ATTENTION: SCROLL DOWN to get TODAY'S article entitled in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. PLEASE be sure to note the various PRAYER REQUESTS listed BEFORE and AFTER the posted article. (NOTE the list of DAILY prayer requests for the persecuted church.) They ALL deserve your intercession.
BE Prepared TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST ABORTION
"SCHOOL CLOSURES HREATEN KIDS MORE THAN COVID-19, PEDIATRICIANS SAY" - Rachel Greszler / July 08, 2020 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/07/08/school-closures-threaten-kids-more-than-covid-19-pediatricians-say/
Joanne Collins Brock , a second grade teacher at St. Francis School, teaches online in her empty classroom on April 15, 2020, in Goshen, Kentucky. (Photo: Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Access to education is foundational to American society and fundamental to the American ideal of providing equal opportunities. Yet amid COVID-19 shutdowns, many children have very limited or even no access to formal education.That has caused numerous problems for some children, including a loss in learning, an exacerbation of race- and income-based educational gaps, and, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, increased child abuse and neglect.
There are also added stresses and uncertainties for families.
Taking a holistic view of the situation, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new report that advocates opening schools while providing age-based safety guidance.The academy’s report emphatically states:
"The APP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. ...The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits, as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. This, in turn, places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality."
As detailed below, the consequences of school closures are significant. Yet, while still not entirely known, the benefits of school closures appear far less impactful because kids simply are not as affected by COVID-19. Kids are less likely to contract the virus (in the U.S., children represent about 22% of the population, but only 1.7% of COVID-19 cases), are less likely to spread it to others (a study of 54 Dutch families found no indication of children under 12 transmitting the disease), and are less likely to have severe symptoms if they do contract the virus.
A study from the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment found that after reopening schools between May 11 and June 8, there have been few reports of infections among employees at schools and no reports of employees who were infected by children. That’s important information as school districts weigh the health and well-being concerns of children and teachers.
For kids, COVID-19 is far less dangerous than the seasonal flu. That’s not true for older individuals or those with comorbidities. But while at-risk adults can take measures to mitigate their risks of COVID-19, children are largely helpless against the harms caused by school closures. Those harms are at least threefold.
First, there’s the education loss.
At best, it appears students are spending about half as much time engaged in learning, with many engaged for an hour or less per day. According to a McKinsey report, about half of students live in 28 states that have not mandated distance learning. And even at its best, full-time remote learning will not be the right fit for every child. Some families may prefer virtual learning for the time being, but that should not be the only option.
As Doug Lemov, an expert on effective teaching practices, said, “There’s a limit to how good a lesson can be when you’re trying to interact with your students through a keyhole in the door.”
McKinsey modeled the impacts of three different scenarios and found that the difference between fully reopening schools in the fall versus only partially reopening them through January 2021 would result in three to four months of lost learning for students with average remote learning instruction; seven to 11 months of lost learning for students with lower-quality remote instruction; and 12 to 14 months for students who receive no remote learning.
Second, there’s the disparate impact.
As the McKinsey report noted: "Even more troubling is the context: the persistent achievement disparities across income levels and between white students and students of black and Hispanic heritage. School shutdowns could not only cause disproportionate learning losses for these students—compounding existing gaps—but also lead more of them to drop out. This could have long-term effects on these children’s long-term economic well-being and on the [U.S.] economy as a whole."
Surveys of parents confirm stark differences in experiences with a strong correlation to race and income level. According to a survey from advocacy group ParentsTogether, low-income families were five times more likely to report receiving no distance learning from their schools compared with the highest-income families (11% vs. 2%), were twice as likely to report that distance learning is going poorly or very poorly (36% vs. 17%), and were 10 times as likely to report that their children are doing little or no remote learning (38% vs. 3.7%). And 4 out of 10 of the poorest students are participating in remote learning only once a week or less.
Some 76% of African American and 82% of Hispanic families say they are concerned they don’t have the resources necessary to keep their children on track.
Third, and most heartbreaking, is increased child abuse and neglect.
School shutdowns mean vulnerable children who are in abusive home environments are spending more time where most neglect and abuse occurs, at a time when economic and health stresses have contributed to more abuse and neglect. Those children aren’t coming into contact with the teachers and professionals who are the primary reporters of abuse and neglect.
