The Chicken or the Egg Conundrum...

You all have heard the question asked, "What came first, the chicken or the egg?" The answers will always vary on whom you're conversing with, but there can only be one truth- yes.  Well you may ask, "What do you mean by saying 'yes'?" What I mean is that the chicken comes purposed with the egg within.  Just like humanity is purposed from the foundation of the world to roll one of two ways.

The believer comes to know Christ because like Jeremiah, our Father knew us long before we were formed in the belly (Jeremiah 1:5).  You see, there is a purpose for everything that was ever created.  For a seed to become a tree, a rock to become a mountain, and every man, woman and child that has ever lived on this planet to become a vessel of honor or dishonor.  We are all purposed long before we are formed. That is the essence of election. Jeremiah was purposed to become the "weeping prophet" who would speak as the oracle of Jehovah. We come to Christ not because we felt it was time, but the fact that He choose us before we stepped into the world.  And so in His infinite wisdom He awakens within us the reminder of our election. One need not look any further to this claim than in Romans chapter 9.

"11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9:11-13"

 Long before the children of Issac were born, God's plans were in motion. There was nothing their mother, father or either one of the boys could do that could change their fate.  Now to be honest, there will be a lot of people who find fault with this. Yet you can't deny scripture.  Humanity wants to feel that it has the ability to choose what it wants- and they are partially right. We do get to choose our sin over Christ, but only because God has defined his purpose on us from before the beginning of time.  God is the one who sets us on our life's journey and it is He who calls upon the darkness of our hearts to reach out to Him.

This is why understanding His purpose in election is so necessary.  While we deserve the punishment of being born into sinful flesh, had He left it to us, we would have continued in our pleasure in running from Him.  However, because He is the one who "wills" us to Him before our creation, He knows that only He can pay the price of our sin- and that He does ever so majestically!

So in the end, the question really isn't what came first the chicken or the egg, rather it is, "What is God's purpose for my life?" And that is a question that gets answered as you walk in His election!

1 Thessalonians 5:9

1 Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ...

Here in this teaching (chapter 5), Paul is reminding the believers at Thessalonica of the return of the Lord.  The blatant consistency of what Jesus taught in the Gospels down to what Paul is saying here is fascinating.  There is no lacking, there is no difference- all of scripture concurs- the Lord Jesus Christ will return!  Yet, the truth is, no one person knows the exact day or time!  And this is where we find Paul. He is encouraging the believers to remember that the King is coming back swiftly and that they are to live in holiness for His namesake.  So where does 1 Thessalonians 5:9 leave us?  It gives us this biblical gem- not only is Christ coming back for the believers of Thessalonica, but that He is keeping them and upholding them in His glory.  Paul is saying in vs 9 that those who belong to the Lord are not subject to the wrath to come.  He that has called the Thessalonians out of darkness did so by first calling them into His salvation.  Conversely, those whom are not called are appointed to a damning judgment which the believers will never be subject to.  In truth, believers today also get to rejoice in the same way.  Just as Christ called us out of sin and depravity, we too have been destined and set aside for salvation, escaping the wrath and fury of the Lord that is to come upon the wickedness humanity.  So let us rejoice in the love and mercy of Christ.  Let us redeem the time, living our lives in holiness unto the Lord.  Yet let us also solemnly remember that there is a still perishing world that needs to hear the Gospel.  Who knows the will of God for another? Your witness may be the vessel that Christ uses to pull others out of the judgment and fiery wrath to come.  So let us, in holiness to God, with our hands lifted high and our hearts bowing low, give the honor and glory to Christ that He so richly deserves.  Let us remember Him in our daily walk humbling ourselves in His mercy and in the witnessing His greatness! 

