Comfort Food

I enjoy cooking for my family and for those who can appreciate the flavors as well as the labor of cooking from scratch. The style of cooking for me isn't specific to one type. I like fresh food where the flavors merry well and when one has finished the meal he/she isn't looking for more 10-20 minutes later. The meals I serve are satisfying.

Satisfying an appetite is so different then trying to comfort someone with food. I recall as a child coming home from school distressed because the bully antagonizing me in the 4th grade happened to be my teacher. Eventually I would tell my mother while we were out shopping. As I was telling her, she took me to an ice cream parlor (as they were once called). Was it intentional? I have no idea. Whether she had her childhood issues resolved that way or it was something she read, it seemed to have worked out for the best, though it wasn't the ice cream and I knew that. Nevertheless, when the term, "comfort food" was introduced, I had come into adulthood. Without defining the term, instinctively it seemed all that heard it, knew what it meant.

Over the years, "comfort foods" have developed into a style and is now a part of pop culture. Having its roots coming from the 40's and 50's, we understand that the food was mostly made from carbohydrates and fat. The food was created back in that fashion to fill a family to satisfaction. Today it is not something we consume daily due to the high fat content. Still, with relationship problems, distresses on the job, and daily issues with life, people tend to gravitate towards what will make them feel full, content, and satisfied like Momma use to make. There is a universal understanding that these foods are filling a psychological void; however, instead of getting the help that's needed, the calories still mound.

Now that the casserole, candy bar, cheeseburger, carton of ice cream, or whatever makes that sustaining feeling come about, is gone - did problems get resolved as well (John 4:13-14 AMP)? While shoveling those calories down, did some food fairy come along and make issues go away? As believers, I would like an explanation as to why food has been a comfort to you? Have you ever used the term? In using those words, would it be grievous to the Holy Spirit whom Jesus left to comfort us (Ephesians 4:29-30 AMP)?

We know that which the world does is not in the mannerisms by which we have been taught (James 4:4 AMP). We have been set aside as a peculiar nation (Deuteronomy 14:2 AMP). Embracing the peculiarities, we acknowledge that we also have a means to sustain us. We also have food by which we do get comforted. It does not cause us hurt, harm, or danger which the aforementioned could, if consumed in excessive amounts. The Word of God is life. We are made the light of the world and salt of the earth because of it (Matthew 5:12-14 AMP). We are content and satisfied because we know that in Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 AMP). In Him it is already done. In Him we have the faith to keep us so not to complain or run to some means that will either be moth eaten, spoiled, or rusted through. We have a Comfort that is a constant (John 167-8 AMP).

Granted, with the babes in Christ, still on the milk of God's Word, they may have the tendency to reach back to that which is supposed to be dead. That is only because the babes in Christ have not learned anything new to replace that old (1 Corinthians 3:1-4 AMP). It is why the encouragement to keep going to church services and read the Word for yourself is paramount (Joshua 1:8 AMP). The children of God have learned more and will try his/her spiritual teeth on some of the meat but it still has to be repeated again and again in order for the child to sustain the new as good habits (Hebrews 5:11-14 AMP). Yet, the sons of God have skills and exercises their power in Christ. They have used the gifts that have been given and have no identity crisis at no time. The meat of the Word has been our sustenance for a long time and we have established ourselves as friends of God (James 2:21-24 AMP). Understand, these are levels of maturity in the faith. Macaroni and cheese doesn't come close to what we have in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 AMP).

My Brother Is Suing Me?

There is this misconception that as a Christian we are not supposed to take one another to court. Misconception may not be the correct word to use here because the bible does state the procedure if there is a dispute among the believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-7 AMP). The process can be just as long as going through getting a complaint on the docket and having the other party served; nevertheless, it is different then what the world does and is pleasing in the sight of God to do good.

In using the word, misconception was after reading a textbook about divorce and marriage in the church. It was  difficult getting through the first five chapters thinking about how many divorces there are thus far in the church. With so many people not knowing what the correct thing to do in Christ, the alternative being what everyone on the bandwagon does and is socially acceptable.

Oh well, it just didn't work out but there is always divorce! 

It was tedious reading and a little disturbing to realize with the statistics being what they are, why hasn't this topic been discussed to exhaustion. Why are there so many sermons about getting more from God when what has been given has not been taken care of (Luke 12:48 KJV)? That isn't just the congregation but the spiritual leaders and  ministers  as well. They can't ask more from the congregation when they haven't done what God has told them to do. With God being a good Father, He would not have His children be without the information we need in order to have a full, complete and successful life. It seems there is enough punishment to go around for everyone.

