** Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach just received a plea for help from a young woman seeking assistance in separating herself from her abusive husband. I am sharing her story with all of you. This is in her exact words... (some of the details has been blanked out due to protective reasons.) **
I just turned 26, this month. I do not have children. We were seeing a fertility specialist at my husband's insistence. I had reservations, but as I felt that I couldn't divorce him I felt that had no choice, but to move on with my life.
We met 6 years ago in a small college. He is from XXXXXX. He kissed me three days after he met me. We would have been married five years in June.
It was a very rapid romance. My parents didn't approve. They were worried about the cultural differences. He told me that there weren't that many. Which I found out was DEFINITELY NOT TRUE when we went to visit his family in XXXXX about X years after we were married. We married JUST months after we met.
I vividly remember the first time he slapped me in the face. We were on our way to Blockbuster and I remembered I didn't have my card, so I went up to the apartment to find it. I couldn't find it, so after a few minutes he came up to see what was taking me so long. I told him that I couldn't find the card and he started yelling at me calling me "stupid" and irresponsible."
We were yelling back and forth and we moved from the hallway into the bedroom. He was in my face screaming and backed me up until I fell back on the bed and then he leaned down and slapped me in the face. My hand immediately went to my cheek and I started crying and saying over and over again, "You slapped me in the face, you actually hit me".
I told him to leave because I needed to think. He cam back before the allotted time and begged for forgiveness and said it would never happen again. Foolishly I believed him.
Over the next three years it grew increasingly worse. He pushed me down and I almost hit my head on the toilet. He slammed me into walls. He held me down on the bed by the throat and then there is last incident which was Thursday...
We had been fighting a lot about a week before that. Over his facebook page. He asked me why I was being so distant. I told him I wasn't, but he insisted I tell him. I told him I want to go to a real counselor, not just our pastor. Someone who could help him deal with his issues. our issues. He got very angry. I told him very calmly that if he wasn't willing to get help then I was finished and was going to leave.
I took off my rings and laid them on his night stand and walked into the closet to get a bag. He came into the closet and grabbed my arms and spun me around. He said, "You're going to leave, huh?" and propelled me across the room and threw me across the bed. He leaned on top of and held me down with one hand and the other he made a fist and raised it back as if to punch me. I started to cry and said, " STOP!!;" and he mocked my fear by imitating me. I said, " If you don't stop I will call the police." He let me up and he said, "Your not leaving, this is your home. I am the one who is going to leave."
I didn't answer him. I grabbed my cell phone, threw my clothes on, grabbed my jacket and left. I called my mom and dad and they came and got me.
Please forgive me for writing such a long email, it has been a long journey.
It has been good for me to narrate this. Even though it has been painful, it has helped me to strenghten my resolve not to go back.
I think it's great you volunteer to help women like me get help.
** I think that this young lady makes a couple of very good points. I would like to take a moment to reiterate those points. #1- They almost always start minor, beg for forgiveness and vow not to do it again. #2- It almost always grows progressively worse over time. #3- They will continue to do it if they do not get help, and some do not get better even with help #4- Telling your survival story may make you feel stupid, it might hurt, but it is healing and it will help you obtain the strength to keep FAR AWAY from the situation.
Please, feel free to share your story with us. We are hear to listen, we are here to help.
SMRO will be assisting this young lady with drafting and filing a protection order, drafting and filing divorce papers with the court, obtaining a new cell phone and taking the baby steps needed to heal and find confidence and courage once again.
Please pray for her and the other Domestic Violence victims as we begin this long journey with her. God Bless!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Psychology of Abuse by Miranda Rhuda
My name is Miranda Rhuda, I am a psychology undergrad student and I am the Exec. Admin. Assistant for Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach. I believe that God has given me the talents and lined up the opportunities just perfectly for me to use my gifts, knowledge and taletns to volunteer in improving the lives of those who are abused, battered and in bad situations. I vow to improve the lives of families and single parents every chance that I can! Here is my psychological report on abuse. I am sharing it with you.
Secure attachment in childhood nurtures social competence. When circumstances prevent a child from forming attachments, they are often withdrawn, frightened or even speechless. These affects can last into adulthood. Serious emotion scars will be present for the remainder of their life.
This is often the case with abused children, such as those who have been raised in a home or location where there is little stimulation and attention from their primary caregiver. In worse situations it may be actual extreme neglect and emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Often into adulthood the emotional scars represent themselves in either fear or aggression. It often causes issues with partnering. Some abuse victims who have children will often feel neglectful and/or abusive to their young.
The unloved become unloving. Most parents, who have abused their children, will admit to being abused themselves. Many inmates convicted of violent crimes or murder will also confess to being abused in childhood.
Does this mean that today’s victim is tomorrow’s victimizer? No, it is not always that. As a matter of fact, if the abuse was isolated to early childhood, children who are abused are more likely to not become abusive or turn into violent criminals. They have the opportunity to become normal adults. However, treatment of emotional scars is necessary and the isolation from the abuse must take place in early years. The older the child is when being abused, the longer it will take to recover… possibly causing issues in adulthood.
