28 Years of Ministry!

I realized and remembered that this month marked my 28th year of ministry with Upper Room Christian World Center! I started 28 years ago in a small basement church in Brooklyn, NY called Upper Room Ministries. The Apostle of the work was Bishop Anthony D'onofrio and he ordained the Pastor I ministered with Pastor Vincent Salonia.

I started as the Bass Player in the basement of a three family home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The church had about 60 people that met twice a week to Worship God and experience His love through our praise, worship and the preaching of the Word of God. I saw and experienced some wonderful things in that small cramped basement.

As the Presence of God increased in the meetings so did the size of the group attending and there were often people listening from the outside steps of the basement that we were in. As the church grew in size we moved into larger and larger buildings until we bought a movie theatre on Kings Highway. From the Basement to the Theatre was approximately 8 years and there was a congregation of 600. The signs and wonders continued as the Love and Message of the Gospel went forth. But, the best was yet to come!

Through the prompting of the Lord, with much prayer and the counsel of my Pastor and my Apostle, my wife and I decided to move with our four young daughters to Long Island, NY to join our self directly with our Apostle and the wonderful work he and his elders were doing on Long Island. We sat for two years and just helped out here and there as needed. The Lord was giving us a rest and a time of reflection.

I then started playing the bass again as well as volunteering for youth church. 18 years latter I am a Pastor here on Long Island. I am also the Vice Principal/Dean of Students for Upper Room Christian School. My wife and I do marriage counseling through the Church's Marriage Team Ministry.

Ministry is service! Service to God and service to mankind. It is the giving of yourself to the Lord and for others. This is the core message of the Gospel. God sent His Son. His Son sent us! The service you do is not as important as the way in which you do it! First we minister in Faith that works through the Revelation of the Love that God has given us to give to others. We do everything AS UNTO THE LORD with all of our effort just like Jesus did. We lay down our life for each other. We believe the best about each other. We edify each other.

Whether you are a janitor, nurse, sanitation worker, lawyer, homemaker, pastor, or ANY OTHER PROFESSION, God wants to use you as His minister, His ambassador. Second Corinthians says, "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation". And Colossians says, "And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

The best 28 years of my life have been my years of service in God's House in whatever He had need of at the moment. From cleaning toilets, to setting up chairs, to playing bass, to running a coffee house, to making money to fund the move of God, to being a puppeteer, to wrestling with "The Power Team, to Pastoring the most precious people in Queens and on Long Island. And THE BEST IS YET TO COME! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Grace and Peace,
Ed
http://www.urcwc.com/

Royal's Basketball

The 2007-2008 Royals Basketball and Cheerleading season is under way. The tryouts are over and the games have begun. Sports are a very big part of student life here at Upper Room. When our Varsity teams play the gym is usually filled to capacity. The hotdogs and hamburgers are on the grill. The soft drinks are on ice. And the fans come out to cheer their teams on for the IPSALL and New York State Championships.

Our Royal Varsity Boys are the current NYS class B High School Basketball Champions! Our Varsity Girls placed second in their IPSALL division. And our JV boys are always in the running for the current IPSALL tittle. We also have a dynamic squad of stunting cheerleaders. Each year the coachs and teams strive for new levels of excellence in their chosen sport while putting God first in all they do!

Along with teaching a good work ethic, teamwork, perserverance, self control and discipline many students receive scholarships to great Colleges and Universitys for their abilities as an athlete. That's why athletics play a large role here at Upper Room. Our philosophy is "growing up in Christ spirit, soul and body". Athletics helps in the formation of good charecter and helps to build the skills necessary for life's challenges.

Paul said in 1st Corinthians 9, " Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptable".

Grace and Peace,

Ed

Thanksgiving

I can hardly believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving! It feels like we just started school and the end of the first quarter has come and gone! The school is doing well. The new students have settled in and we are back in the swing of things.

Our first Parent, Teacher Conference went very well on Monday. We have one more coming up this Monday. It's a great opportunity for the teachers and parents to communicate face to face and plot a course for their children. It is also time for the parents to receive their child's 1st quarter report card.

Tomorrow I will be going to the Church to participate in the serving of hundreds of hot turkey meals to the shut ins and less fortunate in our neighborhoods. I love Thanksgiving! It is my favorite holiday! Good friends and family, good food and great memories of how good God has been to us! A time to reflect on all of His blessings in our lives and a time to remember the needy. Needless to say, the four day weekend isn't bad either!

I pray you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy and hope for the future. Take time to enjoy everyone and everything that God has given you. Let your heart overflow with gratitude for the only true God, the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit love you and care for you!!!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.com/

Mr. Reiersen and the 5th Grade

Mr. Bruce Reiersen is our 5th grade teacher. He has been teaching with us for 5 years and has grown to be one of school's best! Mr. Reiersen left a professional career to pursue a desire to teach. He attended and graduated from Dowling College and came to URCS as his first teaching assignment. He has been with us ever since.

