"Isn't school supposed to be a safe place?"

This is a question that was posed to a colleague of mine by her 10 year old son who has frequently been the target of constant bullying and teasing at his elementary school. I wonder if students, Jaheem Herrera of Dunaire Elementary in Dekalb County (Atlanta) and Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover of Springfield, Mass. asked that same question to their parents before they took their own lives about a week apart from each other. Both hung themselves in their home after being teased and called "gay".

Both school systems have a "Anti-bullying policy". Dekalb County Public Schools Policy are as follows: "State law prohibits bullying. State law mandates a discipline hearing after the third incident of bullying with a referral to an alternative school setting upon a finding of guilt. The DeKalb School System will not tolerate bullying and other forms of harassment and, therefore, reserves the right to punish students after the first incident and upon a finding of guilt. Such punishment may include suspension, expulsion or a referral to an alternative school. Please note: Any form of elctronic bullying (cyberbullying) using school equipment, school networks, e-mail systems or committed at school is strictly prohibited."

But how much of this policy is actually being enforced at the time it needs to be? What will it take for school systems to take a stance and put into place more drastic measures that will prevent violence and constant taunting in schools. Many people constantly want to say, "It's our first amendment right to have freedom of expression." But not at the expense of pushing someone to kill themselves. Young people, especially ones at the age of these young boys, don't know how to handle their emotions and decipher what they hear into logical reasoning. They are also at the age where they don't want to snitch and get into trouble for fear of being beat up and teased, so they shut down, and internalize their emotions to the point of depression.


We are to do whatever we can as children of God to train, protect and teach our children to be Kingdom Citizens who walk in love and not violence towards others. How do we do that? With the word of God. In Proverbs 22:6 it states that we should, "Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he gets old, he will not depart from it." Violence does nothing but begat violence. And it's time we show love to our fellow man and learn that since God is love, and we are made in the image of Him, then it is our duty to see others the way God sees them. We are unique, special, peculiar, one-of-a-kind, original....I could go on and on.

I have some tips that I have provided on my website, http://www.lilylratliff.com, that I strongly feel you should sit down and discuss with your children about. I will list them again here for reference purposes.

~~Ignore the bully and walk away. It's not being a coward; it just shows you are the better person.

~~Hold the anger. A bully loves it when you cry or get angry. Never give him/her a chance to see you lose your cool.

~~Don't get physical. Don’t stoop to the level of the bully by using force.

~~Practice confidence. Do what you can do to look and feel your best. Exercise, eat healthy meals and snacks, and be around people that lift your spirits.

~~Take charge of your life, and stand your ground. Don't be afraid to say, "No" or "Stop It!"

~~Talk about it with your parents, teachers, and true friends. Find someone you can trust and tell them what’s happening to you at school. They can help stop bullying from going any further.

~~ But more importantly, Seek God for the sake of your child. Pray over them, rebuking the devil over their situations, and trust God through it that HE will bind the strongman, and loose peace and blessings over your child's life. Repeat this declaration over your child: Great is the peace of my child (ren) for they are taught of the Lord. According to Isaiah 54:17, No weapon formed against them shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against them in judgment shall be condemned! He (She) is the righteousness of God!

With God's help, and your support and prayers, I hope to take "An Act of Forgiveness" to as many elementary schools around Atlanta and abroad to shed some light on the effects of bullying and what we must do to stop innocent little children from taking their lives before their time. Please tell others about this post, and forward and share with others.

God Bless!

http://www.lilylratliff.com

How is Your Prayer Life?

Lily: If you ever wanted to find answers to all of your prayer needs, and didn’t know who to turn to to seek answers-this article will give you the keys to a deeper prayer life. Take these words of wisdom along with the scriptures provided, take time to study his word, and ask God through this article to teach you to pray in a way that not only pleases Him, but edifies your body, creating a sacred atmosphere in which you consistently and constantly tap into daily! Remember, He is the lover of our souls! Hallelujah!

In His Love,

12 Steps to Change Your Prayer Life

Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Right to the Heart of Women

1. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.” (Prov. 21:1)

If your thoughts wander during your prayer time, instead of trying to force them back into your pre-set agenda, try following them. Perhaps the Lord has another agenda.

2. “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (Matt. 6:5-6).

Set a time for daily prayer. Consider it an unbreakable commitment. Keep your set appointment every day for one week. For one solid week, let your scheduled prayer time be the centerpiece of your day: arrange everything else to fit around it.

3. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

Give God the first fruits of your day. For one week, give the very first 30 minutes of your day to prayer.

4. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

Find a place in your home where you can be alone and undistracted during your prayer time. Keep your Bible, prayer journal, pen, and whatever tools you use in that place so that everything is ready. During your prayer time each day, this is a sacred place.

5. “I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah. 6:1)

As you start your prayer time, before you say anything, let your mind’s eye see Him, high and exalted, and yourself in a position of worship before Him. Stay in that inner posture until His glory fills your thoughts as the train of His robe fills the temple.

6. “But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’” (Luke 8:46 )

Take time to become truly alive to His presence with you. Be aware that as you touch Him through prayer, His power is released into your life.

7. “O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.” (Ps. 78:1)

Read your Bible this morning with the awareness that you are listening to the words of His mouth. Stop at the first word, phrase, or thought that captures your attention and let the Father speak to you about it and let it shape your prayers.

8. “We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8.

This week, practice the prayer of pliability. Instead of focusing on what you want God to do for you, focus on allowing Him to shape your desires until they match His. Accept each situation in your life as His hand shaping your thoughts, character, and longings.

9. “Not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

This week, let these words be the only prayer you pray about situations that confront you. Focus on relinquishing every situation to Him to be a platform for His power.

10. “I will remember the deeds of the LORD.” (Ps. 77:11)

This week, try writing out your prayers. It will help you stay focused and will create a record of God’s work in your life.

11. “My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.” Psalms 35:28

This week, practice praying out loud during your private prayer time. It will make your prayer experience more concrete and will help you keep your mind focused.

12. “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; …talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deut. 11:18-20)

This week, try walking as you pray. Walk through your neighborhood or around your yard. You will be more able to keep your mind open to new thoughts the Lord might introduce. You are likely to find yourself spending more time with Him.

Author, speaker, conference leader Jennifer Kennedy Dean is a significant voice on spirituality and prayer. She addresses real questions about prayer. Contact her at www.prayinglife.org/. © 2008 – Jennifer Kennedy Dean

Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/11580418/