Young children who are terrorized by physical abuse often suffer from symptoms such as nightmares, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse or aggression. Sexual abuse if severe and prolonged, place children at risk for health problems, psychological disorders substance abuse and criminality.
Children are generally very resilient, however when extreme childhood trauma is experienced, permanent footprints can be left on the brain. When repeatedly threatened, causing a fear response in the body, the brain chemical of serotonin (which calms aggressive impulses) is made sluggish. The brain literally produces less natural aggression calming chemicals from repeated fear experiences. This is what causes aggressive teens and/or adults.
“Stress can set off a ripple of hormonal changes that permanently wire a child’s brain to cope with a wicked world,” said researcher Martin Teicher (2002).
Psychological research shows that twins (with the same genes, same parents, and same habitat) will grow up substantially different if one is abused and one is not. The twin, who has suffered sexual abuse including intercourse, has greater risk of depression, anxiety and substance abuse than their twin.
Although child abuse increases the risk of depression, many abused people do not suffer from depression and most depressed people have not been sexually abused.
There is a chance for a normal life for those who have abused as children or adults, but you must act now!! Take the steps needed to improve the life of someone abused now… you might be their only chance at living unaffected.
REFERENCES
Myers, David G. Psychology: 8th Edition in Modules
Secure attachment in childhood nurtures social competence. When circumstances prevent a child from forming attachments, they are often withdrawn, frightened or even speechless. These affects can last into adulthood. Serious emotion scars will be present for the remainder of their life.
This is often the case with abused children, such as those who have been raised in a home or location where there is little stimulation and attention from their primary caregiver. In worse situations it may be actual extreme neglect and emotional, physical or sexual abuse.
Often into adulthood the emotional scars represent themselves in either fear or aggression. It often causes issues with partnering. Some abuse victims who have children will often feel neglectful and/or abusive to their young.
The unloved become unloving. Most parents, who have abused their children, will admit to being abused themselves. Many inmates convicted of violent crimes or murder will also confess to being abused in childhood.
Does this mean that today’s victim is tomorrow’s victimizer? No, it is not always that. As a matter of fact, if the abuse was isolated to early childhood, children who are abused are more likely to not become abusive or turn into violent criminals. They have the opportunity to become normal adults. However, treatment of emotional scars is necessary and the isolation from the abuse must take place in early years. The older the child is when being abused, the longer it will take to recover… possibly causing issues in adulthood.
Young children who are terrorized by physical abuse often suffer from symptoms such as nightmares, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse or aggression. Sexual abuse if severe and prolonged, place children at risk for health problems, psychological disorders substance abuse and criminality.
Children are generally very resilient, however when extreme childhood trauma is experienced, permanent footprints can be left on the brain. When repeatedly threatened, causing a fear response in the body, the brain chemical of serotonin (which calms aggressive impulses) is made sluggish. The brain literally produces less natural aggression calming chemicals from repeated fear experiences. This is what causes aggressive teens and/or adults.
“Stress can set off a ripple of hormonal changes that permanently wire a child’s brain to cope with a wicked world,” said researcher Martin Teicher (2002).
Psychological research shows that twins (with the same genes, same parents, and same habitat) will grow up substantially different if one is abused and one is not. The twin, who has suffered sexual abuse including intercourse, has greater risk of depression, anxiety and substance abuse than their twin.
Although child abuse increases the risk of depression, many abused people do not suffer from depression and most depressed people have not been sexually abused.
There is a chance for a normal life for those who have abused as children or adults, but you must act now!! Take the steps needed to improve the life of someone abused now… you might be their only chance at living unaffected.
REFERENCES
Myers, David G. Psychology: 8th Edition in Modules
Elaboration on Services Provided
I wanted to make sure that clear up the services that we provide, as there has been some questions e-mailed to us.
I wish to stress that as a ministry we not only assist mothers with child suport recovery but we also will assist fathers/ individuals who feel they are paying too much child support based on their income. We have a screening process.
We also assist individuals with driver license issues, churches and other ministries with background checks who cannot afford it (minor donation required), as well as case research for individuals involved in nasty divorces, child custody issues, and we help answer answer questions on child support issues.
Recently, we were approahced by a father who was paying $600 per month child support in spite of the fact that he had been laid off from work and was on unemployment of less than three hundred per week.
His spouse had filed for a hearing in which she was demanding over 100% in additional child support. She was filing a motion for $1800 child support a month.
We conducted a series of inquests and investigations of or own and discovered through public records that the mother and exspouse had hidden assets and she wanted more money to support her extravagant lifestyle.
Our investigation further revealed that the mother had lied to the courts on her financial affidavit. Furthermore, after our investigation we discovered that the children were not even recieving the majority of the child support being sent to the mother.