Romans 9:18

Romans 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Here, Paul is in the midst of explaining the way God chooses His children.  Many would find that a funny saying because the world is quick to say in a very non-threatening manner that we, "are all children of god!"  And with good reason, to the world, its own created deity lives to wait hand and foot upon the children of men.  Yet, that is in stark contrast to the God of the Bible. The Lord Yahweh makes it abundantly clear that "He will have mercy on whom He will, and on whom He will, He hardens."  The world cannot fathom that their God would reject them for anything, after all, they created him/it/her.  Yet the Lord is not without mercy, He does choose men to belong to Him.  Even when the wickedness of the world abounds, the Lord, "...reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." Rom 11:14.  The Lord will choose. Still, it is not the way man chooses. When Samuel sought to find the next king of Israel the Lord said, "...Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."  1 Sam 16:7.  Now before someone thinks that they are "good" and have "a good heart", remember that, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jer 17:9. So if the heart of man is "desperately wicked," how then does the Lord choose for himself men (and women) who will not bow down to the god of this world? Simply put, He will have mercy on whomever He will. That is a grande notion!  To be chosen by the creator of the universe to do His will is a most magnificent happening. He looks past our wickedness that would surely cause Him to deny us. He looks past our sin to bring us into His kingdom. He looks past our sad state of "rejectedness"(sic) and makes us His own. He will have mercy on whom He will. Conversely, those whom He will, He hardens. Oh, to be rejected by the King of Kings! How great a travesty of our own hearts. How great and intimidating is the power of the Most High God! To pick and choose as He will, He truly is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Brothers and sisters, let us not forget the great mercy of our Lord, both in our own lives and in the lives of those who will come to know His mercy! And seeing His greatness in mercy, we must be swift in telling others of His goodness of the cross. There is the righteousness of God, the greatness of His mercy exploding upon the individual whom He chooses, the one who has received His mercy....Amen

My Absence

It's been awhile- too long- since I last posted. I have to say that I miss it. Life for me in the last two years has had its fair share of ups and downs- even a crazy lull. But, "Times, they are a changing..." Needless to say that Christ has not left me, nor have I left Him. If you stick around long enough you"ll see me post more and more as I used to. Thanks for reading and don't be afraid to go back to older posts in the meantime. Stay strong in the might of The Lord and do not fear. He is with us always, even until the end of the world!

My Freedom From Sin and of Letting It Go- A Poem

I had to let you go
Your desires cost me more than I could ever know
Yet you still call to me with a whisper in the ear
Every corner that I turn I feel you oh so near
My mind habitually worked against me when it relished in your touch
Your scent drove me wild, your gaze made me smile; you became to me a crutch
You held me in your bosom and softly spoke of what could be
You gave me the grandest of thoughts, of visions of clarity
My heart raced and it pranced with a joy that seemed unfailing
Blinded to the pain that came with you- the debt that would be trailing
Yet as the sun repelled on the hottest of days
My Lord showed me your intentions and the doom of your ways
You lied to me about pain; you said there’d be none
For a moment I felt alive and in a twinkle it was gone
You made me bitter and tore my heart into pieces
And then you lied again, soft words and the pain releases
I turned from my Lord because you called to my desire
But when I came to your beckoning, I saw you standing with the "Liar"
But my Lord full of mercy followed me to your indwelling
And while you made a mockery of me, and beat me with your yelling
He snatched me from your grasp as you lay the barrage of whips
And took the consign of my penalty as He lay upon the sticks
And so you killed him with a fervor and tenacity meant solely for the hated
You poured out your wickedness on Him, you stood there and you waited
You mused and you glistened at your triumph with delight
You knew He was the King of Glory, You knew He was the light
And all the little words you sang to me oh how it was sublime
Melted away my heart’s contentment for the one you killed was mine
As sorrow replaced my joy, what now of its significance
I see truly what you used me for, exacting out his vengeance
Your father was a liar and that from the beginning
You failed to see my God arise for His desire made the ending
You failed to see His zeal of hatred I know HE has for you
The God of glory, the bright and morning, declared what He would do
And that’s to take what is His, the Father’s shaming you to hell
Where you’ll scream and cry, whilst you beg and wry in the place that you befell
He has saved me now, from sin and death and given life abundantly
The Alpha and Omega, I AM that I AM, the Light of Majesty
Faithful and True, the King of Kings, His name is El Shaddai,
Blessed Redeemer, Jesus the Savior, The Lord God Adonai!

