Get real, and get started

"In God We Trust"....well, what would happen in your life if you did just that? Trust in God. This is not a big post. There isn't any big words for you to highlight on your iPhone and then request a definition. It's a very simple thought and method for getting through life. Life can be kind of daunting so let's not think of that. Let's just take it day by day. For some that quote can may even be daunting...let's start very small. 

"God, today I'm putting all my trust in you. Whatever happens today, decisions that need to be made, situations needing confederation, etc. whatever it is it is in your hands." 

...He's not going to pick out your outfit. Get real, get dressed, start your day, and see where God takes it!

RELEASE DATE MARCH 8TH 2013

CON is a story that displays true wholeness. Only divine intervention can cause the type of outcome that has taken place in the life of Miguel Gallegos, despite the numerous traumatic experiences to which he was exposed from childhood through adulthood. If you are trying to escape a cycle of chaos and confusion, this book is for you. If you need a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and are ready to walk through the next open door, this book is for you. If God has placed a calling on your life and you have tried to avoid that calling, this book is for you. CON is transparent in its content, genuine in its approach and absolutely transformative in its effect on the reader.

     - Karissa J. King, MA, MFTI

"Miguel's life testimony is evidence of God's amazing grace, and a reminder that no matter who you are, where you've been or what you've done, there's ALWAYS hope. That hope is the power and ability of the Gospel to forever transform people's lives."   

       - Johannes D. Escudero, MA, Pastor - HOPE CENTER

Connecticut elementary school shooting

This morning after packing my son’s lunch and helping him prepare for his weekly spelling test, I began reading the morning headlines. Across my laptop screen I see the yellow “Breaking News” update. It read "Connecticut Elementary School Shooting.” As I read it, it was a pretty vague article-not much information as of that point. At 9:54 am I received a text message from a friend asking if I had heard. By then it was conformed that there were 27 dead. Of course the questions begin: Why? Who could do such things? Facebook was being flooded with related post; people are praying for the victims. No sooner did the Bob Costas begin blaming guns; while this is not meant to be politicized, but can I point out that all the mass shootings with the exception of one have taken place in Gun Free Zones and or places where carrying guns have been banned.  

Instead of blaming abstract objects how about we look at the changes being pushed on society? We are living in a society in which ethical relativism is the popular position due to differing cultural moral codes. However, relativism ignores the fact that this position lacks any form of absolute judgment concerning right and wrong. This simply means that right and wrong lose their definitions and everyone can form their own definitions according to their own thinking. This is a sobering thought in light of all the dysfunction and perversion that people have been exposed to through music, movies, and various influences. Have you ever wondered how many gruesome killings kids witness on television/cable? It is interesting that if you are against tax payers funding abortion, and birth control you are considered part of the “War on Women” but, nothing is ever said about so-called music artist who constantly refer to women with the B-word. Indeed our society has lost the value of life; a prime example being abortion.

Let’s consider our schools. A misunderstanding of the US Constitution banned official prayer from schools. Institutions that were founded on Judeo Christian principles are forced to remove their landmarks simply because someone might find them offensive. (And if you quote separation of church and state you’re an idiot and you know nothing of the Constitution!) What is worse is those who can take a stand instead keep quiet, and far too many Christian are too busy waiting to repost T.D. Jakes' newest tweet. Meanwhile all the warning signs remain ignored. Just the other day upon reading about the shooting in Oregon I thought to myself, get ready because it’s going to get worst! There is more to come.

No doubt it is a sad day in America; this amazing country is no longer what it used to be. We are now dealing with the monster created by entitlements, Hollywood, political correctness, and guilt. So what can be done? What good is prayer in schools if there is no prayer in our homes? What good will come if the tragedy and the victims are forgotten? September 11, is only remembered but once a year. It’s not guns that are the problem, its evil being expressed. I’m sorry Mr. John Lennon but imagining the absence of God has gotten us nowhere!

 American, it’s time we get back to God. It’s time to pray, it’s time to pay attention to our kids. It is imperative that we restore the values and principles that have been neglected for so long. It’s time to take a stand, and fight for our children. We must do our part to fight for what is right. I implore you today to pray for those affected by today’s tragedy. Hold your children, love them and teach them to value life.

