For Amy...

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:34:11 GMT

Just for you honey...

Beware

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 05:26:06 GMT

Just a word to the wise. Do not go see Beowulf. Seriously.

It is one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

You have been warned.

I never noticed this...

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:25:38 GMT

I think you can smoke his shirt.

What is this???

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:31:55 GMT

Prayer Request...

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:22:00 GMT

Please pray for my brother in law as he is currently in emergency surgery. I will provide updates as I get them.

Thank you.

Update - Matthew is resting and doing well. I won't go into detail, but we are very fortunate. Thanks for your prayers.

There is a need...

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 01:13:58 GMT

The longer I am at my current job, the more I see a dire need for foster parents in this country. In a little over seven months I have had children on my caseload who have been covered in cigarette burns, been starved to the point of hair loss, who have been locked in closets for days on end, and some who have gazed into the eyes of demons posing as parents. I see this horror on a daily basis, and it is my job to help find permanent homes for these children.

There are days when I need to find a home for a child, and no matter where I look I am met with an answer that leaves me a little more frustrated, and a child a little closer to an emergency shelter. We have a lot of kids, but we have too few homes. It is a crisis, and it is nationwide. Most of us have never had to look a sibling group of four in the eyes and tell them that not only have they been mistreated, and not only have they been taken away from everything that is familiar...now we are going to be splitting them up as well. Most of us have never had to look a child in the eyes and tell them it is not their fault, and then realize the eyes that look back at you would like to believe what you say...they would like to believe in you...but they can't. Most of us have never even caught a glimpse of what these children have been through, and because of that we underestimate how important it is for us to become involved. There are invisible children everywhere, not just in Africa. (I do not make this comment to belittle another ministry. I love and admire Invisible children, and would work for them in a heartbeat if ever given the chance.) I rack my brain on how to best combat this problem, and I have come to a conclusion. I feel the best way for me to show the importance people can make in the lives of those who are abused, is to come clean.

I was a victim of child abuse.

I was most certainly not the worst case of abuse ever seen, but I knew fear in a way no child should ever have to. I knew what it meant to run to the top of my closet to wait out a drunken rage. I knew what it was like to be kicked, punched, choked, and thrown by a person who was supposed to be my caretaker. I still know what it is like to mask your feelings so that others have to guess what is going through your head. I have had friends over the years, and mentors, and a mother, and a wonderful wife who put up with my behavior...and more than that...they are patient with it. I fight it daily, and at times I am better at combating it than others...all the same, I had those in my life who taught me how to fight. I had people come across my path who told me I was a good child, and they showed me that I deserved love. They taught me, helped to mold me, and guided me as I made some really stupid choices. They now take no credit for who I am, but I know the truth. I know that I am who I am because people decided to be the Grace of God to me. They stopped looking at others less fortunate and saying "But for the grace of God, there go I." and decided to be grace. They stepped in, and showed me an alternative. They gave me a gift that I have never forgotten, and never let go of. They gave me the love of One who was unceasing, and never ending. Through that love I received an even more precious gift. I received Hope.

I know the majority of my audience is young. That most of you who read this are too young, and too inexperienced to be foster or adoptive parents. There are other ways to help. Call a local agency and find out how. Call the CPS foster adopt program, and ask what you can do.

I also know that I have a minority audience who is older, and they have the ears of congregations that are equipped to help lead a charge into the lives of those who have for too long gone unprotected, and unnoticed. Not every person was made to be a foster parent, and I understand that. However, we are all charged with ministering to widows and orphans. Period. End of story. All of us. I urge any who read this to find a way to get involved, and to find a way to help restore some innocence to the innocent.

For any of you who already knew my "secret” know that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for leading me to a place where I could finally decide that my past did not have to be a secret anymore. I am proud of who I am, and I am proud of who I have been molded into by God and by those he used to teach me. I continue to learn more and more each day, and I am thankful.

Why I work for Child Protective Services...

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:35:25 GMT

I love kids.

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