I am a Son of God

2008-02-24T17:13:00.000-08:00

It's Alive!

I just finished starting my new blog at WordPress. So join me over yonder, neighbor. I'll know we'll have good time!!

http://iamasonofgod.wordpress.com

2008-02-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

A Change Gone Come to the Blog

Hey Everybody, I'll be switching over to Word Press in a couple of days. I'm tired of Blogger because auto text size is messing with me. I hope on the new blog to write some serious thoughts and have ongoing family discussions on issues that really concerned me. I'll let you know when the switch happens so stay tuned. Peace.

Jason

2008-02-23T18:44:00.000-08:00

A Great Awakening for Millersville University

Over an hour ago I returned from a leadership summit here at Millersville University. The theme was on "Building Bridges" of multicultural diversity. Our esteemed keynote speaker was Ms. Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She spoke on acknowledging our differences and similarities in our ongoing conversation and action for cultural appreciation across barriers.

There was also a workshop facilitated by Ms. Eraka Rouzorondu of Ascension Productions. She her presentation was called "Walls Down, Bridges Down". The main focus was to assess the "walls" that hinder the bridge-building necessary for universities to be multicultural. Both presenters were thought provoking and challenging especially Eraka.

All in all, I went home with some thinking to do in this ongoing discussion here at Millersville University.

2008-02-20T16:04:00.000-08:00

What I Believe

I had a wonderful conversation with my pastor yesterday during our time discussing what we will preach this Sunday (yes, I preach). After discussing our sermon topic, I disclosed to him some things I have been struggling with in regards to American Christianity, especially evangelicalism and my endeavor to understand the Gospel in it's simplicity. The first Ancient Creeds of the Church are a great summary I what I believe. What I do believe:

"Jesus is Lord", the earliest creed of the Church.

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

The Nicene-Constantanopolitan Creed

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

What I've come to reject are some Evangelical shibboleths.

The Holy Scriptures:

I believe, without a shadow of doubt, in the authority of the Holy Bible. I do not subscribe to the doctrine of inerrancy as stated in The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy. I still have trouble with many Protestant confession statements featuring an article on the Holy Scriptures before the articles on the Godhead.

Eschatology:

I do not believe in the Rapture, at least as taught in in the Left Behind Series and dispensationalism. I believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. The idea of Rapture is taken from 1 Thessalonians 4.17, but in the context of this passage this "caught up" experience of the living happening on the Day of Resurrection when the dead in Christ shall rise (v.16). I maybe be wrong but thank God this is secondary non-essential issue in the Church, except in some circles.

Heaven:

I do not believe that the righteous shall go and spend eternity in Heaven. I believe the righteous are resting in Christ until the Day of Resurrection. The righteousness shall spend eternity with their God in the age to come in the new earth and new heaven. All in all, Heaven will descend from Glory and be right on earth, God dwell with renewed humanity. Now, that's heaven.

Creation:

I do not believe that the six-days of creation in Genesis were 24 hours as we understand days to be today.

Politics:
I do not believe that being a evangelical means to vote Republican. I learned that the hard way.

2008-02-18T10:44:00.001-08:00

I'm Well

What a crazy night! I was up with two nostrils stuffed like a hunted down buck in a lodge. A friend gave me a nasal decongestant around 3:00a.m. so that helped a lot. Today I'm better, still have to sniffles, my nose is dry, and I feel a bit stronger than yesterday. Thanks for all your prayers. I'll get to posting soon, the Lord willing.

Blessings,

Jason

2008-02-17T18:21:00.001-08:00

I'm Sick

Yes, my brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, Brother Jason is down with the rhinovirus. I don't know which one it is and I don't care because it's really tickin' me off to have this cold. I've had it for a week. I missed class last Monday when I had the first preliminary symptoms and the rest of the week I was fine. These symptoms are worse than last weeks. So I'm going to stay in bed. I don't have chicken soup so I got the Campbell's Tomato Soup you heat in the microwave and drink from the can. I'm going to run to the store and buy more Kleenex. Then of the bed. Please pray for a healing. Where's Benny Hinn when you need him? Just Kidding!
Anybody got any home remedies fit for a college man please post them.

Blessings.

2008-02-16T12:55:00.000-08:00

Barth on the Authority and Significance of the Bible

"The prophetic-apostolic witness, through which the congregation of Jesus Christ is established, is the single normative form of the Word of God for that congregation. There are many things in the heavens and on earth, but there is only one God. There are many ideas about God, but there is only one true knowledge of this one God, true because derived from God's self-testimony. There are many events, powers, forms, and truths which are important, worthwhile, and indispensable for us men, but there is only one Word of God, only one Jesus Christ, in whom the confrontation of the gracious God with sinful men took place once for all.

And because not all, but only these particular men are the elected, called prophetic and apostolic witnesses to Jesus Christ, there are many hidden forms but only this one visible form of the one Word of the one God. Only in this form is God's Word finally, decisively normative, binding , and authoritative. The Church of Jesus Christ acknowledges this unique Word of the unique God in this uniquely visible and uniquely normative form. In this knowledge, it sets the biblical canon."

Karl Barth, God Here and Now (Routlege Classics, 2006) p.56

2008-02-14T15:49:00.001-08:00

Love is in the Air!

Do you know what today is? I'm sure you do. It's that time of the year when the lovelorn (me) generally stay home and do nothing for it, and lovers glee because of it. It's St. Valentine's Day!

What are you doing for that special someone in your life today? Or not.

2008-02-10T19:21:00.000-08:00

I Want to Know What Love Is: Confessions of the Wounded but Living (Conclusion)

I must confess I am a not a learned theologian. Sure, everyone's a theologian, but I know I am not like to great learned Church Fathers, divines, and sages God has graced His Church throughout the ages to reflect and provide prayerful discourse to help believers understand the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

I have a vision of going to seminary and having a "backside of the desert" experience with God, sitting at the feet of Jesus, and learning from Him and the saints of time's past and present. But I am a college student at a secular university with a very busy schedule so I cannot immerse myself in the Scriptures and the Great Tradition of the Church as much as I would like. So writing on this topic with trepidation and hopefully with the grace of God.

The Apostle John says that God is love (1 John 4:8). Though some may use 1 Corinthians 13 for an argument to the contrary, the Holy Writ doesn't actually defines what Love is. It tells of it's mannerisms or outward manifestations. But what is it? Well I believe we may never can define it (read Him). We not supposed to...

Though we cannot define it through as if it can be observed it under a microscope, we who are recipients of God's grace have to proclaim this Love. Jesus Christ told Nicodemus,
" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I will say that Love is the giving of Godself towards His creation. Love, I believe, is that attribute of God being Good towards that which is wholly other than Himself. I thank God for Karl Barth for conceptualizing this for me to understand. This action called Love is communicative within the Triune Being. Jesus revealed to his disciples that the Father loves the Son (Jhn 3:35; 5:20). In these passages, Jesus says that the love of the Father for the Son is manifest in the act of the Father giving all things and shows the Son all that the work the Father does. Love is truly God giving all that He is within Himself (perichoresis) and out towards us, His creatures.

The Lord God Almighty has extended the grace toward His creation by giving it sustaining life, beauty and significance. Towards humanity, that peculiar creature, God has showed his Love towards us in the coming of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. God offered His Son as the most excellent sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world.

So truly as the redeemed, I do wanna know what Love is, and the living God has shown me and continually does show me His Love in His dear Son my Lord, my God, my King, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

2008-02-05T15:34:00.000-08:00

Working on that Love thing

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Between homework, friends, family, facilitating a college Bible study, and planning a trip to NY, I have to take some time to finish the third part of my series "Confessions of the Wound, but Living". I was going to title it "I Wanna Know What Love Is". But I want to take time to reflection pray, study and meditate on the Scriptures and the wisdom of the Church before I go hop, skip, and jump into a deep, mysteriously satisfying and yet complex subject. Keep me in your prayers and thoughts that this last post will be thought provoking, edifying, and ultimately God-honoring. Blessings.

Jason Oliver

2008-01-29T15:44:00.000-08:00

Book of God

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Romans 15:4

All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2 Timothy 3:16-7

I am a creature of a day. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God. I want to know one thing: the way to heaven. God himself has condescended to teach me the way. He has written it down in a book. Oh, give me that book! At any price give me the book of God. Let me be a man of one book.
-JOHN WESLEY

In a few minutes I'm about to study for to facilitate a series on Christ Jesus for bible study tomorrow night. We are studying the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to the Holy Scriptures. Over a couple of days ago I got some good resources of bible commentaries, dictionaries, maps, handbooks, systematic theologies all for free! Thank you , Bible Explorer! Also I downloaded some study aids from the Bible Foundation website, Michael Pahl's web page, and others. I also have access to some good articles on biblical hermeneutics.

My approach to studying the Holy Scriptures are changing for the better. I have been a bit perturbed when it comes to studying the Bible. I didn't grasp the authority of the Scriptures. I've read doctrinal articles, denominational confessional statements, and polemical theology within evangelicalism (i.e. inerrancy) and I was a bit disturbed. Bible-thumping, Bible-bashing, Bible-twisting, or Biblical illiteracy has been my on mind. I can't let my heart fail me because of the lack of biblical comprehension in the American church. I've girded up my loins and I'm going on an adventure to grow deeper in faith because I know realize the power of the living Word in the written word. Jesus said that the Scriptures bear witness of Him (John 5:39). So that means the Bible is pneumatological in nature (1 Peter 1:19-21). They point to Christ by the power of the Spirit. I hope to mature this semester in grasping the excellency of the saving knowledge Christ with my fellow travelers.

2008-01-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

Confessions of the Wounded, but Living: Pt. 2

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 34:8 (KJV)

Twisted Vision

There is a popular myth in America regarding the big "M". "Masturbation makes one goes blind if he or she does it on a more frequent basis." I truly believe this is true. Clarification is in order: the act of masturbation in itself cannot impair the sight of a human being, but I believe the intention behind the act of masturbation, lust, does impair one's vision of reality and truth. Surely this perverted version of "self-love" impaired my vision of what it meant to be a relational being. Watching porn from the Net, then going between the sheets by myself imagining some false person is very vain activity. The climax of orgasm didn't satisfy my true desire for intimacy.

Paul by aid of the Holy Spirit knew what he meant when he advised those who were in love about the yielding to passions aflame outside of the sacred hearth of matrimony (1 Corinthians 7:8-9). The apostle declares that the body is not meant for porneia but for the Lord (6:13) so we must honor the Lord Jesus Christ with our body because we are His Body, we are bought with a price (7:23).

Wow, interesting statement. I am apart of Christ's Body. Every time I imagined some woman, whether whore or housewife, I conjured up a vain imagination and wedded my members to this woman whom the Lord did not create. I married Christ to an idol. What has Christ to do with idols? Not a thing!

I realized a few months ago that it's hard living the single life as a young uh, not so virile man. It really, really, is hard! I told myself I would be career and school focused and worry about finding that special lady later. I was kidding myself. I thought celibacy and chastity would be easy as pie. I love pie and it ain't it. Paul says that singleness is a state where the believer can mind the things the Lord (7:32). In married life one prioritizes their relationships: God, spouse, kids, friends, etc (v.33). Single people have more of an opportunity to spend more time with God working for Him in the vineyard. Well I was working for Him in college ministry and desperately seeking Susan... on the Net and in my head.

However, lust is not the source of my satisfaction. It is the problem. Author Philip Yancey in his chapter on sex in Rumors of Another World quotes a passage from Dietrich Bonhoeffer's classic work Cost of Discipleship:

"Instead of trusting to the unseen, we prefer the tangible fruits of desire... Lust is impure because it is unbelief, and therefore it is to be shunned. No sacrifice is too great if it enables us to conquer a lust which cuts us off from Jesus... When you have made your eye the instrument of impurity, you cannot see God with it."

Lord knows I want to see Him more... Something just had to go. Masturbation stopped...recently. Lust still rears its ugly head. The key in my view is never to take my eyes off of Christ. Always trusting Him to supply peace in the trial of not awakening the bloom before its time is my constant prayer for myself and anybody that's striving to live holy. Lord help us to keep them on You, 'cause for me, Susan's starting to visit again.

Pt. 3 understanding what love is....

2008-01-21T08:07:00.001-08:00

King's Dream, God's Purpose

King's Dream...

...I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today....

Excerpt taken from "I Have A Dream" speech given by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1964.

God's Purpose....

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then ye are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galations 3.27-29

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple of the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 2.11-22

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB.

Revelation 7.9-10

Happy MLK Day!!

All Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version

2008-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

Confessions of the Wounded, but Living: Pt.1

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27*

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a helper fit for him. Genesis 2: 18

So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man in he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said,

"This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; and she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Genesis 2: 21-25

For you formed by inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

Warning: The following is part one of a series on confessions. Some of the most deepest areas of my heart are being posted on this blog in the following days. Proceed reading with prayerful caution. It is not my intention to glorify my past and present sinful thoughts and behavior, but to be held accountable to the Body of Christ. I write this as a part of healing process to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Part of this repentance process is admitting my sins.

Sexuality has been a subject I have been reflecting on since I became cognizant of this mysterious and problematic part of human experience. I have been struggling with this topic ever since I can remember. I was exposed to pornographic material in my early childhood. I've had sexual encounters as a child with both a girl and a boy. Then when I became a teen I was exposed to more material on the Internet of both heterosexual and homosexual nature.

My addiction to porn became when I became interested in bodybuilding in my pre-teens. I wanted to do something about the way I looked. I was one of those 'husky' boys who was sedentary. So I developed an interest in the muscle sport. I looked up mainstream bodybuilding magazines on the web. I printed out a whole bunch of stuff on training, diet and nutrition. Then I noticed some links to male physique modeling agencies. I lot of these websites contained Adonis-looking male models posing semi-nude or full frontal nude just like those ancient classical sculptures one sees in museums.

At first I thought "Wow, I could look like that." Then my admirations for these men's bodies turned into idolatry without blinking. I started to imagine myself as these guys making love to some of the most hottest looking women on the planet. I started visiting these websites frequently. Then my imagination started to run wild. I would ask myself, "What if...?" So I started to search the Internet for possible world combinations with the word "muscle". As I typed certain word combos, I started to see websites of homosexual nature. I didn't even know gay porn existed. Like its heterosexual counterparts it comes in various genres. I started to search for masculine-oriented male erotica and tried to steer away from the stereotypical effeminate looking stuff as to rationalize my perverted curiosity. When stuff got "too heavy" to see, I started looking at straight porn to cover my tracks if anyone discovered I was looking at gay porn. But things got worst. I couldn't believe the stuff I was looking at. I started to become desensitized at the sexual images.

As I kept creeping on the Net looking at porn, I started to develop a negative self-concept. Many of the pornographic content played towards the stereotype of black men have large genitalia. The "Mandingo" with a 9-inch long, 6 inch wide penis was exemplar of the perfect Alpha black male. This screwed with the way I viewed my body and manhood. "Will I be man enough?" "Does size really matter?" Many say that porn gives many men false perceptions of women. That's true, but it also gives false perceptions of men and their bodies. And I bought into it... quickly.

I've keep this to myself for many years from high to college. I didn't really hang out with a lot of guys my age in high school. I generally cling to the company of women at home. Though I found girls sexually attractive I was deeply mortified of dating. Secondarily because my religious convictions, but primarily because of my tarnished self-concept. When hearing about the exploits of my "high school classmates laying their pipe" I thought was deeply hopeless to seeking companion. "I must not be the guy women are looking to have sex with, let alone to date." So I keep to myself, to my books, and to my porn...

* All Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible English Standard Version

Pt. 2 deals with masturbation, and my yearning for intimacy....

2008-01-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

Man Up!

In case one is not a connoisseur of hip-hop culture, "Man up" is an imperative directed towards a man whose manhood is apparently in question. It primarily connotes that one takes charge of his life and takes responsibility for his actions. It also connotes that one needs to "butch" and stop showing "sissy" qualities.

What does it take to be a man in this society? Such a question demands that one would know what a real man would look like.

In academic circles especially in the feminist/gender studies fields, masculinity is a category of privilege and power. To be a man means to be dominant, fearless, courageous, patriarchal, heterosexual, Adonis-like features, physically, mentally, and emotionally strong almost stoic, aggressive, abrasive, financially secure, sexually endowed. Masculinities vary across cultures. Western masculinity is heavily influenced by Platonism and the Christian religion. To be a man is to "have dominion over the earth and subdue it" as Genesis declares. A good Christian man of any denominational affiliation loves God and country, who takes care of his woman, his children, his business, and himself.

