News

A Place Where the Impossible is Possible

By Donna Marable

After the Gulf of Mexico hurricane Katrina in 2005, Joe and Lorraine Aldrete served on a Relief Team in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  With serving hearts and a developing love for people of the Gulf Coast, in 2009 they moved from California to plant Calvary Chapel of Foley, Alabama where Pastor Joe serves as Senior Pastor.  With God’s miraculous, guiding hand dreams continued with the 2018 opening of The Dream Center of Baldwin County.

The Center’s mission is to positively impact youth in Baldwin County by helping them overcome the socioeconomic barriers preventing them from achieving success in academics and in the community.  At risk youth ages 13–18 can begin to rebuild and transform their lives with the help from caring volunteers and counselors.  The nonprofit organization serves all of Baldwin County and is 100% funded by donations from individuals and businesses.

Pastor Joe came from the Moreno Valley Calvary Chapel with experience serving as Youth, College, Missions and Executive Pastor.  With a background in law enforcement and leadership training he is foremost in the organized networking necessary for the smooth, successful operation of a Center combining school services, community partnerships and various community resources.  He is the Sheriff’s Dept. Lead Chaplain and member of their Critical Incident Stress Management Team.

The Dream Center’s focus is ‘diversion’ – an interventional approach to redirecting youth, while holding them accountable for their actions, with the goal of avoiding formal processing into the juvenile justice system.  Thirty-six youth have been taken into the program during the past year, and Pastor Joe sadly notices the absence of engaged, supportive fathers.  Some of the many available services are conflict resolution, Teen-Anon (helping teens with aftercare from addiction), daily living skills, family and 1:1 support (including crisis and mental health counseling), tutoring in educational needs, mentoring and work force development.  A weekly food pantry run out of Calvary Chapel of Foley the past 10+ years is available to students and their families and a clothes closet offers clothing, hygiene products and school supplies.

More information on the Center, located at 1113 N. McKenzie St., Foley, Alabama, may be viewed at www.dreamcenterbaldwincounty.com.  Pastor Joe Aldrete’s statement “One person, one family at a time” embodies the passion and love for helping others that brought this Dream Center to fruition.

By Staff Reporter

Our own Lighthouse News writer, Jeff Sutherland, has published the second book in his Life Seminary Series:  A Weed Free Life, Thinking Through the Landscape Process.  Along with the first book of the Series, Pet Seminary, Jeff has prayerfully planned and explained how to develop an improved, manicured landscape in which to live successfully by recognizing the hand of God, in the common lessons He tailors for each of us.  We at the Lighthouse News are very thankful of the services Jeff is providing  through his local ministry and his writing.  Jeff’s tools and encouraging Biblical references for “just listening” to God will assist in transforming your life.  Start today   by checking out the Ministry’s website  www.fortmorganministries.com  and detailed descriptions and excerpts at:  www.infinitybooksmalta.com/fortmorganministries/

By Nancy Lee Kilpatrick

It is easy to see why Nancy Lee Kilpatrick is so loved and revered by the Lighthouse News staff and by those fortunate enough to make her acquaintance.  Nancy’s passion for her beliefs and her God-given ability to research, learn, understand, network and teach cannot be quenched — even by her current stay in a rehab facility after a fall.  As    I visited today, each worker who came to Nancy’s room lively engaged in conversation with her, obviously already enjoying a bond formed with this wise, dynamic woman.  Nancy’s beliefs began early in life and have done nothing but build momentum ever since!  She’s unstoppable, and her heart for others, energy, and humor is contagious.  We ask you to join us in praying, decreeing and declaring complete healing over Nancy as she’s obviously NOT FINISHED YET!

By: Eglaide Seiber Barroso

Let me introduce you to my God-given Pakistani Family. This is Alishba. Her real name is Zoya Amna Pirzada. Her family gave her the nickname Alishba because it is a Muslim name meaning sweet and innocent girl. According to a Google search, the name Alishba originated from the number five, which is the number of God’s Grace. She is 13 years old now. Alishba was born with a physical condition that keeps her from living a normal life. She is the first daughter of Mansoor and Sadaf Pirzada. Together they have three other children, Falak, Ayan, and Abeeha, ages 12, 10, and 4. They live in the small town of Daharki, Sindh, Pakistan.

