Curse God and Die

“7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.8And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”10But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” [fn1] In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:7-10

One the hardest times in the life of a human being is the death of someone close. Whether it is the loss of a best friend or cousin, brother or sister, father or mother, or child as in the case of Job, it is a heart wrenching ordeal. Daily I see the ravages of a death and the sorrow that follows it in the news. Recently I read a report by CNN that spoke of a young man about 17 years of age walking home in the early evening as he was instructed by his father. Just down the street from his house he was approached by gang members and then for no apparent reason- fatally shot. Upon hearing the gun blasts the father immediately phoned his son to warn him to stay away from the house for the time being. When the son did not answer the father knew something was not right and immediately set out to find him. What pain and agony the father felt as he distinctly recalled the promise that he made to his son "I guaranteed 'Jas.' That's why it hurts so much -- because I told him, 'I promise you, if you sacrifice these years, I'll sacrifice with you.'" Oh the heartbreak for someone to endure. What an excruciating ordeal for this father and mother to lose their son. It cuts up the innermost part of us all as the loss of a loved one can be most destructive to the soul. Yet in all this, there is hope.

For the wife of Job, her loss was exponential. Not one of her 10 children survived that dreadful day. She mourned seven sons and three daughters who held her heart as children always do. And shortly after she loses the blessings that God had given to her, her husband is stricken with boils. It is at this point that she begins staring at the possibility of maybe even losing her husband. Perhaps caught up in the frustration of losing the last person that she had, at her verge of collapse she blurts out of her misery, “Curse God and die!”

Job however, neither gratifies her request nor does he scold her for it. He simply discerns her reaction and tells her how she is behaving. He follows it up with an all-embracing view of the sovereignty of the Lord- “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” He neither denies God’s mercy to man nor does he strip God of it. Job knew that God was in control of all things and that all of his life was in the Lord’s hands. Job’s response is a response of contentment in the Lord- though undoubtedly filled with pain. Nevertheless, the Lord shows us that, “in all this, Job did not sin with his lips.”

Oh what glory that God received when we read of Job’s loss and later gain. The Westminster Confession declares that the “Chief end of man is to glorify God.” Job did not sin with his lips, but what about his wife? She often gets caught up in the story, coming in and out at opportune times. We rarely consider that what became her trial initially had little to do with her and more to do with Job. It was Job who was to be accosted by Satan, not his wife (maybe because the Lord knew she would curse him). Maybe, just maybe, the Lord wanted to provide a resounding instruction for her as well. I would lean to that mode of thought because in the end, the Bible says that Job had seven more sons and three more daughters (the prettiest in the land). It never says that he divorced his wife, that she died and he remarried, or that he had any other wives or concubines. She had benefited fully being hand in hand with Job. The wife of Job who bore him his first seven sons and three daughters in the end bore him seven more sons and three more daughters. The woman who lost almost all that she had gained more. No the latter ten do not take away the burden of sorrow for the loss of the first ten, but she was blessed- again. The Lord could have simply taken her life when she spoke as the ungodly did. But he refrained. Though she suffered and did not handle the pain as well as Job did, God had compassion for her. Who knows what conversations they could have had that the Lord in His wisdom decided not to share with us. Whatever the case, I do believe that she did learn more of God- just as Job did.

So where does that leave us today? Well firstly, we must remember that God is sovereign over all creation. He is omniscience and omnipotent and that He is God all by Himself. Whatever trials come our way will always be unexpected for us, but not for God. He establishes every hardship that we go through. Still, we must learn and have the fortitude of Job, “though He slays me, yet will I trust Him!” We do not know how our trials and tribulations will come, but we know that they will come. Like the father who lost his son, he rested and reassured himself in the resurrection of Christ. He knows that his son was a believer and his joy is upheld by the power of Christ. When we suffer loss, we must remember the glorious truth of Christ- “…I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.” John 11:25-26

Pains will come and go. So will life. Though we suffer, either by personal loss, sickness or by persecution, we will reap if we do not faint or give up hope. We must remember that God is a righteous and just King. That He is the sovereign Lord over the entire universe. And we must remember- “Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus.” And, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 8:35-39

Either Way I Vote, Someone Dies

As we approach the final stretch in this voting season many things come to mind. All of the candidates claim "Christ." Some do so more than others, but they all claim they are Christians. From the Democrat side Clinton and Obama are the ones in the forefront. For the Republicans, McCain and Huckabee. No big news there. My concern is what "Christ" they claim. For me, it is a matter of conscience on whom I vote for. The book of James 1:27 says this: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world." It is no secret that I utterly abhor abortion. I always ask the question to its supporters, "You don't have a problem with 'you' being born or staying alive now do you!" To which most respond that "life begins when it's outside of the womb." However, even scientists have come up with a list of seven items that identify something as having "life." And guess what? A fertilized egg meets all of the scientific prerequisites! So where do the "Christian" candidates stand in regards to this? Both Clinton and Obama are highly pro-abortion, McCain has flip-flopped and Huckabee is very pro-life. Oh what to do?

Another big issue is still the war in Iraq. I served in Iraq a few years ago. It definitely had its moments. One of the craziest things for me was to see empty caskets stacked 20 ft high waiting for bodies to fill them. Some pictures never leave your mind. I truly feel awful for the Marines, Army, Navy and AF cats who go over there time and again for 1-2 years at a time. I share with them the pain of hearing your children cry because you are not home and the worry in their voices when they watch the news. But I know that there is a 'just' reason that we stay over there and fight. I volunteered to come in the AF and I volunteered to go to Iraq. Same with a lot of those guys and gals there right now. But we choose knowing what we were in for. We choose knowing that it really could cost us our lives. We choose to do what we do because we believe it is the right thing to do. Do we wish things were better over there by now? SHhh yeah! Would we rather be home? You know it. But we also know that there are things far beyond us like the safety of our families and the defense of this country we have all come to know and love (despite its inherent evils). John McCain knows first hand about fighting in a war that we probably shouldn't be in. And honestly, I think all the candidates would probably want to bring the troops home. But right now doesn't seem to be the best time. Clinton and Obama would probably bring everyone back home within a year of being elected President. McCain and Huckabee would probably wait some years to see how things work out.