Meeting with the Mormons

Last night was an intense meeting. The Mormon missionaries showed up with a guy named Jaren, who they have been meeting with and giving their version of “the plan of salvation.” They didn’t want to be recorded this time, but, I was able to record where they asked to not be recorded (for all you skeptics). The discussion took an interesting turn when I was asked if I believed that we “pre-existed.” My answer was simply no. They presented their theory on their spirit pre-existing as angelic beings to which they presented scriptures to back up their premises. Unfortunately for them, I am far too well familiar with the scripture references that they were presenting. Not only were they misunderstanding the scriptures, but they were adding to them.

 The discussion reached its climax when I quoted from the Mormon “doctrines and covenants” mainly from “section 132.” I think its worthy of note that the leader of the two, Elder Nelesoni, refused to address the topic of polygamy and Joseph Smith. He said he didn’t have an answer but, that he would if I gave him more time. My problem is that I gave an answer to all questions given to me, and I expect the same from them. After all, I didn’t invite them; they asked if they could meet me. I pressed further, and asked: who got it wrong? Did Joseph Smith error, or did God change His word? The other Elder, stated that God changed His word for the situation to raise seed to the Mormons. To which I responded first with scripture, then with my opinion. I said, then your god is not faithful to his word and I cannot trust him. My GOD on the other hand is faithful to His word, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

The meeting ended on that note. Jaren then asked for my number, and said that he would like to talk more…Elder Nelesoni seemed upset, disappointed, etc. He didn’t really want to even shake my hand. The other Elder (I forget how to say his name, much less spell it), seems like he likes me. I really think that if he is objective, he might change religious positions. I did advise him to research the reliability of the scriptures, and the doctrine of inerrancy. I told him to seek an independent source. I pray he does….

2012 Election, what really happened!

What happened last night? The truth is very few people actually realize what exactly took place, much less that the changes that are coming to America will be blood on their hands. Worst then four more years of Barak Hussein Obama, nationalized healthcare will be the law of the land. This means higher taxes above what is already in place and those other taxes that will be in place. It means lower quality medical care. (Thank you to all you seniors in Florida who chose to vote for Obama because you were too LAZY to educate yourself and all you heard was what CNN told you. Now you can rest assure you’ll be fine until you get sick-now go play bingo!). It means the Supreme Court will be tipped, leaning to the left. Good bye certain firearms. It means crime rates will rise, food prices will rise, gas prices will rise and millions more will lose their homes. It means more money will be spent on sex education, while our children can’t even quote Newton’s Laws of Motion. My wife and I work hard to educate our kids, we pay out of pocket for someone to tutor him, and he doesn’t get free lunch-because we are not societal leeches! I understand some people need those programs, but, there isn’t accountability and too many people are taking advantage of those programs. Hard working people get taxed so that lazy societal leeches can milk the system. (Just minutes ago KFBK 1530 announced that schools will now be able to send checks to students because of Prop. 30. Really, and here you thousands of people who think it’s for schools!) WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY! It means our military will be so weak we won’t be able to fight a war without allied forces.

 When Reagan was the President, we were so strong that we didn’t even have to fire a shot. The Soviet Union crumbled! The Problem is that conservatives were asleep while the Left was plotting! Michael Savage was too busy blaming Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, the question is Dr. Savage what did you do to help besides run your mouth and attack Romney? Hannity was too busy giving air time to the enemy simply because he wants to be nice. Rush, hit like if you voted Republican…Liking a status doesn’t win elections. I was on the phone from morning till the afternoon with people even in the poll booth, helping people with their vote! While all these guys with a followership by the millions were too busy playing games. They lost! They lost credibility! Mitt, you don’t bring a knife to a gun fight! Ryan, I was excited about Ryan when he joined the ticket, but what happened in the debate? We don’t care about your daughter’s cute nickname. When you’re given a moral, ethical, or philosophical question you answer it as thus! Not with your daughters nickname. That doesn’t win elections. Governor Christi of New Jersey, you sir are a traitor plain and simple. Good luck on your reelection next year.

 The truth behind last night’s election is that the White House is still occupied by a Marxist President, the Senate is still controlled by the Left, and the House is still controlled by Republicans. We’re still in a gridlock, but I’m sure John Boehner will concede. America was abused over the last four years, and last night she was held down and raped while the mainstream media and RINO’s, and treasonous Christians rocked back and forth on their heels with their hands in their pockets looking the other way saying “nothing going on here folks.” People, we will not give up! We fight the cultural war for our children, friends, family, and for the future generations simply because it’s right! Never give up on truth!