Over the last century with the rise of the feminist and gay rights movements and the sexual revolution, manhood has been challenged on all fronts. The Christian Church has been challenged from within to adapt to progressive ideology of "radical inclusion" and sexual freedom and social justice for God's "other" children. Various forms of feminism within Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant branches of Christianity have challenged the male privilege within the Church, some even challenging the masculine language of the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and call for "inclusive language of God".

The contemporary American male has access to many material pertaining to his manhood. There is countless resources for building better bodies, better financial portfolios, improving health, guides to woo women (in some cases other men), parenting tips, career advice, education, and so forth. The contemporary Western man strives to be a multidimensional free thinker; the exemplar of a post-Enlightenment world.

In our fairly progressive age many have challenged the notion of Western masculinity as the standard for all men. Artists, cultural critics, philosophers, activists, and clergy from all forms of religion are diligently fighting for a so-called free society where heterosexuality is not the standard for all humanity, that women have full autonomy of their own lives including reproduction, were children are free to explore sexuality without shame from their parents, teachers, our peers, were men and women can marry anyone regardless of sexual or gender "identities", and were the terms "father" and "mother" is replaced with the more generic and inclusive "parent".

Evangelical Protestants have attempted to counteract these movements within the larger culture by establishing such movement's has Promise Keepers, the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and Focus on the Family promoting traditional positions on sexuality and family structure according to their interpretation of Holy Scripture. Still an alarming rate of self-professing born again, Bible-believing Christian marriage end in divorce, and many Christian men are addicted to pornographic material.

African American churches are dealing with the plight of young black men being jailed at alarming rates, murdered in the inner-cities, who drop out of high schools are a higher rate than their white and Latino counterparts, who produce children out of wed-lock, and are infected with HIV/AIDS. Yet we see hip-hop stars flash distorted images of what it means to be African American men in contemporary America.

With all this easy access information to improving one's manhood whether conservative or progressive, still many men are in deep depression. Many don't know what it means to be a man in the world or at least in America. With the problematization of gender as a social construct and many masculinities to choose from, many men are still in the dark groping for the light. What is that?

Maybe it is because men (and women for that matter) are in the constant state of patterning after fluidic models because the the failure of those models set before by others. We are all human. We simply don't know who we are as men. What is means to be a man and a woman is simply up for grabs.

As I study the Scripture, many men in the Bible don't seem to fit the mold of today's real man. For instance take Abraham, the patriarch of Israel. He has his women, wealth, and land yet Abraham wasn't man enough to put his wife Sarah in her place when she ordered him to evict his concubine Hagar and their son Ishmael from the premises. Don't forget Gideon who wasn't man enough fight against his Philistine enemies. David's manhood was challenged by his wife Michal when she openly criticized David for dancing wildly before the square bringing the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. What about his relationship with Jonathan! John the apostle laid his head in the breast of the Jesus. If other contemporary men Christian or otherwise would read these men's live, what would they see?

Looking at a glimpse of these men's lives, many thoughts can run through people's heads. The reality of it is where we may find weak-willed, cowardly, seemingly sexually ambiguous men, God sees otherwise. God called Abraham friend and called him faithful. God called Gideon a mighty man of valor, called David a man after his own heart, and loved John.

The truth is what God has to say about us is more important then what we may have to say about ourselves or what others say about us. God's Word declares that humanity both male and female are created in the image of God. God's is more concerned about about relational status and our fellowship with Himself than our so-called manhood. Whatever manhood we may have is a perverted form of what God had made from the dust of the earth by His very hands and declared what He had made from the beginning to be very good.

So let us strive with warts and all to pursue the heart of the Father concerning His will, hearing His Word, yielding to His Truth, and leave the manhood part of it to Christ. At the end of the day when the sun will set for eternity, God is looking for his Son to be formed in us. He the only Real Man that really matters.

2008-01-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

Mind Maintainance

Yesterday I a had a great time practicing driving in my cousin Erika's car. I did ten times better since our last session. I didn't have any practice since our last session. I believe the drastic difference is due to a mind reorientation. I had an adjustment of some sorts. I have to learn how to drive in order to get my license soon. But I cannot be a passive agent. The care isn't going to drive itself. So I got behind that wheel with a confidence that I never experienced before.

I drove from my house in Drexel Hill to Erika's mother's house in West Philadelphia. Aunt Ruth had to run some errands but didn't feel comfortable riding in the car with me behind the wheel. So Erika, Aunt Ruth, my cousin Christina, and I drove around to run some errands then Erika drove us back to Aunt Ruth's, let Aunt Ruth and Christina off, and then I got back in the driver's seat and drove back home. Hopefully today I'll get more driving practice in before the weather changes.

Peace.

2008-01-01T08:37:00.000-08:00

No Limits

I just noticed something about one of my previous post. In that I limited myself. I said that wasn't fit for the entertainment business. I was wrong. To say that is to limit the possibilities of God. God can do anything in anyone, even me. If the LORD God desires to send a witness in that industry and it so happens to be me, then who am I to argue with the Almighty? He can do anything...but fail.

As for the scholar part of the comment... yea, I'm a scholar. But that's not all that I am. Why should I limit my skills and gifts. Yes I know I shouldn't be spasmatic in my career goals. I know for sure I am called to ministry. Where... that's up to God. I'm just assessing what I'm trained and what I will be training for. But for now, I will concede and confess that there are no limits to what God can do through me.

2008-01-01T08:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

It's January 1, 2008. Praise God a new year. I don't have a New Year's resolution. Resolutions are too cliche. I do however have goals and deadlines to meet (see below). The biggest goal is to graduate in May. My goodness, I'm getting old, uh, older. In any event, I have a scheduled visit to the French Culinary Institute on Friday with my cousin. We're excited about it. Please keep us in prayer.

Goals to Meet:
1. Apply to graduate schools/seminary.
2. Visit/apply to culinary schools.
3. Attend to studies.
4. Create a budget plan.
5. Graduate in May 2008.

2007-12-17T04:36:00.000-08:00

Break

It's a brand new day. I've completed fall semester at Millersville University. I must say it wasn't my best semester. I may have to retake an major-related course. It's Electronic systems and I'm allergic to all things that have to do with the theoretical aspects of electricity, electromagnetism, and so forth. I've forgotten about everything I've learned this past semester or at least my mind is a blur. Spring 2008 semester is my final semester. Wow, so soon?

Over the break I have a lot of things to do with the future. First I have to schedule a visit with two culinary schools: the International Culinary Center in NYC, and L'Academie de Cuisine outside D.C. Then I have to apply to six seminaries: Regent, Duke, Gordon-Conwell, Western/Multnomah (these two possibly are merging), Princeton, and Trinity Evangelical for fall 2009. I'm trying to get these applications on a roll. I haven't taken the GREs yet so I'll be commencing the study of the coursebook over my one month.

I started to read How to Read a Book: A Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer Atler. I read about this book a couple months back. I want to increase my understanding when reading difficult reading material. It's very good so far.

It's good to be back to rest from my labor. But I can't dilly-dalley for too long. I have a lot to do and I don't want time to pass me by. However, I don't want to stress about it either. God has been good to me and I want to think and pray these things through. I hope to meet my short-term goals (which includes getting a passport and driver's license). In addition I have to initiate some plans for BCM.

I hope and pray this Advent season we may all reflect on the One who is the Reason for this season and all others. As my brother in the Lord Halden Doerge reminds us, "He is coming." Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Blessings.

2007-12-11T16:14:00.000-08:00

Pressing through the Pain and all that Follows

This weekend was a hard one. It was full of agitation. I was agitated when I went home to Drexel Hill this past weekend. My grandmother is spending the over for my grandfather's funeral. The house is cold. The heater in the basement needs oil. I almost blew a gasket. I felt so stressed because the funeral so happens to be on finals week. Life sucks. But I have to press through. I have been over analytical with my emotions during this time. I haven't had a good cry. It's like when you about to sneeze but it just won't come out. Yeah, that's what it feels like. Nevertheless I have work to finish. I have a take home exam I haven't started yet. It's due tomorrow...i think. I also have an exam in Electronic Systems. I hate that class. I love the professor. Dr. Brusic is awesome but I'm not electronically-inclined. I have an aversion to all things mathematic and scientific. I'm failing that class.

A lot has been on my mind. Will I make it to grad school? I feel burned out already. I've been in college for five years. I've developed a passion to learn about communication theory, cultural theory, and theology during my time here. I'm not fit for the entertainment business. I was mean't to be a talking brain.... uh I mean scholar.

Is this failing grade going to keep me out of grad school? Maybe I need to independent study of some sort in the next semester. Maybe I should write a paper. I don't know. I better hurry up because I got work to do.

I keep wondering why I haven't cried yet. Maybe I'm saving it for the funeral. I know Pop is not there. He's certainly in a better place. I miss him.

Well, I gotta press through 'til I reach Saturday. That will be my Sabbath. I'll rest for a good while. In the meantime my studies awaits. Gotta go!

2007-12-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

An Honored Man: Pop Pop's Obituary

Reverend Ora Marcus Locust, Jr. was born on October 30, 1934 in Pittsburgh, PA. He was the fourth child of the late Reverend Ora Marcus and Mary Ruth Greenway Locust, Sr. He received his early education in Pittsburgh and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Dallas, TX in 1954.

In 1955 Ora Locust, Jr. married Verona Lee Douglas and their union was blessed with six children: Ora Marcus III, Michael, Joyce (my mother), Wayne, Christopher, and Stephanie who preceded him in death. Among his many services for our Lord Reverend Locust, Jr. was choir director for many churches in Philadelphia and New Jersey and was a talented musician and gifted singer of the Gospel. He was called to preach in 1961 and ordained in 1965. He pursued studies at Temple University, Philadelphia College of the Bible, and received his Bachelor of Theology from Inter-Baptist Theological Center in Houston, TX in 1967.

Reverend Locust, Jr. pastored the Pine Street Baptist Church in Scranton, PA from 1965-1968, First United Baptist Church (Philadelphia) from 1968 to 1984, and was the founding pastor of Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church until his retirement in 2000.

Reverend Locust had the heart of a true servant and for much of his life was dedicated to community service and civic responsibilities from early years as a civil rights leader in Scranton and as Director of the Neighborhood Community Center he continued his committment for many years of work in crime prevention as Director of R.W. Brown Boys and Girls Club in North Philadelphia.

Upon retirement Rev. Locust, Jr. joined Loyal Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend Floyd Locust. He was a faithful servant in ministry and family.

Reverend Locust, Jr. was preceded in death by three sisters: Harriet, Lois Paris, and Viola Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memories Verona and their five children; his sister Ruth Martin; two daughters-in-law Deborah and Kimi; one son-in-law James; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Sorrowfully submitted,

The Family

2007-12-06T22:07:00.001-08:00

Sabbath Rest

My grandfather, the Reverend Ora M. Locust, Jr. entered into his rest Thursday morning. He was 73.

Memory Lane

Pop founded and pastored a storefront church in West Philadelphia called Pilgrim's Rest Baptist Church at 5333-35 Market Street in 1984. I was born into that church. My grandfather was my very first pastor. I came to know Christ at the tender age of seven. He baptized me. I remember living on 58th and Spruce Street at my mother's house and playing church on Sundays with my brother and our childhood friends Riko and Shanelle. I was the preacher. My "pulpit" was the steps. I would shout just like my grandfather. I remember it like yesterday.

The Call

I was called to preach the Gospel on May 6, 2006. I called and told my grandfather a couple of days later. He "grilled" me. Pop wanted to know if I was really called. I told him the scenario. He told me that he wanted to speak with me about this call. I remember him telling me that he might be dead and gone someday and told me it was necessary for him to speak with me. It took me a couple of months after this phone call to actually speak with him. I was a very busy college student and I didn't make the time to speak with him.

Our meeting lasted a few hours. It was the best time I had with my grandfather. He was concise and clear about what he wanted me to hear. His words are still impressed in my heart until this day.

Final Days on Earth

Pop was diagnosed with stage-4 cancer a few months ago. Metastasis spread throughout his body. He had chemotherapy and radiation. But on the Wednesday before thanksgiving he was hospitalized. I got to see him on Thanksgiving. He was feeble but feisty. He couldn't eat a lot but he had a couple bites of sweet potato pie. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, he had a bad fall in the hospital. He fractured his neck and was bed-ridden. He had to wear a gawky neck brace to stabilize his spine. Metastasis spread to is spinal column. There was no bone wear he fractured his neck, just cancer. That Monday I visited him along with a bunch of my relatives. It was the last time I seen him alive.

Eternal Rest

Thursday around 11a.m. my cousin called me while I was at work. She told me she got word that Pop Pop passed. My mother called me an hour ago and told me that when she went up to see him that he looked peaceful. She said that Pop wanted to pass knowing that his kids would be okay. So he went in his sleep with no one in the room. Now is joins his God and the Church triumphant in eternal victory and fellowship. To God be praised.

2007-12-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

Sola Deo Gloria!

Touchstone Magazine has become a frequent website I visit. It is a magazine promoting Christian orthodoxy or as the editors borrow from C.S. Lewis in its subtitle: "mere" Christianity. It features the writings of Christians from the three major streams of the Christianity: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant. It has an traditional (i.e. conservative), yet ecumenical approach to Christianity. Yet all the writers are maintain an allegiance to their respective Christian traditions. Timothy George, J.I. Packer, Thomas C. Oden, and R. Albert Mohler, are frequent contributers representing the evangelical wing of Protestantism.

I tend to like the overall gist of the magazine. Orthodoxy comes form the Greek word orthodoxos meaning "right opinion; praise; glory". Christian orthodoxy is basically outlined in the ancient Creeds developed in the ecumenical councils of the early Church.

But I have this against Touchstone. There are hardly any contemporary orthodox authors from non-European backgrounds. Where are the members of the Majority World? Where are the African Americans, Latinos, and Asian American theologians? Now are are female authors, but rarely are evangelical egalitarians (Christians for Biblical Equality). Most of the theologians, biblical scholars, and intellectuals featured in Touchstone espouse a complementarian theology and strongly maintain it is important for Christians to adopt such in order to included in the boundaries of Christian orthodoxy.

I feel for my sisters in Christ who maintain orthodoxy have to wrestle between it and their identity as women. To be truly female in orthodox Christian traditions is to maintain one's place: under the "sacrificial leadership of men within the divine creation order." Although their is rich biblical and theological scholarship have challenged hand have refuted the exegetical claims from the complementarian camp, egalitarians are in the minority within classical Christian circles. Wesleyan-Holiness and Pentecostal traditions early in their histories have argued a biblical and theological case for women's call to preach the Gospel and minister in pastoral leadership for over one hundred years. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has ordained women since nearly its inception. In recent years three women have been elected to the bishopric. Because of the current historical climate of feminism and the gay rights movements, anything that "smells" like feminism (especially for many editors of Touchstone), it is shut down and dismissed as borderline, if not, downright heretical and inimical to the Gospel (i.e. Together for the Gospel official document link).

Though women were ordained clergy in the early history of the Church, Christians theologians maintained that only males can sacramentally represent Christ fully in the ordained priesthood (Orthodox, Roman Catholic) and/or that males in church leadership is analogous to the "headship" of husbands in the home and Christ and his Church (conservative evangelicalism , see Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood's magna carta, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood).

Some like Leon J. Podles and R. Albert Mohler have asserted that a "feminization of Christianity' over the last fifty or so years, if not, centuries ago. According to a 2006 report in the New York Times, women make up 51 percent of recently enrolled seminary students yet in mainline denominations women clergy make up 3 percent. Most evangelical denominations, with the exception the Wesleyan-Holiness, Evangelical Covenant, recently the Christian Reformed, and the Pentecostal Churches (AG, Church of God TN, Pentecostal-Holiness, Foursquare), do not ordain women. The Church of God in Christ, the largest black trinitarian Pentecostal denomination does not officially ordain women to the pastorate. Women are licensed evangelists and missionaries and ordained military chaplains. However, bishops can appoint women to pastor church within his jurisdiction but they are not officially called "Rev.", "Elder", or "Pastor" but the traditional Sanctified Church title for revered older women "Mother", "Evangelist", "Prophetess" or "Shepherdess".