Alishba was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after her birth, where she survived. She was doing good, but at the age of two years old, she had a high fever with uncontrolled epileptic seizures. After receiving first aid, she was rushed to a hospital that was a three-hour drive away from her home. An expert pediatrician, Dr. Ghulam Rasool Booq, admitted her to an ICU, where she survived again. Her parents started getting Alishba checked for medical treatment by different doctors who diagnosed her with Cerebral Palsy. Now Alishba cannot see, walk, talk, or sit. Doctors in Pakistan have not shown any hope for her improvement and treatment except for physiotherapy, which is getting more difficult as she grows.

Over three years ago, I talked to Mansoor about developing a full-color, eight-page hard copy of The Lighthouse News. I knew about his professional skills as a graphic designer, website developer, and marketing packages designer through a professional acquaintance. Our relationship developed from a business relationship to a close friendship, a Lighthouse News family member, and a spiritual son to me. Since then, we have become close to each other’s families talking and chatting daily, sharing our families’ pictures, live events, dreams, trials, and victories. Mansoor is a loving son, husband, father, and true friend. He has an open and tender heart from where love, dedication, and loyalty flow abundantly in whatever he does.

I learned what real unconditional love is by watching him and Sadaf’s dedication to Alishba. They are continually trying to find medical options for Alishba’s special needs, hoping that her life condition can improve. On live videos, I watch him interreact with all his children and his beautiful wife, Sadaf. Mansoor works very hard to provide a secure and quality life for his family. He is a great professional with high principles and determination to provide a masterpiece for every work order he receives from his customers.

The Lighthouse News wouldn’t be celebrating two years of quality, professional publishing on paper and online if Mansoor hadn’t joined us in our dream of becoming a light in this world. He does his part with his heart and the faith that there is a bigger purpose in life than to run after the almighty dollar. After all, The Lighthouse team is made of Christian writers who donate their skills and time to share God’s light, love, and goodness to a dark and broken world. Everything is done completely by faith that God provides for his children. We have accomplished much through the love, dedication, and commitment of our voluntary team. In that love, we have become a family, knitted by the desire to serve each other and our local, nationwide, and global communities.

The heart of this publication ministry is to be a platform from where we become the hands and feet of God to one another as a godly family does. Nothing can be done without the love of God in our hearts and the desire to be the change in the world around us. Therefore, with this servant’s heart, hope, and faith, I am asking everyone reading about Alishba’s condition to reach out to Mansoor with the purpose of aiding him in finding the medical treatment his beautiful daughter, Alishba, needs.

To contact Mansoor Pirzada, email him:

mansoorpirzada@gmail.com

Phone/WhatsApp Number +92 333 7252585

By Nancy Kilpatrick

One of our most important holidays, Independence Day – July 4^th, is here.  I have chosen to rank July 4^th our third most important holiday, behind Christmas and Easter which I pair together as number one because they represent our Christian faith and the very basis of our beautiful America.  And then Independence Day, representing the birth of our nation and the embracing of the most valuable document ever written in the history of the world, our Constitution of the United States of America, I would place in third position, ranking in honor and importance.

I am deeply grieved in my spirit when I witness disrespect of any of these most important holidays.  Unfortunately our nation is at a crossroads today which can only be blamed on education, or rather lack of education.  Only my generation can remember the days when the Golden Rule was the standard.  Our children were not in fear going to the school.  The worst threat in the classroom was being hit by a paper wad spitball.  Question:  What changed?  Our governing representatives in Washington, DC took prayer out of school.  Question:  Who is to blame?  We, the People.

We, the People sat back and allowed our representatives to do this.  Now our children are being killed in the classrooms.  And our children are being taught inaccurate, untruthful history.  They are being indoctrinated to hate other children of different races, different beliefs or opinions.  They are even being taught to rebel against God in their gender identity.

