Bullying can be stopped

Have you ever been beaten up physically, mentally or emotionally? Have you ever had people deliberately make up things about you to separate you from your friends? Have you ever been threatened that if you go to school you will be somebody's punching bag? Have you had people attack you through facebook or texting?

If you are experiencing any of these things or all of them, and it is deliberate, you are being bullied. It needs to stop!!! You do not need to feel scared and embarassed. The good news is, it can be changed. This ministry is going to help you. I want you to know that I care, and so do others that are believers in stopping this unacceptable behavior.

I have a teen that I care about. He is a pretty good guy, but he is constantly being threatened. I read about it all the time on facebook, it is disgusting to me. I am becoming proactive in making a difference and I need your help.

I want you to bring stories of bullying that you know to this website. I am talking about people in your schools or city that are being bullied. I know it sounds impossible, but it can be stopped. A message needs to be sent to the bully that "it will stop". I am convinced that more can be done, and Boaz ministries is going to get involved.

If people are being bullied and you know it, don't just standby and let it happen. Let me know and we will discreetly get this to stop. No more sitting back, no more being passive. This epidemic must stop.

If you are the bully, be aware that you will be found out. You would be wise to stop doing what you are doing. I will be sure that the proper people are notified. I promise!!!

Black Friday

There is something wrong with this!!!

What kind of a gift/s do you plan to buy for Christmas? Are you going to fall into the trap of spending lots of money on things that make people happy for a short period of time? After all by the time 2010 gets here most people have forgotten what they had gotten anyway, or they have started to complain again about what they don't have.

I am watching video clips of people streaming into to stores in mob scenes trying to beat other people for the deals of the day. It reminds me why I despise the Christmas season so much. If only we could remember a few basics about this season.

1. Jesus is the only reason why we should celebrate Christmas. If it wasn't for his gift, we wouldn't have this day anyway. Hopefully He will be front and center at your birthday party.

2. Jesus gift was his presence, not presents. Wouldn't we be better served blessing people with our presence. Sadly parents think that what they give as presents this year makes up for their lack of presence in their families lives.

3. Jesus invested in us as people. Maybe we need to find other ways to invest in people without wasting our resources. Maybe we can invest in a homeless teen, a needy family, an underprivileged country.

4. Jesus commanded us to take care of the poor, the orphaned and the widowed. He didn't say anything about spending hoards of money on ourselves, or spending lots of His resources on ourselves.

Invest in what counts. Jesus, others, and finally yourself.

I guess Black Friday is properly named. It is a dark day when we waste so much, and neglect the needs of those in need all around us.

Back home from Galveston

I just had an opportunity to spend a week in Texas helping people who were devastated by hurricane Ike. Far too many people are without hope. Most of those I met that were without hope were the underprivileged black folks.

I might be wrong but I think I am right in what I am about to say. Prejudice is alive and unwell in this world. How can it be that a group of people continues to suffer while others in the community with money and are white are quick to rebuild and move on with life. Seemingly at the expense of their black neighbours.

These are potentially hopeless situations. Hopeless unless the "church" gets involved. As Christians we are not to show favoritism. We are to be a blessing to those God places before us, no matter if they are black, white, latino , asian or whatever. We are to go and help too!!

One of the saddest experiences I had in Galveston was talking to two mid 20 year old girls. I asked how I could pray for them and they indicated a need to be set free from crack cocaine addiction. They said their entire community suffers from this tragic epidemic effecting hopeless people.

As Christians we have hope, and we need to share that hope. We do not have to go to Texas to give people hope. They live all around us, they are struggling!!!

I want Boaz to be a ministry of hope. Hope to teens and their families before they destroy their lives and turn into drug addicts or alcoholics. We will make a difference. We will reach out to people of all races.