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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

Life on Life Newsletter "Sensationalism" April 2022

Dear Friends,

I hope this note finds you all doing well. It’s a bit chilly and damp outside, but we're warm here in the house. For some time now, I’ve been wrestling with my own questions about ministry and the temptation to want to be involved in something more sensational.

For many years, I felt like I was on the backroads of humanity, as though I would live my life in service and someday die without ever really making a difference. It’s amazing how the enemy manipulates, tempting us with the desire to be front and center, making a big splash, impressing people, receiving accolades and awards, and making lots of money.

When we look at the ministry of our Lord, no life was more impactful than His. For 30 years, He lived His life in the shadows, and then for the last 3 years of His life, He lived out in the open, not trying to capture the sensationalism of the day, but just serving. He was, however, very impactful.

Why am I saying all of this? Perhaps you are tempted like me. You want your life to matter, and we should. However, frequently we miss God, because our idea of what’s important is inconsistent with His.

I was very humbled as I recently contemplated a message written by my friend Dane Massey, which spoke to the temptation of pursuing the sensational aspects of ministry. Below are a few excerpts from this message.

"Jesus did many miracles during His ministry but He never gave way to the sensational. You never get the impression of: “Hey everyone come and watch this!” When He wanted to teach His disciples how to “love one another” He didn’t give each of them a “miracle” and say, “Go and do likewise!” He washed their feet! The Kingdom of God is not found in the sensational, but in the mundane, in the everyday giving away of our lives. The danger of this temptation is that we live in a world enamored by the sensational. We love the “highlight reels”.
"Nations, cultures, communities are built on the backs of “mundane” people! The janitors, the plumbers, the mechanics, the executives who hold the line with ethics, the health care workers who wipe butts, clean up blood and vomit, the farmer, the soldier who will never get the medal but stands the lonely guard every night! The one who prays but will never stand in the front delivering the message. The little old lady who gives a dollar. I could name a thousand more.
"It doesn’t take much thought to understand why celebrity entertainers and athletes, who “produce” nothing of value, are paid millions. We long to be like them, so we buy their junk, paying them so we can “live through them”, and worship at the throne of their “achievements”. You and I need to reject the shallow sensationalism of this world and find “life” where the “rubber hits the road” whether that’s in the “boardroom” or “digging ditches”!

At Life on Life, we are feeding young people, helping them with the bare necessities of life, writing to them in prison, talking to them on the phone, helping them to find transportation, working with them to obtain their GED. If they need a birth certificate, driver’s license, or social security card, we help them through the steps to obtain these documents.

Through these mundane tasks, we endeavor to show the love of Jesus, while we share the Word of God and the hope that Jesus gives with these young men and women. There’s no glory in it. No glamor. But it is what Jesus would do. Please pray, and when you can, please give. We are also in need of reliable used vehicles for the year 2022. If you have an extra vehicle that you would consider donating, please contact us.

With gratitude,
Earnest Alexander

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

Hey friends, I hope you are all doing well. I hope you are praying for Ukraine and Russia. So many innocent people suffering. And while you are praying for them, please remember the young people we're trying to serve here in Kansas. We're looking for used vehicles that would be reliable for transportation to and from work. They don't have to be fancy, just dependable. We were able to assign all of the ones that were given last year. I would like to give at least 5 for this year. Please let me hear from you if you are interest in helping. Thank you. -Earnest

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

"Throwaway Kids”

Many people today think of children aging out of the foster care system in the same way they consider people coming out of jails and penitentiaries or drug rehab facilities. This is unfortunate and untrue. While many of the young people have issues with the law, and as you read this letter, other challenges, you should be keenly aware of the fact that they were victims first and foremost. Victims, because their mothers and their fathers had issues, and for whatever reason, were ill-prepared to parent. This is not to say they didn’t love their children, but perhaps in their own brokenness, they worked from a distorted view of what parenting really is. With that in mind, look at these statistics and thoughts we shared in a recent grant application, written by our friend Paul Williams.

'Our hearts are burdened by the 20,000 desperate 18-year-olds who are not adopted out of state custody, but are instead, merely aged out of the system every year. Of those, 20% go into instant homelessness. Only 50% will be gainfully employed by the time they reach 24 years of age. Without help, less than 3% will ever obtain a college degree.'

'These high-risk individuals are incredibly unprepared to live a satisfying life or cope with the realities of adulthood without a high school diploma, social security card, driver's license, or other vital documents that would allow them to obtain jobs, go back to school and so forth. With no extended family or additional support, no possible employment opportunities, frequently homeless, and on foot, they give up.'


'But these kids are not at fault. Most came from single parent homes, a demographic group which accounts for 73% of high school dropouts and 63% of teen suicides. Many of them were abused, abandoned, traumatized, or neglected by adults. Furthermore, the human brain is, on average, not fully developed until age 24. Due to life’s particularly harsh wear and tear, many of these youths will never have a normally developed brain.'

For two years now, in response to these issues, I have ministered to scores of young men and women, visited some in prison, given donated cars to young people in need, placed some in driver's education programs, and much more. Contributions have been generous and included funds in addition to used cars, as mentioned above. It has been an extraordinary beginning to something great.

This is a reminder of the mission of Life on Life: To help at-risk young adults ages 18-35 become productive citizens. Life on Life does this through Christian mentoring and life coaching.

Please pray, and when you can, please give. We are also in need of reliable used vehicles for the year 2022. If you have an extra vehicle that you would consider donating, please contact us.

With gratitude,

Earnest

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

November Newsletter

Dear Friends,

I hope this letter finds you doing well. Since I last wrote to you, I’m doing considerably better. For almost two years I haven’t been sure of my life expectancy and my quality of life has left a lot to be desired. Somehow with God’s help I’ve continued to see kids and work with them. However, it has been a tremendous challenge for me. As I dictate this letter to you, I’m so grateful that I’m feeling well and I’m breathing a lot easier.
Over two years ago, a few of you know that I had gastric bypass surgery. I started at 394 pounds and lost 160 pounds and was feeling great. Then out of the blue, my health began to fail. I resisted starting dialysis because of my failing kidneys and began to retain toxic water. This may be too much information for you but I want you to know that I am only here by the grace of God. A cardiologist saw me and said you need to get this water off of you now or die, and he meant very quickly. They put me in the hospital and over a two week period removed an excess of 82 pounds of water. No wonder I was so sick. It’s a miracle I survived. I can breathe again. My heart seems to be working better. A heart cath showed that my arteries were pristine, no blockages anywhere, but I was suffering because of the tremendous amount of water I was carrying.
During all of this, you all have stood with me, prayed with me, and continued to support the ministry financially. Thank you. While this note is to bring you up to date on where I am physically, it is also a personal thank you for the part you helped me play in helping the least of these. Thank you. Forgive me for being so slow in saying thank you. I have been too sick to write. Thank God I’m on my way back and with God’s help we will carry on. Happy Thanksgiving.
I'd like to encourage you if you can, to give something to Life on Life in honor of my 66th birthday which is Thanksgiving Day. If you would like to mail it to PO Box 864, Goddard KS, 67052. You can also designate Life on Life Ministries, Inc. as a benefactor if you shop using Amazon Smile.

With much love,

Earnest ... See more