“Jesus Christ changed my life,” says former gang member July 21, 2007

After I load my son into his car seat in the Babies ‘R Us parking lot and am about to close my door, a young guy hurriedly walks over to me.

“Do you have a minute, ma’am?” he asks me as I begin to roll down my window.

I’m a bit hesitant but have a feeling I know who he’s with.

“I’m a former gang member from Houston, ma’am, and I’m part of this ministry, Outcry in the Barrio, and I wanted to tell you how Jesus Christ changed my life,” he said to me.

Yes, I have heard this before, from another gang member in the same parking lot sometime last year.

He proceeded to show me beaded key chains that included the letters ‘WWJD’ he was selling for $5 to raise money for the ministry. I actually liked one of the key chains and told him I only had $2, hoping he would give me one for that reduced price.

Instead, he handed me a flier about the ministry and said he would accept any donation that God had put on my heart. Well, I gave him my $2 but didn’t get a key chain. He told me again how Jesus turned his life around from being a “gang banger” in Houston. I wanted to tell him also how Jesus Christ has changed my life but hesitated.

After leaving the parking lot, I wondered why I didn’t even share with him that I was a Christian. Part of me, I realized, was a bit concerned because he was a guy and I was a girl with a young child. Even though I believed his story, I was still a bit hesitant to talk more than I needed to. Perhaps I was being protective – it’s hard to know who to trust these days. But I do regret not saying more to him about my faith. Because if he was being sincere, we are brother and sister in Christ.

That is probably the most amazing thing about Jesus – He brings strangers together just because they know HIM. He is the only common thread needed among two people from completely different cultures and backgrounds. He provides the same redemptive work in each person’s life no matter what pit they have found themselves in…even that of a gang.

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Katy girl not headed to alternative school…anyone surprised? July 19, 2007

The announcement was made yesterday – a Katy middle-school student will not have to spend four months in an alternative school for writing “I love Alex” in permanent ink on a public school wall.

Why? Because her parents whined. Anyone interested can read the story here.

Katy Independent School District, now led by Superintendent Alton Frailey, decided that the student would receive an alternative punishment rather than the alternative school sentence. That was not expected…

Again, where is the responsibility? Is the school district planning to revise its punishment for this type of offense so that any other students who willingly deface school property will receive a similar punishment? I really hope the next time a black or Hispanic student commits a similar crime that their parents come forward and complain as well. Please.

However, I believe the deeper issue to this story and many other stories like it is why are parents allowing children – CHILDREN – run their homes? Why are parents negotiating punishments with their CHILDREN? Who is really in charge here? When will CHILDREN learn that what their parents say, what schools say and what the law says matters?

But if we’re not teaching children that there is such a thing called absolute truth, which can be found in the Bible, and that there is RIGHT and WRONG, then children will realize that they can wiggle their way out of situations and punishments that are not pleasing to them. This training begins at birth – not when they are teenagers. And this leads me to a follow-up post that will be published later…

Atlanta mom kicked off plane for not drugging child? No way! July 13, 2007

I saw this story about a young mother who was asked by a flight attendant to give “baby Benadryl” to her 19-month-old son so he would stop saying “bye, bye plane.” Uh, what? According to the report, the kid wasn’t even screaming! Yet, his continuous chatter didn’t annoy the passengers, only the “stewardess” (which, ironically, is defined as someone responsible for passengers’ comfort and safety.)

Do you think that perhaps our children grow up to have issues, commit crimes, engage in immoral behavior, etc. because adults treat them like they are unworthy or lack value? Well, this is most obvious in the case of abortion and the millions of babies that have been killed but that’s a separate post. Children are an interference, a hindrance, right?  We must hand them over to someone else to train and rear?

What are adults thinking? Sometimes I think adults act more like children than the children do. But, I suppose, adults revert back to childhood behavior as they get older anyways (limited mental stability, inability to care for themselves, babble, etc.) I suppose this is why our older generation is often forgotten as well – just unworthy and unwanted.

I can only imagine the press this woman would have received if she did drug the child just to keep him quiet…perhaps she would be cited for parental negligence or even abuse.

Can the real adults please stand up?

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3

Give Katy student the chair…at alternative school July 11, 2007

A Katy, Texas student who has the hots for Alex decides to share her feelings with the gymnasium wall (and many others who walk by) at her middle school and is sentenced to four months in an alternative school.

Now that the country, including the girls’ parents, have cried ‘Mutiny!” for the 12-year-old’s punishment, officials at the Katy Independent School District are “reconsidering” the decision. Read the updated story here.

So, maybe the girl would have to spend four months with hardened criminals like drug dealers and gang bangers. So, maybe the girl won’t be able to try out for volleyball. So, maybe this will be on her academic record for some time.

So what? Did she not think about her actions before committing the offense? Obviously not. And yes, I agree with forgiveness of sin and pardoning transgressions, but even when sins are forgiven, there remain natural consequences to delinquent activity. Maybe this girl needs a wake-up call before she heads into the even more troubling teen years of high school.

If my son (who is now 18 months old) was sentenced to alternative school for what I and others thought was a minor offense, I would be upset and concerned about his future because he is my son.

However, when will our teenagers accept RESPONSIBILITY for their actions at an early age to prevent them making worse or fatal mistakes later in life? If they’re not learning at home, they’ll learn somewhere.

My stance might be harsh but I choose to rely on the message from a father to his son in Proverbs 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.