Faith: Bakersfield.com

Mormon teenagers give to Catholics!

Who said teenagers don’t care? Try telling that to over 200 Mormon youth ages 14-18 from all over Bakersfield, Delano, Wasco, Taft, Tehachapi, Frazier Park, and Lake Isabella who participated in a food drive for several weeks to provide for families in Kern County.

The food drive was part of the “Day of Service” activity in Kern County that commemorated the 75^th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint’s welfare program. The donation of canned food and non-perishable food items of 3,000 pounds was presented to Cheryl Guillemet, Catholic Healthcare West outreach coordinator, and Sister Judy, a Sister of Mercy, Vice President for Mission at Mercy Hospitals of Bakersfield, on October 15, 2011 at the Bakersfield South Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2801 South Real Road by high school senior Kendall Jones.

The donation was a way for the youth to follow the example of Jesus Christ “…to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, and to be our brothers keeper,” Jones said.

In accepting this donation gathered by the youth, Sister Judy commented this was a “beautiful symbol of the community” and that “all of us are one.” The purpose of the food drive and subsequent donation was to allow the youth to participate in a service activity to support families in our community who are in need during these tough economic times.

JACOB CLAY GREEN

On September 13, it will be a year since I lost you .

Jacob Clay Green passed away year ago and is so missed by his father and family in Las Vegas, NV.

On a sad note Jacob shares a marker with his father and resently it was vandalised .

Only a sad and sick person would do this.

A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the heavy set

female observed vandalising Jacobs marker. Please contact Kern County Sheriff's Office #SR11-21765

Californian's: "GOT HOPE?" Are You tired of all the "Doom & Gloom" Bad News about California?

If there has ever been a time in history when Californian's needed some good old fashioned Hope, it is now. California is & always has been "The Golden State"!

What if California was NOT broke & in financial distress?

What if the best of the best days for California are still yet to come?

What if California is the Golden State that leads the Nation of The United States of America that leads the Nations of the world?

If you are sick & tired of hearing the "doom & gloom" news about California's future,this meeting is for you.

If you are a business, educational or governmental leader & you want to be encouraged about the future of the City of Bakersfield, Kern County, California, America &/ or the Nations of the world, this meeting is for you.

If you are a Pastor & need to hear about 'The California Contribution" to global outpourings & the endtime harvest, this meeting is for you.

If you are interested in hearing about the history of California, this meetings for you.

If you have been wondering whether to leave or stay in California, this meeting is for you.

If you are worried about your future & the future of your loved ones, this meeting is for you.

If you need your heart to be refreshed & revived by encouraging Good news, this meeting is for you.

If you are in need of new strategy on how to pray & how to believe your prayers will be answered, this meeting is for you.

If you would like to receive the ministry of Jesus for healing in your body, this meeting is for you.

If you are not sure if you believe that there is a God that loves you, this meeting is for you.

If you want to connect with others & you enjoy being in the Glorious & Miraculous Presence of God, this meeting is for you.

Come & hear & decide for yourself if this message rings true for you.

The real heart of "The Golden State" will be revealed..

Come & hear how California is "ground zero" to more worldwide moves of God than any other place on earth.

• God’s mighty hand in the early history of California

• How California’s natural features reveal God’s plans

• California’s Apostolic mantle as the global leader in worldwide ministries

• The prophecies confirming California as an end-time revival leader

• How you can help bring California and the world into its prophetic destiny
Come & be encouraged & amazed by incredible plan & destiny for Calofrnia that has been revealed to Henry Falany in his newly released book titled "God, Gold & Glory"

You will be astonished as you hear all the lies that have been said about California dispelled by the Truth & really Good News of The Golden States bright & shining future.

September 23rd, 24th & 25th
GOD, GOLD & GLORY ! Bakersfield

(Breakers-field) California
REVIVAL GATHERING!
with Apostolic Revivalist, Historian & Author
Pastor Henry & Grace Falany

cohosted by Eaglerock Ministries & The Kern Region Prayer Watch

For locations, dates, times, more info and/or to register for free click on this link:

http://www.terijohnson.org/freshfire-falling-in-the-fall--bakersfield-revival-gatherings.html

A Jihad by the faithful

At 6 a.m. in the morning my doorbell rang. It was Abdul Ahad on my door ready with a car to toe away the equipment¹ that was camouflaged in my garage overnight. “Assalamaulekum (may peace be on you in Arabic) Salman, its time to get going.” Ahad was fully equipped and loaded with all the ammunition² and had a bright smile on his face demonstrating the allegiance and sincerity towards the cause of Allah; his face was shining and he had an amazing look of achievement and satisfaction on his face as if he had achieved all in his 25+ something years of life. Both he and I were fasting, as this was almost the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan from dawn through dusk and avoid eating and drinking during the day.

After giving Ahad the equipment¹, I went to change and get loaded² to be ready for the battlefield³. Faisal calls me on my cell asking if everything’s going as planned. Like any complex operation, Faisal was not aware of Ahad’s role and neither was Ahad instructed on Faisal’s specific tasks. However, both were working for the same cause, to please Allah.

A Few weeks earlier we had been working on sending leaflets⁴ to media and government organizations to give them a heads-up of this complex operation. Today was the final day to remind/call them so that they were there to witness history in making. Along the way, we also had to ensure that we recruit enough volunteers to achieve our goals seamlessly.

Hours later, we were organized along with volunteer troops who were similarly equipped, fasting and ready to take orders. Every single one of them ready to leave everything behind and serve the Creator in the scorching heat of over 100⁰F. Also present were faithful from several Churches and volunteers from Rotary Club and several other individuals. In the mayhem, it looked like a mosaic of different faiths/colors combined together, for the same cause, to please the Creator and serve the needy.

This was the battleground, where different faiths of America were to meet to work together to fight hunger and poverty – A Jihad⁵ by the faithful. They were to feed needy and homeless people, provide them clothing/food and hygiene kits. Approximately 100 volunteers joined hands to fight hunger and poverty on the Labor Day weekend. Amongst the volunteers was Harvey Hall, the Mayor of Bakersfield, who not only joined the ranks of the troops, but also encouraged local Islamic community to continue the generosity in the time of need amidst the economic downturn. Organizing committee members (Sisters Jan, Majida, Sara, Fawzia, Sally, Rechma and Halima; Brothers Saif, Ayub, Mustafa, Ahad, Faisal and Salman) along with a huge list of volunteers were already present at the MLK Jr. Park to serve fellow Americans in the time of need. This was the Bakersfield 2010 Humanitarian Day organized by Muslims in America to feed the needy along with other faith based and social organizations.

“And they feed with food, for love of Him, the needy, and the orphan and the captive. Saying: we feed you only for the sake of Allah; we desire not from you any recompense or thanks.”

The Holy Quran, Surah Al Insaan 76:8-9

Legends:

1. Generator to provide electricity for providing sweet ice cones to needy kids

2. Jeans, t-shirt, sun block, cap etc.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Bakersfield, where more than 500 needy/homeless people were expected to eat food and get free hygiene kits.

4. Invitation letters and press release

5. An individual's striving for spiritual self-perfection

Bakersfield 2011 Humanitarian Day

The 2011 Bakersfield Humanitarian Day is scheduled for August 13, 2011 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Bakersfield between 11:30am -1:30pm. This will be the third consecutive year Muslims in Bakersfield will join hands with other religious and social organizations to feed and spend a day with the most neglected people in our society, the needy and/or the homeless. For more details about this event, volunteering opportunities and/or tax-deductible donations please call Saif Ahmad at (661) 204-0885.

In Bakersfield, to date we have fed more than 800 people with almost 200 volunteers since 2009. Bakersfield faith based organizations, United Way and Rotary Club joined hands with Muslims in Bakersfield last year to feed more than 400 people.

The ILM Foundation, a 501 c 3 nonprofit organization, is the custodian of Humanitarian Day™. The Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity (CPHD) is a multi-faith civic engagement network established to support the growth of Humanitarian Day and related humanitarian projects domestically and abroad. Humanitarian Day encourages people to work together enthusiastically to disrupt the vicious cycle of poverty, hunger and neglect. Worldwide CPHD has served more than 65,000 needy people over a period of 11 years. For more information visit www.humanitarianday.com

Homelessness Facts: [1]^,[2]^and[3]

Did you know California is considered the homeless capital of the United States? Amongst the homeless population, 40% are families, 14% single females and 39% amongst the homeless population is under the age of 18.

Locally, in Kern County, there are approximately 1,500 homeless persons according to a recent one-day survey conducted in January 2011 by the Kern County Homeless Collaborative. Slightly over 50% of those surveyed reported they did not have shelter for the night the day the survey was conducted. Nearly 40% of those without shelter were found in southeast Bakersfield. More than 130 children were counted homeless; including 28 who did not have any shelter. There were 10 participants who were pregnant at the time of the survey. While the overall numbers may seem small in comparison to larger cities, survey organizers insist this is only a small percentage of the actual numbers of homeless in Kern County[4].

Note: The author of this article is Omani by birth, Pakistani by decent and American by choice. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and can be reached for comments at salmanhkhan@hotmail.com

[1] U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, "The Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (2008)", July 2009

[2] Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress (AHAR), released in June of every year since 2007

[3]www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness_in_the_United_States#2009_Annual_Homeless_Assessment_Report_to_Congress

[4] “Snap Shot of Homelessness”, Kern County Homelessness Collaborative, 2011

What I learned in Vacation Bible School

I consider myslef lucky. For a week I was unable to watch the news. I don't know how the debt ceiling talks are coming along. Nor do I know how the situation in Lybia has turned out.

For the last week, I have spent my mornings working with the Kindergarten and first grade Vacation Bible School class at Grace Lutheran Church in Ridgecrest. I spent the last five days listening to examples of love. First graders couldn't care less that Syria is a country in turmoil. What is important to them is God, and perhaps Spiderman brings hope to us all.

I learned that the important people in a child's life is their family. When you are in kindergarten, it doesn't matter if your Dad is an engineer at China Lake NAWC, or a tow truck driver. He is Dad, and no one else can take that title. Who cares if Mom doesn't look like Paris Hilton, she is Mom, and Mom is a lot of fun to hang out with.

When I returned home Friday, after the last day of VBS, I read the story of the Coriell girl who went missing. I won't get into the story. I don't know enough about it. But I miss the world of five and six year olds. If we forget how to live, we can always ask the children.

Local Teen Writes Thriller to Earn Her Way Through College

Bakersfield Christian High School graduate, Emily Rose Cardé, has written and published her first inspirational suspense novella, ICU, at the age of 17 to help fund her education at Patrick Henry College in Purcellville, VA. The project began as a short story and morphed into an exciting fund raising adventure for Emily and her family who sought out sponsors to promote and finance the project. The 160 page book was released in May of 2011.

What does ICU stand for? “That’s what everyone wants to know,” says publisher Mischelle Sandowich. The answer? “Read the book!” This synopsis is provided on the back cover: “A series of tragic events push college graduate Lauren Miller to escape the memories of her past and flee to Los Angeles. Settling into her new life comes easily, almost too easily, until she begins receiving threatening packages. Will her new boss help protect her, or will his mysterious connection to her tragic past destroy their friendship?”

Cardé is an avid reader, loving the classics. Her writing has been influenced by great authors of the past and present including Charles Dickens, Mary Higgins Clark, and Emilie Loring. And although Cardé has never read the Twilight series, Randy Martin, pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church and Bible Department head at BCHS, sees a similarity. “It has all the romantic appeal of the Twilight series, without the vampires,” he said, “and from a Christian worldview.” Though the book has a strong appeal for high school and college age students, it has been read and enjoyed by pre-teens as well as those in their senior years, according to reviews found on the companion blog www.icubook.wordpress.com.

ICU is not Cardé’s first publishing experience. While the youngest active member of the Kern Valley Poets and Writers Club, Cardé published short stories, poetry, and lyrics in their yearly publication, Refections of the Kern. Her work appears in the 2009 and 2010 editions. She has also had numerous pieces published in creative journals at BCHS where she earned a coveted award of excellence in the English Department. Cardé plans to earn a B.A. in literature, go on to earn a M.F.A. in creative writing, and one day earn a doctorate degree. One of her career goals is to become an accomplished novelist.

ICU is available in paper back (8.5” x 5.5”) and retails for $12.50. It can be purchased online at www.icubook.wordpress.com or at Russo's Books in the Marketplace. Sponsorships (purchasing five or more copies at $10.00 each) are also available online. For more information call Sandowich at (661) 348-8379 or email icu_book@yahoo.com. Correspondence and orders can be mailed to: Emily Cardé, 4450 California Ave. #225, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Please add $3.50 per book to cover tax and shipping.

Cardé will be selling and autographing books at Russo's Bookstore in the MarketPlace located at 9000 Ming Ave. on Saturday, July 23 from 1pm-3pm.