What's an orthodox Christian egalitarian women and man to do? She or he do not have a kindred fellowship with those of a liberal theological stripe. She or he has more in common with her complementarian Christian brothers... and sisters! Yet when one Christian women is convinced by Scripture and the Holy Spirit to minister as the Spirit wills, she is giving "biblical boundaries" to minister because of her womanhood. Where is she to go? The harvest is ripe for the harvest. The sheep need a shepherd but she is denied the office because she is told God does not call women to shepherd the sheep because it would undermined the divinely ordained social hierarchical relationship with male and female.

Why is this an important issue for me, you ask? Because as the title of this post says, it is for God's glory alone I write this. I believe the most fundamental relational issue in the world today second to humanity's broken relationship with God is humanity's broken relationship with humanity. Male and female are in a constant struggle. Though most say it's for control and that may be true. I must say it is essentially the quest to relate with each other as male and female. It is truly a crisis of identity. What does it mean to be human as male and female. For centuries theologians have labored to study this theological problem. Yes, this is a theological problem. Sin though defeated at the Cross, it has residue with the barrels our humanity.

We as the Body of Christ still await the Second Advent of our King and the redemption of our bodies. Our bodies are sexed. We are sexual beings. Yet with the modern theories that have developed the category known as "gender" has been included in our cultural lexicon. Gender means the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Gender is formed and informed by our various cultures. Yes their are biologically gender differences. But cultures play a key role too. The paradox is gender has helped and even confused the debate among sincere orthodox believers.

This will be a long journey of discovering what God has created. We are a undone people. The Church really has to dig deep in the wells of Scripture and in the unsearchable depths of the Spirit of God. The Gospel of reconciliation doesn't just reconcile us back to God but reconciles us back to each other. The Church is the new Eden. Yet we are a undone people ever submitting ourselves in the hand of the Potter to mold us into the image of his Son. I hope to continue in faith in this discussion within the Church. The issue of women in ministerial leadership should be a non-essential issue in the Church. But the issue has roots in the essentials; the doctrine of God, the doctrine of creation, the doctrine of sin, the doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, the doctrine of the Church, and so forth. The Gospel is truly hindered when believers refrain from speaking in love. Anger rests in the bosom of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:9). Our witness must be true to Christ and the glory of the Father. A dying world is watching for us to fulfill the Master declaration that we are the city upon the hill whose lights shines for all men to see. May it shine bright so the world may glorify the Father who is in heaven and his Son who sits at his right hand forever. Amen

2007-11-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

Grace

This week has been a rough one. This past Sunday my ailing maternal grandfather fell out of his hospital bed and fractured his neck. He has a bulky neck brace to stabilize his spine so his spinal cord won't be damaged. I delayed returning to campus and went to the hospital on Monday along with many of my close relatives. He was out of it due to the morphine. He was in severe pain. He had fluid in his lungs so it was hard for him to breathe.

Late Monday night after talking with Antoine and my brother I had overwhelming sense of peace. I heard the Spirit say, "Your grandfather sleeps. He's resting in Me." I was bit scared. I was afraid to ask Him if Pop Pop had passed on. I called my cousin to ask her if there were any changes. There weren't any changes that she had heard. We spent about an hour talking about him and how we would be at peace if Pop passed on to glory because he was suffering badly.

Tuesday morning I got a call from my Mom saying that Pop was doing better. He was talking better though softly. He was feisty as ever. He wanted to go home (go figure!). He slept good. (Now I understood what God meant!).

Today I had an exam scheduled in my Electronics course. I'm not doing well in that course. I just wanted to fail the course so I could move on. I'm a bit burnt out from all this college work. The hard sciences are not my cup of tea. I put more energy in my other courses than I do this one. I spoke with Dr. Brusic my professor today. I believe my words were in the ballpark, "Fail me! I'll be okay!"

Dr. Brusic understood my burnout and my grandfather's ordeal. She lost both her parents to cancer. She gave me time to think about the repercussions of accepting a failing grade. She could've have gone ahead with it failing me, but she assured me that I was good student who does his best in the course and that the material is difficult. I walked out of that room feeling like I have experienced the wondrous grace of God. God really went before me and made a way when I was about to throw in the towel and be relieved with failing the course. I guess the Master has other plans.

2007-11-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

Praise Break

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."
Psalm 34:1

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."
Psalm 103:1

"Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD."
Psalm 150

This past week was a bit busy. My mother and stepfather moved into a nice home in Drexel Hill, a town nearby Upper Darby. It's a nice house on hilly land. They need some new furniture because their queen-size bed won't fit up the narrow stairway, but it's a homey place. They really enjoy it.

This past Thanksgiving I celebrated my 22nd year on this earth. I celebrated by having Thanksgiving dinner over my maternal grandmother's, next I visited my severely ill maternal grandfather in the hospital, then I topped off the night with some birthday cake at my great aunt's house.

I call this post a praise break because throughout the past couple weeks haven't stopped to give God praise for what He has done and what He will continually do in my life until I see Him face to face. Inspite of my spasmic decisions, He's been so good to me. He deserves more than I can owe Him, but since He's God He knows how much I love Him. Words truly cannot express my gratitude for His lovingkindness towards us. Sometimes I just think about me I forget that God is good all the time towards every human being though life's experiences tend to veil our minds to not see God's goodness. It really takes illumination from the Holy Spirit to wake me up from the slumber of self-centeredness and look up and see the beauty of holiness. God is truly amazing and I thank Him for seeing another year. I hope to see many more.

2007-11-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

Some Notes of Encouragement

A dear pastor friend of mine, Bishop Albert A. Belton gave a wonderful message today on wisdom and sanctification, and charity (the action or fruit of love). He gave me his notes to me to post on the website and I will write them as they appear with an exception of some editing. So here they are. Disclaimer: I do not necessarily agree with some of the teachings of Bishop Belton, but he has been a good resource for my personal growth. God has used him to challenge me to go and study the Word for myself to find out WHY I may disagree with some of his views on contemporary issues in the church from a Scriptural point of view. Nevertheless, I found his teaching today to be edifying and I have much respect for him and pray God continually blesses him and the church he pastors.

Please comment if you have any thoughts or disagreements. Like the Bible says we are subject to the Word for reproof, correction, and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16).

Proverbs 18:1-3
Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy* reproach.

ignominy- deep personal humiliation and disgrace; dishonorable.

Isaiah 59:15
Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.

Matthew 7:1-6 (Read)

1 Corinthians 13:1-13(Read)

Bishop Belton's Notes:

GOD is eternal, we are created. GOD knew when He created things with a free will that it could disagree with good, which is GOD. Then there would be no righteousness, peace, or joy. Therefore GOD created everything on a temporary basis to see what things would choose before He eternalized it so GOD would not be forcing His will on anyone. Is is your choice. How you will live is how you will die. If you agree with GOD you be eternalized good (my note: have a right to the tree of life). If you disagree with what GOD says you will be eternalized evil. That is your choice. When we agree with GOD and trust GOD to experience the results that they are always good. That is how we know GOD!

2007-11-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

My True Commander-in-Chief and His Political Party.....

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of his increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."
Isaiah 9:6-7

"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand...And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people."
Matthew 4: 17,23

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
Matthew 24:11-14

"Jesus answered and said unto [Nicodemus], Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 3:3

"Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate said unto him, What is truth?...."
John 18:33-38

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"
James 2:5

"And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."
Revelation 11:15

The good thing is that faith gets us in His party, and the bad thing is that unbelief keeps us out. So I by grace I must choose who will I serve? If Jesus is LORD, I must serve Him. Because in His party, nobody nominates Him, but His Father who is in Heaven. And Since He and His Father are One, knowing that Christ sits at His right hand, being the Only-Begotten not made, nobody in heaven, in earth, or under the earth can impeach Him. Christ rules and reigns as King Eternal.

He is I AM, the Good Shepherd, the Potentate, the Bishop of our souls, The Captain our salvation, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. The Holy One of God cannot be defeated for He defeated the enemy and has all authority in heaven and earth placed in His hands. To God be the glory for the things He has done. What a mighty God we serve. Angels bow before Him, Heaven and Earth adore Him. What a mighty God we serve.

2007-11-02T12:46:00.000-07:00

To the Utmost, Jesus Saves!

" Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" Eph 2:5

" For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:" Eph 2:8

"And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee." Luke 18:42

" Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

A couple of nights ago my brother Brandon called me and put me on three-way with Frankie (not her real name) a young woman with whom he has classes at Philadelphia Community College. He recently went to a Bible Study with this woman to her church which belongs to the Churches of Christ, a group of non-denominational autonomous churches sprung from the Restoration Movement. My brother sat in this Bible study listening to her Pastor as he was teaching on the fallacies of a tithing in a "New Testament Church".

Though my brother conceded the Pastor had some valid Scriptural points concerning the matter, what Brandon heard out the pastor's mouth shocked him enough to call me. The Pastor told his congregation that those professed Christians in other denominations i.e. Baptists, Methodists, Catholics, Presbyterians, and so forth were baptized into their respective "doctrines" and not according to Scripture, therefore are not saved.

Being saved in a Baptist church, I went to Creeds.net and pulled up the New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833, and read to the woman what we Baptists confess about Christian faith. One by one, I would read the articles on the Scriptures, God, Man, a Gospel Church, and so forth, Brandon would stop and asked Frankie if she agreed with these statements of confession, or if they were Scriptural. She paused and said she would have to think about it.

Then Frankie said she has to call her "brother". She put him on three-way and the man whose name I could not recall entered into the increasingly volatile conversation. He started by "testifying" that he was raised in the "Baptist organization" and was very "religious" that his parents are ordained ministers in the Baptist organization, and he was on his way to ordination in the organization until someone from the Church of Christ argued from the Scriptures that he and others in denominations were not apart of the true Church of Christ. His argument that there is no such thing as a Baptist Church but only the Churches of Christ (Romans 16:16). Anybody else does not belong to Christ.

I asked him when the Churches of Christ began, he said on the day of Pentecost. His words etched in me that I knew this wasn't going to be a pleasant conversation. He got his Bible and started saying that tithing is not for the New Testament Church (as opposed to the Old Testament Church), the Lord's Supper was supposed to be done in the evening because it was a supper, and that the Lord's Blood (wine) was to be drinking from one cup, not many. Anyone who does not practice obey what the apostles taught concerning the ordinances, is not a true Church of Christ.

Now here is the coup de grace, the man said that water baptism is necessary for salvation. His proof-text were Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38. If persons do not receive water baptism by immersion for the repentance are not saved. Brandon counterpointed that we are saved by faith not by works. The man contended by using the James passage to mean that good works (obedience) is the sign of faith and if anyone does not obey the apostolic doctrine (on baptism, tithing, Lord's Supper) is not Christ's.

I couldn't bear talking to them much longer after I was getting a little heated on the phone. I hung up and a minute later Brandon called me. I was broken close to tears. How could they be Christians and not discern the Spirit in us? How could they just immediately dismiss us as unredeemed because were baptized believers in the Baptist Church? I guess they were right and wrong about one thing, we are baptized into the Body of Christ (Church)... by the Spirit! (1 Corinthians 12:13)

I told my brother it is a dangerous thing to mess with a person's soul. These people are deceived and deceiving others into their aberrant doctrine. Apparently this man has joined a group which has shunned denominationalism to the point of rejecting all Christians in these denominations and joined a perverted form of anti-denominationalism. Now I know that the not all in the Churches of Christ would believe like this Pastor and his followers believe, but there is no doctrinal accountability or common confession or creed in this network of churches because they profess to "have no "man-made" creed but the Bible". It is unfortunate because this statement is a "man-made" creed. Baptists, who would be considered a Restorationist church, have confessions or statements of faith which like-minded Baptist churches join to form conventions or fellowships.

The Scriptures are clear concerning anyones salvation. Romans 10:917 says,

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 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? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Did Abraham's good works save him? The apostle Paul says in Romans 4:1-5,

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath [whereof] to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Abraham obeyed God because he trusted in God, not the other way around. Abraham obeyed God when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac on Mt. Moriah because Abraham trust in the Lord who was able to raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:8-19).

Our salvation rest in One, the Lord Jesus Christ. These two people and many others have a nonsensical way of interpreting Scripture. It's like I said before and will say until the day I die, even Satan can quote Bible to prove his point, but he's the father of lies! One person can interpret the Scripture apart from the Church throughout all ages. The apostle John said that we the Church have anointing of the Holy One and we know all things (1 John 2:20). Every spirit, human or nonhuman must be tried (1 John 4:1).

The next day my brother called me and said to me that he will not talk to Frankie anymore. He told her in class that he could not talk to her anyone because it really hurt him and me that a self-professed Christian told us we were not saved, even if we confess the Lord Jesus and follow Him outside of the Churches of Christ (which to them it is virtually impossible to do).

This was a hard trial but a blessing. It really urges me to search the Scriptures daily and hear the testimony of the all-sufficient Savior. I serve a mighty God who is able to take stones and raise up children unto Abraham (Matthew 3:9, Luke 3:8). I'm glad my brother, my and my family, are among these stones.

Blessings.

2007-10-20T21:29:00.000-07:00

Issues I Wonder About

"For in much wisdom [is] much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Ecclesiastes 1:18 KJV

I have written many comments on different blogs regarding many issues I feel passionate about. Usually the blogs are conservative and evangelical for instance The Parchment and the Pen. One blog I read is from acclaimed biblical scholar, speaker, and author Renita J. Weems. I noticed for the most part I'm discussing topics quoting scripture to make a point.

It seems though in my talking I'm preaching to the choir. I've come to a realization of how unedifying this practice may be. I'm talking to Christians of different stripes and it's good to talk with members of the Body. However I'm questioning who really gets the the glory.

I know that there is a lot of false doctrine out there being taught. There are some Spirit-led apologists out there in the world wide web defending the faith "once delivered to the saints." But I wonder...

Christians, at least in the United States, have a bad reputation. Well more particular self-professed born-again, Bible-believing Christians of the evangelical, fundamentalist and Pentecostal stripe. Other Christians like main-line Protestants, Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox rarely are "hissed" at by non-Christians, especially the media. Well the Catholics with the whole sexual abuse in the priesthood is an exception.

Televangelism is another pet peeve to many in and outside of American Christendom. (Mis)representations of Pentecostal/Charismatic movement by self-proclaim healing evangelists, prophets, and mega-preachers, some promoting the so-called prosperity gospel (i.e. TBN, Daystar, GOD TV), and one of the key patriarchs of the so-called Religious Right still lingering on the airwaves, Dr. Pat Robertson, (Drs. D. James Kennedy and Jerry Falwell both died this year), and the whole so-called cultural war forged by many conservative evangelicals leaves a bad taste in the mouths of this postmodern, post-Christian generation.

This generation are has an aversion to claims of absolute truth. Moral relativism, nihilism, and consumerism reign supreme in Western societies like the United States and many places in Europe. The Church in the eyes of the outsiders is nothing but a great disappoint. The Church has wedded itself to power (Holy Roman Empire; American government) for centuries. Many see that the Church has failed to stand up to, were complicit in, or directly responsible for A.D. civilizations greatest atrocities (the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, the Holocaust, chattel slavery, and so forth). I wonder... does the Church look like Jesus Christ?

There have been many books written on the organism/institution called the Church. What is the Church? What is the purpose of its existence? What is its mission? Has it failed in its mission?

Now I know that Jesus found the Church and have "her" a mission? I could quote the scriptures until Jesus comes? My point writing this post is that the Church in America is failing to get acquainted with what N.T. Wright calls "the Story and the Task" in his latest book Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. The Church in America is ignorant of her mission. Too many Christian fail at showing what the Church is for instead of showing the Church is against. The mission of the Church is to preach the gospel of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tell us (and I'm about to quote the Scriptures):

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 KJV

The apostles preached what Jesus commissioned them to declare to Jerusalem and to all of Judea and Samaria and all over the world. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:7-8).

How does the Body of Christ reach out a world who distrusts us? Many murders, lynches, burnings, rapes, tortures, and other atrocities have been done "in the name of Christ." Protestants killed Catholics. Catholics killed Protestants. Protestants killed each other. Both Churches persecuted Jews and Muslims. With this grave history lingering over the Church, know wonder why non-Christians cannot stand us. Many will read this and say, "But those are not true Christians! We are not responsible for their actions." I agree. However, the world doesn't know this.

What is a Christian? Who is Jesus Christ? Many non-Christians like Jesus... so they say, but not the Church. Many look up to Jesus of Nazareth as a good spiritual guru, a champion of tolerance (whatever that is); a social reformer and political activist; a moral man who died a unjust death at the hands of the Roman Empire. But they ask, "who the hell are these Christians? They don't look like Jesus. Didn't Jesus teach people not to judge? Didn't Jesus teach to turn the other cheek? To love your neighbor?"