Our investigation, research, and findings provided the father's attorney with enough material to successfully pleade for the father in the hearing. All future thoughts and efforts by the mother to collect additional child support were shot down. The mother was sanctioned by the court and today the children are recieving their total support.
As a unique ministry we fight for children and justice. We are not one-sided because there are always two or more sides.
Love All;
Jim and Carolyn Harnage
Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach
P.O.Box 1112
Lake Park, GA 31636
299-559-6832
www.silentministries.org/
"Fighting For You Through God's Grace"
"Unity Is Grossly Underestimated."
I wish to stress that as a ministry we not only assist mothers with child suport recovery but we also will assist fathers/ individuals who feel they are paying too much child support based on their income. We have a screening process.
We also assist individuals with driver license issues, churches and other ministries with background checks who cannot afford it (minor donation required), as well as case research for individuals involved in nasty divorces, child custody issues, and we help answer answer questions on child support issues.
Recently, we were approahced by a father who was paying $600 per month child support in spite of the fact that he had been laid off from work and was on unemployment of less than three hundred per week.
His spouse had filed for a hearing in which she was demanding over 100% in additional child support. She was filing a motion for $1800 child support a month.
We conducted a series of inquests and investigations of or own and discovered through public records that the mother and exspouse had hidden assets and she wanted more money to support her extravagant lifestyle.
Our investigation further revealed that the mother had lied to the courts on her financial affidavit. Furthermore, after our investigation we discovered that the children were not even recieving the majority of the child support being sent to the mother.
Our investigation, research, and findings provided the father's attorney with enough material to successfully pleade for the father in the hearing. All future thoughts and efforts by the mother to collect additional child support were shot down. The mother was sanctioned by the court and today the children are recieving their total support.
As a unique ministry we fight for children and justice. We are not one-sided because there are always two or more sides.
Love All;
Jim and Carolyn Harnage
Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach
P.O.Box 1112
Lake Park, GA 31636
299-559-6832
www.silentministries.org/
"Fighting For You Through God's Grace"
"Unity Is Grossly Underestimated."
Friday, April 17, 2009
**Child Support Case Update**
We have been working on behalf of a mother, we will just call Gloria, for her daughter in Texas. She was trying to get the young lady's child support case reopened.
Today, we received an email from Gloria on behalf of her daughter in Texas. Our ministry efforts have gotten her a hearing before the judge in July. The hearing will be for reopening her case and for a reassessment to increase and enforce her child support order!
I also recieved and email form the county giving me the procedures and fee requirements to issue a warrant for the ex non-supporter.
I am so tickled! She is my flagship case... I wanted it just to get my feet wet and get the experience of working in the state of Texas. Now I have it!! Successfully!
Thank you Gloria, we have recieved $20 from her via paypal due to the obvious results of the ministry work on their behalf!
God Bless and pray for great results on this case!
Today, we received an email from Gloria on behalf of her daughter in Texas. Our ministry efforts have gotten her a hearing before the judge in July. The hearing will be for reopening her case and for a reassessment to increase and enforce her child support order!
I also recieved and email form the county giving me the procedures and fee requirements to issue a warrant for the ex non-supporter.
I am so tickled! She is my flagship case... I wanted it just to get my feet wet and get the experience of working in the state of Texas. Now I have it!! Successfully!
Thank you Gloria, we have recieved $20 from her via paypal due to the obvious results of the ministry work on their behalf!
God Bless and pray for great results on this case!
Why??
Why do Some Christians Not Show Love?"
This kind of action indirectly affects what we are all trying to accomplish.
I am gullible. I am vulnerable. I choose to not clam up. I will not bottle up my thoughts or emotions. I will not allow my life to remain unproductive and stagnant, just becuase I was stiffed, cheated, abused and locked out of the family will.
The reason: because I chose to speak the truth about abuse. Because my hair is a little longer than most ministers. Because I wear a tatoo of a cross on my arm.
People ask me, "What are you?" I tell them, "I'm different." That's why I got out of my circumstances, and as Susan Murphy-Milano's book title states, Moving Out Moving On. I moved out and moved on with my life. I built my life for Jesus with me, my immediate family and now hundreds of other prayer warriors. I relocated to another state. I changed my phone number and I told those who wanted to stay down on their luck and wallow in self-pity, that I loved them but to never call me again unless they were willing to change.
I smile alot. In church, work, play, court, wherever...
Sometimes, I get ugly remarks from paranoid and unhappy souls in who think I am coming onto them becuase I say hello and smile! Man, this world has changed! It seems you cannot even shake hands the wrong way without someone thinking you want to go bed with them!
I located a job yesterday for a family to whom we took diapers and milk to last week. To God be the glory. I am loving and affection and I have taught my children to be the same way. I tell them just shake it off.
We are often misperceived for being weak, softies or even stupid because we are not paranoid and do not ultra-examine everything others say or do to us. We just keep on serving the Lord, in pure glee!
