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Your Second Chance to Make a First Impression

Enthusiasm on the job

Someone was once said, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression". While it sounds right, I wholeheartedly disagree. Many first impressions are made because of the expectations of others; your 'job' isn't to meet other people's expectations. If you will go ABCD, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty, in your work or whatever you put your hand to do, you will make an indelible impression that your first impression will pale in comparison.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Many of us already have a passion towards God, it's easy for us to praise and worship the Lord. It's not always so easy to have passion and joy on your job. So when you learn how to turn your attitude 'from' pleasing men 'to' pleasing God, and put your passion and love in your work because you do it for the Lord; the quality of your work, simply because of the spirit of God that surrounds you, will be the greatest work that you have ever done or ever could do. (ABCD

Pure praise and worship from the heart and serving and pleasing God, brings a pure joy and abundant life that the world just cannot understand, and yet it's like a magnet to them. Your joy makes others curious, they WANT what you have, and they WANT to be what you are. You WILL make a difference in your job, but it has to start with you.

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Scripture references; (Colossians 3:23 KJV), (Mat 5:14 KJV)

March 29, 2012

Daniel L. Criss
President / Founder
Life Achievement Services, Inc.

TIME TO SHUT UP

I NOTICED YOU’RE NOT LISTENING

Some people have a great deal to say. Some just seem to enjoy hearing themselves speak, and others who feel the need to be in the limelight. Many speak for their livelihood, it may be their voice but the words are from textbooks. Power is the motive of a few who raise their voice above others in intimidation, but their roar eventually just becomes a noise in the background blending in with the crowd of nature.

The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.

So the babbling continues from many characters of voices, their often dialogue swiftly wasting time of the listener who has become apathetic to any oration which may interrupt their priority. And so one learns to tune out any or every voice, even missing messages from those who also have a great deal to say and who’s words come from inspiration because of a burden, love and passion for souls.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

And as time passes and words continually fade away and are forgotten, that voice may become silent to them who have chosen not to hear. That voice of passion and sincerity lives and breathes to produce fruit as God has spoken, and their words are spoken in sincerity and hope with great expectation and faith because of the anointing and giver of inspiration. And that insatiable desire to win souls and touch lives moves them to push forward.

And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

I love to be with people, individuals or crowds, it doesn’t really matter. I love to preach, teach, give technical advice, sell, and I enjoy occasionally typing my thoughts to share with others. But the limelight isn’t my purpose, and popularity isn’t important to me. But yes there is a motive, which is seen on the faces of individuals that I have the pleasure of speaking to on a weekly basis. When I see a smile here and there, a life changed, a sudden burst of laughter, a thank you, the look of understanding at a new lesson learned, and a teary eye of joy because they realize how important they are to you. And the feeling inside when the anointing begins speaking the words of the LORD through you, although the words aren’t in your notes and they weren’t planned, is a joy that I just can’t describe. My joy is helping and making others happy, being a positive influence and difference in their life. But it just doesn’t seem to work with everyone.

Unfortunately after 47 years, I have also learned when to shut up. Some won’t listen from the beginning, and while that’s difficult for me to understand why they don’t want help, a relationship is never developed and little time is invested in them as they quickly walk away. The most difficult and painful for me, are those whom I’ve devoted a great deal of time and prayer. Their disinterest is easily

identified and usually just starts with the occasional lack of interest. They’ll change the subject before the topic is completed; they interrupt you in the middle of a sentence with a remark that has nothing to do with your comment, they’re preoccupied with something they possess or is in the room. I’ve also seen their apathy start with droopy or tired eyes, and other times they don’t look at you at all. Sadly, I’ve seen all of these examples take place even after developing a strong bond.

However, I’m not so fast to give up. I’m one that tries to find a way to bring them back and to peak their interest. More often than not, once these symptoms are openly revealed it’s too late, they no longer hear you. Recently, I witnessed the shock in one’s face as I stopped abruptly and walked away, but that individual hadn’t been listening and wasn’t interested enough to ask me to continue. It was indeed time to; shut up.

My voice has become familiar, my words you find wearisome, and you say you want me near, but for such a long time I have noticed you’re not listening and my time for silence has arrived.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Scripture references (all KJV); Eccl 9:17, Mat 13:22, Mat 10:14, Eccl 3:1,7.

Daniel Criss
February 11, 2012
President / Founder
Life Achievement Services, Inc.

When Heartache Becomes a Blessing

Sometimes the things that bring us the greatest pain in our lives turn into blessings because of the grace of God.