Dear Sin:

I had to let you go


Your desires cost me more than I could ever know

Yet you still call to me with a whisper in the ear

Every corner that I turn I feel you oh so near

My mind habitually worked against me when it relished in your touch

Your scent drove me wild, your gaze made me smile, you became to me a crutch

You held me in your bosom and softly spoke of what could be

You gave me the grandest of thoughts, of visions of clarity

My heart raced and it pranced with a joy that seemed unfailing

Blinded to the pain that came with you- the debt that would be trailing

Yet as the sun repelled on the hottest of days

My Lord showed me your intentions and the doom of your ways

You lied to me about pain, you said there’d be none

For a moment I felt alive and in a twinkle it was gone

You made me bitter and tore my heart into pieces

And then you lied again, soft words and the pain releases

I turned from my Lord because you called to my desire

But when I came to your beckoning, I saw you standing with the liar

But my Lord full of mercy followed me to your indwelling

And while you made a mockery of me, and beat me with your yelling

He snatched me from your grasp as you lay the barrage of whips

And took the consign of my penalty as He lay upon the sticks

And so you killed him with a fervor and tenacity meant solely for the hated

you poured out your wickedness on Him, you stood there and you waited

You mused and you glistened at your triumph with delight

You knew He was the King of Glory, You knew He was the light

And all the little words you sang to me oh how it was sublime

Melted away my heart’s contentment for the one you killed was mine

As sorrow replaced my joy, what now of its significance

I see truly what you used me for, exacting out his vengeance

Your father was a liar and that from the beginning

You failed to see my God arise for His desire made the ending

You failed to see His zeal of hatred I know HE has for you

The God of glory, the bright and morning, declared what He would do

And that’s to take what is His, the Father’s calling to shame you into hell

Where you’ll scream and cry, whilst you beg and wry in the place that you befell

He has saved me now, from sin and death and given life abundantly

The Alpha and Omega, I AM that I AM, the Light of Majesty

Faithful and True, the King of Kings, His name is El Shaddai,

Blessed Redeemer, Jesus the Savior, The Lord God Adonai!

The Homosexual Attack Against the Church

The Church is in a bitter battle with the world. With the gay marriage debate the homosexuals will use any and everything that they can think of to sway people into their way of thinking. And let's be honest, the homosexual community doesn't really want marriage, it wants:


                             TOTAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE GAY LIFESTYLE


To gain this, the lgbt's are taking the "Snake and Eve" route. A posting @ the ROOT
takes just that stance. The author John McWhorter essentially takes the Bible and says, "you shall not surely die..." Case in point, McWhorter's main argument is that since the Bible was used to promote racism and slavery and that since both have been deemed to be wrong, then the Bible must also be wrong about homosexuality. From what I gather, Mr. Whorter would feel just fine removing the Bible totally from the scene (specifically the Black community) to justify homosexuality. Yet Mr. Whorter is wrong on several fronts (well just about everything he said was plain wrong).

1. True Bible-believing Christians do not endorse Homophobia. Just because we do not agree with homosexuality does not mean we want to see lgbt's beaten down, drug through the streets or hung off of trees. That idea is totally anti-thetical to practicing Christians.

2. Just because the Bible was misused, abused and raped in order to justify other evil men's desires, does not mean that it is wrongly being used to justify opposition to homosexuality. Remember 1 Cor 6:9-10? The Word specifically says that those who practice homosexuality will not see the kingdom of God. What about 1 Timothy 1:8-11? Again homosexuality is condemned (might I also mention slavery is also condemned here too). And while we are at it, there is an entire list of sins that are condemned before and by God. It doesn't mean that Christians are allowed to passover those either. So why should a concession be made for homosexuals? If a murder took your loved one you would cry for justice (any individual in their right mind would). My point being, we cannot take parts of the Bible that make us feel good, keep them and throw the rest away. Homosexuality is no different than other sins mentioned- they all dishonor the God who has given life to His creation.

3. Quoting the desire of a play based on a false religion does not make it Christian-or even an argument for a Christian. Mr. McWhorter tries to use a cultish religion (Mormonism) to argue against the use of the Bible as a defense for Christians. I'm still trying to figure out what part of his rectum he pulled that line out of....smh

4. Just because someone sins doesn't make it acceptable in the sight of God. (see ref. #2). Mr. McWhorter's story about his "assumably" gay pal tries to make the reader feel like it is wrong for people to hold back their feelings. McWhorter tries to make the case that the only option that should be considered is to just cast every care to the side and run after one's own heart's desire. Yet again, he overlooks the Bible where it says, "the heart is desperately wicked." (Jer 17:9) And just so no one tries to cheapen it, this doesn't just apply to homosexuality, but to all things that cause us to chase after our own desires instead of wanting God.