In 2018, there were 3.5 million children who came into contact with Child Protective Services. About 678,000 were determined to be victims of maltreatment, and 1,770 children died of abuse and neglect. Parents are the perpetrators among 92% of child maltreatment victims; 29% of victims are 2 years of age or younger; and professionals—most significantly educational professionals—are responsible for 67% of all reports of maltreatment. (Friends, neighbors, and family account for only 17% of reports.) That makes school, child care, and other child well-being service closures a recipe for disaster for vulnerable children.
As a report on child welfare and COVID-19 from the Brookings Institution aptly stated:
"COVID-19 has created a perfect storm of factors that will almost certainly lead to a sharp increase in unreported cases of child abuse and neglect, as children are cut off from interactions with professionals and teachers, confined at home with caregivers and relatives, and families are feeling the stress of job loss and economic uncertainty."
"The nation’s system of detecting abuse and neglect, which is heavily dependent on reports by teachers, doctors, and other professionals, is rendered almost completely powerless in this new situation as in-person and face-to-face interactions between children and professionals are being minimized by the stay-at-home orders issued by most states."
"At the same time, other vital parts of the child welfare system—home investigations, child-parent visits, mandatory court appearances, home-based parenting programs—are now at a near standstill, making it harder and harder for the system to ensure the safety and well-being of the nearly 3.5 million children they come into contact with each year. "
COVID-19 is temporary, but many of its impacts will be long-lasting. For children, school closures could have lifelong consequences. It’s not even a close call. The consequences of extended school closures far outweigh the health risks of COVID-19. It’s time to reopen schools in person. The current and future health and well-being of America’s 57 million schoolchildren depends on it.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
Rachel Greszler is research fellow in economics, budget, and entitlements in the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, of the Institute for Economic Freedom, at The Heritage Foundation. Read her research.
"What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business?"- The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here - https://www.coronaviruscommission.com/
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes againstISIS ! Pray that coalition forces will be able to fully destroy the leadership and infrastructure of ISIS .
*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
PRAYER ALERT:
URGENT
*That the Corona Virus outbreak may finally be contained and it's victims effectively treated. [P.S. - YOUR BLOOD can help someone specifically recovering from the cornavirus. Please consider donating blood as I have!] today's Happy Thots (: First time in history we can save the human race by laying in front of the TV and doing nothing. Let's NOT mess this up! // You know the world is upside down when you go to the bank and someone wearing a mask and gloves isn't tackled by security. // I never thought the comment, "I wouldn't touch you with a 6-foot pole" would become a national policy, but here we are!
*That the ongoing protests in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*That the ongoing protests in America's cities will not lead to people being hurt and businesses - esp. those recovering from the pandemic - to not be destroyed by agitators.
*Pray for U.S. Pastor David Lin in China (see "Something Serious Is Happening In That Dark Place" - Tony Perkins, Washington Watch, April 09, 2019; https://www.frc.org/updatearticle/20190409/something-serious)
*Pray for Leah Sharibu is a courageous Nigerian Christian teen girl held captive by Boko Haram. The Islamic militia is threatening to kill or enslave her because she won't renounce Jesus Christ. Pray that the UN will intervene in her release. [2/13/19 – This day marked ONE YEAR since her kidnapping.
6/9 - Thank you for your prayers for my co-worker, Brandon. He surprised me by showing up for 2 long work shifts this past weekend. He looked great though he said he's still on the mend (8 months after his horrific motorcycle accident.
6/9 - Thank you for your prayers for my co-worker, Brandon. He surprised me by showing up for 2 long work shifts this past weekend. He looked great though he said he's still on the mend (8 months after his horrific motorcycle accident.
ATTENTION!
PERSONAL UPDATE: 7/15 Note my latest entry in the JOURNAL section on the right side of this page.
