Case Closed!

We live in a society and a world filled with diversity. There are so many different races no one can count or name them all. We also live in a world where acceptance is a major barrier. Children and adults are committing suicide because they are being bullied and not accepted. It is the premise of acceptance that prompted me to write this article. I recently saw some social media rants based on many debating different issues surrounding acceptance. Is it acceptable for a teacher to wear body hugging clothing? Do we accept it because her body may be fuller set than others? Is it acceptable for male, born a male, now believing he is a female be allowed in the restroom with other females, though he is still male? Do we accept it because we don’t want to offend him? Is it acceptable for a football player to refuse to stand because he feels his country has disrespected his race? Do we accept his right to protest when that is what the land of the free is supposed to be all about? Many have opinions on so many different things and they will say everyone must accept their opinions on those subjects in the same sentence where they refuse to accept someone’s different opinion on that very subject! I saw someone post a list of “what if’s,” things like; what if religion is a waste of time? What if there is not God? So if I pose the question, “what if God is real, why should that be a problem? If I am supposed to accept another’s right not to believe, don’t they have to accept my right to believe? Everyone always says “don’t judge, but at that moment they are judging, because they assume I am judging…it’s all exhausting. So let’s look to scripture. II Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. At the end of the day only acceptance of Christ matters. Case Closed. If I’m wrong…you better be right! Think about it!

It's Automatic

Many call us the microwave generation. The children of today are considered, those born in the age of technology. Everything runs fast and, seemingly all the know-how you could ever need is just a “Google” away. If you know someone who still have dial up internet or a land-line communication device (telephone- LOL), these days that’s pretty much prehistoric. There are so many devices and conveniences in our day and age, it interests…me what will be next. I was recently eating lunch with my family and went into the restroom before eating. When I rose from the toilet, it flushed…automatically. When I approached the sink I placed my hand under the soap dispenser and soap landed on my palm…automatically. Once I had soap I only needed to place my hand under the facet and guess what…the water came out…automatically! Of course this is the norm but on this particular day it made me think. Of all the things in life that are automatic, how often do we recognize that, that’s how God’s forgiveness and grace work as well? The water in the sink didn’t question me about how dirty my hands were; a toilet doesn’t refuse to flush based on what was dumped into it. When you step on an automatic door, you don’t stop to survey whether or not the door will allow you to enter based on your past. Let us remember that when it comes to God’s grace. Christ was crucified and raised from the dead for the very reason of offering automatic forgiveness. All we need to do is ask. Now if I approach a sink knowing water will come out but I never stretch out my hand to receive the water what will I get? Nothing. Likewise, you can’t expect forgiveness, or change in your life if you do nothing. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as simple as that. It’s automatic. Think about it.

A way of escape!

A lot of my articles lately have been about movies, I’m feeling a bit like a movie critic. I would love to tell you this article is not about a movie but that would be a lie. I have several questions for you to ponder throughout this one.  I hope not to bore you. I recently watched the Oscar nominated film “ROOM.” It is the tale of a young woman, named Joy, who was kidnapped at age 17 and locked in a shed by her capture for 7 years. Two years in, she becomes pregnant by the kidnapper. She and her son are never allowed outside, they are locked in a fortified bunker style shed that only has one sky light window. Though her capture brings them food weekly and treats every once and again, what he is offering is not enough to bring fulfillment to their lives. Question: Are there things in your life holding you captive, leaving you feeling unfulfilled? She seemed to have given up on escaping. Though she was miserable, she almost seemed content with her life as it was. Question: Are you miserable but settling? Have you given up the fight for better in your life? Finally after seven years in captivity, Joy begins to get sick. She also begins to notice how smart her son is and decides she must escape. Question: What will it take in your life for you to stop accepting the bad and start your fight for escaping to better? Soon she hatches a plan. (I don’t want to ruin the movie so I’ll stop there, rent it- REDBOX  ) I will tell you this she does escape, after a few failed attempts, Joy and her son are finally free from their capture. (The movie goes into much more, it’s a must see!) At any rate my final question for you is this: if you know you are being held captive by something, whether it is; self-hate, a bad relationship, or an addiction, when will you realize there IS a way of escape! 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Did you read that scripture? God is faithful, and it doesn’t matter what you are facing or what has you captive. Jesus paid the price of our freedom with His blood! So what’s your plan? Will you remain in the stagnate place of captivity and bondage or choose to allow the love Christ to make you free? Think about it!

Faith that doesn't hesitate, like Abraham!