Believers try their best to be pleasing to God. In so doing we tend to think this also means we must allow others to take advantage of us. This became a hot spot for me as I got up this morning and thought about my co-worker who happened to give me my check after opening it. She said, "sorry, I accidentally opened your check. It was a mistake." I was seething but took the check from her and said nothing about the matter. You see, everyone gets their check or a notice of their direct deposit in their mailbox located in the clerical office. She and I, because of having the same title, share a mailbox. If you know this, there is not mistake. I was here before her and never did I pick up my co-worker's check by mistake. You just don't do it, not even subconsciously because you are aware of someone else's personal property is there. Even with your own mail, one just doesn't open anything and everything. You scrutinize between the junk and the bills. A year or so later, the administrator did the same thing. Why wouldn't she notice the difference between her check and mine and why didn't she make that mistake with anyone else's check? She wrote on the envelope, "oops, sorry, I opened it by mistake" and then signed her name. She didn't even try to tape it back together. I still said nothing but could have taken a bite out of the back of the office chair I was so angry. The point of the matter is, I didn't do anything about it because the check wasn't a size that was worthy in making a big deal about. I also took it before God so I could still work with these people without gritting my teeth.

Would there be a difference if the check was constant and bigger?

There would be a slight difference. Would there be a difference if the perpetrators professed Christianity? And this is what the entire post is about. People tend to stray away when both parties are Christian because the whole foundation of love and being pleasing in the sight of God is paramount. Getting revenge belongs to the Lord and we are not to care about our material possessions; therefore, we have to go through so many different avenues to settle our discontent with being taken advantage of or just letting the matter go. It is what a family member told me to do when I was a freshman in college and working for a business in its fledgling stages of production. Granted, the owner used a number of his family members and also a few of us in the neighborhood which should have been my first clue but I was 18 at the time. My sister and I were elated to get a job so close to home but all of the adulation went South when weeks turned into months without pay. The owner at the end of every week had a speech about where the company was going and his goals in taking the entire staff on vacations. He puffed up the time we had with so many pipe dreams, the major complaint of payment was overlooked. I suppose he was surprised when he had to explain to the Better Business Bureau of his work practices and to the IRS for not filing the correct papers with having that many people as employees. Or maybe it was a shock to find that I got that process rolling and he received a summons to court.  I just couldn't let it go. It was so wrong of him to do with no remorse and no sign of rectifying the matter. I didn't know whether he was paying his family members with all of our hard work; I just knew my sister, my neighbor, and I had never received a check. My family member still maintained for me not to do anything and let God handle it even when I won my case. I didn't regret one moment of that process especially when he took all of his assets and put them in his only child's name. After I won my case, I did let the matter go. It was necessary for him to know that all of his hot air didn't detour me from doing what I knew was right and now he knew that I wasn't alone in thinking that way.

What about the Christian aspect of the matter? 

If Christians have a dispute, we know the Word would clear it up. If one party was not in agreement of the Word, then there would have to be another party who was knowledgeable in Christian principles (book knowledge as well as living it) to over see the topic and weigh in based upon the Word. If there was still a dispute, then the spiritual leaders are to handle the matter. The purpose for this procedure is to keep peace amongst the people for progression to continue in Christ. If the disputing party is still trying to cause discontentment, then he/she must leave the congregation (be excommunicated). He/she would be considered a sinner. This would mean that calling him/herself a Christian was only lip service. One must also walk in the spirit so not to fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 AMP). Even if that practice wasn't something that had been studied for that individual as of yet, there is the practice of loving thy neighbor as thyself. If the so called Christian hadn't got to that lesson yet, there are always those 10 Commandments. Now with all three of those principles, we can see the levels of maturity in Christ. If none of these levels have ever been in practice especially as long as some of the people have been in church, then there is something wrong. The word tells us to know to do right and not to do it is a sin (James 4:17 AMP). If a person practices not doing right when he/she knows what right is - no matter how many times they call themselves a Christian, their acts say otherwise. He/she is a sinner and therefore is beholden to the same laws that the world goes by.

This is also true when there are those that go through a divorce. If both parties don't know what they have done, they should seek counseling in the church before attempting to file papers. It is no different in the case above. It is still paramount to do things that are pleasing to God. God hates divorce. God has called us all to peace (1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP). Is it a conundrum? 

I know of a case where the husband refused to get a job to support his wife and children. It was taken to the elders in the church over and over again. The pastor counseled the man and he still didn't do anything different. It was as if he snubbed the pastor's advice. Years passed and the tension in the household didn't subside. The wife was tired of going to the pastor and receiving no change. It had become an embarrassment for her and the family. The husband kept making references that if she was miserable, she should go and file for a divorce. He was very careful not to ask for a divorce himself just the suggestion of one. When matters didn't move as quickly as he would have liked, he made the living conditions so uncomfortable, that she contemplated the idea of leaving him.They separated. He started dating and was enjoying his single life. His family spoke to him about his behavior and suggested for him to go to the elders of the church to be reconciled with his wife. He hemmed and hawed but knew what the scriptures state about the matter. He made arrangements for him and his estranged wife to see the pastor. Nothing was resolved even after 4-5 sessions. Finally, after the pastor spoke to him privately, he was over wrought. He called his wife without gathering his thoughts and said, "If you don't want to get back together, I have to live my life. I need a wife. If  it isn't going to be you, it has to be someone. So what are you going to do?" She answered, "I don't know yet. What are you going to do?" He repeated himself. She didn't say anything. Frustrated that she didn't give him the answer he was looking for, he said, "You need to give me a divorce." She said, not knowing the Word as well as she should, "Why don't you get one yourself?" After that, the arguing started but she didn't have to keep listening to it and hung up the phone. 