7/17 - PRAY for the President and others in leadership (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
Jacob Velazquez Audition on America's Got Talent 6-30-20;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?=tEyFevaOoAs
Heavenly Father,
I pray that you will guide President Trump to seek YOU with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. May he act with wisdom and strength against those whose actions would bring harm to this nation and the world now and for generations to come. I pray that you would strengthen his marriage and deepen the love he and his wife Melania share. Pray that you give them wisdom to speak into the life of their son Barron. Please protect him and his family and others in our leadership from physical harm that any might seek to do against them. May all that our President does bring honor and glory to YOU and cause him to draw in closer relationship with you. I ask this in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Amen. P.S. - I highly recommend your reading "The Faith of Donald J. Trump." The copy I read is in my public library. It really helps us understand our 45th President better.
The above is a picture of the First Family on Mother's Day.
Can you believe how Barron has grown? Wow!
Can you believe how Barron has grown? Wow!
*For President Trump as he meets with newly appointed foreign ambassadors today.
*For God to be at work through the relationship between the U.S. and foreign governments to accomplish His perfect will on earth.
*For wisdom for the president as he makes decisions regarding foreign policy.
*For guidance for President Trump as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.
*For God’s will to be accomplished and for His name to be glorified and honored.
*For God to be at work through the relationship between the U.S. and foreign governments to accomplish His perfect will on earth.
*For wisdom for the president as he makes decisions regarding foreign policy.
*For guidance for President Trump as he works on a variety of issues, that God’s will would be accomplished through him.
*For God’s will to be accomplished and for His name to be glorified and honored.
DECLARATION FOR LIFE: Please be sure to sign this at: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life
(...because ALL Babies Matter! - http://www.lifenews.com/2017/03/01/why-do-unborn-babies-matter-just-because-they-are/ : Go to: LIFE Training Institute - http://prolifetraining.com/resources/five-minute-11/
Be Prepared TO ENGAGE WITH THE PC CULTURE:Go to:"Tactics" -
http://townhall.com/columnists/mikeadams/2016/04/29/tactics-n2154983
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
http://breakpoint.org/2017/05/breakpoint-dont-argue-exceptions/
"Don't Argue the Exceptions - Beating Bad Arguments For Abortion and Transgenderism" - by John Stonestreet, Breakpoint.org, May 25, 2017;
-------------------------------------
"SCHOOL CLOSURES HREATEN KIDS MORE THAN COVID-19, PEDIATRICIANS SAY" - Rachel Greszler / July 08, 2020 / https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/07/08/school-closures-threaten-kids-more-than-covid-19-pediatricians-say/
Access to education is foundational to American society and fundamental to the American ideal of providing equal opportunities. Yet amid COVID-19 shutdowns, many children have very limited or even no access to formal education.That has caused numerous problems for some children, including a loss in learning, an exacerbation of race- and income-based educational gaps, and, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, increased child abuse and neglect.
There are also added stresses and uncertainties for families.
Taking a holistic view of the situation, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a new report that advocates opening schools while providing age-based safety guidance.The academy’s report emphatically states:
"The APP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school. ...The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020. Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits, as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression, and suicidal ideation. This, in turn, places children and adolescents at considerable risk of morbidity and, in some cases, mortality."
As detailed below, the consequences of school closures are significant. Yet, while still not entirely known, the benefits of school closures appear far less impactful because kids simply are not as affected by COVID-19. Kids are less likely to contract the virus (in the U.S., children represent about 22% of the population, but only 1.7% of COVID-19 cases), are less likely to spread it to others (a study of 54 Dutch families found no indication of children under 12 transmitting the disease), and are less likely to have severe symptoms if they do contract the virus.
A study from the Netherlands’ National Institute for Public Health and the Environment found that after reopening schools between May 11 and June 8, there have been few reports of infections among employees at schools and no reports of employees who were infected by children. That’s important information as school districts weigh the health and well-being concerns of children and teachers.
For kids, COVID-19 is far less dangerous than the seasonal flu. That’s not true for older individuals or those with comorbidities. But while at-risk adults can take measures to mitigate their risks of COVID-19, children are largely helpless against the harms caused by school closures. Those harms are at least threefold.
First, there’s the education loss.
At best, it appears students are spending about half as much time engaged in learning, with many engaged for an hour or less per day. According to a McKinsey report, about half of students live in 28 states that have not mandated distance learning. And even at its best, full-time remote learning will not be the right fit for every child. Some families may prefer virtual learning for the time being, but that should not be the only option.
