Who do I see when I look in the mirror? Is it a reflection of Jesus or the world?

 

Honoring Black HIStory '23

'Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,                                                                                            Taught my benighted soul to understand                                                                                                            That there's a God, that there's a Savior too:                                                                                                       Once I redemption neither sought nor knew. (Phyllis Wheatley 1753-1784)

She was the first major black poet in American HIStory and one of America's first female poets. Born in Gambia, West Africa, she was stolen and sold into slavery at the age of seven. She was purchased by the Wheatley family in Boston as a personal servant and was baptized at eighteen. Given her freedom by the Wheatleys, her poetry was recognized by General George Washington and she also memorialized evangelist George Whitfield in a poem. She was the first African American to publish a book and is considered the founder of African American literary tradition. (https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-62/black-christianity-before-civil-war-gallery--fruit-of.html) 

Today, I honor her life as I thank God for the talents and gifts He gives to each of us, regardless of skin color, nationality, or gender. 

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)

This truth is foundational. God created all human beings in His image. Gender, skin color, and other physical differences do not change that reality.

Why compare?

God made each of us in a unique way. We all are human beings , yes, but even twins have a unique DNA! We fall into trouble when we compare ourselves with others. We look at others' success and begin to feel insecure and inadequate.

But why???? Why compare?

Many times we have been told what we should do or what we should be. We are compared to others: Why can't you be like __________? Social media, TV, videos and advertisements can cause us to question who we are. Proverbs 18:12 tells us that life and death rests in the tongue. (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2018%3A21&version=NKJV 

Visuals also impact our image of ourselves. Words and images can mold and shape us.

Yet God has a different story for you and me:

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

How does this change the way we see ourselves?

In His image

 What have you done right lately? That's right, forget about short comings, failures and the almosts. Let's focus upon the good we have done for a minute! Let's face it, the world is full of negativity and failings. As we stay focused upon that, we begin to see ourselves as failures as well!

Yet, as God's children, we are called to represent Him. We are made in His image, not the image of the world. Let's focus upon that for a while! God is kind, caring, merciful, sacrificial, gracious, uplifting, and the like. Quite opposite of a backbiting, selfish, cruel, and degrading world. So let's not think this way!

Gd tells us to be renewed within our own minds. It begins with how we think! We think . . . we plan . . . we do. It is simple. So today, let's begin with what we think about ourselves . . . the way God sees us . . . in His image. Let's focus upon the good we have done and can do today. Let's be light and salt to a dark and tasteless world. Let's think about How God has made us, plan to act in that way, and then do it . . . today!

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:2-8)

"Is the effort is worth it?"

I normally do not list the Expanded version of the bible in my studies, but today I will. These verses encouraged me today and I hope they encourage you as well. As we live in a world when things seem to be turning upside down and sideways . . . and not just the senseless violence we see and read about daily, but the everyday selfishness, subtle wrongdoing, backbiting, and jealousies infiltrating our daily lives . . . . we are tempted to give up and give in. If you are like me, you sometimes wonder, "Is the effort is worth it?" It is! Keep you head up and stay in prayer. Only what we do for Christ matters!

Make every effort [Do your best; Be diligent] to ·give [present] yourself to God as the kind of person he will approve. Be a worker who ·is not ashamed [or will not be shamed] and who ·uses the true teaching in the right way [correctly handles the true message/word of truth; or holds carefully to the true message/word of truth]. Stay away from ·foolish, useless talk [godless/irreverent chatter; 1 Tim. 1:3–4; 4:7; 6:20], because that will lead people ·further away from God [into even more ungodliness]. Their evil teaching will spread like ·a sickness inside the body [gangrene]. Hymenaeus [1 Tim. 1:20] and Philetus are like that [ probably false teachers and opponents of Paul from Ephesus]. They have ·left [strayed away from] the ·true teaching [truth], saying that the ·rising from the dead [resurrection] has already taken place, and so they are ·destroying [undermining; overturning] the faith of some people. But God’s strong foundation continues to stand, ·sealed [inscribed; engraved] with these words: “The Lord knows those who belong to him [Num. 16:5],” and “Everyone who ·wants to belong to the Lord must ·stop doing wrong [ wickedness/injustice].” (2 Timothy 2:15-19)

Godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation!

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)

Repentance involves recognizing that you have thought wrongly in the past and determining to think rightly in the future. The repentant person has “second thoughts” about the mindset he formerly embraced. There is a change of disposition and a new way of thinking about God, about sin, about holiness, and about doing God’s will. True repentance is prompted by “godly sorrow,” and it “leads to salvation”.