(661) 348-8379

www.icubook.wordpress.com

icu_book@yahoo.com

Local church dedicates solar panel installation

    In a blend of environmentalism and old-fashioned stewardship, First Congregational Church/United Church of Christ is realizing its goal of greater energy independence with the installation of solar panels on its south-facing classroom roof at 5 Real Rd. The $200,000 system was dedicated after 10 a.m. worship on July 17 with members wearing sunglasses as a nod to the God-given power of the sun.
    “We hope that our solar panels set an example for the community,” said Michael Gagner, a retired petroleum engineer who served on the FCC Solar Panel committee that proposed and executed the project. “It’s hard for non-profits to do this kind of work because a federal tax credit doesn’t apply. We had to rely on a contractor willing to work with us.” Also on the committee were co-chairs Chuck Dobie and Marty Steinman as well as Jack Hulson and Doug Miller.
    Rev. David Stabenfeldt, now starting his third year as the FCC pastor, is elated that his congregation understood the need to seek alternative energy to power the facility that is open six days a week. “Older members thought we should be doing this,” he said. “We had an intergenerational concern for both the budget and conservation.”
    Dobie, also a petroleum engineer, felt confident that the project would benefit the church because he had already supervised two solar projects, one in an oilfield north of Arvin and another on his own Bakersfield roof. He explained that first Pacific Gas and Electric had to approve a tentative project. Then the committee sent out bids to about 10 companies with Bland Solar making the overall best proposal.
    Financing the $200,000 project included borrowing from UCC Cornerstone, a church-affiliated finance company. Cornerstone provided 60 percent of the capital with a church investment account, member pledges, and reduced monthly energy expenditures covering the rest.
    The committee set out to raise $50,000 through member pledges over a three-year period, but actually received $80,000. Many of the pledges were about $350 a year for the three years. Thus, the Cornerstone loan could well be paid off in five years, according to Dobie.
    The system of 200 panels is designed to produce 50 percent of the church’s need. It could have been larger, but that would have involved more of an up front cost. “We’re hoping to make our other energy usages more efficient too,” Dobie said. The panels are projected to last 30 years with only an annual washing.
    Glenn Bland, owner of Bland Solar, encourages other churches to install solar panels. "It's my sunlight mission," he said, referring to his cost-plus discount offer to solarize faith-based facilities. If the pitch or angle of the roof is a problem, he added that his company could put panels on church parking lots.
    “Our congregation’s generosity is forward thinking,” Gagner said. “We realized that we can’t make our decisions based on just today. The solar panel decision will benefit the life of this congregation for years to come.”

JONESTOWN MASSACRE REVISITED

False prophets come and go. Some leave behind a trail of disappointment and others leave behind a trail of death so horrific that it needs to be told and retold and remembered.

I remember the Jonestown Massacre like it was yesterday though it happened in the early 70’s. Many have been born since that tragedy having no idea who Jim Jones was but they should -and those of us who saw it should never forget lest we put our faith where it doesn’t belong and be led along to disappointment -or worse.

We have recently heard a false prophet foretell that the world was coming to an end on May 21^st and thankfully, it did not. He has now pushed the date up to October 11^th, I believe. As stated in my last article, he could not know the date as the Bible clearly states no man knows the day or the hour. What’s more, The Bible clearly states this earth is never going to be destroyed. It is the system of things that God is going to rid the earth of. And according to another prophecy, which has many believers, the Mayan Calendar foretells a destruction in 2012.

So it would be good to revisit the Jonestown Massacre for it does show the consequences of rejecting the word of God (thereby, rejecting God himself) and looking to imperfect men for the solution to the world’s problems. God does have a timetable to undo all the bad that has been done and while we don’t know the day we know that according to the global signs of violence and natural disasters in a morally bankrupt world that is exploding on an unprecedented scale, we are certainly in the ‘last days.’-2nd Timothy Chapter 3 verses 1-5.

Jonestown Massacre – A Modern Day Horror Story.

-The Bible’s View-

Jim Jones, or Reverend’ Jones as he called himself, claimed to be a teacher of God’s Word. He claimed to represent the Bible and its Author. Therefore, all that he taught should have been in harmony with it. God does not expect blind faith from us but a faith that is based on accurate knowledge. He knew there would be false prophets who would mislead and exploit many so he has given us protective advice. -1^st John 4 verse 1 says, “Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world.” Then let’s do that. Let’s test some of Jones’ ‘expressions’ and pit them against God’s word.

Jones insisted on being called Father, as in heavenly Father. The Bible clearly states, “..You must call no one on earth your Father since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven.”

--Matthew 23 verse 9.

Jones would ‘heal’ his parishioners by pretending to draw forth cancers that were actually bloody chicken gizzards. He was both a fraud and a liar. Psalms 5 verse 6 strongly says, “You hate all evil men, liars you destroy; murderers and frauds Yahweh detests.”

Jones demanded all his followers’ earnings be turned over to him which in the end amounted to about fifteen million dollars. Yet God admonishes his ministers, “You received free, give free.”

–Matthew 10 verse 8.

Jones reportedly had sexual relations with both men and women and he himself was married. This, a man of God? An adulterer? A fornicator...and more? –1^st Corinthians 6 verses 9 and 10 states, “What, do you not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit God’s Kingdom?

Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, or idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men kept for unnatural purposes...” Jones fulfilled every disapproved thing mentioned in that verse.

He controlled his followers with brutal beatings and children were tortured and frightened into submission. Was he imitating the God he claimed to represent? How unlike God he was! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, a gentle Father and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows...” -2^nd Corinthians 1 verse 3.

It is true that many of Jones’ followers were illiterate and therefore it would have been difficult to test this man’s expressions according to the written Word –but did they need Bible knowledge to know that putting children in a darkened room and shocking them by attached electrodes –or repeatedly lowering them into a deep well until they screamed for mercy was morally wrong? We do have a God-given conscience that supersedes all knowledge (remember the Nuremberg Trials?)

Jones had the parents and nurses drugged with sedatives and pain killers in order to enable them to squirt potassium chloride and cyanide down into the throats of little babies. Where did he get the authority for that? “You shall not murder.” -Exodus 20 verse 1.

The rest of the people were either forced or willingly drank this deadly potion. The results? Nine hundred and thirteen dead, including Jones.

God has been gracious to warn us against such false prophets. If believers would follow the example of the circumspect, Borean Jews, then another Jonestown tragedy could not get off the ground. Regarding these Jews, the Bible says at Acts 17 verse 11, “Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.” Is that not life-saving counsel?

-Scriptures were cited from the Jerusalem Bible and The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

Don't be afraid of May 21st!

If you wanted to be educated in math, would you buy a song book? If in science, would you buy a cookbook? Hardly. On the matter of the end of the 'world', one needs to go to the Bible for information and not give their own opinions or misguided calculations. They can most certainly do this but don't say your information is gleaned from the Bible.

The Bible clearly says, and Jesus clearly said, that no man knows the day or hour when this judgment day is to take place. Matthew 24 vs 36. He also states at Luke 21 vss 34-36 for us to 'keep awake' because that 'day' will come 'suddenly' upon us. Revelation 3 vs 3 again shows we do not know the day or hour and so we are urged to keep awake! by living our lives according to God's will (not our own) so then when that day comes we will be ready.

This theme is stated throughout God's word in the old and new testament.

The other matter is what is coming to an end? Again, opinions not based on God's word, are saying that the end of the world is coming. It is not. God clearly informs us that the 'system' of things is coming to an end, all those things which have gone against God, ruined this earth, covered the earth in violence and blood and most important, stealing God's identity and taking his name out of most Bibles and stating he is someone he is not. It primarily has to do with the sovereignty of God that began in the Garden of Eden and the disrespect of and rejection of his word.

Proof: The earth will never be destroyed. Psalms 37 vss 10, 11, 29. Jesus himself showed it will not be destroyed at Matthew 5 vs 5 as approved ones will inherit the earth. Jesus is not going to promise inheritance of the earth if it is going to be destroyed. So if one states otherwise they are calling both God and his Son a liar.

God's original purpose was to have this earth in a paradise condition with life on it forever. Genesis 1 vss 26-30 ; 2: 7-9,15.

Although that did not happen due to what occurred in the Eden, God has made the way out as his purpose can never be thwarted. Isaiah 55 vss 8-11.

I would like to add that as to Jesus' coming?... The Greek word in Matthew 24 vs 3 for 'coming' as many Bibles use that term is 'parousi'as which literally means 'presence'. One can be present and not seen.

When His disciples asked him what would be the sign of his 'presence' and also the conclusion of the system you note that he never said, 'you will see me here ...or I will be seen there...he said when we see all the following things occur (vss 3-14) then we know he is ''present'. I cannot go into all that here but it meant that he was crowned king in Heaven in 1914, that date can be proven from scripture. He is our Messianic King who will soon affect this earth in an awesome way and already has in many ways.

Jesus clearly said that after he had returned to heaven the world would see him no more. John 14 v 3 19.

It was those signs that proved his presence and that presence had to do with his being crowned as king in heaven by his Father. He said that when we see all those signs happening then we know we are near the end (but no actual date is given) Matthew 24 vss 32, 33, 36.

I could not keep silent on this matter for some really believe otherwise to the point of selling their homes and quitting their jobs and this is going to throw them into a financial and emotional hardship when the 'end' doesn't come today.

I'm so sorry for those who would mislead others and who reject the word of God. Jeremiah 8 vs 9

Easter Eggcitement Coming Soon!

BAKERSFIELD, Ca, April 4, 2011 — Tear open gifts in Easter basket: 3 minutes. Find hidden eggs: 30 minutes if you’re lucky. Now what? One local church doesn’t want you to get stuck with empty eggshells this Easter. On April 24^th, Parkside Church is hosting Easter Eggcitement! The community is invited to participate in Easter Sunday worship, an Easter egg hunt, and a brunch.

The church has been hosting this event for many years as a way for children and their parents to connect with one another and with God. According to Children’s Pastor Carol Wilcox, “Not only are the children excited to find Easter eggs, but they are also excited to hear the message of Easter.” Children up to 5^th grade will participate in the Easter Egg hunt which begins at 9:35 a.m. There will be giveaways and prizes for everyone in attendance. Brunch will be provided for all ages from 9:35 to 10:35 a.m.

Parkside will host two different worship services this Easter. The Classic Worship Service will begin at 8:30 a.m. and feature traditional Christian hymns. The Contemporary Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. will be lead by a full band and feature modern music. Both services will conclude with a message that is challenging and relevant. According to Senior Pastor Chris Bennett, “There is nothing more relevant to our lives than the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter is an opportunity to reflect on the difference that the resurrection makes in our lives.” For more information about Parkside Church or Easter Eggcitement visit www.ConnectGrowReach.org.

Easter Eggcitement!

April 24, 2011

8:30 AM – Classic Worship

9:35 AM – Egg Hunt & Brunch

10:45 AM – Contemporary Worship

Youth for Christ Report to the People Banquet

Youth for Christ of Kern County's Report to the People Banquet on Tuesday evening, March 8th was a great success with more than 400 people in attendance for the multimedia and live presentation highlighting the past year. This year's theme was changing lives today- impacting our world tomorrow. Student Master of Ceremonies, Austin Donovan of Independence High and Samantha Salazar a student and teen mom lead the evening's festivities. Chairman of the Board, Andy Beeghly thanked and recognized the volunteers, table hosts, partners and Board for their participation with the Report to the People Banquet. Four of Kern County leaders started off the program with their video endorsement of Youth for Christ's work and impact here in Kern County. Individual stories by students, volunteers, teachers, church leaders, and business partners were the highlight of the evening. Special thanks goes out to the generous business and individual underwriters that met the financial goals for the event and the on-going needs of the ministry. Executive Director, Jim Lewis together with Associate Director, Adam Capehart reported on the past year's progress of moving two part time staff to full-time, of expanding to Eastern Kern County (Rosamond) while continuing to broaden and expand the weekly influence in working with more that 1,200 young people every week led by 17 paid staff and 155 volunteers throughout the county. The coming year's goals and objectives were shared and those in attendance were given opportunity to respond. Special thanks goes to Pastor Kent Pedersen and the Congregation and Staff of Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene who hosted the event at their Family Ministry Center, in spite, of the fire at their school just three days before the banquet.

"Gear Up" Radio Show Brings New Growth to Summit Bible College

I n Fall 2009, Summit Bible College launched its first-ever 30-minute radio program, Gear Up, hosted by SBC President and Founder Dr. Jeff Victor and co-hosted by SBC adviser Cheryl Porter, showcasing local leaders in ministry, business, nonprofit work, health and politics. This initial format was so successful that Gear Up eventually expanded to include an additional 30 minutes of Bible teaching with Dr. Victor and his assistant Caitlin Colebrook.

Gear Up presented its first show on September 5, 2009 with former News Anchorman Don Clark, talking about his early days in television and his current work in ministry. Other guests include SBC alum and Christian counselor Dr. Michael Mannia, SBC professor and Apologetics expert Dustin Adams, fitness expert Calvin Barnes, Grace Assembly Pastor Jeff Wallace, healing evangelist Pastor Mike Evans, R&D Leather owner Ramona Freeze, Hope Christian store owner Warren Mayhew, ICM’s Phil Walker, Church Without Wall’s Ben Hanna, singer Cassie Dunlap, State Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, Republican commentator Cathy Abernathy, women’s ministry leader Cynthia Giumarra, prison chaplain Ben Lopez, Jesus Shack founder Dave Voss, and KAXL DJ Dan Schaffer.