Question:  Who can change this?  Is there hope for our upcoming generation of children?  There is – but only if our current generation of We, the People will stand up united as one, put on our big girl panties/our big boy pants, go to the poles to vote and demand that our representatives in Washington stand up for our freedoms, for truth, for Christian values, morality and life.  We can “fire” – put those permanently out of office who are on a determined path to destroy our future.  We do that at the voting booth.

Do you value our Christian heritage?  Do you honor Christmas and Easter?  Do you respect and recognize those in the past, some our own family members who paid the ultimate price for our freedom today?  Then let me challenge and encourage you to join me.  We, the People are the majority, we can do this, we can invoke the help of our Father to enable us to pass on to our children the free America we were given by those who went before us.  God bless you, God bless this July 4^th Independence Day, our precious children and God Bless America.

by Jeff Sutherland

Uniquely an opinion has leaked from our Supreme Court, written by Justice Samuel Alito that says it is wrong for the courts to make a national law which should be a state rights issue, according to reports from Politico. The thought of overturning Roe v Wade after 49 years instantly had protestors surround the Supreme Court. Congress members  Warren, Schiff, Pelosi, Vice President Harris, President Biden and more saying our country would go back into the dark ages, slavery, cannibalism, adding it would be the end of democracy. Tom Malinowski, D-NJ said congress must pass a law to make sure the radical right court does not get its way. If necessary, they must abolish the filibuster, pack the courts. Protestors and news media added that “we must do whatever necessary to make sure we keep our constitutional rights to abortion, even if we have to burn the court down.”

Margaret Sanger, founder of Planned Parenthood would be so proud. Her purpose was to get rid of as many Black people as possible. In an interview this week, Candace Owens said that of the 65,000,000 babies killed by abortion since 1973, nearly one-third (30+%)have been black. Black people make up about 14% of Americans

President Biden said that the biggest threat this country has today is the 75,000,000 Make America Great Again voters. Trump voters are the worst terrorists in the history of our country since they are trying to destroy democracy. Here is a brief list of the terrorist threats that occurred during Trump’s presidency. Energy independence, lowest unemployment rates for all minorities and women, more secure border, peace through strength, support of police, freer speech for both sides, safer cities, family values.

In his book, Rules for Radicals, Saul Alinsky wrote that anyone who disagrees with his far-left views must be isolated, marginalized, punished, deplatformed, and shut up by any means necessary.

When told that the addresses of the conservative justices have been put out publicly so that protests could occur, President Biden agreed. US Code Title 18 Sec. 1507 says it is illegal to try to pressure judges or congress to change their mind by intimidation.

Protestors around the country, most media and many of our political leaders agree that ‘we cannot go back.’ We have a right to kill our babies anytime for any reason, no matter what the law says. We must be able to do what we want.

Sunday, May 8, Mother’s Day, plans are in place to storm churches, form large loud crowds during services to get their points across. Next Saturday, huge protests are planned and fund raising to keep democracy from being destroyed. Yet, if Roe is overturned, the truth is each state will have to decide where to draw the line. Each person in each state could vote for their choice. That has not been allowed on this issue since 1973.

Intimate details and discussions on this issue available at, HOME | Fortmorgan (fortmorganministries.com)

By Rev.Clete Hux – arcapologetics.org

“M. I. C. K. E. Y, M. O. U. S. E! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck! …” Many of us remember this sing-along song that opened the Mickey Mouse Club program when as children we were enjoying the biggest name in entertainment. That, of course, was the wonderful world of DISNEY. At one time, Walt Disney’s family-oriented programming was enjoyed by almost everyone, adults and children alike. However, times have changed and so has Disney, so much so that ole Walt is probably “turning over in his grave”. Disney now promotes the progressive anti-family and anti-Christian LGBTQ woke culture that the founders of BLM intended for the destruction of the nuclear family.

Chances are that if you want to watch a good movie, sporting event, or have your child watch an animated cartoon program, more than likely it will be connected to the vast empire that Disney has become, owning a good portion of the television and entertainment world. Just three years ago Disney, for $73.1 billion, bought the film and TV assets that were held by 21st Century Fox, marking the transaction one of the largest media mergers in history.

