahoo Discussion
Group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spatula_Ministries) to help
direct parents who have just discovered their child's sexual
preference and need a "safe place" to get immediate help. (All these
changes, plus some that I haven't mentioned, are scheduled for
January/February)

Again, thank you April for your article. I'm sure you'll enjoy the
DVD and if you're up to it, some of your comments.  (There was clapping and I believe Rich Cook lead it before the choir sang one of her favorite songs.)  I hope to be hearing from you soon.

Joyfully,

David Johnson, Executive Director
The Barbara Johnson Foundation, Inc.
www.BarbaraSpatulaJohnson.com

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Oprah: Can We Trust Her Judgment?

Is there a human in our country that does not know Oprah is out stumping for Obama? Maybe, but very few. I have been wondering: Just how much can we trust her judgment? Let’s recap.

First, there was her infamous statement in 1996, while in Cattle Country, Texas: "It has just stopped me cold from eating another burger!" Naturally, the cattlemen sued her and Howard Lyman ("Mad Cow Disease" Guest). Ok, so that’s how she met Dr. Phil McGraw, so that mistake turned out well after her long trial with the cattlemen of Texas.

Next, there was the major guffaw of James Frey and his supposedly true story,
A Million Little Pieces. In an October 26 show entitled "The Man Who Kept Oprah Awake At Night," Winfrey hailed Frey's graphic and coarse book as "like nothing you've ever read before. Everybody at Harpo is reading it." She chose it as her book club featured book.

After a six-week investigation by The Smoking Gun, it turned out James had pulled the wool over her eyes. Then after she highlighted him on her Oprah Show, 3.4 million book buyers realized they, too, had been duped by Oprah herself. Upon finding out she had been duped, her response was, “I thought The Publishing Company (Anchor Books) had vetted the book. It’s their responsibility to vet the book!” (What’s wrong with your staff checking him out, Oprah?)

To save face, Oprah invited James Frey back on her show – I’ll never understand why he showed up, and proceeded to excoriate him in front of millions. She left him in a "million little pieces" for the whole world to witness. But her reputation now had a stain on it.

Then there was her decision to open The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy For Girls in South Africa, in part to fulfill her promise to Nelson Mandela. Later, when asked why she didn't spend her money on girls in this country where she had made her billion$, her response was, "I couldn't find 152 motivated girls in the United States." Unbelievable! Out of 301,139,950 people in the U.S., she couldn't find 152 motivated girls? Americans had some heartburn over her decision to snub American girls and go elsewhere to do her "benevolent" works.

Later, it was revealed that these girls, completely cut off from all communication with their own parents, were being abused. Excuse me? Oprah, herself a victim of sexual abuse as a teen, should have known (above all people ) that isolation is the predator's favorite tool! To whom were these girls supposed to report abuse? Not their Mamas! Not the women who had given them life and sustained life for them until Miss Winfrey came along. One more stain on the reputation and judgment of Oprah Winfrey.

Then there was her show featuring the now-infamous Dr. Jan Adams, strip mall plastic surgeon. It took reporters at TMZ only a few hours of investigation to discover that Dr. Jan Adams — who performed several cosmetic procedures on Kanye West’s mother the day before she died — was not board-certified in plastic surgery. Did Oprah Winfrey or her producers do the same background check before putting him on Winfrey’s TV talk show?

Oprah said there was no reason to check his background! Whoa! Wonder what Kanye West would say about that statement? How about all the disfigured women, former patients of Dr. Jan Adams, who recently appeared on Dr. Phil's Show to show us their bodies? Whoops, another stain on the reputation and judgment of Oprah Winfrey.

Ten years ago, I heard Oprah tell how she had wanted to be a preacher since she was a young girl. Even on the playground, she would get several children in a group and preach to them! Well, congratulations, Miss Winfrey! Your dream finally came true! I heard you on the Obama Podium, yelling in your sing-song, "Color Purple" voice, preaching your messianic message about Obama for the entire world to hear! I wanted to slap you back into reality! What did you hope to achieve with that voice affectation? It certainly is not the voice we have all heard for so many years. And did you really mean to leave the impression that Obama was The Second Coming of Jesus Christ?

