Our Blood is the same color

The color of skin has caused many problems over our lifetime and I suppose it will continue to serve as a serious issue unless we come to terms with this remarkable opportunity to show love. Charles Manson wanted to create a race war and he would come to be the savior of this tragedy. Churches today are fighting over people of color worshiping together. True story. We wanted to have a kids crusade on a certain street in a certain town. I went to the local authority (mayor) and got permission. I didn't have to do such a thing, but I chose to inform him of my actions in case we had cars lined up watching the crusade, due to it being an outside event. This particular city leader told me that in no way any "coloreds" would attend his church. I will not bore you with my comments to him about how Christ died for all and we are all His kids, etc.

There is a time that we will all stand before a Jewish looking Christ one day my friends. White, blacks, Chinese, Japanese, Mexicans, Africans, and the list goes on. The only thing that will matter will be what He says to us. I asked this question many years ago and I ask this same question in 2012. Can a person be a Christian if they hate someone due to the color of their skin? The answer back then is the same as today. No. If you hate your fellow man due to the color of their skin, then you cannot live for eternity in heaven.

I am in Wendy's restaurant right now. Across from me is a young man who has a Black father and a white mother. According to some churches, he is not welcomed. Why? What did he do to be born the way he is?

My wife and I went to a tent revival many, many years ago. We were sitting behind the pillar of the church when all of a sudden she gasped and said "oh my God!" I thought she was having a heart attack. I asked her what was wrong? She replied and I quote her. "Look over there." I looked over there and three elderly Black women were sitting under the tent. They came to hear the Word of God being preached. I am no man's judge, but I ask the question. Is this pillar in heaven or not? We will know a tree my friends...

The dignity of death

Death is inevitable in our lives. We will all face the "reaper" one day. We can run and hide from the law, i.e. D.B. Cooper, but in the end, Death will find us. I will not waste your time by telling you that your heart should be right with God when you take that final breath. Man, the consequences of not being right with God will be painful. This post isn't about that. This post is about the people who fail to live the word dignity in their visits.

Someone who is dying doesn't need undignified guests. Do you know what that means? There are many individuals who come and visit and they visit for the right reason. However, is that reason right? The average person doesn't know the real answer. The real reason is that they come to "gaulk" at the individual. That person is slumped over in the bed/chair. Their countenance is lacking human viewing. Their speech is lacking clarity. Their handshake is weak. Their pleasantry is changed to groaning.

Then here we come and we stare at them and say the normal "bless their heart" statements. If you are visiting the deathbed of a friend and you desire to help, then visit away. If you come to rob them of their dignity by gaulking at them, then stay away. That person deserves better respect than what we give them. The only difference between them and you is that they know they are about to depart soon and you think you are not. Look them in the eye and treat them with respect for they are still the same person they were before death became their life. Give them the dignity they have earned prior to death coming to their doorpost. Look them in the eye and love them for this could be the last day you love them on earth. Now, you come to their doorpost to bring your "i'm so sorry" statements when you never darted the doors while they were alive and full of dreams. That is so hypocritical my friend. Try this today. Find that person that you use to be friends with and try to start again. Don't let death bring you closer to someone that you should have been closed to in the beginning.

A friend

Proverbs 18:24 sheds the light on what I perceive is a misused verse in the Bible. We say this verse for various occasions, but do we really use it? What does it mean to have a friend and to stick with that friend to the point that you sacrifice because of their sacrifice?

I have had many friends in my lifetime and I still count them all as my dear friends. However, when someone you care for as a friend is mistreated, you must take action, regardless of the consequences.

The reason we do not "stand" up for our brother/sister is because we are afraid of the consequences that will happen as a result. If we fail to stand with our brothers/sisters in their struggle, then I cannot see how we can say we are their friend.

I have lived in several states during my lifetime. I have served my country in the United States Navy and lived/stationed in 5 different locations with one of those locations being on a ship. I have ministered the Word of God since 1979 and I have pastored in three states. Through all of this experience, I have noticed that people say they are friends, but in reality, they are not Proverbs 18:24 friends. A true friend is someone that hurts when you hurt. They feel your pain and they support you when you go through your pain. There was a movie many years ago, North Dallas Forty, that starred Nick Nolte and Mac Davis. Mac Davis' character was good friends with Nick Nolte's character, but, when Nolte's character got in trouble, Mac Davis' character encouraged his friend not to bring him into the situation. He was a good friend until the problem came up. If you count yourself a friend to someone, then be a Proverbs 18:24 friend.

So, what does that mean? If a friend of yours loses a job because he did something wrong, then you still stand with him. You tell him the truth and you encourage him. However, if your friend loses his job for no right reason, then you stand with him and you encourage him and you then go one step further. You approached the situation and take a stand with him. You take that stand even if you have to lose your job or you have to quit your job. If you claim to be a Proverbs 18:24 friend, then be a true one. Christ was that friend to you my friends. He stood with you. He left his job for you when you lost your job. He wasn't afraid to tell your bosses the truth, even if he knew he would never be allowed to work there again.