The above is just for starters. Add to that the list of Disney-owned companies and you begin to get a sense of just how big Disney really is. That list includes ABC, ESPN, Touchstone Pictures, Marvel, Lucasfilm, A&E, The History Channel, Lifetime, Pixar, Hollywood Records, Vice Media, and Core Publishing among many others.

Included are recognizable brands and film franchises as the following: Star Wars, The Muppets, The Marvel Cinematic Universe (but not the X-Men – yet!), Disney Princesses/Princes (such as characters from Cinderella, Mulan, Frozen, Aladdin, and The Lion King), The Chronicles of Narnia Franchise, The Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, Pixar Films, (such as Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Cars), The Winnie the Pooh Franchise, The Indiana Jones Franchise, Grey’s Anatomy and other popular ABC shows. See: https://www.titlemax.com/discovery-center/money-finance/companies-disney-owns-worldwide/

The LGBT culture is alive and flourishing within Disney. During a recent virtual meeting, a group of Disney filmmakers together with employees said they have been given the freedom to add “queerness” and LGBT characters to children’s programming, but they believe a lot more needs to be done. Such was expressed during an “all-hands” meeting following controversy regarding Florida’s parental rights bill that prohibits classroom teaching about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade. Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has signed the bill into law. See: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/poll-americans-support-florida-parental-rights-law-2-to-1-when-read-actual-text.html

In a series of videos released by journalist Christopher F. Rufo, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, Disney executive Karey Burke told attendees of the meeting that she is the “mother of two queer children – one transgender child, and one pangender child”. Wanting to see more LGBT characters in Disney programs, she states, “We have many, many, many LGBTQIA characters in our stories, and yet we don’t have enough leads and narratives in which gay characters just get to be characters and not have to be about gay stories.” Rufo, in a tweet, said that Burke added in the video that she wanted a minimum of 50 percent of characters to be LGBTQIA and racial minorities.

See here: https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/michael-foust/disney-filmmakers-in-leaked-videos-adding-queerness-to-childrens-programs-is-the-goal.html

and here: https://www.city-journal.org/disneys-ideological-capture?wallit_nosession=1

Latoya Raveneau, directing two episodes of The Proud Family on Disney Plus, reports she previously had heard “whispers” – when she worked for other studios – that Disney does not allow LGBT characters in its programs. But she said that’s not the case. The Proud Family includes a same sex married couple. She says, “My experience was bafflingly the opposite of what I had heard, and the showrunners were super welcoming of LGBT characters.” She further states, “Our leadership over there has been so welcoming to my not-at-all secret gay agenda…I don’t have to be afraid to, like, let’s have these two characters kiss in the background. I was just, wherever I could, just basically adding queerness [to projects].”

See here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6418940/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

Another Disney production coordinator, Allen Martsch, discussed adding LGBT content to the upcoming Disney series, Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. Martsch applauds Disney saying, “They’ve been really open to exploring queer stories, …we take place in modern-day New York – so making sure that that’s an accurate reflection of New York. So I put together a tracker of our background characters to make sure that we have like the full breadth of expression.”

He concludes by saying, “…It’s not just about a numbers game of how many LGBTQ-plus characters you have,…The more centered a story is on a character, the more nuanced you get to get into their story. And especially with trans characters, you can’t see if anyone is trans – there’s not one way to look trans. And so kind of the only way to have these canonical trans characters, canonical asexual characters, canonical bisexual characters, is to give them stories where they can be their whole selves.”

Yes, Disney holds great power to persuade children and adults into believing it is kind and loving to accept this perverted worldview. Add to this the promotion of the LGBTQ lifestyles by politicians and lobbyists, then a sense of the battle takes on a greater sense of urgency. And it gets more complicated when the President of the United States aids and abets the issue. Just recently some observed a Transgender Day of Visibility and President Biden has declared his support of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria to undergo body mutilating surgeries or use puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to look more like the opposite sex despite unknowns about the long-term side effects.