I guess my biggest problem with all this is the fact that Clinton and Obama will fight to bring "voting" Americans home to spare their lives, but won't fight for the life of an unborn child. And again, they call themselves Christians. It seems so easy to fight for someone who may seem angry about something and get on their side, but who sides for fatherless? Who sides for the victim? Where else do they look to protect those who need help? Honestly, all the candidates have failed in that area. But as for me, I have to side with the conscience of my faith. Not one of these candidates is going to make all of America better. However, maybe one can speak for the lives of those who don't have a voice. Our airmen and soldiers know what they're in for. Let them voice their opinion just as much as they fight for it. But let us not forget the fatherless who need us to speak up for them.

As the title goes, this election campaign will not be easy. Someone will die as a result of how we vote. The big question is who will we give the fighting chance to- The unborn child or the Soldier?

MELVINITE T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love going to Pulpit-Pimps.Org. I enjoy it sooo much that I thought the benevolent dictator should get his own t-shirt to sell. After all, he doesn't charge anyone to go to his site (unlike anti-Bishop Noel Jones). I am doing this short post in an effort to encourage others to visit his site and look around at the different posts he has to expose the liars and thieves that are destroying God's people. Although the shirt is a joke, his site is far from it. The seriousness of the fallen state of the church must be inspected by those that are Christians. We must contend for the faith once delivered. Daily there are religious icons popping up merely to make money for pastors and evangelists who want nothing more than to financially rape the children of Christ. As Christians, we must preach the truth of Christ and stand for the holiness that God has called us to.

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF CHRIST IN THE BLACKEST OF DAYS

As I read Anthony Carter’s book entitled, “On Being Black and Reformed” one thought (of many) in particular stood out. Carter consistently and accurately makes the case for God ultimately being behind the trials that we go through. The actual idea lies staunchly within the reformed faith in its propensity to give God the glory by recognizing who He is in His supremacy. The fact that He is omnipotent, omniscience and all in all allows us to gain a better understanding of the things we go through in this life. Regardless of our trials, if we take into account that the LORD is squarely in control and that He knows the numbers of hair on our heads, then we can have full assurance that He knows what is best and that we ought to look to how we are to glorify Him through our mess.

Isaiah 45:7, “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”

As the LORD is making known His power to Cyrus in the first 7 chapters of Isaiah 45, He points out something crucial for all of our understanding culminating in verse 7. He begins by pointing out that it was He that had anointed and called Cyrus (who was not a Jew) to be king. Then He tells Cyrus that He upheld him, using terminology that is just as often applied to feeble individuals being assisted. Next our LORD declares that He would be the one to destroy and straighten out so that Cyrus would know beyond a doubt that it was the doing of the LORD GOD OF ISRAEL. Furthermore, He lets Cyrus know that before he ever knew he existed, that the LORD had already purposed him to do His will. In the next few verses GOD lets Cyrus know that He is God alone, speaks in verse 7 something peculiar.

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. One word that stands out amongst the rest in this verse is the word “evil.” The word ‘ra’ from which “evil” is translated also means ‘calamity.’ As most Lexicons and Bible commentaries would agree, the “evil” spoken of in this verse is not indicating morale character, but condition. Contextualizing the verse also shows the “positive and negative” structure of it. In this case calamity most suitably applies in this situation because the LORD is referring to a ‘circumstance.’ Thus calamity is a suitable opposite to peace. So if we were to use “calamity” instead of “evil” it would look like this: I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create calamity: I the LORD do all these things. This is important because we see that God is telling Cyrus (and eventually us) that it is He that brings about distress or calamity just as much as He brings about peace. Without fail, the LORD makes known that all that comes to pass (whether we are Jew or non-Jew) is His doing, be it good or bad, loving or unloving (in our eyes), the Lord has created it.

I bring up Isaiah 45:7 to point out a biblical truth that Mr. Carter expounded upon in his book. The situations that we go through in life happen for a reason. The slave trade into the Americas wrought a purpose in Christ that would eventually glorify Him. As heinous and egregious as it was, it glorified God in that it re-Africanized Christianity for the sole purpose of glorifying God. No other group of people since the Hebrews in Egypt have been afflicted as much as Africans were during the days of slavery and on into the present.

Likewise, it was because of this situation that things available to Blacks in America today were made because of the faithfulness of the Black Church (which was the purpose of God to begin with). Yes indeed, it was upon the shoulders of our spiritual forefathers and in the arms of our spiritual mothers in the African American community that Church played the powerful role that it did (through Christ) to dispel the notion that man can be the sole master over man.

In His infinite wisdom, God chose out a people and caused them to suffer. It was His will when the nation of Israel suffered at the hands of the Egyptians and it was His will when Africans were made slaves to Whites in the Americas. It was also that same wisdom of the Father concerning the Son that said in Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin…” And shall be said to contest that? If suffering was good enough for Christ to endure for our salvation to the glory of the Father, isn’t the sovereignty of God just as wise to do to us as what seems fit to being Him glory? Now, do not for one second think that suffering is the only way God is glorified, but He is glorified most often when we recognize His sovereignty in our dilemmas and seek to praise Him regardless of the circumstance.

So what do we say of all this? We must resolutely decree that regardless of what life brings our way, whether good or bad, blessed or lacking, peace or calamity- we give glory to God. We glorify the LORD knowing that it is He who has made us and not us ourselves. We glorify the LORD when we pray knowing that as Christians all things work together for the good of those who love Christ and are called according to His purpose. So brothers and sisters of the true holy faith, recognize that the holy wisdom of the LORD is bound up in the majesty of His dominion over all things. And that whatever weeping may endure for a night, the joy of the LORD comes in the morning!