On Sunday, January 12, 2003 my Mother died. Although it was nine years ago today, I remember it as though it happened yesterday, in vivid detail. Geneva (Criss) Sparks had lived a long, joyous and triumphant life in the Lord. However, in the last few years she lived with a great amount of physical pain. My only solace in losing her was the knowledge she was no longer in pain, and she was in the “everlasting arms” of our LORD.

THE ETERNAL GOD IS THY REFUGE, AND UNDERNEATH ARE THE EVERLASTING ARMS:

My Dad the Rev. Edgar Calvin Criss, died in 1971, I was just six years old. In

losing Mom it felt to me like I was losing my Dad all over again. Mom held so strongly to the truth and faith that Dad preached so strongly as Pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Massillon, Ohio. And being the closest connection to Dad, she was the one who could best describe and let me know what my Daddy was like, and who he was. I have always bottled up my strongest emotions only releasing them when I’m alone and when with my God. I remember in vivid detail several years after my Dad died, waking up in the middle of the night shaking and crying and repeatedly saying, “I miss my Daddy, I want my Daddy back”. I was always sure to be quiet enough not to disturb anyone sleeping, my emotions were bottled up and I didn’t want anyone to know.

Those same emotions were about to reappear. Just a couple of weeks after Mom died I was on a business trip in Michigan. Being several hundred miles away from any family, there was no one I could be strong for. It was late in the evening when I arrived, and too late to call anyone. I felt so alone and isolated. Two weeks of bottled up emotions while trying to be strong for others had suddenly been released unrestrained. But I had been given a gift, something to lean on, and something to trust in during my darkest hour.

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL THINE HEART; AND LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING.

My Parents’ passed on a tremendous legacy to my siblings and me, of which I am extremely thankful for. One of the most crucial lessons I learned while growing up, was that I could not rely only on my parents’ faith and prayers for my salvation. The older I became I realized I was going to have to find this thing for myself. But what I have come to know as the truth, is not in my heart just because of them, they simply started me on my journey. I learned from them how to reach God for myself, and not trust in the riches or gods of this world to lead and guide me.

LABOUR NOT FOR THE MEAT WHICH PERISHETH, BUT FOR THAT MEAT WHICH ENDURETH UNTO EVERLASTING LIFE, WHICH THE SON OF MAN SHALL GIVE UNTO YOU: FOR HIM HATH GOD THE FATHER SEALED.

I found a hiding place, entering into the Holiest of Holies by the blood of Jesus.

THOU ART MY HIDING PLACE AND MY SHIELD: I HOPE IN THY WORD.

It is there where I met God for myself; it is there where He continually reveals His word to me. I have found that the greatest time to read the Bible for me is after an encounter with God in prayer. Starting in my parents’ lives’, continuing in mine, my prayers and hope is for that same faith to be established in my children’s lives.

STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.

While with my oldest daughter Erica (who was 12 at the time), not long after Mom died, I asked her the question, “What will you remember the most about your Grandma Geneva?” She said, “I will never forget every time we stayed with her overnight, when I woke up in the morning I would always go in the family room to see her, and she was ‘always’ praying and reading her Bible.” Mom had left an indelible impression on my children. She was in the Church service praying with my youngest daughter, when Erin received the baptism of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues as the spirit gave the utterance.

The reflection on these things so soon after her death brought me to realize the blessing that had been bestowed upon me, my children, my siblings and many others through the faith of my parents’. Although they are no longer with us, the memories of their faith, their devotion to God and family, and their instruction remain. And their prayers will never be forgotten in heaven.

…AND GOLDEN VIALS FULL OF ODOURS, WHICH ARE THE PRAYERS OF SAINTS.

Though the heartache of the loss of my parents’ will never be mended, it is a constant reminder to me, of the blessing that God gave to my children and me. It is my prayer today that the passion Dad and Mom had for God that blessed so many people, will also become embedded in the hearts of my children and all of our family, until the day we shall all be with the Lord.

Scripture references (All KJV); Deuteronomy 33:27, Proverbs 3:5, John 6:27, Psalms 119:114, 2 Tim 2:15, Rev. 5:8.

Daniel Criss
President/Founder
Life Achievement Services, Inc.

Why Would You Go Through This When You Don’t Have To?

“Why Would You Go Through This When You Don’t Have To?”

This is a quotation from Matt Yeater at Life Tabernacle Church in Elkhart, Indiana on October 6, 2010. Matt is a 30 year old student at Indiana Bible College in Indianapolis. He is blind because of an explosion that occurred while working with the illegal drug Meth.