See here: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/mar/31/joe-biden-to-mark-transgender-day-of-visibility-wi/

Standing in opposition to the above procedures the American College of Pediatricians said, “There is not a single long-term study to demonstrate the safety or efficacy of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries for transgender believing youth,”… “This means that youth transition is experimental and therefore, parents cannot provide informed consent, nor can minors provide assent for these interventions. Moreover, the best long-term evidence we have among adults shows that medical intervention fails to reduce suicide.”

See here: https://acpeds.org/transgender-interventions-harm-children

Also, on their website, acpeds.org has a page stating that “Transgender Interventions Harm Children” and that puberty blockers may cause both mental illness and permanent physical harm adding that such is not only experimental but dangerous.

Besides Disney, now Apple is lending its strength to opposing gender legislation. That makes two very powerful entities. According to an article in Politico, Apple’s communications, government affairs and legal offices are working with policymakers and advocacy groups to plot out strategies in filing court briefs in cases involving LGBTQ “rights.”

Fred Sainz, their senior of corporate communications, recently pressed leaders of fellow Fortune 500 companies to denounce an order by the Texas governor that called for child abuse investigations of parents who provide transgender children with “gender-affirming” procedures despite opposition from doctors. Sainz asked these leaders to lend their company’s name to the issue because Apple will lend its name and logo to fight for LGBTQ rights. All Americans will be affected by decisions made by Disney and Apple.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/01/apple-lobbying-anti-lgbtq-laws-00022127

Note: I believe it is important to distinguish some terms. The so-called “anti-LGBTQ” laws are not against the 1% of the population who identify as transgender or the 3% who identify as homosexual (percentages according to the YouGov poll released in March). Instead, these laws should rightly be termed parental rights legislation or child protection laws to protect the vulnerable from possible lifelong harm.

What is a parent to do? What is a Christian to do? How are parents to handle the area of children’s programs and entertainment? How do we respond? Boycott Disney? Throw away your Apple phone? Good luck with that! Even if that were possible, the extensive effects of Disney influence are worldwide. I think it is safe to say that one thing Americans will not give up is their freedom to be entertained. I’m probably including myself. I love sports. Many people do and to give that up would be a challenge. “Don’t mess with my entertainment” might be the prevailing attitude. I remember reading about the contrast between Christians in the Soviet Union under Khrushchev and Christians in America during the same time period. The difference was Christians under Khrushchev were tested by persecution while Christians in America were tested by their freedoms. Can it be said that our freedoms have blinded us and are holding us hostage, preventing us from bringing every thought captive to the word of God and keeping us from seeing the threat at our doorsteps? Some say that only time will tell, but I believe time is already telling! Let’s open our eyes and be accountable to truth. Let’s seek to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in the Word of God instead of being conformed to the world system and its culture.

By Staff Reporter

Holocaust Remembrance day is from sunset April 27 to nightfall April 28. This special day is for us to remember the German’s killing of six million Jews, yet many events were cancelled because of low attendance. The Jewish day always ran from sunset to sunset and so the remembrance does too. The date of liberation of the last concentration camp at Auschwitz was January 27^th, 1945. Remember this too, Hitler was voted in by a Democratic election. The people thought him to be a good and wise leader. Most around the world, and in Germany didn’t discover about the killings until after the war. The news was there, but people didn’t believe it.

Personally, I knew only one man who was held in a Jewish death camp. Osburn Flener was beaten so bad that his organs were no longer  in the right place, his ribs cracked, his walk and his breathing painful, yet his focus was always on helping others. I never heard him complain.

Those who went through these terrible days are gone now and the next generation is working to change history, saying that the holocaust never happened. This has happened before.

Joshua when leading Israel into the promised land told twelve leaders, one from each tribe to put a large stone in the Jordan River so generations to come would always remember what God did, Joshua 4. He told them to remind their children and children’s children to remember God bringing them out of slavery, God parting the Red Sea, God feeding them in the wilderness and God bringing them into the promised land. Yet as soon as Joshua died, and that generation with him, the children of Israel forgot God and worshipped other unknown gods, Judges 2:8-15.

