Teen Challenge escapee arrested at residence
Another teen escaped from Teen Challenge early in the morning Monday, May 24. The 16-year-old white male from Blackshear was taken into custody at a home on McCorkle Curve Road in Upson County after residents said they kept him occupied by allowing him to make phone calls to his parents and girlfriend. Six teenagers have now escaped from the facility in the year it's been open.
I am just writing to say "thank you" to all but Tommy Powers. I don't know what he was thinking when he voted against teen challenge. This reads as if we came real close to eliminating a troubled teenager. They are just an aggravation anyway after they get on drugs, don't you think? It doesn't really matter if they kill any of the citizens around the valley, they are all old anyway. Maybe they will come out in multiples next time and steal guns instead of motorbikes and four wheelers and just wipe out the entire valley. My lifelong friend lives fifteen seconds from the unfenced, unguarded, unalarmed facility. But, what the heck, she is about sixty years old now. She has a very bad leg and cannot get to them before they get to her. Old age and pain cannot be reversed so maybe this is God's way of getting the good valley people on into Heaven while there are some good seats up front. So,thank you again, commissioners. I also want to thank the Sheriff's Department for being so considerate each and every time a little addicted child escapes. They are so polite not to wake the sleeping elderly people of the valley just because their ridiculous old life may be in danger. Old people need their sleep. I want to take the kids at Teen Challenge some weapons in case one of these old folks are "packing" in the valley. Will one of the supportive commissioners please let me know where I should leave them? I worry so much about the young, imported, and addicted "chillun of the mountain'. Teen Challenge is their Field of Dreams......we built it and they came...just like the movie said.
WHY are the kids escaping? Are they being held there against their will? Is the place really THAT bad, or is it ok and the kids just don't want to do what they are suppose to do there?
I wonder what the parents of these escaped teens are doing to address these issues?
- Douglas Adams
Wouldnt you think a lawyer could step in, if they are not standing up to their side agreement... IDK ?
And yes I admit when this first came about I saw no problems with it but if it is costing Pike more than its giving back (taxes, man hours chasing down the kids, etc) then hopefully something can be done.
And yeah I hope I do see him because this is not the security that was mentioned in the beginning.
Shelia, you dont have to jump all over me. I am new to the county (5 years) and am proud to call Pike home. I wish I had time to get more involoved but I honestly dont, but you dont have to make me sound like a complete idiot. geeeesh
On January 27, 2009... Commissioner Tommy Powers cast the lone "no" vote on the approval of Teen Challenge opening in Pike County. Teen Challenge plans to operate on a 36-acre tract on Highway 19 that includes the former Church at Grace Hill property.
April 9, 2009...Two teens escaped and were returned.
February 23, 2009... Teen escapes.
April 24, 2010...Two teens escape, stole motorcycle and four-wheeler. Found after all night search hiding in school bus in Zebulon.
May 24, 2010...Teen challenge escapee dodges bullet.
There you have it Pike County Citizens. A 36-acre tract of Pike County that is required to pay NO TAXES. Using your law enforcement employees that your taxes pay. Only out-of-county kids are allowed and their parents pay big bucks. To who? Good question. Only one thing is for certain. The commissioners never follow-up with any explanations to the newspaper and the actions of the escapees get progressively worse and more dangerous . Just be cool. It is only your money wasted, you got plenty, don't you?
What, did you think they took those boys in out of the kindness or thier hearts? HAH.
2000 West McIntosh Road
Griffin, GA 30223
Phone: 770-228-2307
Fax: 770-229-2069
Unfortunately a church organization is involved in this mess with Teen Challenge in Pike County. It is natural to be sympathetic to the members of that church for this public airing of a problem caused largely by their pastor. Pike County citizens should separate the emotion felt for other churches and look at the problem that they have housed in Pike County. It should have been in Griffin, adjacent to the church.
In addition to their Religious aspect, churches are also legal entities that are run as a business. That is, they have a CEO and a Board of Directors. Thankfully, churches enjoy tax-exempt status. However, as such, all churches should strive to remain above the appearance wrong-doing. Pike County now has a problem caused by the CEO (pastor) of a church.
Greg Keylon, a good guy, is the Director of The Teen Challenge Center of Pike County, Georgia (TC). This is a Mid-management position.
