Will the Church Be the Church!

"People put on the horse and ride it so high, they make you feel like you can't get over there," Harvey said of Christian folks in the Church who parade around with their facade each Sunday morning. "That's what I wish was different."

This was such a jolting commentary on the state of the church today. I felt compelled to post it here. Steve Harvey is very honest about the mistakes he's made in his lifetime, but he is also put off by the "holier than thou" judgmental attitudes of some Christians.

It is a sad sad day when people feel they can't go to the church to seek help because the "church folk" look down on them. And we all know it to be true. When the young lady steps through the door in a dress that probably would be more appropriate for the club, the typical response from most "church folk" is to turn their noses up and begin whispering amongst themselves about the inappropriateness of her attire. Rarely, if ever, do you see someone approaching her with open arms bringing her into the fold making her feel comfortable enough to even receive a word from God that would help to lovingly steer her into the right direction.

A few years ago there was a big push for What would Jesus Do. As the church we need to do what Jesus would do. Afterall, He was not hung on the cross for following the status quo. He was the savior for the least, the last, and the lost. As a matter ofr fact, He was very critical of the "holy rollers of His day,Saducees and Pharisees, who knew the law but rejected the law giver.

Jesus was all about relationships- His with us and ours with one another. He sought out the least of us and brought us into His loving presence. As believers we need to look deep into our hearts and search our motives. It's not about the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, or the amount of money we can place in the basket. Our country is going to hell in a handbasket because "believers" are afraid to go into the highways and biways and tell the people what thus saith the Lord. We need to get off our holy roller pedestals and seek to complete the great commission of making disciples whenever and where ever we can. The Steve Harveys of the world should not feel as though the church is the last place they can go to be healed, delivered, and set free. Stop looking at the clothes they wear, the way they talk, and the things they do and look into their hurting hearts and show them the love of Jesus. What would Jesus do. God bless

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

I know that Halloween does not line up with the Word and Will of God. There is a proverb that says "When you sup with the devil, use a long spoon."

Halloween is a pagan holiday that began in ancient times. The origins of Halloween are Celtic in nature and have to do with observing the end of summer sacrifices to gods in Druidic tradition. It is celebrated and revered as a day to worship the dead by the wiccan culture.

In ancient times, the gods were worshipped on this day with human sacrifices. Celtics believed Samhain, the lord of death, sent evil spirits abroad to attack humans, who could escape only by assuming disguises and looking like evil spirits themselves. The waning of the sun and the approach of dark winter made the evil spirits rejoice and play nasty tricks. Most of our Halloween practices can be traced back to these old pagan rites and superstitions.

In the fourth century, Christians attempted to co-opt the holiday by celebrating the lives of faithful Christian saints the day before Halloween. This was a conscious attempt to provide an alternative and to re-focus the day away from ghouls, goblins, ghosts, witches and other “haunted” experiences. Since that time many Christians have decided to allow their children to dress in more “innocent” costumes of pumpkins, princesses, Superman or as a cowboy. Part of this is due to the simple reality that in today’s Western culture it is nearly impossible to “avoid” Halloween. But Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:20 "But I say that these things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God, and I would not that you should have fellowship with the devil.

Our children are impressionable and allowing them to celebrate Halloween can send mixed messages. Satan is cunning in the ways that he gains entry into our lives. If we are not careful, before long he can turn someting as simple as celebrating Halloween into a stronghold in our lives. You could be opening up doorways into your chidren's lives for evil by bringing them into a kind of "fellowship" with these ancient "gods."

Children are God's heritage. We should do everything possible to train them up in the Word and Will of God.

We are commanded not to become involved with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11).

So, should Christians celebrate Halloween and/or look for alternatives to celebrate on this day? What do you think?

Please think about this, pray over it and ask God to lead you.

Be blessed!!

I Believe - NEW VIDEO by Kathy Taylor

Check this out . I am blessed to know this phenomenal women of God.

Plans for a Future

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

It feels so good to be encouraged by someone you look up to, someone who roots you on, someone who believes you can complete the task before you. Well God is in your corner doing just that, rooting for you. He knows the future and His plans for us are good and full of hope. As long as He provides the agenda and is with us as we fulfill His mission, we an have hope that knows no bounds. This doesn't mean that we will never be touched by pain, sickness, poor relationships, job loss, divorce, domestic violence, cancer, or other trials, but it does mean we can rest assured God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.

Feel free to post comments of instances God has brought you through your trials.

October Observances

October marks the observances of two significant events; National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each of these observances are near and dear to my heart because I have experienced them in a very personal way.

In 1979 I lost a cousin to breast cancer. This was during a time when awarness was really not a big deal. Breast cancer was just beginning to be examined as a problem and technology was far behind with regards to health care for women.

Domestic violence on the other hand is a much more personal issue. I understand all too well the intricacies associated with abuse victims and their home life.

In the next few weeks I will be posting information related to each of these topics. Please join me by posting comments and information. Together, let's work to erradicate each of these issues. God bless

Where Was God?

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. Isaiah 53:4

Is God absent when we go through trials in our lives? Hurrican Katrina, Hurricane Ike, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, each of these is a tragedy in and of itself, but is God really there? YES HE IS! He's in the individuals who come to support you. He's in the countless number of prayers that are sent up on your behalf. He's with those who show compassion and assist financially. God never leaves you alone. (Hebrews 13:5)

We may not have the right answers to the how's and the why's of certain tragedies that befall us, but as believers we should always rest assured God is present with us. Even when we become perplexed as to why He has allowed our lives to take a tragic turn, we can trust God to be near us working out everything for our good.

Fear Not