Mr. Reiersen is perfectly suited for his position as the 5th grade teacher! He is a compassionate male role model and a great example as most of his student's first male teacher. He has a great sense of humor and a great love of each child! As I make my rounds each period I see him up and motivating his students. Using animated lessons and multi media presentations Mr. Reiersen always keeps his student's attention and affection.

Mr. Reiersen is married to a wonderful woman who is devoted to her husband and family. He has four wonderful children, a daughter, his oldest, a college graduate, and three sons who attend URCS as well! As a testimony of the impact that Mr. Reiersen makes in the lives and memories of his students, many still visit him during their lunch period to talk and say hello. That is a great advantage in having a school that goes from Pre-K to 12th grade!

I have watched Mr. Reiersen grow as a teacher and each year he gets better and better. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and the report from the 6th grade teachers is unanimous! Mr. Reiersen has done another great job with the class! Mr. Reiersen is another good reason to choose Upper Room Christian School for your child!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

Parent Teacher Conferences

Wow, the year is flying by! It's already the end of the first quarter and time for the first of two parent teacher conferences! We always look forward as educators to meeting with the parents of our students. Time to share the strengths and weaknesses (which by the way, everyone has both!) that we observe in their children. It is also time for us to let the parents know how they can help in the educational process of their specific child and how we can assist them in molding their child's character and development.

We are also excited about tonight's PTA meeting at 7:30 in the Rec Room. This association is absolutely vital in the mission of Christian Education! After all Christian Education is a joint effort of the home and school. The PTA also helps to financially under gird the school. Running a private school can be very difficult financially. Especially when you want to make it affordable to all children!

And of course we look forward to Thanksgiving! Our 11th grade students will be helping the Church's Mercy House Ministry in providing over 500 Thanksgiving Baskets to the less fortunate among us. The students love doing it and many hands make light work! Needless to say the four day weekend is not bad either!

In Chapel tomorrow we will have three 7th grade students sharing on the importance of tolerance. They have been writing and staging their two scene script and monologue for three weeks and are about to bust! It is really wonderful to see important truths embraced and then taught by our children! Just to see them stand before 350 people and speak is amazing! They say that stage fright is one of the top fears that people face. God's Word says that, "Perfect Love Casts Out Fear!".

May God Continue to Bless and Keep You,
Ed

Meditation

Joshua Chapter 1 and verse 8 says, "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Meditation is an important part of life. A time for reflection and projection.

The first Psalm says, " Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalm 63 says, " My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me". Beautiful! What soothing and encouraging words!

Actually the book of psalms has over 19 references to meditation. That was David's strength! He would meditate and write inspirational songs and poems. And what a life he had! Take time to meditate on the goodness of God each day. Take time to empty your mind of the cares of this world. Take time to refocus on the important things in life, our relationship with God, our relationship with our family, friends and community and our service to God and His Church.

Psalm 145:5 " On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate."

Grace and Peace,
Ed

This brief study was done with Logos Bible Software. E-mail me at Rjonodde@aol.com for a 25% discount on one of their powerful packages!

Finances, Planning and Health

Okay, now I'm really off the subject matter! No, not really! You see, our financial health will eventually affect our spirit, soul and body. Wait you say, our spirit? Yes, believe it or not, the Bible speaks a lot about money! In fact, almost 2/3 of Jesus' parables relate in some way to money. Also, the Bible says to owe no man and that the borrower becomes the lender's slave! It says that the love of money is the root of all evil.

Our financial health could affect our body. It could dictate the access and the quality of health care and medications we receive. It also will dictate the type of diet we can afford. The stress that a lack of money can produce can cause illness and stress related disease.

Our soul or mind probably suffers the most as we worry and stress over how we will make our financial ends meet. Eccl 10:19 says, "...money answers all things". And we put a very strong emphasis on our finances. Perhaps to strong an emphasis sometimes. Working too much can be just as bad as working too little. Saving too much can be as costly as saving too little.

So, because I spent over 10 years in personal financial planning with series 6, 22 and 63 licenses as well as being a Registered Investment Advisor, I felt it would be good to give some general guidelines in personal financial planning.

First and foremost, spend less than you earn! Sounds simple but this is the reason most folks have financial difficulties. Next, work hard for 4o - 60 hours per week. Give your job your all for those hours. Do your best! Then save and invest 10% of your income after tax and tithe. Live simply. Don't let your income dictate your lifestyle. Give back! Sow into your church and community. Invest in the youth for they are your future.