Since its initial airing, Gear up has produced more than 60 shows, shining a light on the Lord’s work in Kern County, keeping the SBC family informed and encouraging an untold number of listeners. One such listener, SBC adviser Sherry Rose, was excited to tune in to one of Gear Up’s first airings. “It’s great to have a show that highlights what local people are doing in ministry,” Rose said. “It’s important for our faith community to stay connected.”

Tune in to Gear Up on 1410AM Saturday's

at noon and again on Sundays at 2pm and 5pm.

Out of town listeners can hear the show via live audio streaming at www.keri.com at those same times.

In January 2011, Jay Mauser replaced Dr. Jeff Victor as Co-Host of Gear Up with Cheryl Porter. We are very excited for Jay and look forward to a new season of fascinating guests and spiritually charged interviews on Gear Up!

A Drink From the Well

As I looked out at the sea of expectant faces waiting for Women at the Well III to begin, I felt the anticipation rising in my spirit. What would the Lord do today? What life giving words would He draw out of this well? We had worked hard to prepare the way of His coming, to prepare a safe and loving place for his daughters. We spent months listening carefully to His instruction preparing for the conference. After all,” Hearing God’s Voice” was the conference topic and we thought it proper to start with us. We were excited and so were the 230 in attendance.

That stormy morning turned into a beautiful and clear Sunday afternoon in July. I suspected that God had great things in store. As the emcee I had the privilege of carrying the event through the day. Every time I handed the microphone to a speaker or the worship team, God’s spirit filled the room. Each speaker brought their own distinct flavor ... from soft heartfelt proclamations of God’s leading, to unfettered challenges from scripture, to a hardy laugh that reminded us all that sometimes, we just can’t take life so seriously.

After an hour of pampering and sharing, and a wonderful dinner we reunited as daughters of the King to sing His praises for the lessons of the day and to invite his prophetic voice to speak into our lives. So many women were touched in such personal ways. Some found themselves sitting and weeping silently in their seats, others found themselves dancing in liberated gladness and other simply soaked. We heard story upon story of personal revelation and encouragement. We prayed each would receive what they came to the well for and we were pleased that so many ‘heard God’s voice’.

A Drink From the Well

I looked out at the sea of expectant faces waiting for Women at the Well III to begin, I felt the anticipation rising in my spirit. What would the Lord do today? What life giving words would He draw out of this well? We had worked hard to prepare the way of His coming, to prepare a safe and loving place for his daughters. We spent months listening carefully to His instruction preparing for the conference. After all,” Hearing God’s Voice” was the conference topic and we thought it proper to start with us. We were excited and so were the 230 in attendance.

Stop Smoking offer on Bakersfield.com

I saw this offer on the Daily Deal.

Only $200 to stop smoking through hypnosis.

Has anyone tried hypnosis?

Does it work?

The offer is only good til midnight tonight.

I'm interested, but sceptical.

What do you say Bakersfield?

http://dailydeal.bakersfield.com/deals/200-for-a-Stop-Smoking-Program-from-Pathways-Hypnosis

Frustrated Father & Lost Innocence

FRUSTRATED FATHER

LOST INNOCENCE

WILL YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS

I AM A FATHER WHO STILL IS SADDENED TO THIS DAY FOR MY DAUGHTER’S VICTIMIZATION AND THE MANY OTHERS THIS PERSON HAS DAMAGED

PLEASE READ THIS AND REMEMBER TO BE PROACTIVE AND VIGILANT, YOU CAN BET THE PREDATORS ARE VIGILANT LOOKING TO SEE WHO THEY CAN DEVOUR

The following gives an account of allegations made against one person, from children at different youth functions and over a period of several years. These are all considered allegations since this was dismissed in the furtherance of justice? I will address this person as TEEN or YOUNG ADULT, who is now an adult, so as not to damage their reputation. If this account given applies to you take notice. If you’re the alleged offender in this account or a future offender, STOP what your doing get help. If you a parent know, educate, GET INVOLVED IN YOUR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, talk with them earn their trust listen to them, know who is watching them. I was right there with our children my wife and I as leaders and many times parents would drop their children off never coming inside to meet any of us who participated in the youth activities. If you’re a victim please find someone you trust and TELL you need help. Plus you have a responsibility to let the authorities know so the offender may be stopped. Your notifying the authorities may protect future victims. Do you really know whose serving in our community?

My daughter was a victim of a violent sexual assault when she was 13 yrs old by a teenager 17 years old in our local church during a youth service. I was in another room approximately 40 feet from my daughter and did not hear nor realize this traumatic event happened. This came out year and half later after the assault. We noticed a change of lost innocence during this time leading up to our discovery. I was also trained with my agency in assisting Post Trauma Victims and how to identify victims of sexual assault. Yes I worked in Law Enforcement. This TEEN through an investigation by the Kern County Sheriffs department was identified as a juvenile to have been carrying handcuffs around to youth functions where he was a volunteer at many different youth activities in our county. In one incident a younger male by 4 years is identified as a victim. The victim said he was handcuffed to a fence, hit with a chain, and kicked in the groin. A different young male was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed during another similar incident. One adult woman who has a disability that leaves her with a mental maturity of a young teen was sexually harassed and assaulted verbally continuously by this TEEN who was now a adult male over the age of 18 over a period of time, after they were an adult. This woman has a mental disability which in reality she’s has a maturity of only a young 12 or 13 year old. We were contacted by this woman’s grandmother who heard of an ongoing investigation and asked us to have to have the investigative detective contact her. In another incident this fine young TEEN now and ADULT threatens a teen girl by telling her, he will have her father fired at his work, unless she has sex, oh by the way this is on the way to a different church event. At a different church he is now an ADULT, was finally charged by the county District Attorney’s office with sexual battery on a minor girl during a youth service.

I have not described everything but do you honestly believe all these young girls and boys were all lying. The parents of the now ADULT believed they were. ALL OF THESE ALLEGATIONS WERE ALL AT VARIOUS YOUTH CIVIL AND CHURCH FUNCTIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. Many of the (ONLY KNOWN REPORTED OFFENSES) alleged incidents happened when this TEEN/ADULT was not yet 18 years old. This ADULT was only charged with the one sexual battery on a minor which occurred in a local church during a youth service. The now ADULT was now 19 years old and becoming more outwardly aggressive.

This case was DISMISSED in the furtherance of justice. I contacted the DA’s office and it was explained to me the dismissal was a due process violation of this TEEN now /ADULTS rights. So it was dismissed in the end of 12/2005. These cases where juvenile/adult offenses occur together are complicated to prosecute. The OFFENSE WAS (Penal Code 647.6 ANNOY/MOLEST CHILDREN). Remember we have to protect the offender’s rights.

Did all these children from so many walks of life over so many years make up these stories? Did the children conspire to lie against a fine outstanding servant of our youth or did they identify a pattern of a predator seeking whom they may devour. Many of these brave children who choose to come forward with their hidden secret only to have a system tell them THIS ADULT RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED SORRY. Do you think the children felt violated? Do you think an offender will offend again when a technicality lets them off and then they are not held accountable? They still offend whether caught or not. I believe they become bolder and more deviant learning from their mistakes and learning how to work around the law, organizations, employers, their family and the future VICTIMS. This is almost an unbelievable movie script but a reality played out in the lives of children in our county.

When we reported the incident to authorities it was discovered, two fathers, had already contacted the parents in regards to their now ADULT child’s behavior around other minor girls a few weeks prior. SO THE PARENTS KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM AND CONTINUED TO LET THIS PERSON PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL YOUTH ACTIVITIES ONE PLACE WHERE HE WAS A LEADER. THE KIDS RANGE IN AGE FROM K-12TH GRADE even after they were made aware. My daughter who was terribly embarrassed bringing this out (which many victims experience and the reason why they suppress the abuse). My daughter had written me a letter which I have where every morning I still see which reminds me to remind everyone to be aware we are the protector of our children. When I read this letter, I went straight to the Sheriffs department which in their investigation discovered all I have said. So this information is available in the County Court house. I could divulge so much more but wont. Remember these are allegations of discovery, given by the testimony of children who alleged they were a victim of a crime. Many times children do not even know they are victims of a crime.

Here is one reason (excuse of the offenders behavior) I was given from a person in Leadership where several of the alleged crimes took place had to say. This person seemed more concerned this organization might be tarnished and who in the community may know. I was told they may have had a hormone issues its common at this age. I thought to myself he really just didn’t say that to me. I almost popped him in the nose for talking to me as an idiot and making an excuse for a predator. To this day nobody apologized at least to my daughter or the other victims that I know of. We or she could have sued but didn’t, through prayer, faith and will she has overcome going on with life as an adult.

Can you imagine a person who has in the past, participated in various church youth activities, civil youth activities, and volunteered with an ambulance company and other community services, who knows what else now that they are an adult? Serving anywhere in our county, serving our youth while in a position of trust and authority? And still is. I WONDER HOW MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT AGENCY'S ACTUALLY CONDUCT A THOROUGH BACKGROUND CHECK. But even this check will not come out since it was dismissed but the charge is public record. Will you listen to the children not worrying about tarnishing your organization?

My family and I are very thankful of the Kern County Sheriffs Department Detectives and Kern County District Attorneys Office of their handling of this. They all worked very hard, professional and were very compassionate. These situations where juvenile offenses and adult offenses are together make it complicated to prosecute.

Do you really know who is watching your children?

Megan's Law Website

http://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Reincarnation and the West

Gratified needy served by ravenous and thirsty volunteers

Braving the heat of more than 100⁰F at the MLK JR. park in Bakersfield on Saturday the September 4, 2010, the volunteers and organizers gathered along with family and friends to serve the most neglected segment of our society; the homeless and the needy. More than 500 needy people were fed and provided with hygiene kits, clothes, shoes and offered free haircuts, massages, popcorns and candies.

About 100 volunteers gathered at the event that is hosted by the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity every year during the month of Ramadan, the most sacred Islamic month in which Muslims abstain from food and drinks from dawn through dusk every day for one month. This helps feel the pain of the less fortunate and needy people and be closer to the God. Although sponsored by American Muslims, this was a community event with various non-profits such as the Rotary Club, United Way, interfaith groups, Churches and various other commercial enterprises donating and volunteering for this beautiful cause.

The event started with a prayer led by Imam Ayub Haroun of the Islamic Center of the San Joaquin Valley and Pastor Jordan of Christ First Ministries. Mayor Harvey Hall also attended and volunteered to serve food.

Mayor Hall said, "It’s an excellent work by the Islamic community and speaks well for our community in Bakersfield.” The mayor continued, “ Each person on the serving line took the food and said a warm thank you. Bakersfield is an amazing community and we want to make sure that we give back to our community”

Imam Ayub and Pastor Jordan prayed for peace and prosperity and emphasized on the common humanitarian cause for helping fellow Americans in the time of need while following the word of God, the creator of mankind.

A needy person said, “ I am not homeless, but am needy since both me and my fiancé don’t have jobs and cant meet our needs. It’s really good to be here, specially on the Labor Day and we thank the Islamic community in Bakersfield to organize this event.”

ILM Foundation under the banner of Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity has hosted for over the past 10 years Humanitarian Day in over 20 cities nationwide serving a collective count of 60,000 people and have accounted for nearly 20,000 volunteers participated. “Convert One Day into a Life’s Mission” is the Coalition to Preserve Human Dignity’s intention of developing a universal system of direct social services which will include job training, health care and education services.

The author can be reached at salmanhkhan@hotmail.com

Danielle's Legacy

Presents

One Girls Passion.....another Girls Pain

Calvary Chapel Westbrook will be hosting our 6th annual, Women's Event. One Girls Passion...another Girls Pain is the legacy that a mother and daughter have the honor of sharing about their cherished daughter and sister, Danielle Marie Gould who was killed 6 years ago in a tragic auto accident August 20, 2005. A true Legacy is a legacy that is not only left behind for others to cherish and remember but to share and pass on to others with the hope that it will change and help another life. Each year we get the opportunity to share Danielle's Legacy on a Saturday that falls closest to her earthly death date or what we like to call, Danielle's new Heavenly Birth Date. One Girls Passion...another Girls Pain is the passion that Danielle desired for her and myself as her mother to work together to help her and other young women learn and choose to live a life filled with a pure passion rather than a life filled with guilt, pain and shame. Danielle struggled seeing so many of her friends choosing to live a life that caused them so much pain. So it became her desire that her and I would host a brunch at our home and that I would get some of my women from our church together to mentor her and her friends on how to live a life of purity. Danielle was passionate about her purity and it was her desire that she would remain a virgin until her wedding night. Danielle never had her wedding night but she did meet her "True Groom, Jesus Christ" as a virgin the night she left this earth. Much has taken place since that night and many tears have filled the hearts of those who miss our cherished Danielle but the joy we receive by sharing her amazing Legacy and seeing another life encouraged and changed from pain to joy is rewarding and it helps us to carry on each day in this life. The request and desire that Danielle had for her and I to work together as a mother/daughter team to encourage a life of purity has now become that in which I get the joy of working as a team with Danielle's oldest sister, Dezarei who has now inherited that desire and passion that her sister had. Dezarie now shares the mistakes and poor choices that she has made in this life along with the forgiveness and joy that she now lives as she has discovered that a life of purity is available to everyone no matter the poor choices they may have made. Many women make mistakes and then give up on living a life filled with joy because they feel as if they have blown the possibility but just like Dezarei and I have discoverer and share with many, a life of joy and purity is available. Join us as we will be sharing Danielle's Legacy along with a fun luncheon, a funny game show skit and testimonial stories from other women who have discovered the same. You dont want to miss this fun ladies day.

