By Lou Yeboah

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— Well, I tell you why? Sin! You going around doing everything from A-Z and you want to know why God hasn’t answered your prayers. Don’t you know unconfessed sin separates you from God causing God not to even hear your prayers! He says in [Ezekiel 14:3] “Should I let them inquire of me at all?”  It’s not that the Lord’s hand is shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have separated you from your God; and yours sins have hidden his face from you, so that He will not hear.” You see, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” [Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 3:12]  Wondering why God has not answered your prayers! Ain’t No need of Wondering!

What makes it even worst, not only do you have sin in your life, “When you ask, you ask amiss?  “You ask wrongly… You adulterous people, says the Lord! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?  Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [James 4:3-10]. Wondering why God has not answered your prayers! Ain’t No need of Wondering!

And, most importantly, you must belong to God before you can communicate with Him. Jesus said, “He who belongs to the Father hear what God says [John 8:47]. The bottom line: As Christians, we need to put God first in our lives to have an effective prayer life. If you’re doing that, God does hear your prayers, and he answers them. You just have to trust God that He’s giving you the best answer for you- for your life- and for all eternity. As [Proverbs 3: 5-6] says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.

I want you to know that you are not the first person to have your prayers go unanswered. In fact, the Bible is filled with stories of men and women who prayed to God in the moment of crisis, and God for reasons sometimes explained and more often not explained – why He didn’t answer their prayers. Habakkuk struggled with the unanswered pray. He cried out, “O Lord, how long shall I cry and you will not hear?” Job struggled with unanswered pray. In Job 31:35 he says, “Oh, that I had one to hear me! Oh, that the Almighty would answer me!” King David struggled with unanswered pray. In Psalm 13, he said, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me, forever? How long will you hide your face from me”? Habakkuk, Job, David, all echo the frustrations that many of us have had at one time or another when it seems as if God is not answering our prayers. “Three times God told Paul “No.”  Paul prayed for God to remove the thorn in his flesh” so that he could get on with his ministry. And each time God said No! Can you image that? The apostle Paul probably the greatest Christian who ever lived, prayed about this need in his life, found that God did not, would not, answer his prayers until he continued to persist, then God finally gave him an explanation. “… “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Listen, though we may rebel against this idea, God doesn’t always work the way we want Him to. Just because we don’t see Him immediately answer our prayers in the way we expect, doesn’t mean He isn’t working in our lives. Often, we want things that will ultimately be bad for us. And we like to use God to get what we want, the way we want it, and when we want it. But time and time again in Scripture we see that God is not in a hurry. For 400 years, the Israelites prayed for the deliverance that God gave them through Moses. God is the master of time and therefore the master of timing. Even Jesus knew this.  Periodically, we’ll hear Jesus say, “His hour had not come,” and the Scriptures often mention events happening “in the fullness of time.” As the saying goes, “Anything worth having is worth waiting for.” So if God is silent, pray for His peace. Pray for His will to be done. And pray that He gives you the kind of faith that will wait.

As Job said, “I don’t understand this at all, but I’m hanging on to you, Lord, and I’m not going to let go.” [Job 13:15]. That’s the place to which God wants to bring us and sometimes unanswered prayer is the only way to get us there.

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…. Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” [Colossians 1:9-11].

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” [Ephesians 3:20-21].

Nearly 21,000 Californians Apply for 14 Seats

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SACRAMENTO,CA— Today, the California State Auditor announced that nearly 21,000 Californians applied to serve on the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission, of which more than 17,600 are tentatively eligible. The initial application period for the 14 seats closed on Monday, August 19, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. 

“We’ve said since the beginning that we were working to form a deep and broad pool of applicants for California’s second Citizens Redistricting Commission,” said California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle, whose office is charged with creating the new Commission. “We are thrilled to report that we met that goal with thousands of diverse applicants—race/ethnicity, geographic, gender, and economic backgrounds. We received nearly 21,000 applicants who are reflective of California’s talent and diversity.”

The application process was open to registered California voters who voted in at least two of the last three general elections and had consistent party affiliation for five years.

Howle continued, “The work of the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission safeguards the integrity of California’s elections by giving the power to the people and making sure voters have a voice in selecting their representatives. Now, the tentatively eligible applicants from the initial pool will continue through to the next round of review and fill out the supplemental application. With so many applicants, our Applicant Review Panel has a big job ahead, but we’re up for it.”

Eligible applicants must now complete the supplemental application, which is online atshapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov. The supplemental application period begins August 21, 2019 and runs through September 20, 2019. The supplemental application is only available to applicants who submitted an online application during the initial application period and were found eligible. The State Auditor has provided a training video to assist all applicants in completing their supplemental application and providing all information required.

