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

* * *

 

 + + +

"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

  Coming soon: 

Joshua A Flame

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........

   ***********************************************

Links to learn about sexual abuse: 

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


 Books and Films: 
(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:

 Call 1-800-SUICIDE / 1-800-784-2433; Call 1-800-273-TALK / 1-800-273-8255

http://www.mhsanctuary.com/suicide/sui1.htm


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