Greg Keylon is trying to help troubled teens with the limited resources, equipment and untrained staff that he has been assigned by his boss (CEO) at First Assembly of God (FAG) in Griffin. His boss (CEO) makes great political hay by allowing the problem children of his peers, in the Assembly of God organization, to be shipped to Pike County to avoid embarrassment in their local communities.
No one at TC / Pike is qualified for counseling and rehabilitation. Just check with the GA Department of Family Services to see the level of qualifications used in their counseling and rehabilitation of juveniles.
These problem children are just warehoused out there on Grace Hill. The Pike County Commissioners did not require any accountability to the citizens of Pike County.
Greg Keylon (Mid-Level Director) works for Randy Valimont (CEO) at FAG.
Randy Valimont (CEO) was at the center of the initial TC negotiations with the Pike County Commissioners during the rezoning of the property following the sale by the Church at Grace Hill to a generous man who donated the property to FAG.
FAG currently has 30 – 40 acres of available vacant land on their site in Griffin. Randy Valimont (CEO) is currently negotiating on two tracts, of 9 – 10 acres each, across Mcintosh Road for a Senior Center.
The pastor (CEO) of the church is trying to sell condominium residences to retirees in the foyer of the church. Pike County is left to potentially clean up this mess at TC / Pike?
Thanks again to Tommy Powers, Pike County Commissioner in showing his leadership by voting against the request to rezoning request to allow TC in Pike County.
Randy Valimont (CEO) and Greg Keylon (Mid-Level Director) may be reached at the phone numbers and address above.
NOW …
Should they be contacted with a non-threatening, non-violent taste of opinion without showing them “Pike County Crazy”?
I'm glad there are teens able to find help but it should be obvious that something is wrong with this facility.
Six runaways in 9 months tells me that the people running the facility have no regard to the safety of their charges or the people of this community.
It is time to close this facility or at a minimum require them to fence it using proper wiring to prevent escape.
Who is generous man who donated the property to FAG? Guess he needed a tax break.....
Was I one of those to "run away" from it, YES. Do I regret that, YES. Why did I run away? Was it because they abused me, hurt me, made me follow rules??? NO! It was because of how other people that went to the Church we were sent to behaved, and how people at school treated kids from the home like dirt. They all acted like snotty nosed, self-righteous religious hypocritical scum of the earth. I was getting sick and tired of being picked on, and mumbled about...by the likes of people like YOU posting here. Where were you people when I was seeking help left and right trying to get away from a PEDOPHILE, but teachers, counselors, Police Officers, Church-goers like YOU, my own family….did NOTHING to help me!
I did not run away from the home, I was trying to get the hell away from a community full of people like YOU all who are posting negative about homes trying to reach out to help hurting and suffering teens….whose hurts were put in place by people like YOU!
What changed my life? When I finally got caught, the kind people at the Home did not send me back to RYDC, they instead sat down and asked me why did I not like it there. They were KIND, CONSIDERATE, HELPFUL....and also found me a better Church to attend. Their kind and loving reaction turned my life around, they taught me how to love, help, and hug no matter how bad a person may appear to be.....because no one can understand the pain a person is going through, no one knows their heart, and no one has ever been in their shoes.
I once slapped one of the group leaders, what did she do….she just looked at me with tears in her eyes and walked away. That look made me feel so guilty, I NEVER slapped another person again. I felt so guilty I cried….and that look has stayed with me for over 20 years now to help me remember to try and see the heart and not the outer shell of all people.
THAT is what GOD sees, the heart! That look showed me the kindness of TRUE Godly people. True acts of kindness, no matter how small they may seem to others…..DO make a difference in a hurting teens life. Even to one like me who was being vile and abusive to those who finally were sincerely trying to help me.
It’s people like YOU who make children like THESE; who have to go into homes, they turn and turn and turn for help, but they RARELY find it. Why don’t you all get off your butts and go volunteer at these homes and do something to HELP instead of sitting behind your screens complaining like you’re mini-gods on this planet. Oh yeah, you all sound like mini-Gods…but you’re NOTHING like the one you profess to follow. Your God seems to be the one downstairs….enjoy you’re god and the misery he brings. Just don’t try to place your misery on other people’s shoulders who ARE serving the right God, and who are trying to help, and who do let their light shine in a Godly manner!