A little fun

I was looking around and found this neat little map. So if you sign my guestbook and leave a picture or note, that would be pretty cool (at least to me anyhow). So uh, sign my guestbook if you please. Thanks

Really, this is probably the only way I get to see who actually visits the blog. Peace

Prosperity Gospel and Hip Hop

I found this over at Independent Conservative's site today. Hee hee hee, I laugh. I laugh because the alternative would be to scream at the top of my lungs. But... since I don't have Dr. "cashflow" dollar, Junie B, or any other pimp to yell at I have to suppress because I don't want the wife to get a headache (because I love and respect her;)). I thank God for the medium to expose the false prophets in the manner given. Their benefactors talk about how great these folk are, but they fail to truly teach the people of God what is right in God's sight. They will however teach about the money they get and flaunt it like they made it. Then they make others recite mantras that are supposed to be a blessing... vain repetition is what Christ says. You all have minds, hear their words and search the scriptures...

Fix that Scripture!!!! p1

What I am going to do from now on is a continual segment called "FIX THAT SCRIPTURE!!!" What's going to happen is when I come across a scripture that someone has preached upon incorrectly, I am going to point it out and fix it. I think at this point I am not going to give you the individuals' names because I am not sure if it is going to be of use (but that might change). The main point is to correct the teaching so that you can truly learn biblical exegesis (allowing the scripture to speak for itself). Sadly, in today's prophetical (read: hear it preached from someone else without doing any study for yourself to verify that what was said lines up with the Word) atmosphere a lot of individuals are taking the scriptures and making them say what they were not originally intended for. Sometimes the stretches are small, sometimes the stretches are as far as the east is from the west. Nevertheless, we have a duty to present the Gospel of our Lord without error. Before we get started, let's go over some ground rules:

1.) Scripture must be viewed in light of -

the context that it was written in

to whom it was written to

why the author wrote it {the meaning} (already understanding that it was the Lord who

directed it)

2.) Scripture must be interpreted by scripture.

Scripture never contradicts scripture, it is on us to search diligently to find out why

some things may seem that way and correct our understanding

Great, let's begin.

I just heard an emergent preacher speaking on the "Prodigal Son." [Luke 15:11-24 pull out your bible and read along or you can open up the link to the BLB verse] Now for years, I too believed the way he interpreted this particular scripture to be correct. However, I have since learned that it was wrong. In fact, the way that it was presented (and also by most folk that preach it) is very man-centered. Here is the way it was presented.

"The greedy son goes to his father and asks him for his inheritance. the father concedes as the young man hurries off to live his life without a care in the world. After some time has passed, all his money is gone and he is working a menial job where the pigs are eating better than he is. Sitting in his state of bewilderment, he has an epiphany. He realizes that his father still has plenty to eat and the servants are much better off than he is at that present point. In realizing his foolishness in wasting his inheritance and spurning his father, he resolves to go back home to ask for forgiveness (and food). Upon returning home, his father rushes out to meet him and because the son came back there is rejoicing because now all is well!" But it isn't.

You see, the problem with this retelling and flawed focus is that all of our eyes become fixed upon the son. In the man-friendly telling of this parable, everything revolves around the son instead of where the attention should be- his father. Had the father not shown mercy to the son, there would not have been a happy ending. Had the father refused to even hear him, his trip would have been in vain. After I first heard that the "father" was the focus of the story, I couldn't see it. Then I too had an epiphany. If we look at the scriptures in Luke 15 leading up to vs 11, we see Christ alluding to why He would eat with the unscrupulous folk. The pharisee were livid with Jesus for entreating the sinners and publicans. In their eyes, Jesus should have ignored them so as not to be bothered or contaminated by their presence. However, the exact opposite happens as Jesus begins the parables of the "lost sheep" and the "lost coin." Both of these were set ups for the "Prodigal Son" in that it was the owners of their lost things that were searching them out. The sheep didn't go looking for the Shepperd and the coin didn't look for its mistress. Likewise, it is the father looking to reconcile with the son that gives the story merit. It is through the desire, love and mercy of the father that the son was not punished further than what he had already dealt with. In fact, the son realized this as well when he vowed to repent before the father and acknowledge that the father had the full right to deny him son-ship. The son knew full and well that he did not even deserve to be a servant in his father's house. It is when we look at our own sinfulness in the light of the sovereignty of our LORD, that we can then understand that it is God through Christ Jesus that has searched for and brought us out of our rebellious ways. We must never forget the never-ending and immutable omnipotence of God. It is through HIS sheer pleasure alone that any of us have come to salvation. This is the same thing that Paul speaks of in Romans 9:15-16. For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. Furthermore, before folk jump up and cry about man "deciding" to come to Christ, Jesus himself says in John 6:44, "No man can come to me, except the FATHER which hath sent me draw him..."

The preacher that I heard made the error in placing "the return" on the son when in fact "the return" rested squarely on the shoulders of the father. How magnificently that parlays into our finite understanding. By focusing on the son in this parable he effectively went contrary to scripture and lessened the supremacy of the Father in our eyes. Friends, our Father in heaven reigns supreme and we must not allow any thought otherwise to enter our minds. Likewise, we should exalt HIS Holy Word high above our vain imaginations. We must continue to strive for Sola Scriptura because a proper understanding of the nature of God rests on it!

A Look at One Death Caused by the Prosperity Gospel

I want to bring attention to a link that I came across on Philly Flash's "Theology Today" blog. It is about a family who lost their matriarch because she believed the lies of some very prominent televangelists. It is a heart-wrenching story that speaks volumes about the lies and evils of the "Prosperity Gospel." I hate the thought that this woman lost her life as her family suffered on the sideline watching her pass away. I will not go into anymore detail here, because I want you to read the story and the letters that were written to the "demons of prosperity." So go to the link provided and see for yourself that the Prosperity Gospel, Health and Wealth, Name It and Claim It and whatever term it wants to go by is not of God, but of Satan and his minions.