I desire to be that friend!

Change is needed

Our last Presidential race had the slogan that we needed change. I would use that same slogan with Christianity. We have so many Christians who are using the title Christian, but yet, they have not changed. Why is that so? Many years ago, and I mean, many a woman accepted Christ. She was attending our church and through God's grace and nothing we did, she accepted Christ. The problem was that this woman was living with a man. She went home that night and said she had to get married or he had to get out. They were living together for something like eight years. Man, She changed!

It is easier to point a finger at someone than to accept the fact that you haven't changed. It is hard to admit when you have done wrong. I think the reason why people fight change is that they like the lifestyle they enjoy. That road to change is difficult and it takes courage to change. It really isn't that difficult.

The power of giving

I love to give. I wish there were enough words to describe how I feel about giving things away. I will not spend time on this blog sharing what I have given away, because frankly, it is no one's business. My purpose for giving is simple. God told me to do it. Why is giving needed more today than ever before? There are so many believers and non believers alike who have forgotten what it means to be charitable. We have forgotten that it is really a great feeling to give to others. Christ always gave. Let's give today.

Getting out of the Ministry

What is a Pastor? (Acts 20:27 ESV) for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

A true pastor will be a good biblical teacher and do so without fearing the congregation when he/she wants to or needs to speak on certain subjects. He/she will proclaim it and preach on Hell just as much as on Heaven without fear of repercussion. He/she will not bow down to the schemes of members who use money or influence to try and gain favor to the Pastor.

So, why are so many pastors quitting the ministry today? Because they are tired of the junk that follows the ministry. There are too many complaints from people inside the church. A pastor can handle the outside forces because they are coming from lost people. However, the inside forces will make a man/woman quit the ministry because they are just tired of the bickering and backbiting and complaining and the whining that comes from within the church. AND all in the name of Christianity no doubt!

If the grass isn't cut the proper way. If the songs are sung this way or that way. If the pastor visits my relative but not my relative. If He/she doesn't..... There comes a time when people need to walk a mile in a Pastors tracks and they will see the many hours at night when he/she is up praying for them. The many hours away from their families because a church member needs them and no one is suppose to know the nature of that visit. The many,many, many "please don't repeat this" counseling sessions where you hear someone just cheated on their spouse and you can't say anything to anyone b/c you just said you wouldn't. The heart aches of people telling lies about you. Spreading vicious rumors about you. Not waving at you when you wave at them. Not speaking to you when you speak to them. Avoiding you in stores and restaurants b/c you challenged them to live a Godly life. All of this builds up and you just get tired of caring for people who at times don't care for you, and you know it is the truth. There are church members who literally hate their pastors and they will do everything in their power to try and destroy that man/woman b/c of such hatred.

Your always the one that gets the blame when people leave a church. Your always the one that "never feeds" them who say they are not getting fed. There just comes a time when you want to throw your hands up and say, "to heck" with it all and quit! Church members will criticize your sermons if they are too long, or too short, or if it steps on their toes or.....He is preaching to my sins or why preach that type sermon or...Well, listen to me Preacher. Who called you to preach. Man or God? Jesus was betrayed by a man that He hand picked to walk with Him for three years. Don't quit! You are man's servant and the Word of God says your feet are blessed. Listen to me church member. Get with the program. Pray for your pastor. Talk to your pastor. Share your thoughts and insights. Pray for the Man of God. Is he perfect? No, He/she isn't. Will he/she make mistakes? Yes they will! Do you make mistakes? Does the Pastor throw you out when you make mistakes?

Avoid them that cause trouble

What does it mean to avoid someone according to Romans 16:17? In the English Standard Version, we read this: "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them." For you die hard skeptics that feel you can't get anything from any other translation but the King James Version, then look at that verse in the KJV: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

Ok, now you have two different translations. Why are you afraid of that verse? The truth is that most preachers are afraid of it because when they do that, then they are considered traitors and they have no love. Then the good hearted folks who are stirring up trouble will throw the love verses around and make you feel like a moron. Here is reality in the actuality. If you are walking around stirring up trouble, then the Bible says for people to avoid you. You must either decide to get right or accept the consequences of your actions. God is tired of people who claim to be Christians spewing off at the mouth to hurt another Christian. This is totally wrong. I realize that "blood is thicker than water" and some people really hate it when someone goes against what they believe, but let's face it. You could be wrong! Every idle word you throw out there is recorded. Every gossip you give is recorded. Every slanderous remark is marked down and God holds the key to your fate. You choose to live for God and do right or keep living for yourself and keep sinning. Honestly, do you think Jesus loves it when you do that junk? You must choose today to do either what is right or not. The choice is yours. I just passed a bar and since the new law says you can't smoke inside the building, they created a fenced in shed with a top only so the patrons can go outside and smoke and drink. We as Christians are saying we are not causing trouble all in the name of trying to defend our point. There are two sides to each story. The side that is always talking is always what? The side that never defends themselves is what? You make that decision. So, I challenge you this day. Are you pleasing God with your slanderous statements? Now, it is in your hands.