It is easy to give Scriptural rebuttals to defend the true Jesus Christ. However, many people especially in America don't read the Bible. Quite frankly many so-called Bible-believing Christians don't read the Bible. I wonder why...

Jesus is the Word made flesh. God became a man to save us. He charged his disciples to be the salt and the light of the world. Yet it seems that Christians have been caught up in behaving badly, being hypocritical, arrogant, and judgmental, and getting too involved with politics. Isn't it funny that the early Christians knew that Jesus is Lord and not Caesar and yet Caesar is now the people and not one single man. We Western Christians are a part of that great ideology called democracy. The people rule. We are Caesar.

Maybe that's why so many evangelicals are scared to not give up their rights to free exercise of religion. Evangelicals and Catholics what hate crime laws to be eradicated. Want traditional marriage to be defined in the law and to abolish abortion. While these are noble causes, I wonder if we are being selfish. Instead of loving not our lives to death and making sure the gospel is proclaimed, evangelicals want to have their cake and eat it too. Persecution of the righteous is inevitable. Is this what being salt and light to the world. Defending traditional marriage (whatever that means) and yet our marriages are failing. Abolishing abortion but abandon single mothers to take care of their children and banishing them from churches? Many white evangelicals still are against affirmative action. Many black evangelicals don't believe in reparations for African Americans. Why?

Some may rebut my "pondering" by saying that liberal/progressive Christians are too political as well. I agree. My point is that what is the central mission of the Church? Declaring traditional family values, human rights or Christ Jesus? What are traditional family values? Who's traditions? And are they truly scriptural? Progressive Christians of all stripes claim that their values, beliefs and actions are scriptural? Are they?

With all of this going through my mind, I wonder... how does the Father feel about the so-called Church's behavior and attitude towards the world. Did He not send His only Begotten in the world not to condemn but to save it? Which such costly grace bestowed upon wretches like us, how dare we turn up our noses at the world? We will see Christ on that last day and He stares into our face and say, "I never knew you." If He hewed out the natural branches and grafted the wild ones in, doesn't He have the power to hew us out? I wonder...

2007-10-13T14:17:00.000-07:00

A Necessary Conversation

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5: 16 KJV

Today before the end of the homecoming game at Millersville University, I was walking home with my brother Antoine. As we were walking down N. George Street to Duncan Alumni House we came across a young woman who I knew from some where but I couldn't place her where or when. She stopped us and initiated a conversation. She said that she knew me by association ("Your Blaine's roommate.") I responded yes.

The young woman spoke completely honest with us about her present condition ("I'm drunk right now.") She told us that her boyfriend was the one who died in a recent car accident. Dominic was a senior at MU was expected to graduate in December. She told me that she was feeling very helpless and she knew that when she saw us walking down the street she had to stop us because she knew that Antoine and I were "spiritual".

This "cry for help" turned into the most beautiful conversation I've ever had with a person. As Vanessa began to share her feelings with us, her countenance changed from that of despair to peace and joy. Vanessa is a passionate, life-loving, sincere young woman who lost someone with whom she was passionately in love. She referred to her deceased boyfriend as her "kindred spirit"; a person who really understands her and truly accepts the beauty that is Vanessa. During her time of tragedy Vanessa's story became a triumph. "I have this strange feeling of peace," Vanessa said. "I know he's watching over me." She felt guilty for having this peace, but Antoine gently assured her that she's in the right place.

Antoine and I listened to this brilliant minded young woman who poured out her heart and her desire to be a good person. The most uplifting part of this experience was not talking but listening to this woman fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God (Psalm 139:14). I gave Vanessa my number and we parted ways.

I praise God for setting Antoine and me up for this opportunity to minister to Vanessa. The powerful thing about this experience was that we didn't quote Scripture, we didn't speak with other languages (Christianese) nor did we condemn Vanessa. Truly Christ used us to be a listeners of Vanessa and to bear witness of Him to her. I really praise God for Vanessa for showing me what it means to love and be loved. What it means to keep it real.

Most importantly, I praise Him for making us vessels of His glory. What Vanessa saw in us that drew her to us wasn't us, but Christ en-fleshed in us. Truly I understand now to let the light sine before men and women. This verse says that they will the good works in us and they will glorify the Father who is in Heaven. Truly God deserves all the glory, the honor, and the praise for this "necessary conversation."

2007-10-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

There's Been a Change in Me

For the past two weeks I have had a sudden change in my mind. I have never had such a sense of conviction. Just a few months ago I was an idolatrous young man. I was coveting to look like other guys, the muscular athletic type. I would look a pornography on the Internet. I would dream lewd fantasies. Not really God glorifying to say the least. But now something is different. It's not that I feel saved. I know I am saved.

I really want to follow Jesus. There is no turning back. I am on the road to discipleship. Salvation is wonderful the I want to grow in Christ. I want to study the Scriptures for edification. I want to teach others the ways of God. I have visions of preaching the Gospel of Christ. I have visions of ministering to different people from all walks of life. Saved and sinner. Wow, what a mighty God we serve!

Tomorrow is the beginning of fall break. When I come back I start an on-campus job on Wednesday. I have really study for my classes. I want to be diligent student in my last year of undergraduate school. Keep me in your prayers.

Blessings,

Jason

2007-09-15T08:33:00.000-07:00

A Home in Zion

Is there a home for me in Zion,
That dear, beautiful, wonderful, marvelous City of God?
She's calling me to come up thither unto her and to rest in her arms filled with the love her
Beloved,
She sings songs of hope, joy, compassion, forgiveness,
completeness,
She sings not of herself, but of the One whose Spirit
emanates from her Bosom.
The glorious Savior has brought her forth
from His precious, bleeding side.
She is the Second Eve, the mother of all living,
her Beloved, the Second Adam.
She shouts songs of praise, victory, and triumph over Death, Hell, and the Grave.
The Evil One is placed under her feet.

She is adorned with precious jewels of mercy and grace.
She is clothed in the Glory of her Father and his Son.
She declares the goodness of her matchless King throughout
the generations.
She is filled with the children of many nations who bear the marks of
persecution and wear precious white garments cleansed in the Blood
of the Risen Lamb from the stains of iniquity.

Heaven and earth shout for the victory of the Master who has brought
His Bride before the throne of grace.
"Rejoice, O Zion," all of creation declares,
"Your King has won the war!"

Zion walks in humility and in grace.
She calls all sinners to repentance and to turn from
their wicked ways and seek forgiveness from the Lord.
Then He shall place them in that beautiful City of Peace.

So as long as I have breath, I find a home in Zion,
That dear, beautiful, wonderful, marvelous City of God.

2007-09-13T20:52:00.000-07:00

Blessed Fellowship

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20

I had a wonderful time at Bible Campus Ministries' first meeting Thursday evening. We were going to start C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity but people didn't have their books. So I started by opening up the floor with reading passages from Genesis and Matthew's Gospel concerning Jesus' genealogy. Then the Spirit led us through passages in Galatians, John's Gospel, and a few others. Liberation comes from hearing the Word of God proclaimed. One of the sisters there at the meeting was set free to repent of hypocrisy which we all must realize, confess, and repent of it when it shows up in our hearts. A sister by the name of Cindy transferred from Harrisburg Area Community College. She's from York and a powerful young woman of God. She spoke the words of Life in that place. I was truly blessed by the fellowship in B.C.M. God is truly amazing.

2007-09-10T15:50:00.000-07:00

In His Will

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever."

1 John 2:15-17 KJV, emphasis mine

These last few days were rough. I had experienced a spiritual attack from the enemy last Thursday morning while I was in class. Then Friday evening I was set off by something that happened earlier in the day. For the sake of privacy of the persons involved I won't expound on the event. Then Saturday I learned that I was denied a student VISA credit card from my credit union, so they closed my checking account. I had a haircut appointment that day. I had to cancel it.

I went home to Philadelphia. I didn't go straight home. I went down to Borders Books on Broad Street. I was so perturbed I felt like I was a walking throbbing live nerve ready to be set off. I spent an hour in the Religion section looking for something to help me get through my trial. Dallas Willard's The Spirit of the Disciplines seemed like a good read so I purchased it.

When I got back to Millersville to work on my two packages for Broadcast News Reporting course. I didn't finish editing the projects (I don't know nothing about video editing). I was so distraught, so many thoughts race through my mind.

I'm walking my friend home, my sister in the Lord Aisha called me... just in time! I didn't know whether or not I should stay at Millersville or not. I knew in my gut that God has brought me too far to give up now. Aisha implored me to pray when I get home.

I spent some time with God. The Voice within rebuked me. Last night I learned that God has two wills, his permissive will, and his perfect will. (Disclaimer: This is the Pentecostal in me so if this too subjective for you, pray for discernment): The Lord told me that I was in his permissive will when I wanted to do my thing (i.e. culinary school), but He has called me to be in His perfect will. He said that I needed to stay at Millersville for one more semester because I'm not ready yet. There's things I need to do. I know this is true because I was so anxious and stressed about leaving Millersville. After hearing His Voice the peace of God passed over me.

I dropped my Broadcast News Reporting course today. I'm dropping my Still Photography course tomorrow. I will be full time with four courses. Next semester I will be doing an internship, taking Still Photography and another course.

After this prayer, a song called "Your Will is What's Best for Me" came to my spirit. I realized that God's perfect will is what Christians should strive to be in. It is our purpose to walk in His perfect will. If one will fully submit to the will of the Father, one must be forewarned that it will cost us. Jesus tell His disciples about counting the cost when following Him. To follow Christ, to live the way He lived-in full submission to the will of His Father is the duty of the believer.

Being in God's will is a mystery in the true sense of the word. It is an "hidden truth": O, may be search for this hidden treasure. May we be led by the Spirit of God.

So this is a new day for me. The road ahead is great and filled with life's vicissitudes. It's good to know that the Lord is with me leading me into the paths of righteousness.

2007-09-06T16:37:00.000-07:00

Christ Really Matters!

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 KJV

I just got back from the Park City Mall in Lancaster, PA. I picked up some books for Bible Campus Ministries tonight. I still have a mild tension headache. As I reflect on the thoughts that I have this morning, I'm beginning to realize how much that I need the Lord Jesus Christ. I need Him to live. I need His strength, His peace, His protection, His Comfort, His Truth, His love, His grace. I need Him now more than ever before. I just don't need Him to save me (which is daily), but I need His leading. He is Lord and Savior. My God, He's the only Way out of this system of confusion. Proverbs declares that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge (1:7). I really need to reverence the LORD of Glory. His Justice, His Righteousness, His Light, His Salvation, His Power, His Anointing keeps me from drowning in the seas of doubt and despair. Though at times I feel like giving up the charades that Christians are prone to play by giving up on Jesus, His Love keeps me from falling. And if I fall, He is there to catch me. What a mighty God we serve!

It's almost time to facilitate the first session of Bible Campus Ministries. I really don't like the name but that's neither here nor there.

2007-09-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

Christ Matters

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Romans 5:10 KJ

I just got back from lecture given by a local print journalist in my Business Professional Communication. As I was sitting I was having spiritual warfare. The battlefield was my mind. I never experience such a cynical view of the Body of Christ. I felt a serious disillusionment of the Church. The issues that the Church is facing is staggering. How the Church handles many life-and-death issues is crazy. It's not one thing, it's the other. If it's not the Christian Right, it's the Christian Left. If it's not Pentecostalism, it's Cessationism. If it's not so-called "prosperity pimps", it's Liberation theology. If it's not Suburban nostalgia, it's urban plight. If it's not female subordinationism, it's gender feminism. If it's not perception, it's expression. If it's not anti-gay, it's pro-gay.

Not everyone in the churches of America let alone the world is of the Body of Christ, but that's for the Lord to know. Discerning who is of the brethren is difficult. How can I know who is God's and who is not. The debates concerning biblical interpretation, authority, and all the others is still going strong. Being in the multifarious evangelical tradition, I see this debate not subsiding anytime soon. It's been going on since before my birth for many centuries.

While I was sitting in that chair trying to listen to the lecturer, a million of questions seem to running in my mind. What is the Church? Who makes up the Church? Is the evangelical church the Church? is the black church the Church? Am I of the Church? Have we doing a good job representing Christ? Is Christianity about morals, standard, ethics, traditional family values, rights of the oppressed and marginalized, getting our piece of the pie before "going up yonder to meet the Lord"? Is is about all of these things?

When those questions arose I felt such a "spirit" of abandonment. It was that God was abandoning me, but it was as if I was giving up on the Faith called Christianity. Here's the crazy struggle: I couldn't be an atheist or agnostic because I know the Lord (I really met Him). I couldn't give up so-called evangelical Christianity because I believe the Gospel of Christ. I couldn't give up Pentecostal experience because the "graces" of the Holy Spirit are still real today as they were 2000 years ago at Pentecost and in the early Church. I couldn't be a Leftist Christian because it would be an intellectual and spiritual death sentence. I don't want to be a member of the Religious Right because there's too much moralism, hypocrisy, power hunger, and cultural captivity. The thing is the Right and the Left are both culturally captivated either by traditionalism or Enlightenment-tinged progressivism. I always wondered what progressives are progressing towards. As I perused their websites, I fear it's not towards Christ.

As I was wrestling in my mind, I heard the Spirit say "Trust me. Fix your eyes upon Jesus." I felt like giving up on God because of the excesses that have bewitched the Church in America. Sometimes I know why many non-Christians claim to "Love Jesus, but hate the Church". Though I know that the Christ said that truly if the world hates the Church, it's because they hate Him first. I see that sometimes Christians can hid behind the cliche "we're all sinners". But the redeemed of the Lord have no excuse to live unclean lives for the world. There's too much hypocrisy even within me. Too much vagueness. Where is the authenticity that says "But for the grace of God, there go I." The Gospel of Christ has been traded with many perversions: the gospel of prosperity, the gospel of traditional family values, the gospel of "to each his own", the gospel of "God hates gays", the gospel of "God made me this way", the gospel of inclusion, the gospel of "I want a God who accepts me the way that I am." Where is true holiness? Where is true grace? Where is Christ Jesus?

As one writer I read says that many of the churches in America are filled with pious atheists and agnostics.

I finished reading the small but powerful book Basic Christianity by John R.W. Stott, an acclaimed British evangelical preacher and author. He writes, "Christianity is Christ". To make Christianity about morals and ethics is to make Christianity about self. Self-preservation, self-aggrandizement, self-righteousness. Self-centeredness. It's about us. But the really is that Christianity is all about Jesus the Christ. It's about who He is and what he has done for us. He saves us from ourselves. We have to give up ourselves in order to truly find ourselves. So who are we supposed to be? What is our purpose in life as human beings? Through, by, and in Christ, we become new creation. God reconciles us back to Himself through Christ (His Sonship, His work on the Cross, His Resurrection) by faith (our response to the Lord Jesus).

As I am finish writing this it's been cathartic experience. I must cast my cares on Christ's shoulders because I know He cares for me. I'm learning that people are not the enemy but the devil and his cohorts. I'm learning to give grace and be merciful towards people I may disagree with either if they're for the Left or the Right.

I'm also beginning to understand that my allegiance is not to political ideologies or parties but to Christ and His Kingdom. That includes the Church. There is not solitary Christian in existence as theologian Ralph C. Wood says. I'm one of many members that make up the Body of Christ. It is my hope that Christians all over the world understands that a Christian is not a person who just believes in the ethical teachings of a poor carpenter from a small town in ancient Palestine called Nazareth. A Christian is a name giving to persons who believes and confesses that "Jesus is Lord." Belief is inward. Confession is outward. Christ is not a private matter. Christ is our whole Life and the Light of the world. The Way has made the way. Let us live in Him and walk after His Spirit.

2007-08-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

Rest for the Mind, Hopefully!

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Isaiah 26:3 KJV

It's 12:07a.m. EST and I'm writing on about my first two days of my last semester at Millersville University. It's been a hectic two days. I had to register for six courses in order to meet my December graduation goal. The Bursar's Office sent the refund check (the money left over from semester bill) to my home address so my mother and her friend's son came to Millersville to drop it off. They ended up in another town two stops after Lancaster. I called a friend to come pick them up from Mount Joy, PA. It was irritating for three people to spend the night in a small room, but that's what happened. My mother rested well (snoring that would wake the dead). I bought all my books and other supplies Tuesday. I still have to do more shopping for two classes. I'm so excited about next Friday. I'm going to visit the French Culinary Institute in New York.