As for how much money they make, I do not know what they make, and I don’t care. No amount of money can make up for the abuse I saw back then that some of the group leaders suffered in the hands of the likes of me AND other girls that were placed in their care. NO AMOUNT! Their jobs are not easy that’s for dang sure!
And I bet some of you are probably thinking “If some punk teen slaps me, she’s going to loose some teeth”. Yeah, well guess what, I was slapped many times (NOT at the home) and that just pissed me off even more. I got slapped, beat (NOT at the home)….you name it. Tears, a look of love and acts of kindness are what reached me, when slaps, hits and RYDC never did.
And it may be a hard pill to swallow…but it’s people like some of you posting here, that MADE teens like me! You make us with your cold words and judgmental attitudes, and then dare to talk down about those who try to repair the damages that those like you cause????? That’s worse than scum, that’s downright SATANIC!
georgia baptist needs to close as well
I attended school with kids that lived in the GBCH back in the 80's, and still know and love some of them. I've visited with a couple, gone to church with some, and enjoyed friendships with several.
Don't take your anger at a few out on everyone.
line bobber
Throw this one back, dear. It's too small and has too many bones.
She's probably a bitter old woman stuck at home, pissed that life has passed her by and now she does her best to spread the misery.
If she's not old......GEESH then she truly is a sad case and needs to keep her misery inside her wee little pea brain.
i am the happiest man on the face of the planet
i have my health i have my family and your opinion don't mean squat
free speech good
I cannot quit laughing.
sweet tea
Nope, not hardened criminals at all...
*- The Church at Grace Hill failed after several years. Mr. Edward Neal Gray bought the property for $350,000. The man who owned and sold the Church at Grace Hill property seems to be out of the church business and not involved in the current TC / Pike controversy. (Pike County Deed Book 615, pages 242 – 243 & dated 11/22/2005)
*- Mr. Gray, donated the property to the First Assembly of God of Griffin, Georgia (FAG). That was a legal transaction and very noble of the donor. That man trusted FAG to use his gift for a good cause. His donation could have been used to build a Teen Challenge facility on the 90+ acres that FAG has in Griffin. (Pike County Deed Book 680, pages 56 – 57 & dated, 12/04/2006)
*- FAG then transferred the property to Teen Challenge of FLORIDA ... not Georgia ... not Teen Challenge International … BUT Teen Challenge of Florida. This transfer took place on the same day that the property was received by FAG. This was a legal transaction with an interesting manipulation of the filing sequence. (Pike County Deed Book 680, pages 54 – 55 & dated, 12/04/2006)
*- Greg Keylon, a good man who works for the CEO / FAG, is the Director of Teen Challenge / Pike. The property has mysteriously been deeded to TC / Florida. The CEO / FAG hired Greg Keylon as Director of TC / Pike. Therefore it appears that FAG is in control of the TC / Pike complex.
(Please review www.griffinfirst.org …. Click on “About Us” … Click on “Meet the Staff” … Click on Evangelism, Outreach and Missions)
*- Please do not inflict any responsibility on Jerry Colwell for any of this mess. He is merely a member of a group of investors who sold the property to the man who owned The Church at Grace Hill and currently owns approximately 850 acres adjacent to the Pike County Teen Challenge Center.
It's acts of kindness from people like you that stay with those like me, we have to have good memories to hold onto. Without them, we'd have nothing. I have very very few good childhood memories, and most (95%) of the good ones, are from my time spent at the home.
some money preping the hill. Teen Challege
would have went away.
April 9,2009, First escape. Special Meeting called April 13. Regular meeting on April 28. Escape not discussed.
February 23, 2009, Second escape. Regular meeting held on Feb 24. Escape not discussed.
Isn't that encouraging, Pike Citizens?
i wonder if that's tax fraud
anyone here from the irs
that sounds like a threat to me.
i'm guessing you know their names, you may have been in a meeting with them, but in truth, you don't know squat about them.
were you aware that this teen had shot someone before this article came out?
she may have felt sorry for him after talking to him, but what if her husband? had not been on the porch and armed? what if this self professed shooter had approached her in the middle of the night?
i am telling you now, this situation is going to continue to escalate until someone is hurt or killed. i hope all of the TC advocates on this site can live with that when it happens.
this place is not filled with good wholesome youngsters who have just lost their way. this so-called child has already shot someone, had he been able to break into this home and steal the gun that the gentlemen was carrying, this story would have had a very different ending.
keep waiting it's going to happen.
i wonder if they would continue to drop them off or would they find a different place for their children to attend.
parents, i would suggest you attend your child's wednesday night service and see who is there with them
you are trying to sugar coat what will become a tradgedy
Quoted from above article.