For more information on this wonderful legacy you can log on to danielleslegacy.com or call Sherrill at 397-6000 if you would like to attend this women's event. We personally invite all women ages 12 years old to 100+, no matter your marital status.

Sunstrewn Reflections

As our days are strewn with sunshine, I cannot help but look on the state of our nation-the state of the world we all share. Even in our city we tread on troubled times, but are thankfully uplifted by the smallest good deeds that can brighten an entire day. Sadly, the 4th of July caused me to pause and think on a few things.

Our world is brightened by an enormous variety of art. As a lover of yaoi (boy/boy love), which originated in the land of Japan, I find myself troubled in regards to a certain community-the gay community. I am fully aware of how many other issues exist, and how they all need to be remedied. I am not turning a deaf ear to the oil spill, the rights of animals, and even the rights of trees. Far too many people turn deaf ears to so many imporant matters in the first place, so I will not exert the option to my ears and eyes away. However, despite my own orientation, I feel a strong pull towards the homosexual community.

As of late, I've been reading articles on a site called Change.org. Their section on Gay Rights is soul-stirring and appalling, putting it lightly. It pains me to see how others are still attacking the homosexuality community so vehemently, and with religion as their main weapon. Minnesota and Montana are both determined to cleanse the planet of gay people, with one state promoting an anti-gay band while the other seeking to arrest gay people-and all of their supporters. Men of the homosexuality community are still being beaten over their beliefs, and all in the name of the Bible. Anti-gay marches, rock bands, politicians and religious leaders are all using their faith-God's name-against the gay community.

I too hold God close to my heart. I see him as not only my Father, but my friend and mentor. However, the last time I checked, He wasn't all about taking up arms against people. And it grieves my soul to read such articles on the violence, both physical and verbal, against the gay community.

There are those that believe in the 'love the sinner, hate the sin' philosophy. While I'm glad they don't condone the execution of gay people (yes, there are those in favor of that idea), I can't agree with loving only half a person. How can one claim to love another, when they're actually in opposition against their existence? Their lifestyle? Is there something I'm missing, fellow Bakersfield citizens? Is my interpretation of that philosophy, 'I love you but you're going to Hell', incorrect?

A smaller example. How can one claim to have a gay friend, but be in opposition of gay marriage? Isn't that unfair to the gay companion? Perhaps one of you have had such an experience. Perhaps one of you have a gay friend, but cannot support gay marriage. Hopefully you'll share your story and thoughts with me.

To know that anyone, religious leader or otherwise, is using God's name as a weapon against anyone pains my heart and soul. I too carry God's name on my heart, shoulders and sleeves, but never would I in a billion years condone any type of harm against anyone. Gay, straight, sideways, bisexual, cookie, cat or otherwise. There are those that support world-wide love, but seek to verbally strike down those that are deemed as sinners. I do applaud their peaceful methods, which are much better than ordering executions and beatings, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand the alienation method. Excluding people from God's love just makes them out to be aliens in the community. They're treated with respect, but at the same time, they're treated with grave fear. As if they're afflicted with horrific diseases.

I treat cockroaches in that manner, because they are afflicted with diseases and are secretly plotting to take over the world.

Which brings me to another point. Many people, including my mother, whom I love with every fiber of my being, believe that same-sex marriage will bring about the downfall of civilization. Allowing two men or two women to marry each other will not only annihilate the fabric of family, but the Earth's fabric as we know it. In my eyes, they might as well say married gay couples are plotting to unleash bioweapons in our water supply, and the gates of Hell will open on their command. It's as if married same-sex couples are carriers of viruses, and they're going to unleash them on the day of their marriage ceremony.

If anyone should worry about the fabric of family being corrupted, shouldn't they worry about the immensely high divorce rates? People sneaking out on each other? The rampant celebrity relationships? People having babies by the second, when they can't even take care of themselves? The rate of child obesity?

Now, I'm not saying the gay community is made up of saints. I'm not laying the blame for divorce rates and instability solely on heterosexual couples. I just don't agree with people digging their hands in the cookie jar, while they're telling other people 'you can't eat out of the cookie jar! No one can!' The concept of blocking other people from something one is abusing confounds me. Perhaps someone can explain it to me better.

People in favor of the gay community sometimes draw in rather defensive anti-gay supporters. 'You're not being very tolerant yourself', I've seen people say on this very site. 'You're not being tolerant of those with Christian values!'

I understand the labels of religion. I understand organized religion exists. I consider myself to be independent, considering how deeply I am injured by the nation's state of things, but I am aware of those with Christian values. In God's eyes, there are no labels. Icons in the Bible stories didn't shout out 'I'm Christian', or 'I'm Catholic, yaaay'. So I only wish for God's children, whether they choose to see Him or not, to live in perfect harmony. Without labels.

I'm not claiming to be God's direct representative. I don't have all the answers. I'm not Joan of Arc. I am willing to be a martyr for my causses (as Thomas More was, the poor sweetie), but I am not God Himself. I am only one of God's many daughters, and forever I will hold onto my wishes, hopes and beliefs. I believe, someday, we'll all be able to live together as one. We'll truly be able to live as one nation. One world. And our world will be healed through two treasures: love and peace.

Cal State Music Student A Hit at Local Congregation

Schuyler David Johnson is an integral part of the worship experience at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2525 Belle Terrace. As the church accompanist he assists the congregation in meaningful worship through music.

Johnson, born and raised in Bakersfield, had not previously accompanied a congregation that used the formal Liturgy. He said finds it challenging because it improves his sight-reading skills. He has to follow the congregation, the pastor, the readers and the music all at the same time. If things go awry, he finds a way to lead everyone back to where they should be. He described the Liturgical service as “submerging music in worship.”

Schuyler is currently a student of music at Cal State Bakersfield. He will be transferring in the fall to Cal State Northridge to work toward his Bachelor’s Degree in Commercial and Media Music Composition. Music is in his soul and it is visible. He lives and breathes music. His range of knowledge and musical expertise is exceptional. He began piano lessons in the second grade. He said, “My mother got tired of hearing me banging on the piano so she figured I might as well learn to do it right.”

After two years of college he and some friends, who had formed a band, got a record deal and ended up recording in Nashville in 2005 for 2 ½ months. He took 2 ½ years off from CSUB to record and tour with the band. He identifies his group as a Christian music group who appeals to general audiences. It is not worship music but he describes it as “glorifying” in that it is written and presented with a spiritual intent.

The band recorded a CD of songs they wrote and composed under the Credential Recording label called “Lost Ocean.” Locally, it can be found at Borders. They still rehearse and record when time permits but currently have other priorities that prevent them from pursuing it full-time.

Johnson is also a jazz pianist and has played at various local events including Bakersfield High School’s Class of 1970 40^th reunion. He dug back into the music of that era and said he provided some nostalgic moments for the class of 1970. He plays for corporate meetings and wedding receptions and anything else that requires his diverse musical talent.

Schuyler and his bride-to-be Catherine Register will be married this month in Templeton, California. Catherine teaches music at Mt. Vernon School in the Magnet Arts Program. He will commute between Bakersfield and Northridge when he begins his studies in the fall.

“I really like my church gig,” he said. His skills enhance the worship experience and the congregation at Redeemer Lutheran likes his “gig” too. Services at Redeemer this summer will blend the liturgical and contemporary services into one. Johnson will accompany at that service which will begin on June 6 at 9:30 a.m.

Redeemer Lutheran Golf Tournament

Redeemer Lutheran Church (ELCA) will hold its annual Golf Tournament/fund raiser on Saturday, April 17, 1:30 pm, at North Kern Golf Course. The entrance fee of $60.00 includes the cart. This will be a 9-hole, 4 person best ball scramble. Teams are constructed so that experienced golfers and those with minimal skills are a “team.”

In the evening a “Shoebox Auction” will be held at the church, preceded by dinner at 6:00 p.m. Charge for the dinner is $12.50 for adults and $5.00 children. Proceeds from the golf tournament, the dinner and auction will benefit Redeemer Lutheran’s Sunday School program. The auction has become a tradition at Redeemer and is an entertaining evening combined with good fellowship. Auction items vary and include some useful items and some traditionally humorous items that seem to appear year after year. Those who wish to participate in the auction are asked to bring an auction item that will fit in a shoebox.

Redeemer Lutheran is at 2525 Belle Terrace and serves the surrounding neighborhood as well as other areas of the city. An invitation is extended to anyone who is interested in joining the group for a Saturday afternoon of golf and an evening of good food and friendly competition for auction items. Membership at Redeemer is not a requirement to participate in the tournament or dinner. For further information regarding the golf tournament and to sign up, please call John Lemley at 664-9404 or 706-2336.

The golf tournament is intended to be an experience that is relaxing and fun; golf prowess is not a requirement. It is an opportunity to meet people and enjoy an afternoon of good fellowship. Pastor Jon Christenson leads Redeemer’s congregation. Word has it that his golf expertise is questionable. His preaching and teaching skills, however, are Bible based and applicable to daily life. The community is invited to join the congregation on Sunday mornings, either at the 8:30 am contemporary service or the 10:30 am traditional worship. The church office at 832-7881 can answer questions regarding worship services. Redeemer’s website is www.rlcbakersfield.org.

Wounded Survivors Heal Hundreds

WOUNDED SURVIVORS HEAL HUNDREDS IN FRESNOCOUNTY WITH GLOBAL BEGINNING EXPERIENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Carole Drury

March 19, 2010 Beginning Experience

Phone: 559-786-6407, 559-732-8721

Web site: www.beginningexperience.org

THREE RIVERS, CALIF. — After fixing broken lives in 10 countries, 31 states and four continents for 36 years, paraprofessional marathon workshop Beginning Experience has arrived in Central California, impacting many of Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Madera counties’ nearly 200,000 people devastated by the loss of a spouse from divorce, separation and widowhood.

Winning prestigious awards and considered by academics as far more effective than traditional support groups, Beginning Experience brings healing to the Valley. Nearly 500 people aged 31 to 81 years old from Sacramento to Kernville have trekked to Three Rivers, the only Central California location offering the copyrighted three-day workshop.

The program has helped adults in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and the U.S. to move forward with their lives. Its worldwide success has led licensed San Joaquin Valley therapists to recommend Beginning Experience, which focuses on Christian compassion.

Facilitated by wounded healers who were once shell-shocked survivors themselves, Beginning Experience turns no one away and invites people of all faiths. It addresses the pain of loss, offers hope for a new start, fosters private reflection and instills a sense of community.

The results are increased contributions to jobs, families and communities; emotional health; self-respect; new coping skills; energy; and lasting bonds. The next weekend is scheduled for June.

“Desperation led me to BE. I was going through my second divorce and was desperately looking for help,” said Carole Drury, who oversees the Indiana-headquartered program at St. Anthony Retreat Center. She described her weekend event as a “lifesaver.” For twice-married Dan Pitta, Beginning Experience led to “reconnecting with Christian values, my children and their lives; getting over anger; and being more at peace,” he said.

When Gaylia Wilfong’s husband of 50 years died, “I didn’t know where to go or what to do,” she said. “Caring for him was my job.” She called her weekend a “lifeline”; learned she’s not alone; overcame feelings of unworthiness and uselessness, gained confidence; and felt free to “be who I am.”

The peer ministry was founded by Sister Josephine Stewart, a Catholic nun; divorcee Jo Lamia; and professionals in grief resolution, counseling, psychology, education and spiritual renewal.

Beginning Experience received recognition from the International Conference for the World Federation of Mental Health; addressed the Year of the Family Congress in Australia; was honored by the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics; and was featured in the Journal of Divorce through the California Graduate School of Family Psychology.

HOLY WEEK AT REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE

Redeemer Lutheran Church (ELCA), 2525 Belle Terrace invites those who wish to worship with them during Holy Week to attend services, beginning March 28, Palm Sunday. Services with traditional palm branches will begin at 8:30 a.m. (Contemporary) and 10:30 a.m. (Traditional).

Maundy Thursday worship will be held the evening of April 1 beginning with an Agape Feast at 5:30 p.m. The Agape Feast (Love Feast) commemorates the Last Supper and Christ's washing of His disciples' feet (the “Maundy”, from Latin mandatum, a commandment: “a new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another”).

