A New York family is grieving the loss of an 8-year-old boy who saved six relatives from a burning trailer home before dying in an attempt to save a disabled uncle.
Tyler Doohan woke his grandmother, aunt and cousins after spotting a fire in the family’s single wide trailer in Penfield, New York. After the others were out of the house, Tyler tried to rescue his disabled uncle Steven and grandfather but was overcome with smoke.
Tyler’s body was found in a back bedroom near the bed of the uncle he was trying to save.
Fire officials have not confirmed the cause of the fire but suspect it started from an electrical problem.
Neighbors told reporters that the residents of the trailer had said the managers of the trailer park considered their home “unlivable” on at least one occasion and expressed concern about the number of people living in the trailer. One neighbor said she was filled with regret for not calling county officials to save the children.
Most of you know that family is so very important to me. I believe we are ‘set in families’ by the Lord according to scripture (Psalm 68:6). Our families provide a setting for much of the growth we experience in life as we love, help, teach, and learn from each other. We share our joys and our sorrows. We love, encourage, and affirm one another as we navigate through all of life’s challenges.
Family is the eternal pattern of God. In our families we learn to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ, and to be transformed to be what God wants us to be.
Family is the source of life’s greatest joys along with transforming trials. Family ties may bring us difficult challenges, but they also give us strength and some of our greatest happiness. Continue reading →
As I reflect on this past year, I couldn’t be more thankful for my station in life which includes my amazing marriage, motherhood and ministry. I have been so blessed in this life and love these scriptures that talk about blessing:
Matthew 5:2-12
And opening His mouth He began to teach them, saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Continue reading →
I thought of another Bible verse I had memorized: “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” God was doing that in my life, giving back the years I had lost because of my sin and rebellion. He had done it in several areas already.
Having made the choice to have five abortions, I lost the opportunity to ever have children. Yet God had blessed me with many spiritual offspring—like “my girls,” Kelli, Nicks, Morgan, Nina, and Michelle Murillo. He’d given me an inner-city family—Margie’s family—complete with a namesake, Little Lori.
Margie had been pregnant with her eighth child when we met at the Fashion Share. Margie had accepted Jesus as her Savior and the church had outfitted her with maternity clothes and accessories. Two months later I was in the delivery room when her baby was born.
My mind drifted back to that occasion, December 6, 1990……. Continue reading →
Mother’s Day 2000
I gave Jim a quick kiss when I read his cards, and then I opened the package, which he had meticulously wrapped himself. Inside was a darling little doll in a green travel case. The pretty blond had on a frilly dress and tiny little socks and patent leather shoes.
“She’s adorable honey. Thank you.”
“She’s blonde and beautiful, just like you.”
Jim served me lunch, and we chatted about our ministry schedule and upcoming events as we ate. When we finished our meal, I stood up and started to clear the coffee table.
“Leave that for a minute,” He said. “I have another present for you—“ Continue reading →
The father and stepmother of a Georgia girl have been charged with murder after the girl’s burned corpse was discovered in a trash can.
Eman Moss called police to say that he was suicidal and that his daughter had drank some kind of chemical that killed her.
When police arrived, Eman repeated his story about his daughter drinking a chemical and dying. He then lead them to a park area near the metro Atlanta apartment complex where he lived and showed them the burnt corpse of his daughter in a trash can.
Eman Moss and the girl’s stepmother, Tiffany Moss, are charged with felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree and concealing a body.
When Jim and I were dating, we often talked on the phone into the night about everything; sharing personal stories, learning all about each other as sweethearts do at the beginning of a relationship. He described the emotional devastation he had gone through in prison, and I started opening up about my past. Continue reading →
Thanksgiving is usually a time that friends and family gather together and enjoy one another. That is, when there is peace in your soul and you have family and friends that care for you. But I also know there are many without that peace and without family and friends to surround you. Continue reading →