You see, in this case, the man refused to care for his children. The Word tells us if a man doesn't support his children that he is worse then an infidel (1 Timothy 5:8 KJV). An infidel is a sinner. If his actions depict who he is, he has decided to be a sinner again no matter how he calls himself a Christian. Therefore, he is subject to the laws of the courts. He was taken to the elder of the church and spoken to over and over again. Because he refused to do anything better then he was doing, he disregarded the advice and actions within the church should have been taken. He knew what was right to do and decided not to do it. The Word tells us, this is a sin. His continued acts again makes him who he is - a sinner. Because the church did not take any other action for his disregard of advice, it would be a matter between the pastor and God; nevertheless, because he was not corrected, he thinks he can continue to do as he pleased in the church. Whether he knew it or not, he asked his wife for a divorce. She didn't know that was all she needed to be free and clear of him because it is written (1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP). The marriage continued, estranged as it was, for years even after the separation. His acts of infidelity continued even before a divorce was filed and granted.

It's as if there is this target on our backs for us to be the whipping post for all of those who desire to be bullies but have no one else to pick on but the Christian. Because we have some knowledge in Christ to be the peace givers and the light of the world, we try with every effort not to be argumentative and not to cause dissension anywhere. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. With Him being greater on the inside of each and every one that believes, how then can we disrupt the quiet? How can we be the cause of the storm when we are the ones to call, peace be still? Selah.

The answer is because we are the light of the world we have to stand against the wrong that is being done. If we have someone do wrong against us it is as if the person is doing wrong against the temple of God. You do remember when Jesus came upon those that tried to sell wares in the temple? He said that they had made the house of God a den of thieves (Mark 11:15-18 KJV). There is no communion with light and darkness. When light has been turned on, darkness is eradicated. With this understanding, do what is right. If there is a person who professes Christianity, then he/she will abide by what the church decides according to scripture. If not, then he/she does not believe and therefore, without admitting it, is a sinner. He/she can then be summoned to court, get a bill of divorce, and any other legal matter that is acceptable by the world's standards. It is not because you believe in such practices, it is because the respect and reverence of God is not honored and has been disregarded. Just like Jesus kicking over the tables in the temple, we have the same right to evict the wrong so it is right again. This is why there should be Christians in political office and in everything that would change policy and procedure for the greater good. We don't necessarily have to run for office, we just have to be an influencing factor for those that do. Amen?

Intentionally Deceiving

You know there are specific reasons why a person tells lies. In a nutshell, to deceive the one listening. There is no purpose in sugar-coating it and calling it a tiny white lie. Tiny or colossal, its intent is to deceive. Now knowing that God said for us to be thou holy for He is holy is a command to reiterate to be more like Him (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). We are already retaining a renewed mind, keeping our hearts guarded and Kingdom of God flourishes. Would a faith filled person lie? Could a God fearing man bear false witness? You would think the unanimous answer would be so simple. If there is a complete trust in God, bearing false witness would be as abhorrent as drinking sour milk. No one deliberately does it.

I was going to write this entry about why a person would lie, but we understand that already. Besides in the entry, A Dried Up Kingdom, I wrote about the history of lies and what happens to the listener of lies. Only, that entry didn't show what happens to the bearer of the false witness. According to the verses I supplied in that entry, it would seem Abram came out pretty well. Sure eventually he did only because God said he would; however, just like adhering to that small voice, you can miss the small statements that have been strategically placed.

I have worked with this co-worker that has had some physical ailments that might leave her with some memory loss (allowance for excuses), yet in conversing with other co-workers, she has said several things that haven't been true. I got fed up with it and began calling her on it just to see if she was going to act as if she has memory loss. She couldn't stick with her story. She was all over the map trying to gather some truth to what she had done. The last straw was involving others in her lie. I immediately asked those others. Again I confronted her. Once found out to be a liar, I told her privately, "if you ever lie to me again, I call you out in front of everyone." She was quiet. I suppose no one has ever said that to her before.