I am not qualified to judge what is in the heart of Oprah Winfrey. That's God's responsibility. But I can't help but judge the trustworthiness of her recommendations! Did she know about Obama's past cocaine use? Perhaps it doesn't matter to her, in light of her own past drug abuse (by her own admission on one of her shows)? And does she really think his inexperience as an inexperienced "outsider" qualifies him to run the government of the United States? Are we going to see, down the road, it was yet another "uh-oh" in the judgment of Miss Winfrey?

I liked Oprah a whole lot more in the '80s and '90s when she was a "real person" - you know, not as rich, not as powerful, and not as enlightened as she is now. I liked her when she was an overweight, afro-decked reporter from Chicago. Back in the '90s, before she was "the most powerful woman in the world" she didn't seem so full of herself.

In 1986, we weren't expected to trust her judgment. After all, she was just like us: human, subject to frailties, and likable. It was back in the days when the world didn't revolve around her every decision, word, and movement. Ah, those were the good old days.

(c) 2007 April Lorier Perspective

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Oprah, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray Give-Away "Blessing"?

This is the season for Harpo "Christmas Give Away" Shows. Today is was Dr. Phil and his family giving away oodles of gifts to an audience filled with disenfranchised California Fire families. I always watch these shows thinking the same thing:
Are these shows really blessing these poor people?

If I had lost my home to Katrina or California fires, or any other catastrophe, what would be my biggest need? Would it be a huge LCD HD TV, or the latest camcorder? If I don't have a house to live in, what am I going to do with this huge television?

I was on a television show once and was "blessed" with a wonderful Conn organ. It was three layers of push a button and get a trumpet section; push another button and get a harpsichord sound. Since I am a musician, it was a wonderful gift … until April 15th! I knew nothing about "gift tax" so was totally unprepared for the additional money I was told I owed IRS. It didn't take any time at all for that organ to turn into my worst nightmare!

Harpo (Oprah spelled backwards) Productions gets big ratings boosts for every "give away" show they put on the air. Doesn't matter if it's The Oprah Show, Dr Phil Show, or The Rachael Ray Show. All of the manic screaming and distorted faces thrill their television audience, and these celebrities come off looking like Santa Claus himself. They are also a great time for participating companies to get FREE advertising and, hopefully, increased sales in the last month of the year.

I picture these people going back to where ever they're living temporarily, loaded down with thousands of dollars' worth of posh items they would have never bought before the catastrophe took their homes. A cell phone from ATT with two months' free service? What happens after the two months are up? Expensive bath products to use, even though they may not have a bathtub of their own?

Well, you say, they could give the gifts away as Christmas presents! OK, then who will be responsible for the gift tax? Remember, these audience members' names and social security numbers are on file for IRS to come after! They don't leave the studios without giving out that information!

When Oprah started her 19th season, she wowed the world by giving away new "fully-loaded" Pontiac G-6 midsize 2005 sports sedan to each of the 276 members of the studio audience. What caught the eye of Michael Kirsch (Notre Dame) was this statement by a spokesperson for Pontiac (which donated the cars) in an AP story: "Pontiac will pay for the taxes."

What "taxes" was Pontiac talking about? If federal income taxes, how would Pontiac value the car? Presumably it would be valued at something less than the $28,400 MSRP, but how much less? How would Pontiac figure out the appropriate tax rate for each individual audience member? After much discussion it was ascertained that Pontiac would pay only the sales tax for each car, not the federal gift tax! Wow! What a big surprise each of those 276 families had on April 15th! They owed $6,000 - $12,000 extra federal tax, depending on their individual tax brackets.

I'd like to see a Christmas Give Away Show where food, clothes, toys for the kids, and money for apartment rent and utilities given to these poor people! You know, like on Extreme Home Makeover where a mortgage company representative hands the new home owners a statement saying their home is paid for?

Naw, I guess that wouldn't work. Wouldn't be glitzy enough for all of us to watch. It wouldn't give all of these companies a chance to wow us with their chosen high-end Christmas gifts. It just wouldn't be "good TV".