 

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONS

                                                                                                       

                                                                      Abstract

The importance of studying the family unit cannot be over stressed; studies concerning the family bring an understanding of the way the family system is supposed to operate. With such a diverse world and the constant changes that take place within different populations, it is important to have structural norms to help the rhythm and flow of the family within its society. The absence and or the violation of such norms can only produce dysfunction within the family system; which in turn creates societal imbalances that naturally demand societal maintenance. Like any system in order to facilitate rhythm and flow, there needs to be an understanding of its proper structural function.

Introduction

     Structural Functions give the observer an understanding of a system’s intended operation.
Structural Functions do not guarantee the absence or lack of malfunction(s), they do however,
guarantee a more effective and smooth operation (properly functioning system). Marriage and
family are an institution and like any organism/system, its design requires Structural Functions
that govern the way the unit and or system should operate when all aspects of the whole are
operating within their intended purpose. This essay will define the four Structural Functions of
the family system, and will produce biblical evidence in support for each one. This essay will
conclude by taking the position that the Structural Functions are in essence the natural laws that
govern the family unit as a system.

An Economic Unit

     The first function of the family is an economic unit, in which there is a division of labor that
has economic value (Grunlan, S. 1999). Whether the unit is a producing family or a consuming
family it is nevertheless an economic unit that must be sustained in order to function. The
divisions of labor consist of certain duties and responsibilities given, or among members of the
unit for the benefit of the whole. From a biblical perspective, the first man Adam had the
responsibility (job) of tending the garden (Gen. 2:15). The responsibility was never taken from
the hands of Adam. This is clearly understood when God stated that He would make Adam a
help meet for him (Gen. 2:18). Within the family economic system the wife’s position is that of a
help (this includes and goes beyond economics). The ultimate responsibility falls solely on the
husband as head of household; this should not however, be misunderstood to mean that the wife
takes a second class position concerning the economy of the family. The family must be
financially sustained for proper operation, therefore more than mere division of labor which is
perhaps an inadequate description of this function (for Christians anyway).
The function of economy takes a different meaning when it is understood that, the Christian
family unit is to be a stewardship of God’s economy (Gen. 1:28). Therefore the Christian family
works as a team each member operating within their God given authority and capacities to
facilitate the will of God.

Reproduction and Socialization

     “The second function of the family is reproduction and socialization. Society needs to
reproduce itself and rear its young” (Grunlan, S. 1999).  If and when a society fails to reproduce
itself, then said society will fail to exist. Therefore society is dependent on reproduction, for its
continued life and advancement. However, reproduction is not enough for the success of a
society. The socialization of its young is crucial for the further advancement of a producing and
functioning society. The words of the scriptures such as those stipulated in (Gen. 1:26) have far
more meaning than mere human reproduction. Such things as morality, ethics, religious beliefs,
structural norms etc. must be taught from an early age in order to have a vibrant and healthy
society; the teachings of the above mentioned, are the responsibility of the family unit (Grunlan,
S. 1999). This concept is clearly biblically supported by (Prov. 22:6), in that it stipulates that one
should train/teach a child in the way he should go.

Companionship

     Companionship is the third function of the family. In his work Marriage and the Family
(Grunlan, 1999) states “Humans have emotional and interpersonal needs that can only be met in
intimate social settings.” The concept of human companionship comes from the second chapter
of the book of Genesis, in which God stated that it was not good for man (human kind) to be
alone (Gen. 2:18). Thus God made man the ideal companion which is the woman, from which is
found the first family. In a proper functioning family unit, companionship is provided for each
family member in various degrees.

Status Conferring

     The fourth function is status conferring. This function relates to statuses that are ascribed (usually at birth) to persons. Statuses that are ascribed are derived from the person’s family. An example of an ascribed status is when a child is born he or she becomes someone’s son, daughter, niece, nephew etc. This is also found in the bible, when a child was born he/she was either a Jew/Hebrew, or Gentile. He/she was born to a specific tribe. When God made Eve, Adam called her “woman,” thus ascribing a status to her (Gen. 2:23).

Conclusion

     An understanding of the inerrancy of the scriptures reveals that the bible is the word of God, and that it is truth revealed. The bible reveals that the heavens (nature) declare the Glory of God (Psa. 19:1). In (Rom. 1:20) there is clear indication that nature speaks/reveals the unseen. Lastly (1 Cor. 11:14), points to nature as teaching human behavior and acceptability of what is proper and what is not. Therefore it is concluded that the structural functions of the family, have biblical support that are found as early as the creation of the first family. Structural functions are therefore established by the Divine Designer for the purpose of proper function of the family system; structural functions are in essence normal, natural laws that govern the proper function of the system called the family.