Chasing child support absconders, filing forma pauperis for indigents, filing pro se contempts and making dead beat dads support their kids. After all, when we are finished with them in the alter of attitude adjustment they are convinced that if they do not want kids then from now on they need to keep it in their pants and just bay at the moon.
I've been cursed, cut, hit, busted up from ribs to manhood, black listed from jobs, sniped at with words and weapons. My wife, Carolyn and I have had our share of mysytery vehicles and stalkers in the middle of the night, our pets have been killed and my family has paid a galliant price for standing up for children who are suffering. I cannot place a Santa Claus on my lawn or he will get shot. I cannot walk in the evenings without a concealed weapon because of my stand against corruption.
Perhaps I am the only minister alive who has to carry a weapon to church, weddings, or the cemetary to bury a loved one. I've been scolded and told I have no faith...
But they are wrong, I have faith and I'll use it to protect myself, my spouse of 32 years, my family and all my friends.
None of these things that I have mentioned bother me. "Why" not?
I don't know and do not have time to examine "why" not. But if these things do not bother me then "why" does it bother me when Christians are not kind?
I thought Christians who have the name Reverand, minister, brother or sister in front of their name and/or christian organizations with "ministry", "outreach", or "church" were supposed to be different...
Remember, I am gullible. I thought, though, they were not supposed to be coniving, conspire and walk on others to get what they want. I though that all of us in god's family were on the same page, writing with the same pen, playing the same tune, and if not... then I thought were all at least going in the same direction and share the same purpose. Love and hope for all.
Why is it then that we get ugly mail like "please-do-not-send-me-any-more-stuff-about-battered women-missing persons-or child-support-for-babies and they follow it with...because I am tired of praying for people who got themselves into it and now they must get themselves out of it.
Even ministries and organizatinos that I have never heard of who send me items that could be considered spam, at least recieve a fair look from me. That's the only way to find out if I might need their services. Obviously, there are people who don't think they need anyone. However, they want God to bless them when God uses people to bless us.
I wish we all could read a letter we recieved from an inmate in Missouri from a 19 year young man who was defending his and his mother's attempts to survive. This young man does not want a hand out. He acknowledges his crimes and asks for someone to teach him life's principles, so that when he gets out he can take care of his mother. He never had the love and directoin of a father, that's not his fault.
(Our ministry will not even continue correspondence with an inmate until we can lead him to acknowledge his sins and actions and accept Jesus. After that, then we teach him in plain English what it takes.
Is it cold in here or is it just me?
It's not just me. I've talked with ministries, organization leaders, and advocates who get more reception from those who have a need, and from "Joe-on-cellblock-A and sweetiepie-corner-mama that from many professing Christians and email recipients who tout phrases like I-love-Jesus-so-much-forever-and-ever-dot-next. Of course the address has been changed. What did you think I would place the real one there?
We recieve the ugliest responses sometimes from self-righteous necklaces, bracelets, and gold watch religionists like Laugh-for-Jesus-so-loud-you-cough-up-your-wallet-ministries, The right-Rev-hit-me-with-jesus, Sunday-morning-smack-down-church-of-what's-happening-now, I-am-so-amazing-to-myself, and hit-me-with-your-best-check-church.
I don't get it. Unless, now, get this tiny revelation or assumption. Unless, these same individuals who shout Jesus and wear the jewelry are harboring little secrets themselves of domestic violence inside the confines of the parsonage or home and our little songs on domestic violence, battery, responsibility, or giving provokes conviction from them.
Or is it that those who are so critical of advocacies and organizations like Peace4 who are striving to find and save lives, feed children, and level the playing grounds for the disadvantaged are advocates for not supporting their children. Maybe those are are like some of the people where I come from who have the attitude that if-you-aint-a-Christian-in-my-crib-you-aint-a-Christian at all. They pick Scriptures that are to their advantage and forget those that says...I have sheep who are not of this fold..." Jesus. Jesus has sheep in other folds and none of them look the same or have the same color of ink but all are sharing the same purpose andthat is to contribute wool to warm the cold and meat to feed the hungry.
You and I are living sheep who contribute cover and food in physical and spiritual ways perpetually every day of ourselves unselfishly and we have our reward.
An email from a minister said to me..."I don't know anything about you so please remove me from your list." Well, heck, I do not know half the people i go to court for but if the seed falls on good ground it will produce for me but I am not going to the trouble to screen every sheep who i do not know.
I thought that was the thing about social networking to get to know people. Maybe it is the key words like battered, women, children, support, absconders, beaten, death, missing, murder, need-clothing supplies, donations, or maybe it is that some people just have the gift of knowing from thousands of miles away who I am. I pity these poor souls who are rich in wealth and wear rags of self-righteousness.
Or maybe, I touched a raw nerve in their sanctimonious life cloaked in hypocrisy choking on the red meat of selfishness and pride to the point that their only vocabuary is "leave me alone."