©2007 April Lorier Perspective

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An Eleanor Ribgy Christmas

Anyone over the age of 35 remembers Paul McCartney’s lyrics in “Eleanor Rigby”. He asks who is she putting on the face cream for? And poor Father McKenzie who’s writing a sermon that no one will hear. Both very lonely people described by Paul, and he asks where all these lonely people come from and where they belong.

I think about this song during this Christmas Season. I think about the widow who devoted her life to her husband for fifty years and now he’s gone. She’s left with memories that just make her lonelier during this “festive” season. Who cares about her? Who makes time to make sure she is invited to Christmas Dinner, or who pays for her to have her hair done so she can feel pretty again?

Then my mind wanders to the 37 year-old single mother of three small boys. Her husband decided he didn’t want to be a father anymore and he just left. Who cares if she has enough food for breakfast, much less for a Christmas Dinner? Who cares if her children have a tree, much less any small gift under it?

And then there’s the 65 year old man whose wife has just died. How could she leave him just before Christmas? She was the one who always decorated the house, put on the Bing Crosby CDs, and filled the house with spicy fragrances from her ginger bread men. She’s the one who made sure he talked to his daughter and his grandchildren on the other side of the world. Why don’t they just shut down Christmas and all of its happy music? He sits in his chair and wishes it had been him who left. Life is just too hard now, and hearing all of this happy stuff just makes him feel worse.

And finally, there’s the woman who built her life around her husband for so long that she lost herself. Then he left so he could be “free” to have girlfriends and party on. She sits on the couch wondering who she used to be. She can’t remember anything she enjoys doing, so she shuts herself in. She tried going back to church, but everyone sat in pairs and no one seemed to notice her. Or, if someone did notice her it was with a look of Well, I wonder what you did to run your husband off?

How many of us are so absorbed in our own little world of “Merry Christmas!” that we never think about those who are struggling through this “happy” time of year? I fantasize about living in a world where children are taught to adopt a senior citizen in a home for Christmas; where the focus is on giving time and attention to those whose loneliness is magnified during this season; where children save their nickels to buy some bath powder for their adopted senior citizen so she can feel special when she sits down to Christmas Dinner with them; where kids take time to play checkers with their adopted “grandpa”.

Would it really be so hard to give 10% of our time and attention to someone who’s alone during this season when we celebrate the birth of Christ?

My parents took me to Old Folks’ Homes from the time I was six, and we took small gifts, talked to them like they mattered, and then all of us gathered to sing Christmas Carols while Mama played either the piano or the accordion. Sometimes I took my dog “Freckles” so they could pet her while she licked their hands. These were the forgotten people who were never touched unless it was a medical procedure! They cherished Freckles’ licks!

As an adult I continue to visit the forgotten and entertain them with songs that make them feel vibrant and alive! It’s always the same pattern: a few Christmas Carols, then it is the old hymns they want to hear. Occasionally, there are residents who play the violin or some other instrument, and we have a quasi-orchestra going!

And then we get real! “Honey, do you know any of the World War II songs?” Do I know them! I did musical gigs for years that were strictly songs from the forties! These were supper clubs that had walls decorated with Humphrey Bogart, John Wayne, and the entire array of beautiful movie stars from that era. Thankfully, I had access to my mom’s sheet music, and I learned them all! I even learned songs from the ‘30s, so I was armed and ready for all requests! The look of rapture on these old folks’ faces was all I needed to motivate me to give everything I had during these performances! They were listening in their wheel chairs, but they were decades back in memory. I always wondered what wonderful memories they were having as they sang along.

Touching people at Christmas is what Christ would have done. And because Christmas is, to me, a time when I should exhibit His love the most, it’s only natural that I would want to bring joy and affection to those who have been forgotten. I know how it feels to be forgotten, and I want to do all I can to erase that feeling from others, even if it’s only during the happiest time of the year. I get a bigger blessing than they do!

©2007 April Lorier Perspective

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How Old Is Jesus, Gramma?

“Whatchya doin’ Gramma?” Jacob’s chubby little face with those inquisitive brown eyes was too cute to not kiss. He wriggled in embarrassment as I planted a Gramma kiss on his cheek. “Ooo, yuck! I not a baby. I a big boy, Gramma!”

