Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 5:16

Growing up and hearing this I always thought honor simply meant obeying. Obedience is one way of honoring parents, and like Gods word says in 1 Samuel 15:22 …To obey is better than sacrifice..when children choose to disobey parents, or adults choose to disobey (law’s, regulations, make poor decisions) there are definitely consequences. The consequences vary depending upon the action. Some children grow up thinking “I obeyed when I was younger and was a good kid, now I can do what I want.” WRONG!! Whatever you do effects all those around you like a domino effect.

What I’m saying is there are many children who are adult children that grow up to be prodigal’s and live lives that make their parents worry and fear for their well being. It’s now that I’m a parent of adult children that I understand that honoring your parents goes far beyond obedience. For I understand what it means now to have callouses on my knees from being on them so often in prayer..crying out to God on behalf of my adult children and now my grandchildren.

With Mothers Day coming up this weekend my daughter who’s in high school asked me what I’d like for Mothers Day. As I thought about it I knew I had not desired any monetary present she could purchase for me but just the gift of pure and simple peace of knowing that my children would and are living a life that God has intended for them to lead. Then and only then would I or any parent truly be honored.

I’m not saying that when a child is not honoring we as parents stop loving or having mercy. I love this scripture of what Jesus said in Matthew 9:13  But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.  For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Our children are not perfect, but for that matter neither are we. Isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus desires mercy? Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice for each one of us. So I stop and ponder what this means as I think and pray for my adult children and those children and teens I’ve grown to love through Power House, and I remember and stand on this scripture; Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. And then I rest in the Lord as I pray and leave each one in Gods most capable hands. When I think of many of my own short comings and how I have truly fallen so many times and my Father God each time picked me up and gave me the love and mercy I so much needed..I realize I too as a parent can only do the same, for as much as I love my children God loves them so much more.

This song has great lyrics and sum’s up all that I’ve been trying to say;

TEARS OF THE SAINTS

There are many prodigal sons
On our city streets they run
Searching for shelter
There are homes broken down
People’s hopes have fallen to the ground
From failures

This is an emergency!

There are tears from the saints
For the lost and unsaved
We’re crying for them come back home
We’re crying for them come back home
And all your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

There are schools full of hatred
Even churches have forsaken
Love and mercy
May we see this generation
In it’s state of desperation
For Your glory

This is an emergency!

Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!
Sinner, reach out your hands!
Children in Christ you stand!

And all Your children will stretch out their hands
And pick up the crippled man
Father, we will lead them home
Father, we will lead them home

Yes children honor your parents, in doing so you will live long…Parents love your children, give mercy and grace and never give up praying and believing Gods plans are for good..Jeremiah 29:11. For I will unconditionally love, love, LOVE!!

At Power House we love to minister to not only kids of all ages but to families. There’s many dynamics and variations that make up families. There are two parent homes, grandparent’s, aunt’s, uncles, siblings, foster parents, adoptive parents…etc. These are some of the kinds of homes that many of our Power House kids grow up in. This may be different or strange to some but may be very much the normal and ordinary for others. I think that the Power House kids want the same things any other kid may want…love, acceptance, hopes and dreams for their future, just a chance to succeed.

Unfortunately many of the kids who grow up in the urban environment get stuck in or sucked into the status quot of what society say’s they’ll become, or become those things around them they see as “normal” or “cool”. Parents that are afraid for their children once they start getting caught up in this environment and have had a taste for the “gangsta” life, may move, try other avenues, try coping with it or even turn a blind eye  to it with hopes that their teens will grow out of this “phase”. More often then not many of these kids, even with their parents intervention to try and pull them out of this life style may have not gotten to them in time. These teens end up in the juvenile court systems, under age pregnancy’s or worst…DEAD.

That’s why Power House is in a race to try to get to these kids before it’s too late. We want to be able to make a difference that will ultimately lead to them having the successful lives that God wants them to have (Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. )

Power House has started our first “TEEN” program on Monday’s at 6:00 PM at the Sunflower Apartments. We meet with the teens who come and have some time to hang out, play games, have a snack, and have some discussion’s and  questions that the teens have are answered with scriptures from the Bible. The source for all answers. We are praying that this will be a good way to bridge the gap from Power House’s sidewalk Sunday school that is geared more to the younger kids. We want to meet these teens where they’re at and give them some thought provoking answers to the questions they have so they will be equipped to make wise decisions.

