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March 2023

Grace to you, my friends, and peace to you from God our Father.

This month I thought I would send you a couple of letters. I always smile when I think about the first young man. He is not big in stature, but he is big in spirit. He is dependable and honest and well spoken. He won my heart because he stood by his word. I did not always appreciate some of the things he said, but he showed me his heart.

The second young man has been a part of my life since he was a teenager. My chest pounds with gratitude and joy when he calls me “Pops.” His mother and father adored him, and I think he knows that now, more than ever. They became very involved in the work of Youth Horizons.

Thank you for your part in the lives of many young people. Please continue to pray for Life on Life and the people we serve, and when you can, please give.

Earnest

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I never felt fatherly love until Mr. Earnest took me in. He is the reason I am where I am today - with a good career and a good wife. When Mr. Earnest found me, I was a drug abuser and alcoholic. My only joy in life was getting high and drunk. Mr. Earnest still believed in me. He told me I’m going to be somebody someday, and that I can change. He showed me there were more joys in life, like succeeding. I think of him every day, especially when I achieve something. I always remember him. He has not forgotten about me, and that motivates me.

After time with Mr. Earnest, I moved home at 18. I went to college and graduated with an Associate’s Degree and a Welding Certificate. I now manufacture sweep plows for a living, and I am the second lead welder out of 30 guys. Me and Mr. Earnest are still in touch today. He checks up on me often.

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Earnest, I find this a great opportunity to share what you have done for my life. I never knew that a Bible Study at the Dandelion way back in 1984 would bring us to have such a great loving relationship to this day. But God did!! I remember how you showed me love by spending time with me, and all the concerts of yours that you took me to, not to mention all the meals prepared for me and the guys over the years at your house. You always showed us the example of laying your life down for others. The example to all us young men was UNREAL!!

Here I am 54 years old. I have had my struggles for sure – drugs and alcohol has been a problem in my life off and on. You never turned your back on me when I struggled. You just loved me where I was at. To be married and get insight to this day is why I call you “Pops.” You have always been like a father to me, and that will never change. It is such an honor to be able to call you that! Today, I follow in your footsteps, thanks to God, and you’re nudging me by challenging me in my life. I work at a youth home, and God continues to show me that He is my strength, and I can do all things through Him. I got to say that having you share your wisdom with me is beyond words. God has used you all these years because you were obedient to the call on your life. I hope to show the love of Jesus in a same way! I have never met a man on this earth that has laid his life down more for people or youth than you. I have seen this for almost 40 years!! I know what you would say “Praise God”!!

It is an honor to donate to Youth Horizons and Life on Life ministries. I know there is a need, and it is a blessing to be able to support great ministries like this. I know who is running them and where their heart is at – seeking to honor God. I will close with this. I love you and I will ALWAYS cherish our time together on this earth. Your impact on my life can’t be put in words. I will continue to pray for you every day. I will see you soon, Lord willing. If not on earth, then in Heaven! ... See more

February 2023

Dear friends,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

It amazes me as you get older, time seems to really fly. We are already in the 2nd month of 2023. Since I last talked with you, I received a call about scheduling my kidney transplant on January 24th. Needless to say, I was greatly elated. However, the month of November had derailed me physically. Thankfully the problem with bleeding has been resolved as best as we can tell once the doctors discontinued my blood thinners. The transplant center has asked me to have my cardiologist run a test to confirm that there is still nothing wrong with my heart, and sign off on the transplant surgery. I will keep you posted.
I had three close calls in November and December. Each time, I thought I was going into eternity. I got excited about seeing mama, my sister, and my brother, along with a host of relatives and friends. The last time it happened, I was surrounded by my pastor, my sons, and very caring medical staff. They were praying and singing hymns, and I remember thinking, if this is the valley of the shadow of death, it’s no big thing. I was not afraid. Somewhere in the middle of all that bliss, a voice spoke to me, “It is not your time.” So here I am, dictating a letter to you. 
I want you to celebrate with me. After talking with the treasurer, I learned we ended the year in the black, and with your help, we raised half of our budget for 2023. Hallelujah! God willing, we hope to raise the rest over the rest of the next 11 months. I trust that you all are confident in your trust in God, and that you are staying close to Him.
I wanted you to hear from some of the young people in whom you have invested over the years. They are making the world a better place because of you. We will plan to feature a letter from one of them each month during 2023. The following page is written by one of the young men I mentored over 40 years ago. Thank you. Please continue to pray, and when you can, please give.