The $350,000 purchase price for the property passed from Mr. Gray to the owner of the Church at Grace Hill, who sold the property.
The property then passed from Mr. Gray to First Assembly of God in Griffin (FAG).
That was a gift and the Internal Revenue Code would allow for a charitable deduction to Mr. Gray for that very noble gift.
Next, the property passed from FAG to Teen Challenge of Florida (TC/FL).
It was a gift. FAG does not pay taxes. TC/FL does not pay taxes. A Charitable deduction is not applicable.
The $350,000 apparently went from a non-profit church organization to the pocket of the man who owned the Church at Grace Hill. It was that man’s responsibility to use this money properly. That money is not a part of the TC/Pike controversy. If the money was not handled properly and if the IRS knows it then we may have a different crime to write about in the future.
Other than that, many thanks for trying to point out civil malfeasance to your fellow citizen. You seem very genuine in wanting to see Pike County avoid problems that arise when three commissioners have their collective heads in the sand and completely ignore the wise counsel of Mr. Tommy Powers, who consistently wants to improve Pike County.
Regards,
Justin Cayce
* Then...the noble Mr. Gray donated the mere "over one quarter of a million dollar" piece of real estate to FAG in Griffin.
(Pike County Deed Book 680, pages 56 – 57 & dated, 12/04/2006)
* Then...the very SAME day FAG in Griffin transferred the property to Teen Challenge of FLORIDA ... not Georgia ... not Teen Challenge International … BUT Teen Challenge of Florida.
(Pike County Deed Book 680, pages 54 – 55 & dated, 12/04/2006)
* Then, the good man Greg Keylon, who works for the CEO/FAG, is the Director of Teen Challenge/Pike. The property has mysteriously been deeded to TC/Florida. The CEO/FAG hired, the good man, Greg Keylon as Director of TC/ Pike. Therefore it appears that FAG is in control of the TC/Pike complex.
* Here is a point that I find interesting.
Dr. Randy Valimont, Senior Pastor of The First Assembly of God in Griffin, and Mrs. Valimont are both graduates of Southeastern University of Lakeland, Florida. He received his Doctor of Religious Philosophy degree in 2006 from Logos Graduate School of Jacksonville, FL.
OH yeah......something is gathering my interest and Justin Cayce there is some FECES going on here...I will get back with you. Don't go shutting down Teen Challenge now. Not when it is just getting interesting. I may have some commissioner questions.
**Why did you include this ridiculous sentence in your blog about Jerry Colwell?
*- Please do not inflict any responsibility on Jerry Colwell for any of this mess. He is merely a member of a group of investors who sold the property to the man who owned The Church at Grace Hill and currently owns approximately 850 acres adjacent to the Pike County Teen Challenge Center.
* That is a totally irrelevant sentence to this entire query. Hello to you...Jerry.
and apparently you have been condoning if not approving of them sitting with other people's children. in the dark? who has church in the dark?
Who was that masked man?
on TC Hill
when the meeting
was called to order.
Don't look a gift
jackass in the mouth
if you can't
get a million.
Take a quarter.
tick, tock.
yet you protect the people who would steal and shoot other people and call yourself what? Godly? I think you need to check your attitude.
you don't have a say. stay off this site.
you are one of the jerks that pushed this garbage down to our county instead of keeping it where it belongs. IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD!!!
You've dug yourself into this one, haven't you?
Suppose one does get away and doesn't get caught by the locals? They approach dark houses in the middle of the night looking for things to steal so they can make thier escape. One WILL be shot eventually, or worse, but that's ok. It's all in the spirit of "helping" them, right?
Putting those kids on that mountain and then not supervising them well enough to prevent these midnight excursions is reckless endangerment on the part of TC. It's about the money that progam is making for that "non-profit" business you are all so proud of.
The Teen Challenge Center in Pike County was approved by the majority of the Pike County Commissioners. A large number of Pike County residents seem to be against the approval and location of a Teen Challenge Center in Pike County.