Choking the Christ Out of Christmas

At the offset, one would feel like this image is blasphemous. However, upon further inspection and application one would see the truth for what it is. The media is of Santa Clause totally choking the "Christ" out of Christmas. Now one could even look at it and think, "well this is an image of Christ and not the real thing." And of course I would agree. Christ could never be put in such a position. In fact, the pseudo Christ in the picture is about the same in "real life," an image with no saving power. But still, I enjoy this picture because of the point the artist is making. That being Jesus Christ according to the world is of no effect. We who are in the truth know the real deal and are willing to put our lives on the line for it. The message Christ came to bring from before the foundation is the world is the one of sin and the holy redemption of God to His glory. God bless you guys this Christmas and I pray that you would be faithful to Him not just in the "season," but year round.

An Ode to All Saints Day: The Difference Between Joseph and Stephen

Earlier today I heard another message preached on the life of Joseph, the son of Israel. As I was listening, I heard the usual discourse concerning his life. That he was given a dream by The LORD that saw him eventually reigning over those in his family. However, Joseph's dreams ultimately caused him problems with his brethren. Being upset over the fact that their younger brother was the favored child, Joseph's elders decided to do him harm. As the story goes on Joseph is sold into slavery, then imprisoned because of a deceitful woman. While in prison he interprets the dreams of two other inmates. In time, both interpretations come to pass and Joseph is eventually released from his dreaded hell-in-a-cell.

Joseph then proceeds to benefit the Pharaoh and the people of Egypt through his interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams. Joseph is soon exalted to a place where he literally fulfills his own dreams as his brothers who had meant him harm now bowed before him. God had ordained every moment of Joseph's life- from his position in birth, to Jacob's love of him, to his brothers' hatred for him, to his being sold into slavery, to his being placed before Pharaoh, to his place of ascension, to his rescuing of the household of Israel. Everything that happened was ordained of God. He went through trial and tribulation because God called him to it. He didn't want to be sold into slavery. He didn't want to be in prison. He went through simply because it really was "God's Will."


Now the story of Joseph is a story of beauty and truthful example of God's will in action within humanity (including the evils that befall us and the blessings He has in store for those who are called according to His purpose). Yet, rarely do you hear the importance of God's will when hearing the story of Joseph preached. Instead, what happens most of the time when the story of Joseph is preached ends up being about the "things." The "things" being Joseph was blessed with a coat, then Joseph was robbed of the coat and suffered, then Joseph was blessed greater than he was before. Sadly, all of your WoF churches preach this very gospel. For these so-called preachers and pastors the main point of the story of Joseph are the "things" he got in the end. Never do they focus on the fact that God used Joseph for the specific purpose of advancing His will in the world. God didn't use and save Joseph just to bless him, He used and saved him because He wanted the nation of Israel to be established (God's will, not Joseph's). You see in the end, the story of Joseph is not really even about Joseph. The story of Joseph is about GOD'S WILL!

Now what I would like to do is switch gears a bit. Let's take into account the story of Stephen (which rarely gets preached). In the book of Acts chapter 6, we find a man by the name of Stephen being chosen to be a servant because "he was full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." This man went "being full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." This was Stephen. He was a holy, righteous man before the LORD and it showed because the signs and wonders followed. Not only did he help the people (fellow believers), but he "witnessed" Christ to the Jews from other nations. In fact, so strong was his witness that they couldn't even answer him. Being upset that they could not counter his stance, they had men to lie against him before the council. In what becomes one of the greatest "last stands" the Bible mentions, Stephen preaches the truth of God without wavering. He begins with the patriarch Abraham, carefully expounding the will of God through the "fathers" (including Joseph) up to Jesus and the Holy Ghost. Then after he had made a mockery of their faithlessness to God, they took up stones- and took his life. All because he would not back down from the true cause of Christ.

Unfortunately, it is much easier to preach the story of Joseph in many churches than it is to preach Stephen. Why? All because too many people want their ears tickled and too many preachers want their pockets lined in "green." It's much easier to talk about someone losing and then gaining a 100x's as much in the later part of their lives. It is easy to preach sermonettes of trials that can be overcome and being blessed because of one's supposed faithfulness. On the other hand, it is a lot more difficult to look someone in the face and tell them that they are going to suffer and in the end they will be no better off financially. For a preacher, a sermon like that means that people will not be encouraged to give unless God moves on them (and they can't trust God with their finances now can they?).

In the end, was it God's will to bless him (Stephen) to do the works that he did? Was it God's will that Joseph do the works that he did? The answer would be yes- to both. God rises up and pulls down, HE builds and destroys. If there is anything I want you to be sure of it is this, God does as HE pleases. If it pleased the FATHER to bruise the SON, why would we think that HE would not allow us to suffer even a little bit. Now I don't mean to make us a comparison to Christ, but I fully do not believe that every person that suffers is going to get "double fo' they trouble" (at least in this life)! Wake up and look out the door people, more Christians are suffering today for their faith than any time in history (and their have been millions who have suffered). All one needs to do is look at http://www.persecution.org/ or http://www.voiceofthemartyrs.com/ to see the sufferings that are going on around the world. And sadly, the prosperity gospel would leave them feeling that what's happening in their lives is not GOD'S WILL! Dear children, the WORD says that we must suffer, that we must pick up our cross, and we must endure hardness like a good soldier. Joseph did and it was God's will to bless him. Stephen did as well, and it was God's will to take his life by stoning. Nevertheless, the one constant is GOD! So whatever you go through, do it to the glory of God and do not worry about getting a double portion. Learn to be content with material items and be ever hungry for the righteousness of GOD in CHRIST JESUS! For we have brought nothing into this world and it is sure that we can take nothing out.