Earnest

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I met Mr. Earnest Alexander in 1983 when I was 16 years old. He has been a constant friend, mentor, and source of grounding for almost 40 years. My friends and I spent a tremendous amount of time with Earnest when we were in high school and college. These were formative years for us, and Earnest's kindness, generosity, strength, wisdom, and safety dramatically shaped our emerging view of ourselves and the world around us. Though his words carry a lot of weight, it was his presence that impacted us most. Specifically, he listened, he smiled, he asked questions, he laughed, and he cried with us — and for us.

We felt like royalty, like we had been given a VIP pass to something and someone utterly unique and gracious and masterful in the way he moved through the world. We had a front row seat to a master of interpersonal acumen and import. Earnest changed us, as we watched the way he interacted with people of all ages and colors and various challenges. We were moved as we watched and listened to him move rooms — small and large — of people. And, then we would leave these settings, and we were the fortunate beneficiaries of his private time, counsel, and calm.

I have spent thousands of hours with Earnest, and I move through the world differently because of how Earnest moved through my world, my family's world, and my friends' worlds. The world is both bigger and smaller because of Earnest's impact on my life. It is bigger because Earnest provided me a sense of confidence and self-efficacy that allows for a deeper level of curiosity and adventure — there is no need to hide. The world is smaller because Earnest has been and remains a base camp where recovery naturally and consistently happens. And, I have watched him provide this same base camp to countless men and women over the past four decades. I would love the opportunity to fill you in on the details, if you are interested. An investment in Earnest and his life mission has a guaranteed return many times over. ... See more

Hi Friends!

We could use your help. A new business in town is giving away $2000 gifts to 5 different non-profit organizations. If you would like to nominate Life on Life Inc, please follow the link below leading to a short google form. Thank you so much for your help and prayers.
Time is short! The campaign ends tomorrow.

With Gratitude,

Earnest

SCHEELS Wichita Giving Campaign
https://forms.gle/1A9tabFTF3Tz2dWs9 ... See more

December 2022

Dear friends,

Below is a recent letter from one of my sons in prison that I would like to share with you, as well as my response to him. He is but one of the many young people who we are trying to reach. Thank you to all of you who support Life on Life prayerfully and financially.

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Dear Dad,

How are you doing? I miss you a lot. I am sending you a visitation form and hoping you will be my mentor. My baby’s mother left me so I am feeling really alone. I have so much hate in my heart and I pray to God he takes it away from me but it seems like he is not. Not only did my mother leave me when I was young, I think I relate that to my baby’s momma leaving me. I love you and will be calling you soon.

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My Dear Son,

Thank you for your recent letter. My heart was heavy after reading it. I can understand having issues with abandonment. I don’t think it’s strange that you wrestle with insecurity and fear of rejection. Growing up in a home without a father, often wondering who he was and why he didn’t care, left me with many insecurities. I suffered much abuse, being molested as a child, and because mama was working, there was no one to protect me.

Everything changed when Christ came into my life. I frequently hear Him affirming me as I read His Word. I am happy that I can also say I’m no stranger to His rebukes because I’m prone to wander and leave this God I love. He gets my attention faithfully because no matter where I’m at in my mind or heart, I continue to read His Word.

Please raise your head, son. Look at yourself in the mirror. Tell yourself the truth. God is your mother and father. He will never leave you or forsake you. For many years, 54 to be exact, I’ve had the privilege of hearing God remind me that I belong to Him. And while many will come and go in my life, He will never leave me or forsake me.

I don’t know why your girlfriend left you, but I know that you will always have a bond with her because of the baby. Hate is a tool of destruction which we can all be tempted with. Let God’s Word speak to you about that issue. She may feel abandoned by you because of your incarceration. The child deserves both of you working together for her good.

So please make every effort to give your passion, your anger, and even your hate, to God, and ask Him to help you forgive your father and your mother and the young lady that you’ve had a child with. It will take work, but it will be worth it.

In closing, remember, you will not always be incarcerated. There’s work for you to do while you are incarcerated, and there may be work to do with others who are incarcerated after you have been released. I’m honored to be called your dad. It warms my heart. I’m proud to call you, my son.

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We are coming to the end of the year. I confess to you that I have some anxiety. Because of your help and generosity, we will end the year in the black. But between now and the first of the year, we need to raise $75,000, which is half of our budget, hopefully with the rest coming in throughout the year. Please do not feel any pressure or obligation to give. If God encourages you to do so, it will be a great help to us.