For the past few days I have been hitting up blogs and posting comments. It have be tedious expressing opinions to people you don't know, you can't see and may won't meet ever in your life. It can be a bit impersonal. I wonder how people would interact with someone whom they don't concur. It would be something special to experience.

I have to stay up and study for my Electronic systems course. I have that class at 12:45p.m. I'm going to have a very busy semester. Studying and working on projects. It will take up my time. I also have to oversee Bible Campus Ministries until December. I have to maintain my focus. By God, that Bachelor's degree shall be mine!

I haven't been sleeping good for the past two days. I was so anxious late Sunday evening that I stayed up the whole night lying down in bed. Then when my mom and Anthony came, I didn't sleep. I guess I will go to sleep and wake up later this morning at 6:30a.m. I'll be rested. I'll have some breakfast afterwards then I'll be ready for the day. Hallelujah!

2007-08-25T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Wisdom of Listening and Reading... Carefully: My view of Michael Eric Dyson
Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." King James Version, emphasis mine

I have decided to engage in the practice of listening and reading (I'm addicted to reading) to understand a person's worldview that is totally different from my own. Both listening and "active" reading is about understanding the Other. One such Other I'm learning about is the Rev. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Dyson seems to be the most popular black public intellectual in America these days. A prolific scholar and teacher, an ordained Baptist minister and philosopher, Dyson wrote over fourteen books dealing with issues relevant to the nation and the African-American community. He's quick, sharp; a rhetorical genius as some praisers would acclaim. Critics say he is a swindler and a fast-talker whose irrelevant. Well with New-York times bestselling books, America seems to be noticing Dr. Dyson's body of work.

When I first heard of him in high school, I didn't get know what he was about. I first heard Dyson speak in February 2002 on a Saturday. Dyson joined other African-American public intellectuals at a Post-9/11 Black America Colloquium organized by famed political commentators and TV and radio talk show hosts Tavis Smiley and Tom Joyner. The colloquium was hosted at Sharon Baptist Church in Philadelphia. My mother and I went and sat among over two thousand in attendance. The moderator was Harvard Law School's Charles J. Ogletree. I sat there in the crowd to listen to acclaimed speakers like Iyanla Vanzant, Elder Bernice King, Sonia Sanchez, scholar/writer/activist Cornel West (Dyson's mentor), Al Sharpton among others. Dyson sat among his colleagues. I heard his views on poverty, black issues, the impending war in Afghanistan, homophobia, sexism, racism, black church. He was sharp; he was bold; he was eloquent; he was poised; he responded to Ogletree's questions with passion and zeal and with an informed mind- he knew his stuff! The people who were mostly black ate him up! I didn't really know what to feel or how to process what he said. Later I learned that Dyson's views are pretty leftist politically, socially, and theologically but my youth and ignorance couldn't sort out his worldview. The next day the pastor of Sharon, Rev. Dr. Keith W. Reed, Sr. invited Dyson to preach that Sunday at the 11:00a.m. I think Dyson preached from a text in first or second Chronicles. His sermon was... well, I don't know if I could call it a sermon. It seemed like a lecture of his ideas rather than the preaching of God's Word. I think I remember telling my cousin, "Is that a sermon? He didn't say anything!"

I wanted to understand this man's views of the world. On day during the summer of 2004 I went to my favorite place on earth (Border's Books) to buy some good reads. I happened to go to the African-American studies section and saw The Michael Eric Dyson Reader, a collection of Dyson's essays, transcripts of debates, and excerpts from books and published articles throughout his rather illustrious professional writing career. It's a thick book. It had some rave reviews on the back cover. I jovially purchased his work among other books and magazines and took it home to start reading.

When I got home and settled opened up to read the book I looked some of the chapters title's like Chapther 4's "The Liberal Theory of Race", Chapter 11's "Giving Whiteness a Black Eye". There were others that really stuck out like Chapter 19's "Homotextualities: The Bible, Sexual Ethics, and the Theology of Homoeroticism."

I immediately raced to the 19th chapter. What I read completely disturbed me...big time! It was a transcript of an interview of Dyson conducted by gay activist Khevon LaGrone. In the introductory paragraph before the interview, Dyson writes:

The issue of homosexuality has reaped a whirlwind of controversy and acrimonious debate in most Christian communities. I believe that one of the explanations for black homophobia is the realization that if heterosexuality-the supposed "normal" sexuality- has been demonized in the West for centuries, then surely black homosexuality will only up the ante of black oppression. Thus, ironically enough, blacks identify with mainstream sexual values- the very mainstream that has censored and castigated black heterosexuality- when they practice homophobia. I am not arguing that homophobia allows blacks to forge solidarity with a culture that has excluded them. Thus one form of bigotry is traded for the another. In this interview... I argue that lesbians, bisexuals, gays, transgender, and all other-sexed people have a right to the "tree of life," and that they can find theological and biblical support for their religious and sexual existence (238).

When I skimmed through this interview reading Dyson's words about how biblical writers may have gotten stuff wrong and may have mistaken and were biased, infusing their own personal ideologies in the text, saying that conservative or "fundamental" Christians practice bibliolatry, the worship of the Bible because we don't treat it like any other text in the world, I wanted to cry. I put it down and didn't pick the book up for months. At times I tried to pick up to read more, but the more I read, the more I'd get angry.

Now as I get older, I'm realizing that I can never fully be a witness for Jesus, even to self-professed Christians who actually preach "another" gospel (or in Dyson's mind "social" gospel is the gospel) if I don't carefully study, listen, analyze the paradigm or worldview or worldviews from a person stands. I must learn how to minister grace to the hearers as the Lord Jesus did to the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. Michael Eric Dyson's life is filled with complexity as are all of ours. His views were shaped from his experiences which he has written in the book. I understand the hardships he experienced as a young man. I don't agree with him on everything that's for sure. His views of God, Christ, and the faith called Christianity is different than my own. I must admit I learned to respect him for his honesty even if I believe he is deceived on many things. I'm learning not to hate Dr. Dyson, but loving him is something I'm working on daily.

But this time I will really read what this man is saying to a dying world. Dyson claims in the last chapter to stand in a "prophetic" tradition as many public intellectuals in this age. However, Dyson is very different from the biblical prophets. As Dyson speaks his mind concerning the world pulling from the various philosophical and religious traditions he has embraced in his life's experience, the prophets do not speak their minds. To do so would cost them their lives. The prophets spoke God Word via the power of the Spirit though not divorcing the holy men and women from their minds, their languages, and from within their contexts. Diverse over time, but still God's Word.

Dyson believes that it is the duty of black public intellectuals to use their minds to shed light on the issues that threaten the well being of blacks and American democracy. I believe as a future minister of the Gospel it is the duty of the saints to yield our whole being to the will of the Father to shine the light of Christ on a dying world so through Him as according to Revelation 22:14,

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

2007-08-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

"Minor" Adjustments

I am in my new room in Gilbert Hall at MU. I didn't know it would be hard to adjust. It seems I'm closer to graduation with every passing day. It makes be feel a bit down to just think about it. The funny thing is that the fall semester hasn't started yet. I'm no longer a Resident Assistant, which provided a nice stream of income for me. I'm glad that I found some great friends in my former colleagues. Liz, Joan, Josh, and Ben are great!! Melissa is a good person, too. This week we'll find some time this week to spend together since they are all in training.

I plan to set up a calender for this semester. I have deadlines to meet both personally and academically. I have to reorganize some of the books for Bible Campus Ministries, the organization of which I'm apart. I also have to purchase round-trip tickets to NYC. My mother and I are visiting the French Culinary Institute on 462 Broadway Avenue. I also have to study and plan for the GRE exam. And I cannot forget the graduate school applications!

I had a wonderful talk with my older brother Brandon today. We were talking about biblical topics like tithes and firstfruits as well as his plans to earn a Ph.D. in theology or in a related field. I visited Joan this afternoon and allowed her to burn some of my CDs on her computer. Some of them included music by CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin, and Kathy Troccoli.

Overall God has been good to me. He's been keeping me alive thus far. He wakes me up in the morning even when I'd rather stay asleep. This reminds that the lazy love sleep... or the bored which I can be a bit of both sometimes. It's good be in the land of the living. God is greatly to be praised!

2007-08-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

A New Season is Coming...

Today was the start of a refreshingly new season. I'm moving out of my current dorm into another one on Monday. Over the past year I've collected nearly one hundred scholarly articles and papers! Today I purged myself from every single one of them. I recycled, of course! I thank God that I did it in peace. I usually get very emotionally attached to something like scholarly articles. Yes, I'm a nerd! Most of the articles pertained to the recent research in Pentecostal and Evangelical Theologies. I also collected articles on preaching, ethics, and sexuality from a Christian perspective.

Since it's almost time to move on with my life I know I have make some important decisions. I will have decide whether or not to keep my books from college since I'm moving to culinary school then graduate school. Yep, after December I'll be enrolling in a culinary school for six months. Bon Apetit. I've been cooking since I was seven years old and I have a passion for the culinary arts! Food network is my favorite cable channel. then off to Regent University for about four years.

After earning my masters degrees in divinity and cinema-television producing, I'm off New York City, the Big Apple. Hallelujah! Please keep me in your prayers. Peace.

2007-08-01T15:05:00.000-07:00

Summer Reading: The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother

I have recently finished a wonderful book written by acclaimed journalist and jazz musician James McBride. It is a gripping about his mother, Ruth McBride Jordan who reveals her son her mysterious past. Its book which deals with the volatile topics of race, religion, identity, and family. It is an emotionally gripping, triumphant piece. I would recommend to anyone. Be blessed!

2007-07-25T10:59:00.000-07:00

Peace in the Valley

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace. whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isaiah 26:3 KJV

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 KJV

I must confess that the LORD is my Peace: Jehovah-Shalom. He gives me peace of mind. He corrects me in his tender mercies and his unfailing love. He shows me the paths of righteousness and sanctifies me in my innermost being. Though I have been straying, the Master keeps me within His sheepfold. He is a Father that never fails to keep His promises. He is a God that delivers His people from the enemy's hands. He is a Keeper of the people of God. He is my Rock, my Fortress, my Shield, my Strength, my Song, my Rest. He gives peace of mind. He speaks through visions and dreams. He blesses the weak and exalts the humble. He abases the proud and shuts down the wicked. I love Him more today than yesterday. I know He loves me better than I love myself. Bless His Name! Bless God when you get the chance. When your money is funny and your bills are due. When your peace is running thin and your family is in a rut. When you are dealing with unreasonable people in your everyday experience, Bless God. He deserves the praise and the glory. He has kept us in the land of the living. :I will bless the Lord at all times," says the Psalmist, and his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Somebody thank God for His peace!!!! He's keeping me through the Valley!

2007-07-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Here's a thought.

I'm sitting in my room chilling thinking about Christians and our relationship with cyberspace. More specifically, I've been thinking about the reason I have a weblog. I rarely post anything unless I've have been thinking about it or praying about it. My question to myself was: How is God glorified in my writing. Jesus declares that we shall give an account for every idle word spoken on the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36). So everything that is written on this blog should give glory to God. So what I write from now on will give God glory if I haven't really up till now.

A Prayer:
So Father this cyberjournal will bring You glory. This will be an honest place of reflection and prayer, Lord. Thank You for the opportunity to live one more day. May this weblog be consecrated and used for thy good pleasure O God. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen.

2007-06-30T14:37:00.000-07:00

Wounded Lover: Part 2 of my "Meet the Faith" review

Last Sunday's episode of "Meet the Faith" is a taste of an ongoing tension two branches of Zion that rarely get together and discuss what's going one in America. Each branch draws the boundary lines in what's really wrong in America. I am a lover of both but they are like two brides that don't talk to each other that often.

In Mark Noll's Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, he describes in himself as a "wounded lover" in relation to American evangelicalism. I haven't read the book yet but he basic thesis is that evangelicalism suffers from a bout of anti-intellectualism. I would like to borrow this moniker and use it to describe myself as a "wounded lover". I have two loves that don't seem to get along when invited to a party: American Evangelicalism and the Black Church.

Now many researchers/scholars would argue that the largest segment of the evangelical tradition come from the African American community. But for many African American Christians, the word evangelical carries a very negative connotation. The word connotes complicity with the status quo. The Black Church has been a "prophetic voice" against systemic oppression and poverty. Historically many in the white Evangelical community haven't helped in the fight for civil rights. Some of the most central figures in the so-called Religious Right openly promoted racial segregation in public schools, churches, and marriages. Currently the Black Church doesn't generally align itself with the Republican party, while the white Evangelical Church generally does.

The Black Church is very diverse in itself. Some scholars include any non-Christian traditions i.e. Islam, Yoruba within its definition. The Black Church features evangelicals, Catholics, mainline Protestants, Holiness, and Pentecostals/Charismatics. The Black Church has been a central socio-political citadel since its inception during the late 1700s. The Black Church was the advocate for the people. It was a meeting place for worship and social change strategy-formation. Today the Black Church is experiencing a civil war. With the upsurge of black megachurches, the so-called "prosperity gospel", and the taboo subject of homosexuality within the Black Church being challenged, the Black Church is in a battle to keep its social relevance.

The stereotypical preoccupation with my two loves are as follows: mainstream Evangelicalism is preoccupied with traditional marriage and abortion, the Black Church elimination poverty, reforming public school education and improving the health care system, and advancing black economic empowerment. One branch primarily promotes private traditional morality while the other promotes social justice or public government morality. When will we will ever talk with one another, pray with one another, and most of all love one another?

2007-06-24T19:51:00.000-07:00

It's all Greek to me! And it's scary!!! Part 1. of my review of 06/24/07's BET's "Meet the Faith" program.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us it is the power of God." I Corinthians 1:18 KJV

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid from them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 KJV

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." I Corinthians 1:23-24

I watched BET's "Meet the Faith" hosted by Dr. Ian Smith. The topic "Black Homophobia". The topic dealt with the issues of the treatments of black gay people inside the black community specifically the black church. The panelists were acclaimed actress/singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, social commentator and author Keith Boykin, and pastor and author Bishop Bernard Jordan. I must say that I was deeply grieved in my spirit watching this "debate". Smith asked if homosexuality is a sin. Bishop Jordan, taking the conservative position on homosexuality, was not match for Boykin and Ralph's sharp rebuttals from the liberal side . When dealing with this topic, Boykin and Ralph invoked "support" from the Bible: the silence of Jesus on the issue (if one believes he was really silent of the issue), the history of treatment of the blacks in America: how religion specifically the Bible was used to oppress Blacks, not permitting them to marry because they were considered subhuman therefore not U.S. citizens; the "cursed race" descending from the biblical figure Ham. Using quick rhetorical wit, Boykin and Ralph won the debate!

I must say as I watched this debate, I was deeply saddened. Saddened because as a Christian, what was said can cost someone an eternity because death and life are in the power of the tongue according to Proverbs 18:22. This post will be the first part of my take on Keith Boykin's theological arguments for the acceptance of homosexuality as a variant norm of God's creation. I must preface by stating that I am not a trained scholar of the bible (yet), theology(yet), religion(maybe), sociology, history, psychology, sexology, cultural studies, law, and ethics, nor politics. I am just an observer. These are just my postings on what very little knowledge I have accumulated in my short 21 years of living on the Father's earth.

Theological and Philosophical Assumptions of (Homo)Sexuality

Keith Boykin, from what I observed, believes that as a [progressive/liberal] Christian, God made some people ontologically gay/lesbian/bisexual. His argument can be summed up by in the following: God could not have made a law against persons of the same sex/gender from engaging in sexual acts if they by nature have emotional, affectional, romantic, physical and/or erotic attractions for others of the same sex. If he did, he would not be a just, loving God because "same-gender loving" people are made to love one another in such a manner. If God calls gays to celibacy, he calls them to a life of sadness, denying a fixed, immutable part of the being thust ultimately denying their humanity "being who they are." (This is the essentialist philosophy). Science says that homosexuality can be found in the natural world i.e. in animals. So homosexuality is perfectly natural just as heterosexuality and any sanction against it is coming from pre-scientific (primitive) minds, ignorance and fear of the unknown i.e. homophobia.