Another woman from a different company was talking to me. I noticed one of her co-workers (we will call her Jane) hadn't been around in quite awhile. I pulled a company photograph of Jane and asked the woman what happened to her thinking that Jane had been fired or transferred to another site. The woman I asked had this elaborate story about Jane finishing school and deciding to move to Florida with her children. She said that Jane had a house and a job already set for her. I believed this worker. There was no reason for me not to. One evening while working in a different building but the same position, who would I see come and greet me but Jane. I replied, "back already?" She asked, "back from where?" So I told her what was said to me. Jane said that she was needed on the 4th floor as a constant rather then roaming from one building to another. She continued to tell me that she has been here all along and has never been to Florida. I tried to make an excuse for the other woman who gave me the information stating well, she must have made a mistake. Jane replied, "mistake how? She sees me everyday!" Why would anyone do that? What amusement would she have in telling me these elaborate lies? Who does it benefit?

I didn't say anything about the matter to the woman; however I did notice within days, she was the one that was MIA. She returned a month later stating that she had been taken to the hospital. She couldn't understand how all of a sudden she got so sick. She had gout, emphysema, bronchitis, pneumonia, and was on all sorts of antibiotics and steroids. I just listened to her. It wasn't until I started writing this entry did I recall the verse that is apropos here. God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7 KJV).

Abraham is a blessed man of God. It was only while he was Abram did he have a dark horror that came over him causing him to shutter with a great terror (Genesis 15:12 AMP). Where did this fear come from? Could it have been the lies he told to cover himself from what he thought would hurt him? Could it have been all of the deception he did while he was with his family? Isn't it interesting that God would have him move from his kinfolk in order for him to be who he became as one of the giants of faith in scriptures? Would Abraham met his full potential staying with a family who made it a habit to be deceitful?

What about you? I have to check my heart on a constant to see is something there that shouldn't be. I know God will test my heart from time to time (1 Thessalonians 2:4 AMP). Whether it be on the road where I was cut off from a lane or faced with someone being belligerent when the situation doesn't warrant it. Many times I have let matters go allowing to choose my battles; other times, I will meet the opposition head on and win. Yet, when it comes to being deceitful, no matter if it means that I will not be looked well upon - I have to keep my trust in God. I have more to fear with Him then what any man can do. This is the conclusion I came away with after reading  what happened to King Abimelech when he welcomed Abram and his lies into his palace (his kingdom).

We have a Kingdom too (Matthew 6:33 KJV). It is the one sought in obtaining peace, joy, and righteousness (Romans 14:17 KJV). Personally, once I have found a liar in the midst, I can and have been angry. Whether the liar realizes it or not, he/she is extracting from the kingdom...that is, if you are willing to believe what the person is saying without acknowledging the one that sees the hearts of all men. Because the liar doesn't know why you are angry, it would be to your benefit as well as the soul of the liar, if you maintain your kingdom by speaking the Word at every chance. Incorporate the Word in your everyday language. Understand, speaking Elizabethan English isn't what I am referring to and it isn't necessary to quote where the scripture is found; however, seeing that the Word is life, it will cause discomfort in the liar. I have done it. Liars shouldn't be comfortable around you. The Word is life. Use it!

Its An Eviction!

I have never been evicted from any residence, I don't suppose that it is very pleasant. I have seen pink notices on doors before and could imagine that feeling coming home from work or looking for a job only to see a notice to add to the troubles that distresses a person. I have been fired from a job (or two) before. I recall once it was a relief because I just detested it so. I even thanked God when the three staff asked me to come with them. The other time, I was surprised and hurt. It felt rejected even after I did all of that work for the company too. Yet, an eviction is very different, especially the sort that is necessary to function in the manner God created.

First, comprehend some elements before the eviction occurs. A lease was signed with the understanding of the rules and guidelines given. Rent must be paid and the property must be as put together as it was when moving in. The landlord also knows that if there are any malfunctions within or around the property, he shall be there upon contact to make sure the problem or issue is resolved. The tenant and the landlord are agreed. It is a business partnership. Any deviation from this agreement will cause conflict. If there is still no resolve, legal matters are enforced and the landlord will have the right to proceed with  an eviction.

Would these proceedings also apply spiritually? You know what I mean. Like when there is warfare going on and the prayers of the righteous are doing what it is suppose to be doing. When the good fight of faith is in operation, would there also be an eviction proceeding (1 Timothy 6:12 KJV)? If so, how would one go about with that?

Jesus didn't talk to the throngs of people plainly even though they came in enormous numbers to hear what He had to say (John 16:25-29 KJV). Many of them practiced the traditional and ritualistic ways. Jesus was initiating something so different that it caused the people to become angry. The information didn't digest (in a matter of words) because of what they allowed to be their truth. Them wanting to crucify Him was the accumulated efforts of the undigested and rejection of the spiritual food. His disciples, however, asked questions after Jesus spoke. They seemed to hunger for more of what Jesus was giving. Why did that happen? What was the difference between the 2 groups other then the size?