Visitors are invited to join the congregation to share this important acknowledgment of the love Christ brings to the world, even today, thousands of years after His death. Visitors who wish to attend the “feast” are asked to call the church at 832-7881 to make reservations. A worship service with Holy Communion will begin at 7:00 p.m. following the Agape Feast.

Good Friday Services will be open to all at 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. Good Friday brings Christ’s followers together for a solemn acknowledgment of the crucifixion. The joy of the resurrection acknowledged on Easter Sunday is heightened by the solemnity of the Good Friday service.

Easter Sunday, April 4, begins with Sunrise Services at 6:30 a.m. A pancake breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the Traditional Easter Service of Celebration will begin at 10:30 a.m. and combines both the contemporary and traditional elements of worship.

All services will be held at the church, 2525 Belle Terrace. Pastor Jon Christenson serves Redeemer Lutheran as its pastor.

Please call the church office, 832-7881, for further information.

New Hispanic Church Launches in Bakersfield’s Plaza Neighborhood

Plaza Iglesia Cristiana
2600 Wilson Road
Bakersfield, CA 93304

A Church Connected with the Community
Plaza Iglesia Cristiana, a new Hispanic church in Bakersfield’s Plaza neighborhood begins regular Sunday services on February 28, 2010. The church is lead by Pastor Cesar Salazar. Services are held Sunday mornings at 11 A.M. at 2600 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, CA, one block south of the Valley Plaza shopping mall. Directions are available at www.plazaiglesia.com/direcciones

Pastor Cesar Salazar believes that the Church needs to impact the community with genuine love. “We dream of a different kind of church, one that is active in the community and affects the coming generations in a positive way,” explains Pastor Cesar. Even before weekly services have begun, Plaza has hosted several Family Movie Nights and offered free gift-wrapping at the local K-Mart during the holidays.

Plaza’s upcoming community initiatives include free English as a second language classes and a computer skills lab. “Serving in the community is a non-negotiable. We can’t do everything, but we have to do something,” says Pastor Cesar.

Plaza Iglesia Cristiana is a non-denominational church that encourages people who have little or no church background to ask questions and read about the life of Jesus in the Holy Bible. All services are open to the public. Plaza also plans to start an English-speaking service in March, designed for second- and third-generation Hispanics. “The coming generation doesn’t fit into either world - they speak primarily English but have Hispanic culture & values. Where are they going to worship & seek God?”

For more information about the church or any of its community service events, visit their website at www.plazaiglesia.com or email info@plazaiglesia.com .

The Dead Touch Us Still

Funerals are hard. Even if there is more than enough money to cover everything, it is still hard for the bereaved to deal with taking care of everything. Fortunately, there are funeral homes that will handle as much of the burden of preparation as possible.

Many people, possibly most, do not arrange for their funerals themselves, either because they lack the resources or are unable to face the prospect of death. While they should not be blamed, this adds to what must be dealt with by whomever they leave behind. Without someone more objective to carry out the arrangements, the added stresses can cause untold harm.

While the choice of coffin is the most obvious step in preparing a funeral, the actual services can be the hardest thing to choose. Who should preside, what kind of flowers, should there be singing or music of any kind, where will the funeral take place, and many other questions need answered before the deceased can be laid to rest.

With a funeral home, all one needs to do is select from the options the director brings up and then allow him to make all the arrangements. It must sound callous to some people that someone can make a living off of another person’s death; but it must be remembered that, in so doing, that person is making it as easy as possible for those left behind to deal with the loss they have suffered. It is a work of mercy, not of lechery.

An Exceptional Gift for Your Loved Ones this Valentines Day

Benefit Prayer Walk on Valentine’s Day, Tibetan and Chinese New Year, 2/14/2010

Berkeley, CA February 10, 2010 - Candy is sweet, and flowers are fragrant, but if you really want to show someone how much you love them this Valentine’s Day, you can sponsor a prayer walk on the sacred ground of Odiyan (Cazadero, CA) for the benefit of your beloved, family and friends. This year, February 14th is coincidentally Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and Losar, the Tibetan New Year. 2010 is the year of the “Iron” Tiger, known to be generous to the poor, protective of the underdog, brave, ferocious and intelligent.

For centuries, the acreage upon which Odiyan stands had been sacred to the Pomo Indians of the California coastal range, who called it the Land of the Condor. Since 1975, under the direction of Tarthang Rinpoche, over 1,500 acres of rolling hills in SonomaCounty have been blessed and empowered by the construction of temples, stupas, and the power over 30 years of offerings and ceremonies. A virtual ocean of blessings radiates from the Enlightenment Stupa’s special form, prayer wheels, relics of Gautama Buddha and Tibetan masters.

At sunrise on Feb 14th, Odiyan residents will begin walking clockwise (circumambulating) around the Odiyan Enlightenment Stupa with your prayer requests and flowers in hand, praying for the positive fulfillment of your wishes. The walk will continue until all the offerings are completed, step by step, praying for healing and positive change while focusing on the particular intention of each individual’s prayer. The day will be punctuated by the radiant sounds of horns, conch shells and ringing bells filling the air, broadcasting your prayerful intentions.

To give this gift of love and prayer, please call (510) 809-1550 or go to www.nyingmatrust.org, and click on the link “Donate for a Trust Walk”. Then submit your prayer request and a donation, which will benefit Nyingma’s medical fund. You or your loved one will also receive a commemorative card or email with your prayer request. Nyingma Trust is a project of the Head Lama of TibetanNyingmaMeditationCenter, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so your donation is fully tax-deductible.

For more information, contact Nyingma Trust at (510) 809-1550.

American Idol contestant Jim Ranger in Concert

American Idol contestant Jim Ranger in Concert

Friday, February 19 @ 7pm
at New Life Center located at 4201 Stine Road Bakersfield, CA 93313

This will be a FREE concert that you will

not want to miss!

Surviving the Holidays while Grieving

Holidays can be and are very difficult for bereaved parents. When a child dies, parents are left with a heart that is forever broken. I know because I am a breaved parent. My fourteen year old daughter died April 22, 2004. Since her death, I have been relying on God's love and promise to get me through each and every day. "I am not alone, for my Father is with me." (John 16:32)

Yes, my Father is always with me and he also knows that my heart has been broken once again. I guess you could say that I am now grieving for both my children. My son, unable to cope with the death of his sister, became addicted to heroin. He is currenly incarcerated. I, for the second time, asked my God "Why"? You have taken my daughter and now my son is lost in a world of darkness and pain. How do I go on?

"Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me." (Luke 7:23) I thought about this verse, still feeling the pain of what my son must be going through, this wasn't God's doing. Satan knew my son's weakness and attacked him with his lies. I do believe that God's timing is not ours to question. I know that my son's arrest was God's timing. Yes, God truly loves my son and is where he needs to be. God is not going to let him go. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open and everybody's chains came loose." (Acts 16:25-26) I know the day will come when my son's chains will also come loose and my son, my little boy, will come home.

I will continue to pray, persevere, endure and wait, wait on God. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7)

"My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God; It's His to lead me there, not mine, but his, at any cost, dear Lord, by any road!"

So faith bounds forward to its goal in God, and love can trust her Lord to lead her there; Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard till the Lord has fulfilled my deepest prayer.

No matter if the way is sometimes dark, No matter though the cost is often great, He knows the way for me to reach the mark, the road that leads to Him is sure and straight. One thing is sure, I cannot tell Him no; One thing I do, I press towards my Lord; giving God my glory here, as I go, knowing in heaven waits my Great Reward."

I will continue to focus on my Great Reward in heaven and the day I am reunited with my daughter. I know I will miss not having my children with me Christmas day but I know God loves us.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11)

How to get WOW Prestige of Thrallmar or Honor Hold

"As the Prince of the Lordaeron Kingdom in WOW, Arthas was determined that he must assume an enormous responsibility from the day when he was born."Prestige in WOW is also very important to be gained for players. Therefore, he followed the greatest Dwarf hero Muradin Bronzebeard, learning skills from the childhood under his father's arrangements.The following is about how to gain the prestige.

Thrallmar/Honor Hold is the front-line base respectively for Alliance and Tribe in Hellfire Plain, and also the first prestige that 60-level players first contact after entering Hellfire Plain in WOW. buy wow gold Thus, excellently guided by Muradin and influenced by good family education, Arthas gradually grew into a good prince.The following is about how to gain the prestige.

First, WOW players can do related tasks, mainly in Hellfire Plain. He was kind, enthusiastic, honest, and courageous and so on.These tasks are effective all the time when players explore in it. It seems that Arthas possessed almost the good qualities that human.For the task about killing common Orc monster in the vicinity of Hellfire Fortress, but when the prestige becomes Friendly, it will cease to reward prestige. cheap wow gold As the future heir of the Kingdom in WOW, he was nearly perfect, although sometimes, he showed a little bit of arrogance.As for the task about killing the monsters in Hellfire fortress and Blood Furnace, it will not give prestige any more when the prestige of the player reaches Respect.

Later, players can do the task about killing the monsters in Shattered Halls and the heroic mode Hellfire instance; it is also effective all the time for players to gain prestige in WOW.

As the excellent expression of Arthas, his father, the King Terenas who ruled Lordaeron, as well as the subjects of the Kingdom were not only proud of such an outstanding Prince, but also placed the hope of revitalizing the Kingdom and even the Alliance camp on him.Besides, players can exchange five Hellfire Plain PvP Emblems for a prop. In a way, it can be said that Arthas has lost himself from the beginning, as he has become a symbol which is marked with many tags.After using it, players can increase additional 5% experience and 25% prestige when killing the monsters in the Hellfire instance.

In fact, in WOW, Arthas is a tragic hero.It can last for 30 minutes.

Furthermore, WOW players can also gain prestige in another way. Originally, he was a Prince of human and one of the great Paladins.They can choose to PK while killing monsters without doing tasks in Hellfire Plain until the prestige reaches Friendly. wow gold But later, in order to defend the homeland and the people, he was confused by the Lich King and was isolated by mentor and lover because of different opinions.Later, players can change the saved the PvP emblems for prestige prop and then explore in Fortress or Blood Furnace until the prestige gets to Respect. Thus, impacted by strong ideas of revenge, he picked up the curse sword, Frostmourne and then became a Death Knight to help the Burning Legion.After that, players can start to do all the tasks. Though he established illustrious military exploits but he was not be reused.Players at level 68+ can explore in Shattered Halls until after the prestige reaches Revere. After that, he together with Lich Kel'Thuzad played for the Lich King.Then players can continue to adventure in Shattered Halls and the heroic mode Hellfire instance to gain Worship prestige.

By the way, the Revere prestige is necessary for WOW players who explore in Hellfire Plain, because only the players whose prestige reaches Revere can buy the key of the heroic mode Hellfire instance.
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Christmas Miracle

We received an early Christmas present this year!!!! To all of you who prayed for my nephew, Kyle Robinson, who had stage 4 cancer in Phoenix, Arizona at the Mayo Clinic, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!!!--Yesterday I received a note from his mother, Debbie, that he is completely free of cancer!!!!---Thank you all you lovely prayer warriors!!!--Your prayers worked!!!---Gratefully yours, B K Thomas

Dear Santa

This year in Lake Isabella we have much to celebrate, but with an 80% poverty level, we also have great opportunity to help others who are not so fortunate. There is a dear friend, Vicky, who recently had her mobile home rent raised to $699.00 per month. I am looking for any of you angels out there who might be able to help with a Vicky project. We bought a mobile home in Death Valley for $731.00. It is a 12 x 60 ft. 3 br 1 ba. We need to move it to Harbor Lights park in Mountain Mesa and would welcome help in moving it and setting it up for her. Vicky is supporting 3 other people and they have not been able to afford heat nor food. No heat means they are all sick, and Vicky just recently was diagnosed with diabetes. My hope is to sign a contract for Vicky to rent with an option to buy the mobile, with Vicky owning the mobile after all costs have been paid. She doesn't know about this. I know there are angels out there, so if you are one of them, please contact the Bakersfield Californian on Vicky's behalf. Thanking you in advance, BK Thomas.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy - Facing the holidays after bereavement

Tidings of Comfort and Joy?

Facing the holidays after bereavement

When you’re grieving the death of a family member or friend, you may dread the holiday season. Thoughts of social gatherings, family traditions and obligations leave you anxious and overwhelmed. Your sadness can seem unbearable. You may wish you could skip these next two months and go straight to the routine of the next year—but you can’t. What can you do to lessen your stress and loneliness?

Holidays trigger tough emotions

You can start by learning what emotions are normal and to be expected when facing the holidays without your loved one. “If you’re feeling overwhelmed as this holiday season approaches, that’s very normal,” advised psychologist Dr. Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, whose husband died. “You’re probably wondering how you’re going to handle this and are unsure of what course to take. I want to assure you that you can get through these holidays, and hopefully you can even find moments of joy.”

When you know what to expect, you won’t be rendered helpless as holiday events trigger unexpected emotions. Make a point to spend time talking with people who have experienced a past loss and have already been through a holiday season without their loved one. They can help you have an idea of typical emotions and emotional triggers to expect. These people can also provide much-needed comfort and support.