To any thinking person, this may sound like a legitimate reasonable, coherent argument. One can easily can accept this argument for people being "who they are". I must find that his argument is valid... within a pagan Greek philosophical understanding of humanity. Western Christianity and Western culture in general are heavily influenced by Greek philosophy. When one reads the Bible through these Greek glasses, one can and most likely will interpret the Scriptures through this prism. The concept of nature maybe be generally assumed to be agreed upon but it's not. Nature, especially human nature from a Greek influenced post-Enlightenment/modernist view is drastically different from the view from the Scriptures which were written within a heavily Judean/Semitic culture spanning over 1500 years.

Side note: Granted, many conservatives generally use as argument from the Scriptures for women's restricted roles in the church and the home. But truth be told, virtually all traditional theological anthropology in Christendom is heavily influenced by Greek philosophical assumptions of humanity. Early church theologians were trained in Greek philosophy before converting to Christianity i.e. Justin Martyr. I am not saying that some didn't see the error in a lot of Greek philosophical and religious thought however humans are generally subject to culture and cannot be unscathed by their surrounding traditions. Many argue for the subordination of women in the home and the church and appeal to some ontological quality of a woman that makes in natural for her to be submissive in the home and the church. But many don't realize that this assumption is more pagan than Scriptural. Many evangelical complementarians would not agree with many of early church theologians view's of women's ontology but have modified their arguments for the restrictions of women in church leadership and equal partnerships with their husbands in Christian homes. The Holy Scriptures are God's Word revealed in human cultures foreign to our 21st Western sensibilities. Scriptural exegesis should engage literary, cultural, historical context as well as languages. Language cannot be separated from culture.

Many take the existentialist view on sexual orientation, meaning one is not born or chooses to be gay/straight/bisexual/lesbian, but one becomes gay/straight/lesbian/bisexual. Being or Dasein is always in the process of becoming in the world. So is Boykin's view of gay people biblical? Is gay a ontological category (who) according to the Scriptures? Let's see:

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

So the answer is ... no. Here's a thought. According this Scripture; straight is not an ontological category neither. This might stump people. A conservative Christian may ask "Didn't God intend for us to be heterosexual?" This might help answering that question; here's a spirit-quickening quotes from Conservative Jewish philosopher and theologian Rabbi Joel Beasley:

As far as the Jewish religion goes, there are no homosexuals in the world, nor have there ever been. There are no Jewish heterosexuals either. Both terms are pejorative. They imply that the essence of [human] existence lies somehow within the crass and the carnal. Human beings are reduced to their most primal function, as if the point of life was to contemplate the smörgåsbord of sexual possibilities in the world.
From the Jewish perspective, identifying as a homosexual or a heterosexual is as irrelevant as identifying as ptyallizer(a person who whose saliva flows excessively). The words may describe predilections or behavior, but hardly capture the essence of the person. The Torah (law of Moses) labels people not by their primal urges, but by their obligations to God. (Jewish Spectator, Winter 1998, pg. 27)

Here's another stunning statement fromRabbi Barry Freundel:

It seems clear from this that halacha (literally "the path" aka Jewish law) never viewed the homosexual as a member of a unique category or as different from the non-homosexual. He has no greater or lesser rights or obligations... In fact the term "homosexual" is an essentially inappropriate description for him. We should, rather, refer to this individual as a person engaged in homosexual activity. "Homosexual" is therefore not a noun that identifies and categorizes the individual but an adjective that describes his activity. (Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society, Volume XI, 1986)

Christians generally would agree with this reasoning. Of course, we would to this New Testament theology revealing the law of Moses is perfect and no one can completely keep the law, and what Christ did for us is free us from the curse of the law, dead. Certainly the law applies to Christians because we believe that we fulfill the law by walking in the Spirit. With these quotes in mind one can understand the evangelical Christian cliche "Hate the sin, love the sinner", but if one gives this Christianese sound-byte to the average gay person, he or she will be highly offended because for them being gay is an essential part of who they are. So this debate is not really about homosexuality per se, it's about worldviews that clash.

What did Jesus say?

Boykin said that when he read his Bible Jesus never said anything on the homosexuality. Quite frankly that he's right. One can read the Gospels and find no record of Jesus discussing anything explicitly relating to homosexual activity. However, Boykin engages in a logical fallacy. Just because Jesus did not discuss the subject of homosexuality in the Gospels does not implicate his acceptance or disapproval of homosexuality. As a man of reason (Boykin's a trained lawyer) he should know that is not logically sound. I bet he does. As Christians, our faith is based not on what Jesus didn't say but what he said. Isn't Paul who said faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God? When discussing the Law in the Beatitudes, Jesus said that he didn't come to abolish it or the prophets (Tanakh), he came to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). He also said that the Law will remain until heaven and earth will pass away and that one who relaxes the least of the commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven (v.18-19). "For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:20 ESV)

Jesus preaching extensively on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees using the Scriptures. They who were zealous for keeping the Law disobeyed the Law in secret and covered it up with oral traditions to exempt from the penalty for breaking the Law, death by stoning. Many in today's world don't obey God's Word because of many hypocrites within churches. Though that isn't really a valid of obeying God, I can understand. Boykin pointed the religious hypocrisy in many churches in America. However, he can't use this as an opportunity to revision the Scriptures. Jesus also spoke to the Pharisees concerning marriage in divorce in Matthew 19 appealing to the creation account in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. It was unfortunate that Bishop Jordan didn't point this out to Boykin or Ralph. I guess he's not a trained bible scholar and a trained rhetorician thought he's a preacher. Little must be said in an half-hour program.

Conclusion
This issues is important to us who have family members who are gay. It seems that members in the Black Church tradition have a special obligation to point out injustice in our society being historic victims of systemic oppression. But as believers in Christ, when do we draw the line to using our experience as a prism to interpret Scripture as a justification to support an activity, a desire, an ideology that may be sinful? I will write more on this in a later post.

2007-06-19T21:48:00.000-07:00

Disturbed... But not at what or who you would suppose.

I am sitting at my computer perusing YouTube looking for clips to the new music project by Bishop T.D. Jakes and the Potter's House Mass Choir's "Grace" CD. I see on the side of the screen clips posted by a certain person of Bishop Jakes preaching for TBN Praise-A-thon a couple of years ago. I happened to watch that WHOLE sermon and thought it was edifying. This person referred to Jakes "pimping". As I was reading his comments along many others I was really disturbed and taking back at the rhetoric. I had come accross this person's blog and his remarks on "prosperity pimps" among other things. I wonder if that's in the Bible (tongue in cheek)? He is not the only person who refers to certain Pentecostal/Charismatic televangelists as "prosperity pimps" (whether warranted or not) on the Web and in Christendom. Many Christians from diverse backgrounds: white conservative Evangelical, Mainline, Black Church traditions, and Pentecostals have had their say in media both broadcast, internet and print. There's even a website dedicated to expose these so-called "pimps".

I am certainly for contending for the faith "which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3), but I believe something terribly wrong about Christian apolegetics done on the Web today. Apologetics is an skilled practice. Men and women spend years training to humbly presenting themselves to God as approved workmen accurately handling the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). Unfornately this person doesn't seem to accurately handle the word in presenting his case against these individuals. Taking pit shots at people and taking their teachings out of context i.e. posting sound bytes on YouTube and given them derogatory epithets for all the world to see is doing more harm than good and the credibility of the accusers are damaged. Sure I have disagreed with some of Bishop Jakes' methods (being a bit too entrepreneurial in church affairs and he's not the only one), but he preaches and teaches the Word. I wouldn't call him or his colleagues' heretics. By the way, his continual affiliation with Oneness Pentecostals doesn't convince me that he espouses Oneness theology either. (Read David A. Reed's essay on Oneness Pentecostalism in the Journal of Pentecostal Theology issue 11 (1997) and Jakes' own church's belief statement at http://www.thepottershouse.org/ to understand why). Honestly I would be disturbed if many people agreed with every preacher who claims to be biblical, whether conservative Evangelical or Pentecostal! We all have to try every teaching by the Word and that takes corporate witness of the Body of Christ.

It is my sincere belief that using terms like "prosperity pimps" doesn't edify the Body of Christ to guard their hearts at real false teaching and it says a lot more about the ones calling these "pimps" out than the "pimps" themselves.

Yes the extremists that came out of the Word of Faith movement have crossed over the airwaves into the homes of Americans and ravaged the Majority World especifically Africa resulting in baptized materialism and have produced more socioeconomic hardships for many people around the word. I believe the essential point of the Word of Faith was to deal with whole man. There is good Word of Faith teaching out there beside the televangelists many see on TV. God is a provider of our needs in every area of this life. So don't get me wrong; I love my Word of Faith brothers and sisters and BIBLICAL prosperity should be taught. I said BIBLICAL prosperity! Prosperity (material wealth and land) was granted to the people of Israel by God after leaving Egypt to establish his covenant with them as promised to their forefathers. God gave them laws on how to manage their wealth and minister to widows, the orphans, and the poor. God commands rich Christians and any other Christian for that matter to minister to the those who have need with their monetary resources. (More importantly, as my brother Antoine Wright taught me, the poor like all of us need hope, that is the Gospel of CHRIST).

"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." 2 Timothy 2:26

This doesn't sound like many apologists today, especially my good brother.

The apostles, Paul, Peter, John, and our Chief Apostle Jesus Christ do warn us about false prophets and teachers. Paul admonish Timothy to teach SOUND doctrine.

The Church historically hasn't taught well about money, wealth and financial management. Preachers either taught that money is the root of all evil and it's blessing to be poor (which are abberations of the Scriptures 1 Timothy 6:10 and Mat 5:3). When Isaiah 61 declared that good tidings would be preach to the poor, he didn't mean that the gospel is not for the rich. The rich because are their proclivity to trust in their riches, ARE POOR without God!

There seems to be a lot of carnal-minded Christian apologetics being written on the Web. Though well meaning, it could lead people to not discern for themselves the truth. The apostle John told believers that we have the anointing and know all things(1 John 1: 20)

Preaching the truth about real false prophets and false teachers in the spirit of love will reach people. Christ warns us about that we will give an account for every idle word that we speak on the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36). I pray that we assess our real motives and intentions before we attempt to "expose" false preachers. Dare we expose ourselves?

It's past my bedtime. Peace and God bless.

2007-06-16T17:23:00.000-07:00

Loneliness Sucks... Aloneness Still Matters!

I have to admit for the past few weeks I have been feeling a bit lonely. I'm 21 years old and I never had a girlfriend. This was intentional on my part. I didn't want to be detoured from establishing myself professionally, financially, geographically, and emotionally. I hated high school and it seemed that most of the girls around me back then weren't noticing me and had been around the block a couple of times if you know what I mean. I'm in my last leg of college and I haven't really been attracted to any girl up on campus except two but I reckoned their taken.
I truly think also that I'm not ready to enter in a relationship of that capacity let alone marriage. I have a lot of insecurities that has deep roots in my past. So I try not to pursue anybody even if I was presented with a opportunity.
When I am alone they seem to creep of on me. The Scriptures say that we are to cast down imaginations (2 Corinthians 10: 5 KJV) that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. It's truly a daily struggle. I share my struggles with a dear friend of mine Aisha. She has similar struggles as myself. Aisha is one of a handful of people I can be honest about my pain.
Loneliness really sucks... if I keep seeing myself as lonely. Loneliness is optional. Aloneness is inevitable in life. Aloneness is good when I realize that my Father is ever so near. The Scriptures say that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalms 46:1 KJV). Everyday God reminds us that I don't have to feel or be lonely. God is with me all the time.
It would be nice to have a companion, but slowly but surely she will come in God's timing. So the Heavenly Father is my constant friend and companion. He alone truly understands the deep wounds inside my soul that I wrestle with everyday and He alone is the Healer and Keeper of my soul. Thank You LORD God that Your are there when I need You and You are there to guide me into all Truth by the Spirit. Thank you, Abba.

2007-06-08T17:19:00.000-07:00

Transition

It's been over a month since I last posted. Here's an update: I have finished spring semester at Millersville University maintaining a GPA of 3.0 average. I have taken driving lessons, thanks to my cousin, in Philadelphia. I am back at MU working as a summer RA (resident assistant), and will start summer school next Monday. I am anticipating to finish my final leg at MU. I graduate in December. I am currently looking at three cities, Chicago, Virginia Beach, and Los Angeles (wait a minute, that's four!) to live after college and attend graduate school. I have no experience in the media industry. I'm don't know what to do in that area. Didn't make time to do an internship. Please keep me in your prayers. I know the Lord's calling into church ministry. I don't know if I am ready to enter seminary. I'm 21 and still a bit immature. A lot of growth and healing needs to take place in my life. God knows this. Again keep a brother in prayer. God bless.

2007-04-30T06:47:00.000-07:00

I'm Never reading the Bible... the same way again!!!!

I recently came to the realization that I haven't been studying the Scriptures properly. I, like many other American Christians, have been passively reading the Bible for a long time. The Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments respectively, have been written and compiled over a span of 1500 years. Each book , thought divinely inspired, have are written in diverse literary prose, are culturally confined. God's eternal principles are found in historical and cultural particularity of Scripture. Christians have noticed the tension between the two for centuries. Unfortunately, Christians have divorced the two believing that they can keep the authority of the Scriptures from being undermined. Many evangelical Christians in particular only stick to the grammatical-historical method of interpretation. Adopting grammatical-cultural method, in their eyes, lead to theological liberalism. I believe this view is invalid. God inspired both apostles, prophets, and writers from different periods of times and located in different parts of the known world to write the Holy Scriptures. It is my conviction that to not read the letters of Paul, John, and Peter, and the prophets in the cultural location is an undermining of the authority of the Scriptures. I think this fear comes from Calvinist view of humanity. Humanity cannot be trusted because humanity is totally depraved. So many evangelicals believe that to gety sound biblical exegesis, one must use the grammatical-historical method. I understand that, but truly I don't buy it. We cannot understand what the apostle Paul was addressing to the Corinthians and to Timothy if we don't have an understanding of the historical background of Corinth and Ephesus during those times.

I also believe that it takes a whole discerning Church, not a select few of scholars and theologians, to find the treasures in God's Word. I'm tired of just passively accepting doctrines from folk without sifting to the same biblical evidence that they do. I have a responsibility to know the Word for myself and to proclaim it to the world. I mean this not as a slight to the biblical scholars and theologians who dedicate their lives to the studying the Word, but I as a layman and a future minister I must engage the Text and the Spirit and have a sincere conviction in my heart and encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same. We have to all come in to the unity of faith. I know how difficult it is because Christendom is so divided. I am encouraged that the Lord knows who are his. I hope and pray others are encouraged as well.

2007-04-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

Gospel Preachers or Political Activists: A Plea to return to the Truth of the Kingdom of God

When the Lord entered the synagogue at the beginning of his ministry, he opened the scroll to the prophet Isaiah:

"18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
and recovering of sight to the blind,
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19 ESV)

Then before he ascended on high, He gave his disciples this command:
15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16: 15 with added emphasis)

Is it me, or is it bothersome that Gospel heralds have become partisan political activists? Many say that Jesus' message was political to the extent he was for the poor that preach against the status quo and the oppression of the religious and political leaders of the day. There is some truth to that claim, but it is also misleading. Truly Jesus the Christ came to save those who were oppressed.... by the devil! (Acts 10:38)
The Glorious Gospel is not for just for the financially and socially oppressed, it is for every human being. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Jesus told the Pharisees "They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"( Matthew 9:12-13 KJV) Who can say that no human being is without sin?

I find it disheartening that those who profess to preach the Gospel have aligned themselves with temporal political ideologies whether "conservative", "moderate", or "liberal/progressive" or "radical". What do these mean to the blood bought children of God. Our Father's kingdom is not of this world. So why do we care?

Because there is elements of truth in these political ideologies. Progressives claim to fight for justice for the poor, women, and victims of oppression (public sin). Conservatives claim to fight for high moral standards and the life of the unborn , and the "sanctity" of marriage (private sin). Christians from all denominations and theological perspectives tend to polarize on either side of this spectrum, so-called liberal/progressives on side, orthodox/conservative Christians on the other. The truth is these fights are distractions from the reality of spiritual warfare. Sin is spiritual, not in the dualistic spiritual/matter sense found in Greek and Cartesian philosophy (unfortunately found in many works of Christian thought) but spiritual according to Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5.

The Gospel that the Apostles preached and Jesus Himself preached was the Savior has come to seek and save those which were lost. The Gospel is the message of redemption: God buying us out of the institution of slavery i.e. sin. Many self-proclaim Christians don't even believe in the death, burial, resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I really don't know how they even do so, I guess it's a "free" country. Or ignorant of the truth: the world is still shrouded in darkness. Paul said " if the gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds that believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." (2 Corinthians 4: 3-4 KJV). Jesus called us to be light and to walk in the light because He is in the Light and is Light.