The Error of Pentecostalism Pt1 (My Testimony)

While there is no doubt in my mind that there are many, many children of our Lord that have come into the “Salvation of Christ” through the Pentecostal church body, I have come to believe that the Pentecostal church itself is not purely “representative” of what Christ desires for His church. I find in it many flaws that we as Christians have allowed to go unchecked or un-responded to for sake of peace or for the mighty dollar. This will not be a railing against Pentecostalism, but rather a historical and biblical comparison against that which is right.

Now before I continue, I want to say a few things. When I first came to Christ it was in a Pentecostal church. I had already known about Christ from what my mother taught me (we were never a devout Roman Catholic family, but Catholics none the less). So I knew that Christ died for my sins (I just didn’t understand the weight of my sins). At the age of 18 I went off to college and met many new people. One individual offered me a place to stay on the weekend. The family offered me an opportunity to go to church with them and I gladly accepted. That Sunday, I went down for the altar call (something I had become familiar with at a non-denominational charismatic church) for prayer (all college boys need it). As I was there a female minister asked me if I had accepted Christ and was “Saved.” I honestly answered “No,” so she continued with “do you want to be…” In my mind I knew I wanted to be saved…one day- just not today! And that was how I responded. However, all she heard was “yes!” With that, before I had a chance to explain myself- she ran off to tell the pastor and elders. When I was asked about it I didn’t have the heart tell them she had misheard me.

I was whisked away to the backroom to be lightly catechized before baptism. I distinctly remember that while I was being “dunked” I just knew I wasn’t saved. It wasn’t necessarily because I didn’t want to be saved, but because I had just gotten an earring two weeks earlier and in my mind that was the thing that made me “unholy”- not sin. I got out of the water with everyone cheering me on all the while second-guessing my salvation. I was then taken to the backroom again and hands were laid upon me to receive the Holy Spirit. I was then told to speak in tongues as evidence of the Holy Ghost. I didn’t “feel” right trying to speak in tongues (especially when I felt like I wasn’t saved), but I did for the sake of those around me (that and the fact I was hungry and ready to go). I was told to let it come forth and that it would just flow, so I babbled some inaudible words and as they encouraged me, I said more and more. I was a bit angry because I knew it wasn't right, but in order to not make mockery of salvation, I forced a smile and went on with my business.

I went back to school and continued in the same sins, mindset and actions I was doing before. However, I did feel that since I made the promise that I would at least attempt to live right (although I asked for forgiveness daily). I continued on this way for about a year when I left that school for another. I decided I would try harder at working out my salvation and ended up at a Black Baptist school to keep from getting into trouble (Morris College, anyone, anyone…). At this time, God started to bring up the desire to actually serve Him in a better a way and greater abhorrence for my personal sin led me to truly take my salvation seriously. I joined a local Pentecostal church (C.O.G.I.C.) and after a dream I had, I felt God was calling me to preach. Several months later, I preached my first message. I stayed with that same congregation for seven years. As I did so, I picked up some bad theology (as well as some God glorifying doctrine) along the way. Although I must take the brunt of the blame for not reading my Bible enough, there were many teachings that I received from different preachers that were not biblically right.

I say all that to show that I am not picking on Pentecostalism as a manner of being rude or saying that the Reformed Faith has it altogether. I do however, come against the falsehoods within the Pentecostal teachings in order to do what is right in God’s sight- rightly divide the “Word of Truth.” I also believe that there are many people still in the Pentecostal movement that I believe are truly “born-again” and will be welcomed in as faithful servants. However, a little leaven leavens the whole lump and I think there are enough problems within Pentecostalism to say that from the beginning (Azusa Street specifically) it never truly glorified God. In the next post on this topic I will deal with specific information regarding the Azusa Street occurrence and hopefully, by the grace of God some light can be shed concerning why it is wrong. Please pray for me as I write this because I truly am turning my backs on (so to speak) the very people who I started out with early in my faith. Nevertheless, I must not back down, but preach the gospel because I am not ashamed of it and I know for a fact it is the power of God unto salvation. And with that comes the responsibility to try every spirit to see if they are from God at all times contending for the faith once delivered!

In His Name,
This Lowly Servant

Charlie Brown Christmas

Sometimes, just sometimes, even a cartoon can get it right (well at least the scripture was quoted correctly without being blasphemed). The purpose of Christ being born was to be the "Savior"- to the world. He is Savior to those called in Him from before the foundation of the world. He is the only one who can. That is why He fulfills the Laws of Moses and the prophets. Salvation is in "Christ alone," not Buddha, Krishna, Muhammad, Allah, Confucius, or any other. Why? Because He is - the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE! and no one comes to the Father, but through HIM! Understand this, there is only one reason why we celebrate this special day called Christmas- that is to solemnly respect the fact that God prophesied long before that He would come into the world. This day marks the beginning of that promise. But not to be left undone, the fulfillment of that promise is eternally expressed to humanity in the resurrection of Christ on the 3rd day. So look at it this way, He starts what He finishes (I wrote it that way specifically). Please understand your need for the Savior then fall at His feet in mercy. You are a law breaker (see the Ten Commandments for clarification) in the sight of Christ (Jew or non-Jew). You are evil to the core, but God in His infinite mercy decides to deliver some of His own accord. That is why if any man (or woman) be in Christ, He is a new creature. Old things have passed away and you are all together become new. Now, to be in Christ you must be born-again. To be born-again you must be born of the water and the Spirit. In other words, He leads you to repent and He decides to show mercy and make you over (just like a potter with some clay). Christmas day is that day of remembrance. That day to remember His birth into a sinful world, to seek and save that which is lost(you and I) to the glory of the Father.

What's Going On?