At age 100 Abraham and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child together. I’m sure though they were old they must have been overjoyed to have a new life in the family. The bible doesn’t specify but Isaac was still a boy with God Himself made a request, or requirement if you will, of Abraham. Gen. 22:2 “Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” The instructions were very specific. There was no need to question what God wanted Abraham to do, kill his son. What stood out to me was Abraham’s responses in this text; first there is his initial response to the instructions. Gen. 22:3 “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” There is no text between verses two and three, to me this says Abraham did not question God, he did not debate whether he would do as instructed, he did not consult with anyone as to what he should do next and he did not hesitate to obey! How many times have we been given instruction directly or indirectly from God and hesitated to obey, wondered if we heard correctly or asked someone if we should or should not follow through? So Abraham journeyed as instructed prepared to follow through with God’s order. Once they arrived though, Isaac, who had been raised in the faith and I’m sure had been to many sacrifices noticed something was missing and he questioned his father. Gen. 22: 7 Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” But again Abraham does not hesitate, he answers his son in faith Gen. 22:8 “And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Here we can see that Abraham has taught his son to be obedient just as he is obedient. We know this because Isaac follows his father’s instruction without further question. Finally they arrive at the place for sacrifice and Abraham continues to impress with his unwavering obedience and faith. Gen. 22:8-9 says, “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.” And because of his unhesitanting faith, of course God does what HE does best, He provided for Abraham and spared Isaac. An angel calls out to Abraham and stops him from slaying Isaac, then provides a ram in a nearby bush for the sacrifice. After this, God pronounces blessings upon Abraham and his descendants! I hear people say all the time, “Abraham’s blessing are mine.” Now I want to ask, if you expect to receive the blessings of Abraham, are you operating in non-hesitating faith and obedience as he did? Think about it!

He loves us like that!

I recently watched a movie called “The Danish Girl.” Set in the 18th century it is the story of a struggling young painter, married to a semi-successful painter for six years. The two are madly in love. He hates going to parties as he is shy and always feels awkward and out of place. One night she reveals a beautiful new nightgown she has purchased, and he likes it so much he decides to try it on. Putting on the gown awakens or stirs something him and things begin to take a turn in their relationship. Thinking it to be a game, she suggests he dress as a female to attend a party she has been invited to. They decide to name him, Lili and to tell everyone he is his own cousin visiting. In the midst of this, the wife has been rejected time and time again by art dealers telling her that her work is just not evolved enough. Soon after the party she begins painting portraits of “Lili,” as she does her husband begins to discover that playing dress up as “Lili” is not enough, he wants to become Lili, permanently. As her portraits of “Lili,” began to gain attention, giving her the exposure and fame she has always wanted, “Lili” begins to take over her husband, who remembering his past, has now realized he has always wanted to be a woman. Now let me get to my point quickly before I lose everyone! In the midst of their discoveries, one thing does NOT change…their love for one another, especially that of the wife for her husband, who is now becoming a woman before her very eyes. Though he cheats on her with a man, changes the way he is affectionate toward her, and constantly let’s her down, she loves him anyway! She never leaves his side and even decides to support his decision to become something she does not want him to be. She tries everything to save her marriage, taking him to several doctors and therapist, who only want to imprison him, thinking he’s mad. She even tries getting him shock treatments. When nothing works, she just…loves him...through it all. Though she has the opportunity she never cheats on him and never cuts ties with him, she is with him the day he completes the surgery, the very first of its kind, to become a woman, physically. She is with him the day he dies from complications. This story (based on a true one) does not have a happy ending per say, but it make me think of how much Jesus loves us! Though we make decisions that He doesn’t want us to, though we “cheat” on Him, putting ourselves and others before Him, though we disappoint Him, despite our past…HE LOVES US! Just like the wife in “The Danish Girl,” Jesus will never leave our side; HE will always be there to love us through whatever we may be facing. He loves us like that, more than that! Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Think about it! Really….Think about it!

You have been warned!

The Surgeon General warns against use of cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol, these products cause cancer, chronic bronchitis, and liver disease among other illnesses. The FDA warns against prescription drugs, many can cause depression, and blindness, among other issues. The makers of new pills and treatments often follow their commercials with warnings that their new products may cause your illness to worsen. Why is it then with so many warning that “we” continue to trust these products, and continue to consume them hoping for the best results? I think it is because faith in the product’s ability to help outweighs the warnings, at least in our minds. When it comes to life and death, the Bible warns against: Idolatry 1 John 5:20-21 NKJV “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.” When it comes to life and death, the Bible warns against: Sin Matthew 5:29-30 (NKJV) “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” Despite these biblical warnings, (and there are many more); many still worship/idolize their cell phone or Facebook page more than Jesus. Many also continue to live riotously on a daily basis with no concern for their soul’s eternal home. Like any warning that is ignored there are consequences…hence the commercials with the fast talker or fine print at the end. Here’s the fine print: Romans 6:23 (NKJV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” You have been warned. Think about it!

Beware of what's beneath!