Many today are embracing sin as acceptable to God! God hates sin! Jesus suffered and died for our sin! While we embrace sinners and share the love of Christ with them, it is to have them to embrace the cross of Jesus and repent of sin!

We cannot continue sinning without the Godly sorrow. There must be guilt! There must be shame! There must be repentance....turning away....a change of thinking! 

We cannot dummy-down the Truth no matter what the politically correct opinion is today!!!

Let the message about Christ live among you.

You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient. Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. And over all these good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one. Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And be thankful. Let the message about Christ live among you like a rich treasure. Teach and correct one another wisely. Teach one another by singing psalms and hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing to God with thanks in your hearts. Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ.... (Colossians 3:12-17)

How do we live as CHRISTians in such a crazy mixed-up world? Listen to Paul:  

      Let the message about Christ live among you! 

We have no choice but to put on Christ if the world is to see and experience Christ! People are not going to experience Him in politics, in public schools, in media or in the public square. He must be represented by you and me.

We cannot get so comfortable and concerned with belonging that we find ourselves apart from God. We must remember Whose we are and Who we represent! Everything we do must be to His glory. He must live among us as we go from place to place. . .His peace, His grace, His mercy, His calm, His forgiveness...His will!

If we want a better world than we the Body have to do better. The world must see Christ in us. We must stop trying fit in so much!

I have made myself a servant to all

 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;   to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.(1 Corinthians 9:19-27)🏆

 Character counts . . . .yes, even in politics! I think our political system has lost track of why someone should desire office. It is to serve! Many seek the prize but for the wrong reason. I witnessed a Presidential debate recently that was embarrassing. Both sides seeking to prove the other wrong, name calling, and general a public display of disrespect.

Paul instructs us to seek to serve, to run with purpose, and to be temperate in so things. . . under control. None of this is evident in our candidates as of yesterday. 

What do we do? As Kingdom citizens we need to pray and examine closely the person AND the policies. God help us!

Are we acting like "new creatures in Christ"?

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (1Corinthians 5:17-20)

Yes, the world seems to be in disorder. Politics is a mess. Society is in disarray. Illness is rampant and seemingly out of control. Our school systems are being run by fear and intimidation. Even our families are in somewhat of a shambles with relationships faltering.  

But God is still in control! We who are being renewed every day are to be seeking to renew others in our speech, action and service. If we are new creatures in Christ, than we have a job to do. . . to be like Him in caring for others' souls! 

Let's not jump on every bandwagon we find. Let's observe before we speak or comment. As Christ forgave us and offered reconciliation and restoration, may we too seek that for others? Let's accept repentance and rebuild bridges that have been damaged. 

Let's give folks time to heal and even to hurt . . . but let's hurt with them and for them! Let's offer to others what Jesus offered to us . . . a chance to change!

Fathers and Sons....Are we ready MEN?

The commandments I give you today must be in your hearts.  Make sure your children learn them. Talk about them when you are at home. Talk about them when you walk along the road. Speak about them when you go to bed. And speak about them when you get up. Write them down and tie them on your hands as a reminder. Also tie them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses. Also write them on your gates.(Deuteronomy 6:6-9)

These verses are very familiar to most CHRISTian men, at least they should be!  It is still the father . . . .the husband who carries the spiritual responsibility to model and teach Godly principles. Yet when a home lacks a Godly father, or lacks a man in general, what are our children, boys especially, to do?

Fathers and sons are crucial to the family, the society, and the Church! God has placed responsibility on the men and for the most part, have abdicated! Even in homes where the man is present, many of us put God and family behind work and financial matters. 

In a day and age when the internet, the media, and rogue organizations are twisting our young (and not so young) people's minds, we men to take our rightful place as Godly leaders of the home, the workplace and society.......and our churches! 

It will take apologies in some cases. It will take repentance. It will take study. It will take wise counsel and some hard and challenging mentoring. 

Are we ready men? 

I will not fear!

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”(Hebrews 13:5-6)

With all the anxiety, uneasiness, discontentedness, and everything else in today's society, there is One we can trust and count on for stability and peace . . .The Lord! Paul knew well of being stressed, chased, abused, falsely arrested, jailed, beaten, and left for dead . . . .eventually unjustly put to death! Once one of the privileged, Paul became a Christ follower and faced unjust treatment from all sides . . . . local politicians (Pharisees and local governors)  former church folk (Jews), current church members (CHRISTians), and the federal government (Rome). While he previously led a movement to track down CHRISTians and even kill them, he now was tracking down the unsaved (Jews especially) to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior!

Can you imagine the daily struggles of Paul?