Creating a holiday plan will help

Another important step in surviving the holidays is to create a healthy plan for the coming season. “Planning does help you to have a little control, even when you feel totally out of control,” said Dr. Zonnebelt-Smeenge. A healthy plan involves making decisions in advance about traditions, meals, time spent with others, holiday decorating, gift-giving and commitments.

You will likely not have the energy or the interest in doing as much as you have in past years. Decide ahead of time which invitations you’ll accept, and let the host or family member know that you might leave early. Consider whether your decorating will be different this year: perhaps a smaller tree or simpler ornaments. If you cook or bake, cut back.

Make a list of every holiday tradition you can think of, from music to presents to outings. Then decide which traditions will be too difficult without your deceased loved one, which traditions you’d like to maintain, and what new traditions you can start this year.

Communicating with family and friends

What’s also helpful in facing the holidays is to communicate your specific concerns and needs with your family and friends. People in grief are often tempted to put on a mask and pretend things are fine, especially over the holidays. “I didn’t want to put on a damper on anyone else’s joy,” shared Mardie. “So I put on a happy face and tried to be the sister, the daughter, the aunt, that everybody wanted to see. Putting on that happy face was a heavier burden than I was emotionally able to carry at the time.”

Your friends may want you to “cheer up” and “have fun,” when that’s the last thing you want. Others will avoid you because they don’t know what to say and don’t want to make you feel worse. Some family members will give you wrong advice in a misguided attempt to help. All of these people likely mean well, but will only end up hurting you if you don’t communicate what you truly need from them.

As difficult as this may be, it’s important to tell people what they can do to help and what they are doing that isn’t helping. And if you don’t have the energy or inclination to talk to people face-to-face, then write your thoughts, concerns and needs in a letter or email. What’s important is that you are being honest and gracious in your communication.

In describing the first holiday dinner after she was widowed, Dr. Zonnebelt-Smeenge said, “It seemed like no one wanted to talk about my husband. I kept waiting for somebody to bring up [his name]. After a while I couldn’t stand it anymore. I excused myself and left and bawled all the way home. Later I decided maybe they were waiting for me to decide if it was okay to talk about him; maybe they were afraid if they said anything, they’d make me feel worse. From that time on when I went to an event, I found a way to let people know I wanted to talk about him and I wanted to hear their stories.”

So where can you find out what emotions to expect over the holidays, how to create a healthy plan and how to communicate with family and friends these coming weeks?

“Surviving the Holidays” seminar on November 21^st and repeated on December 8th

A GriefShare Surviving the Holidays seminar, held November 21^st at The Oaks Community Church from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, offers practical, actionable strategies for making it through the holiday season. At this two-hour seminar, you’ll view a video featuring advice from people in grief who’ve faced the holidays after their loss. You’ll hear insights from respected Christian counselors, pastors and psychologists. You’ll receive a Holiday Survival Guide with over 30 encouraging readings, helpful charts and tips to manage the holiday season during this difficult time.

At GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, you’ll meet with other grieving people who have an understanding of what you’re going through. They won’t judge you or force you to share, but will accept you where you are and will offer comfort and support. “When I went to GriefShare,” said Marion, “I realized there are different ways to grieve.”

Your holiday season won’t be easy; your emotions may ambush you and suck you under at times. But you can choose to walk through this season in a way that honors your loved one and puts you on the path of health and healing.

To register or find out more about GriefShare Surviving the Holidays, call The Oaks Community Church at 661.663.3888. The Oaks Community Church is located at 10200 Campus Park Drive, Bakersfield, CA.

Darwin’s Legacy in the Modern World Explored at Levan Center Discussions

Charles Darwin may be best known for his theories on natural selection.

Born in 1809, Darwin was an English naturalist who realized and researched on the idea that all species of life have evolved from common ancestors. While his idea of natural selection may have become accepted by the scientific community during his lifetime, it took until the 1930s for the concept to truly take root.

Darwin’s legacy in the modern world will be the focus of two panel discussions sponsored by The Norman Levan Center for the Humanities at Bakersfield College.

On Tuesday, October 13, Bakersfield College faculty members will discuss Darwinism, Faith and Morality at 7 p.m. in the College’s Fireside Room. The discussion will center on how all three concepts intertwine, and the panel includes:
• John Carpenter, Bakersfield College Sociology faculty
• Daymon Johnson, Bakersfield College History faculty
• Nick Strobel, Bakersfield College Astronomy faculty

On Wednesday, November 4, Bakersfield College faculty members will discuss Darwinism and Social Thought at 7 p.m. in the College’s Fireside Room. The discussion will center on how all three concepts intertwine, and the panel includes:
• Edward Borgens, Bakersfield College Political Science faculty
• Michael Horvath, Bakersfield College Economics faculty
• Karen Kettner, Bakersfield College Behavioral Science faculty

Tickets are not necessary for the events. Call 395-4339 for more information on Darwin’s Legacy in the Modern World.

The mission of the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities is to provide programs that focus on and foster a greater appreciation of the humanities, explore the relevance of the humanities to the practice of medicine, examine and support ethical behavior in business and the professions, recognize and encourage scholarship and intellectual exchange among faculty and students, and involve the Bakersfield community in examining the importance of the humanities in the lives of people. The Levan Center for the Humanities is made possible by a Foundation contribution from Dr. Norman Levan, a practicing physician in Bakersfield for over 50 years and a strong advocate of examining societal issues.

See You at the Pole

See You at the Pole was observed by students through out Kern County this past Wednesday. Demonstrating courage to step out and be "seen" at the flag pole praying for their friends, teachers, administrators and community more than 900 young people risked it. Not a political statement, not a protest, not a rally for a cause just prayer. Student led and student inspired. Not just one church but many churches. Not just 100's showed up, sometimes the one or two showed up.

Youth for Christ, the Kern Youth Network and the National Network of Youth Ministries and local churches are the proud partners with students and See You at the Pole.

Forgiveness and Healing: A Message for Yom Kippur

Teshuvah

– repentance - is a key element in the process of forgiveness, and the bulk of our work on these High Holy Days. We strip our souls bare in the attempt to find our essence, our best selves. We acknowledge and admit our errors. If we are sincere, we experience remorse. We resolve to mend our ways. We make amends if we can. And we confess. Real teshuvah engages the intellect, the heart, the body and the soul.

The confessions that we intone on these Days of Awe allow us to enumerate the reasons for our teshuvah. Imagine, if you will, an archer’s target. In every thing we do, in all of our interactions with others, and all of other miscellaneous behaviors, we strive to aim for the bulls-eye. We aim to do the right thing. But often, we miss. Usually we miss on accident, or from carelessness, or laziness; sometimes we miss on purpose, but often as not, for whatever reason, we miss the mark. Our aim proves untrue. That’s a chet. That’s what we need teshuvah for.

Our liturgy for the High Holy Days tells us that there are essentially two types of chet. "For sins between humanity and God," we read, "the Day of Atonement atones. But for sins between human beings, the Day of Atonement does not atone, until they have made peace with one another."

You might think, therefore, that there are also two kinds of forgiveness. But in reality there are three – two kinds of forgiveness for sins between humans, and the third to repair our relationship with the Divine.

In rabbinic thought, only the offending party can set the wrong aright, and only the offended party can forgo the debt of the sin. If I offend someone, it is my responsibility to do whatever it takes to set matters right. Conversely, if someone has offended me, it is my responsibility to allow the offender to repent.

The most basic sort of human-to-human forgiveness is called mechila. In classical Jewish thought, when an offender’s teshuvah is sincere, when he or she has made every effort to make amends, and no longer engages in the offensive behavior, it is incumbent upon the victim to offer mechila. The crime may remain, but the debt is forgiven.

The second kind of human-to-human forgiveness is selicha. Selicha is reaching a deeper understanding of the sinner, and finding empathy for the sufferings of the other. It is the fundamental acceptance of the human frailty of the offender.

"Forgiveness," write Dr. Sidney B. and Suzanne Simon, "is the gift at the end of the healing process…Forgiveness happens within; it is a feeling of wellness… and acceptance." It is a release from "the desire to punish the people who hurt us," to make them suffer as we have suffered. It is the acknowledgement that we can never really "even the score." Forgiveness is the inner peace we gain when we cut ourselves loose from the burden of being unforgiving.

A woman abused by a man, or a victim of rape or incest, may never reach this level of forgiveness; he or she is not obliged, nor is it morally necessary for her, or him, to do so. But when forgiveness isn't forthcoming from the person who caused the harm, you still have to forgive yourself. Ultimately, the one most harmed by unexamined hurt is the one who's holding on to it. Jewish teaching is clear: one is not obligated to extend forgiveness to one who has not done teshuvah. But the fact that one is not always obligated to forgive clearly does not mean that there are no great benefits to forgiving.

It used to be a custom, during the month of Elul, the month that precedes these High Holy Days, that Jews would line up at a grave to ask forgiveness of the deceased. Illogical! We know that the dead cannot forgive. But there is a lesson in this practice: Time is too precious and too short to harbor grudges.

And what if time does run out? What if the person from whom we need forgiveness dies before we take the opportunity to ask? In such a case, the sin stays with you. But it may still be possible to reflect on the life of the individual and its lessons. And it behooves the one who is unforgiven to "pay it forward;" to strive to better his or her relationships with others, and not to make the same kind of errors.

This third kind of forgiveness is "atonement" (kappará) or "purification" (tahorá). It is a total wiping away of all sinfulness; an existential cleansing. Kappara is the ultimate form of forgiveness, but it is only granted by God. No human can "atone" the sin of another; no human can "purify" the spiritual pollution of another.

The author Noah ben Shea teaches: "Our ability to be other-forgiving requires us to be self-forgiving. This first-stage healing is neither vertical nor horizontal, but an inner journey…Take the inner path to self-forgiveness, which allows you access to the horizontal path of other-forgiving, which leads you vertically to Divine forgiveness."

As the last sounds of the shofar fade, we imagine ourselves receiving a fresh start, a clean slate with which to begin the new year, with our names inscribed in the "Book of Life" – at least until next Elul. But spending the day in the synagogue, fasting and praying are not enough. If God can accept our repentance and forgive us, then we, who strive to be God-like, must accept the repentance of others, and extend forgiveness to those who have hurt us. This, writes Dr. David Blumenthal, is the great Jewish "Yes" to the possibility of repentance for every sinner.

Our sages taught that the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed because of baseless hatred. We learn that it will only be rebuilt by an abundance of love for no reason. If we stand always on pride and do not reach out for forgiveness, no one will ever be given the opportunity to make amends. So even if a person does not deserve to be forgiven, forgive anyway. If everyone did that, what a world it would be.

"Awaken the Giant" men's conference scheduled for Saturday, October 10, in Pismo Beach

October 10 men’s conference showcases

a variety of local and national speakers

PISMO BEACH—Men of the Central Coast are invited to a large-scale, multi-church event on Saturday, October 10. New Life Community Church will be hosting a conference titled “Awaken the Giant” from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $35 and includes lunch.

The national speakers include Paul Coughlin, author of “No More Christian Nice Guy,” “Married but not Engaged,” and “Unleashing Courageous Faith.” Coughlin is also an itinerate speaker for the GodMen movement out of Nashville, Tennessee. Brad Stine, nationally known stand-up comedian and spokesperson for GodMen, will also be speaking at the conference. Stine has made appearances on the Tonight Show, Evening at the Improv, CNN, FOX News, MTV, and Comedy Central.

Local speakers will be Dr. James Johnson Hill, assistant pastor of Agape Christian Fellowship and Gary Holcomb, an ex-con who currently leads the “Pure Desire” recovery group in Pismo Beach.

Kevin Ross of New Life Community Church will lead music during the event. A video trailer of the conference is now available for viewing at www.awakenthegiant.org.

To order tickets for “Awaken the Giant,” please visit www.awakenthegiant.org. Tickets can also be purchased at most local Bible bookstores.

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9-11 UNITED WE STAND

9-11 I was in the middle of building our swimming pool, contractor Kris Krauter was here with me going over things and I had news on. I couldn’t believe what I saw when first plane hit and went totally white and STUNNED when second one hit, then news of the third plane TOTAL SILENCE total DISBELIEF and yes TERROR, the fiercest feeling of PATRIATISM I have felt since VIETNAM VETS came home and the realization that this IS IT...

THIS IS THE DAY AMERICA CHANGED FOREVER. This is the day the world will know how strong and UNITED we are, and Terrorism does nothing more than ignite the fierce determination to eradicate those who partake. THE WORLD UNITED on this. Terror does not accomplish anything other than to inflame and to re-enforce the need to do away with those who do not understand the ways of civilization where communication and mutual understanding, agreeing to disagree is acceptable. The Lord says Pray for your enemies, and he says Vengeance is mine. So I do pray for my enemies. I might not pray for their health and well being, but I pray. AND vengeance, well the Lord G-od Almighty leads those who are called by his NAME into many a battle in which they OVER COME the enemy! VENGENCE! God BLESS AMERICA and ALL those countries that also lost their loved one in this senseless act. Which gained NOTHING for their own, but empowered the world instead to fight.