As Doug Lemov, an expert on effective teaching practices, said, “There’s a limit to how good a lesson can be when you’re trying to interact with your students through a keyhole in the door.”
McKinsey modeled the impacts of three different scenarios and found that the difference between fully reopening schools in the fall versus only partially reopening them through January 2021 would result in three to four months of lost learning for students with average remote learning instruction; seven to 11 months of lost learning for students with lower-quality remote instruction; and 12 to 14 months for students who receive no remote learning.
Second, there’s the disparate impact.
As the McKinsey report noted: "Even more troubling is the context: the persistent achievement disparities across income levels and between white students and students of black and Hispanic heritage. School shutdowns could not only cause disproportionate learning losses for these students—compounding existing gaps—but also lead more of them to drop out. This could have long-term effects on these children’s long-term economic well-being and on the [U.S.] economy as a whole."
Surveys of parents confirm stark differences in experiences with a strong correlation to race and income level. According to a survey from advocacy group ParentsTogether, low-income families were five times more likely to report receiving no distance learning from their schools compared with the highest-income families (11% vs. 2%), were twice as likely to report that distance learning is going poorly or very poorly (36% vs. 17%), and were 10 times as likely to report that their children are doing little or no remote learning (38% vs. 3.7%). And 4 out of 10 of the poorest students are participating in remote learning only once a week or less.
Some 76% of African American and 82% of Hispanic families say they are concerned they don’t have the resources necessary to keep their children on track.
Third, and most heartbreaking, is increased child abuse and neglect.
School shutdowns mean vulnerable children who are in abusive home environments are spending more time where most neglect and abuse occurs, at a time when economic and health stresses have contributed to more abuse and neglect. Those children aren’t coming into contact with the teachers and professionals who are the primary reporters of abuse and neglect.
In 2018, there were 3.5 million children who came into contact with Child Protective Services. About 678,000 were determined to be victims of maltreatment, and 1,770 children died of abuse and neglect. Parents are the perpetrators among 92% of child maltreatment victims; 29% of victims are 2 years of age or younger; and professionals—most significantly educational professionals—are responsible for 67% of all reports of maltreatment. (Friends, neighbors, and family account for only 17% of reports.) That makes school, child care, and other child well-being service closures a recipe for disaster for vulnerable children.
As a report on child welfare and COVID-19 from the Brookings Institution aptly stated:
"COVID-19 has created a perfect storm of factors that will almost certainly lead to a sharp increase in unreported cases of child abuse and neglect, as children are cut off from interactions with professionals and teachers, confined at home with caregivers and relatives, and families are feeling the stress of job loss and economic uncertainty."
"The nation’s system of detecting abuse and neglect, which is heavily dependent on reports by teachers, doctors, and other professionals, is rendered almost completely powerless in this new situation as in-person and face-to-face interactions between children and professionals are being minimized by the stay-at-home orders issued by most states."
"At the same time, other vital parts of the child welfare system—home investigations, child-parent visits, mandatory court appearances, home-based parenting programs—are now at a near standstill, making it harder and harder for the system to ensure the safety and well-being of the nearly 3.5 million children they come into contact with each year. "
COVID-19 is temporary, but many of its impacts will be long-lasting. For children, school closures could have lifelong consequences. It’s not even a close call. The consequences of extended school closures far outweigh the health risks of COVID-19. It’s time to reopen schools in person. The current and future health and well-being of America’s 57 million schoolchildren depends on it.
[italics and colored emphasis mine]
Rachel Greszler is research fellow in economics, budget, and entitlements in the Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, of the Institute for Economic Freedom, at The Heritage Foundation. Read her research.