No matter the day, the age, the movement, or the cause, we as Christ followers must be sure that all we do honors Him and not simply our own desires, feelings or what is politically correct/incorrect.

To be an active citizen . . . citizen of heaven, we must keep our eternal zip code in mind. We cannot live in fear . . . fear of government, peer groups, culture, or family or friends! Hold on to His hand rather than the world's!

There is no fear in Christ, but freedom to live!

Happy Juneteenth 2020!

Celebrate Juneteenth!

Inner thoughts . . . . .

No, I am not black or brown, but my wife, kids, and grandkids are every shade thereof. I do not have a clue what is is like to be in darker skin. I am white and was raised in a discriminatory culture to say the least. I have a white experience, yes white privilege! I did not ask for it. It just happened. As I matured in high school and was able to be the " minority" on numbers of sports teams, I began to question what I was exposed to....lies, misconceptions, evils of society. Living side by side with my brothers of color and varying other cultures, my eyes and my heart were opened to truth. I hurt for my friends.

As I  began to coach and invited kids of every culture to play on my teams, I had to defend my kids from racial taunts, embarrassing words written on church busses, and physical confrontations. I was not welcomed anymore! Even the church was guilty! (Some things never change!)

I matured. When dating, color did not matter to me, but it did to my "friends"! I received all kinds of reactions from honest questions (What is it like to kiss a black girl?), dirty looks, to having our mailbox blown up with M-80's! Once I married a black woman, even my family asked "Why?" In fact, few came to my wedding and many began to totally ignore me. My own flesh and blood! Wow, were my eyes finally wide open!

Once my daughter began school, she was once asked, "What color are you"? She was called names. I simply told her to only answer to "Nichole". Then, after a sudden divorce, I became alone, not trusting anyone really. But one day a minister shared with me Romans 10:9-10 and the Light went off! I accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and The Truth became alive within me!

So here I am, after twenty-three years in my second marriage to a beautiful God-fearing and honoring woman of color with now four black/brown children and six beautiful and handsome grandchildren of differing hues. We've had dozens of children over our 23 years of teen ministry, many now adults,  whom we consider our own....white, black, tan, and in between. I have degrees from three CHRISTian institutions. I teach the Word to high school kids of color and love them all dearly. I belong to a ninety-nine percent black church and it is my home.

Yet I still feel somewhat alone! I still mistrust. I still have doubts. I ask myself if I even have a voice. Is anyone listening? In a world of so much evil, should I even speak? Would it do any good? Maybe just being there helps.

God knows. He cares. He sees. To God . . . to me. . . . BLACK LIVES MATTER!

God's Will. . . I Want That!

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (1John 5:14-15)

 God's Will. . . I Want That! But how in this world do we know what God wants? Well, it starts with knowing God through Jesus Christ! (John 14:6) Then we must read of Him in His Word, learn from those who know more, and then put it in to practice. As we learn about God over HIS-tory, we get in to know His character. God will never do anything against His character.....He simply cannot!

As we seek to please God, we begin to live in His will day by day. Oh yes, we will fall and tumble at times, but this too is a learning process. . . learning of His grace and mercy! We ask God (James 1:5) and we seek after Him (Hebrews 11:6). Even our failures and evils of this world teach us of God and His love, compassion, and willingness to be one with us (John 17). As we grow and mature, our desires

becomes His desires for us.

God's will. . . I want that for myself, my family, my church, this world. . . but it starts with just God and me! What about you?

Stay focused upon Christ and His will

Paul, in writing to those believers in Colosse, wanted to encourage them in their faith. They faced many challenges, as we do these days! What is a CHRISTian to do with so much uneasiness, so many challenges, so much evil, with so much anger on one side and apathy on the other?

Stay focused upon Christ and His will . . . . above all the other schemes and plans, we must put Him first!

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.(Colossians 1:9-14)

 Above all, WE, CHRIST followers, must put God and His For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. first! I will pray for you and I ask that you pray for me so WE, as a Body and as individuals will do just that!

We....Us....They...Them....

WE need to show THEM Jesus.....some how, some way, WE need to be sure to be the Light of Christ shine through US despite our anger and outrage, despite our deaths and injustice, so THEY can see! It is up to just-US to bring true justice to a world that is so evil . . . God's justice!

WE are not a color or race, but a culture of Christ followers! WE are supposed to be ONE (John 17), united under Jehovah Nissi!

It is time for US to be biblically correct as a Body of Christ, despite what seems to be politically correct and popular. When Jesus was ask what to do with the guilty woman, He bowed His head, stay silent, and asked for TRUTH. They all walked away. The woman was forgiven and healed and became a devout follower of Christ.