“Oh, Gramma knows what a big boy you are, Jacob. You talk like you’re six years old! But you’re still four, right?” He nodded in ascension. “I’m wrapping a Birthday Gift. Wanna help me? You can give me the tape there.”

“You going to a birthday party?” His eyes twinkled at the thought of a party.

“Yep, Gramma and Jacob and Mommy and Daddy and your uncles are coming here for a big old birthday party next week! We’re gonna have tacos and fried beans and Spanish rice with our birthday cake and ice cream! Sound good?”

“Uh huh! Who the birthday boy? Jacob?” He was looking more and more hopeful by the minute now.

“No, honey, your birthday is in April, remember? You had that big birthday party and all your friends came. Remember? You were in the park and you got lots of Spider Man toys?”

“Uh huh. Who this present for?”

“It’s for Jesus! You know about Jesus, right?”

“Yep, I go to bed, Mama wake me up in da mornin' and I give God the glory glory!” His chest puffed out in pride and his hands were up in the air. He was pumped with excitement.

“Well, Christmas is when we give a Birthday Party for Jesus!”

“Huh?” His forehead was all crinkled now and his eye movements told me his brain was working over time. “Jesus come, too?”

“Oh, yes, Jacob! Jesus always comes to His Birthday Party! Do you want to give Jesus a present, too?” I kept wrapping while he mulled that one over. “We’ll wrap it up real pretty and then Daddy will open it up when we have our Christmas Party Dinner!”

“What you give Jesus?” He still seemed puzzled as he tried to reconcile Jesus being in a cattle feeding trough with Jesus as an adult on The Cross.

“Well, this year, Gramma is giving Jesus some songs for old people who don’t have any one to love them.”

“You wrapping a song in there?” Now he was really puzzled! “It a CD?”

“No, no CDs, just Gramma is playing the piano and singing for some older Grammas and Grampas at the place where they live. See, Jacob, some people are lonely and they think no one cares if they are old and lonely. You remember how lonely you were when your Daddy was in the hospital? Remember how you cried and said you wished your Daddy would come home?”

“Uh huh. He gone a long time, and I talk to him on the phone. You gonna take Cookie with you when you go to the old people?”

“Wow, Jacob! That’s a very good idea! How did you think of that?”

“Old people like dogs. I know that! I’m almost five, Gramma!”

“Yes, you’re getting to be a real big boy! You could come with me to see the Grammas and Grampas if you want. They love little boys like you!”

“I no little boy. I a BIG boy!” He asserted himself with his words, his tone, and his beating on his chest. “How do you put the old people in this box?”

“Oh no, honey. Gramma writes a promise on some paper. It says, ‘Because You love me, Jesus, I promise to visit the old people and sing all the songs they like to hear.' You know how you like Veggie Tales songs? Well these grammas and grampas like songs they heard when they were young, like your Mama.”

“What the name of songs?” He was playing with the ribbon now.

“Well, there’s ‘Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree With Anyone But Me’, and ‘Jada, Jada, Jada Jada Jing Jing Jing!’”

“Oh, Gramma, you so silly!” Jacob was bent over laughing now. “That silly song! Jada Jing Jing Jing, A ha ha!”

“Yeah, but it makes them happy, Jacob! Gramma wants to make them happy! So what do you want to give Jesus for His Birthday? Let’s think of something good!”

“I could give Light'ning McQueen car. I got two.” He looked at me for approval.

“Well, Jesus might already have one of those, so let’s think of something only Jacob could give to Jesus… let’s see… I think I’ve got it! You could promise Jesus that you would tell Him you love Him every night when you’re saying your prayers. That would be a good gift!”

“He already know dat. I give him a song, too, Gramma. I sing ‘Jesus loves me this I know cuz the bible tell me so!’ You think Jesus like a song for His Birthday?”

“Oh, yes! Jesus loves music! And you know what He loves even more than music, Jacob?”

“Me?” He was tentative, but suspected he had given the right answer.

“Yes, honey. Jesus loves Jacob! You are so smart! Now you want to get that box and we’ll write down your promise? Then we’ll put it in this box and wrap it up real pretty with lots of bows and bells.”