On this particular Wednesday, Life Achievement Services was holding “Life Skills” classes for about 26 students from Bashor Childrens Home in Goshen, Indiana. There were to be two classes divided among young men and ladies. The ladies were originally scheduled to be in the “Career Planning” class, and the young men were scheduled for “Personal Development” Mr. Tom Hartnett who is the Pharmacy Manager of CVS Pharmacy in Elkhart was scheduled to facilitate this class which was his second session on the subject of “Substance Abuse”. Because Tom had planned two great videos on drunk driving, it was decided that we would combine the two classes for the 20 minutes of video in the Church sanctuary. After the videos we decided to split the classes as normal. Apparently, God had a different idea.

While watching these videos, Matt walked into the back of the sanctuary. We did not

anticipate him being there. My wife Rebecca pointed Matt out to me suggesting that we should ask Matt to join the substance abuse class with Mr. Hartnett. I first spoke with Laura Marmolejos, who directs the Independent Living program at Bashor Childrens Home, and she not only supported the idea of inviting Matt to participate in the class, but she also requested that we allow the young ladies to join the class. A brief conversation with Mr. Hartnett ensued, and he agreed it would be a great opportunity to have someone with the experience that Matt had to help him teach. He and I then spoke with Matt and invited him to participate in the class and Matt seemed eager to do so.

At the end of the videos we announced to the group of young people that we would all be joining in the same class inside of the Adult Education Room of Life Tabernacle. This room at best comfortably seats between 12-15 people. On this night we had 26 teenagers, 5 staff members from Bashor Childrens Home including Laura, 4 staff from Life Achievement Services, Matt and Mr. Hartnett. After cramming everyone into this room, I gave a brief introduction and turned the floor over to Matt. Matt gave a heart wrenching testimony, of which my only regret is to not have any video of the evening.

During the 20 minutes account of his life from age 3 to 30 he spoke of abuse, drugs and alcohol that brought many tears to the eyes of his listeners. His first drink of alcohol was given to him by his family at age 3, and was drunk independently for the first time at the age of 6. Matt gave an account that is unfortunately all too much familiar by the young people this room was full of. At the age of 23 after being left to die (from the meth lab explosion) by his friends, he found himself in a hospital where the realization of not knowing if he would live or die, and if live, would he ever see again. Charged, convicted and incarcerated, Matt spent many lonely nights in jail seeking a God that he couldn’t even be sure existed. In and out of jail and on drugs for a number of years, he began to draw closer to God. He had 3 children by now and the struggle continued until by his own testimony, “I’ve been delivered by the blood of the Lamb of God, baptized in His name, and filled with His spirit”. He continued to say, “Why would you go through this when you don’t have to?”

After Matt’s testimony, the young people and staff members had many questions for him, and the session continued with his answers for the next 20 minutes or so. One teen asked, “What do you miss the most being blind”? Matt’s answer was, “I want to see the face of my children”. The questions were direct and simple; his answers were poignant and riveting. At the end of answering these questions, Matt spoke a word to a very specific young teenage man, whom he’d never met, and had never seen. He told him, “I will pray for you, that God gives you a respect for leadership”. What Matt didn’t know, is the very words he spoke to this young man is exactly what was needed. This young man who just turned 18 did indeed have a problem with authority. This young man and several others have been attending Church services every Sunday, and one of my greatest joys is; when he sees me I get a great big smile, handshake and a hug.

Mr. Hartnett closed out the class by sharing two more videos that provided blunt pictures of the results of methamphetamine use and straight-talking from Doctors who treat meth addicts. Several of the teens informed me they didn’t really enjoy the class tonight because it brought up too many painful memories. But there are no regrets on my part for having changed our plans. And it’s all because these 26 teenagers witnessed the ability of our Lord Jesus Christ and His word to change, to deliver and to give hope for a bright and prosperous future. It was a night to remember. It wasn’t an evening about Matt Yeater, whom I am appreciative of. It was an evening about a marvelous and wonderful God, and 26 teenagers who are loved, who have hope, and who are being helped out of living a life that they just don’t have to live.


This article was previously written and published in google documents on November 2, 2010.

Matt Yeater is available for speaking engagements. Call Pastor Mark Johnson at (574) 293-9332 for arrangements.

Daniel Criss,
President / Founder
Life Achievement Services, Inc.
http://www.lifeachievementservices.org

Silence is a Killer

Silence is a killer;

the words spoken by Elizabeth Cruz on November 30th, 2011 at the beginning of her lecture at the “Life Skills Program – Personal Development” class which is held by Life Achievement Services
at Life Tabernacle Church in Elkhart. The class included teenage boys’ 16-18 years old, from Bashor Children’s Home and the Elkhart community.

Starting the class was one of our regular special speakers Sonny Cruz. Sonny is a young loving father of three wonderful children, full of life and love. But life for Sonny was not always that way. Sonny who feels a strong calling and burden to minister to youth was at one time a troubled youth himself.

