America....The Land Of Worship

Ok, I have not been on the job as it relates to my blog; please forgive me. There have been a number of things going on and a number of topics that I could have discussed, but I have not been diligent for one reason or another. Please pray for me in this area. I'm pretty sure my wife would prefer this outlet instead of being my lone ear of ventilation, I love my wife!!!

Recently we took a trip to Washington D.C., which explains the picture above. After making the trek to see a number of monuments the Lincoln Memorial struck a chord in my heart; it captured the essence of what America truly worships. I read the inscription listed above "Honest Abe's" head and God impressed upon me that we truly do know how to worship in this country. The only problem is that among other things, chiefly we worship man!

I started thinking about all the monuments in the area and wondered, “ is there nothing dedicated to the Most High God who is the original Founding Father", in an eternal sense. I say this due to the amount of the monuments and buildings that embody the spirit or ideals of these men. Immediately I thought of Paul in Greece, where he made mention of all the gods/idols that they served. They were so off the deep end with their worship they even had an altar dedicated to the unknown god, talkin about covering all the bases!

Check Out the discourse in Acts 17: 16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit; was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. 22 So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ 29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

It was by preaching Jesus that Paul sought to turn the city away from their idolatry, which is what’s needed in our country.

Now, I am a fan of the historical aspects of visiting our nation’s capital, but it is easy to get lost in the "mythology" of America and forget about what really matters.

We do find it very easy to Worship man and for that I must say that we need to repent and serve the Creator and not the created.

Heart of the Father.....Letter to Parents

This one stems from some of the things that I have dealt with being a parent as opposed to what is deemed culturally acceptable by our society.

I'll start of by saying it’s hard to love your kids sometimes. I hope many are not shocked by that statement, but if we can be honest our children, by their actions, can cause us to be disappointed, frustrated, irritated, and any other ated that you can think of. I have had to come to grips with the fact that my children probably won’t listen perfectly to everything I say and follow through with it. At the same time it bugs the mess out of me when you deal with your child and you pretty much can tell that rebellion has made its place in their hearts. Have you ever wanted to do something to your kids that might be worthy of a Protective Services call? Have your kids done something so heinous that you could do nothing but cry about it? Have your children made choices in their lives that broke your heart because you knew where the path would lead? These are all struggles that parents deal with, even Christian parents if we really want to be honest.

I don't personally put on the facade that as a family we have it all together. There are plenty of things that we struggle with and are praying to God for change about. Primarily my wife and I are praying for ourselves. Our area of concern at this time comes from dealing with a blended family. One of my children lives in two different worlds and at times it seems that the broad path of destruction is the path that he likes the most. It's a constant battle that has me checking myself all the time; with this revelation of dealing with my children I have learned that I must deal with my children as the Eternal Father deals with us. THOSE ARE SOME BIG SHOES TO FILL!!!!!!

I am left in awe when I realize how much knuckle headedness God puts up with from us but he never changes. He does not hold grudges and he always, always comes through in the clutch for those that are his. And let me clarify this does not mean that every situation worked out the way I wanted it to, but I can see that it worked out the way it needed to and I was still able to glorify GOD for what he taught or showed me.

Many scriptures come to mind when dealing with my children but a couple of weeks ago the Lord enlightened me with this one and I never even thought about applying that to my children. This is one of those scriptures that you normally apply to outsiders that you may or may not have love for.

Love Your Enemies

Mathew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, [8] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Just for clarification's sake, you say how can your children be your enemies? Check this verse out:

Not Peace, but a Sword

Mathew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

When it comes to being conformed to the image of Christ anything that opposes that image can and should be considered hostile. Sometimes we love our families to the point where we forgo what the Lord has commanded to please them and this should not be.
In speaking as a parent we can be our own worst enemies when it comes to dealing with our children. The first set of verses commands us to be perfect in love as our father is with us. When our children USE US, disrespect, and irritate us do we behave like parents that we see on the Nanny or the Manny? No, we behave like the children of God and remain long-suffering with our children until they choose to come from under our authority or (God forbid) we have to give them the boot. When we have difficulties dealing with our children first and foremost we need to pray and not say the first thing that comes to mind because after all as we’ve heard numerous times as children “if I told you once, I told you a thousand times” or “the more I teach you the dumber I get”. Some of us just might snap and tell our children you aint gone be __________ fill in the blank!!! We give ammo to Satan, who wants the heart of our children in the first place, when we fail to relate to our children as God relates towards us. We also contribute to their spiritual poisoning as we speak curses into the lives of our children out of anger. Some of us are old enough to know that we have spoken some self fulfilling prophecies over our children to their detriment.