“Gramma?” His pensive mood was reflected on his furrowed brow. “How many candles on Jesus cake? How old is Jesus?”

“Oh, honey, you sure do ask Gramma some hard questions. Why don’t we listen to more of your Veggie Tales music while we wrap these gifts?”

(c)2007 April Lorier Perspective

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The Teacher Who Changed My Life

She was the turning point in my life. She told me what a great story-teller I was instead of what an exaggerator or liar I was. When she looked at me with those soft gray eyes I felt she was seeing inside me and loving me. When she smiled at me, I thought I was the most special person God ever created.

Even after decades, she is still one of my most memorable heroes. Not a day goes by that I don't remember something she taught me, or the look of delight on her face as she talked to me. I remember how she motivated me to rise beyond my environment, to see myself -- for the very first time -- as a uniquely special human being with endless possibilities within my reach.

I remember that I would have done anything to please her because, at a time when I didn't care about myself, there was no doubt in my mind that this woman truly cared about me. She was never too busy (or too self-absorbed) to linger after class and give students a boost of confidence, a warm smile, and even a gentle touch. For many of us, she was our only source of affirmation.

Margaret Oliphant was a teacher!

For as long as I can remember, teachers have been my heroes. I come from a long line of teachers, and while most of them have considered teaching to be a profession, some have viewed it as a "calling."

During The Great Depression, my grandmother left her home at 6:00 a.m. to arrive at the schoolhouse by 6:30. There, she filled the coal heater and heated water for her students. Each student got a good hot breakfast before classes commenced because Grandmother knew children couldn't learn with empty stomachs.

Though times have changed since then, the commitment of a few teachers has not. Meet Guy Dowd, "Teacher of the Year 1987." Guy eats lunch with the students, not in the teachers' lounge, because he wants to know his students. Guy loves being a teacher, loves his students, and sees teaching as a giving of himself, not as a paycheck. He has been known to accompany fatherless football players to the big games, acting as surrogate father during the half-time ceremonies. He asks all his students to sign his yearbook and write a personal note by their names so he won't forget one student! Guy says he "teaches people, not curriculum."

I hear so much these days about the apathy of students. My own mother and sister have complained about their "unmotivated" students. I have a relative, a state-qualified, highly-trained professional, who knows the rudiments of teaching, but is too self-centered to know the rudiments of loving her students. All students, regardless of their ages, need unhurried attention and a knowledge that the teacher really does want to be there. If the teacher would rather be doing something other than teaching, the students will not be motivated to learn.

Who wants to learn anything from someone who doesn't want to be there?

Who learns anything but discontentment from an unhappy teacher?

I have sat in classes and watched teachers lose control, some even terrorizing students as they throw books, music stands, and reading glasses. I've often wondered why our educational system hires so-called "professionals" who must resort to threats and profanity in order to keep students' attention. It is no mystery to me why students no longer have respect for teachers. If students were to act the way some teachers act, they would be expelled from school.

I long for the Margarets of this world who draw pictures in minds: wonderful images that tickle the curiosity, pique imaginations, and cause dreams to implode! I long for the respect teachers earned by their own behavior.

I remember how Margaret's students lusted for knowledge because she motivated us! I remember there were no behavioral problems in her class because Margaret set the tone of the class with her own respectful behavior. We treated her as she treated us: with dignity, respect, and affection. She was able to build character in her students because she had character, herself. (I can't even imagine Margaret screaming, cursing, or complaining about the administration to us! That would be undignified!)
We enjoyed our time with her because she enjoyed being with us. We knew why we were there, and we knew why Margaret was there. It wasn't for a paycheck, benefits, or tenure. She was there for us - just for us.We were her children. We all knew she wanted to be there.

Most of all, I knew Margaret as the teacher who loved me and told me what a wonderful writer I would be someday because of my “very creative” mind. She was the reason I dared to start writing poetry. She was the reason I had confidence. She was the reason I was able to live through the negativity at home. She was the reason I went to school every day. She thought I was special, so I thought I was special.

Oh, how I miss the Margarets of this world.