I hope so because as much as "LOVE" is the name of the game the BIBLE teaches us that faith and love without our works is what...? Dead. We are walking dead if we say we love Jesus and yet have a disobedient and rebellious attitude toward the Scriptures that teach us that helping others is part of the faith-works plan to have God's blessings in our lives.
When we stand before God the most important thing is are we a member of His crib? The crib of faith, hope, peace, and love with works of faith. If we are not then He is going to ask "Why Not?"
The word for today is "support". Support one another with coverings of righteousness and meat and potatoes of love, kindness, patience, meekness, faith, works, temperance, encouragement, and hope.
Every work of hope we all sow will spring in its time.
Love, Minister Jim
This kind of action indirectly affects what we are all trying to accomplish.
I am gullible. I am vulnerable. I choose to not clam up. I will not bottle up my thoughts or emotions. I will not allow my life to remain unproductive and stagnant, just becuase I was stiffed, cheated, abused and locked out of the family will.
The reason: because I chose to speak the truth about abuse. Because my hair is a little longer than most ministers. Because I wear a tatoo of a cross on my arm.
People ask me, "What are you?" I tell them, "I'm different." That's why I got out of my circumstances, and as Susan Murphy-Milano's book title states, Moving Out Moving On. I moved out and moved on with my life. I built my life for Jesus with me, my immediate family and now hundreds of other prayer warriors. I relocated to another state. I changed my phone number and I told those who wanted to stay down on their luck and wallow in self-pity, that I loved them but to never call me again unless they were willing to change.
I smile alot. In church, work, play, court, wherever...
Sometimes, I get ugly remarks from paranoid and unhappy souls in who think I am coming onto them becuase I say hello and smile! Man, this world has changed! It seems you cannot even shake hands the wrong way without someone thinking you want to go bed with them!
I located a job yesterday for a family to whom we took diapers and milk to last week. To God be the glory. I am loving and affection and I have taught my children to be the same way. I tell them just shake it off.
We are often misperceived for being weak, softies or even stupid because we are not paranoid and do not ultra-examine everything others say or do to us. We just keep on serving the Lord, in pure glee!
Chasing child support absconders, filing forma pauperis for indigents, filing pro se contempts and making dead beat dads support their kids. After all, when we are finished with them in the alter of attitude adjustment they are convinced that if they do not want kids then from now on they need to keep it in their pants and just bay at the moon.
I've been cursed, cut, hit, busted up from ribs to manhood, black listed from jobs, sniped at with words and weapons. My wife, Carolyn and I have had our share of mysytery vehicles and stalkers in the middle of the night, our pets have been killed and my family has paid a galliant price for standing up for children who are suffering. I cannot place a Santa Claus on my lawn or he will get shot. I cannot walk in the evenings without a concealed weapon because of my stand against corruption.
Perhaps I am the only minister alive who has to carry a weapon to church, weddings, or the cemetary to bury a loved one. I've been scolded and told I have no faith...
But they are wrong, I have faith and I'll use it to protect myself, my spouse of 32 years, my family and all my friends.
None of these things that I have mentioned bother me. "Why" not?
I don't know and do not have time to examine "why" not. But if these things do not bother me then "why" does it bother me when Christians are not kind?
I thought Christians who have the name Reverand, minister, brother or sister in front of their name and/or christian organizations with "ministry", "outreach", or "church" were supposed to be different...
Remember, I am gullible. I thought, though, they were not supposed to be coniving, conspire and walk on others to get what they want. I though that all of us in god's family were on the same page, writing with the same pen, playing the same tune, and if not... then I thought were all at least going in the same direction and share the same purpose. Love and hope for all.
Why is it then that we get ugly mail like "please-do-not-send-me-any-more-stuff-about-battered women-missing persons-or child-support-for-babies and they follow it with...because I am tired of praying for people who got themselves into it and now they must get themselves out of it.
Even ministries and organizatinos that I have never heard of who send me items that could be considered spam, at least recieve a fair look from me. That's the only way to find out if I might need their services. Obviously, there are people who don't think they need anyone. However, they want God to bless them when God uses people to bless us.
I wish we all could read a letter we recieved from an inmate in Missouri from a 19 year young man who was defending his and his mother's attempts to survive. This young man does not want a hand out. He acknowledges his crimes and asks for someone to teach him life's principles, so that when he gets out he can take care of his mother. He never had the love and directoin of a father, that's not his fault.
(Our ministry will not even continue correspondence with an inmate until we can lead him to acknowledge his sins and actions and accept Jesus. After that, then we teach him in plain English what it takes.
Is it cold in here or is it just me?
It's not just me. I've talked with ministries, organization leaders, and advocates who get more reception from those who have a need, and from "Joe-on-cellblock-A and sweetiepie-corner-mama that from many professing Christians and email recipients who tout phrases like I-love-Jesus-so-much-forever-and-ever-dot-next. Of course the address has been changed. What did you think I would place the real one there?