An unacceptable number of minor children have left the Teen Challenge Center without permission. The fact that they needed permission to leave and were arrested because they left indicates that they are incarcerated at the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County. Considering the escapes from the center and the potential for bad behavior during those escapes then there is reason to want to see the center removed from Pike County.
From a legal standpoint, nothing good has happened at the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
There is no evidence of a trained counseling staff at the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
The website, www.teenchallengeusa.com has a section called “The Plan” that lists their goals. They never give any reference to Qualified, educated Counselors and Rehabilitation. Responsible citizens want to see children helped but this method seems to miss the mark.
In previous posts, the chain of ownership of the property was documented and included the Deed Book and page references. These references began with the ownership prior to the Teen Challenge ownership and followed the ownership through to the current ownership. The Deed Book and Page references may be taken to the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Pike County to review these documents independently.
A summary of the recent property ownership follows:
* - The Church at Grace Hill owned the property.
*- The Church at Grace Hill sold the property to Mr. Gray for $350,000. That $350,000 went to the owner of the Church at Grace Hill. There does not seem to be any further connection between the Church at Grace Hill and the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County. The $350,000 seems to have disappeared since the Church at Grace Hill has disappeared. Research for this and previous postings was concerned with the creation of the Teen Challenge Center against the will of a large number of the citizens of Pike County. Therefore, no effort has been expended to investigate the Church at Grace Hill.
*- Mr. Gray, who then owned the property, donated the land and buildings to the First Assembly of God of Griffin.
*- The First Assembly of God of Griffin, who then owned the property, donated the land and buildings to Teen Challenge of Florida.
As of 05/27/2010, the property where the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County is located is owned by Teen Challenge of Florida.
Greg Keylon is listed as a staff member on the First Assembly of God of Griffin website. Greg Keylon is the Director of the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
Some unanswered questions remain:
Why did the First Assembly of God Church of Griffin work so hard to place the center in Pike County? The First Assembly of God of Griffin has 40 – 45 acres of their 90+ acres available for use. Their Teen Challenge center could have been built adjacent to their Church complex.
Why was the property donated by Mr. Gray to First Assembly of God of Griffin and then donated by First Assembly of Griffin to Teen Challenge of Florida in a very short period of time?
The Teen Challenge website (www.teenchallengeusa.com) lists the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County as “Prayer Mountain Boys Academy” with a Meansville post office box address. There are eight Teen Challenge Centers listed in Georgia on that website.
First Assembly of God of Griffin controls the Director of Teen Challenge of Pike County and everything that happens at the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
Did the Pike County Commissioners know this before the approval vote?
Yes, they did?
Who was allowed to speak at the Commissioners Meeting when the approval vote was taken?
Who packed the room with Spalding County residents?
The Pike County Commissioners approved the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
The Pike County Commissioners did not adequately evaluate the number of citizens opposed to the approval of the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
They can reverse their action.
They should reverse their action.
The First Assembly of God Church has been questionable in their legal actions regarding the acquisition and subsequent transfer of the land. The Pike County Commissioners should be interested in this fact. Those who handled the legal side of the business of the First Assembly of God Church of Griffin were wrong and deceitful in their actions regarding the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County and the handling of the property where it is located.
Were the Pike County Commissioners aware, when they approved the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County, that the property would immediately be transferred to out of state ownership?
If the Pike County Commissioners need to sue the Teen Challenge Center, the citizens will have to bear the expense of financing a legal action in Florida.
Reminder … the money spent by the Pike County Commissioners comes out of the pockets of the citizens of Pike County.
Mr. Colwell was mentioned, in these posts, only to clarify that he was not involved. Someone had mentioned him in the most recent chain of ownership. No evidence was found in the public records indicate that he had any interest in the property during this controversial time surrounding the Teen Challenge Center of Pike County.
Information supplied in all these posts on the subject of the Teen Challenge Center is the product of one individual’s research. Public information from the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Pike County supported the entries regarding property transfers. Websites for the organizations mentioned, in various posts, were relied on for their accuracy of information.
No one wants to disagree with a church. There is no good way to disagree with the actions of a church. All churches have a legal side. If a church misbehaves in that legal role, local citizens who are affected should disagree. As always, opinions are like noses … most of us have one.
My only goal is to see Pike County remain as great a place for my descendants to live, as it was for my ancestors.
When we practice to deceive.
I am going to check it out. Thank you, Justin.