(c) 1993-2007 April Lorier Perspective

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A Christmas Letter From Jesus

Have you ever considered the possibility of receiving a Christmas Letter from Jesus? It's intriguing, isn't it? I received this in an email from a friend, and I do not know the original source. But I wanted to share it with my readers.

Dear Children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. I do appreciate being remembered any time.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day.
If you want to celebrate My birth, just try loving one another.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. [John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.]

Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that once in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.

• Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

• Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

• Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

• Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

• Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

• Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

• Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one.
  

• If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

• There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

• Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian.Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.
  

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest.

Check out the list above and get to work; time is short!
I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember!

I LOVE YOU, JESUS

(Feel free to copy and send to your friends!)

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Prison Fellowship Ministries Being Sued?

I am appalled to hear that Prison Fellowship is now being sued. This ministry was founded by Chuck Colson, former Counsel for President Nixon, after Colson served seven months in prison for obstructing justice in the Watergate scandal. As a "new creature in Christ" Colson recognized the need for a Christian ministry inside prisons all across America, and he put feet to his dream, and the result is the most successful program on the planet! The recidivism rate (prisoners returning to prison after their release) is so much lower than any other program that there's not even a comparison!

So why are they being sued, you ask?

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an organization that should be ashamed of itself, is suing them! In the U.S. District Court in Des Moines, Iowa the trial has begun. Americans United for Separation of Church and State is challenging the use of taxpayer funds to support Prison Fellowship Ministries' "InnerChange" Christian rehabilitation program in Iowa. Never mind Prison Fellowship Ministries has saved Iowa millions of dollars because prisoners who are released are becoming working, productive citizens paying taxes! And Iowa is not supporting these people anymore in Iowa prisons, saving Iowa taxpayers even more!

In most states Colson's work is funded by private contributions. In Iowa, the state legislature appropriated several hundred thousand dollars for the ministry to run a "value-based treatment ' at its Newton Correctional Facility. And it has been more successful than any Iowan ever dream! It seems to me that the success of Prison Fellowship Ministries - the bare statistics alone, would impress anyone! But no, this rogue organization with the "friendly" sounding name has an agenda!

What's their agenda, you ask?

Well, it's to protect all of us, of course! Don't you want to be protected from religion? By the way, I would like to point out that the words "sparation of church and state" is not mentioned in the Constitution of the United States. Read it for yourself! (If this link does not appear, use your search engine!)

The phrase "separation of church and state" is derived from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802 to a group identifying themselves as the Danbury Baptists. In that letter, referencing the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, Jefferson writes:

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."

In other words, no king, queen, president or government in the United States shall establish a religion and make all Americans convert to it.

There's an old saying, "No good deed goes unpunished." Fatalistic and negative, yes. But it seems to be true in this case. I've talked to countless people in the Prison Fellowship Ministry organization, and I can tell you that these people operate on a shoe string. They rely on benefactors who want to make a difference in this world. And now they must find funds to defend themselves against this disgusting organization whose goal it is to drive God out of every facet of our society. Do the members of Americans United for Separation of Church and State really think God is intimidated by their stupid organization?

I urge all Iowans who care about crime in their neighborhoods, who care about how their taxes are wasted on supercilious legal fees, call your representatives! Tell them you are not happy campers about this frivolous lawsuit!

I urge all other people who are outraged by this lawsuit and want to help: send your donations to Prison Fellowship Ministry! You can find them online at http://www.pfm.org/

You can call 1-800-251-7411 to be directed to your local office. Yes! They're operating in your neighborhood! They make a difference in the crime rate where you live! Help them!

(c) 2007 April LorierPerspective

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Abandonment and The Dancing Bride

Abandonment and The Dancing Bride

(c) 1994-2007 April Lorier

I eat ripe melons and peaches by my sink, let the juice
tickle my arms and splat on my toes. Like a child,
I giggle as the juice dries to sticky.
I plant fewer beans and more flowers in my garden, now.
Cheerful bouquets grace my table to celebrate each day,
even when visitors are not expected.

I sneak out before the Mr. Sun rises to watch him rub his
sleepy eyes, the sky progressing from tangerine
to aquamarine. I welcome the fresh clean day, celebrating
with blueberry pancakes and steaming
chocolate-raspberry coffee.
My senses drink in the luxuriant balance
of my Creator's perfect handiwork.