                                                                        References

Grunlan, S. A. (1999). Marriage and the family: A Christian perspective. Second edition, Zondervan.
       Grand Rapids, Michigan.

KJV (2012). Logos bible software. Ipad version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

The Burden of Proof

I am often amazed that some people believe in the possibility of intelligent life on other planets, but they cannot believe in the probability of a Divine designer. They won’t believe in God simply because, they cannot prove that God does exist by the scientific method. However, they’ll entertain the idea of a meta-physically infinite universe (which is philosophically impossible), a race of human’s that evolved into a superior people (which is the epitome of racism if you think about it), and the ultimate destruction of the earth. The first two cannot be proved-just like they cannot prove the existence of God. The third is in biblical agreement. The burden of proof is not on the believer, the burden of proof is on the unbeliever…#infiniteuniverse #evolution #destructionoftheearth

American Ideals

August 1, 2012 was a great day in America. People across the country supported “Freedom of Speech.” Although unpopular, the owner of the fast food chain “Chick-fil-A” gave his opinion on a Christian radio station in which he express that he believed that marriage was between a man and a woman. Various groups including left wing politicians express their disapproval of said opinion and called for a nationwide boycott. However, Americans across the nation rallied up and expressed their support. The lines were incredibly long, and men and women brought their children in an open support to this American fast food chain (which by the way has created more jobs than Obama). The controversy has to do with the misunderstanding of the situation. It appears that some groups (including some so-called Christians) are making this issue about Christianity vs. Homosexuals. I read an article in which a Christian stated that he wasn’t going to eat there (today) because it wasn’t turning the cheek as Jesus would have done. Another Christian who stated that he was standing up for what is right; expressed his outrage because Christians were expressing hatred, being judgmental, and gossiping. (If anything he was the one judging all Christians; he was the one being self-righteous!) The truth is that the Chick-fil-A rallies were about a man expressing his opinion on marriage; his opinion on marriage happens to be a time tested position and world view-the same view that Barak Hussein Obama expressed as recently as 2008 (He recently stated that his view on marriage has since “evolved.”) The people who went out and showed their support were not bigots, they were not hateful; they were Americans who believe in Freedom of Speech, Americans who hold on to American ideals and family values, that was what the rallies were about.

  God bless America!

A Revelation A Day Will Keep the Questioning Away

I was born into the Pentecostal church. I grew up hearing the voice of my pastor preaching the truth of repentance, Jesus name baptism, and the necessity of the Holy Ghost. I look back on my life and the number of messages that I have heard preached about having an everyday relationship with God is countless. I am unable to count how many messages resulted in letting me know that receiving the Holy Ghost is not a one time thing and that "once saved always saved" is a lie straight from Satan. I have been told countless times that I am to "die daily", giving my whole self to God daily and repenting daily for all my sins even after baptism.

I completely agree with all of these teachings. But there is something that has been happening to me lately when I read the word of God that I haven't heard preached so much in my youth. Yes the man that I now call my pastor preaches on this subject often and I never get tired of hearing it. However, growing up under other leadership I did not always hear this message. Maybe they thought that we knew, that the sunday school teacher hit the subject enough, or that I would have learned it in a bible study. Even in the early days of my willingness to do the work of God I would stumble over my unsure choice of words as I would try to describe this subject to an individual that would ask me what I believed.

What is the subject?

It should be an easy explanation for a pentecostal. After all, it is the core of our belief.

Up until a few years ago I could not put two scriptures together to explain that Jesus Christ was God in the flesh, that is without the help of a bible study chart. This is embarrassing, but true.

Lately it seems that almost every time I pick up my bible to read I stumble across another set of scriptures that work with scripture that I had read days prior to confirm my core belief...Jesus Christ is the one and only living God!

I have decided to write this post to let everyone know that just as important as it is to pray, repent, and speak in tongues daily, it is also important to not just read the word of God daily, but let His word speak to you daily. Let God reveal himself to you daily. We should be experiencing revelation of his oneness over and over and over again. Just as not praying daily would make us fall into sin so would not letting God reveal himself daily make us begin to question.

Don't just question. Pray and read your bible. Let God speak to you through His word. Let Him reveal himself to you.

For me today, it was reading Luke 24:44-49. Jesus is speaking of scripture being fulfilled. He later states,


“...I send the promise of my Father upon you: but terry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”


"From on high" and "the promise of my Father". It is clear that Jesus is speaking of the comforter mention in John 14:16 and the Holy Ghost which is poured out on the day of pentecost in Acts chapter 2.