You have my gratitude and prayers.

Earnest Alexander

Life on Life Inc
PO Box 864
Goddard, KS 67052 ... See more

November 2022

Most mornings I start my day with a quiet time. Unfortunately, some days life happens and it is later in the day when I get it done. Nevertheless, it is an essential part of my spiritual, mental, and physical health to commune with God. I am not saying any of this to boast. Please do not pat me on the back. You don’t pat someone on the back because they have breathed the air or drank the water. They would be foolish if they did not. And yet, daily I deal with people who do not have a glimpse of who they are and what they possess.

When I was a boy in Alabama in the 50s, I had questions about who I was and my value as a human being. Many of the people living around me had their opinions about who and what I was. Some, as Christians, even said I was less than human. Praise God for my great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother. As much as a boy needs a man, I was not fortunate enough to have one. My great-grandfather and my grandfather were dead, and my father was completely absent.

Nevertheless, I was taught to know and love God despite being fatherless, with the help of my great-grandmother. At the age of 5, I went to a revival meeting with her. The preacher said to my great-grandmother, “Sadie, do you know you have a preacher here?” With a big smile she said, “Yes, I gave him to God when he was born.” I remember thinking, “Who does she think she is, giving me to God? I don’t want to be a preacher.” Even as a little boy, rebellion had already seized me.
When I was maybe 3 or 4, my great-grandmother told one of my aunts, “This boy is going to do something great. He’s different.” None of that meant anything to me. Now, I will soon be 67, and I am still looking for that moment when greatness will happen in me and because of me.

But in the meantime, I have been busy cleaning up messes, wiping noses, sometimes rebuking, other times encouraging, calling young people forward. There are no cameras, no accolades, or any great claim to fame or wealth, but as I come close to the finishing line, I think my great-grandmother is chuckling 😊.

To some degree, I have been a minister. I am glad about it. And since I have been ill, I have been greatly honored by the number of adults who used to be young boys and girls, who have made their way to my home to express their love and appreciation.
In closing, it is not so important what I had wanted to do. My desires were mostly about serving myself. I wanted to be rich and famous, and rescue my family from hardships. However, I do not go before the Lord empty handed. Do not underestimate your sacrifice, and don’t let the failure to realize your dreams and aspirations as you hoped, get you down. But be thankful that you did what God put in front of you, because in the end, that is what matters most to Him.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
- James 1:27 (KJV)

This letter is meant to be an encouragement to you. If I have failed in this endeavor, please forgive me. Your life does matter, and in heaven it will be made known to you, what you have done for God’s glory. Until then, we work on.
Continue to pray for the young adults. I am more encouraged than ever before. Thank you for helping me in this ministry. Please pray, and when you can, please give.

Earnest ... See more

October 2022

Grace to you, and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Frequently people ask me, how do you not grow weary in dealing with such dysfunctional people. I do not think they are trying to be unkind. I think they are expressing their concern for me because in some ways it is pretty taxing. I also think that frequently we are delusional about our own brokenness. Even though many of us have been in the church most of our lives, I do not know of any true believer who cannot remember a time, a place, and an action that they do not regret.
What am I saying? The Lord Jesus has never chosen a perfect person. Every person He has ever used has a history and should have some regrets. The good news is there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. And they are not condemned, not because they were perfect, but because they are completely forgiven. When people get angry with us, they like to throw up what they know about our failures. But the truth is, we all have them—failures that is.
Look at the apostle Paul and his passion to eradicate Christian converts to the Lord Jesus Christ. He had blood on his hands and bold hatred in his heart. The Lord God Jehovah chose him just the same, for His purpose, knowing full well the burden Paul would inflict upon new converts. Read the following Bible passage from the 9th chapter of Acts and you will see what I mean.

11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”
13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I have heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”
15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

Do you see what I mean? Saul never surprised God. Before he was conceived, God knew the purpose for which he was created. After Saul’s conversion, he wept for many years over the hostility he had demonstrated toward the church. And there were some who never forgave him.
Even in our humanity, God has provided a way for us to be restored to a right relationship with Him, and without the baggage others may not let us forget. But God keeps no record of wrong when we repent. This is how I look at the kids I serve.
At some point in time, I pray that they will have a Damascus Road experience. They will be able to say, just like you and me, if God can forgive me, He can forgive you. Think on this the next time you are ready to condemn someone who has failed.
Thank you for your prayers and your generosity. We need your help to finish the year in the black. If you can, please give.