I know a few of you (KIB) are waiting on me to post some more stuff. Honestly, I have been working on several posts all at the same time. It doesn't help the fact that they are all on difficult subjects so I have to do my research in order to keep facts straight. But I will let you know what I am currently working on if you would like to start reading up on some of this stuff before I hit the post button:

1. The Black Church
2. The Errors of Pentecostalism (I will be posting a small snippet of my dealings on that soon)
3. The difference between Joseph and Stephen (everyone preaches Joseph, but never Stephen...that is except for my pastor...hee..hee..heee:)
4. Rick Warren's PEACE Plan

So suffice it for now, be good Berean's and go search the scriptures even before I post. It may cause you to think and even challenge some of your Christian ideologies. Thank you all for hanging in there with me and please check back often.

Racism in the Church pt2 (the Brown side)

Earlier I wrote about the nuances in what we are referring to right now as the "white church." Now that label no way really means that there is a "white church" (nor is there truly a "black church"), but for the purpose of this article- well just humor me:). In truth, there is only one church, just as there is only one Lord and one faith. We are all called into this body of Christ regardless of ethnic origin, gender, age, handicap or (gulp!) race. Not one race is superior to another because we are all part of the body that Christ is the lone head of. As Paul stated so well in speaking to the Galatians, "what do you have that has not been given to you?" Not one race has been specifically endowed with a gift more than another. Nor does God look at any ethnicity as being above any other. However, in regards to the "Church," there are those that would elevate "blackness" or "Afrocentrism" above other ethnic persuasions.


At the root of the "Afrocentrism" is the fear of submission. Yet inevitably, it becomes a fear of submission to God. Many in the black church refuse to embrace the term "submission," putting it in the same category as African slavery of the past 400 years (in the American context). Now in no way am I defending that kind of submission. But to fail to submit to the will of God through the Word of God is just as great a sin as slavery is. Further sin comes in when the "blackness" of our people is elevated to a point of saving grace. So we have black folk in the church who are more concerned with the "blackness" of the church than with its submission to the Most High God. How dare you? Yes, I know black folk have gone through things that are at times unspeakable and that at the hands of many white detractors. I know first hand, I have experienced the evils of racism (from both sides at that {I am of Black and Puerto Rican descent}). However, for Black Americans to consider the plight of your own people and neglect the sufferings of hundreds of thousands of others because they are not black is just as wrong as White America ignoring us. How many Christians have been martyred since the beginning of Christianity, is that not a greater injustice?


Again, in no way am I making light of the "black" experience. It has blessed me... and saddened me. But I cherish it because it is a part of me and my children. Yet, my "blackness" in no way overshadows my Savior's blood. As black Christians we must not get caught up in the vendetta of finally coming into our own. Forgiveness is essential in glorifying our Lord. The alternative to forgiveness is the "Christianized" version of the N.O.I.(Nation of Islam). A perverted deviant of what is truly holy. Unfortunately for us, racism is still alive and well. But greater than racism is the love of Christ upon His children.


There are so many black people preparing to burn in hell just because they refuse to believe in the True God of ALL nations. As Isaiah said, "Is God's arm so short that He cannot save?" God forbid. God can save a Black American just as selflessly as he can save a White American. Nor is God insistent upon saving one because he or she is melanin enhanced (as beautiful as that may be). Likewise, God does not choose to save someone because they are melanin deficient (as beautiful as that may be). God saves out of all race because all are His creation and He will do what He pleases.

My melanin enhanced brothers and sisters in Christ, we must break down the doors of racial divide in our churches. Sadly, the majority of churches pushing for mixed congregations are WoF (and that is for the money). Now I am not saying you have to go out of your way to find a melanin deficient individual and bring them to church, but what I am calling for is the love among Christians that facilitates friendship beyond cultural barriers. While we must take care of our communities we must also realize that there are more in our communities than just us. As Christians it is our duty to minister the Gospel to every individual.

Furthermore, there will be some who bring up the differences between cultural groups. Yes, we clap on the 2 and 4 and they clap on the 1 and 3. But that cannot be used as an excuse to avoid worship with our family in Christ. And while I am at it, the preaching style should never weigh more than the content of what is being preached. We as Christians must put things in decency and in order. We must place the highest regard for the Scripture and the preaching/teaching of it above other things in the service (to include the choir).

Sadly, I believe too many black churches have failed. They have failed in cultivating true believers and they have failed to distinguish what is true godliness from a mere form of it. And there is none to blame but ourselves (starting with me). Yet I am hopeful. I know that Christ has not left His church to overcome this sinful world by herself. I see everyday of black believers truly preaching and teaching the Word of God to their families and members of their local congregation. Look at the list of sites on the left. There are many, many righteous black men of God teaching and preaching what He has ordained. These are leaders within the church who are about true worship. Likewise, there are several white brothers who are doing the same.

In the end, only what we do for Christ will last. We will not be patted on the back for Dashiki Sunday's or wearing African garb because we went on a mission trip Uganda. We will not be praised for solely ministering to those who look like us. We were called to go out into the world and preach the Gospel. Do we minister to our own? YES! Do we do it because we don't want to speak with the rest of the world? God forbid. We must open ourselves up to those who we think might not accept the invitation, but we do it with the love of Christ. And to make this point absolutely clear, we will be rejected, laughed at, talked about, but it will be worth it. Why? John said in Revelation5:9, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation..." Let us continue to be a people that leads all people to Christ for this great and powerful day.

As I end this, a black writer once wrote, "beautiful are my people, beautiful are the eyes of my people, beautiful are the souls of my people!" And it is so true. We are a beautiful people in the sight of God, insomuch as we are His people in Christ. We can bring the gifts God has given us to the greater body of Christ and do much good. But in order to do any good, we must let go of the sins (both of ourselves and of others) that so easily beset us. we must walk with those who glorify the risen King the way He dictates. And above all, we must pick up our cross daily and follow Christ. Be strong my people in Christ's Name, for His sake!

Racism in the Church pt1

It has often been said that "Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America" and sadly, I find this statement to be true too often. Fortunately, the day has come in America where we ARE free to worship one with another. With that, it is time for the congregations to make the move. Whether that congregation is entirely "black" or "not-so black," there must be an initiative on the part of the church members to seek to incorporate all Christians.