“I thank every single Californian who participated in this process and took the time to apply,” said Howle. “We highly encourage all members of the public to continue participating in this important process over the next several months by checking the Shape California’s Future website for updates and providing online public comment on these applicants so that your voice is heard.”

More information about the supplemental application and the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission selection process is available at shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov or by calling (833) 421–7550. You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter at @ShapeCAFuture for recent updates.

About the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission

Every ten years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts. 

In 2008, California voters passed the Voters FIRST Act authorizing the creation of an independent Commission comprised of 14 members. The 2020 Commission will include five Democrats, five Republicans, and four who are either registered without, or “independent” of, any political party (decline-to-state or no party preference) or with another party. The Commission is responsible for drawing the lines of each district. The supplemental application period for new Commission members runs from August 21, 2019, through September 20, 2019, and is open to qualifying applicants who submitted an online application during the initial application period.

The California State Auditor’s Office is a state entity that is independent of the executive branch and legislative control. The purpose of the California State Auditor’s Office is to improve California government by assuring the performance, accountability, and transparency that its citizens deserve. For more information on the State Auditor’s Office, please visit www.Auditor.ca.gov.

Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation Presents its 2nd Annual Jazz on the Rooftop Event

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)—- RIVERSIDE, CA— Get ready for a night of elegance and a trip down memory lane as the spirit of Harlem Nights is recaptured during the 2nd Annual Jazz on the Rooftop event. The remarkable night will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2019 on the beautiful rooftop of Riverside City Hall, located at 3500 Main Street from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

This is a themed event and prizes will be awarded for the best dressed, so be sure to impress! The evening will consist of two live bands, dancing, dinner,  a silent auction and a few added surprises. 

Jazz on the Rooftop is the annual fundraiser for the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation (ADCR). Proceeds from the Gala benefit the following community events; Riverside Black History Parade and Expo, Empowering Young Women’s Conference and the Back to School Backpack Giveaway at Castle Park. 

Last year the event sold out, so be sure to purchase your tickets early.  Tickets are available on Eventbrite by searching, “Jazz on the Rooftop Harlem Nights”.  Tickets not available for purchase at the door. 

If you are interested in attending or becoming a sponsor, please visit our website at adcrfoundation.org.  

Congressman Pete Aguilar announced grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA— Loma Linda University School of Nursing has been awarded a four-year, $2.6-million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help grow the number of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in the Inland Empire.

The grant, from the federal department’s Advanced Education Nursing Grant Program, will provide funding toward tuition assistance for qualifying students and enhance training. The school recently received confirmation of the funding for year one of the 4-year grant, a $684,848 installment.

“This grant will allow us to update and enhance the training provided to students,” said Gloria Mattson Huerta, DNP, Nurse Practitioner program coordinator and assistant professor at Loma Linda University School of Nursing. “This will include the development of standardized patient scenarios focusing on behavioral health issues, as well as managing the opioid crisis — both of which are significant issues in the Inland Empire as well as nationally.”

Pete Aguilar, Representative for California’s 31st U.S. Congressional District, has promoted adding HHS funding to provide high-quality affordable healthcare in the state’s medically-underserved communities.

“By increasing the number of highly-qualified nurses in our region, we can help ensure better health outcomes for our communities while creating good jobs in a growing field in our region,” Aguilar said. “I’m proud to announce this funding, and I look forward to a continued partnership with Loma Linda University in order to increase access to quality health care throughout San Bernardino County.”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Chief Jarrod Burguan started his career with the San Bernardino Police Department in 1992 and has served as the Chief of Police for the department since 2013.

Throughout his career, Burguan worked in, supervised or managed every division within the department. His broad range of experience allowed him to become a knowledgeable and effective leader.

Chief Burguan was a source of strength for the department and community throughout his career which included the terrorist attack on the Inland Regional Center in 2015 and the North Park Elementary School shooting in 2017.

He was able to effectively communicate with the national audience and bring the local community together.

The City of San Bernardino and it’s residents would like to thank Chief Jarrod Burguan for his years of service and dedication to the profession.

John M. Futch, Jr. was born June 15, 1950 in Merced, California. He was the oldest of four children; born into an Air Force family with parents who lovingly instilled in him a sense of structure and a strong work ethic.

He was a natural leader as the big brother in a traveling family. He kept the siblings unified as they traveled around the world – imparting in them an unbreakable alliance.