5. The plight for homosexual marriages and acceptance should never be compared to the plight of African Americans in this country. No one could ever look at an infant and automatically declare that a child is gay. But a black baby could be hated from inception because it was known what it would be (color wise). I am sick and tired of homosexuals claiming to be marginalized when most of them have lucrative careers and live lifestyles that are totally pleasing to them. While I won't disagree that many have faced discrimination (and some violently) it has never been at the level of hatred that blacks in America have faced throughout the years. I have never heard of the clan riding the San Francisco shooting people and burning effigies or crosses on their laws. For those that have been brutalized for their sexuality, I empathize with you. That was wrong. We as a society (pushed on by Christian virtues) have condemned acts of harmful discrimination for ages. But the sexual desire of the homosexual community is just that- a desire. It is a desire that is at odds with the Bible, the God of the Bible and the people who worship that great God.

In the end (no pun intended), the homosexual desire for acceptability and marriage are incompatible with Christian mores- just like every other sin out there. The difference here is that there is a group of people who want to make the sin of homosexuality acceptable- take it out of the Bible as a sin if they could. Yet, truth be told, marriage is a gift from God, between one man and one woman. It was created that way from the beginning when God took the rib from Adam and made it into Eve. That is why the Bible says in Gen 2:24,"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh!" They can only become one flesh because they are missing a part of the other- like pieces to a puzzle that "fit" rightly together. Homosexuality cannot and does not fit within the righteousness of the Bible. Man needs woman and woman needs man. Together in Christ they complete each other. There is no other type of marital union acceptable than what is promulgated by the Bible. So no matter how much the lgbt community wants us to back down, we cannot. No matter how much they try to demonize us for hanging on every Word of the Lord, we will not falter.

And believe it or not, this truly is an attack against the Lord of Hosts Himself. Acceptance of gay marriage will make any biblical stance against it a crime. Just look at Canada , where preachers are fined and put in jail for speaking against homosexuality as a sin.  The Christian community is under attack from those on the outside as well as those fakers on the inside. Most of their words come off trying to make the church feel guilty for her stance. It will change. They will become more violent in time. If they lgbt can succeed in silencing the church on this issue, then the outward church itself will become a thing of the past. There will be no room to argue because our voices will not even be allowed in the room. They will try to indoctrinate our children through public school teachings and will set child against parent. They have already started all of this. All the church needs to do is open her eyes, focus on Christ and pray to our Lord that His will be done.

Thoughts On Female Pastors....

I have read the scriptures, I have looked over different articles and writings and I have observed the roles of women (and men) within the church. I am a complimentarian. I believe in the God-given roles of men and women. I have often said that, "a mother cannot be a father nor can a father be a mother." I have said that because we were created to be what God created us to be- either male or a female- a mother or a father. We can't have it both ways (no matter how hard the LGBT's try to persuade the church). A boy can never learn how to be a father by watching a mother. Sure, he can learn certain things about how to treat a woman and how a woman should or shouldn't behave (and I would argue that boys will learn just that- either to disrespect or honor women- from the actions of their mothers) just like a daughter can learn from her father how a man should or shouldn't treat a woman. Yet neither, father or mother, can teach their son or daughter to be something that they themselves are not. That is why we intrinsically know that every boy needs his father and every girl needs her mother. There is an understanding involved, because there are differences involved. And you know what??? Those differences are OK to have.

So all of this leads me to my post title, "Thoughts on Female Pastors." I started with the role of the male/female in the home (or at least that was the point) to show that God has created male and female for certain duties. For the church, the "pastorship" has been relegated to the men. It was a process that occurred in the Old Testament, that God-not man- brought over into the New Covenant. It never meant that women were incapable of performing the said task, it just simply meant/means that it is within the jurisdiction of men. Just like the role of a father is relegated to the man, so is the pastorate. That doesn't mean that a woman cannot lead or teach- in fact Paul says in Titus 2:3 that the older women are to teach the younger women! Gasp! And from a quick glance at society nowadays, that kind of leadership has gone to the wayside as we desperately need godly women teaching the younger women how to be (we need godly men as well- but that's another post). Women should not feel slighted in any way because of their being kept from the pastorate. I don't see men crying out to God that they are upset because they cannot have children the way women can! Crazy comment I know, but it's true. For men the task would be physically impossible. For a woman to step into a male role is a great deal easier- but it doesn't make it right in the sight of God. And for a woman to complain (and egalitarian males as well) that she is being held back from being on par with a man, well your fight is with God. The Lord has made us equal, yet He has still divided the workload of the Christian life. Unfortunately, many of you see what the scriptures say, but still ignore them. The scriptures are ignored because Christians fall into the trap of having to have everything that world has. If there is a woman governor, then by right (supposedly in the name of equality) there must be woman pastor. If there is a woman president, then there must be a woman as the head of a church denomination. You try to justify your refusal to follow what the Apostle spoke of in 1 Timothy 2:12 that "a woman ought to learn in silence and not usurp authority over the male" (paraphrased). Yet you fail to look at the bigger picture. Paul elsewhere commands (in the Lord) that men ought to teach their wives by washing them in the Word. That is the duty of every husband. If a woman takes the authority upon herself to be the teacher, then the male is left without his rightful role. That is outside of the calling that every husband has on his life- his duty even. Now do you get why Paul always goes back to Adam and Eve? Adam failed by not teaching his wife. Eve failed because she took authority. Together they failed to display the glory of God that He had placed on them and we fail today because we refuse to allow God's Word to lead us when our flesh wants to go in the opposite direction. The truth is we all have a part to play in perfecting the church. But if we won't fix the areas we are assigned to first, how can we jump into other areas? Or better yet, how can you take mote out of your brother's eye, yet refuse to remove the beam from your own? Matt 7:3