We recieve the ugliest responses sometimes from self-righteous necklaces, bracelets, and gold watch religionists like Laugh-for-Jesus-so-loud-you-cough-up-your-wallet-ministries, The right-Rev-hit-me-with-jesus, Sunday-morning-smack-down-church-of-what's-happening-now, I-am-so-amazing-to-myself, and hit-me-with-your-best-check-church.
I don't get it. Unless, now, get this tiny revelation or assumption. Unless, these same individuals who shout Jesus and wear the jewelry are harboring little secrets themselves of domestic violence inside the confines of the parsonage or home and our little songs on domestic violence, battery, responsibility, or giving provokes conviction from them.
Or is it that those who are so critical of advocacies and organizations like Peace4 who are striving to find and save lives, feed children, and level the playing grounds for the disadvantaged are advocates for not supporting their children. Maybe those are are like some of the people where I come from who have the attitude that if-you-aint-a-Christian-in-my-crib-you-aint-a-Christian at all. They pick Scriptures that are to their advantage and forget those that says...I have sheep who are not of this fold..." Jesus. Jesus has sheep in other folds and none of them look the same or have the same color of ink but all are sharing the same purpose andthat is to contribute wool to warm the cold and meat to feed the hungry.
You and I are living sheep who contribute cover and food in physical and spiritual ways perpetually every day of ourselves unselfishly and we have our reward.
An email from a minister said to me..."I don't know anything about you so please remove me from your list." Well, heck, I do not know half the people i go to court for but if the seed falls on good ground it will produce for me but I am not going to the trouble to screen every sheep who i do not know.
I thought that was the thing about social networking to get to know people. Maybe it is the key words like battered, women, children, support, absconders, beaten, death, missing, murder, need-clothing supplies, donations, or maybe it is that some people just have the gift of knowing from thousands of miles away who I am. I pity these poor souls who are rich in wealth and wear rags of self-righteousness.
Or maybe, I touched a raw nerve in their sanctimonious life cloaked in hypocrisy choking on the red meat of selfishness and pride to the point that their only vocabuary is "leave me alone."
I hope so because as much as "LOVE" is the name of the game the BIBLE teaches us that faith and love without our works is what...? Dead. We are walking dead if we say we love Jesus and yet have a disobedient and rebellious attitude toward the Scriptures that teach us that helping others is part of the faith-works plan to have God's blessings in our lives.
When we stand before God the most important thing is are we a member of His crib? The crib of faith, hope, peace, and love with works of faith. If we are not then He is going to ask "Why Not?"
The word for today is "support". Support one another with coverings of righteousness and meat and potatoes of love, kindness, patience, meekness, faith, works, temperance, encouragement, and hope.
Every work of hope we all sow will spring in its time.
Love, Minister Jim
Thursday, April 16, 2009
God is Always With You
A girl went to her friends house and she ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn’t afraid because it was a small community and she lived only a few blocks away. As she walked along under the bike trail Diane asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger. When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God’s protection.
Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.
The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep. Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story. The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.
The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man one question. Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him, he answered, “Because she wasn’t alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her”.
The Moral: With God’s Grace, whether you believe or not, you’re never alone. You are protected by God’s angels.
God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what.
“If you deny me in front of your friends, I shall deny you in front of my Father”
LOVE HIM, SERVE HIM & STAND UP FOR HIM
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God’s protection.
Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.
The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep. Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story. The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.
The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her. She asked if they would ask the man one question. Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him, he answered, “Because she wasn’t alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her”.
The Moral: With God’s Grace, whether you believe or not, you’re never alone. You are protected by God’s angels.
God is always there in your heart and loves you no matter what.
“If you deny me in front of your friends, I shall deny you in front of my Father”
LOVE HIM, SERVE HIM & STAND UP FOR HIM
Wednesday April 15, 2009
To our ministry family,
We have made an offer on property for the ministry today. We have been searching for an affordable location that would serve as a residence, workshop and seminar location for domestic violence and abuse, as well as a place of worship, and a haven for battered women and children. Pray for us and the process. There are so many hurdles. God's will be done. Amen.
We purchased (by faith) a good used vehicle to be used in this ministry. Carolyn and I have been sharing her vehicle since my injury over two years ago and a second vehicle was in order. We are praying and searching for a small (fuel practical) minivan for use in carrying indigents and elderly to physician appointments, and our equipment to workshops, and seminars, and other practical uses.
Please pray that our application for 501c3 exempt be approved. It is important to every phase now and the future of this ministry. We are already recieving requests from other ministries to come under our umbrella through our newest entity America Society of Domestic Relations and Ministries Development. Needed is an account with Americas Second Harvest to help us meet these unique needs and we will be checking into that as soon as we are capable of meeting the required standards, protocol and security.
We are continuing to market the new books daily in addition to the channels that the publisher provides. After 21 years of silence from me, I released two books simultaneously through Wordclay Publishers. They will market online and through entities such as Barnes and Noble and aproximately 25,000 other channels as time goes on. The books are about abuse and faith based professional conduct. They are also available on Amazon. Please pray that all of the new literature will be a blessing and guiding light to those suffering abuse and domestic violence.