For example, I was an assistant pastor at an eastern Indian church body. The pastor and 98% of the congregation spoke Hindi and Telegu. I did not. They sang songs of worship in both English and Hindi/Telegu. When the Hindi/Telegu songs where performed I did my best to try to learn the pronunciations of the words I was seeing on the projector screen. Needless to say, I butchered the words quite often. I would also say that they made a habit of explaining the words and meanings of the songs for the benefit of those who did not know the language (ie my family). Nevertheless, we were all Christians and we all made an attempt to esteem one another over self. I first came to the church as a minister doing several rap songs during a Christmas Service. I was invited back when there was nothing special going on. You see, it was never about "ethnicity". It was a Christian church that God used to minister to Christian people. Sure there where obvious differences, but the obvious similarity was of Christ in us- which was the greater of the two!

While I totally believe it was the responsibility of the pastor to lead his congregation in the right path, it was still up to the congregation to be fully accepting of someone who was not from their background. This is a problem in the church. I have spoken to brothers on the lighter side of the house and have heard them speak of their pastors fully supporting segregation and separation of "races" (not that there really is more than one race- that being the human race). That in its cheapest form is nothing more than self glorification. Sin. It is totally against that which Christ had spoken through the Apostle Paul in that we ought to mortify the sins of the flesh (daily).

All racism has found its roots in the glorification of self. It is the belief (in this example) that the "white man" is superior to the "black man" in intelligence, in genetics, and heretically in Christ. It is also steeped in fear and tradition. In fear of what the unknown will bring about and tradition of what was passed on by certain fathers. Neither case makes racism in the church tolerable. However, it was tolerated because there were very few mixed churches. This made it very easy to sweep the racial problems under the rug and forget about it. Compound that with the feel-good notions of helping out the little black church in the ghetto or serving food at the mission during Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything was seemingly OK. Many white Christian church folk did just enough to appease their conscience in doing the "godly" thing.

What we must understand is that if Christ is who He says He is in His Word, then we cannot idly standby and allow racism, prejudism, or any other negative -ism hinder the body of Christ. It is high time to sit people down who promote these ideals in the church. I know it would be a difficult task, but such is the Christian life. We cannot continue to sit back and let sin run a muck in the church and do nothing. We would not support a pastor or minister who was openly gay (I am talking about the true church of God), or an adulterer, or even a drug dealer. These individuals would be put out. So why would we allow exclusivism because of something that cannot be controlled (ie skin color)? My White brothers and sisters in Christ, take a stand. Invite Christians to fellowship with you who are not like you. Knock down the doors of injustice in the church and strengthen your brothers and sisters in Christ- in every ethnicity!

Stay tuned for the next portion as we tackle, wait for it... wait for it... "The Black Church," no stones will be left unturned.

my internet is down...

Go figure, just when things start going better and I start running into friends from over a decade ago and meeting several new ones, my email goes down ( I am writing this at work during lunch). This basically means that I cannot write to the folk I normally do because of the email situation. So as cheap as walmart internet is, I may have to take my business elsewhere. Unfortunately this means I have to start from scratch on email addresses. Also, if you have written to me in the past week, I haven't recieved it so give me a call and tell me what's up:) Thanks for walking with me people. We'll speak soon.

"Diary of a Mad Black Woman" is NOT Theologically Sound

I just had an epiphany (ironic huh). As I was watching DMBW (the movie- actually the director’s comments) Tyler Perry was discussing a part near the end of the film where the entire family was at the dinner table. During that scene the main character (Helen) places her divorce papers and wedding ring in front of her husband to show that she had signed them thus signifying her “moving on with life.” Mr. Perry then goes on to say that he changed this part from the original play because of the younger crowd response. In the play version, the wife and husband stay together and work things out. No it’s not glamorous, but it is a reality that is hard to swallow (especially with today’s “quick divorce” lifestyle).

Mr. Perry goes on to describe why he changed the play, because the younger women (the under 40 crowd) wanted Helen to move on and find a romantic, fairytale love story with another man (Shemar Moore’s character). This struck a chord with me because as Tyler Perry puts it, the women over 40 said Helen should stay with her husband and work things out. Now aside from the fact that Helen’s husband completely and ruthlessly dogged her out, he himself realized his errors. Now, am I saying that if this were to happen in real life that she ought to just say “cay sera sera{sic}” and go on as if everything were ok?” Emphatically- no! There would need to be a healing time and in truth that would not be an overnight, over week, over month, or even over year healing process. There may even need to be a time of physical separation in some extreme cases. Some wounds run deep and take awhile to overcome. But it takes three to make a marriage last- the two spouses to admit their faults, shortcomings and forgive one another, and the Lord who “works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Now back to the women over 40. It seems that Tyler Perry disregarded their pleas to keep the marriage together. Being a Christian-based movie, he should have listened. If he is going to lay a foundation of Christ then he must do so biblically- not just on the response of the audience (which is a big problem with the Name It and Claim It gospel- which we will deal with in another post). In not heeding to the over 40 ladies, he disregarded the scripture in Titus 2:4-5 “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, [To be] discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” In fact, we see Madea try to imitate the older female Christian role model- and fail miserably. He does try to salt the movie with lines from Cicely Tyson, but in the end she doesn’t play an important role.

Now I know that some will disagree and say that it is not right for me to judge him because this is after all “entertainment” and he is speaking on real life issues. Well, entertainment or not, if you speak on the things of Christ then you have an obligation to do it in a manner that glorifies God. Marriages that have ended in divorce rarely glorify God (but restored and redeemed ones more often than not do). I know that there are some situations where it just had to end that way, but not every one that has gone through a divorce should have. And yes it deals with real life. In real life, just because someone gets divorced- it rarely makes folk happier in the end. And how many women automatically get to meet their Prince Charming while still married to another man? Is that even right? I think not. In fact, how many women that got divorced thought the men that they were marrying were their “Prince Charmings”?