We know it’s a big world out there and a big city we are ministering to. We haven’t gotten to so many of the youth in time… but with Gods help and the help of those who have grabbed hold of our vision and passion for these youth…we will start a revival in this city that will spread through out the United States and to the rest of the world…taking back the youth that they will rebel against the evils that try so hard to enslave them and they will take a stand for what’s right and good in the eyes of God!

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

It’s officially fall now as of last week..it seems like it was just spring, where did summer go? I have been thinking about how when I was a kid summer seemed to last a lot longer!

We had lot’s of fun playing water balloon games with the Power House kids..one of the favorites was one we played at Alexander this summer. It created much excitement for the kids as well as the neighborhood. As we were having the kids play water balloon volley with sheets flinging the balloons, the kids would scream with laughter and hope of their team getting the next point! The water balloons are done for the year and we will have to wait until next summer for all those fun filled games!

Some of the sites are going inside already and others are trying to get the most of the great weather while we have it. The leaves are changing colors as our schedules also change. Peppercorn and Yorkcreek have closed the summer impact sites and look forward to next year, we had so much fun at those locations and would’ve loved to continued there but there was not a place to be inside nor volunteers..we used many high school students to run the sites. Many of the Grand Rapids Public schools have closed over the past year, including Alexander Elementary. Power House had one of our sites in there for over 10 years. We are still trying to find a place to have that site meet inside, we know God will provide. It’s sad to hear that we will no longer be at Alexander and time is short that we will be able to run outside.

Seasons change not only in the calendar but in life and where God brings us to minister. Sometimes we have a hard time knowing or understanding why…But God’s ways are higher, bigger, better then ours. We may be sad or frustrated or confused if we are not yielding to Gods new direction…but if we just stop and submit and say “…Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” (Luke 11:2) And He will give you peace and grace for this season. Life has many seasons much more than 4 like our calendar year. And Power House also does, but our vision will remain the same.

As I opened up my emails on Monday morning, I started reading one from Pastor Jon. The email was about a young man who was shot over the weekend.  As I read the email of some of what this kid had wrote on his face book wall, tears started to stream down my face…I had to stop a minute to get a tissue and try to compose myself.
You see this story hits so close to home for me..not only is this an area where we minister to many kids for Power House, I could have actually have had him playing BB on the court at the Alexander Elementary playground while we were doing a Power House site. Many times afterwords I’d go over and talk to the teens on the court as well as the playground and introduce myself and talk to them.

Many teens are looking for acceptance, trying to find where they fit in, and end up finding themselves involved with a group of others they wished they had never met and don’t know how to disassociate with them. These groups can be the worst of the worst for peer pressure, bullying, and become threatening to not only them but also loved ones, friends, neighbors, and even associates (casual acquaintances).

I know all to well as a preteen going to school at Hall Elementary living in a diverse and lower income neighborhood (Roosevelt Park area) many days my brother and I would have to take an extra long way home, weaving in between houses and going blocks out of our way, in order to not be harassed and beat up by gang members or want-ta-bee’s.

That was my first encounters with gangs, not fond memories. Then as a single Mom after my divorce my kids and I moved into the house my Mom had grew up (not far from the Hall school area). My oldest sons personality started changing..I hadn’t realized at the time what was going on, I thought he was just going through a phase. I didn’t know what to think and of course no parent wants to think their kid could be involved with a gang…but that was exactly what had happened. At one point we even had a group of guys drive up to our home and get out of the vehicle and start pounding on the back and front door of our house…thank God for keeping my family safe!! My son got out of this life without being jailed, or killed…but many don’t!

Years later I still thank the Lord for His faithfulness and provision of safety for my son and that he didn’t end up like the kid I just read about and many other teens who had gotten involved in gang activity.