Since last week we have opened four new child support recovery cases and assisted free of charge one domestic case filing. Each of these cases involve abuse and domestic violence. It is alarming the rate of cases that go unreported for a number of reasons.
We carried groceries, diapers, and milk to a mother of 2 year old twins whose father, in another state, refuses to support the children. His absence (for now) insures that the young mother will not be beaten daily and the babies will not be doused in beer by a deadbeat dad who desperately needs God in his life (and a lesson in manners).
Pray for us as we make the effort to help this mom get on a road to productivity, independence, and spiritual dependence on God. Our screening process keeps the number of applications for assistance low. These arms of ministry are still in the developing stages in order for us to make for corrections and changes.
Please email us at smrobadd@aol.com for a brochure.
Prayer requests: Most known urgent request through E-Ministry is Terry Corbett of Georgia. He underwent brain surgery recently and other issues have been discovered. Pray for this father, husband, and grandfather.
Several of our members are suffering with fibromyalgia.
Say a prayer for those in prison. Our inmate ministry, "Thank God I Am Free", now consists of 23 members nationwide. We teach our inmate ministry members that they can pay their debt behind bars but also live free through faith in God. The numbers will remain low because we only request and accept those who have dealt with or suffered abuse and domestic violence in the past. We request the most critical through Christian Pen Pals. We lead them to confess and acknowledge their crimes. They must pay their dues and then acknowledge that their only hope is God. They must display and accept practical measures to change. We correspond through a practical teaching measure with them.
The written testimonies we recieve now from these inmates bring joy to both us and them. Our greatest need for this aspect of the ministry is postage for correspondence if you feel like you would like to help in any way, please send stamps for the inmate ministry. Or if you feel a desire to minister to an inmate through writing as a pen pal and teaching them about faith, please contact us and we will put you in touch with an appropriate inmate candidate. Do not be ashamed to express your preference to correspond with either male or female.
I need to thank our members who pray for and support this ministry. We are unique and unapologetic.
We recently broke ties with our initial denomination after decades due to unresponsible demands placed on us and the lack of acceptance of our ministry's uniqueness. We were not willing to hide things that some felt were better unsaid and unrevealed. We felt they possessed an unscriptural desire to control our funds, therefore we have placed ourselves outside the box to minister in the most unique and demanding ways.
We have recently incorporated and have issued ordination through the new ministry recognized by the State of Georgia. Since then, other ministers who are rejected by unreasonable and oppressive traditional religious entities (for a number of reasons)have expressed a desire to become ordained through this entity.
Pray for these developing ministries. This ministry has tripled since becoming a non-denominational, non-discriminating, non-biased, most-practical-unique-in-the-face-of-oppositions ministry.
Susan Murphy-Milano: domestic violence advocate, radio show host of Justice Interrupted, author of Moving Out Moving On, and all around hard working American woman thank you for your help and support.
Peace4themissing.com you have been a strong support network for a lot of our members and for our ministry.
Walk With Christ Radio, Levi Page, Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach, Nancy Grace, Diane Dimond and the rest of our fan club, thanks and please keep praying for us, as we pray for you.
If you Google any of these names or click on any of the site links, you will see the impact that these organizations and individuals are having on others today. We are blessed with the presence of amazing people!
Please be watching for our newsletter upcoming, by Miranda Rhuda of Ohio.
Miranda is the Executive Administrative Assistant, Marketing Director, fundraiser, and newest board member of Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach. She has an enormous task dealing with all of this but has expressed that she feels she has a calling to utilize her unique talents and gifts on behalf of the members and needs of this ministry. She is working two part time jobs, a full time job, has three small children and a husband, but still finds time to serve this ministry after hours and weekends. She is doing a wonderful job for the Lord. God is using her and we anticipate a bumper harvest in her life on her behalf.
If you would like to volunteer in any way please e-mail us at smrobadd@aol.com
We love you all. From us to you: Prayers, Peace, Faith, Hope, and Love.
Jim and Carolyn Harnage
Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach
P.O.Box 1112
Lake Park, GA 31636
299-559-6832
www.silentministries.org/
"Fighting For You Through God's Grace"
"Unity Is Grossly Underestimated."
To our ministry family,
We have made an offer on property for the ministry today. We have been searching for an affordable location that would serve as a residence, workshop and seminar location for domestic violence and abuse, as well as a place of worship, and a haven for battered women and children. Pray for us and the process. There are so many hurdles. God's will be done. Amen.
We purchased (by faith) a good used vehicle to be used in this ministry. Carolyn and I have been sharing her vehicle since my injury over two years ago and a second vehicle was in order. We are praying and searching for a small (fuel practical) minivan for use in carrying indigents and elderly to physician appointments, and our equipment to workshops, and seminars, and other practical uses.