I wiggle my bright red toenails and squish early-morning
dew-covered grass between them. Unconcerned
with neighbors' reactions, the birds and I bathe in the rain
without cover. I squeal in delight as my feathered
friends sing! I can sneeze, cry, laugh from my belly
--all without apologizing for myself.

I have a tambourine and I play it as I dance unashamedly
for my King. Throw open those windows!
Lift those shades! Watch me Son Dance!
Freely my body sways, my hands beating out joyful
rhythms of celebration for all He has given His girl
to... see... touch... smell... hear... taste!

I fold fewer clothes and paint more pictures--oh, not
proper pieces of fruit, but bold splashes of musical color!
Regal Purples! Bold Reds! Bright Fuschias!
Playful Yellows! Vibrant Greens!
Black and White be gone!
(Who ever saw black or white in one of God's lovely
Promise Rainbows?)

I hold much looser now because I know nothing on this
earth lasts forever. Fewer headaches and imagined
problems haunt me these days. I rest totally
in the Sovereign Plan of my Loving Kingly Father.
Each day is a new surprise as I receive His miraculous,
generous, already-allotted provision.

My King is the Keeper of my dreams. I expect far more
from Him and much less from others. He's taught me to
risk all on Him. I sing happier songs,
pray happier prayers, live more in His present moment.
We share intimacies as the ocean sprays my face,
as the sun bathes my tanned body.

Proudly I wear my Celebration Dress of Royal Purple
and Gold today. I am not the child of a pauper,
but of The King of all Kings! A look of approval
is on His face today, for He withholds no good
thing from me. His provision stands beside me today,
and in our union, we feel His smile.

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Child Abuse: Who Pays For It?

For years I stood before large audiences and saw looks of disgust and repulsion as I tried to "sell" the idea that we could best help the children by helping the parents! Teach them how to parent constructively. Not only did it save my state millions in foster care -- children didn't have to go into the system, thereby saving the taxpayers a bundle -- but it started a new generation of people who had healthy coping mechanisms to pay on to their children.

Official government statistics usually lag behind about two years. I can tell you from my own experience as Executive Director of C.O.P.E, Inc., the official government statistics do NOT accurately reflect what's really going on behind closed doors. And from my own experience as an abused child, I know why so much abuse is NOT reported. Having listed my caveats, here are the statistics from 2005:

According to Child Maltreatment 2005, the most recent report of data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), approximately 899,000 children were found to be victims of child abuse or neglect in calendar year 2005.

Of this number:

* 62.8 percent suffered neglect
* 16.6 percent were physically abused
* 9.3 percent were sexually abused
* 7.1 percent were emotionally or psychologically maltreated
* 2 percent were medically neglected.

In addition, 14.3 percent of victims experienced "other" types of maltreatment such as "abandonment," "threats of harm to the child," and "congenital drug addiction."

The full text of Child Maltreatment 2005 is available on the Children’s Bureau Website

The point of quoting stats is to demonstrate what a violent society we're rapidly becoming. But why all the violence? Is it TV, internet, or violent music? Is it unwanted pregnancies? Misbehaving children? Partially. But there's a deeper, more fundamental reason why parents lash out at their children.

YOU CAN'T GIVE WHAT YOU NEVER HAD.

The vast majority of physically abusive parents never set out to be abusive! In fact, most of them were abused as children, and they swore THEY would NEVER harm their own children! But without healthy models as parents, they never learned how to have other outlets for frustration. Once a child starts defying this type of parent, the inevitable happens.

Here it is more than 30 years after I founded C.O.P.E., Inc., and still it seems I'm speaking to either the deaf or the self-righteous. When will people understand we must start as close to the root of the tree as possible if we ever hope to save the children?

Why Should You Care?

Well, if you don't care about defenseless children, maybe you should think about your tax bill every April 15th! Child abuse costs taxpayers billions of dollars! Stop complaining about how much you have to pay, and do something constructive! Find out what resources are in your neighborhood, and donate, volunteer, get involved!

(c) 2007 April Lorier Perspective

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