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst,  they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear.So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:3-12)

I am not saying be silent, but crime, violence, and death is never the answer. Be the LIGHT. Shake some SALT. Who knows who just may see that LIGHT and become changed?

WE are a called out people . . . a people set apart to be a CHRISTian witness, not ones to be hidden in a crowd. Let's not be like THEM!

What will we be known as?

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.  When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.(Acts 11:19-26)

Those who had been scattered still continued to share the Good News. They shared with Jews, Greeks and anyone who would listen. Banabas would partner with Saul and go to Antioch. There, in Antioch, believers were won gold and obvious, that they were known by a special name....CHRISTians!

What will we be known as? When we have been allowed to come out, will we come out boldly or blend right back in to society? Everyone else has come out, why not us believers? It is time to be known!

Popularity will fade.....

LORD SAVE US . . .HOSANNA! What a great welcome for Jesus into the city. However, the popularity will fade . . .

Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna!‘ Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. (Mark 11:7-11)

A great welcome for a king . . .King Jesus riding into Jerusalem with shouts of "Save us!" Yet a week later they would be shouting, "Crucify Him!"

What irony! Here today, worldwide, many are acknowledging God if not calling upon Him to, "Save us!" That's a good thing . . . a real good thing, because we need Jesus! We need saving, from illness and from sin!

But what will be the shouts when it is all over? Will it be Praise God! or praise the government, scientists and doctors?

Something to think about as we approach Palm SONday . . . . CHRISTIans still celebrate!!!!

that we may have boldness....not FEAR.....a change of heart

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.(1 John 4:12-18)

Human beings generally seek closeness to others, yet also fear becoming too vulnerable! Intimacy and openness brings fear among many, especially men. We really cannot become close to anyone if we fear getting close! So we choose to stay distant and live behind masks. I am a perfect example of this! I can fake it very well!!!

What I  cannot fake is a desire to see everyone know His love however, so I press on. . . .

In a day and age where fear is running rampant due to viruses and diseases, it is now more of a challenge than ever to keep from running in fear and isolating ourselves! Yes, our identity and worth comes from God and His love for us, but that love is not to be protected and locked away, but shared! That love should allow us to trust and love, not live in fear! It should allow us a boldness to love as Christ loved, with purpose and conviction to let the world see Him through us!

I don't know about you, but I am facing a real dilemma lately. In these challenging days, we do not have to hug, kiss, embrace or even shake the hand everyone we meet, but we must boldly and fearlessly allow the love of Christ to show as He leads and guides. More than ever, the world needs His love! As believers, how do we do this if we must be isolated? Pray and ask God how you and I can do just that!

What we need is a change of heart, not lifestyle!

Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord'?

 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”(Luke 6:46-49)

In the recent days people are bugging over the newest virus to pop up globally.  Now I am not saying it is not a legitimate threat and we must take precautions. . . . wash hands, wipe down surfaces, cover coughs and sneezes, etc. However, it bugs me that those whom I believed to be dedicated and mature CHRISTians are acting as if God has lost control.

I asked the question in church recently when we all were reminded not shake hands or hug but give a holy wave and spirit-filled fist bump: Where is our faith? 

Now I understand why the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, the very young etc. want to shy away from contact. However, if we (those of us who know one another and are in good health) cannot greet one another in church than again I ask, Where is our faith? 

You may disagree with me and it's ok. But what better demonstration of faith than to be outwardly and visibly confident in Christ? Is the next step to stay home from worship for fear of getting sick? I used to wonder how many would still be worshiping if it became illegal as in many countries. Now I have the answer . . . If we fear a flu virus we will definitely fear a government decree!

My faith is in The Rock . . . It has been for nearly thirty years. It has gotten stronger through homeless outreaches , taking the Gospel to poor and rundown neighborhoods, and cleaning and rebuilding homes devastated by hurricanes. I have hugged the homeless. I have worked around green, brown, yellow and black mold. I have cleared vacant lots with five foot high grasses and trash. I was even splashed with year-old Katrina water when gutting one home in New Orleans! I did not fear catching anything then nor do I now.

I will not be foolish but neither will I be faithless! Its just who He has made me to be!!!!

He IS still God!!!!

How we pray reveals our relationship with God. . . . How much we trust Him . . . How much we believe He is involved in our lives . . . Can He send fire from heaven, shut a lion's mouth, calm a storm, heal from disease, or provide real needs?

And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,  which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.(Ephesians 1:22-23)

To make a difference in other's lives, in this world, even just in my life, I need to pray real big prayers, real life changing prayers, real prayers about real issues to the Creator and Controller of this world! He IS still God!!!!

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”(Revelation 1:8)