Jesus chose the original 12 disciples. They were all doing something in their lives and none of them were strapped for cash. Notice when chosen, none of the original 12 questioned in following Him. Though they all had their own homes, they spent so much time with Jesus, it was said that they spoke like Him (Mark 14:70 KJV). It is what we all strive to do. How would that happen now when Jesus has ascended into heaven?

Jesus had a goal to complete on this earth before ascending to heaven. He is the Savior of this world. In order for Him to complete His goal, He was found in the temple asking the elders questions and He studied the Word (Luke 2:42-52 AMP). He was praying and getting to know more and more about His Father. When the time came for Him to start His ministry, He left His mother and earthly father to go out and see to His bride - the church. This is what is required of all of us as well. The Word tells us to meditate in the Word day and night, then we shall have good success (Joshua 1:8 AMP). The Word tells us that the prayers of the righteous avails much (James 5:16 KJV). This would then be your answer if wondering where is your blessing or why this and that is happening in your life. You had to give credence to something that isn't apart of righteous living. It has made a home in you and causes you to think the way you do (Ephesians 4:27 KJV). How does it have communion with righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV)? That is what you call yourself - the righteousness of God through Christ Jesus, right?

Recall when Jesus spoke to Peter after the last supper. He told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed. Peter said he never would. He said he loved the Lord. He just couldn't believe he would do such a thing trying all he could to please Jesus in all things. Nevertheless, Jesus must have seen something in Peter that he also needed to see in order for it to be evicted. When Peter saw what was happening to our Lord and Savior, the people that was about to crucify Jesus, looked around for the disciples. Peter feared for his life. Because of that fear, when the people asked if he knew Jesus, he said he didn't. He said it twice and to prove for the third time, he cursed. Then the cock crowed and he was reminded what Jesus had said to him. Peter grieved (Luke 22:34-62 AMP).

How can the intentions of a believer, being so pure still have something within that isn't? When being confronted with wrong doing, I have heard people say, "well, God sees my heart." As if that is a panacea to continue to do wrong. I've spoken to an elderly woman for a little over three years on a regular basis. She loves the Lord with all of her heart, yet when she is upset about a thing, she is quick to use a little profanity now and again (2 Timothy 2:15-16 KJV). At first I was surprised with the both of us coming from the same ministry and receiving the same training. I expressed my shock to her and she thanked me. She did give an excuse for why she now and again says the things that she does, but ended with that she was going to stop doing it. I also noticed when I asked how she was doing, I was surprised that she would give similar answers to that question as those that didn't know the Lord as she does. We had a talk about that as well. It wasn't as often as she was doing, it just didn't stop as I thought it would. After three years, I stopped talking to her about her behavior that would be foreign to righteousness. I didn't sign off to her being elderly and didn't know any better, I signed off to her liking the attention it gave amongst the other elderly people so that they would have something to continue to talk about. She came to my office to speak to me, as it is her practice to do. She then proceeded to tell me of her ailments and I didn't speak. She paused before continuing to complain about this and that. Still, I said nothing. When I looked at her expression, I distinctly saw her looking at me at the corner of her eye. It was as if she were hoping to stir me up to chastise her about her conversation. I still didn't say anything. She then got up to leave.

It was as if my time was being wasted saying the same things to her over and over again only for her to keep saying what she knew not to say. I was getting annoyed with her because she knew just as I do that the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts must be acceptable in His sight (Psalm 19:14 KJV). How then can we speak anything outside of what God says we are. Even if every single joint in your body aches it doesn't mean, it is what one who believes in righteousness should say. The words that would be fixed in our heart and mind would be, by His stripes I am healed (1 Peter 2:24 KJV).

This past weekend, I went to visit my mother. She is being rehabilitated to move from the hospital back to her home. She was having respiratory issues according to the doctors. When I visited her, I came in the room slightly annoyed. There was the very woman that introduced my Lord and Savior to me! How is it that she is in this hospital bed - still? I began talking to her about the Word. She conveyed to me that she has been saying the Lord's prayer and the 23rd Psalm which has got her through for the most part. That is good. Then I said something that caused a reaction. I said, "well Mom, its time to get that thing out of here so you can go to your home." I started with that and continued to speak on the Word. I didn't see her facial expression react at all, but she reached to grab the alert button to signal to the nurse. I asked what was the matter. She was making a request for her panic attack medication. What? As the nurse left, I asked my mother, "God didn't give you a spirit of fear but love, power, and a sound mind. Why are you taking this?" Her expression changed and I didn't know what else to say but to pray.

The Word tells us that we all come short of His glory (Romans 3:23 KJV). This conveys that there are times where we make mistakes, failed tests, and have said somethings that we shouldn't; nevertheless, it doesn't mean that God has turned His back on us for doing, saying, or thinking these things that aren't of Him. He has the requirement for us to walk in love. It is what we can hang all of the law and prophets on. If we love Him with all of our heart mind and strength and love our neighbor as we do ourselves, we are doing well. It is that love factor that keeps us clean (spot and wrinkle free). We have studied, much like Jesus, so we know how to act and react to every situation. It is our goal in life in order to have the life Jesus met His goal to give to us. It keeps us free.

