Monday, June 29, 2015

TWISTED WORDS & SAME SEX MARRIAGE

WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, or NOT SAYING? 

There seems to be an apparent lack of understanding among some "Christians" regarding being vocal ("speaking out") on the recent "SAME SEX MARRIAGE" legislation in the Supreme Court.


First of all, it is clear that for many professing Christians, if you disagree (don’t support) with the ruling, you are quickly labeled a hater. On the other side, if you choose to walk lightly, avoiding the subject, you are marked as one who chooses to compromise and marked as a supporter. This twisted distortion must be examined on a personal level. 

To truly love refuses to be silent in the presence of error, evil, and the evolution of deception. We are to speak the truth in love in the camps of confusion and corruption. Someone "speaking out" should not automatically be interpreted as "hating" simply because another person may be uncomfortable with conversing about the truth. So, rather than avoiding the subject, we choose to responsibly deliver the heart of God, which consists of the inseparable truth and love that we have come to know personally. 

Secondly, in an attempt to offer emotional support to those in favor of the "Same Sex" ruling, some professing Christians have failed miserably in their attempts to relate by swiftly saying, "Well, we're all sinners!" Wait just a second. Really? Nowhere in the Bible, are men or women who have come to Christ, called sinners after their conversions. Nowhere. Never! This is clearly not a concept that has any foundational merit in the Scriptures. Instead, they are called saints, believers, disciples, but never sinners.

The Corinthians are called saints (1 Corinthians 1). As a matter of scriptural context, this was precisely a frustration and surprise experienced by the apostle Paul. Though they should have been, some Christians were not conducting themselves like saints. 


I want to be clear here. We are not merely sinners – saved by grace! We are saints – called saints, who are expected by God to conduct ourselves in increasingly "saintly" ways. True saints are those who experience holiness and righteousness from the inside-out, and if they sin in thought, word, or deed, they sense immediate conviction. Remorseful regret. A deepened sorrow and vivid shame for their inappropriate behavior.

SUMMING IT UP: It's really simple. IF every human being falls in love with Jesus Christ first, there will be no conflicts or struggle with fornication, homosexuality, same sex marriages, infidelity or divorce. There are no contradictions between God, His Word, and us.

Like the psalmist David, let us pray, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart (*and my conduct/behavior) be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14 - *my emphasis)


Thursday, June 18, 2015

"YET, Another Storm!"

"AMERICA, WE MUST WAKE UP!" 

Yet, another storm has hit the east coast.
Another storm has hit America.
Another storm has hit the Church.


No, I'm not referring to an atmospheric disturbance that any local weather news team has been tracking. Rather, "the man suspected of killing nine people at a prayer meeting at a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, was caught some 200 miles away in North Carolina, local and federal officials said. After an intensive, 14-hour manhunt for the man who carried out a massacre that officials are calling racially motivated, Dylann "STORM(my emphasis) Roof, 21, was arrested in Shelby, N.C., during a traffic stop shortly after 11 a.m.," said Greg Mullen, the Charleston police chief. (Per Travis Dove for the New York Times)


One of the immediate hot topics that has already made headlines is that of "gun control." We are so quick to focus on the obvious, the measurable, and at times, those things that will be charged with heated political debate. We must shake ourselves and be freed once and for all to acknowledge, accept, and appropriate that the adversary of events such as Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC and Sandy Hook in Newtown, CT, is not guns, hate, racial divide, or mental health. 

In the midst of all of the investigation into this most recent bloodshed in Charleston, South Carolina, we must not ignore a very critical piece of evidence. Look at the scene. With crime scene tape surrounding a holy sanctuary, family and community members have once again been riddled with the reality we too often disregard. Evil is real!

Sadly, as a nation, we have welcomed these evil acts by making God an option, rather than a priority. 

- The perpetrator is not flesh and blood. (Ephesians 6:12)
- The suspect is not 21 years old. 
- The weapon was not a 45 caliber handgun. 


The cessation to these senseless acts will not be constituted in the chambers of Congress. Beginning at the White House, we must confront the author and conspirer of such devastation and destruction by truly authenticating our pledge as being "One Nation Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!"

SUMMING IT UP: As I wrap up the occupation of my heart here today, I want to clearly call "The Church" forward and UPward. Free from the torment of fear, we must rise, stand, and not coward in the wake of this unfortunate "once again" horrific happening among our faith family in Charleston, SC. 

This is no time to retreat. 
This is no time to be overcome by fear. 