Now as I say these things, there will be a number of people who will violently spew wrong, hurtful and disrespectful words my way. But I want people to understand what I am saying. I am not saying that a woman will go to hell for pastoring (she'll go to hell for other things that I won't even be aware of- actually, she'll go because even though she may profess Christ on the outside (like many ungodly male pastors), on the inside she is none of His). To make it abundantly clear, I don't believe every female pastor is going to hell. Some will go to heaven- those for whom He died for. Yet, their salvation doesn't make what they are doing right. You can be a Christian and be severely wrong in some of your actions- none of us are perfect and none of us are without sin (not even me and I know this with a passion). Yet, nothing excuses us from doing what is right. Nothing gives us permission to disobey God's Word and grieve the Holy Spirit. And I don't know about you, but when I realize that I have grieved the Holy Spirit that is residing in me I am deathly ashamed....

Just like a neophyte to the Christian religion is not allowed to be a pastor, there are other disqualifiers as well. Being a drunkard, a thief, etc, the outline for the pastorate is written in 1 Timothy 3:2 and in Titus 1:6-9. Now I don't know if I am going to win anyone over to my way of thinking with this post, but my hope is that through honest prayer and reading, the body would come together to glorify God in the manner in which He intends. For those women pastors who may pass through here (highly doubt it), I don't doubt that you are talented enough to preach or teach. But just because you are talented doesn't mean that you are authorized to pastor a congregation. And while I don't believe that you would go to hell for pastoring, it doesn't mean that God is glorified either when excuses are made to exclude certain scriptures from being followed. And if you cannot fully preach the entire bible accurately, what benefit then are you really to the body of Christ? Is it not enough to honor God by teaching the women only? Is it not enough to raise up a godly family? Is it not enough to do simply what He asks? Is it too hard to be the man or woman He created us to be? Or is it simply a desire to have what has been forbidden? Is it right for a woman to follow in the sins of Eve? Will you follow in her footsteps?

It's Crazy

Today started off pretty rough. Couldn't get up because I was so tired. Then I had to wear 70lbs worth of gear, running and lifting another 200lbs(100 if you include the guy helping me) for about an hour. That was hard on my back. It felt like the world was on my shoulders- but I quickly relaized it was just life. I then had a nice little chat with my wife and son- the broght spot of the day- and then crash. All hell breaks loose again. SO please keep me (and my family) in your prayers. I still believe Christ to be a deliverer...

It's Crazy...

Wow, the past few months have been amazingly crazy. I also feel pretty bad about not updating my blog like i wanted to. Pray for me, I am still working through that stupid procrastinating issue. I keep starting new messages, but not finishing them. I have like 10-12 that are about 1/4 of the way done, but then I get an idea for something else as I study and bam, I jump to the next thing. So please forgive me for not updating like I ought to. Add to that the fact that my daughter has left for the ARMY and the issues I have been dealing with at Church and work and well...there goes the day. It amazes me that men like Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote and preached messages daily, tended to their families and (at least for him) tended to both church issues and magazine editing. Again, all I can say is pray for me...I will get everything worked out and I will contribute more here and elsewhere. God Bless!!