If we so quickly forget what can happen when one charismatic leader says one thing and does another, we too will be led by someone who will quickly continue our journey away from the truth and into lies. If we take our eyes off God and turn to gods or our own making, we could find ourselves in new death camps, or worse. We must never forget.

If you wonder how a loving God could allow the killing of 6,000,000 of His chosen people, contact us at HOME | Fortmorgan (fortmorganministries.com) .

10 Reasons the German People Elected Adolf Hitler – Listverse

By Esther Milne

Three little words we’ve all managed to grasp in the Spanish language, ‘Cinco de Mayo.’ It’s the day when people all across the U.S. forget their own nationality and don a wide-brimmed sombrero hat or a brightly colored poncho, reach for the chips and salsa, and celebrate all things Mexican.

What happens on the seis de Mayo, when the fiesta is forgotten but maybe the Mariachi style music is still playing in your neighborhood while the construction workers are working from dawn to dusk? Or what about the Mama who’s running the same errands as you but is struggling to make herself understood in English? Are we still just as eager to celebrate the Latino culture when it interferes with our every day lives?

As Christians we are called to cross cultural lines just like Jesus did when he deliberately traveled through Samaria for a divine encounter with a desperate woman (read the story in John 4 v 1-26), and like the parable He told of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10 v 25-37). Just as the Good Samaritan acted with kindness and compassion toward the afflicted man, we are instructed to love and care for all those around us without distinction of color, creed, nationality or even religion. It all comes down to fulfilling the second most important commandment which is to love our neighbor as ourself.

Gaining a sense of understanding of another culture helps us to be more compassionate to both individuals and communities as a whole. For example, you may be surprised to know that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, and while it has been widely commercialized in the U.S. (God bless those Mexican businesses), it is not celebrated in the most of Mexico. This spring time holiday commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 which was a significant triumph due to the strength of Mexico’s resistance. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821 and the whole country celebrates this special date on September 16th each year.

I have a heart that loves the Latino community. I spent years in school and university learning their language and studying the culture, and as a class of young students we all wanted to visit Latin America. I’ve been blessed to visit several different Latin American countries and my love for the people has grown from here.

When you don’t speak the same language, it can be more complicated to reach a specific group but there are little acts of kindness that can be understood in every tongue. As you open your heart to embrace other cultures and treat others with compassion, every day you’ll be taking steps to love others in the same way as Jesus.

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1 by Os Hillman

“Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” – Isaiah 61:5

God is calling forth a remnant of workplace believers whom He will use mightily to bring good news to those who have never heard the gospel. The “10/40 Window” is commonly referred to as those areas of the world where no one has heard the name of Jesus Christ. This region represents many of the Muslim nations in the Middle East, India, China, and the former Soviet Republics. If Christian missionaries are not welcome in these countries, how do you suppose God plans to bring His message to these people? Certainly He loves these people just as much as He loves us.

God is mobilizing His workplace believers around the world to be the vessels who will bring the good news to these peoples. These countries welcome commerce, and in most cases this represents the only way to bring the gospel to these nations. In these countries, workplace believers are often viewed as those who have corrupt morals. However, God wants to change this. The “Joshuas and Calebs” are spying out the land. This class of workplace believer has a pioneer spirit that is seeking ways of penetrating strongholds of spiritual darkness in these countries. God is raising them up. They see the risks, but they see the awesomeness of God that enables them to accomplish something for His Kingdom by using their resources and talents.

And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs ( Isaiah 61:6-7).

Workplace believers in these nations will be called priests of the Lord. They will feed on the wealth of these nations. The wealth of these nations are the souls who are precious in God’s sight. Salvations will be their true reward as a result of their efforts. No longer will the shame many of these people live under rule their lives. God will set them free.

Has God called you to be such a vessel? Has He called you to be a catalyst in some way? Ask your heavenly Father if He might want you to affect nations for Him.

https://todaygodisfirst.com/?vgo_ee=FuMQTRjGjfKlDt4thzWpa0zkASpiHornD%2Fz2wZTd1jg%3D