Recently saw a post on FACEBOOK about a man who claims to have been dating a woman he had fallen in love with. He says he loved everything about her, her personality, looks and intelligence. The post went on to say that after they had been dating a while the woman showed up at the man’s house without make up. He described her has having bad skin and said that her make-up had hidden the truth from him. He says that he instantly fell out of love with her upon seeing the face she had been “hiding under the makeup,” claiming “false advertisement.” First, I want to say that I think it is ridiculous that this so called man, (the whole story could be fabricated, you know the internet) to say that he instantly fell out of love with someone he claimed to be madly in love with for more than just her looks. If he truly loved her for who she was why did her skin condition make such a big difference? Of course the question on the post for discussion was, “Was he being superficial or was she being dishonest?” Second, let me say that I don’t think using make-up to cover a skin condition is dishonest. Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best, most of all who doesn’t know that society accepts “pretty people,” much easier than they do those with (for lack of a better word) unattractive looks. The post of course is debatable and that is not what I want to talk about. (You know me; I saw something deeper in this post) I want to talk about what lies beneath the surface of our being…our hearts. See you can dress up and look beautiful day in and day out but if you have an ugly, dirty, sinful heart, you could end up finding yourself rejected by someone, you don’t want to be rejected by…God. I’m talking about Jesus Christ! It is easy to hide behind polite smiles, cordial conversations and even good deeds, but has your heart been converted to the things of Jesus? Are you living in the truth of His word without dressing up only the parts you want to adhere to? I don’t blame anyone male or female for making themselves look nice or feel more comfortable by dressing up their outer flaws. Shoot, I do it myself! But I do have an issue with those who harbor hatred for others and mascaraed as Christians. Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Think about it.

The little member that can kill!

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”

I recently saw a post that said, “You can’t live a positive life with a negative mind.” That is a simple but profound statement and I believe it is true. I will take it a step further by saying, “You can’t have a positive mind with a negative mouth.” If you are a “gloomy Gus,” as they say or always speaking poorly also known as “poor mouthing,” your words will as they say, “come back to haunt you,” and you may find yourself walking under a cartoon like cloud raining only on your head. Everything I have said thus far may be considered cliché but the Bible is clear on the importance of wise positive speaking. Here are a few scriptures to back up what I am saying. Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.” Proverbs 12:18 “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” I hope by now you see how important it is to speak not only positively but speak in faith as well when it comes to your life, circumstances, and situations. Negative talk breeds negative reactions and outcomes. For example do you know anyone who is constantly talking about their aches and pains and the more they speak it, the more pain they feel? Many may say, “If you put it out into the Universe it will come back to you.” That saying sounds good but I don’t agree with it. The Universe has no control over your life, I don’t believe in karma, I believe in God’s word that gives us clear instructions on how to live and clearly tells us the tongue is dangerous. James 3:8 “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” If we can’t tame our tongues, you may ask, what are we supposed to do? Well think about the animals in the Zoo. They are still wild animals are they not? Haven’t you seen videos of them when they show their “tamer,” just that? They can’t be fully tamed but they can be “contained” and made to “obey.” This is the approach we must (myself included, trust me) take with our tongues. Simply put, think before you say something damaging to yourself or others. Be wise with your words, Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.” Think about what your words can do to yourself or others. When we were kids we would say, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt.” I have found that to be a lie. The tongue is certainly one of the most dangerous members of the human body. Because of the tongue men and women have been driven insane, to kill or be killed. So be careful what you say. That little member can kill. Think about it.

Are you having an affair?

Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Last year I watched the movie “Addicted” by Zane and I wrote an article with the same title. Recently I watched a Lifetime called, “The Perfect Girlfriend.” These two movies have a lot of things in common but the thing that struck me as worthy of an article is this; the individuals in each film were totally obsessed with someone. So much so that they became, ill, depressed, violent, etcetera; when they couldn’t be with the person they desired. They felt they could not live without their significate other even when that person didn’t want to be with them any longer. Much like be addicted to drugs their desires for the person they loved utterly consumed them. They were not able to properly function. In both cases these addictions were a result of an affair. These affairs became so important to them that they began to become careless of any and everything else going on around them, nothing was as important to them as their affair. This makes me wonder; who’s having an affair on God? Christians worldwide proclaim their love for Christ yet they spend more time on their phone than in prayer or on Facebook than sharing their faith. I’m not perfect by any means; and yes writing this makes me take a long look in the mirror, because the last thing I ever want to do is “cheat on God!” My God has done so much for me! Though I have never seen Him in person, I know He lives and reigns in my life. I am devoted to Him and I want Him to know it. How about you? Check your relationship with the Lord for a few seconds. Does He know how much you need and love Him? Do you spend time with Him, talking to Him and loving on Him? Or is God your “side chick or dude?” Do you only call on Him when who or what you primarily focus on is unavailable or uncooperative? As in any relationship, our relationship with Jesus needs attention. This is why I disagree with people who say they don’t “need to or have to, go to a physical church.” How can you cultivate your relationship with someone if you never take them out, never visit their house, never spend time with them outside your living room, same difference with Jesus. We must invest time in our relationship with Him in order for it to flourish and grow. Would you consider yourself in a real relationship with someone you never talked too? Never mentioned to others? Never expressed love for openly? Then how can this work with Jesus? See, He already showed His love for us by giving His life as the ultimate sacrifice for us, and He continually shows His love for us by; waking us daily, as well as protecting us from dangers seen and unseen. If your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend ONLY acknowledged you when they needed something would you stay in a relationship with them? I doubt it. So let’s remember, our relationship with Jesus needs more than a monthly scripture post on social media. It needs quality time, devotion and open adoration. Are you really in love with Jesus, or are you having an affair? Think about it!