If we look back at the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 we read the words of Jesus as he says, 

"All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

The power and promise that Jesus is referring to in Luke 24:44-49 is his very own power and his Spirit which is the Holy Ghost. The very same Holy Ghost that, as we are told in John 3:3-5, must be living within us in order for us to enter the kingdom of God. 

Now, If I was a new believer, or maybe not a believer at all, I may need a little more then that. But with what I have studied combined what I have learned from the preaching of my pastor, this is a nice little revelation of my God to me. Thank you Jesus!

Transparency

I get a kick out of people who like to advertise their modesty, and righteousness on social networks. They’ll look down on others who don’t live up to certain standards, and in some cases even demonize them. Can I be frank? We could care less about your modesty and self-righteousness, especially when you contradict yourself on the same social network. You can post about modesty all you want, but when everything coming out of your mouth is immodest, all we see is a hypocrite.

“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matt. 12:34)

Response to a Trinitarian

" The term "Trinity" does not appear in scripture, however the concept of God in
three distinct yet co-existing persons of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit are revealed throughout the Bible. The Fourth Lateran Council of the Church stated that the the three "persons" or "aspects" of God are all fully present and fully equal. The "Name of the Trinity" is just that: the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. Now there's an explanation from a person raised Southern Baptist, who spent 20 years as a Methodist and who converted to Catholicism 13 years ago."
First and foremost our position to reject the doctrine of the Holy Trinity is not because the word Trinity is unbiblical, but because the biblical position on the nature of the godhead is that of the Oneness view. While there may be room in scripture for the concept of “Composite Unity,” said concept does not contradict the Oneness position. One of the greatest problems with the Trinitarian concept (among many) revolve around the portion of “co-existence,” and “co-eternal.” Both of these portions of the Trinitarian concept lead to some form (In one way or another) of the doctrine of “Eternal Sonship,” which has been scholastically rejected (With some exceptions like Calvinism). For example the word “with” in John 1:1 (according to Trinitarian scholars), demands that a second person be included into this verse; “with” meaning face to face. While this may be true in the English language, it must be considered that concepts are attempting to explain the nature of God with human terms which are subject to error (unlike the scriptures which are infallible). Furthermore, to take the position that the word “with” demands a second person, then ultimately the person taking said position is placing another person in eternity (due to the context of the verse), that is eternal sonship.
Co-equal persons that have society within themselves leads to further problems such as: None of them can be “the Almighty.” If they are co-existing, did God the Son cease to exist for three days, after the crucifixion? God the Son speaks of a demi-God, or Jehovah Jr. The son of God speaks of the humanity of Jesus Christ. There is an amazing amount of difference in these two terms (besides God the Son, being contrary to scriptural doctrine). It is also interesting to note that the doctrine of the Trinity has evolved into a concept that it wasn’t originally intended to. When
speaking of the original concept and language of said concept, it had a whole different meaning. To clarify however, the definition and or name given for Trinity “The "Name of the Trinity" is just that: the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.” This also is inaccurate at best; Trinity is the name of a concept coined by Tertullian (in Tertullian’s written work
entitled Against Praxeas) before the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.
In conclusion the Trinitarian concept separates and divides the person of God, as oppose to the Oneness view that God is united, God is unique, God is One, God is Almighty.

Mary's Mother

Year after year, I read the Christmas story. And every year I wonder the same thing, what was so unique and special about Mary, that she was chosen above every other girl? The bible tells us in Luke chapter 1 verse 28, “And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Mary, was “highly favoured” and “blessed…among women.” Many scholars have concluded that Mary was also quite young, another astonishing thought considering what she was about to go through.

As a little girl, I would dream of what it would be like if an angel appeared in front of me with a message from God. My great-grandmother had several encounters with angels, so I grew up knowing that it was entirely possible. But alas, it never happened. As I became a young woman, and the whole Christmas story took on a new meaning when I realized what Mary actually went through, I had a new appreciation for her. Here she was, engaged to be married; young, innocent, naïve, and those are only a few of the words that come to mind. Imagine her surprise, when suddenly an angel appears and tells her she has been chosen to bring forth God’s son. Do you think this may have disrupted her plans a little? However, notice her response, and this is where I am going with this, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” Wow! The bible does not say much about her upbringing, but I want to imagine a little, want to join me?