Get Ready, Get Ready, Get Ready....For What?!!

I was looking at one of my favorite speakers, Dr. Creflo A. Dollar, Senior Pastor of World Changers Ministries in College Park, Georgia. He is the first pastor that could make me understand the practical application of the Word and that it actually could be a life style rather then just so many words a clergyman says to a group of people just because he was hired to do it. Once I understood what was being said, I knew I could do it and not turn to the left or the right - like I have heard so many times in the past and it just didn't make sense before.

Sunday, April 8th, the message that aired was from an Easter Sunday service. Pastor Dollar began the sermon by stating that he received permission by the Holy Spirit to get up into their business (the congregants). I was intrigued, as I usually am by the message, I just never expected for him to say what he did. On Easter Sunday the sermon is as routine as it is on Christmas Sunday. Pastors who have had their ministries for any length of time almost never venture off of the script of the birth of Jesus during Christmas and His resurrection on Easter. You would think with so many people coming to church on those days that the message would be a little different in order to embrace the new comers or the novices so that they would have the desire to return through out the year.... but nope, year after year, the same thing over and over again until I made up in my mind that on those holidays when there are so many people to hear what is necessary, I decided to give up my seat seeing that I am there throughout the rest of the year. Nevertheless, this morning, Pastor Dollar began the message as expected. In describing the crucifixion and the state of Jesus' body, he told the reason why the other men had to have their legs broken and Jesus didn't. His point being, it was prophetic even before Jesus was born (Psalm 34:20 AMP). Pastor Dollar mention other things that happened in our lifetime that also are mentioned in scriptures. He then asked the question, with these things taken place, shouldn't you also be concerned that the rest of the bible will also happen as well?

It was typically quiet amongst the people. Whether they were thinking of the question asked or whether they have something in their own lives to clean up was between them and God. What wasn't expected was the direction he went after that. He spoke on sin, as most pastors would, then he got on the men. That's right, he actually said something that wasn't in the best light about the men! I was glued. The years and years I have gone to church services and heard how much women have to change this and that. If its not the way we look on the outside then its the look of our bodies. How we must accept our husband's crap and more and more and more. I don't know how some women could stand it. But this time, it finally was the men's turn. Actually, if no one else will say it, I will - it should have started there. But, with most pastors being men.....[sigh]. Seriously, view it here for yourself.

As a counselor, I have heard the frustrations of people on a continuum. In so doing, my job is to root through all of the complaints and actually try to find where all of the pain and hurt comes from. Most often, the underlying problem is not what they are complaining about. Many times there is childhood pain coming from an abusive or neglectful parent, neighbor, or family friend. If therapy is delayed, the direction of one's life is dictated by that pain in marrying the very people that caused the pain subconsciously or deliberately thinking that it's normal to be abused or treated with little to no respect. If the therapy is in church services hearing the Word in order for the person to straighten up, stop treating people like a day old newspaper, and turn your life around - then so be it. Its cheaper and it has more benefits (Isaiah 32:17 KJV). Its just putting the blame on someone else for the shortcomings of one person has to stop (Genesis 3:11-18 KJV). A child might be able to get away with that because of his/her lack of resources and life experiences - not a grown man or woman in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10 KJV).

Life comes with many decisions, yet for the born again believer the decision remains to be the same - life. When ever there is a choice of two or more things set before you, the answer is life. Case in point, you have three colors to choose from to decorate your office: blue, yellow, or cinnamon. What color should you choose? The one that is your favorite? The one that your boss likes? The one that will make the girl or guy you are trying to impress like you? Or the one that will cause the customers you serve feel relaxed when making their decision to use the company? What do you do? Who will you seek in finding the correct answer? Answer: you seek the giver of life - Jesus. In praying and acknowledging Him first, you are keeping life, abundance, joy, peace, and righteousness at the forefront. Success is eminent.

The message Dr. Creflo Dolllar came with, was much needed - for the women as well as for the men. It was like the spiritual food doesn't have to be diluted anymore. There is more then just a handful of us that can actually chew on the meat of God's Word and the vegetables are quite tasty too. Finally...finally....finally! Change has to take place with servings like these. Fighting the good fight of faith emerges power before, during and so much more afterward - if you stand. Because like it or not, being ready or not - Jesus is coming!

Place Your Name In The Place of Charity

It was on a Sunday when  I attended the services that I had for more then 17 years in Michigan. Many things had changed because the father had given the ministry for his son to run. So the son put his own flavor on how things are to function and I could tell that there was a difference in the house, including the way he preached the Word. I agreed with many of the things he was preaching and would have had a better grasp on the topic if I had heard the first part of the message the week before. The week I attended, the sermon had to do with marriage. The week before, it was for the Christian single. He used many analogies and comical short stories to keep the sermon interesting but it never clouded from the verses in the bible that laid the foundation about what he was referring.