Through all the transitions John, Terry, Lois and Stan relied on each other. They relied on the solid foundation of a loving family. And the kids relied on John’s innate leadership.

John was always in charge. He was the oldest and carried the most responsibility. Mature. Articulate. Brilliant. Confident. These are words that described John at an early age.

It was no shock that John finished high school at the age of 16 without sacrificing extracurricular activities. He played football, wrestled and ran track. He was accomplished at a young age – willing to tackle any challenge. John exemplified a sense of fearlessness and strength that only grew as he did.

John moved across the country to Washington DC to start a position at the FBI at the age of 17. There, he worked as a fingerprint examiner and met his beautiful wife Liz.

On a sweltering day, he stumbled into a police trailer looking for air conditioning and found an employment opportunity. He became a Metro DC Police Officer, who helped ensure safety following the peak of the Civil Rights movement.

He was a peace keeper, a husband and a father who worked diligently to provide for his children; Marcus and Adrienne.

John retired from the police force due to injury and drove his young family back to California with a license plate that read, “Broke.” He continuously played Elton John’s song “Bennie and the Jets” on the eight-track.

John, Liz, Marcus and Adrienne made their home in Southern California, close to his siblings and parents. When John Futch Sr. was on his death bed, he lit a renewed fire in John Jr. He challenged John to further his education.
John pursued his academic goals. His intelligence combined with his boldness created a synergy that forged an esteemed community leader.

John enrolled at the California State University of San Bernardino. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Political Science; and his master’s degree in Social Sciences at CSUSB. John continued with his passion for education as an administrator at CSUSB. He dedicated his work to honoring culture and diversity.

John was instrumental in providing a platform for Native American educators, artists and performers. He played a vital role in bringing San Manuel’s California Native American Day Children’s Program to CSUSB. The San Manuel Pow Wow, the Tribe’s largest event of the year, is hosted at CSUSB thanks in large part to John.

His service in education continued when he was elected as a Trustee with the San Bernardino Community College District. The “Friends of John Futch Textbook Scholarship” was launched in 2007 to help provide book scholarships for students, with a preference for students with community service involvement, first generation college students and historically underserved students.

John M. Futch was a name in the community that was synonymous with action, advancement and assurance. He worked as a trusted Chief of Staff to his close friend and, then, Board of Supervisor James Ramos.

Most recently, John was elected as the President of the San Bernardino Branch of the NAACP. He led the group with a focus on communication and service to the community.

John was dedicated to helping others and pursued various avenues of civic engagement, awareness and advocacy.

He served as a liaison to law enforcement as a trusted member of the Sheriff’s Information Exchange Committee. In his role, John fostered in meaningful conversations about community engagement and cultural diversity education.

John provided exemplary motivation for his son and grandson. Marcus Futch Sr. serves as a peace officer with Desert Hot Springs Police; and Marcus Futch Jr. is attending the Fullerton Police Academy. They continue the family legacy of selflessness, service and sacrifice.

John M. Futch passed away on August 11, 2019. He imparted on all of us a duty to participate, to advocate and to communicate. We honor his legacy by serving others and being our brothers’ keepers.

His celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 24 from 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM at CSUSB Santos San Manuel Student Union, located at 5500 University Parkway in San Bernardino.

By Reginald Young

“Be Great in Him”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Great praise is coming out of San Bernardino. On August 23, 2019, 6 P.M. at Ecclesia Christian Fellowship located at 1314 E Date St in San Bernardino, talented performers will bring their best praise. SB Pastors United puts on a unity mini concert and talent show every quarter to recognize youth in the city. The program allows individuals to come and compete with their gifts and talents. The performance that is the best will win: 1^st  place $300 and bragging rights, 2^nd place  $100 and, 3^rd place is $50. Each performer gets a chance to showcase their talent and skills.  

At the last event on June 28, 2019 first place winners, was Strait out of Xperience, they took us back with old gospel hymns. The second place winner was the Pacesetters, they were awesome with precision and skill, they brought the fire. The third place winner was Kalia Smith, she stole our hearts with a prophetic dance. Each of the performers did very well, the crowd was in awe.

In the upcoming event, there will be new performers that will bring their best praise. So come out and have a good time, the doors  will open at 5:30PM, light refreshments will be provided. For more information call 909-881-5551. Go to sbpastorsunited.org to register to perform.

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— CHINO, CA— A Chino Girl Scout who saved her friend from choking, a citizen who helped a deputy fight off an armed suspect in Loma Linda and a San Bernardino school principal who made sure the walk to school was safe for students were among 31 Safety Heroes honored today by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, the District Attorney, the Sheriff’s Department and County Fire.