Sonny gave his testimony to these young men about his past and how he got mixed up with the wrong crowd and drugs. He became addicted and the results of those addictions began affecting his personality and the way he treated people including his own family.

Elizabeth (Sonny’s Mother) and her husband had no idea why Sonny began treating them so poorly. And it was quite some time before his addiction was revealed to them. They finally began to speak together as a family about his problem and Sonny asked for help. Elizabeth set up a phone call so that Sonny could begin drug rehabilitation, but Sonny had to be the one to ask for the help. On the other line was the clinic and it was time for Sonny to get on the line, but he would not take the phone from Elizabeth. Then there was a second time, they spoke as a family, and Sonny asked for help again. His parents set up another phone call with the clinic, Sonny would not take the phone again.

Frustration, hurt, anger and other emotions will never stop a loving Mother from the devotion and prayer for her child. Elizabeth mentioned the hurt she endured when Sonny introduced her and his Father to someone saying how wonderful of parents they were, and how much respect he had for them. Those words were hollow, not in his right mind, Sonny treated his parent’s with very little respect and honor.

And now a third time, Sonny and his parents spoke about getting help again. This time Elizabeth warned him, “if you don’t take the phone this time, don’t ask for help again.” Sonny took the phone, this time he checked himself into rehabilitation.

Sonny attributes his deliverance from drugs to the God who loves him and never gave up on him, and to Godly, loving and prayerful parents who never gave up on him. Rehabilitation was a necessity for him, the Bible says, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” This was a way to keep him away from the things that the flesh could not bear. And sonny found a way of escape.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Elizabeth Cruz implored these young men to not be silent. Her words and emotions were beheld as she pounded the table in front of one of the young men saying, “Silence is a Killer.” There is help, if you ask. “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

Sonny ended their oration by singing and playing his guitar to a song he wrote.

His talent shines, but the sheer emotion he pours into his love for the Lord and his music shines forth much greater. He and his Mother had captured these young men’s undivided attention, and their hearts. This night the gospel was brought to life.

Scripture references (all KJV); Rom 13:14, 1 Cor 10:13, James 4:2

Sonny Cruz is available for speaking engagements, Call Pastor Mark Johnson (Life Tabernacle Church) at 574-293-9332.

Daniel Criss
President / Founder
Life Achievement Services

In Good Hands, if They Weren't Tied

Are we in Indiana proud of ourselves for taking $180 million dollars from programs to help troubled children and putting them into the general fund? Or even worse, giving so much power to the Indiana Department of Child Services that the system has been left in shambles because of the bureaucracy and red tape required by the DOC?

It was a privilege to be able to attend a legislative forum focusing on child and family system issues yesterday. The forum included Senators Mishler and Yoder, as well as State Representatives Culver and Wesco. This meeting was held by the Elkhart County Child and Family Roundtable.

I'm not writing on this issue to discuss all the details of this troubling issue. What I really want to write about is what impressed me the most in this meeting.

I was sincerely touched by the sheer emotions displayed by the leadership of the Elkhart County Judicial system, as well as private youth service providers.

Magistrate Deborah Domine opened the meeting with introductions and was the first speaker. She was not only emotional, but at one point it appeared to me she was about to cry. Candy Yoder of Child and Parent Services (CAPS) too was very emotional and inspirational in her devotion to children's programs. Don Phillips (President/ CEO of Bashor Children's Home), was very terse in his words. As he mentioned in the article in the link below this paragraph, “If you’re going to tie my wallet, don’t tie my hands, too.” Another statement Mr. Phillips made was, "I was always taught since a young boy to leave things in better shape than when you found it." His concern is that right now children's services in Elkhart County are in the worst shape in the 30 years he's worked in the system, because of the legislation. Children are sometimes abused, neglected, or medically fragile. At times they need a new family that will love and nourish them during rehabilitation. DCS has a domestic violence screening process in place that can be reached by either professionals, non-professionals or even an anonymous caller. The screeners have been known to reject a doctor and even a police officer's report concerning child abuse. If they won't accept a professional's word, what do they do for an anonymous caller or regular citizen? That's pretty scary for children.

ETruth article: "Restore Control"

It was very evident that those who participate in this monthly roundtable truly have a love for helping children. Sometimes children start out their lives in the wrong hands. After attending this meeting, and watching and listening to the intelligence and concern of these leaders, I'm certain that the children of Elkhart County are in the right hands, but as Mr. Phillips stated, they're hands have been tied.

Maybe a few of us 'regular' citizens can help get them untied.

Now they're in OUR hands.
(Mat 18:5 KJV) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Daniel Criss
President/Founder
Life Achievement Services, Inc.