"What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business?"- The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here - https://www.coronaviruscommission.com/
-------------------------------------
PRAYER MATTERS:
"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
the disorder of the world. - Karl Barth
"Prayer is inviting God into a seemingly impossible situation and trusting/resting in His love and grace to accomplish His perfect will in His perfect time and for His greatest glory. Intercession is one of the great privileges AND responsibilities for EVERY believer."- Stan
----------------------------------------------------------------------
“INTERCESSORS ARE THE RUDDER” – A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT - Wanda Alger, June 28th, 2017; https://www.getamericapraying.com/blog/I was recently given a word by my good friend, Bill Yount. His word greatly encouraged me as an intercessor. Working for Intercessors for America
James 3:4 talks about the power of a small rudder to steer a large ship. In this scripture about the power of our tongue, consider the power of prophetic intercession! In the Forerunner Commentary on this verse we read, “…rudders manipulate the course of immense ocean vessels with a slight movement of a pilot’s hand. Since it is underwater and aft, the rudder of a ship does its work UNSEEN. A passenger is ignorant of its movements most of the time. Yet, when it is in proper working order, the rudder holds more power over the ship than the wind. The wind will blow, toss, even destroy the ship’s rigging, but the rudder guides the ship exactly where it directs.”
This is God’s promise to the intercessors in this hour of national turbulence. Don’t stop praying! Your prayers have great power to turn the ship! Continue praying, interceding, and discerning the workings and movements of the Holy Spirit, being faithful to God’s commands. As we come together to declare God’s faithfulness, this nation will, once again, head in the direction that God intends. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Regardless of the winds of adversity and the fires of the enemy, God’s people have a power that cannot be matched. Let us join in faith and continue to pray and speak of God’s faithfulness in order to bring God’s people and this nation into the fullness of God’s plans. Note this additional encouragement from God’s word:
Colossians 2:15 – “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him” (ESV).
Psalm 33:8-11 – “Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”
Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent
PRAY FOR AMERICA : THANK GOD for His many blessings on America AMERICA America "but instead "God be merciful towards America
PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS: 1) Pray for President Trump and his advisers, that they would select Godly leaders at the federal level who will be accountable to do an excellent job (or be fired!) ; that he would seek God's wisdom and be enabled to lead our country effectively in the years ahead; and 2) Pray our leaders at every level of government will Spirit-filled, leading us with Godly wisdom and integrity; that they will only pass legislation and enact policies that will benefit Americans today as well as future generations and NOT do any lasting harm.
SUPREME COURT: PRAY that the justices will only hand down decisions that are Constitutionally sound and in the best interests of our country now and for future generations.
World-Wide Prayer Requests:
PRAISE GOD for the continuing recent successes against
*For believers in Syria
------------------------------------------------------------
Praying Through the Open Doors World Watch List for persecuted believers:https://www.opendoorsusa.org/take-action/pray/monthly-prayer-calendar/
A divine appointment in Malaysia. Recently, some of our local partners visited Malaysia. They met Pastor Raphael* and Pastor Jason*, two church leaders in Malaysia. Jason shared he is leading a church of over 260 believers who are mostly illiterate and in desperate need of the Bible. Our partner remembered they had brought USB drives with the entire Bible in audio format—“just in case.” They happily gave these to Jason who was overjoyed: “Thank you! I really needed this! Praise God!”
July 17 - Praise God for His faithfulness in giving these Malaysian believers what they need.*Representative name or photo used to protect identity.
STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM - OpenDoorsUSA.org
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.- 2 Tim. 4:16
SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO SUFFER
The Apostle Paul knew exactly what it was like to be alone, to be deserted by all who called themselves “brothers” and “sisters.” A former colleague who has done considerable travel among the persecuted says, “It is hard to believe that Christians are the largest persecuted group in the world today. But it is even more difficult to believe that this is so seldom mentioned in our gatherings and church services. More Christians know the names of their favorite actors than their fellow believers who are in prison.”
He continues, “With every trip something in my heart breaks as I hear the echoes of suffering:
I remember the echoes of an Egyptian mother as she shared how her young boy was stuck in a haystack because she refused to deny Jesus.
I remember the sounds of weeping as fellow students in Indonesia
I remember the cries of anguish as we walked from church to church that was burned to the ground on the island of Lombok
I remember the tears of Rebecca in Iran
I remember the voice of Pastor Daniel in Vietnam
I remember the fear of Grace from Sudan
Oh, I remember the cries of Caleb in Eritrea
And I remember the tears of Joy in the southern Philippines as she shared how her fiancé was shot to death in their church in Mindanao .
But, most all, I remember the deafening sounds of silence every time I return home.
RESPONSE
How can I be silent today? How can I not speak on behalf of those who suffer? How can I desert those that belong to the same body that I belong to and who desperately need the encouragement of my intervention?.