THE FACE IN THE MIRROR

Every morning when I awaken , I have to look at myself in the mirror, and give thanks, that I am still here. Eight months ago I was diagnosed with the same cancer, that took Senator Kennedy's life, the brain cancer is, Glioblastoma. Through-out my stay in the hospital, and my radiation and chemo treatments, I was treated with such kindness and respect, by all those involved with my care. I am still taking oral chemo until the end of November, maybe we'll know more about my outcome.... I never had a seizure, headaches, or any other symptoms. My forgetfulness of names, and forgetting my passwords on the computer were signs that all was not well. My sisters noticed and rushed me to the hospital themselves, if it wasn't for them, I probably wouldn't be here now. Sometimes, I sit and notice how blue the sky is, or I watch my neighbors dogs across the street playing tag. The little things in life do mean alot. I was a Teachers Aide, at Eissler School, I miss the children, their laughter, the noise after recess. The staff, some who were my breakfast and lunch buddies, such is life, you take it one day at a time.....................

jjj

Church offers unique community photo community opportunity

What is true community? True community is connection; it is contribution.

And that's exactly what Life Journey Christian Church is trying to do with their Mile 124 Coffee House Nights. The purpose of these community events are to "be a catalyst for expression & reflection pointing to God."

This July 31st from 7-10pm is a special photography night with the theme "What Dreams May Come" featuring local musicians Bryan Easter and Amanda Duvick.

Organizer Becky Pelishek said, "We just want to give people the opportunity to reflect, decompress & relax so we have coffee, food, music & maybe most importantly art supplies. Usually we have a ton of paint & canvases but for our photography Mile 124, we have frames and photos to play with."

Part of the event will be the community photo showcase. Anyone can submit up to 10 dream-related photos to be used in the photo showcase, in the creative photo captioning and as decor.

Mile 124 is held every other month at Life Journey Christian Church, 4100 Easton Dr., 93309.

To submit photos or with questions, contact Becky Pelishek @ neverbelacking@gmail.com

The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios

I just finished a magnificent book. It is titled The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios

www.stherman.com/Catalog/Elder_Paisios/guru_book. htm

It is the gripping and true story of a young man and his search for the truth. Like many people, the young man was a product of a secular environment and in his search for true spirituality; he encountered many bizarre people who were peddling many strange philosophies. However, he was blessed to have met Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain. A true Holy man and modern Saint. Although he was instructed in the Christian Faith by a Saint. The young man traveled to India to compare Orthodox Christianity and its faithful to yogis and their devotees. I will finish the discription here because, I do not spoil the enjoyment of future readers. However, I would like to share this part were the young man experiences for himself the allure of darkness, and the blessing of the Light. Enjoy;)

One day, sometime after my experience with “my friend” ( the demon that was possessing him that Elder Paisios exorcised ) in the elders yard, I asked the elder about the yogis. By that time, I had become convinced that the yogis worked in cooperation with demons – but I couldn’t understand how it was possible for anyone to make such a choice. “Elder, I just can’t understand why they would want to be evil men. They are intelligent, educated people with many abilities. They don’t have any reason to be evil.” The elder looked at me and shook his head, but didn’t say anything. Shortly afterwards, as planned, I left the Holy Mountain ( Mt. Athos the monastic republic in Greece) in order to be with my family for Pascha ( Easter ) which we would spend in my childhood home of Florina, to which my parents had returned in their retirement.

& nbsp; One afternoon at the beginning of Holy Week ( the week preceding Orthodox Easter ), having made a stop in Thessaloniki, I was by myself in our home there, when, suddenly, my surroundings vanished. There were no images to be seen, sounds to be heard, or objects to be touched. My five senses had ceased functioning. It was as though the light switch had been flicked and the room plunged into total darkness.

& nbsp; My mind turned its full attention to a spiritual realm that it found utterly riveting and captivating. In one direction, I saw a soft but intense light – brilliant but gentle. In the other direction, I saw a thick, cavernous darkness. Initially, I turned my attention towards the awesome, yet fearful, darkness. It made my flesh crawl, but I was overcome by curiosity, the desire to understand what it was. My mind advanced towards the darkness. It had vast power and, if I dare put it this way, a certain grandeur. It represented a negative perspective on reality, unhesitatingly extending into reality as depth, even as the light stretched infinitely into reality as height. On one side , there was immense love; on the other immense hatred. The light was overflowing with unconditional altruism, while the darkness pulled away in utter self-centeredness.

& nbsp; Though I couldn’t see into the darkness, I could feel the presence of souls in it, leaping about, and shrieking with insane, wicked laughter as they were pulled deeper and deeper into the ocean of darkness, until the sound of their voices disappeared altogether. Frightened by this savage madness, I headed towards the light, seeking it’s protection. Just reaching its outskirts, I felt the relief of having been rescued from a grave danger.

& nbsp; Although I didn’t advance very far at all into the darkness, I was able to feel the depths of its evil ocean. I could understand the very essence of the enticing power of sin to tempt, as well as its laughable powerlessness, utter dependence, and shadowy nonexistence. The darkness, I saw, is fearsome when it has won you over, but it is absurd and feeble when you reject it --- it can not defeat even a small child if he does not fall on his own. In the same way I didn’t advance far into the light --- only so to speak, skating its edge --- but even there I felt confident and comforted by a fullness of life, peace, joy, and knowledge. The light loved me greatly in spite of my unworthiness and granted me its gifts I never dreamed existed. At this point, I realized that the light created the world and every living being. The existential space in which each person dwells is itself a creation fashioned by the light, which also fills and permeates these spaces. On being decided to stay outside of the existential space created by the light, thus creating a sort of space for itself, though only by denying the light, turning from it, and driving it away. The darkness has no existence of its own, but only denies the ever-existing and sovereign light. That is to say, the existence of darkness would have been impossible without the existence of the light; though the light had no need of the darkness for existence, for its existence is self-sufficient. The light respected the free decision of its creation to reject it, and so kept its distance. In this way, a dark existential space made its appearance---the darkness, in this sense became a reality.

& nbsp; The darkness resulted from the inclination of a conscious being, called Satan, who chose such a form of existence though he had no reason to. And this denial made the darkness a reality. Although this act of denial may have resembled God’s act of creation, it was not creation, but an imitation of creation performed in reverse. That is the devil tried to behave like God, but, since he did not have the ability to create on his own, he was capable of only denying God’s creation, energies, light, and grace. He pulled away from the very borders of reality and made non-existence a way of being, thus “creating” death and darkness, but all things are filled with light and life.

& nbsp; Just as the light ‘s love wishes to unite all things, being the source of existence and creation, so the hatred of the darkness wants to divide all things, being the source of nonexistence and destruction. Just as the light extends out into infinite beyond, so the darkness seems to extend into its infinite beyond. Just as there is a grandeur about the simple, yet infinite light of God, with all His attributes and energies, so there is a certain grandeur about the blunt, yet apparently infinite darkness of the devil, with all his deep- rooted and ferocious self-destructiveness, full of stubborn and manic rage.

& nbsp; Having come to such realization, I found myself as with a flip of a switch, surrounded again by familiar sights and sounds of my room. Within a matter of minutes, I had a lesson of immeasurable depth. It was not only a revelation beyond word, of subtle differences of profound meaning and great importance, but also --- and even more --- a test and a trial of the deepest inclinations and intentions of my heart, to see whom I would follow and who I would leave behind. Fortunately, although my heart initially moved towards the darkness, it ultimately found repose in the light --- and fortunately, the light still accepted me.

& nbsp; This experience taught me that, just as God surpasses the human mind, so do His works, His creations, and His gifts. On its own, the human mind can only acquire a relative idea about these realities, producing hypothesis, conjectures, opinions, and imaginary presuppositions to justify its views. However aided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, it can begin to fathom these mysteries.

& nbsp; I also received from this experience a deep appreciation of the mystery of human and angelic freedom, a divine gift beyond human understanding. My experience of light and dark helped me to grasp the fact that God endowed angels and men with free will so that they could move independently, freely and without compulsion in the moral sphere. The elder once told me. “God would forgive the devil if he would just say one ‘Lord have mercy.’ There’s a dear old monk near here who used to pray for the devil, because he felt compassion for him. After all the devil was one of god’s creatures --- in fact, he was an archangel before he fell into such a sorry state. While the elder was praying for him, the evil one appeared in the corner and started to make fun of him. The devil is unrepentant.” He concluded. As I would learn latter, this elder was actually Father Paisios. & nbsp;

When Science Meets the Spirit: A Scientific and Spiritual Approach to Life

In our modern world, technology is overwhelming. From the alarm sound that wakes you up in the morning to the conditioned environment that puts you to bed, everything runs on modern technology. But it is so overwhelming that we may feel disconnected from our inner self and wonder about the purpose of life. The seminar conducted on Saturday, 2 May in Bakersfield tried to connect science and spirituality to provide a meaning to life.

When a physicist, a physician and a technocrat-turned-spiritual guru explained their approaches to life, it all started to make sense. It was made possible by the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital (BMH) and Chinmaya Mission of Bakersfield (CMB), which have been conducting seminars on various topics related to the wellbeing of the community. The fifth annual series presented talks from renowned professionals that showed a strong scientific basis to spirituality and its benefits.

Bakersfield gastroenterologist and the president of CMB, Anil Mehta spoke about the importance of treating the mind, the body and the soul as a whole as he welcomed the packed audience to the seminar. Ravi Patel, the founder of Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center, introduced the three main speakers, John Hagelin, Robert Schneider and Swami Ishwarananda to the audience and outlined the connection between science and spirituality.

Hagelin is a quantum physicist and the director of the Institute of Science, Technology and Public Policy at Maharishi University of Management (MUM) in Fairfield, Iowa. Robert Schneider is a physician and the dean of the college of Maharishi Consciousness Based Health Care at MUM. Swami Ishwarananda is a senior minister at Chinmaya Mission Los Angeles and an author of several books on spirituality.

Hagelin who spoke about his scientific approach to life explained about different levels of universe and its foundation, the Unified Field, where all forces of the universe unify. “It is pure consciousness and all the laws of the nature emerge from it” said Hagelin. “It is a dynamic field of intelligence. A self-directing one” he added. Transcendental meditation (TM) allows the conscious mind to unite with the unified field. Based on several scientific studies, TM has an effect opposite of aging, according to Hagelin.

TM is a state where mind stops thinking and is in complete rest. When mind rests completely, it rejuvenates and works at higher efficiency.

While speaking about a physician’s approach to life, Schneider stated that most of the societies in the world have been using ancient systems of healthcare making the modern medicine almost an alternative form of medicine. He stressed the importance of integrating modern medical science with ancient science for a comprehensive healthcare approach. Schneider said that Maharishi College of Perfect Health at MUM is the first of its kind in the US which has a medical education program combining modern medicine and various forms of ancient and alternative healthcare systems around the world.

Schneider, renowned in the field of natural medicine, received more than 20 million dollars of federal grants for conducting research on TM and consciousness based health care. He said that psychosocial stress is a major risk factor for many illnesses and mind-based approach to medicine is a powerful tool. He also mentioned that the architecture of a building influences the brain and referred to the sick building syndrome where the health of an individual is associated with the time spent in a building.

Both Hagelin and Schneider presented the results of several scientific studies where TM had significant positive effect on various illnesses ranging from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to arthritis. In one study, meditation helped students to get off their ADHD medication. Vedic vibration technique of chanting alleviated arthritic pain. After three months of TM for 20 minutes a day electroencephalograph of a subject showed improved communication among different parts of the brain. Individuals practicing TM lived longer, had higher IQ, were able to recover from smoking addiction, and had reduced atherosclerosis and mortality from cancer. Even the rate of going back to prison among ex-convicts was down from 60-90% to 6% after practicing TM.

Swami Ishwarananda started his talk with a prayer for the wellbeing of the whole world. He said that life is full of experiences and people need to focus on the part of us that has these experiences. He also said that life is a game. “Just like we do not enjoy a game when we do not know its rules, life is not enjoyable when we do not know its rules.” said Ishwarananda. He explained that in GAME, G stands for growth during 0-25 years of life, A for action during 25-40 years when an individual focuses on family, society and profession, M for maturity between 40-60 years where one worships and contemplates, and E for enlightenment which happens over 60 years and is marked by solitude and meditation. Self control, pure intention, faith and inner freedom are the rules in each of those four stages, respectively. His talk, punctuated with his usual wit and wisdom, refreshed as well as stimulated the audience.

Final speaker was Priyanka Vaidya, an ayurvedic healer from the Bay area who shared her great grandmother’s tips for longevity. She said that eating in moderation, daily cleaning of tongue and meditation helped her great grandmother live for 108 years.

Following the lectures, the audience asked the speakers several questions in a session moderated by CSUB professor Stafford Betty. Speakers answered questions on meditation, yoga, death, dark matter and dark energy.

