Joshua Alive
"Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies it bears much fruit."
John 12:24
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Joshua’s song
dipping pen in
tears of the moon
i chant the blood
of my dreams
i paint a prayer
to the God
of my life
whose Spirit in me sings
i script a song
a song of the night
i whistle on the breeze
i conduct the wind
it kites my soul
i sojourn on my knees
seeds are buried
some will grow
others fear the morn
at night dark blossoms
echo light
at daybreak fruit is born
the song of the night
is pitch black white
love is never done
the song of the night
is full-orbed bright
it gently bids us,
come
* * *

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"Joshua,
I command you, be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9
In the photo on the left Joshua
is standing in front of an icon of Christ, whose right hand forms the sign of a blessing. The ancient Church thought it a good and right thing to depict in beautiful images the faces and stories of those who have sought and served God and neighbor with their whole hearts. Joshua holds such an icon in his hands, but the glare of the camera flash makes it hard to see what is depicted. Because this icon looks blank, it almost seems that Joshua is saying "Your face here."
Each of us is a seed, and each of us can plant seeds of good. In doing so, we change the world for the better and light the way for others. This is Joshua's song of the night, a song that shines light from what to us may sometimes seem deep darkness.
As mentioned on our home page, Joshua Alive carries Joshua's legacy of doing good and caring for others. If you would like to join us, here are some things you can do:
1. Do a specific act of good in memory of Joshua. It is especially meaningful if you do this act for someone whom you dislike or might consider an enemy. Imagine if this website were here for 20 years, and over that time a million people read this, and acted on it. That would mean one million acts of good that may not have existed if Joshua had not been created.
2. Tell the truth and speak the truth as you know it, without judgment or blame, realizing that no one person has all the truth. We may think the lies we tell do no harm, and are "little white lies." Instead of "little white lies,"let us tell "little white truths" that have the power to bring light and heal. The truth will set us free.
3. Joshua worked for and/or supported several organizations during his life, all of whose main ministry is to do good and help the poor. Consider a donation to one of the following groups in Joshua's name:
St Elizabeth Orthodox Christian Church, Eagan, MN
The Orthodox Peace Fellowship, Minnesota
Project Mexico
4. Give to one of the following groups, or another that you know of that helps the sexually abused or tortured. (Sexual abuse and rape have been defined by Amnesty International as torture).
Pokrov.org
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International
5. Let others know about this website.
6. If you have been sexually abused, or have some of the signs or symptoms, please, talk to someone you can trust about it; a wise friend, a counselor, a pastor, a doctor or other health professional.
7. Write to us if you think we can help you or to share any stories of good, or if knowing Joshua, or learning about him has changed your life in any way. Write if you would like us to pray for you, and we will.
Contact: Renee-mary@comcast.net Joshua A Flame
Coming soon:
This is a booklet about Joshua's life and death, and parents who have tried to love their children, but have often times failed. It is a story of learning to identify and change patterns of abuse and denial in oneself, and then perhaps in the lives of others. It is about how God accepts and forgives. It is about about holding on to the last little shred of hope........
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Links to learn about sexual abuse: Books and Films: Call 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433; Call 1-800-273-TALK / 1-800-273-8255
Sexual abuse defined
Sexual abuse and the brain
Sexual abuse and Substance Abuse
Suicide linked to Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse and Incest
Sexual abuse and PTSD
(All can be ordered from http://www.amazon.com/)
Memorey and Abuse Remembering and Healing the Effects of Trauma by Charles L. Whitehead
The Sexual Healing Journey by Wendy Maltz
Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and it's After Effects in Women by Sue Blume
Repressed Memories: A Journey to Recovery from Sexual Abuse by Renee Frederickson
Sexual Abuse in Christian homes and Churches by Carolyn Heggen
Understanding Clergy Misconduct in Religious Systems: Scapegoating, Family Secrets, and the Abuse of Power by Candace Benyei PhD
Films
"The Celebration"
"Nuts"
"Volver"
"Marion Bridge"
Suicide Hotlines: