Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

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My Heart Is Heavy

This Troubling Reality Appalls Me and then Some

There are mind-blowing accounts that astound me. Things that should never be in a Christian home, youth assembly or anywhere, for that matter. Troubling things, terrible activities, awful actions that speak of a man’s or woman’s evilness in a place where most of us would never place it, in our homes, churches, youth groups and so forth.

What am I talking about? Abuse. What? We might say, in our churches? our homes? our youth activities? Yes, in some cases. That is why churches are putting in windows in isolated, children’s rooms. That is why there are many rules and ways of ministering in churches with their youth programs. The bad guys may look like good guys to the adults, but yet they can’t be trusted. We have to, we must protect our children.

It is a Reality that Defiles the Imagination

This misfortune happens more than we would think. We need to become aware of the blackness of this crime that has entered our institutions…schools, churches, and any place where children gather. We are in the business of protecting our children when they come to a church event. You cannot assume that everyone is intent on helping the children. In fact, you might be surprised at who has this problem.

Lest you think I am coming down too hard on this issue, you should listen to a few of the videos in YouTube. Diane Langberg is a psychologist who treats people involved in abuse, whether victims or other. She has many insights as to the amount of abuse, the coverups, and the many ways people are mistreated. There are many horrific details that she shares to WAKE us up to the consequences of the diabolical structures of this epidemic on people in our society (who live close to us), and globally, in our world. I can relate to her story although I was not harmed in such a way. She is easy to find on YouTube, and she is also a Christian.

All of Us Must Act Accordingly

We are the caregivers of the church (and other places). It is up to us to make sure everyone in the church (and other places) is kept safe and secure. I’d rather trust, not suspicion; care, not look too closely. But we must give due-diligence for we are protectors of our children and whomever God brings our way. Troubling issues may come our way. We can’t help that, but we can make the games and whatevers be as problem free as possible. The church needs to be a safe place for all.

You may know someone or am someone who has been abused at home, at another place, or at the church. Our calling is to spread the truth with those whom we meet. However, we are also called to be the ones who help the unfortunate and stand with them to make their path straight. It is not an easy thing. But we are the hands and feet of Jesus to a world that’s dying. In our churches, we must be vigilant to address this issue whenever we hear about it. Make sure you are available to the down and out. They may keep quiet unless we come alongside them. It will be hard, awkward, unpleasant, disgusting, and troubling. Expect this. We must stand up and speak for those who have a story to tell.

Become Aware and Don’t Be Surprised

I would rather not talk about this horribly harsh subject. However, if I don’t say anything you might not be aware and get caught with your feet are down. We owe it to the kids. Even to the predators. There is something about dealing with the troubles before they happen (hopefully). Yes, the church is to be compassionate. Yes, the church needs to follow the law (it’s mandatory). Yes, we are protecting out children. Yes, it’s necessary to remind ourselves that this is our job.

People are scarred by abuse. We must be vigilant to keep our churches and homes clean from this assault on our children. One in four girls by age eighteen and one in six boys by age eighteen are assaulted in this way. The churches have increased their activities to produce a clean environment for all the children, but we must not be content. We must be on our guard at all times, for one child to suffer is hurt for a lifetime even if they receive help after the fact. Let’s work together to provide practical, invincible, and kind assistance. That’s the right and best way we can do in a wicked and demonic (problematic) world.

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I will talk regarding help for the person who has been abused in my next post.

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Up and At ‘Em

A Friend Means A Lot

Today I saw my friend from back in the day. Well, literally, back in the day when I bought my house. You see, it wasn’t the usual type of looking for a house. At the time, I thought my days were over for buying a house. I wasn’t employed any longer with a steady income. Although I still had the orchard to care for and a daughter to help me, but it was a tough go. I knew I had to move soon.

I Just Assumed It Was Too Late

Three years before when I was chomping at the bit to buy a house, I looked at a house in Nord. Boom, No way! Then I looked for a house in Orland. Boom. No way. I also looked at a house in north Orland and boom, no way, it was out. I decided I was looking at the wrong time. And I carried on, renting from Mom and Dad, knowing I needed to get out, still chomping at the bit. The home was falling apart, way past it’s prime. I didn’t know what to do. I started looking at rentals.

I gave up but just for the meantime.

Later I quit my job as a teacher though I kept the orchard job. I pursued my desire to become a writer. I was striving to improve as a writer, but without a lot of experience. I attempted to write two books. I worked very hard on them. Spent two summers completing them. But neither one was publishable. I didn’t know that you have to have the keys to sell your books (before self-publishing was possible). I had gone about writing in the wrong way, due to my ignorance and not having the money to take coursework etc. I must say I was terribly discouraged. I reached out to Inspiring Voices and they helped me with my first publishable book.

Then The House Appears

Anyway, back to the house hunting… One day I was walking in the circle of the driveway on the Nord property, when the Lord seemed to be saying that I should look for a house now. At first, I was surprised. I thought I couldn’t look anymore now that I wasn’t teaching. I mentioned it to my mother. She had just been talking with the owner of this house at church. Mother said, “I think she lives in the Pleasant Valley area, near the old Chico Mall. She wants to sell her house after Christmas.” I had decided to go looking for a house again that day with my real estate friend (realtor) so I included mother’s friend’s house. She was a friend of my parents from the church they attended.

The house is a 1960s house that had had only one owner prior to me. They were Christians, which was extra nice for me. The house was ready, as if she was ready to sell it then. She invited me to look at the house that day! She showed me the house, I felt a thrill as I walked room to room, viewing the backyard and enjoying the inside. It was a nicely built home, not too big and not too small. Just right! Could this be the house for me? I certainly hoped so. . .

When we got outside and were done looking at the house, my mother was happy. She was sure it was the right house for me. The realtor was smiling. She said “Norma, what do you think? Does it seem right for you?” I smiled and said that it had the right number of bedrooms and that the office was an extra. My realtor friend said, “Look up.” I looked up at the sky. There overhead was a big beautiful rainbow that arched over and around the house and went to the south. Entirely unbroken. She grinned at me. We both know the Lord. I knew that she believed God was revealing his will for me.

You Know It When It’s Right

Seeing her today brought it all back. God knew how much I wanted a house, but it seemed too impossible for me. He made what seemed impossible, very possible. I’ve been in this house eleven years now. So glad. So good. So thankful. God is good to us, better than we deserve. I’m glad he listens to us and he brings things to be as soon as the time is right. I’m glad I’ve got this home and I’m thankful for my realtor friend. She loves God more than money, and that’s the truth.

So, I guess, I want to encourage you to trust in God, even when the dream seems to be beyond your circumstances. God holds you and protects you. He knows what you don’t know. Sometimes it seems like the pain or problems won’t go a way, never will leave you alone (I had years of this type of thing) but God knows whether it is right or wrong at the specific time. He will help you when the time is right for you to do the specific thing. Trust him. Give it to God. Wait patiently. God knows what we don’t know.

“Thank you, Father. You’ve given me a home, but more than that, you’ve given me good friends that mean the world to me. You’re so good to us. We are blessed all the time, even when the days are long and filled with trials. You are always there to help us. I appreciate it so much.”