Many in the audience said the talks were very informative, thought provoking and useful. Steven Yaplee, an ophthalmologist at BMH, said that he found the seminars very informative and appreciated the idea of blending ancient medicine with modern science.

A retired registered nurse, Donna Collier said that it opened up a whole new approach to managing health. “It is more than what I expected” she added. Cher Everingham said that she had learned a lot from the event and was delighted to learn about traditional and modern medical practices. She said the information accelerated her trust in medicine. Everingham is a certified healing touch practitioner.

BMH pediatrician Mathilda Klupsteen said that it was her first time to attend the seminar and she would certainly come back to the future events. She appreciated the value of meditation to express life as a whole.

Charlotte Cunningham, a registered dietician, said “I think people are hungry for this information”, a comment appropriate for her profession. “I am so glad that we haven’t lost all the ancient knowledge. I will be working towards integrating modern and ancient techniques in my profession” she added.

Spirituality is deeply entwined with the universe and is the underlying force of life. As Ishwarananda suggested in his talk, life is in your hands.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Surendra Dara is an entomologist with University of California and founder of Laugh To Live (www.laughtolive.org)

Community Center Arrival with an Irish Twist! Meet your “PERFECT [church] MATCH” @ www.olivebranchcc

A new church was dedicated on February 1, 2009 at 10 A.M. Dr. Winston Urey, a missionary pastor from Northern Ireland, has blessed the NE corner of Olive Drive and Old Farm Road as the head honcho to the vision that is Olive Branch Community Church, OBCC. As the head pastor, counselor, family man and author of Daughters of Eve, Basic Theology, and Visiting Spirits, Pastor Winston is continually blessing the congregation with new scholarly insights, inspired wisdom and hard work. OBCC, today, is the culmination of three years of prayer, dedication and physical labor. We designed the church with an old world at home village feeling in mind. “The way the economy has turned isn't making it easy,” explains Grace Monrian, a Bakersfield native & OBCC Youth Pastor, “the workers are few and the vision is big, but we have faith that the time will come where we will see this property come to its full fruition. Rolling up our sleeves daily is the key!” OBCC currently has the Fellowship Hall/Youth Recreation Center built with great ambitions to add a preschool, bookstore, coffee shop, Christian education buildings, administration building, chapel, outdoor worship, low-income senor housing, gardens, playground, indoor/outdoor basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, frisbee golf course and more parking. OBCC hopes the community will want to draw closer to Christ through this church and we can be facilitators of that through a warm and loving congregation geared to uplift hearts through God's Word, good music, fellowship and sharing in the blessings of the property. You can check out OBCC's main service Sundays at 10 AM.

meet your “PERFECT [church] MATCH” @ www.olivebranchcc.org

12000 Olive Drive Bakersfield, CA 93312

office: 661-589-5353 & 661-589-9003

Kessler to Visit as Scholar-in-Residence

Bakersfield College’s Norman Levan Center for the Humanities is pleased to announce that Dr. Gary Kessler, emeritus professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religion at California State University, Bakersfield will be at Bakersfield College as a Scholar-in-Residence in late April.

Kessler, the author and editor of many books and scholarly articles, including Voices of Wisdom: A Multicultural Philosophy Reader and Studying Religion: An Introduction Through Cases will be at Bakersfield College from April 20 to 23. Kessler is currently working on a book on religion and violence, which is tentatively titled The Dark Side of Religion. He retired from teaching in 2004 and now devotes his scholarly time to writing and research. Kessler lives with his wife Katy in Bellingham, Washington.

Bakersfield College philosophy faculty Reggie Williams was a student of Kessler’s at CSUB who remembered Kessler’s classroom style quite fondly. “He was an excellent teacher who influenced me a lot,” Williams explained. “In particular, he was and is very fair and open minded. Gary always listened to students’ ideas before subjecting them to criticism, which can be hard to do.”

During his residence at Bakersfield College, Dr. Kessler will visit classes, hold drop in sessions for faculty and students, present a public lecture, and give a seminar for faculty and staff. His public lecture, The Paradox of Religious Violence, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, in the Fireside Room of the John Collins Campus Center. Kessler’s seminar on Religious Terrorism will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, in the Executive Board Room of the John Collins Campus Center.

"I've known Gary Kessler since the early 70's when he began at CSUB. Through the years we've been colleagues and good friends. He is both an expert in his field and an exceptionally thoughtful scholar, who is able to see both the positive and negative about religion,” said Dr. Jack Hernandez, director of the Norman Levan Center for the Humanities. “He has been working hard to present an informative and insightful public lecture and seminar. I look forward to his visit and feel fortunate to have him as our Levan Scholar-in-Residence."

Kessler notes that the paradox of religious violence is "…deeply buried in religion itself. Violence is not some outside, corrupting force but finds its home alongside the good that religion can also inspire. Wherever religion is present, the potential for violence is present as well as the potential for peace."

“Gary assembled and published the first multicultural Introduction to Philosophy text in the Western world, if not world period,” added Williams. “This book was way ahead of its time and remains in print, being used across the country.”

For information about Dr. Kessler, the April 2009 Norman Levan Center for the Humanities Scholar-in-Residence, email or call Jack Hernandez at jhernand@bakersfieldcollege.edu or at 661-395-4339.

Thank G-d for the Sun

The once-in-28-years mitzvah(commandement)

“G‑d made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night . . . And it was evening and it was morning, a fourth day.”—Genesis 1:16, 19

One who sees the sun at its turning point should say, "Blessed is He who reenacts the works of Creation." And when is this? Abaya said: every 28th year.—Talmud, Tractate Berachot 59b

Every 28 years the sun returns to the same position, at the same time of the week, that it occupied at the time of its creation—at the beginning of the fourth day of creation. A special blessing – called Birkat Hachamah, "the sun blessing" – is recited to mark this event. Due to the rarity of this event, this blessing is customarily recited amid large public gatherings of men, women and children.

In this Hebrew year of 5769, we will perform this special mitzvah on the morning of April 8 (the morning before Passover).

The blessing is traditionally preceded and followed by a short selection of Psalms and prayers.

The existence of nearly all life on Earth is fueled by light from the sun. Every morning without fail, the sun rises in the east and bathes us with its sustaining rays, causing flora to grow and, through the process of photosynthesis, providing oxygen for all fauna.

Some may call this phenomenon nature.

We will gather on April 8th and declare otherwise:

"Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who reenacts the works of creation."

Come and join in on this special gathering and take part in this momentous occasion with Rabbi Shmuel Schlanger of Chabad of Bakersfield at 6901 McDivitt Dr. #C, Bakersfield, 93313 on Wednesday April 8, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.

Make sure to bring along the kids and have them say the blessing. It's a memory for a lifetime!

For more information on this momentous occasion log on to www.ChabadofBakersfield.com or call 661-835-8381

Churches leave buildings to do good in the community

Instead of meeting in a church building this past Sunday, local church community Kaleo Fellowship, along with Life Journey Christian Church and a group from Yadah, went out into the community for volunteer work.

It was part of “Gone 4 Good,” a regular event in which churches partner with different organizations to serve the community. The goal is to “tangibly express and demonstrate God's love.” It is caring for those in need: the lonely, the poor, the sick, the lost, or the disabled.

This Gone 4 Good was centered on the launch of the League of Dreams baseball season. The League of Dreams is a local youth sports league created for those with disabilities. It gives every child the chance to play who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate due to their mild to severe disabilities. The League of Dreams event was sponsored by Terrio Therapy-Fitness and supported by the Gone 4 Good churches.

The church bodies helped out by grilling and serving lunch, running carnival activities, playing games with the children, helping keep things clean and supporting the workers and families at the event. Much of the church stuck around to cheer on the children and their families during the first round of games.

Mary Leighton, who organized the event, sees serving this way: “We can hide behind the church walls or we can go out and be the church. We're not wearing the name of our church but we are wearing the name of Christ.”

The idea for Gone 4 Good was formed by Kaleo Fellowship's leadership long before the church planted its roots in Bakersfield. When they dreamed what their new church should look like, they wondered how it would look if they focused on serving others as much as Jesus did. The answer made them evaluate how church communities live out their faith together and the idea was born.

In Gone 4 Good, churches look for opportunities to serve where there is great need. In the past, they've partnered with the city and cleaned up an alley packed with garbage. They also partnered with Ricky's Retreat to help support people living with AIDS.

Caleb Mizell, a teenage church member who has served at several Gone 4 Good events, said, “It's cool to see the look on people’s faces when you give and don't expect anything back.”

For more information on Gone 4 Good, visit http://web.me.com/sbcole/G4G_Bakersfield/Home.html. The new Web site at www.goneforgood.cc should be up soon.

Making Catholic Rosaries/Jewelry Free!

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Local Churches are Gone for Good

Local churches partner with League of Dreams this Sunday.

In place of meeting at a church building, local churches Kaleo Fellowship and Life Journey Christian Church will be the church by partnering with the League of Dreams.

Gone 4 Good, which happens nearly every month, partners with different local organizations to serve the community. Gone 4 Good means the congregation is love in action, caring for those in need: the lonely, the poor, the sick, the lost, or the disabled.

This particular Gone 4 Good Sunday the churches are partnering for the second time with the League of Dreams. The League of Dreams is a sports league in Bakersfield created for those with disabilities. This league gives “every child the chance to play” games and events they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to participate in due to their mild to severe disabilities.

The League of Dreams baseball season event will be at Fruitvale and Norris Park . The church bodies will be around the field from 11am to 2pm helping with cooking, setting up for lunch, manning booths (for carnival type activities), helping keep things clean and supporting the workers and families at the event.

In doing Gone 4 Good, the churches look specifically for opportunities to serve others where there aren't many too quick to volunteer. In the past, they've partnered with the city and cleaned up a filthy, untouchable alley. They also partnered with Ricky's Retreat to help support and serve people living with AIDS.

It is an opportunity for the churches to love their neighbors and to be the church that God intended.

Seminary Offers Web Based Lent Guide

Searching for an Easter devotional guide? Now you can look no further than your computer, thanks to the faculty, staff and students of the MB Biblical Seminary in Fresno, CA.

The 50-day Easter guide, Walking in the light, can be accessed by logging on to the seminary’s website at www.mbseminary.edu. To request a daily copy of the devotional you can email them at easter@mbseminary.edu or by calling 1-800-251-6227 for more information.

Faith: Bakersfield.com

Mormon teenagers give to Catholics!

JACOB CLAY GREEN

Californian's: "GOT HOPE?" Are You tired of all the "Doom & Gloom" Bad News about California?

September 23rd, 24th & 25th GOD, GOLD & GLORY ! Bakersfield

(Breakers-field) California REVIVAL GATHERING! with Apostolic Revivalist, Historian & Author Pastor Henry & Grace Falany

A Jihad by the faithful

What I learned in Vacation Bible School

Local Teen Writes Thriller to Earn Her Way Through College

Local church dedicates solar panel installation

JONESTOWN MASSACRE REVISITED

Don't be afraid of May 21st!

Easter Eggcitement Coming Soon!

Youth for Christ Report to the People Banquet

"Gear Up" Radio Show Brings New Growth to Summit Bible College

A Drink From the Well

A Drink From the Well

Stop Smoking offer on Bakersfield.com

Frustrated Father & Lost Innocence

Reincarnation and the West

Gratified needy served by ravenous and thirsty volunteers

Danielle's Legacy

Sunstrewn Reflections

Cal State Music Student A Hit at Local Congregation

Redeemer Lutheran Golf Tournament

Wounded Survivors Heal Hundreds

HOLY WEEK AT REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH

New Hispanic Church Launches in Bakersfield’s Plaza Neighborhood

The Dead Touch Us Still

An Exceptional Gift for Your Loved Ones this Valentines Day

American Idol contestant Jim Ranger in Concert

Surviving the Holidays while Grieving

How to get WOW Prestige of Thrallmar or Honor Hold

Christmas Miracle

Dear Santa

Tidings of Comfort and Joy - Facing the holidays after bereavement

Darwin’s Legacy in the Modern World Explored at Levan Center Discussions

See You at the Pole

Forgiveness and Healing: A Message for Yom Kippur

"Awaken the Giant" men's conference scheduled for Saturday, October 10, in Pismo Beach

9-11 UNITED WE STAND

THE FACE IN THE MIRROR

jjj

Church offers unique community photo community opportunity

The Gurus, the Young Man, and Elder Paisios

When Science Meets the Spirit: A Scientific and Spiritual Approach to Life

Community Center Arrival with an Irish Twist! Meet your “PERFECT [church] MATCH” @ www.olivebranchcc

Kessler to Visit as Scholar-in-Residence

Thank G-d for the Sun

Churches leave buildings to do good in the community

Making Catholic Rosaries/Jewelry Free!

Local Churches are Gone for Good

Seminary Offers Web Based Lent Guide

September 23rd, 24th & 25th
GOD, GOLD & GLORY ! Bakersfield

(Breakers-field) California
REVIVAL GATHERING!
with Apostolic Revivalist, Historian & Author
Pastor Henry & Grace Falany