Mary’s response to the angel speaks volumes to me about her parents, in particular, her mother. I want to go back a few years, to when Mary was a little girl. What did her mother do to prepare her for such a moment? Did she arrive there on her own? I highly doubt it. Mary’s purpose in life was to be a servant, not just a servant to a random master, but to THE MASTER. Somewhere between the toddler years, the potty –training, schooling, emotional roller coaster of the pre-teen and teenage years, Mary’s mother groomed her, taught her and cultivated in her the art of being a servant to the Most High. She devoted time and energy to create in her little girl not only a love but also a respect for God and His kingdom. Their bedtime prayers probably did not stop at “Now I lay me down to sleep”, in fact, they likely prayed morning, noon and night. Did Mary’s mother somehow know her daughter would be chosen for the highest honor ever given to a woman? No, she probably did not. But yet, day after day, she trained and groomed, spent countless hours teaching, many sleepless nights in prayer and hours upon hours working side by side with Mary, raising her up to be God’s anointed. And when that moment came, Mary received her anointing with dignity and grace, giving ALL glory to God.

Now, I know this is all hypothetical, but it made me stop and think about my own children. What am I doing to prepare them for their anointing? Will they know? Will they be able to respond like Mary, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word?” Would they be able to accept God’s will for their life over their own plans? Not only accept His will, but also do it with dignity and grace, knowing beyond any doubt His way is the best way. I know there will never be another Mary, but I do know that my four children can be a conduit for the Holy Ghost to this generation. They may never have fame or fortune, to which I am not concerned, but Lord let me teach them to be servants ever ready to do Your will.

Just a thought.

Reagan once said something about liberals not being stupid, they just know so much that itsn't so...This also applys to "many," teenagers (NOTICE THE KEY WORD "MANY"). You know so much that isn't so. Your problem is that you're looking at stupid people and calling them stupid. Well thats a NO BRAINER! Stop looking at stupid people, and set your eyes on the wise. You just might see something. Unless you've looked at stupid for so long that now you're just as stupid.

Has Darkness Entered Your Bulb?

You will always see light when it shines in darkness, but you’ll never find darkness in the light. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4) There has distinctively been a line drawn by the word of God that separates light from darkness. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul says that God commanded the light to shine out darkness. By the commandment of God, the good light shines out darkness.

As we sneak so quietly into the kitchen and crack open the door to the fridge for a midnight snack a little trigger in the fridge door has been set off and now light breaks through the opening of the door. At this same instant darkness in the room retreats to hide behind an object to be nothing more then a faint shadow. A line has been crossed and we are now in light. No longer are we silently, yet over dramatically, gasping for air while in shock as at least one of our ten toes makes contact with an unidentified object waiting in dark.

Light is intentional, we turn it on to be able to see where we are going, what is coming, or what is our surroundings. First we must find the power source in order to have light. “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1: 5) In John 8:12 Jesus is speaking and says, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” So God is the power source of the light. When I received the gift of the Holy Ghost the light of God entered into my life, lighting my path. No longer must I walk in darkness not being able to see my next step. I now carry a torch that bears the name of God. Matthew 5:14 says, “Ye are the light of the world.” Verse 16 goes on to say, “Let your light so shine before men…” So as Jesus is the source of which we receive power I’m the bulb that his light shines through. The light of God just doesn’t turn off as if there has been a power outage due to weather conditions. The only way that this light can be turned off is by cutting out the power source.

We are to be a light to the lost, a reflection of the light of God in a dark world. But just as we purposely turn on light, we can also cut off the source that is feeding power to the light bulb. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” (1 John1:6) What is truth? Preaching Jesus name baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost. Why is light throughout this world cutting off the source of power and falling to the dimming light of the emerging church? Jesus said, “Be holy for I am holy”. What is holy in Hollywood, revealing clothing, boys looking like girls, girls looking like boys, or being so relevant that you can’t tell the difference between a first time visitor and the rest of your church? These are the questions that I began to ask myself a few years ago and I knew I was getting caught up in something that could not stand the test of time.

I thank God that I have found a path of transcendent light shining from the house of God that led me from the dim light of the emerging church. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we were called out of darkness and into his “marvelous light”! 2 Cor. 4:6, His light shines out darkness. But what about being relevant to the world? Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “And not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. I want God’s perfect will in my life! The Word of God is clear that we are to “be not conformed to this world”! We are a chosen people that are separated from this world!

In conclusion, light can always be turned on in a dark room but darkness can not be turned on to over power light unless the power source has been cut off from the light.

Luke 11:34-35, “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body is also full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”

For God So Loved...