BLEEDING OUT FOR A DEAF DUMB AND BLIND GOD

And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (1 Kings 18:28-29)

How often do people in society cry out for their gods with no return? Just as in the days of old, it happens today, history often repeating itself. The priests of Baal did whatever they could to hear a word, a response, anything to prove that their god was real. They yelled and they hurt themselves all to prove that their deaf, dumb and blind idol was god. Children of the world today do the same thing. The difference between then and now is the god they are claiming. Most of the time nowadays people don’t even realize they are worshipping false gods and idols. Look at Christmas for example. When some folk set out to minister the good news of Christ’s birth for His death and resurrection, others are being trampled to death in Wal-mart just to purchase a toy (for an often ungrateful child no less)! The world doesn’t stop there. When it comes to sex and pleasing the flesh, people will commit adulteries and fornications and then run to the abortion clinic to rip an unborn child out of the uterus. Is there not a heinous spilling of blood there? Or what about the thugs on the street or racists around the block who would fight to kill the innocent so that their egos can be inflated and they can claim their cause as just? The Spirit speaking through the Apostle John said, “For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Does any of this seem familiar? The world thrives on sin, always hoping that it will answer them, but in the end, it only leads to death.

The sinner believes in his or her ways so much that it even seems right to them when they are not answered. Prov. 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.” The unsaved can often be so determined to prove their “way” that they will risk eternity for it on a daily basis. All this for a god who can never tell them how much he loves them or how much they disappoint him. Yet, the only true God is the one who answered Elijah on that day. He is the same one who answered Jesus when He was baptized and when He was on the cross. And He is the same one who will answer our needs according to His riches in glory.

As Christians, we can rely on the truth of God’s Word written down in the scriptures. We can be sure that as He has spoken it, He will bring it pass. We have no need to flog ourselves or go wailing about as if He needs us to bleed for each and every little desire we have. Our God is truly the Great God and there is no one else beside Him. The ancient Israelites discovered that time and again and on the day Elijah challenged the priests, those pagans found out as well.

The truth of the matter is that there are no other gods besides the one true and living, Alpha and Omega. There was no answer for the priests of Baal because there was (and is) no god who could ever have spoken to them. Idols are and always will be deaf, dumb and blind. They cannot answer a prayer, they cannot deliver from trouble and they can never show compassion- or wrath. Yet the God of the Hebrews- the God of the Christians- is and will always be in existence. He has given His word and all we need to do is come to it joyfully. The question now is whether you will take Him at His Word or will you cut yourselves to get your god to answer you?

Lecrae's Song to Benefit Haiti

I haven't written in a bit because of everything that has taken place the past month and a half. Base Inspection, studying for my next stripe and trying to maintain a decent family life (although all of it was very hard on them). Now that both the test and the inspection are overwith, I get to start settling down from the 16 hour stretches. I do have some more of the top 10 pulpit moves coming so stand by, there should be a new one out shortly.

In the meantime, a rapper whom I have a great deal of respect for has written a song to benefit the suffering in Haiti. I would encourage you if you have not done something to help our brothers and sisters in Christ, that you take the time. Take the time to donate through your local church or through the RED Cross or some other Christian organization that can help. I am not telling you what to give, that is between you and God. The main thing is that you remember the scriptures that guide us in helping those who need it and right now, Haiti needs help. God bless!

Top Ten Things That Make Someone a Pulpit-Pimp

Every week I am going to write a short article on “The Top Ten Things that Make Someone a Pulpit-Pimp.” They are in no particular order, so feel free to jump back and forth as necessary. What I do think you should keep in mind though is the fact that everything that comes out of any preacher’s mouth, must be weighted against the Word of God. But how are you - the average church-goer - going to know? You will know what is right from studying the scriptures, praying and listening to sound men of the Gospel. Jesus said in John 10John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me…” His voice is in the Holy Scriptures. So read the articles, watch the clips and go to the Word of God itself and see if what is being said by the thieves and heretics is truth or not!

Up 1st: Disrespecting the Men Chosen to Write the Holy Scriptures




It is a shame that people would knowingly come against the Word of God and those chosen to bring forth that word. Yet this is what the church needs to understand- it is not done by accident. Paula White and the other fake preachers/teachers purposefully throw little things out there in an attempt to get you to look upon the writers with distrust- much like she does in this video. Beginning at around the 1:30 mark, she starts out by getting the congregation on her side, saying little “you go girl” catch phrases and whatnots.