This is very general advice! How and where to invest, tax planning, home buying and retirement planning are each huge topics that deserve a separate blog by themselves. When looking for advice, ask friends and acquaintances for referrals to someone who will have your best interest in mind and NEVER invest in anything you don't fully understand! Feel free to ask questions or leave a comment.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcwc.com/

Extending Life Expectancy

The lifestyle choices found to be most influential on extending life expectancy are:

• Physical activity (about 30 minutes daily), found to be the
single greatest protector against death, lowering risk by
37%

• Refraining from smoking, cutting the risk by 35%

• Following a diet high in fruit, vegetables, and fish, and low
in red meat and dairy products (“Mediterranean diet”),
reducing risk by 23%

Several researchers have found in their studies that
when older persons adopted all three of these measures, their risk of
dying was 65% lower over 10 years!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

www.uriinternational.com/realfoodforlife

Picture Day

This Thursday is picture day at the school! Picture day is always filled with excitement. The young children all primped up and ready to say cheese. The teams taking out the uniforms and equipment from last year and realizing that they are about to embark on another year of inter-mural athletics. The dancers in their costumes and the entire staff looking fine.

These pictures serve many different purposes. First it gives the parents and opportunity to show off their children throughout the house and in the wallets of friends and relatives. The students will get to look back as will the teachers on years filled with excitement, friendships and learning. It also serves as a small income for our school yearbook which costs us thousands to produce.

So I better go now and get some beauty sleep because this Thursday is picture day and I need all the help I can get!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

Acid vs Alkaline

Human blood pH should be slightly alkaline ( 7.35 - 7.45 ). Below or above this range means symptoms and disease. A pH of 7.0 is neutral. A pH below 7.0 is acidic. A pH above 7.0 is alkaline.

An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet, emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will occur.

An acidic balance will: decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more susceptible to fatigue and illness. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only slightly acidic, can induce coma and death.

The reason acidosis is more common in our society is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in alkaline producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid producing beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are acid forming; and we use artificial chemical sweeteners like NutraSweet, Spoonful, Sweet 'N Low, Equal, or Aspartame, which are poison and extremely acid forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly acid body is to clean up the diet and lifestyle.

To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Generally, alkaline forming foods include: most fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs and seasonings, and seeds and nuts.
Generally, acid forming foods include: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, grains, and legumes.

Foods are classified as acid-forming or alkalizing depending on the effect they have on the body. An acid-forming food contributes hydrogen ions to the body, making it more acidic. An alkalizing food removes hydrogen ions from the body, making it more alkaline. It is important to note that this classification is based on the effect foods have on the body after digestion, not on their own intrinsic acidity or alkalinity (or how they taste to us).

A common misconception is that if a food tastes acidic, it has an acid-forming effect on the body. This is not necessarily true. Very often, an acidic-tasting food is alkalizing. Citric fruits are a good example. People say that lemons, for example, are "too acidic"; however, they are actually alkalizing because the minerals they leave behind after digestion help remove hydrogen ions, decreasing the acidity of the body. (Many people use the term "residue" or "ash" to explain the effect of a food on the body. A food with an acid ash after digestion contributes hydrogen ions, making the body more acidic; a food with an alkaline ash after digestion removes hydrogen ions, making the body more alkaline.)

Another misconception is that acid-forming foods are "bad." This is not correct; acidity and alkalinity are opposites and one is not intrinsically better than the other. This misconception has developed because the North American diet is excessively acidic, which does result in health problems.

Once again we can see the benefit of a diet loaded with live fresh organic fruits and vegetables served as raw as possible. Also note the dangers of white sugar and white flour. Not only do they have empty calories but they are acid forming and a real detriment to our quest for optimal health.

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urilife.net/realfoodforlife

Curriculum

This Friday we will be closing the school for the students and having a curriculum development day. It is critical for a school to have an overall educational philosophy as well as an educational plan to achieve it's philosophy. Curriculum is central to a school's overall goal of providing a cohesive and systematic education that meets the criteria of the school and the families it serves.

Because our school is in the state of New York we choose to follow the state's standards for educational scope and sequence. We feel that the basic structure of New York State's guidelines is sound and provide students with a good foundation for higher learning. We therefore review our curriculum with the state's recommended scope and sequence and look at it by grade as well as by entire school.

We use secular curriculum for all of our subjects except Bible and Science. The reason is that we have been unable to find good Christian curriculum that meets or exceeds NYS standards. We find that using secular curriculum taught by Christian teachers in a Christian environment provides our students with the education they need for their Spirit, Soul and Body! It prepares them for the challenges that they will face in today's world.

While curriculum development is a year round process we look forward to this Friday as we take 8 hours together as a team to review, analyze and critique our curriculum to stay on the cutting edge for the world's most important asset, our children!

Grace and Peace,

Ed

http://www.urcs.org/