He had made mention of last week's message and how Paul taught the lesson that it was better not to marry; nevertheless, he highlighted that he, the pastor, believed God intended marriage to be for everyone. I continued to listen with all of the rules he had for marriage and the needs for the women were much different then the needs for the men. He had listed steps for a happy marriage. I think there were 10 of those. He listed 5 needs men had to have in order for them to be happy and the first need was sex. But before that he listed the 5 needs women had to have to be happy. I couldn't help but to notice in defining certain words that list of needs went from 5 to an easy 20. I wondered if that was Freudian. When he finished many of the congregants were quiet but nodded with what they had to do to change. I guess it was just what they needed to hear.

When services were over I thought about the message and came to the conclusion that with the first part of the sermon, being what Paul taught for the singles, this message was perfect. The pastor had to have said last week that if you marry based on those sexual needs and not the love Jesus had for the church, yeah, the list should be as long as the one he gave. Its almost burdensome to watch every little teenie-tiny thing you do for the other person to be happy, but then again, when marrying for sexual purposes are in effect, following Jesus does come second. When putting Him second, well, you get what you get (trouble defined).

The message began with him stating, "family comes first." Once he spoke those words, I looked around at the congregants to see if I recognized any of my friends. It had been a few years since I had been there. I saw some people I remember, but those I fellowshipped with had moved on. Like I mentioned, there was a difference, it was a new generation of followers. A younger sect and they were happy that they have a ministry to develop and make something of it. I smiled and knew that the Lord had me move on because it was time to do so. The pastor as well as those who nodded with all they needed to change will soon find that family is second. God is first. Trouble will always be at foot when the equation is out of order.

Thinking about all of those rules that he hoped the listeners would write down, I wondered why he didn't start the message off differently - even for the second half. Why didn't he reiterate that with God all things are possible and just when you don't think you can't make it one more day without sex, God is there to give you exactly what you need to make it? Why didn't he make mention of the love of God that should be practiced from the very beginning of any Christian walk and how that practice will secure you to dwell in the secret place of the most high. Why didn't he put some kind of emphasis that we are to be content in whatever state we are in and people can't get you there if you intend to be miserable (Philippians 4;11 AMP)? Why didn't he mention that those sexual necessities is a mind game that the enemy has with us all and if we don't defeat it, that trouble Paul spoke of will be there (James 4:7 AMP)? Why didn't he just give the listeners more options then what he did?

Finally, he closed the sermon with the definition of love. The intensity of those words that wedding vows, romantic lyrics, and love letters are based paled having all of those rules in place. He said, "where the word, charity is, place your name." He didn't even read the verses. He expected for the congregants to read them on their own. How was that supposed to happen? It was like another set of rules. Goodness! See for yourself:

If Bill read the definition of love he would say, "Bill never fails. Bill is not fault finding. Bill is not self seeking. Bill endures long and is patient and kind...." If Bill never practiced any of this before he got married, how will he ever be able to do this now? This frustrated me just to think about as a single person; I could only imagine what the married people thought especially if on the brink of divorce. Yet the congregants nodded and agreed. And I suppose that was good.

I guess I was looking for something more. It was time for me to move on instead of trying to hang onto a ministry that has moved on without me. The teaching wasn't there for me and those that replaced the members I knew seemed to be content. I thought about that last message I heard from the church I use to attend and knew with placing a person's name in the place of charity, faith would have to be in operation for us to be as God is. He said be holy for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). God is good (Mark 10:18 KJV). God is love (1 John 4:8 KJV). God is the greater one on the inside of those that believe (1 John 4:4 KJV). Therefore, if we strive to be more like Him, then we can also never fail, not find fault, not be self seeking, endure long and is patient and kind, and so forth. Yet, without God being first in all that we do, feeling frustrated makes sense. Interesting, isn't it?

38 Years!

Seriously? What takes 38 years to do?

I was thinking on this particular scripture while getting ready for work and got so irritated at the man waiting at the healing pool for the angel to come and stir it up for him to be healed. I wondered about that man sitting there day in and day out for his moment. When was his moment about to happen? Thirty-eight years, he's had this affliction While some ministers would take this message and run with being diligent in the process of patience, I just don't see it that way. What was this man doing in that time that he was by this pool? He had to eat during that time. He had to sleep. He had to maintain with bodily functions. How did he do that? So why didn't he fight for his position? Aside from that, there were others that came and saw him year after year. He told Jesus that every time he would try to get in the pool, someone would jump in before him. So why weren't any of those people considerate enough for this man to have his turn? What was he thinking during that entire time? Did he get discouraged? Did he complain? Did he talk about others that passed him by? What was his attitude during that time?