As she looked up at me, with mascara streaked tears running down her beautiful face, she spoke these words: “He accepted me!” At first, her words did not affect me. I simply nodded, smiled and wiped away my thankful tears, knowing she was a new creature. It was not until later that her words returned to haunt me.

Over the course of the next few days, her words would flash through my mind unexpectedly. What did she mean by them? Was she really surprised that God loved her enough to save her? What has been her experience with love? True love, agape love.

After giving this much thought, I asked God to help me understand what she meant. It bothered me that she went so long not knowing the love of God as I do. Never in my life have I ever felt unaccepted or unloved by my Savior. Honestly, the thought never occurred to me that He would not love me or accept me. This is not because I think myself great or any such notion; I simply know God loves me.

Then, to compound the matter, she called me in a state of distress. She had a bad moment and said a few things she regretted. Hurt by betrayal and those that said they were “friends”, she had a moment of weakness. However, that was not the cause of her distress. Her pain came from thinking because she failed, God would walk away and leave her. Bam! It hit me! She thinks God is like many humans, who walk away from us when we have been wrong. Wow! I was shocked to say the least.

My heart ached so bad, I prayed and wept thinking about the hurt she has endured. I poured over the scriptures so that I could encourage her when those thoughts would come. I was comforted by God’s promises and His love. Now, I had to portray that to her.

Most people are familiar with John 3: 16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Unfortunately, there are many who do not fully comprehend these words. God loved us so much that he sent His Son, His ONLY Son, to die that we may live. If you look in Romans chapter 5, verses 6-8:
⁶⁾For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
 ⁷⁾For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
 ⁸⁾But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Not only did Christ die for us, but He died WHILE we were sinners. He did not require us to be righteous before He offered His life. What this means for us is that He knew we were not perfect and we will make mistakes, yet He died that we might have life.

We put limits on God’s love. Our finite minds have a hard time wrapping around the fact that He loves us infinitely. We often compare our earthly love to His love, and truly, there is no comparison. I spent time trying to relate this to my friend. Using the analogy of a mother’s love to show God’s love still does not reach the immenseness of God’s love.

Finally, she began to relate. She saw how much God loved her and that He was NEVER going to walk away, even if she failed. However, it did not end there. Now, I began to wonder how many people, everyday, feel that God cannot love them. I imagine their pain, their emptiness, and my heart breaks. What can I do to show them? How can I help them? This is real. There are real people with real pain, who do not know about the love of God.

Back to the Word of God, we find our answer. I John 4:11, Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. It is that simple. We are to love one another. In word, in deed, in everything we do we must show forth God’s love. Otherwise, how will they know?

AMERICA UNDER ATTACK....

September 11' 2011, marked ten years since that horrific day in which Americans all over the globe watched in horror as our country was viciously attacked by Muslim extremist. As Jews all over the world said "never again," would they fall victims to such atrocities such as those committed by Nazi Germany; Americans also cried out "WE WILL NEVER FORGET!" on that dreadful day. Sadly, the truth is Americans long forgot the impact September 11' 2001 had on their lives. Sure every year we blog, facebook, twitter (and all the rest of them), about it; But really we're turning it and making it all about our-selves.

While many are sincere in remembering where or what they were doing on that morning (and how they were impacted), the vast majority of people who blog, facebook, twitter about it are only doing it because its the thing to do. They're doing it simply because "everybody who is somebody" is going to post their thoughts on it. The reality is that today (October 5' 2011) nobody is even thinking about Muslim extremist who have declared "Jihad" on our country. The truth is that the vast-majority of the American spirit is laying down in a fetal position, sucking its thumb wishing and hoping that the threat of Islam would just go away!

Ten years later we are living in a country where spineless men are the majority, and women with usurped authority are feminizing our boys. Our little girls have harlots as role models (Rhianna, Gaga, Brittney, Beyonce'), and parents across this country are allowing this garbage to captivate the minds of our children. Dad, Mom have you ever heard of the concept of "Collective Consciousness?" And we wonder why this country is in chaos, it is because we no longer have the ability to think. We have allowed ourselves to be ravaged by ideologies and systems of thinking that say "whats right for me is right for me, whats right for you is right for you."

We have allowed ourselves to be brain-washed!

Even in Christendom, many preachers have allowed "political-correctness" to define their churches and denominations. Many preachers are too fearful to preach TRUTH! The majority of the blame lies on Christian America for failing to speak out. We're too afraid to be referred to as bigots, we want the world to love us and accept us. Reality check! It doesn't work that way, we're not suppose to seek the love of the world. We're suppose to display the love of God!