“Safety Heroes are people who come along side law enforcement and emergency services to serve members of our community and help us keep our county safe,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “These selfless and courageous individuals volunteer to serve others on their own time. In doing this, they keep our county strong and ready to face whatever emergency may come our way. It is an honor to recognize them for their efforts.”   

Vision4Safety is a campaign of the Countywide Vision to bring people together to create safer neighborhoods, schools and workplaces in San Bernardino County. Last year, the Vision4Safety campaign asked the public to nominate Safety Heroes throughout the county who have made their communities safer by volunteering in emergency preparedness programs, leading neighborhood watch groups or stepping in to save a person’s life.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson, Assistant Sheriff Lana Tomlin and Interim Fire Chief Don Trapp joined the Board of Supervisors in honoring the nominees who reside throughout the county from Barstow to Chino Hills. To read the nomination of each of the 31 Safety Heroes and their contributions to public safety and preparedness, click here.

For safety tips, information about after-school programs and links to safety programs offered by local sheriff, police and fire agencies, visit Vision4Safety.com.

The Countywide Vision was developed by the community in 2010-11 and adopted by the Board of Supervisors and the San Bernardino Council of Governments Board of Directors in June 2011 in order to create a roadmap for the future of San Bernardino County, which includes creating a safe community for all who live, work and play here. Vision4Safety is one of four public campaigns launched by the Countywide Vision Project which also includes Vision2Succeed, Vision2BActive and Vision2Read.

By John Coleman

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— You missed it.  No one kept count, but, probably more than 100 people, including family and friends of Grand-ma Emma Shaw! They celebrated her 107th birthday with her at the Shirrells Park Community Center in San Bernardino. The party took place on Saturday, August 10, 2019.

The person of honor, Mrs. Emma Shaw, was born on August 9,1912,  in rural Louisiana. In her childhood, she often missed school to help her family pick cotton. In her adult years, she gave birth to 13 children (including two who died being born).

Mrs. Shaw worked  into her 60s at whatever jobs she could get. She has lived and worked in  Louisiana,  Las Vegas,  Palm Springs and San Bernardino. She also raised six generations of church and community leaders. She is a SHERO!

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Throughout the celebration, Mrs. Shaw sat quietly and attentively, responsive to the constant flow of people wanting to photo-record this moment in history. Her ‘throne’, her wheel-chair at a  decorated table soon overflowing with cards and flowers and love.   

Many magic moments! You missed it.  I’m grateful that I didn’t!

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— LOMA LINDA, CA—  Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital performed a robotic-assisted Nissen fundoplication surgery in July on a young patient, ridding him of lifelong painful reflux issues and further extending the hospital’s use of robotic surgery for children.

Edward P. Tagge, MD, pediatric surgeon at LLU Children’s Hospital and Victoria Pepper, MD, pediatric surgery fellow, performed the procedure.

Tagge said the robot surgical system allowed for a more precise, seamless surgery for the physician

and a better recovery for the patient.

“The robot provides improved dexterity, tremor filtration, greater degrees of freedom and improved optical magnification,” Tagge said. “Patients who undergo robotic-assisted procedures have more precise surgical procedures and potentially shorter hospital stays.”

The procedure involved wrapping the upper curve of the stomach around the esophagus.

The patient — 5-year-old Daniel Velasquez from Bloomington, California — was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux or GER a few months after his premature birth and soon developed severe gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. He went through hundreds of tests, medications, sleepless nights, food restrictions, allergies, near-constant burning throat pain and ear pressure discomfort. In his five years, he had never slept a full eight hours, regularly waking up from choking, coughing, snoring or pain.

Daniel’s mom, Natasha Velasquez, said her son had the life-changing operation within a week of having a consultation with Tagge. Her son is now pain-free.

“My son has been in and out of hospitals his entire life,” Velasquez said. “He’s had to suffer for five years, but now, in one short week, it’s all gone — his life is completely changed.”

LLU Children’s Hospital joins the ranks of the few pediatric hospitals offering fully-functional pediatric robotic surgery programs. Robotic-assisted surgeries performed at LLU Children’s Hospital have included cholecystectomy, complex inguinal hernia repair, urachal cyst excision, splenectomy, pancreatectomy and IBD bowel resection.

“We have now equipped our hospital to have another tool to serve our patients better,” Tagge said. “It won’t be used for every surgery, but now it’s an accessible tool to treat patients in the Inland Empire and beyond.”