Actually, every old person I know who has been a Christian for years has an opinion of how nobody wants to PREACH RITE! Yep and their use'in ur money to get that bubblin crude!
The way I see it you got your drug dealers on Hagans Mountain and the users on Grace! Hell put up signs MARGARET! Print a directory!
I don't know what God your serving but mine is in control and always has and will be, If he didn't want T.C. there it wouldn't be.
You must have gotten your share of the money. God is gonna get you for that. It is bad to steal but you may have to go to Hell twice for stealing from God. Shame on you.
By the way... God can change a heart over night and set people free. I pray He does that for the people of Pike. You guys need a heart check.
One tree does not a forest make.
Sheila Tolley
nothing can be the same difference. that is an oxymoron and you are a moron.
you probably are like ted bundy tho.
the distance from a to c is x and the distance from b to c is y. the difference x - y is z
the distance from l to m is n and the distance from o to m is p. the difference n - p is z
the same difference
10-4=6
Same difference.
Moron.
He's not the first to do so, nor was he the last.
I think you must stir them together. If someone killed one that I love. I say kill them back then ask God to forgive.
Why is it still going after 52 years worldwide then ? Exactly because your statement is false just like you.
The "being" that can cast you into hell is not God. It's yourself.
If you fear God, then either
a) you are afraid you have done something that will get you a ticket to hell
~OR~
b) you have to use God as your own scare tactic to keep yourself on the straight and narrow.
I do not fear my God. Get it??? I can stay on the right path without fear of the pits of hell.
Genesis
22:12 "Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Exodus
1:21 And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.
14:31 And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.
20:18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."
20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning."
Leviticus
19:14 "'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your God. I am the Lord.
25:17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy
5:29 Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!
6:1,2 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
6:13 Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.
6:24 The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
9:19 I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you. But again the Lord listened to me.
10:12-13 And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
10:20 Fear the Lord your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.
31:12 Assemble the people--men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns--so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.
31:13 Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."
Joshua
4:23,24 For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The Lord your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God."
24:14 "Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
1Samuel
12:14,15 If you fear the Lord and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the Lord your God--good! But if you do not obey the Lord, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers.
12:24 But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
2Samuel
23:3-4 The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,
23:4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'
1Chronicles
16:25-26 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
2Chronicles
17:9,10 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people. The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.
20:29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.
Nehemiah
5:9 So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Shouldn't you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies?
Job
1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
1:8-9 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied.
2:3 Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."
23:13-15 "But he stands alone, and who can oppose him? He does whatever he pleases. He carries out his decree against me, and many such plans he still has in store. That is why I am terrified before him; when I think of all this, I fear him.
28:28 And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"
Psalms
2:11 Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling.
15:1-4 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, ... who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord,
19:9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
22:23 You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
25:12-14 Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him. He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
31:19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.
33:8-9 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.
33:18-19 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
34:7-11 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
36:1-2 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin.
40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
52:5-7 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying, "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
55:18-19 He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me. God, who is enthroned forever, will hear them and afflict them - men who never change their ways and have no fear of God.
60:4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.
61:5 For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
65:8 Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.
76:7-8 You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet -
76:11-12 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared. He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.
85:9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
86:11Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
89:7 In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.
90:11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
96:4-5 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
103:17-18 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children - with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
111:5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
112:1-2 Praise the Lord. [b] Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
115:11 You who fear him, trust in the Lord-- he is their help and shield.
115:13 he will bless those who fear the Lord-- small and great alike.
119:120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
128:1-4 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the Lord.
130:3-4 If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
145:19-20 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
147:11 the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Proverbs
1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
1:29-31 Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
3:7-8 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
8:13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
10:27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
14:2 He whose walk is upright fears the Lord, but he whose ways are devious despises him.
14:16 A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.
14:26-27 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
15:16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil.
15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honour.
16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a man avoids evil.
19:23 The fear of the Lord leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
22:4 Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.
23:17-18 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
24:21-22 Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious, for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?
28:14 Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Ecclesiastes
7:16-18 Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise-- why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool-- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.
8:12-13 Although a wicked man commits a hundred crimes and still lives a long time, I know that it will go better with God-fearing men, who are reverent before God. Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.
12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Isaiah
8:12-13 Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy [f]; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread,
11:2-3 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him -- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord -- and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
33:6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.
50:10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
59:19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along.