Americas ideals have been urinated on by the current administration, and we (like lambs led to the slaughter) have remained silent.

The truth is, the majority of Americans quickly forgot about the clear and present evil that continues to attack not just our country, but our everyday lives. American children are as "walking zombies" clearly brain dead. It didn't start with Islam, it started with an ancient evil who lurks patiently waiting to destroy. What will you do?

Lets Leave the Tools in the Artist's Hands

I started working on a small sculpture the other day. I was working with a small tan/brown soapstone from Brazil. It had come with a small stone carving set which I had purchased to get use to using the tools and to learn different techniques. After using a small file on the stone I realized that I was so excited to start that I never really gave it much thought of what this stone would become. It was at that moment that I had remembered a quote that my art history teacher told our class a few years back.

"Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it."

-Michelangelo

I was just cutting in and carving this stone without giving any thought of what I was trying to discover. I began to analyze the stone from every angle. I couldn't come to a conclusion so I put it down for a day or so. After some time had passed I picked it back up to see what I could possibly find in the stone. Nothing. I was at a loss again. However, this time I picked up the file again and began to brush it over the smooth surface of the stone. I was moving slow and began to analyze the stone as little stone flakes fell to the table. As I was analyzing the stone I once again remembered another quote from Michelangelo, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." All of a sudden it registered with me that Michelangelo discovered the statue in the stone before ever carving it. I was trying to carve it before discovering it. I checked out the stone again and it was almost immediately that I realized what it was that I was suppose to "set free".

The purpose of this post is not the sculpture that I am currently working on, though you can count on me posting a picture of it when completed. Rather, It is about the quotes and the lesson that I learned. Michelangelo was saying that every piece of stone had an object or purpose in it. He understood that his job was to find what it was to be and to set it free to fulfill its purpose.

I've seen many sculptures of the famous biblical hero David. And each one was crafted different by each different artist. Donatello's rendition of David, which is one of my favorites, is of a young David with sword in hand as he stands victorious with his left foot on top of the severed head of Goliath.

These famous figures never carved themselves out to freedom; it was always a job left up to the sculpting masters. Now, obviously a stone figure can't just come to life and make that decision. It was just a thought that made me realize that in my own life I have picked up the tools to try to carve out what I felt was supposed to be apart of me and who I was to become. Often times, when holding the tools in my hands, I wouldn't even consult with the artist that had been patently working on me for years. I know that I am not the only one who has tried to take control into their own hands. Many people try to take control when they feel that life is hard and they are spinning out of control. So, here we are taking things into our own hands and trying to carve out what we think to be best for us. Meanwhile, before we were ever created, God, who is our master artist, has always known what we are to become and has been working on us; cutting off what isn't needed. Do you remember the old children's song "He's got the whole world in His hands"? That is for real. God has us in His hands and He is working on us. He knows what we are to become and how to get us there. You see, we are the ones that are trying to discover while He is the one that has already uncovered. He knows what piece is needed and what is not. We just need to learn how to keep the tools in His hands.

"O're the land of the free and the home of the brave"

On this 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, a day forever etched in our minds, will go down as a day in infamy. Looking through the pictures of that fateful day, one picture always stands out to me. It resembles the picture from Iwo Jima towards the end of WWII.

This image displays hope. Hope of a nation torn apart by the senseless acts of terror. Through the destruction the symbol of our freedom remains constant. I can only imagine now why Francis Scott Key pinned the poem which later become our national anthem;

O! say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

As Francis Scott Key watched from the British ship HMS Tonnant, on his way to Baltimore in the aftermath of the Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry, it became clear to him that our flag, which stands for freedom, was still waving. This poem defines what he saw in those early morning hours and restored hope in his heart as well as the prisoners on the ship. The poem has five stanzas, one which was added during the Civil War, here are the other stanzas: 

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
’Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust;"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

When our land is illumined with liberty's smile,
If a foe from within strikes a blow at her glory,
Down, down with the traitor that tries to defile
The flag of the stars, and the page of her story!
By the millions unchained,
Who their birthright have gained
We will keep her bright blazon forever unstained;
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave,
While the land of the free is the home of the brave.

Seeing our firefighters lift this flag from the chaos and destruction that struck our country, restores hope, causes pride to swell in our hearts and reminds us of our freedom. Let this day be a day of remembrances but also let it be a day of hope that we live in the greatest nation on earth! Thank God for the United States of America!