Yes, this young mans death bothers me!! These kids break my heart seeing that they are buying in to the devils lies and plans for them. (John 10:10) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. We need to let them know that they were created for a purpose and a plan and not for the thug life. Many will blame the fact that these kids are in an impoverished neighborhood, the fact they live in a single parent home, or possibly they have to much time on their hands. The truth is many of those reasons can play a factor, but the bottom line is they all need Jesus. They need a life changing, life altering, sold out to God transformation..a heart transplant, so to speak. They need to know and have an intimate relationship with God and have themselves surrounded with like-minded believers and a mentor who can disciple them.

Every where I looked for help when I was going through all the difficult things with my son seemingly turned up to be dead ends..one day after switching schools for him for the 3rd time it was the breaking point! I had a call that he was going to be expelled if I didn’t take him out of that school. He had only been there for a couple of weeks. I said to him that’s it..we went straight from his school where I had met his principal and to the Wednesday night service at church. I couldn’t get my daughter into her service at the time and my sons went to their service. I cried out to God and said I can’t do this any more!! I need you to take control and I finally released it all to God. It’s been a ride, I’d like to say it’s all been easy, but I’d be lying, but I do have to say when I realized God is the only answer and He wants us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us, my life became more peaceful.(1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.) Every storm every trial every battle is Gods, He wants to give us all  the peace that passes our understanding.

First I looked for help for my son with man, but God was who I should’ve went to first. Man will let you down, but God can’t..we need to trust Him. You see God doesn’t want any to perish but all to come to repentance. We need to make a way for teens like the one who got shot over the weekend, to be able to come to repentance. It’s to late for this kid (I don’t know if he received the Lord) but we can make a difference by reaching out to teens like the one who was shot and let them know that God’s plan is for good for them, Jeremiah 29:11 says..For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

But how will they know if no one goes to tell them? These kids aren’t expendable they are valuable and God loves them and so should we.

Luke 10:2 The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

Let’s show these kids it’s not hopeless..It’s to late for this boy who was shot,  but many are out there still and we can get to them before it’s to late to be reached please help us reach them!

When one comes to Christ they are saved by grace. The grace that God gave us by sending His son Jesus to die for our sins. (John 3:16 & Titus 3:7)

Although we may be saved by this grace it becomes a reality check as we live in this world. You may be saying what do you mean by this statement? I’m just saying that yes we are saved by the grace that God has extended to us. Are we extending that same grace to those who are not saved? It’s easy to be nice and act “Christ like” to those who are nice to you, but when someone does something offensive to you what do you do? How do you respond? Do you get your feelings hurt? Do you get mad, get even by reacting like the one who has not even a clue about the knowledge of Christs perfect love that covers a multitude of sins? (1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.)

Am I saying that we are immune to this world and all of it’s sin? No, that is not what I’m saying I am purely stating that how we react to them could mean whether we are able to lead someone to Christ.

Whatever you are doing there is always someone there who is looking at you waiting to see how you respond, even when you don’t think there is. As we work with kids at Power House we are constantly in a place where we may be able to pick up an offense. We need to always keep ourselves prepared by keeping in the word of God and surrounding ourselves with ways to detour the offenses and pray for those who are acting out in a way that is harmful to others and themselves. Speaking the truth in love sometimes can be hard to do, but it is necessary, especially when dealing with a new convert.  Some who are not Christians and others are waiting to see how we may react are looking at you as an example as a leader.

Boundaries are sometimes difficult to establish but are necessary and healthy for you and those who are trying to “push the limit”. This is very evident when dealing with children. Dr. James Dobson talks about this in “The Strong Willed Child” Dobson states that when you give a child boundaries it makes the child feel safe and loved. This can also hold true for adults; Think about it, if you had came out of the restroom at a public place with some toilet paper on your shoe would you want someone to tell you or would you want to drag it around all day? You’re probably saying to yourself, “what’s that got to do with boundaries?” It’s like that though if you let someone behave badly you’re letting them do something foolish and your not letting them know that you care how they act you’re letting them drag around toilet paper on their shoe! I mean you are enabling them to continue in their bad behavior and not helping them grow as individuals or as Christians if they have received Jesus. (Ephesians 4)

God’s word tells us that offenses will come and that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood.. we are in a world full of sin and offenses we need to keep our eyes on Christ and filled with His Holy word…what we fill up with is how we will react so keep in the word to live right in the world.

Ezekiel 3:18-19