The moral of the story is that since we have the heart of God, with our children (the closest people to us besides our spouses); we have to represent that image to them. This means treat them with respect, teach them as well as discipline them. Too many of us just got that shoe to the head (from our parents) and can't even remember what it was that we did!!! Apologize when your are wrong. Let them know that you love them despite some of that knuckle headedness that they pull. Show them a good balance of mercy, grace, judgment, and when necessary wrath...just without the shoes or whatever you can pick up at the time. Encourage them when they do good and criticize constructively instead of beating them down verbally. Let them know that their sins are forgiven so stop telling them how many times they did this or that and deal with today's problems today. Give them new grace everyday as God does with us. Just to let y'all know I am speaking to myself as well because I don't have this mastered, but I am striving to be a better parent!

And if after all that training they seem to go astray don’t beat yourself down. As parents we have to rest in the fact the we have done what we believe God would have us to do and not think that we were just that horrible of parents that our children have not turned to the Lord yet. Remember God loves them more than we ever could. You just might be the one that plants; another may water, but never stop praying for God to bring that Increase!

Show them the love of God and maybe they might want to know the Eternal Father because of your example!!!

America Land of the Free.....but what does it cost?

Ok I must admit it has been a long time. For all of my friends quite a few things have happened since my last post. I have been dealing with my faith in God in order to stop being distracted with stuff I know that he can take care of. Consequently, I have been placing more attention on work, than I have things I know that God has out in my heart to do. Maybe we all have those times were ask the lord to strengthen our unbelief!!! But here we go......

If I were to say that America was land of slavery and oppression at face value of that statement many would bat there eyes, the needle would scratch the record, and I'd possibly be accused of being some Black Liberation advocate. Some would even say if I don't like it I should leave! But I'm here to say just that. In a country where we pride ourselves on being free so much so that we advertise our freedom and attempt to ship our freedom to other nations many are actually slaves.

I have to ask the question is American Freedom the ideal type of freedom for Humanity? I don't hesitate to say no. Our freedom is very deceptive because while we envision ourselves to be free many have become enslaved by this delusion. What do I mean? Look at our society. We pride in the constitution and bill of rights, but that is not even the rule of law for our country. I'll just touch on this a little but We believe that we have free speech...have you ever heard of a free speech zone(an area where protesters are free to gather , but no where else), or how the corporate media controls public opinion by limiting what is actually discussed? Is that true freedom of speech? You should be able to answer that yourself! Our so called freedoms and liberties have lead many down the broad path of depravity. We are free to have sex how we want and with who we want-until you get caught anyway, watch what we want, treat people how ever we want, do as much dope as we want, drink as much as we want, eat what we want, gain as much material items as we can, we are outright encouraged to be individuals and pursue what is good for ourselves-the promise of the American Dream, which keeps us all asleep. In pursuit of this dream, Americans become drug addicts, alcoholics, perverts, rapist, gluttons, heartless pursuers of wealth, disease infested, and the biblical God honoring Model of family has been nearly destroyed.

I know, I know why you got to be so negative. That aint negative that is the truth. Look at what "freedom" has caused many of use to become. Even I am ashamed of some of the things that I done while I indulged in the liberties listed above. Thank God for his grace and salvation!!! Then when people are asked why they do some of the negative results of being free they say things like I don't know I cant control myself!!!!!!!!, If you are not in control you are a slave....the major question is who is your master.

When Jesus brought the notion of true freedom many thought they were free already. He spoke in John 8:31-45(get yo bible and check it out) to some Israelites that had believed on him. He wanted to make them aware of true freedom and how it was obtained, which is done by continuing in his word. This is the mark a a TRUE disciple. Because of their citizenship with the Nation of Israel they thought they were free already. Consequently, Jesus let them know that they were slaves to sin and their father was the devil. Naturally they thought they were "free", but they were actually slaves. "Free" on the outside; slaves on the inside. True freedom comes from being a servant of Christ. You would think that after all he had done there would be no debating him on the subject!!!!

To all my fellow citizens, if you have the same attitude as those Israelites had and believe that you are not a slave because of your identification as an American or even church membership your father might be the devil, you have been deceived and your freedoms are what he uses to oppress you! Jesus told them that who ever commits sin is the servant of it(in other words you are a slave to it) and your master/father is the devil. We don't think about it like that but that is the way it goes down.