Jeremiah
5:22-24 Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.'
26:19 Did not Hezekiah fear the Lord and seek his favor? And did not the Lord relent, so that he did not bring the disaster he pronounced against them?
32:39-40 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.
Daniel
6:26-27 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
Jonah
1:15-16 Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm. At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him.
Zephaniah
3:7 I said to the city, 'Surely you will fear me and accept correction!' Then her dwelling would not be cut off, nor all my punishments come upon her. But they were still eager to act corruptly in all they did.
Malachi
1:14 For I am a great king," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations.
3:5 "So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me," says the Lord Almighty.
Luke
1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
8:24-25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
12:4-5 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
23:40 But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?
Acts
7:30-32 "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to look more closely, he heard the Lord's voice: 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.
9:31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.
2Corinthians
5:11 Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.
Ephesians
6:5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Phillipians
2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Hebrews
11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.
12:21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."
1Peter
1:17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
3:14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."
Revelation
14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth--to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."
15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed."
19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"
You got my vote on who won this debate on whether we should fear God or not !!!
Find the actual Hebrew version - educate yourself enough to understand what you are reading - and you will realize the word for FEAR and the word for RESPECT in the original text's language are intepreted the same.
Did you think the Word was written in English?? It has been translated and re-translated in many languages before it was ever written in English for you to quote.
I RESPECT Him. I do not fear Him. Just as with a parent that lovinly disciplines a child. I do not fear my parents nor my God, I respect them.
If I (and you) do no wrong I (and you) have nothing to fear.
http://wahiduddin.net/words/fear.htm
"The word most often translated in the Old Testament as fear is the Hebrew word (transliterated as yirah) which can possibly mean fear, but also means awe, reverence, respect and devotion. A closely related Hebrew word is (transliterated as yare) which can mean fearful, but also means to stand in awe, reverence or honor."
King James and many of the people from that time used the "Fear" of God to control the populace. As, the article states, newer translations of the bible replace the word fear with reverence or respect.
There is no need to fear God. He is our Father. We should respect our Father and hold a reverence for our Father, but our Father loves us and does not wish to harm us.
In other words, if you follow the Word then God has no reason to toss you into the fires of hell. If you KNOW you are following the Word you have no fear.
The blogger above was using fear in Him to make his/her point. I was simply pointing out that if they respected Him and His word he/she wouldn't need to fear Him.
I do not fear my God. I do not live right because of fear of my God - I live right because of my love of Him.
People don't believe anything you read on here, Do your homework yourself before you jump on the bandwagon. People like shelia and the rest are full of lies and deceit and ignorance.
I could not verify TC Pike Counties tuition, but my research showed that other TC facilities charge between $1800 and $5000 per month so $3000 seemed a reasonable figure.
"Mr. Keylan was asked about the cost and was told that the cost was $80.00 per day, per student or $2450.00 per month"
But hey, I am not a bible scholar. I do have a healthy distrust for government (King James) and believe that the words were translated to suit political needs of the time.
Our God is a loving God. Why would an all powerful being who wants us to fear him send his only son to die in order to save us? Would have been much easier to just say "Stay in line or you will die".
btw, those suggesting they paid 1200 or 800 may very well have paid that amount. the difference is made up with donations so the tuition remains 2450.
You know what you are doing is wrong. Judgement Day is coming. Wear that nice, black asbestos dress.
Due to the fact that no one else will answer me, can one of you important folks please answer this question. Why did you come back and audition before the commissioners a second time after your access in Pike had already been denied?
Answer me this, if TC is so great why don't you have it on your 100+ acre facility in Spalding county? Why did it have to be moved?
teen challenge program here in Ontario. ... Tuition Fees: $5000
AND DIRECTLY FROM THE APPLICATION FOR PRAYER MOUNTAIN TEEN CHALLENGE
The first month’s tuition as well as month fifteen tuition, totaling $4,900 ($2,450/mo)
http://prayermountain.teenchallenge.cc.asp1-13.websitetestlink.com/documentlibrary/101_TC_Application.pdf
i guess you owe Sheila, David and me an apology. it appears that you are actually the idiot posting here.
step away from the keyboard, you've been pwned
they already have $4900 and won't have to do a thing.
no comeback for the link to the actual prayer mountain application?
i guess you just don't have the grace to accept defeat and admit you were WRONG!!