Alas, this will fall on so many deaf ears because no one wants the truth and no one seeks after God. Truly God filled lifelong marriages are wrought in Christ alone. The problem is, most people have a grand scheme for marriage and in the real world nothing ever really pans out the way we wanted it to. However, couples who are faithful to God can and will endure to the glory of the Father. Every marriage ought to have Christ as its center and His glory as its goal. Tyler Perry ought to start reflecting that if he is to continue making movies under the Christian banner. Nevertheless, I see him slipping away and it won’t be long until the “roar of the crowd” drowns out the “still small voice” of the Spirit.

Gay Woman Sues Doctor Because She Got Pregnant???

You know I am extremely peeved at this article I found on Christian Post (links at the bottom). How does one fight for the right to be gay and to raise children together- get upset at the doctor when she becomes impregnated? Anyone in their right mind knowingly receiving in-vitro fertilization understands the fact that more than one egg can become impregnated. It is even in the contract. This all goes to show that homosexuality (and every other sin in the Bible) is always about self. The writer in Proverbs wrote “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man (to include a woman's) are never satisfied.” It seems to me they wanted a child so they could supposedly "feel" like a family, yet when they got more than expected- heaven forbid- it started to look like a real family (well as real as it could look with two mommies).

How does one go from complete joy that she is pregnant to sheer hatred when she finds out that she is doubly blessed? Now I know how difficult it is to raise more than one child at a time. It can be extremely difficult financially and emotionally. But, (and there is a big BUT) to put blame on and sue the doctor is extremely selfish not to mention foolish as well. Especially since part of the reason the lawsuit is taking place is due to the fact that the “lover” does not “feel” so in love anymore. The woman and her “lover” wanted one child to help bring them closer together, but since they got two it tore them apart! Maybe, just maybe, they weren’t supposed to be together in the first place…

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070920/29378_Lesbian_Couple_Sues_Over_%27Unwanted%27_Twins.htm

The Gospel of John 1:1

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


In the beginning, before anything tangible existed, before time existed, before anything that we could dare comprehend to have ever existed, was the Word! The Word held power and relationship with God. The scriptures say the Word was with God. Yet how could that be? How could something have existed with God before it ever existed unless it was He Himself? Scripture would go on to declare that He (the Word) is God. Yet, it could not be Jesus alone as the Oneness folk believe, because the simple expression “with” denotes that there has to be more than one. Now, unlike Mormon theology there is not in existence three deities, no, there is only one because of the last part of the verse- and the Word was God. Even though there was a separate aspect to God that allowed for the expression “with”, the fact that the Word is God solidifies the claim that the “Lord Our God is One.”


Furthermore, it is simple to see that the Word is the very persona of Jesus Christ. Even by jumping ahead a few verses to John 1:14 where it clearly states, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” The Word is clearly Jesus the Christ. Christ existed with Father God in the beginning. Now how else could they exist as one unless they were already one in the Spirit? It is easy to see at this point that the Holy Spirit is in the Father and in the Son. Likewise, the son is in the Father and the Father is in the Son (one God) when we see Jesus Himself speak it in John 14:10.

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

We also see Christ in another passage declare that He was “I AM” in John 8:57-59.

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

Though it is one of the greatest mysteries ever, God has given us enough of an understanding of His mercies and knowledge to trust in HIM. God is not a man that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. The Lord is one- in the Father, in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit!

Eternal Salvation Response

(This response was sent to a young woman on http://www.pulpit-pimps.org/ the other day. She had recently left the COGIC church, but still had some old beliefs. Specifically, she held to the notion that one could lose the grace of God (salvation) after one had recieved it. I wanted to encourage her so I wrote this response. Hopefully it will cause you to think as well!)

I used to believe that you could lose your salvation once you had gained it. But as I have studied Scripture more and more, there was an undeniable proof that I was wrong.

1) Matt 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand.

You see, Christ gives HIS sheep eternal life. Then HE makes the statement, no man can pluck them out of my Father's hand. If we belong to Christ, if we belong to the Father, then we can fully believe Rom 8:39 ...Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. You see that, nothing can separate us from Him. Moreover, all of Chapter 8 deals with the election and perseverance of the saints.

2.) 1 John 2:19 "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us."

Understand, just because someone sincerely claims to be a Christian, just because someone pastored a church, was a missionary in Africa or just showed up to church when the doors were open doesn't mean that they are HIS. It can be best illustrated in the "Parable of the Sower". I won't recite the whole story, but suffice it to point out this portion:

Matt. 4:16-17
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

You see there are many individuals who will hear the WORD, will show some joy over it, but after time they will fall away (at some point- could be days, months, or even years). These have not truly believed. That is why John says that, "they went out from us, to show they were not of us." That is not referring to leaving a certain church body or area, but rather the true faith. There is a professing atheist by the name of Dan Barker who is a perfect example. He said he was saved at 15 started ministering after that, got ordained became an Asst. Pastor and worked alongside others who claimed the Gospel. Then he fell away because he wanted to believe the lie of evolution instead of the true gospel. He would tell you he was truly saved, but John clearly says different.

As far as Paul's statement about keeping himself*, if you look in 1 John 2:5 you will see why he (Paul) can make that statement. "But whoso keepeth his word (God's), in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him." What "word" would Paul be keeping? The "Words" of God of course. He would keep the commandments not out of necessity of fulfilling Moses' Law, but in honor to Christ. He would keep his body in subjection as a matter of God's glory, to not do so would mean he had known the grace of God but rejected it. It also points to the fact that we must be Holy as God is Holy. We are to be separated from the sins of this world. No true Christian will take the grace of God and abuse it for the sake of sinning. Those who do were never God's to begin with. Also, Paul said "follow me as I follow Christ.." For Paul to follow Christ he would have to "lay aside every sin and weight that would take him off course! We have liberty in Christ, but we are behooved to never try to take advantage of it.

*(1 Cr 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.)