Those who are called to preach the Gospel must tread carefully when dealing with political matters. I am concerned that the Gospel message is hindered because of Christians preoccupation with politics. Would the legalization of same-sex marriage really hinder the Gospel? I don't believe it should. It may probably infringe on the "rights" of Christians to openly disagree with the government resulting in fines, revocation of tax exempts, even jail time. I have one thing to say to this: SO WHAT!!

Our ancient brothers and sisters did not consider their own lives when preaching the Gospel during Rome's empire days. Sewn asunder, crucified, throat-slashed, burned alive, and beaten, they still preached the Gospel. Why? Because the Lord commanded it! His Word takes eminence over our rights. We Christians have no rights! We gave them up when we accepted the Spirit's call to follow the Anointed One. Didn't the Apostle Paul say it's "not I that liveth, but Christ who liveth in me?" We need to really sit, pray, search the Scriptures, and REALLY count up the cost of discipleship. Who do we serve? Not Bush, not Kerry, not Gore, not Dole, not Liberal, not Conservative, not Democrat, not Republican, not Red States, not Blue States, but one Lord, one God and Father who is above all, through all, and in all that believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Church, we need to obey the Gospel and be not ashamed of it, for it is the POWER of God unto SALVATION to EVERYONE that BELIEVES, firs to the JEW, and to the GREEK!! (Romans 1:16) PREACH THE GOSPEL SO THAT ALL MIGHT BE SAVED!!! GOD BLESS.

2007-03-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

A Prayer for the Nation and the Body of Christ...

Heavenly Father,

I thank you for the opportunity of writing this prayer for all to see. God, I write You in my state of brokenness. Yet I know that in Christ, I am whole. Father, sanctify people all over the world. God renew our minds, give us the the mind of Christ. Lord, you know who has your Spirit. Father as You can see clearly and as Your Word foretells this a difficult time for the world, especially for the Western World. You have given us so much, and yet we take it for granted, regardless or our eternal status (saved or lost). Father, please forgive us. God , many of us, including myself, in the Body really haven't been representing Your Son very well. Father I thank you for your abounding grace. Please Holy Father, separateYour people out of this broken culture and make us a agent of transformation as You would have us to be.

Christians in America:
Right now in America, it seems like Christians are the enemy. Mostly due to how we are perceived in the media. If we are liberal we're the good yet nonvocal. If we are conservatives, we are racial bigots, homophobes, heartless, women-hating, greedy/materialistic, self-serving, hypocritical, just plain unloving. Yes, there is a element of truth in these statements. But God, You look beyond the labels and you see whether Your Spirit is in us or not. You promised us that if repented of our sins, and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. You through Your servant Paul said that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Yet God, do You dwell in unclean temples? I don't believe so. God I pray for the Bush administration. God we on both sides of the religious and political debate have been very critical of this administration whether justified or not. But God, please give wisdom and grace toward our leaders. Father, You're are the King of the universe, and nothing is out of Your sight. Be the vision of the world. Lord Jesus, You are the light we desperately need. Please forgive us so-called Christ followers for misinterpreting You from the Scriptures to fit our personal agenda. You taught your disciples that You came to do the will of Him who sent You. The Beloved Apostle John taught us that he who does the will of God the Father lives forever. May the Body of Christ fully recognize through Your Holy illumination what that really means.

The Oppressed:
Father also I pray that we as the real Body of Christ have a heart for victims of HIV/AIDS and poverty. Father I know that the root of poverty is living in a fallen world. Whether caused by personal actions or corrupt systems of government, God please give the Church a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to righteously judge our neighbors. God many people teach and preach that You are the God of the underdog, the poor, and the oppressed- that You are on their side. Father, I see You as a just God who shows no partiality towards the poor or the great. Thank You for being who You are. Your Son came to save us all, whether Hitler or Ghandi. We all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

The Others:
Father, I write a special prayer for the GBLT communities around the world. Father, there is a lot of deception going around the world, deceiving millions. Especially from those claiming to belong to You. Father have mercy on us all, and God I believe that your Word is eternal, and that we cannot go beyond that is written. Within those pages of the Good Book there liberation for all, according what you have laid out, not Marxism, liberalism, queer theory, dare I add conservatism. Our human rights stop when we violate your Law but God by your grace you have showed us freedom in Christ. Thank you. There so many children with gender dysphoria. God I still don't understand the theories behind this phenomenon. Also Father I pray for the intersexed. Father all I know is that your word is truth. I believe the Scriptures which Your Son Jesus taught and preached from. Please help people see the truth that is Christ the Liberator of all people. He doesn't free us to do what we want to do, or be what we want to be. He frees us to be like You. Thank you for the that is Christ.

Holy Pink and Blue:
I pray for my sisters in the Body of Christ. Father, I pray that you give us fresh anointing to see what You see in Your daughters. I pray for my brothers. Forgive us for being chauvinistic and androcentric knowing that there is no male and female in Christ. I pray for the women in the world. I pray that you Father are beyond gender definitions and that there is no oppression in serving You and calling you Father. I pray for the men in the world. I pray that they hear the cry of the Spirit to repent and believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus. God I pray for the children. I pray Father that you raise up a generation of children who will serve You.

The Afflicted:
Father I pray for all who are diseased and/or disabled. God You are a Healer and a Great Physician. Father you are Sovereign Lord. Bless all my disabled brothers and sisters. I pray that their witness is strong in the Lord. I pray for my afflicted brothers and sisters. Father I pray that if You don't heal them, God strengthen them to know that their healing is one the way whether on this side of Glory or on the other side.

Compassionate Warriors:
Father, raise up teachers, preachers, thinkers, and seers God who walk in your way speaking truth in love. God we have so many websites and blogs "exposing" false doctrines. God please expose the spirit behind the blogs and sites so that apologists will write the truth so all might be saved including false prophets and teachers. In our quest to glorify You, don't let us win debates and lose souls in the process. You told us the try every spirit, whether behind doctrines, practices, attitudes, beliefs- whatever! Even assess the spirit in what we do in our quest to glorify You and the Son.

Myself:
Father lastly, I pray God that You would keep me and strengthen me. Father lead me on the path You have set for me to walk from the foundation of the earth. Thank you, Father for reading my heart.

I pray all of this in Jesus' name,

Amen

2007-02-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

Updates

I have been sick for over a week now. I thought it was a cold, but it is a nasty sinus infection. That stinks, but God is good all the time. I got to see my sisters and Aisha and Zakiya. I haven't seen them for a few months now. It's good to see Aisha making it. Zakiya is doing good as well, though struggling a bit. Keep a sister in prayer. I went to the infirmary this morning to get a check up and an arsenal of antibiotics and other meds to fight this thing. I keep you posted. I'm going to bed. Peace and God Bless.

2007-02-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

The Greatest Man in History

A friend/sister of mine recently posted this message on my FACEBOOK wall.....

The Greatest Man in History Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today. I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us! If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son . MESSAGE this TO 10 peoples walls or just ignore but remember that Jesus said ... "If you deny me before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven."

2007-02-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

A Prayer

Holy Father,

Right now I'm sitting in the computer lab writing you this prayer. I thank You God for keeping us safe from harm. Father, we tend to complain more than give You praise for what You have done. Father, please forgive us for not giving You our praise. We tell You about our problems, but as Sister Shirley Caesar said we need to tell our problems about our God! Father God, thank You for the Redeeming us through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus. We bless You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who sweetly abides in my spirit. I sense the beauty of His Presence as I write You this prayer. Father, bless your People, not with things, God. But with the endowment of the Holy Spirit to do Your Will, O God our Father. God save this crooked generation! Please God, save the world from destruction. Hallelujah! Bless Your Name forever! In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I pray.

Amen

2007-01-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Encouragement for our Sister Aisha, Part 2

This e-mail was sent by Aisha 01/10/07. She had some great News:

Hey Everyone,

I am so happy to report that after about two months of job hunting I have received a job working for Board of Child Care as a Childcare Worker. Praise the Lord!!! This is one of the happiest days of my life. Many of you know what I have gone through during this time and some of you don't but long story short God has been keeping me these past several weeks and is the reason that this job was offered to me. I just have to praise God so much for this job because I took a risk of leaving my previous job and trusting that God was going to provide everything for me, from rent money to groceries, and money to pay my bills. God has been so good to me.

I would like to take this time to thank everyone for their prayers, encouragement, concerns, and support during this time. I tell you it wasn't easy, but God gave me the strength to make it.

I will now tell you the story of how I recieved the job...Today 1/10/07 I was lounging in my room, with the sun (Son) beaming in my face. I made a comment to the Lord, "your are surely beaming today (lol), then I began to say to the Lord that being unemployed was weighing on me and that I knew He was going to work it out, but I was beginning to feel impatient. Then the Lord replied to my cry and He said, " Aisha, please be patient I am working everything out. Trust me, everything is going to work out." I then laid there and let that filter my mind and as I did the phone rang but I didn't answer it because usually it is telemarketers calling (lol), then the phone rang again, it was a different call, but again I didn't answer it because again I thought it was telemarketers, so I continue to lay in my bed. Then the Lord spoke to me and said, "Go check the answer machine", so I did and surely it was a message from Board of Child Care telling me to call them back, so I did and there on the phone I was offered the position as a Childcare Worker. I tell you when I got off that phone I did a crazy shout. THANK YOU JESUS!!!

I tell you this because God is so good and that He hears our cry and no matter what we are going through the Lord is always there. I love all of you and thank God for each of you and your prayers for me. You can go online and check out my new job at www.boardofchildcare.org.

P.S. Remember to answer your phone, you never know it could be a job and not a telemarketer!!! LOL!!!

Your sister in Christ,

Aisha Parks

2007-01-14T18:09:00.000-08:00

Encouragement from Sister Aisha

The following was sent to me 01/01/07 by our sister in the Lord, Aisha Renee Parks:

Listen to this, the Holy Spirit showed me this awesome thing and I want to encourage you with it.

Last night the Holy Spirit told me this:

The things that we struggle with in life are those things of the sinful nature of man, which is mentioned in Galatians 5:19-21."When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God". (NLT)

If you notice all of our struggles can be placed in one of these categories and that is Satan's way of trying to seperate us from Chirst. But in Romans 8:38-39 states, "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NLT)

The enemy knows our struggles and then He also challenges us with new struggle to challenge our faith in God, but not only that He tries to stop us from producing good fruit, which are the fruits of the spirit, which are mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" (NLT)

It is up to us to pray for the fruits of the spirit on a daily basis, even when we are in the midst of sinning and recognize our sin we have to as God for the specific fruit of the spirit to overcome our sin. For example, for me I struggle with lustful thoughts about my future husband, therefore I have been recently praying for self-control when I am in the midst of that sin.

Paul states, that we have to die daily to our flesh and that is concerning our old behaviors, or as Ephesians states we have to step out of the old man and into the new man. We are new creators in Christ and when we step outside of Him we run the risk of conforming back into the old man or old self.

I encourage you with this message in whatever it is that you are facing and say that, "greater is He that is in you, than He is in the world". Because we have seek to do the Father's will He will help us in everything. In John 15: 4, it states,"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me."

Don't let the enemy take you out of the Lord because when you do, it can all go down hill from there. But thank God for His grace and mercy that if that does happen He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I hope that you can apply this message to your life in some way. God bless you.

Your sister in Christ,

Aisha

There is more emails to post from Sister Aisha. Be Blessed!

2007-01-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

A New Year, a New Beginning....

The end of last year was a bit hard for me. My great-grandmother passed away. She was 90 years old and was saved. So I guess I didn't sorrow like one without hope. It has been a bit rough back at home. I haven't been receiving adequate sleep. I do want to return back to school well rested, but I believe that won't happen. I do pray that this year will a year of increase. I pray that the Lord adds more souls to the Body daily. I pray that the Body is strengthen during the time of persecution and the many trials that we face. I hope that all believers grow to look more like Jesus daily. Father, I pray for healing to broken bodies and minds and hearts and renewing of spirits. I pray for deliverance to the carnal mind and from the snares of the enemy. God, give us peace in the Middle East. Restore Africa. Revive Asia. Enlighten Europe, and give Grace to America. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

2006-12-18T10:59:00.000-08:00

The Storm is Over Now, Now here comes the River!!

This semester was pretty stressful for me. I had to learn a few things about myself that really woke me up to the reality of immaturity. When I said I ready to go to 'the next level in God" in the last post, I really meant I was ready to mature in Christ. Now, after this past Friday night I didn't realize that how much I was afraid to grow up. I had so much fear to step in the the deep river of God. I had a vision when I was talking with Lindsey I was a little boy standing at the edge of the pool looking on to his Daddy who is in the deep part of the pool looking back at him. The Daddy is calling to His son to jump in. Knowing that his Daddy would catch him, the little boy is tensed because he sees the depths of the pool. He is not afraid to go into the pool as long as his feet touches the floor. But his Father is calling for His son to look onto Him and jump.
That little boy is me and his Daddy is God. My God, it was an eyeopener to see this truth. Prophetic revelations are diminutive to the Father's calling to intimacy. This winter break I ask the Body to keep me in prayer. He's calling all of us into intimate fellowship. We can only have that in Christ and if we fully surrender ourselves. I know how to bow my face before the throne of God and reverence Him in His splendor. Now it's time to seek His face. Preaching does not matter to me if cannot know more of the One whom I am preaching. Though my flesh is weak, and my heart is sometimes afraid, my spirit says "Yes, Father I wanna go deeper!" Please keep this brother in prayer this season. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year in Jesus' Name! God Bless!

2006-12-13T16:19:00.000-08:00

Transition

This semester was a difficult one to get through, but I thank God He got me through it! I have met new people in my life that really challenged me to grow more, but I haven't really grown that much. This past weekend the Lord spoke to my spirit and told me it's time for a change. He is transitioning me to prepare for the future. I am willing to learn from Him what must be done and come under the proper persons to lead and guide into the next level in God! I'm just going to wait and trust and depend on the Lord for direction. Father, I thank You for giving me life and strength. Thank You for allowing to live another day. God I just reverence Your Name above all things. Lord, I'm willing to obey, just lead me, Father into the destiny You have foreordained for me in Your Will. I pray that You bless the Beloved Body of the Lord Jesus and strengthen and continue to prepare Your people for your Son's Coming. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

2006-12-07T07:32:00.000-08:00

He Knows Just How Much We Can Bear!

There's a hymn of Zion called "He Knows Just How much We Can Bear" inspired by a Biblical verse that escapes my mind at the moment. Right now I am supposed to be revising a Term Paper for African American History class. I earned an 84 which is a low B score. I'm grateful for it! My professor gave us a another week to edit and add more "meat" to it. I am so tired right now. I was on assignment last night and didn't get it until 5am. God promised to redeem the time, but I admit I was disobedient. Really expecting the professor to cancel. He was sick yesterday. I prayed for God to heal him. I was wrestling constantly with my flesh. My flesh was insisting, "He'll cancel class tomorrow, he's sick." LORD help me! So I'm in the Student Memorial Center in the Computer Lab writing this. I pray that God has mercy upon me. I asked him if I may write a prayer request for my great-grandmother on FACEBOOK. She fell and broke her hip and now she's in the hospital. If anybody reads this, please keep her in prayer!
When it comes to assigments like term papers, I usually work under pressure (I am a procrastinator). I am pooped! I'm ready for this semester to be over. Praise the LORD!!! He got us through the storms. I pray for all my brothers and sisters! Hang in there, People. He won't give us more than we can Bear! Again, keep a brother in prayer. He needs it because he's gonna get a but whooping from the Most High! God be blessed forever. Amen!

2006-12-02T21:22:00.000-08:00

Ode to my beautiful Kindred-Spirit Sister, Lindsey Marie Williams

My sister in the Lord, Lindsey Williams is, I believe, one of the most precious gifts to the Body of Christ. The Father thought of a beautiful soul- a wise, discerning woman who would declare the oracles of God is this generation. I have found this in Lindsey. She is definitely marriage potential, but she is taken. I have to be honest, she is incredibly sexy! I mean this not in a lustful way. Lindsey has the whole package- looks, brains, and a fiery spirit! I'm glad God linked me with Lindsey. She is going to be instrumental in the selecting of my future wife and she is a yokefellow in ministry. Her future husband has a huge responsibility in protecting Lindsey and not slowing her down in obeying the voice of the Lord. When the Lord calls Lindsey, she obeys without question!
In the meantime, I have the responsiblity to be a a keeper of my sister, Lindsey. She continues to be a great blessing in my life. She is always challenging me to hear and obey the voice of the Master. God has graced Lindsey with an abundance of wisdom. Through Lindsey I have learned that intimacy with God is the most rewarding experience in the life of the believer. I am forever grateful to God for giving me a sister in Lindsey Marie Williams. Though we may go separate ways in the future, we will never be separate in our spirit. Heavenly Father, continue to bless my sister, Lindsey with all that Your Hand may provide and may You draw her closer to You every day of her life, in Jesus' Name. Amen. I love you Lindsey!