She then says a couple of nice words concerning the Apostle to make her seem respectful before she berates him. She infers that Paul was boring and didn’t know how to preach to a crowd. Seemingly, it does not take long for her to start elevating herself as she casts him down. She brags about how people don’t die when she is preaching. She also flat-out lies when she says Paul did not know hermeneutics (the study of interpreting the scriptures) or homiletics (the art of preaching)- remember Paul was a Pharisee as a Jew and he also spent 17 years studying the scriptures after his conversion before he ever went out to preach. Yet the biggest atrocity committed by Paula was when she said that the church did not need “more preaching,” but power. This shows the lack of understanding that this woman has. What she forgets are the words written by the very same fellow she exalted herself against. Rom. 10:14-15Romans 10:14-15, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?...” The power is in the preaching because the strength of it comes from the scriptures. No one can ever be converted without the Gospel of Christ that comes from the scriptures. Anybody can go out and be a great motivational speaker. Folk do it all the time and never once mention The Father, Christ or the Holy Spirit. Yet true power- power that comes from above- comes only from the Word of God. It is accessed through His Spirit to give us understanding. Yet Paula would pervert that holy, life changing power to make you believe that the only power worth having is the one that gives “gain,” because in Paula’s eyes, gain is godliness. (1 Tim 6:5)

You see, what pulpit-pimp Paula (and the others) really wants is power over the lives of people. If she has power over their lives (your lives), then she can have power over your finances. All of these wolves want nothing more than what the world wants: money, power and fame (you can throw sex in there as well for most of the others). Paula is no different in that she tears down the Apostle little by little so that she can validate what scriptures she thinks you need to believe in. Scriptures like “…men shall give into your bosom…” or “you are the head and not the tail.” Why? Because they benefit her. Why have you study verses like 1 Timothy 6:6-71 Tim 6:6-7 that talk about godliness and leaving things of this world behind? She wouldn't have you too because she knows the power of the Word and doesn't want to take the chance in losing you to it.

As I close, I want to leave you with this particular scripture, 2 Peter 1:21, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” This scripture is specifically set up by God to refute those who would try to subvert His Word by attacking the writers. We know that every last writer was a sinner and deserved hell just as much as we do. However, it was God who called them out and it was God who gave them the words to write- including Paul. God- through His Spirit- instructed these men to write what He dictated and they did it. Do not be hoodwinked by the foolish wisdom of this world. Those that are of the world only desire to fill their appetites with the things of this world. They will even go so far as to verbally rape the church to get it. Lastly, the Word of God is our plumb line. We must compare what every person is speaking from the Bible to it. That is why we all must study to show ourselves approved unto God. You never know when you may be called upon to give an answer for your faith, one that could be used by God to witness the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Demons Running A Scam

I'm sorry, (well not really- just more annoyed) but I do not think that having a "church growth" expo is biblical. I think it is nothing more than an attempt to get struggling pastors to take their focus off of Christ and to put their monies into someone else's pockets. However, every true minister of God knows that it is God that provides the increase. Furthermore, what does it do to the glory of Christ when it is the pastor's "ideas" that brings the people in? Also, what kind of people will be attracted to the tom-foolery that the pastor has carried out? It won't be the Christian. It won't be the seeker either. It will be folk with itching ears who would rather have a form of godliness and deny the true power of God. Yes, the word says, "he that wins souls is wise...", but what is forgotten is the beginning of the verse,"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life..." In other words, the fruit that a pastor should bear should be something of significance- something that brings life. And lest we forget, unless you (or I) or any other preacher has been grafted into the true vine, all of our righteousness is as filthy rags (read: bloody tampons)! It is only the life that is Christ that bears fruit and that fruit stems from the Spirit which takes us right to Jesus saying, "No man can come to me, except the Father that has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up on the last day!"

So please see the death that is wrapped up in this ad. And any preacher associated with it is in question because he should know (especially the ones that call themselves bishops, elders, pastors and apostles) the difference between knowing who God is and what the devil would do to kill, steal and destroy.

In conclusion, true pastors of God- run, run from this way of thinking that you can manipulate people to coming to church by having an awesome program. How about this for size, why not just preach the ENTIRE GOSPEL?