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, yes, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10) Rather, we are being called by our Commander to unify our faith, our mission, and our pursuit as ONE people marching in faith, both in word and in deed.


We must do more than cover social media walls with spiritual pleas and mere emotional remarks. 
We must do more than utilize these acts and events as a voice for political agenda.
We must do more than feel sadness and sorrow for the families of the innocent victims.
We must drop to our knees and pray that this madness cease. 

My prayer is,
"Lord, let it begin with me!"

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Friday, June 12, 2015

"TESTING 1-2-3..."

Though this is not a classroom and you aren't necessarily looking to earn credit for a degree, carve out some time to consider engaging with the following three (3) tests.

THE TEST OF TIME: 

Take time to seriously evaluate the stark contrast between the following, in asking yourself:

- How annoyed and angered do I get when I am informed that my hours on my job are being cut back?
- How bothered am I when I lose personal and corporate time with God and those within my Community of Faith (local church)?

Do you feel the same, or do you tend to find a higher level of tolerance when "missing church" or "Bible Study" or your "Small Group" opportunity? 


Are you more time conscious with being "on-time" for work and then find yourself conveniently building in an acceptance for being tardy at church?

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." (Ephesians 5:15-17)

THE TEST OF TALENT: 

Whatever your talents, skills, gifts, niches and joys in life may be, are you intentional in assimilating those into your job, your relationships, and in your community? What about in your local church?

What are you doing today to sharpen those skills and develop those gifts to benefit others?


"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)

THE TEST OF TREASURE: 

Take a moment to consider the priority of your financial resources every payday.

Does God get the first 10%, or is He even on the radar when you are factoring what is left over?

Managing your money begins with how well you prioritize its distribution. 


"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;" (Proverbs 3:9)

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty." (Malachi 3:10-11)

WINDING IT DOWN: 
Each and every one of us are encouraged to take all that we are and all that we have and steward it, utilize it to make much of God. There really is nothing greater you can do with your life. There’s no HIGHER purpose than to take your time, your talents, and your treasure and use them to glorify God.
"BE ENCOURAGED FRIEND!!!" 
When you live for the glory of God, you’re doing what you were created to do. And you become who you were created to be. 
Make the decision today to join the team wherever you are and watch how you can, and how you will, make a difference. 
Let's live life on purpose each and every day!!!

Monday, June 8, 2015

"I Do, You Do,... We Do"

Many things in life are subject to wearing out. The spark and vibrancy once known between husband and wife tends to grow dim with all of the demands that life brings. I'm certain you won't have to think about it long. 

- Have your conversations become dull, boring, and typically predictable? 
- Do the negatives tend to outweigh the positives?
- Are you consumed with the schedules that YOU have created for your children?
- What are things you've wanted to talk about, yet you couldn't find the courage to initiate? 


Find the "pause" button and stop long enough to re-ignite your conversations with bridge builders - those things that will merge your thoughts, hopes, goals, and dreams. Take time to construct raw moments of fun and genuine laughter that will usher in the help and healing that both of you need. 

It's time to dream again. Regardless if you have been married 50 years, 5 years, or 5 months, there's no harm to be done in dreaming anew with your spouse. And picture albums are often a great catalyst for bringing back the fire - that is, the wanted, desired, awe inspiring joy of complementing one another in simply being together. 

So, let's map out a plan. Go ahead and fetch your wedding album and sit down together free from distractions and distance yourself from all electronics and social media. You are about to re-discover once again the love, excitement, and romance you shared back when problems, challenges, and struggles didn't exist. Wait a minute, they actually did exist! You were just so unwilling to allow them to wear you down and giving up,...well, that was not an option. You refused to lose and you knew TWOgether, you were destined to win.


As you open the album, or begin sifting through those pictures, narrow your focus onto your faces. Look at the smiles and find the anticipation that you possessed for the future. Zero in on the confidence you delivered every time someone delivered their "Congratulations" and/or "You two look so amazing!" Take a moment to extract the strength you had then and know you still have it. It's just been overlaid with so much "stuff" that has clouded your view of one another. 

Summing it up: Do you recall those statements the minister had you repeat to each other on that special day? 

How about this one:

"I, (name), take you (name), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

The question to ask yourself is, "Am I?"
The question to ask your spouse is, "Am I?"

If the response you receive isn't what you long to hear, then take the necessary time and steps NOW to connect, reflect and sincerely work toward a soul'ution. The journey is intended to be enjoyed, but it is not, and will not ever be free of the need to refresh the screen.

It's time for the two of you to enjoy each other and the journey,...again.