With much love and gratitude,

Earnest

Life on Life, Inc.
P.O. Box 864, Goddard, KS 67052 ... See more

September 2022

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you doing well. Recently, I received a very encouraging note from a young man who was a resident at the very first group home we opened. I love him as a son, and get to walk alongside him as he navigates his way, through marriage and parenting his children. Some of you have been with me for many, many years, and while you may not know him, you have blessed him and his family. Please read his letter and know that he is one of many that you have invested in.

"I was 13 years old the first time I went to “jail”. I had been there about a month when a guard came to take me to visitation one morning. I sat in a cold cement room waiting anxiously for whoever was going to come, unsure what to expect. After some time, in walked Earnest Alexander and a few other administrators from Youth Horizons.
"He told me about the group home my mom had applied for me to live at, The Martin House. He explained the rules for living there, and what would be expected of me. He explained that taking me on was a great risk to him and everyone in his care, as I was the first juvenile offender they had ever considered for the program. He told me that he loved me, though he didn’t even know me.
Several weeks later I came to live at The Martin House. While I was there, I met several people who became lifelong friends – solid Christian men who have poured into me so much in the last 25 years. At the time I was not yet ready for the heart change required to benefit from all they had to offer me. I was a daily source of stress and frustration for Earnest and the other house parents. I stole from him. I threatened physical harm to staff members. When I was appropriately disciplined for my behavior, I went on a hunger strike that threatened their state license. I was expelled for taking a weapon to school and putting it to another student’s head in the locker room.
"After about 4 months of living there, Earnest stood up in court and told the judge that I was a danger to his staff and other children, and was no longer welcome in his home. I had fully expected it, and probably in some sick broken way had orchestrated it all on purpose.
"When people told me they loved me, I did not believe them. I would do anything in my power to push them to give up, thus proving their lack of commitment to truly loving me. When Earnest said what he said in court that day, I was ready for it. I was not ready for what he did next.
"I was locked up again and eventually moved to a youth facility in Topeka. It was a terrible place. One Saturday during visiting hours, to my surprise, my name was called. When I walked in the room there was my mom, and Earnest. I remember having so many emotions. I was confused. Over the next many years, I learned that there was nothing I could do that would push Earnest from me or cause him to give up on me.
"After retiring from his position as president of Youth Horizons, Earnest started a new non-profit, Life on Life. He works with young adults in an aftercare capacity once they have aged out of the foster care system. He is still making an impact on my life, on the life of my family, and on the world, and will continue to do so until his last day.
"My story of him does not stand alone, however. I am just one of hundreds of boys forever changed by his love and influence. His voice and heart are known throughout the world. The spirit of God flows more freely from his lips and heart than any person I’ve ever known. He always has known the perfect thing to say, and always leads with scripture that is spot on.
"I have talked with Earnest about his health many times, and I know that he is at total peace with whatever God chooses for his future. It is out of my own selfishness that I ask everyone for help. With a new kidney, his time here could be greatly increased. I am asking everyone to help by sharing this. Help by praying that a viable, healthy kidney is found for Earnest."

Thank you for letting me share this young man’s story. Please continue to pray.
I’m so very grateful for your friendship and support.

In Christ,

Earnest ... See more

If anyone has received a facebook message from me that seems strange or questionable, possibly regarding a grant, please disregard, as it has come to my attention that messenger may have been compromised. Thank you for your understanding and I apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. ... See more

Grace to you, my friends, and peace from God our Father.

I’m praying that this note finds you and yours well, and that you are busy letting your light shine, so that men might see your good works and glorify our Father in heaven.

I apologize for the lateness of this month's newsletter. I’ve been struggling with what the contents should be, but in recent days I've talked to quite a few kids in the program. While I’m grateful for the contact with each of them, I must confess to you that I’m somewhat frustrated and almost overwhelmed. I say almost, but because of my assurance that God has already provided all I need to do the work, I must trust Him to help me stay the course.

There's so little in our culture today to support the ideas of a biblical lifestyle. It amazes me how calloused the hearts of some of my protégés are at such a young age. And the arrogance which allows some of them to bluntly say that if God wants them to believe, He needs to prove Himself to them. I tell you this, not to shock you, but it should. When people don’t fear God, they are capable of doing anything. I confess to you, that I would be much more self-absorbed, dysfunctional, and ungrateful, if I didn't know the Lord Jesus. I’m frequently reminded of my humanity as I read God’s Word. It’s like a mirror keeping me in focus. I take no confidence in my flesh. God’s Word is like the air I breathe. I would not last long without it.