2006-11-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

My 21st Birthday Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank You for allowing me to live to see my 21st year on this earth today. You know, LORD, as an young African American man this is very special to me. You have kept me from being a statistic. I thank You for giving me opportunity to attend a public university. I thank you for giving me Your vision for my life. GOD I couldn't have done and do what I do had it not been for Your goodness and your mercy. Thank You, LORD for loving me. Thank You, Father for keeping me. If it wasn't for the mercy You have shown me through your Son Jesus, I would be lost out of my mind. By Your Holy Spirit You guide me. Father be glorified and have your way in me in Your Son's mighty Name! Amen.

2006-11-14T17:06:00.000-08:00

Spiritual Warfare!

Prayer is a greatest weapon against the enemy. Keep praying in the SPIRIT!. As children of GOD, we have the responsibility to pray, the calling to pray, the privilege of prayer. We need to pray that the Father's will be done in the earth realm. The accuser of the brethren is trying to take us out. Beloved, know that the battle isn't ours, it's the LORD'S. Know your HEAVENLY FATHER and HIS SON by the HOLY SPIRIT. Tap into the throne room and prostrate before His Majesty. HIS Word is true and will not return to HIM void. Speak the Word only when coming against the spiritual darkness in this world. We are overcomers by the blood of the LAMB and by the word of our testimony. GOD BE PRAISED for we are not consumed by the fiery darts of the enemy. Read Ephesians 6 if the SPIRIT moves you and be equipped and be blessed by the BEST. Blessings be unto you in the NAME of the FATHER, SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT. Peace!

2006-11-11T08:23:00.000-08:00

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank you GOD for all that You've done in my life. I thank you for keeping me this week. You woke me up this morning. Father, You have been my closest Confidant and Friend. Father GOD You have given me grace to enter the University and You continue given it freely. I thank You LORD JESUS, for paying for my sins. That is a debt I can never repay. However, I owe You my life. You have kept me when I have went astray. You Comfort me with Your HOLY SPIRIT. GOD I am in awe of You. There is none like You in any part of the universe because You are highly exalted above all created things. You are Great! GOD l bless Your NAME: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost You ARE. To You alone deserve all the glory, honour, dominion, majesty, wealth, and power. I stand in chorus with all of Zion saying, "Salvation belongs to God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb"
as John the Revelator saw the heavenly host shouting! Yes, salvation belongs to you O GOD. I will bless Your NAME for ever. AMEN.

2006-11-08T20:47:00.000-08:00

Chillin' with the Brethren

I am blessed to be a student co-leader of a Men's Bible study. God is definitely dealing with us men folk on how to be like Christ. At times I wonder why we even have a men's bible study. This issues we discuss affects all believers, male and female. But God is glorified and I am privileged to lead with two awesome brothers in the Lord. Tonight we read Phillipians chapter 4 verses 4 to 23. We really talked about our experiences with the Lord. And we also learned the meaning of verse 13 in the context. The Holy Spirit through Paul is teaching us to learning to praise and rejoice in the Lord through diverse circumstances. It is the peace of God, the presence of God in the midst of trials, that gives us the strength to endure all things. I bless the name of the Lord for His goodness, His mercy, and His provision. Glory to God in the Highest! Be Blessed!

2006-11-07T16:25:00.002-08:00

Spirit-Led!

Paul informed the Romans that those led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Romans 8:14). So the term "Spirit-led" refers to all believers in the Lordship of Christ. Yet these days Spirit-led can be used in a derogatory manner; like a status symbol for "super" Christians. However, to be led by the Spirit is not easy task. It takes the strength of God and a little faith to submit one's will to the Lordship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ. Submitting to Him exalts the Christ.
Yesterday evening I had an truly amazing and humbling experience. I was in my African American Literature class which usually is held on Mondays from 6:00PM to 9:00PM. I was sitting in my chair when all of a sudden I felt dizzy. I told a couple of people that I was feeling dizzy and maybe I thought this was due to not properly during the day. Then I quietly prayed and asked the Father why I was feeling this way. The Spirit of the Lord told me (please excuse my Pentecostal jargon) to excuse myself and go home. So I did just that and I was praying in the Spirit on my way home.
Once I returned to my dorm room around 8:00PM. I prayed to the Lord and ask Him what was going on. The Spirit told me (again, please excuse the jargon) to enter into worship because there was a Word for me to deliver to my brothers and sisters at Outlet, a worship gathering at a nearby church which occurs Mondays at 9:00PM. I was a bit anxious and the Lord rebuked me to cease from being so and keep worshipping so my flesh would cease so my spirit can hear Him. Disclaimer: For those readers who may think by now that I believe that I receive private revelations from God apart from the Scripture, be not dismayed because I do not! God taught me two months ago, when He speaks to me, He directs me to the Scripture because he does not speak apart from his Word.
Now after worshipping, the Lord put in my remembrance Jeremiah chapter 23. He then directed me to read Jeremiah chapters 42 to 45. If one reads these chapters and chapter 41 one will find a terrible example of Judah's disobedience to the word of the LORD given by Jeremiah. Jeremiah told the remnant of Judah to stay in the land of Judah and not to go into the land of Egypt because God will punish them if the disobeyed. Chapter 42 starts out with the people calling Jeremiah a liar. Then they take him and they disobeyed the word of the LORD and they go into Egypt. In the subsequent chapters GOD not only delivers Egypt into the hands of their enemies, He prophecies that He will destroy Judah for the disobedience and their idolatry and then takes Jeremiah out of Egypt. Only a remnant is spared.
I asked the Lord what was the significance of this passage in the Scripture. The lesson learned is that even the Body of Christ can be deliberately disobedient to the word of the LORD. The significance of Jeremiah 23 is the fact that Israel and Judah had many false prophets and greedy and abusive pastors. If God's people can call HIM a liar when he sends his holy prophets, this may be due to the fact we've been hearing much false doctrine. If we don't have a fellowship with God in His Word and in prayer, we cannot discern the Lord's voice from another. Thereby disobeying HIM. Now Judah hearing false prophets or not are responsible for the choices they made because they knew the law of God. We Christians don't have any excuse to disobey God neither. God is a Just God. If he can hew out the natural branch and graft us in only His grace then we can hewed out as well.
After reading the passage and hearing the Lord, I reminded the Lord that I had a required meeting for residents to attend at 9:00PM. Then God asked me, "Do you trust me?" Then I said, "yes, Father. I trust You." Then He told me that He covered me with His grace and comissioned me to go to that church and delivered His Word to His children. I checked my clock and it was 9:05pm. I got my bible can grabbed my coat and I headed to the church.
I arrived to the church and the brothers and sisters were appropriately singing a song about confession and repentance. When I sat down the Lord dropped the jewel of 2 Chronicles 7:14 in my heart, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turning from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
God opened up a window of opportunity to share this word with my brothers and sisters and I prayed with them. Also two more believers delivered wonderful words of encouragement to the Body. God be praised!!
After that I sat down and was a bit drained. God was really glorified in that place. I count it a privilege to serve the Lord. When I went home I saw my Graduate Assistant. She looked at me and said, "You missed the All-Hall meeting." "Yes, Ma'am" I said. She was taking back a bit. Then I told her that I just came back from helping a few friends out and that it was an emergency. Then she excused me. Thank You, Jesus! God's grace really covered me last night. I really love the Lord! We have to really trust Him with our whole lives. He will surely see us through any trial and testing. Be Blessed.

2006-11-05T13:49:00.000-08:00

The GOD in the BIBLE vs. The GOD in the CHURCH

I have just heard one of the most important messages today in my life that I believe has affected my view or the way I view GOD. An assistant minister of the regular bible teacher that serves Bible Campus Ministries, the ministry that I lead, came and gave a Word concerning the subject the GOD in the Bible and the GOD in the church. Now, many will read this and ask " Are they not the same?" Well maybe not. Most Christians tend to shun reading the Old Testament. We tend to view God via Christ in the New Testament, yet most of us REALLY don't even read the New Testament! We read and quote a few passages of Christ and Paul live off of that. But CHRIST being GOD in the FLESH does not change the nature of GOD. HE does not change. We tend to preach on the love and mercy of God. However, what the church does not realize is that the same God that did not tolerate disobedience in the Old covenant is the same in the New Covenant and TODAY. God is HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, JUST, and will JUDGE nations for iniquity, and JUDGMENT begins at the HOUSE of GOD. If we read passages like Isaiah 6 and Revelation 4, we find a GOD who sits on a throne whose presence is glorious to behold. This God is SOVEREIGN and HOLY. HE is PURE and there's none like HIM. We tend to preach and focus too much on one attribute of God thus we get a distorted image of GOD. GOD is not COMMON. HE is TRANSCENDENT, has ALL POWER is in HIS HANDS. HE is ALL KNOWING and TOO HOLY to REGARD or to LOOK UPON INIQUITY. In many of our churches today, we do not have a fear GOD. We honor HIM with our lips but our hearts a far from HIM (Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 15:8). Yes GOD is a loving and merciful GOD, but HE is WRATHFUL. HIS love and mercy does not negate the fact that we as believers cannot approach HIM in any fashion we so desire. If we read the first five books of the BIBLE, specifically Exodus, Deutoronomy, and Leviticus, GOD was so intolerant of disobedience, HE killed people! Nobody had an opinion or could object, if so would cost them their lives because no one could charge GOD as UNJUST without dying for it. Paul said let GOD be TRUE, but every man a LIAR! They didn't talk back to GOD. They knew that HE'S THE BOSS. Well at least some of them knew HE IS. THANK GOD FOR JESUS!
We must come in the presence of HIS GLORY with fear and trembling, to borrow from Philippians 2:12. GOD is HOLY. We must worship and reverence HIM with a spirit of humility. Many of us today in the churches do not do this. We treat GOD like HE is one of the boys or like that special girlfriend. Now GOD is a FRIEND but HE'S still GOD.
I commented to Sister Rhonda say that we may treat HIM like this because of the way we treat JESUS. JESUS was a MAN that transformed HIS environment and the people around HIM. However, the modern church, preaches a JESUS that is common. HE'S a political progressive or liberal; a hippie who smokes weeds, who is a NONCORMIST to establishment, and preaches LOVE, TOLERANCE and ACCEPTANCE. If we actually read our BIBLES, we will find that the JESUS of the BIBLE is not the JESUS that many of us PREACH! As a result the world gets a distorted view of CHRIST through our words and deeds. They're confused because we, the Church, are confused.
We Christians must be every so careful in how we come to GOD. If GOD is GOD above all else, we must worship HIM as required, in spirit and truth. Yes, HE is the GOD who is our FRIEND, COMFORT, STRENGTH, PEACE, JOY, LOVE, and ALL other things. But is not a man! So we must treat HIM with supreme respect! I pray that the BODY of CHRIST will actually read the WORD not to memorize verses and to flaunt our Christianity before men but to enter into a deeper understanding of GOD and HIS CHARACTER and not to blaspheme HIS NAME so flippantly misrepresenting HIM before the stage of the world. GOD'S GRACE will cover us when we fall, because all fall short of the glory of GOD, however let's not fustrate the GRACE of GOD because our life is but a vapor. GOD doesn't have to keep us alive. That's why our testimony is so important outside the four walls of the CHURCH. GOD is watching us and the world is as well watching us. GOD must be GLORIFIED by how we treat HIM and how we treat others. LET the GOD in the BIBLE be the GOD in the CHURCH. To the GLORY of GOD the FATHER, HIS SON, and the HOLY GHOST! AMEN.

2006-11-04T11:30:00.000-08:00

Baptized with the Holy Ghost..... now what?

I was raised and saved in a Baptist church. My grandfather was my pastor. Though I appreciate the Baptist tradition, I never really considered myself as a Baptist. Over the course of my life I was exposed to many different church traditions. There was a Lutheran church across the street from where I used to live in West Philadelphia. Tabernacle Lutheran Church was pastored by a woman I only knew as Pastor Keys. My mom would take by brothers and I there when we didn't go to my Pop Pop's church. When my mother took by brothers and I to live in New Jersey, we worshipped at a Presbyterian church and volunteered there for a couple of months. My elementary school counselor was a charismatic and she invited my mother and I to her church for bible study. When I moved back to Pennsylvania, we worshipped in the AME church, Southern Baptist, National Baptist, and nondenominational churches.

When my grandfather retired, we didn't have a church home. At fifteen, I started to go to my cousin's church in West Philly. It's a now a megachurch. I liked the church a lot. As I started to grow and mature in my faith, I realized that I was not being fed what I needed there. I still visit the church as often as I can. In God's sovereignty I entered the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. What sparked my interested in Pentecostalism was by interestingly enough viewing Trinity Broadcasting Network. Most of the 'talent' on TBN are from Pentecostal/Charismatic backgrounds. Now I am wise to know not to get my theology education just (or not) from watching charismatic televangelism shows (which I am not all appalled at some of their preachers' doctrine); likewise I am also wise to know not to get my theology education from just reading Christianity Today magazine! Actually it's not my wisdom but the wisdom of God ! To God be the glory! I started to pursue knowledge about the history and theological development of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. Reading scholarly journals, books, and online websites led me to be intrigued by the movement. I was amazed at the doctrine of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Traditional evangelical Protestants don't teach this doctrine because they don't believe in a subsequent experience after conversion. I read about the Wesleyan/Holiness view of this Baptism (entire sanctification) and I read the Classical Pentecostal view (enduement of power for ministry evidenced by speaking in tongues Joel 2:28-32, Mark 16:15-18, Acts 1-2, etc.). I was feeling 'dry' in my walk with the Lord. I need a revival in my being!
One night in December 2005 I prayed to the Lord and I wanted more of Him. I prayed that if the Pentecostal Baptism is of Him then give me discernment. I didn't want tongues, I wanted the Spirit in full measure!

I was baptized with the Spirit in January 2006 at of all places, at non-denomenational student-led church in which I attend (University Christian Fellowship) pastored by a young Mennonite. I was praying quietly in a pew and then the Spirit filled me then I began speaking in tongues. A a couple of months afterwards, I was an attendee at a leadership course led by my pastor and a young woman who is now a dear friend. The session was on the Holy Spirit and His ministry. Pastor Duane and Cassie lectured on the person of the Holy Spirit, His ministry, and His gifts. Both talked about their own experience with the Baptism with the Holy Spirit (Duane attended a Pentecostal bible college). Then after the lecture we prayed and worshipped. I was so filled with Holy Ghost, I was praying in tongues for a little over an hour. I've visited three Pentecostal/charismatic congregations over the summer (one Assemblies of God, charismatic non-denominational, and one house church). I often visit one of them for special conferences when I get the chance. Currently I am a member and a men's bible study leader at University Christian Fellowship.

Now after being baptized with the Spirit, I started to realize that the enduement of power is not for self-aggrandizement but for ministry. Shouting, tongue-talking, falling under the power of the Holy Ghost is all well and good, but there is a Great Commission that must be obeyed and accomplished for God's glory! So I who fellowship with many peoples from different traditions, am described as Pentecostal. I have read up on the excesses and legalisms that came with churches that are labeled 'Pentecostal'. I also know that many people are disillusioned by the movement, for its long history of anti-intellectualism (which is now changing), many have been abused by pastoral authority figures within the movement, many prominent figures led questionable lives (for which we need to pray for them not criticize and gossip about them behind their backs Galatians 6:1-2), and I know that many on the outside believe that the Pentecostal movement is even heretical! I personally don't believe in throwing out the baby with the bath water. So I wear the adjective 'Pentecostal' with humility and with fear and trembling! I hope to contribute to the movement and to the Body of Christ-at-large. Christ did not pray to the Father to send the Spirit so we can go into all the world and show a new trick we can do with our mouths or to be spiritual elitists, but to preach the Gospel! May we all obey the command of the Lord Jesus in Pentecostal power!