Please pray that our application for 501c3 exempt be approved. It is important to every phase now and the future of this ministry. We are already recieving requests from other ministries to come under our umbrella through our newest entity America Society of Domestic Relations and Ministries Development. Needed is an account with Americas Second Harvest to help us meet these unique needs and we will be checking into that as soon as we are capable of meeting the required standards, protocol and security.
We are continuing to market the new books daily in addition to the channels that the publisher provides. After 21 years of silence from me, I released two books simultaneously through Wordclay Publishers. They will market online and through entities such as Barnes and Noble and aproximately 25,000 other channels as time goes on. The books are about abuse and faith based professional conduct. They are also available on Amazon. Please pray that all of the new literature will be a blessing and guiding light to those suffering abuse and domestic violence.
Since last week we have opened four new child support recovery cases and assisted free of charge one domestic case filing. Each of these cases involve abuse and domestic violence. It is alarming the rate of cases that go unreported for a number of reasons.
We carried groceries, diapers, and milk to a mother of 2 year old twins whose father, in another state, refuses to support the children. His absence (for now) insures that the young mother will not be beaten daily and the babies will not be doused in beer by a deadbeat dad who desperately needs God in his life (and a lesson in manners).
Pray for us as we make the effort to help this mom get on a road to productivity, independence, and spiritual dependence on God. Our screening process keeps the number of applications for assistance low. These arms of ministry are still in the developing stages in order for us to make for corrections and changes.
Please email us at smrobadd@aol.com for a brochure.
Prayer requests: Most known urgent request through E-Ministry is Terry Corbett of Georgia. He underwent brain surgery recently and other issues have been discovered. Pray for this father, husband, and grandfather.
Several of our members are suffering with fibromyalgia.
Say a prayer for those in prison. Our inmate ministry, "Thank God I Am Free", now consists of 23 members nationwide. We teach our inmate ministry members that they can pay their debt behind bars but also live free through faith in God. The numbers will remain low because we only request and accept those who have dealt with or suffered abuse and domestic violence in the past. We request the most critical through Christian Pen Pals. We lead them to confess and acknowledge their crimes. They must pay their dues and then acknowledge that their only hope is God. They must display and accept practical measures to change. We correspond through a practical teaching measure with them.
The written testimonies we recieve now from these inmates bring joy to both us and them. Our greatest need for this aspect of the ministry is postage for correspondence if you feel like you would like to help in any way, please send stamps for the inmate ministry. Or if you feel a desire to minister to an inmate through writing as a pen pal and teaching them about faith, please contact us and we will put you in touch with an appropriate inmate candidate. Do not be ashamed to express your preference to correspond with either male or female.
I need to thank our members who pray for and support this ministry. We are unique and unapologetic.
We recently broke ties with our initial denomination after decades due to unresponsible demands placed on us and the lack of acceptance of our ministry's uniqueness. We were not willing to hide things that some felt were better unsaid and unrevealed. We felt they possessed an unscriptural desire to control our funds, therefore we have placed ourselves outside the box to minister in the most unique and demanding ways.
We have recently incorporated and have issued ordination through the new ministry recognized by the State of Georgia. Since then, other ministers who are rejected by unreasonable and oppressive traditional religious entities (for a number of reasons)have expressed a desire to become ordained through this entity.
Pray for these developing ministries. This ministry has tripled since becoming a non-denominational, non-discriminating, non-biased, most-practical-unique-in-the-face-of-oppositions ministry.
Susan Murphy-Milano: domestic violence advocate, radio show host of Justice Interrupted, author of Moving Out Moving On, and all around hard working American woman thank you for your help and support.
Peace4themissing.com you have been a strong support network for a lot of our members and for our ministry.
Walk With Christ Radio, Levi Page, Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach, Nancy Grace, Diane Dimond and the rest of our fan club, thanks and please keep praying for us, as we pray for you.
If you Google any of these names or click on any of the site links, you will see the impact that these organizations and individuals are having on others today. We are blessed with the presence of amazing people!
Please be watching for our newsletter upcoming, by Miranda Rhuda of Ohio.
Miranda is the Executive Administrative Assistant, Marketing Director, fundraiser, and newest board member of Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach. She has an enormous task dealing with all of this but has expressed that she feels she has a calling to utilize her unique talents and gifts on behalf of the members and needs of this ministry. She is working two part time jobs, a full time job, has three small children and a husband, but still finds time to serve this ministry after hours and weekends. She is doing a wonderful job for the Lord. God is using her and we anticipate a bumper harvest in her life on her behalf.
If you would like to volunteer in any way please e-mail us at smrobadd@aol.com
We love you all. From us to you: Prayers, Peace, Faith, Hope, and Love.
Jim and Carolyn Harnage
Silent Ministries Recovery Outreach
P.O.Box 1112
Lake Park, GA 31636
299-559-6832
www.silentministries.org/
"Fighting For You Through God's Grace"
"Unity Is Grossly Underestimated."
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