I ask these questions because God is good. He would not frustrate His children. The Word tells us this over and over again. If your father in his evil ways would have good gifts for his children, how much more so would your Heavenly Father (Matthew 7:11 KJV)? The Word tells us that God tempts no man to evil (James 1:13 KJV). To complain would not promote righteousness, therefore it is evil and not of God (Philippians 2;14-15 AMP).

A woman bought a house and claimed it as "a starter home." She believed God for her dream house when the time was right. During some years, the neighborhood changed and the woman continued to wait on God  for the house of her dreams. Over 30 years passed. She became frustrated when anyone asked about her dream house. Her reply went from, "God will provide" to "I just don't care anymore." In all of that time as the woman continued to reside in that "starter home" she blessed others when it was befitting of her. She faithfully gave her tithes and her offerings. She thought of herself as being diligent with the small things God gave her to do. She would even go through other neighborhoods and watch the various houses that she would like to eventually reside in. Funny thing though, she never went through the same effort as she did when purchasing her "stater home". She never contacted a Realtor, did the research for the marketing prices of the homes, never looked into better locations, as she did when getting "the starter home". If the wait is extraordinarily long, the problem isn't what is God doing, its the consistent efforts in the one waiting.

What are you waiting for? What perfect work is patience doing for you (James 1:4 AMP)? Did you ask? The Word tells us about a farmer. He has patience for the seed sown to sprout up for the harvest he is employed to care for. The farmer is fully aware of the kind of seed sown and the state of the earth the seed was sown into. He is aware of the best conditions in which to sow the seed, otherwise his time of employment would have been for nothing. He expects for his harvest to be great. He has every reason to. He studied. He did the necessary research for his expectations to be met.

I have a number of things that God has called me to do. I was taking a certain amount of classes and other matters were doing well for me and then without warning - things came to a screeching halt. I didn't know why and it was extremely unnerving for me. I went before the Lord in prayer and what I believe I heard in my heart was about these two textbooks. These books were from a class by which the professor teaching didn't go over line by line nor had the students read for lecture or assignment. At the end of the term, he said for the class to read the books on our own and it would be to our benefit. Then he expected for all of the students to say in unison that we would. I felt like a child in Sunday School. We all said it and moved onto to the next semester. Still, Christian teaching isn't like secular especially when you are called to do a work. There isn't any such thing as skipping steps and making short cuts. The one called needs every single morsel to be effective in the calling. I kept looking at those 2 textbooks on my book shelf considering on reading them through eventually. Only, the next semester for me was like trudging through spiritual sludge. I had the worst time getting the classes and materials for the next semester and even when I did, it was the wrong things. I expected a full refund because classes had already begun and expectations were already assigned to the students. I was so behind. Not to mention that favor with men, governments, and on my job was at a stand still. People who normally treated me with high regard were now being disrespectful. Still with all that was going on, those books were not upper most on my mind. I missed the next semester. Money wasn't what it could be for me to attend classes. It was pretty rocky the semester after that and after that until I was seeing those that had no education were not only getting their degrees, they also completed their graduate courses. Now, I was getting not only frustrated but angry. I went before the Lord because it had to be somebody's fault and I know I was doing all that I knew how to do to be right. So if it isn't me or anyone else I know... then Lord....what's going on? I wouldn't get an answer but so happened to open my eyes from prayer and looked directly at those same 2 textbooks. When was I ever going to honor the answer to the question that anointed teacher asked of us all? I had to break the spine of that material to get back on the path I was assigned to.

This blog is to answer the questions that many of us have over the years of our own personal Christian walk. We either have come to a cross road and wonder which path to take or we have taken a path and wonder why there isn't as much blessing as there once was. We have made mistakes and don't realize how simple life use to be until much later. In asking the question: what happened, Lord? Or, is this all there is? Or, what's taking so long? The answer will invariably be something we did from habit or not thinking that it was too big of a deal to even consider. What we do know is that those small foxes that spoil the vine will cause production to ceased. That man at the healing pool frustrated me because all that he needed was right there and he waited for so long without doing anything. He could have built a fortress, devised a way to keep people from going in before him, he could have been right at the edge so that when there ever was a stirring he was automatically first. He could have thought of anything to do but just sit there for 38 years. He found a way to eat, sleep, and to have shelter. The same is true for my situation. All that I needed was right there. It was in front of me. All I had to do was open the book and read it. How simple was that?

The Word tells us that we are like trees planted by the rivers of living water (Psalm 1:3 KJV). The water is right there for the trees to have as much sustenance as the roots can hold. There is no need for the trees for anything. Fruit should be plentiful because of the provision. The Word tells us we also know a tree by the fruit it bares (Matthew 7:16 AMP). If the water is there and the tree continues to stand, what fruit should we see coming from you? Is the fruit obvious or are you waiting on the Lord to do what you can do for yourself? At the cross, Jesus said, it is done. The Lord is expecting a harvest. That sounds like the next move is on you. Selah.