I think that it is fair to establish that we all are controlled or driven by something. The good news is that God has provided a way through Jesus for us to be controlled by him. In Romans Chapter 6:4-23 (get yo bible and check it out) Paul outlines how Christians become slaves to righteousness as opposed to slaves to Sin. When we accept the work that Jesus did on the cross we have in effect died and risen with him. Dead to sin and the power it had over us(remember above, I just can't control myself) and alive to a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit within us(we are no longer falling for the banana in the tail pipe!). We trade in that old master(sin/devil) for a new one(Righteousness/Jesus). Of course when you an old dog it takes a few whoopins to learn some new tricks but don't give up and believe God that through him that you can live holy.

As a result of this new life he states in Verses 12-14 that the believers should not let sin reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

And even further in 20-23: For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?(think of some of that pitiful stuff you done did! SMH) For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We have been granted the access to true freedom by the work of Christ!!!

If you are reading this and for a multitude of reasons you think that you are free but are enslaved to sinful desires. You can be made free by believing in the work that Jesus did on our behalf; Lived the perfect life that we can not, tasted the death that we deserve for disobedience to God, and raised victorious over all things in opposition to God that keeps humanity in bondage!

The American ideal of "freedom" naturally appeals to many, but beware the cost of that "freedom" could be your soul!

I pledge allegiance to.........

Tensions are running thick in America during these times. This is mainly because people are having some serious differences about the way government should be run. You constantly hear words thrown around like Socialism(shared government responsibility with private entities to distribute wealth), Communism(government controls and distributes all wealth), and the high and lifted up Capitalism(distribution of wealth primarily controlled by private entities). For those that don't follow the various ways that governments are run Capitalism is by and far the God of American Culture. The American dream is sort of like Capitalism's holy spirit urging true believers to push and sacrifice to become one with their God, as evidenced with wealth and prosperity. For those of us with simpler taste this means a house, white picket fence, 2.3 kids, two cars in the garage, and I cant forget about good ole fido! Oh yea, we cant forget about Capitalism's sacrificial lamb: The holder of the Presidential Office. After all our beneficent leaders sacrifice their lives in the name of public service to uphold and establish the Word of their God, CAPITALISM. So much so that we feel a need to spread the Gospel of Capitalism(Freedom/Democracy) across the globe. We will use weapons if we have to also.

With that put into perspective Christians are very quick to fight for a system that daily usurps the authority of the True God and replaces it with cheap substitutions that are mainly material. Do I enjoy living in America, of course I do, but I do not enjoy it enough that I wont dare criticize problems with it and follow Capitalism's lamb in unrighteous worship. The nation of Israel was faced with a similar choice so long ago. They had the True God as their leader and what did they do......Israel Demands a King
8:1 When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel. 2 The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. 3 Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 8 According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. 9 Now then, obey their voice; only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.”
Samuel's Warning Against Kings
10 So Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking for a king from him. 11 He said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. 12 And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plow his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. 15 He will take the tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. 16 He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys, and put them to his work. 17 He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slaves. 18 And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”
The Lord Grants Israel's Request
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 And when Samuel had heard all the words of the people, he repeated them in the ears of the Lord. 22 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and make them a king.” Samuel then said to the men of Israel, “Go every man to his city.”

We see this in governments today with taxes, armies, seizure of property, etc. We still refuse to follow the True God , but we appoint man with all of their ideas to lord over us. Sadly we do this we great passion and angst.

To all my fellow brothers and sisters, it is a shame but in some instances we can easily tell whether or not someone has pledged an allegiance to a country, government, or whatever you want to call it, but we cant tell if some have pledged allegiance to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus, because there is no where near the movement to serve Christ as there is to serve men and ideas.

Fight for the things of the Lord and not the things of man. Grace and Peace

In the beginning!

Greetings all, this is the introduction to a project that I hope I'll be able to maintain. With the many things going on in the world it seems fitting for me, your humble corespondent, to offer some biblical views, complete with a little satire, of what's happening around us. The world is truly an interesting place and I will be seeking to relate, in some cases examine, ideas and beliefs in society to the truth of the Word of God. There's a whole lot to talk about, but I told the wife that this one will be short so on my next post we will jump right on in. Hope to spread some truth, enlighten minds, and prepare the masses for what is to come!!!