Recently, at lunch with one of the kids, he claimed that God had done nothing for him. To which I replied, “What am I? Why am I pursuing you? And what do I owe you?” I then proceeded to tell him the truth. I reminded him of his mother, who for years had been strung out on drugs, walking the streets as a prostitute, without any concern for his well-being. I reminded him of his older sister, who is openly living a lesbian lifestyle, and while I do not judge her for this, she has an extremely hardened heart, because she feels that Christianity would deny her the privilege of living her life according to the desires of the flesh. All of our carnal desires are an abomination to God. Hers no worse, and ours no better. We need Jesus. His sister is working diligently to distance him from us as we share the love of God with him. I pray that she does not win this battle. I cannot give you his name, but I ask you to pray for him and all of the young men and women that we are serving with your love and support.

If this note is too heavy for you, then your heart is in the right place. We need to grieve over the direction of our nation, and the lack of family values that is choking us by the throat. We will be judged. When I say we, I’m talking about people who profess faith in Christ. How are we living and what are we modeling? One of the things I find so difficult is understanding how so many parents leave their children to raise themselves, and then by the time they are ready to be a parent, the children have nothing but contempt for them.

Please pray, and remember to tell your story. If you’ve failed your children, ask their forgiveness. If your children have failed you, offer forgiveness. And pray for wisdom on how to work through issues with your children and your grandchildren. But for God’s sake, and I literally mean God’s sake, do not give up on your children or your grandchildren, no matter how old they are. Pray, pray, and pray some more. And when you can, please give. We are also still in need of some used vehicles. We would be happy to talk to you about it.

You have my gratitude.

Earnest ... See more

Dear Friends,

I want to share some thoughts with you from a recent morning quiet time. If you remember, in the last newsletter I talked about being impactful, not pursuing the sensational, but simply living faith out loud. I’m convinced that we can be far more impactful than we are presently being. Fear of offending; ignorance concerning Scripture; insecurity about our own example. All are easily fixed when we diligently seek to let Christ be Lord in our lives.
I do not mean for this to sound arrogant. Please forgive me if it does. We, however, are not winning the battle as far as influencing our culture is concerned. In fact, in silence we are yielding to the pressure of accepting, and thereby approving things that are not biblically correct. You would never say yes to murder, but if you watch murder and don’t denounce it, you are in essence, lending your vote.

The number of young people we are serving who have already committed such crimes is staggering. The number locked away in correctional facilities is heartbreaking. The desire to be friends with children, rather than parenting them, rules the day. All of this may sound a bit harsh. You see, even I am worried about being liked. But more than anything, I want people to be saved. In some very simple ways, as you will read in the Scripture after this paragraph, we must be intentional.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.
-2 Timothy 2:1-2

“This is multigenerational multiplication: You may have heard this question before: If you could have 1 penny doubled every day for 30 days or 1 million dollars today, which would you take? You should take the penny. In 30 days, it would be worth $5,368,709.12.
This demonstrates the power of multiplication.

“Jesus is really smart, obviously. Since he is really smart, we should recognize that his way of doing things is the best possible way to do them. This includes his method or strategy for affecting world change. His method was to invest his life in a few.

“What are the barriers to you investing in a few to impact the world? Insecurity, time restraints, lack of knowledge, passivity? Whatever they are, they are not insurmountable. God has invited you to get in on his plan to change the world. Invest in a few, it’s not flashy, it is how the world is changed.”

The penny, by itself, seems insignificant. Most of us would simply step over them if they were lying on the street, rather than pick them up. That would be like me sitting in the chair at the dialysis center and someone around me saying something that is morally wrong. Should I politely stay quiet, or should I pray for courage to gently disagree? And if they allow me, to explain why.

Recently, I was praying for a car for a single mom. All of the donations received last year had been given out. This young lady confesses faith in Christ and was recently subjected to a horrible situation, where her boyfriend took his life in her presence. She was feeling crushed by the pressures of life. Out of the blue, a friend called me, and said, “I have a car. Can you use it?” He said he would make sure it was roadworthy at his expense, which he’s doing. Hallelujah!!! What can you do to help us? Please pray, and if you can, please give. You have my love and prayers.

Earnest ... See more