Christian Men and Pornography

I was reading a series of articles over @ Tim Challies site dealing with "Sexual Detox." It is a really good read so far (I have only read the first two articles and I believe there are 5 or 6). He makes some very candid remarks, quite a few I had already given thought to. I don't want to spoil it for you, but it did lead me to thinking about the effect porn has played both in my life as well as in the lives of other Christian men (preacher or not). So with that, I placed a poll question on the top of the page concerning pornoghraphy. Please give an honest answer. Don't worry, it doesn't take your name or anything and I am not putting anyone on blast. But I am curious to see how much of an affect porn has had on Christian marriages (unfortunately I understand that it has, I am just curious to see how rampant). When I have enough responses, I will post it. Hopefully more of an understanding can come about so that we can truly glorify Christ in our marriages and hopefully through spiritual maturity prevent our sons, nephews, grandsons (and whomever else we can witness to) that the grace of our Lord is everlasting- but never to be taken advantage of. To God be the glory!

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For God so loved the world.....John 3:16.

Somalis Are Beheaded for Christ

The following link is to a blog entitled, "Somalis For Jesus." (Please click on the link to see, but be forewarned that it is actual footage of Mansuur Mohammed's beheading by Muslims). It is a gruesome video showing the hatred of the world toward Christ Jesus. And because the Bible says in John 15:18, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you." Here is the proof for all of you who think that we need to hold back the Gospel and only utilize "Friendship Evangelism." The dying world needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because if it is hid, it is hid from them who do not know.

We must fully engage the world and not allow the blood of those martyred for Christ to go without witness to the glory and majesty of God. If you are a Christian let this be a wake-up call to the frivolity of modern day "church-isms". Run from the stupidity of "Your Best Life Now" and "Money cometh to me!" Run from the sins of the flesh- the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Cast aside every sin that pulls you from Him. We need to be willing to give our lives for the sake of the Gospel and if you are not willing to do so, then don't piss upon the glory of God by calling yourself a "Christian." Run to the scriptures, for it is that very Gospel that testifies of the truth of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Our brother in Christ the beloved Mansuur Mohammed- died because he knew that it was better to suffer and fulfill the afflictions that were lacking in Christ than to live in the passions of lust and sin for a day. I believe that this dear brother is in the arms of God now, enjoying Him for eternity...

All praises to the Loving Savior, the Most High God, the Son Jesus Christ!

Consider these writings and live a life worthy of our Savior!

The Gospel Coalition

If you as a Christian, need a place to converse with others and maybe even partner up to spread the Gospel, please consider the work going on at the Gospel Coalition. It is a network for like minded people who want to share the Gospel and truly preach the resurrected King of Glory!

DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE 2009

Here is a great team-up with Dr. Piper and Reach Records. Only what you do for Christ will last. Don't wait until you are helpless and can do nothing. Take your life and live it to the glory of God.

Homeland Security vs the Church

I read this article from FoxNews and I was truly angered. As a right leaning conservative, with a view that the majority of right leaning conservatives are Christian, I ask, "Could this be a step in the direction of bringing biblical Christianity to a place of persecution in America?" Think about it. The government labels anyone with right-leaning, conservative values as a potential terrorist. So they mean to tell me that if we disagree with abortion, we are considered to have terroristic traits. What kind of mess is that? Here's a kicker for you, if we (an Airman, Soldier, Marine or Seaman) have been to Iraq or Afghanistan, according to Napolitano we are susceptible to being overcome by those would want to harm the very country we fought to protect!Crazy! Really it sucks because the moral ground that I will not be moved from according to Homeland Security automatically infers that I am now to be considered anti-American. Wow. Yet if this is case, there is still more to be concerned about. Just think, after awhile they begin to crackdown on churches who preach against sin, abortion and homosexuality because they beleive it infringes on their “rights” as Americans (never mind the fact that I am entitled to my opinion). They then lock up those who speak against an immoral lifestyle because they are recognized as instigators. The way I see it, right now the seeds are being planted that will allow the persecution of the Christian Church to begin. In fact, in some places it has already begun. Homosexuals invaded a church in Minnesota last year, harrassed the congregants (who were worshipping that morning) by yelling out blasphemies (in front of the children mind you), began performing sexual acts (again in front of the children) and hung a banner that read "BASH BACK!" And as far as I know, no one was arrested even though the police came out. Yet through all this, we must draw closer to Christ-not out of fear of the enemy-but out of love and admiration for HIM, knowing that this world will pass away, but Christ abides forever!